This is a year of learning for Dillon Reimer.
The 20-year-old and his parents moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, at the end of February and he's still learning how to get from one side of town to the other and how life on the banks of the Colorado River differs from life in the Rocky Mountains around Loveland, Colorado, where he used to live.
He's also learning that competing in the Pro Buggy class of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series presented by GEICO is a giant step up from the Limited Buggy or Class 10 categories he had been racing in.
"It's a lot different," said Reimer, who launched his off-road career by winning the Colorado Class 10 title in 2008 and for the past few years has been racing primarily in the Midwest. "These cars are a lot different. You have to have a different driving style. You've got to be on your game 100 percent all the time. You can't let up or take a break at all."
Reimer, who started racing when he was 15, said he and his father and crew chief Gregg decided to give Pro Buggy a try last winter, then reinforced that decision by moving to Lake Havasu City to save some of the time and money involved in traveling to the various event sites.
It's a long-term commitment, too. Reimer, who likes to hunt and fish in his spare time, said he'd like to finish in the top 5 in points and stand on the podium at least once this season and be a strong title contender within five years. There's still a lot to learn, though.
"I'm feeling a little frustrated," said Reimer, who has three top 8 finishes in six rounds of racing and is ninth in the point standings. "I look at it as this is my first year in the class and I knew I wasn't going come out and dominate, that I'd have to work at it. But we've had a blown motor and things you wouldn't expect to happen happen."
DILLON REIMER AT A GLANCE
Age: 20
Lives in: Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Marital status: Single
Occupation: Custom home builder
Car number: 88 Pro Buggy
Type of chassis: AlumiCraft
Engine: Chevrolet Eco-Tech
Crew Chief: Gregg Reimer
Sponsors: Sle-Co Plastics, Loveland Builders, Special T's, Shoc Joc, Lucas Oil, Sierras Race Against Meningitis
Years in racing: 6
Divisions raced: Class 10 desert, Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Limited Buggy, Pro Buggy
Championships and awards: Colorado Class 10 champion, 2008
Series points standings: 23 Limited Buggy (2012), 23 Limited Buggy (2011), 28 Limited Buggy (2010)
