Spotlight on Paul Caskey

By Joan Wolf

New Mexico Four Wheelers

Dec 2006

Paul has owned his ’95 Jeep Wrangler for four years but didn’t know where to go four-wheeling in New Mexico. As he searched the web, he was drawn to the no-nonsense attitude, family orientation, and membership screening process of the New Mexico Four Wheelers. His first NM4W outing was the 2006 Memorial Day weekend trip to the Jemez. Paul liked the people and had so much fun he stayed for three nights.

The first day’s run was up/over the Gilman hills (the trail just before the tunnels). Paul had been off road but never rock crawling. “As we approached the first incline, my jaw dropped. We're going up THAT?" he remembers.

He appreciated club members spotting him through obstacles and had fun the whole time. A flat tire later in the day was no deterrent. By the end of the day, he knew he was in the right club. "I was impressed at what little trail damage and even trail improvements can be caused when everyone is conscientious," he said. Paul is a member of Tread Lightly.

Paul has always loved cars and driving, starting with a '69 Mustang in high school. He’s since owned another Mustang, a BMW Z3 (which he raced autocross), a Ford F350, an Accord, and others.

Paul bought a new ’95 white Wrangler 4-cylinder and practically drove from the dealer's lot over Imogene Pass. Four years ago he spotted another '95 white Wrangler for sale. This one already had a 6-cylinder, 3.5” lift, and 33” tires. He rescued it from its fate transporting the previous "Barbie Doll" owner to the mall.

Using Glenn’s website as a guide, Paul equipped this Jeep for real four-wheeling. He installed custom front and rear bumpers, CB radio, high-lift jack, rock sliders, under-hood compressor, and a winch. He looks forward to lower gears and ARB lockers some day.

Paul sees the correlation of race driving and four wheeling. “Tires and tire pressure are everything. You must find the right line through the course, pay attention to traction, and always be in the right gear. The difference is whether you go 1 mph or 100 mph.”

Born and raised in Albuquerque, Paul graduated from UNM in 1995 and worked at Sandia Labs. Now he works at Applied Research Associates. Among other engineering efforts, ARA supplies DOD with remote control planes and tanks to keep our troops out of harm's way. Paul often travels to ARA offices including Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C.

Paul has been asked on the trail about his curious license plate: AS17323. His only clue: "I'm a computer geek in the extreme." But he doesn't mind eating a little dust. "You're out in the wilderness soaking in beautiful scenery. Why would anyone in a Jeep have the top up?" he asks.

Paul enjoys hiking, biking, and inline skating. He likes video games that require interaction with others; Guitar Hero is a current favorite. Though too modest to say so, Paul is an accomplished musician. His history includes trombone performances with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony, UNM jazz band, and a rock band called The Circuit Breakers, so named “because we were too loud for some bars.”

Paul wants to try some technical runs but isn’t sure when or where. Sounds like Paul needs to check out the Chile Challenge in February. (And buy some raffle tickets, right Leon?) We welcome Paul to NM4W. It’s the place to be for anyone interested in vehicles, four-wheeling, exploring, and having fun off the beaten path. The only thing not allowed is racing.

(Later Paul did attend the 2007 Chile Challenge and had a blast!)