Tim Gaasch is owner and co-driver of Impulsive Behavior

Owner and Co-Driver
Age, 41, 6'2", 230 lbs. (1 month Chuck’s senior)
Occupation: Project Engineer
Hometown: Carpinteria, California

As a young boy in Minnesota, I’d make sure to see the stock car races every Friday night when visiting my grandparents. My grandfather had visions of my brother and I racing on the local tracks, but my family moved to California when I was 12 years old so my stock car racing dream was over.

I have been involved in off-road driving since the early 80’s when my buddy Scott and I would escape to Borrego (east of San Diego) for peace and quiet and to fly through the desert washes. When he finally brought home a Jeep CJ-5, he claimed "We will never get stuck in a Jeep." We quickly proved that theory incorrect and were forced to learn more of the skill and finesse required to drive off-road.

My first trip to the sand dunes was in a borrowed Jeep Cherokee. I spent the day trying to get to the top of a hill without getting stuck. Since then I have become a member of the Santa Barbara 4 Wheel Drive Club and have learned how to drive in the sand.

I have tried a few different racing sports to determine where my racing career would begin. I enjoyed the racing school at Pomona International Drag Strip and the chance to drive a Pro-Comp level dragster. The speed was great but the racing locations were limited. Next, I went to the Ventura Fairgrounds to drive a 360 Class Sprint Car. I really enjoyed the feel of the corners, even though my instructor kept chastising me for driving like a drag racer. The Sprint Car was very exciting; however, I was looking for a non-contact style of racing.

Chuck had a GMC truck that he had run in the dunes for many years. This truck was just about done, and Chuck was also looking for the next step in his need for speed. We combined our efforts to create a vehicle that would fulfill both our needs. We both liked the acceleration of drag racing and the freedom of the dunes so a sand vehicle was born.

We have spent the last two years playing in the dunes and chasing the lights at sand drag events. The jeep is always getting faster, and the excitement has not gone away. Recently, I gave a ride to a new-found friend at the dunes, and he exclaimed, "This ride has changed my life!" While I was unsure of the spiritual implications he was referring to, I can agree that this Jeep has changed the direction of mine!

Come on out and join us on our trips to the dunes or the race track. You can come over and ask questions whenever you want, we enjoy helping out whenever we can.

Chuck McKenna | Tim Gaasch | Jonathan Gaasch | Samantha Gaasch