Don Ponder

Biography

At 70 years old, this veteran desert racer from St. Louis continues to demonstrate remarkable longevity in SCORE International competition, piloting his #1288 Jimco in the demanding SCORE Lites division. His participation in the legendary Baja 1000 showcases the dedication and passion that has defined his extensive off-road racing career.

Competing in the highly competitive SCORE Lites class, which features VW-powered vehicles with strict displacement limits of 1776cc for single-seaters and 1835cc for two-seaters, Ponder represents the grassroots spirit of desert racing. The SCORE Lites division has long been considered a proving ground for emerging talent and a showcase for veteran racers who appreciate the pure, technical challenge of wheel-to-wheel competition in more affordable machinery.

His willingness to tackle the grueling Baja peninsula course, with its treacherous terrain spanning over 800 miles of unforgiving desert, mountains, and coastline, speaks to his enduring commitment to the sport. Racing at an age when most competitors have long since retired, Ponder embodies the adventurous spirit that makes SCORE desert racing unique, proving that passion for off-road competition knows no age limits in the pursuit of conquering Baja's ultimate challenge.