Robbie Pierce, a renowned off-road racer, builder, and entrepreneur, passed away on January 4, 2023, at the age of 63. According to Jimco Racing Inc, the company he owned and managed, Pierce died in an accident while scuba diving, his second biggest passion in life.
A Life Dedicated to Off-Road Racing and Safety
Pierce was born in 1959 and grew up in the Southern California mountains east of San Diego. He developed an interest in metal fabrication and machinery while working on large farming and agricultural equipment in Idaho. He later returned to California and joined MasterCraft Safety, a company that produced tubular seat frames for off-road vehicles.
Pierce eventually bought MasterCraft Safety and expanded it to include other types of safety equipment, such as helmets, suits, gloves, and harnesses. He also acquired Impact Racing, another safety gear company founded by Bill Simpson. Pierce sold both companies to Sparco in 2017.
Pierce was also the founder of Jimco Racing, a leading manufacturer of off-road racing vehicles, such as Trophy Trucks, buggies, and UTVs. He took over the management of Jimco Racing in 2018 and continued to innovate and improve the quality and performance of off-road racing machines.
Pierce was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2018 for his contributions to the safety and advancement of off-road racing and motorsports. He was also a passionate racer himself, competing in various off-road events and signature races, such as the Baja 1000 and the Dakar Rally.
A Tragic Loss for the Off-Road Community
Pierce’s death came as a shock to the off-road racing community, which mourned the loss of a great leader, friend, and mentor. Many fellow racers, fans, and industry members expressed their condolences and tributes on social media and other platforms.
Rob MacCachren, the winner of the 2022 Baja 1000 and a longtime friend and teammate of Pierce, said that Pierce “had one of the biggest hearts in off-road” and that he “seized every opportunity to help someone”. MacCachren also praised Pierce’s dedication to raising the bar for safety products that saved lives of many racers.
Jimco Racing Inc released a statement on its website and Facebook page, announcing Pierce’s passing and celebrating his legacy. The statement said that Pierce’s dedication to off-road racing and motorsports “will continue to save lives, and thrill racers and fans alike for years to come”. The statement also quoted a famous line from the movie Gladiator: “What you do in life echoes in eternity”.
The statement ended with a fitting farewell for Pierce: “Drive fast, take chances. Race in peace”.
