Pictures courtesy of Jamie Lambert
Text by Mike Charopka

A look at faith, endurance, and the community within motorsport

On February 1st, I had the opportunity to interview Jamie Lambert, a talented rally co-driver and an inspiring figure in the off-road racing community.

I came across Jamie while preparing to cover Dakar 2025. He is from Chillicothe, Ohio, and has been navigating rally stages for over seven years. His passion for racing began in childhood, and he initially started competing in enduro before transitioning to co-driving. Jamie is Craig Lumsden’s navigator for the Colorado Motorsport team, competing in some of the toughest rally raids in the world.

Jamie shared his passion for racing, career achievements, favorite cars, challenges, and future plans during our conversation. Please enjoy the interview.

Mike Charopka (Mike): Jamie, when you were a kid watching racing, who was your favorite team and driver?

Jamie Lambert (Jamie): I’ve always been an IndyCar fan. My daughter is actually named Indy. Emerson Fittipaldi and the Marlboro Team—those were my go-to when I was a kid.

Mike: And you’ve followed them since childhood?

Jamie: Yes, always. Obviously, they’re not Marlboro anymore, but I’ve always been an IndyCar fan.

Mike: When did you transition from single-seater racing to co-driving, and what made you prefer the navigator’s role?

Jamie: My personal racing career started with enduro races, which are single-seater cars. Then, I transitioned to rally racing—like WRC-style rallies—with a friend of mine. I fell in love with co-driving, and for the last six or seven years, I’ve been a co-pilot and navigator. I actually prefer it to driving.

Mike: Oh, alright, I see. Let’s go back a bit. What was your first car, and how good was it for racing?

Jamie: My first car was a 1966 Buick Skylark. It was pretty cool—my dad and I found it sitting in an old man’s yard. The guy had bought it new in 1966, and I was only the second owner! It had a 300 V8 engine with a two-speed Powerglide transmission. It was great in a straight line, but it didn’t like turning very much. So, as long as I was racing in a straight line, it was perfect!

Mike: Do you still have it, or did you sell it?

Jamie: Unfortunately, about two years after buying it, I thought I was a great driver and ended up slamming into the side of another car. I totaled it.

Mike: You did your military service—was there anything racing-related during that time?

Jamie: Somewhat. I spent about four years in Germany, and a good friend of mine, also a service member, John Zondervan, and I always had BMWs—little 3-Series. We had a small car club in our town and did some street racing here and there. We also hit open track days at places like the Nürburgring.

Mike: Wow! So, you spent your military service right in the heart of racing in Europe! And the BMW 3-Series—it’s such a classic sports car.

Jamie: Oh yeah, one of my favorites of all time. Today, my rally car is still a BMW M3.

Mike: That leads me to my next question. What does the FH Motorsports Rally Team stand for? How did you start it, and what has been your highest achievement with the team?

Jamie: A friend of mine, Mike Cessna, and I met at work. It was his first day on the job, and we started talking because I had a BMW backpack. He said, “Hey, I like your bag,” and by the end of the night, we were already planning our first rally build. By the end of the next week, we had a BMW in the garage, tearing it down to turn it into a race car. FH stands for “For Him Motorsports”—it’s both a race team and a ministry for Jesus. We try to spread the word of God as much as we can.

Mike: Oh, so it’s faith-related?

Jamie: Yes.

Mike: That’s great! And what was your biggest achievement?

Jamie: This year, we won the East Regional USA Championship for Open Two-Wheel Drive. And, of course, getting to race in Baja, Morocco, and Dakar—that was right up there with some of the most incredible things I’ve done.

Part of racing is the dream—kids growing up thinking, “One day, I’ll be in that car.” I don’t think kids will say, “One day, I want to drive that drone.” It just doesn’t have the same passion. – Jamie Lambert

Mike: Oh yeah, for sure. Jamie, let’s shift gears for a moment. What do you think about drones? Do you think they could replace drivers and cars one day, with people just watching them race?

Jamie: I think drone racing might have a place, but as for race cars being completely autonomous, I think it would take the soul out of the sport. I don’t think it would be a big crowd-pleaser. Part of racing is the dream—kids growing up thinking, “One day, I’ll be in that car.” I don’t think kids will say, “One day, I want to drive that drone.” It just doesn’t have the same passion.

Mike: Yeah, indeed! Do you follow WRC?

Jamie: I do.

Mike: What was it like seeing Loeb and Sainz at the Dakar rally raid?

Jamie: Oh, the first time I saw Sainz in Morocco, I felt like a little kid! I approached him, shook his hand, and asked for a picture. Funny thing—while I was focused on Sainz, I handed my camera to someone nearby and asked him to take the picture. Turned out, it was Sébastien Loeb! He looked at me like, “Are you serious?” But yeah, later at Dakar, at our first night driver’s briefing, Carlos just came over and sat with us. That was pretty cool.

Mike: Cool! I remember when I first saw Loeb, I was surprised, as I had expected him to be taller. Jamie, how did you meet the Lumsden family, and what is the Colorado Motorsports team?

Jamie: I met Craig and Zach, and actually their wife, Carrie, about six years ago. Before I started racing, I volunteered at rallies in the U.S. I was also the vice president of a veterans’ organization. Craig and Zach are big supporters of the military. When they came to town, Craig asked if I knew any veterans interested in working as crew for a race. I rounded up a team for him, and we kept in touch. Then, in October 2023, he reached out and asked if I wanted to race in Dakar. It blew my mind! Three months later, we were in Baja racing the NORRA 1000.

Mike: What happened to you during the Dakar, and how did the team react?

Jamie: Oh, it was awful. It started when we stopped in Barcelona for a day. I felt a little rough, but I thought it was just from a couple of beers. Then, when we got to Saudi and started racing, it all hit me at once—lightheaded, feverish, shaking, freezing but sweating, struggling to breathe. I tried to push through for days, but I couldn’t do it by day five anymore. I was a liability to both Craig and myself.

Mike: And the team? Did they support you?

Jamie: Absolutely. Craig was super motivational at first, but once he saw it wasn’t improving, he said, “We need to get you medical help.” Within 24 hours, I was on a flight back home.

Mike: Yeah, but your health and life are more important than finishing a race. There will be a next time.

Jamie: Exactly. I have a wife, two kids, and another little boy on the way—I can’t risk it all.

Mike: Of course. What are your plans for the upcoming season?

Jamie: I’ll be racing in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and four races in Mexico, including Baja 400, 500, and 1000.

Mike: Amazing! Good luck this season, and thanks for your time!

Jamie: Thank you!

As our conversation wrapped up, it was clear that Jamie Lambert’s journey in motorsport is far from over. Jamie’s upcoming races include the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally in Pennsylvania, the Southern Ohio Forest Rally—his home event—and major Baja competitions later in the year. While Craig Lumsden takes on Mount Everest, Jamie will be preparing for their next big adventure.

I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to speak with Jamie Lambert and gain insight into his journey in rally racing. His passion, dedication, and expertise in the sport are truly inspiring. Updates can be found through Colorado Motorsport and FH Motorsports for those interested in following his racing career. Thank you, Jamie, for sharing your story, and best wishes for a successful season ahead.

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