Ep. 54: Conquering Baja - Race-Day Truths with Ricardo Torres and RJ Zanon

Send us a textThis week on Shock Talk, hosts Mike, Shane, and Joseph welcome BILSTEIN legend Doug Robertson — racer, former president of BILSTEIN America, and one of the people who helped build our company’s presence in the United States. Doug dives deep into his early days racing in Baja, recounting the trials, triumphs, and unforgettable lessons learned on the toughest terrain in the world.Along the way, he shares how BILSTEIN’s commitment to engineering excellence and off-road performance helped guide the brand’s expansion across America. From desert storms and race-day grit to boardroom strategy and company growth, it’s an episode that celebrates heritage, innovation, and the people who made BILSTEIN what it is today.Tune in for a trip through history, racing stories, and the spirit that still drives us forward. We’re proud to call Doug Robertson a BILSTEIN icon. This isn’t just a conversation, it’s a tribute.

Send us a textIn this week’s episode of Shock Talk, Mike sits down with Kaden Wells and Emma Cornwell, fresh off a 2nd-place Baja 1000 finish and a Pro UTV F.I. series championship. They’re joined by BILSTEIN tuner Nathan, who not only helped refine their suspension package—but also took the wheel for part of the race. Together, they unpack their season, share behind-the-scenes stories from the 1000, relive their favorite moments, and talk about what it takes to finish and win at the highest level of off-road racing.

Send us a textJoin host Mike and guest-host Kyler from our tuning and service team as they sit down with Baja 1000 standouts Ricardo Torres and RJ Zanon. In this special post-race episode, the drivers break down their experiences in one of the world’s most unforgiving endurance races—sharing the highs, the setbacks, the strategy, and the unforgettable stories from deep in the Mexican desert.Hear firsthand how their machines, their teams, and their BILSTEIN shock packages held up against brutal terrain, mechanical challenges, and the now-infamous Baja downpour.

Send us a textHow do you balance being a driver and running your own team? This week, Mike and Shane get the full story from Ryan Beat, one of short course off-road’s most driven competitors. They break down truck setup secrets, the evolution of the sport, and what it takes to build a winning program from the ground up.

Send us a textIn this episode of Shock Talk, hosts Mike and Shane welcome Tech Tim Lund for an inside look at his recent visit to BILSTEIN’s Poway, CA facility. Tim shares his hands-on experience assembling a set of B8 8100 shocks for the Northridge 4x4 Jeep Gladiator giveaway build and what it was like to go behind the scenes of BILSTEIN’s legendary shock production process. The crew also dives into their favorite Jeep adventures, off-road stories, and more. Whether you’re a Jeep fanatic, an off-road enthusiast, or just curious about what goes into building world-class suspension, this episode delivers the perfect mix of tech, trail, and storytelling.

Send us a textIn this episode of Shock Talk, Mike and Shane welcome Eddie and Joevonni from Aaron Ford of Poway to the show. Together, they dive into the heartbeat of the San Diego off-road community—covering everything from local events to the importance of strong community ties in Poway, home to both Aaron Ford and BILSTEIN’s aftermarket headquarters.The crew breaks down Ford’s latest truck offerings, helps match the right vehicle to the right buyer, and takes a deep look at BILSTEIN’s new B8 TerraSport lineup, now available for both the Ford Maverick and Bronco Sport. It’s a conversation that connects trucks, terrain, and the tight-knit Poway community.

Send us a textIn this episode of Shock Talk, Mike, Shane, and Joseph are joined by special guest Ian from Wheel Every Weekend to take a deep dive into the art and science of shock tuning. From understanding compression and rebound adjustments to dialing in your setup for real-world performance, the crew breaks down how each setting affects your ride. They also explore the advanced tunability of the BILSTEIN B8 8112 and 8100 series, and revisit surprising results from past blind shock tests and unbiased shootouts. Whether you’re new to suspension tuning or looking to refine your setup, this episode is packed with insight you won’t want to miss.

Send us a textOn this episode of Shock Talk, Mike and Shane are joined by Scott from BILSTEIN’s product team to dive into the raw, rewarding world of building and driving older vehicles. From the analog charm of '80s machines to early 2000s street heroes, the crew breaks down why these cars still capture hearts today. They share personal stories from the garage—Mike’s first-gen Tundra, Shane’s OBS Bronco, and Scott’s long-loved Ford LTD—and unpack the pros and cons of restoring an old ride versus buying new. Plus, hear the hilarious tale of “The Homer Car,” the $400 LeMons racer that accidentally became a legend. If you’ve ever turned a wrench or chased that pure driving feel, this one’s for you.

Send us a textBig things are happening. This week, Mike and Shane are joined by guest host Ryan to break down the entire next-gen Toyota off-road lineup—Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, Sequoia, and the Lexus variants. We go deep on trims, features, hidden differences, and which models make the most sense for different types of builds.More importantly, we’re announcing brand-new BILSTEIN shock packages designed specifically for these trucks. Some are on shelves now. Others are just about to launch. This is one of our biggest off-road rollouts ever—and we’re giving you the full story behind the development, testing, and what makes these shocks different.If you’re serious about building a new Toyota, this is the one you don’t want to miss.👉 Check out what’s available now at cart.bilsteinus.com

Send us a textIn this episode of Shock Talk, Mike and Shane are joined by returning guest Joseph from Product Management and Ryan from R&D to explore the booming world of camper conversions and van life. From full-size RVs to DIY sprinter van builds, the crew breaks down the key differences in suspension needs across the camping spectrum—and what BILSTEIN recommends for each setup. Ryan even shares details about his personal sprinter van build, and the team teases some exciting new products designed specifically for van lifers and overland enthusiasts. Whether you're living full-time on the road or just planning your next weekend escape, this one’s for you. 🏕️🚐 #BILSTEIN #ShockTalk #VanLife #SprinterVanBuild #CamperConversion #RVlife #Overland