Club Expanded Info

The New Mexico Tech Offroad Club (NMTORC) was established in the Spring of 2003 as a chapter of the New Mexico Tech Automotive Racing Club (NMTARC). The Founding Officers: Jake Scarbrough, James Kearney, Bryan Mitchell, and Jordan Warton, are still some of the most active members/officers today. By the Fall of 2003, it was apparent that NMTORC needed to be its own club, so we split, and formed the NMTORC we all see today.

Our primary goal has always been to provide students - and everyone else - with the environment essential for safe and fun four-wheeling, whether it be Rockcrawling, Mudbogging, or Baja Racing. We make it a goal to know our local trails, help develop new ones, and inform people of the four-wheeling opportunities that are available. We organize Trail Runs nearly every week - the usual day being Sunday. Anyone - student or not - is invited to attend Trail Runs/Trail Builds, Meetings, or Wrenching Parties.

We also like to educate people on basic fabrication skills. The satisfaction of designing and fabricating modifications for your vehicle is much greater than a bolt on product, and we try to provide the necessary tools and experience to do so. Interested people can learn to use everything from your basic hacksaw or die grinder, to more advanced items such as: chop saw, angle grinder, drill press, band saw, cutting torch, welder, plasma torch, mill, and a lathe.

NMTORC provides automotive tools and member knowledge to aid members with vehicle maintenance, repairs, or bolt-on modifications ranging from simple tasks like changing engine oil, to more advanced projects such as a new Power Steering pump or new lift-springs.

NMTORC works closely with the Bureau of land Management (BLM) to keep our trails clean and make sure they stay open. We are currently working with BLM and other members of the Off-Highway Vehicle (mountain-bikes, dirt-bikes, ATVs) community to formalize the Gordy's Hill OHV Area East of Socorro in the Quebradas. This project consists of GPS mapping, naming, and rating of trails, along with reinforcing existing land boundaries.

Aside from our weekly trail runs, NMTORC organizes/hosts the NMT Mudbog each April. Started in 1998 by Jason Kemp, and larger than a UNM Lobos Football game, the NMT Mudbog is one of the largest gatherings in the city of Socorro with an estimated 2-3 thousand attendants from all around NM.

When it comes to BBQ-ing, our semester BBQs are rivaled by no other. We have thrown several BBQs by ourselves and with the help of NMTARC. They are always a great success.

The trails we call home are in Gordy's Hill OHV Area East of Socorro in the Quebradas. We have been wheelin' these trails for the last few years, and will continue to develop and wheel new ones. We also frequent the Magdelena Mnts. About 12 miles West of town for the North Baldy trail, and Water Canyon trail. Aseveral of the members have visited other trails around the state, and even Moab, the 4x4 Mecca of the World.

To get involved with the NMT Offroad Club, visit our Forum and introduce yourself, or send an email to the president.