01 / Our legacy

Team Purple.

The Southern California rock-crawling team behind Schneider Motorsports.

Competition archive

The early years

Ron Schneider founded Schneider Motorsports in 1999 in Temecula, California. Competing as Team Purple, Ron drove and fabricated while Mel served as the team’s competition spotter. The team’s competition history spans CRCA, CalROCS and the UROC/W.E. Rock era.

Team YJ, the team’s modified Jeep, put Team Purple’s fabrication to the test on ledges, tight turns and steep climbs. Driver and spotter had to read each gate together and choose a line the vehicle could hold.

The team’s purple single-seat buggy was Nemesis. Its two-seat buggy was Rock Rail.

1999 · Temecula

Team Purple begins

Ron Schneider establishes the team in Southern California.

1999 · Johnson Valley

Best Team Work Award

At the Warn Rock Crawling National event, Four Wheeler magazine presented Team Purple with the Best Team Work Award.

February 2002 · CRCA

2:25 qualifying run

At Wooden Nickel Ranch, Rockcrawler.com reported a record-setting 2:25 qualifying run in Team YJ. A front-end failure on the hill climb ended his main-event run.

Read the period report
October 2002 · CRCA

Rocktoberfest Pro finish

Team Purple tackled Carnage Canyon and finished the Pro course in 7:45.00. The published standings list Team Purple as the only Pro finisher.

View the published standings
From the Team Purple archive

Old-school rock crawling

Period photos from the team’s collection show Team YJ, Nemesis, the crew at work and the lines they took through marked rock gates. Tap any image to open a larger view.

Team YJ and the team hauler

Team YJ, the purple-and-yellow Jeep, climbing a rock ledge
Competition JeepTeam YJ, the purple-and-yellow Jeep, climbing a rock ledge.
Team Purple lettering and period sponsor decals on Team YJ
Team detailsTeam Purple lettering and period sponsor decals on Team YJ.
Nemesis loaded on the team hauler
Behind the scenesNemesis loaded on the team hauler.

Team Purple on course

A Team Purple crew member beside Nemesis in the staging area
Team PurpleA Team Purple crew member beside Nemesis in the staging area.
The team guides Nemesis toward a boulder
Team PurpleThe team guides Nemesis toward a boulder.
Team Purple works Nemesis across a steep rock face
Team PurpleTeam Purple works Nemesis across a steep rock face.
Team Purple guides the front tires onto a boulder
Team PurpleTeam Purple guides the front tires onto a boulder.

Competition action

Nemesis lifts a front tire onto a ledge between course markers
Competition actionNemesis lifts a front tire onto a ledge between course markers.
Side view of Nemesis crossing rounded boulders
Competition actionSide view of Nemesis crossing rounded boulders.
Team Purple guides Nemesis through a dusty rock gate
Competition actionTeam Purple guides Nemesis through a dusty rock gate.
Front view of Nemesis on a rock slab with spectators above
Competition actionFront view of Nemesis on a rock slab with spectators above.
Nemesis climbs a steep rock gate with one front tire high
Competition actionNemesis climbs a steep rock gate with one front tire high.
Nemesis climbs a rock ledge in front of spectators
Competition actionNemesis climbs a rock ledge in front of spectators.
The purple crawler leans into a narrow slot between boulders
Competition actionThe purple crawler leans into a narrow slot between boulders.
Schneider Motorsports

Meet the current team

Ron and Dawna Schneider carry the program forward.

Meet the team