By Vicki Brown
Colleton’s brother and sister racing team, Haley and Jeb Bootle, have placed in the MidAmerica Outdoors off-road UTV race in Oklahoma. This race occurred during the Memorial Day weekend. Haley finished first in the women’s division of the race while Jeb place second in one category and took third in another. The three-day race saw riders competing from all over the contiguous United States. The landscape was rough, with water features, hills, obstacles, and more. While the Bootles persevered and excelled in their events, other racers were not so fortunate, seeing their vehicles flip, wreck and stall. According to Jeb, he participated in off-road racing, a short course with a bigger track, with side-by-sides. “The classes I race are Pro NA Stock and Pro Turbo,” said Jeb. “The track was very muddy in parts and dusty, lots of ruts, but in pretty good shape overall. I overjumped once which cost me some time.” Still, he felt good about his achievements over the Memorial Day weekend. “I was better than I was in my last two races, and I definitely made improvements,” he said. “In the Pro MA Class, I placed second, and in the Turbo Class, I placed third in a photo finish where I almost came in second. I placed behind two of the best UTV racers in the country.” When asked why he took up racing, his answer was simple. “It’s a passion; something I love to do. I love racing. It is an expensive sport, but I like going fast; it takes my worries away. I see my cars as companions and we both have one job to do and that’s to win. We take care of each other like best friends. I hope to take my racing career to the next level and one day become a professional racecar driver,” said Jeb. “Racing has also been a bonding experience between my dad and I … most kids don’t interact with their dads these days so it’s something my dad and I both love to do.” Jeb and Haley have sponsors: AVID UTV, Kryptic SxS, MRT Tires, Coastal Graphics, Bentons Feed and Seed, and Wood Racing. “This weekend we won almost $4,000, which now pays for the price of diesel it takes just to get there. We are mainly on a family budget … we are always looking for sponsors,” said Jeb. While Jeb races two vehicles, Haley races one. Haley is a senior at Colleton Prep Academy, the valedictorian, and a pitcher for the CPA Lady Hawk softball team. She has also competed in USEF Hunter/Show Jumping with her horse and amateur stock car racing. She loves UTV racing. Haley and Jeb Bootle are part of the Skidrow Racing Team. This team includes the teens’ parents, Everett and Nicole Bootle, with Caleb Stroble and Kenny O’Quinn. With high hopes of winning, the Skidrow Racing Team is already working on the next race.
