Spotlight | Vanessa Tortolero Could Be a Voice for the Next Generation

This year’s KOH brought its fair share of challenges for Vanessa. After discovering significant issues with her old chassis, she and her team worked tirelessly to prepare her car for the brutal 2025 race. Despite their efforts, race day threw additional obstacles her way. From the start, Vanessa faced major braking issues, forcing her to drive the entire first lap with little to no brakes. With her navigator calling out dangers and sharp turns early, she managed to push through, even passing multiple competitors along the way.

At the main pit, her team worked to bleed the brakes, but the issue persisted. Determined to stay in the fight, Vanessa made a quick stop at her remote pit during the second lap for another attempt at repairs. While the brakes improved slightly, a mechanical failure at mile 14—a lost lower spindle pin bolt and a bent lower A-arm—ultimately ended her race. It was a heartbreaking DNF for Vanessa, who had executed her strategy to perfection despite the challenges, only to be sidelined by mechanical failures.

Though KOH 2025 may not have gone her way, Vanessa’s determination to overcome adversity continues to inspire. Her journey, including the highs, lows, and everything in between, embodies the resilience and grit that define off-road racing. As she joins our team, Vanessa brings not only her expertise but also her unfiltered perspective on the off-road lifestyle. We can’t wait to see what’s next for her—both on the track and here at ATV.com.

Personal Journey

ATV.com: Can you tell us a little about your journey into off-road racing? How did it all start for you? 

Vanessa Tortolero: My journey started when I was a kid. My dad used to race class 7 trucks, 5/1600’s, and class 8 trucks. He used to take me down to Baja and buckle my child seat into the chase truck while he raced. I used to chase him all over Baja, watching his race. I remember feeling like we were on this great adventure. To this day it's still a very vivid memory of mine.

ATV: What challenges have you faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and how have you overcome them? 

VT: When I’m racing, I don’t really think about the fact that I’m in a male-dominated sport. I feel like when the helmets go on, and we’re racing, we’re all out there for the same reason. We all want to succeed and win. I don’t think there are advantages to being a male in this sport. Obviously, the social norm is men in this industry. It’s probably easier for the boys to start learning about cars and working in the garage with their dads and friends. But I was fortunate enough to have a dad who taught me and treated me like one of the boys because I showed a lot of interest in the sport. I just ignore the men that think we don’t belong in the sport. I think once we’re out there, we prove that we can be just as successful as them. 

ATV: What would you say is the most surprising thing about being a professional off-road racer?

VT: I think the most surprising thing about being a professional off-road racer is that anyone can start racing. It’s an extremely expensive sport, but as long as you have the dedication and the money, anyone can do it.

The Racing Life

ATV: What’s the one piece of gear or equipment you can’t live without on race day?

VT: My gear bag carries literally everything I need for race day. I love it because it holds everything so conveniently.

ATV: How do you balance the mental and physical demands of racing with other aspects of your life? 

VT: It’s definitely a struggle sometimes. I think leading up to King of the Hammers was one of the most stressful preps I’ve had. Between work, getting the race car ready, and now school, it was a lot to handle. Thankfully, the support of my family and friends took a huge load off for me. I think life stress helps me manage race stress and vice versa. This sport has really taught me how to control my stress and manage my time well. Time management is definitely key.

ATV: What has been your proudest moment so far in your racing career?

VT: Aside from the podiums in different races, I think what I’m really proud of is when I acquire new sponsors. I have dreamed of being a sponsored racer since before I started racing. I work so hard to prove myself with my work ethic that when companies notice me and acknowledge my efforts, it is a very satisfying feeling and justifies why I work so hard.

A Bit of Fun

ATV: If you weren’t racing, what other career or hobby do you think you’d be pursuing?

VT: I’ve always been big into fitness. I think I would still be pursuing some kind of sport and trying to compete in it. I’m naturally a competitive person, so even if I wasn’t racing, I would still find a way to compete in something. 

ATV: Do you have a favorite race event or track? What makes it special to you?

VT: NORRA 1000. It was the first big race of my career, and I was the only female to complete the entire NORRA 1000 the year I did it. 

ATV: What’s one thing about you that fans might be surprised to learn? 

VT: When I’m not racing, I’m actually very big into academics. I truly believe in always learning something new. I’m currently working towards my nursing degree. I have my Bachelor’s in Kinesiology from Oregon State University and I’m going for my second Bachelor’s in Nursing.

Advice and Inspiration

ATV: What advice would you give to women who are interested in off-road racing but feel intimidated about starting? 

VT: As simple as it sounds, just go for it! This sport can be intimidating, but you’re missing out on an amazing community and industry if you don’t. The people and brands in this community are so welcoming. There are always people there to support you along the way and answer questions. 

ATV: How do you approach pushing boundaries while staying safe on the trail or track? 

VT: Pushing boundaries and comfort zones is a must to become better and faster in this sport. Racing is filled with uncomfortable times and moments where you have to push those boundaries for a chance to win. For me, it’s training my brain to be more comfortable with the feeling of being uncomfortable. Whether it’s taking a corner faster or approaching sponsorships in different ways, pushing those boundaries is a necessity.

ATV: Who or what inspires you the most when you’re out there competing?

VT: Knowing how much effort and dedication it takes for me to get out there makes me appreciate it so much more. I’ve had to almost completely fund my own program. It takes a lot of dedication, time, and pushing through all the obstacles that come with prepping a race car and getting an entire program ready for a race. Since I started racing, I got my real estate license to have a second income to better support my race program. When I’m racing, I think about all the hard work I put in to make my dreams a reality.

Role at ATV.com

ATV: What excites you most about collaborating with ATV.com to share your insights? 

VT: What excites me most is having the opportunity to share my experiences with racing and sharing a different perspective. 

ATV: What are some of the key lessons or experiences you hope to share with readers, especially women and new racers? 

VT: I hope to show people, both men and women, that anyone can achieve something as big as off-road racing if they simply put their mind to a goal. I am an average person who simply had a dream to go racing, and I found a way to make it work through hard work, dedication, and the drive to make it happen. 

ATV: How do you see your role inspiring the next generation of riders? 

VT: I hope to inspire riders and the younger generation to work hard and stay dedicated to their dreams. If I can make it happen, anyone can. It’s definitely not an easy achievement, and I’m still working towards it, but if you have the will and drive, it can happen. That goes for any goal anyone has, not just racing. I picked up extra jobs to save up the money to go racing and be able to afford to run my race program. It takes a lot of sacrifice, but the reward is amazing!

Looking Ahead

ATV: What are your goals for the future in racing and beyond? 

VT: My biggest goal in racing at the moment is to race the entire SCORE series. I grew up watching my dad race SCORE, and it would be a dream of mine to bring it full circle and have him watch me follow in his footsteps. 

ATV: Where do you see the powersports community evolving in the next five years, especially for women riders?

VT: Every year, I see more and more females getting into the Powersports community. I think with the way social media has grown and helped market the industry, this community will only continue to grow and attract more people to it. I think with the help of technology like Starlink to be able to cover powersports events better on TV and social media, this is the push our industry needs to grow it and bring more money into the sport.