Canadian Desert Racing CJ-7 History


A while ago, my friend Dale Nyeste scanned some old photos and has invited me to post them here over time. For those of you that do not know Dale, he is a second generation racer that works at Baja North , the only off road racing and prerunner shop in Canada. Ironicly, the owner Craig Humphries used to own this race CJ-7, as did Dales father Bob Nyeste.


The Jeep CJ7 was originaly built and raced in California in the 1970’s. In fact, it even won the Baja 500 but I am not sure of the year. I believe it changed hands a few times and ended up in Quesnel, BC under the ownership of Tom Mower. Photobucket“>
PhotobucketPhotobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Tommy raced it for a number of years, then sold it to Bob Nyeste of Kamloops, BC in the late 1980’s. Nyeste had recently totalled his 79 Ford Bronco race truck and needed a ride while he was building his new Class 4 F150. The pictures above with the white body and blue cage are from Nyeste’s ownership.
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Craig Humphries, an employee of Nyeste’s Sportsman Four Wheel Drive Centre, had been assisting in the prep and co-driving chores. When the new truck was ready in the early 90’s, Humphries purchased the CJ-7 and upgraded it with a YJ front end. The Jeep was first black with a gold cage, followed by white and black with pink cage as seen below. The desert racing Jeep has passed through a few different owners since then and rumor has it that it is a street drivin vehicle these days.
Photobucket

0 comments… add one

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *