However, when Elizabeth is indulging in her favorite hobby, chances are she wouldn't draw a glance from the guys. Because she's clad in a fire suit and has those long locks stuffed under a full-faced helmet.

Yep, the lady is an off-road racer, and a pretty good one, at that.

Elizabeth Wayas Barroso is 24 years old and lives in La Paz, near the end of the Baja peninsula. Her full-time job is that of a flight attendant for Aero California, but her full-time love is off-road racing.

She comes from a family with a racing background. Her father and mother used to compete in rallies in the '60s, with Dad doing the driving and Mom handling the navigating chores. Since then, many of the eight brothers in the family have competed in off-roading racing of one type or another.

When her brother bought a Class 5 car, she started helping out with the pits at first, and then graduated to handling a chase vehicle. During this time, she regularly attended meetings of the local racing club and got to know the racers well. After a year or so of chasing for the race vehicles, her driving skills improved to the point where the racers recognized her abilities.

One of the racers had a Class 11 (VW Bug) and needed a co-driver, so Elizabeth hopped in the passenger seat for a few events and got her taste of real racing. This is one woman who just didn't sit in that passenger seat; she mastered quick tire changes and learned how to make emergency repairs in the field.

The, one day, she was asked if she wanted to drive the race car. A big family meeting ensued, with Dad and all the brothers loudly proclaiming that it was too dangerous for a woman, and that a woman's place was in the home. After "vigorous" debate, a vote was taken. The results were nine votes against and one vote for. However, since Mamacita cast the lone dissenting vote, and she did the cooking in the house, her opinion over-rode the other nine votes.

That first race took place in March of '95 and it was the San Jose Del Cabo 300K. Elizabeth was very nervous before the event, but once the starting flag fell, she was OK and able to concentrate fully on the task ahead.

There were 16 cars in the race, and she was the tenth car off the line. By 100 kilometers, she had moved up to third, in spite of driving cautiously. Near the half-way point, she was hit by other cars, but her chase crew worked frantically and repaired the VW in 45 minutes. Forced to make up time, Elizabeth drove harder and forgot the conservative pace. She was able to pass a bunch of cars and eventually finished third in her class.

The entire family was there to greet her at the finish line, and to say they were happy was an understatement! A well-deserved celebration went well on into the night. Elizabeth was on her way!

Four races later, she teamed up with another lady racer (Maria Partella) in a Class 1-1600 in mainland Mexico and they nailed down a solid third place in yet another 300 K race. Her rides varied a lot, piloting Class 9s, 11s and ?-1600s.

As much fun as competing in all these classes was, Elizabeth noted that the biggest thrill she's had off-roading so far, was when Larry Roeseler let her drive his 700 horsepower pre-runner truck. With a huge smile, she said: "I gotta have one of those!"

Larry also encouraged her to go for goals and really opened up her mind to unlimited potentials. Not long after that, Elizabeth had another unique experience when she rode as a passenger in Martin Soto's powerful and exotic Trophy Truck.

Plans for the future? Elizabeth wants to work hard, improve her driving skills and eventually become a full-time professional racer. She's on her way, with some good sponsors helping. Among them: Aero California, Tecate beer, Fram/Bendix/Autolite, Coolwater Perfume, CEA Gas Co. of Tijuana, Elf, General Tires, Kuroda San and WR Racing Trans.

Is there a truck in her future?

Yes, but for now, she just debuted her new Class 9 two-seater in the Baja 500.

Just how determined in this lady racer? In the Baja 500 a few years ago, she got to the base of the nasty Rumirosa hill and looked up in dismay. There were dozens of race cars stuck on the hill, many of them much more powerful than her little stock class VW. Her co-driver said that he would try to get a 4x4 on the radio and tow them up the hill through the mess.

Elizabeth refused the help and said she wanted to give it a try. The passenger got out and told her she was nuts, as half of the Class 11 cars had broken parts trying to get up the brutal hill, not to mention the intimidating drop-offs bordering the rock-strewn road.

She slipped the Bug into low gear, ran the engine up to 5,000 rpm and started up the hill, her heart in her mouth, with her passenger running alongside the car. Slowly, but surely, the VW churned up the silty grade, weaving in and out of the stuck vehicles, using every inch of the road to get the job done.

But she made it! The passenger got back in, gave her a big thumbs-up sign and a well-earned pat on the back. When the dust settled, she crossed the finish line in third place, in a tough race that clamed more than two-thirds of the entrants as non-finishers.

Way to go, Elizabeth! See you at the races!