The VW Beetle holds the crown as the best-selling car ever since its debut in 1938, with a whopping 421 million units sold. This iconic design continues to play a significant role in some of the world’s toughest motorsports.

My name’s Judy Smith, and while I mainly run a household, I escape to the deserts of Baja to race a Class 11 Beetle. That’s as far away from civilization as I can get, driving on anything but pavement. There are different classes of beetle-based race cars. Mine’s Class 11, there’s a Class 5 1600, and the wildly extreme Class 5 Unlimited, the ultimate desert machines.

The Beetle, initially crafted by Ferdinand Porsche at Hitler’s request, was intended to be a reliable car for everyone. Its air-cooled engine, a feature that eliminated the need for a radiator, made it perfect for off-road adventures, especially with its rear-engine design offering excellent traction on loose terrain.

I haven’t made many changes to my Beetle – just slightly bigger tires and stiffer shocks. But driving isn’t just about the car. You need to “read” the desert and make decisive choices. Indecision can land you off a cliff, stuck in a river, or worse. It’s thrilling because I’m exploring the unknown, experiencing things the average person doesn’t.

Then there’s the Class 5 1600, a beefed-up Beetle. Wayne Cook speaks highly of these modifications – bigger suspension, burlier torsion bars – making the car perform better without losing its essence.

The king of Beetle racers though? That’s the Class 5 Unlimited. George Jr. drives one of these beasts, complete with a chromoly frame and a mighty 3,000 cc engine. With extensive suspension travel and four hefty shock absorbers, these cars can soar over jumps and conquer the roughest terrain, making them race favorites.

There’s a unique joy in feeling airborne, even if just for a moment, before landing and racing on. Battling the harsh elements and coming out on top is immensely rewarding.

The fundamental Beetle design remained unchanged from 1938 until recently. The modern bug takes on a 21st-century style, ditching its rear air-cooled engine for a water-cooled one upfront. This new bug is ready for its contemporary journey.