Racer, engineer & star of Visions of Victory
There’s fast, and then there’s Dustin Jones fast. Growing up in the mudder’s heaven of Shreveport, Louisiana and quickly racking up wins, Jones quickly found his home not only on Can-Am ATVs but in modifying them for mud and racing through S3 Power Sports. Now a successful enterprise in its own right, S3 Power Sports is Jones’ base of operation for not only multiple race wins—including the Mint 400 in a Maverick X3 on his first start—but the backdrop for the popular Visions of Victory video series now in its 5th season.
FAVORITE PLACE TO RIDE
We have been fortunate enough to ride literally all over the world. From the enormous dunes of the Gobi desert in China, to the Canadian Muskeg mud pits, to the beaches of Baja, to the most gnarly rock crawls in Moab Utah. But for me, growing up in the swamps of Louisiana, there is nothing more fun than grabbing a couple of buddies and heading to one of our local parks in Texas or Louisiana to spend a weekend getting muddy!
BEST OFF-ROAD STORY
Growing up in Louisiana and playing in the swamps, it became a part of life to encounter all types of critters including alligators and snakes while out riding—but I don’t think it ever prepares you to share a side by side with one!
One weekend we were out at a local riding park in east Texas at a big mud riding event. We got back in some really swampy remote part of the park, where not many people ride. The holes were really deep and thick mud and the sun was starting to go down on us. We got to a pretty bad creek crossing, but just on the other side was the main trail back out our camp, so we knew there was no option but to get across.
I was the first one into this creek…and it certainly didn’t disappoint! When we got down in it, we knew it was going to take some serious work and winching to get out. We never even considered looking around us while we were jumping in and out of the water, and climbing in and out of the SxS. We finally got out of the creek and onto the main road.
We got the winch line rolled in, and I opened the door to get back in my SxS and realized at some point while in the creek, a highly-aggressive and venomous Water Moccasin snake climbed inside of my SxS—and it was his until he was kind enough to leave and give it back to me!! Needless to say, everyone else in our group took the long way around!
PHILOSOPHY ON LIFE
Life is too short not to enjoy it! No matter where I am, I try to take time to look around and appreciate the experience. It ‘s always been important to stay try to my routes and remember my humble upbringings and its created a perspective of gratitude no matter where I am or what I’m doing. When it comes to racing, I have always told the guys on our race team: Race for Glory. Forget about fame, any awards, notoriety or payouts. Do it cause you love it and every time you sit in the car… Race for Glory.
FAVORITE FOOD
Crawfish will always hold a special place in my heart, but I have become a fan of Tacos from the Baja peninsula and Chinese buffets!
MUSIC TO RIDE TO
The music I listen really comes down to the mood I’m in and what riding I’m doing. For a mud ride, its just some good old country classics. When the girls show up, it tends to be Florida Georgia Line or Luke Bryant. If we are riding the dunes or preparing for a race, it’s all dubstep or mashup! Something that gets me fired up and keeps and fast beat! Those late nights after riding and we all park & hang out, I have to admit, the hiphop comes on to get everyone dancing!
RACING ACCOMPLISHMENT
UTV World Champion
Multi-Time Mud Racing Champion
Mint 400 Champion
DREAM RIDING LOCATION
I have riding the most beautiful and craziest places all over the country, and hit just about every location on my bucket list. However, I have to say the one place I dream of riding one day is the dunes of Dubai—I have to ride there one day!