Off-Road Racer Podcast

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with racer Danny Thompson, son of the late motorsports entrepreneur Mickey Thompson. Danny and I talk about the history of the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group (MTEG), and Danny gives a unique perspective on his father, the race series he ran, and the culture he ultimately created. We then talk about Danny’s extensive racing history, racing quarter-midget, motocross, sprint cars, off-road, and now races at the Bonneville Speedway. We talk a lot about Bonneville, and Danny’s accomplishments at the Speedway, breaking multiple records and breaking into the 400 mph club. I’m your host Matt Martelli, and this IS the Off-Road Racer Podcast.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with Off-Road Hall of Famer Russ Wernimont. Russ is among the most talented engineers/fabricators motorsports have ever seen. Despite never getting a traditional engineering education and never using CAD programs, Russ has had a hand in building some of the most game-changing vehicles in desert and short-course racing. His career started with sweeping the floors at the famed PPI shop, and moving on to being the crew-chief of Michael Nesmith Class 8 truck. Russ would then go on to design and build some of the most dominant vehicles our sport has ever seen. He built one of the most dominant Pro2’s in short course, which featured a center-seat design. Russ is also attributed to being the father of Trophy Trucks, building some of the first fully custom tube chassis race trucks, and his innovations in shock technology have pushed suspension to its modern-day form. We talk about all this, and more. I’m your host Matt Martelli, and this IS the Off-Road Racer Podcast.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with racer Tavo Vildosola. Primarily a Baja racer, Tavo and his father became the first Mexican racers to win the Baja 1000 in 2010. Since then, Tavo has been a significant player in the Baja scene, winning many more races and championships. We talk about his career leading up to his most recent placements in his Mason AWD Trophy Truck. We also discuss in depth about his race program, with legendary fabricators and mechanics Dave Clark and Javi Valenzuela. I’m your host Matt Martelli, and this IS the Off-Road Racer Podcast.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with vehicle fabricator and Trophykart founder Nestor Beradi. We start the episode talking about Trophykart and its origins, how the first karts were built, and how they opened the door for youth racing. We then talk about Nestor’s introduction to off-road vehicle building, originally starting with aircraft and RC car fabrication. Coming to the present, Nestor talks about his most recent venture, Xtravel suspension, a new 5-link suspension system that has distinct advantages over the traditional A-arm system. I’m your host Matt Martelli, and this IS the Off-Road Racer Podcast.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with Dave Clark, an incredible fabricator and vehicle builder. Dave Clark has a lengthy history working with the best in our sport. Early on, he worked for the legendary Nye Frank, who together built some of the most dominant cars in our sport, such as Rob Mac’s air suspension Pro 4, a car so dominant it was eventually banned. Dave would then go on to be a part of Glenn Harris’ Mazda Team, Stronghold Motorsports, and now works for the Vildósolas. We discuss Dave’s extensive history and accomplishments, and Dave’s philosophies as a fabrication engineer; We talk about Dave’s endless curiosity, and his obsession with data collection and analysis as a means of innovation. I’m your host Matt Martelli, and this IS the Off-Road Racer Podcast.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with legendary fabricator Craig Stewart. Craig Stewart, son of the legendary Ivan “Ironman” Stewart, had a very early introduction into the world of off-road. From a very early age Craig was building cars with his father and worked for the great Johnny Johnson building and maintaining off-road race vehicles. Craig did incredible work there, sharpening his skills becoming a very skilled fabricator. With these skills, Craig would go on to create a whole new genre of off-road vehicle, the ‘luxury prerunner’. Craig’s prerunners are used by the biggest names in our sport, like the McMillins, the Menzies, TSCO Racing, and more. Craig’s level of craftsmanship and attention to detail has also led to work outside of the vehicle building world, fabricating installations for the Rosa Parks Metro Station, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, to name a few. We talk about Craig’s entire history, his design philosophies, inspirations and more. I’m your host Matt Martelli, and this IS the Off-Road Racer Podcast.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with my business partner and cousin Kilian Hamlin. We start the episode talking about Kilian’s accidental start in off-road. Kilian planned on visiting California for a concert, and ended up staying for the next 15 years, pursuing a career in off-road media and event promotion. Moving up to the present, we talk about the current state of the Mint 400, both as a race and as a spectated and sponsored event, and give some insight into the inner-workings of the events we put on. We then talk about our future plans as an off-road racing series, putting on more events in the future, and how we plan to increase the production value of our current events moving forward. I’m your host Matt Martelli, and this IS the Off-Road Racer Podcast.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, My Brother and partner Josh Martelli returns to the podcast to talk about his recent appointment to the California BLM Desert District Advisory Council (DAC). This council advises and gives recommendations to the BLM office, on issues such as fire management, land use planning, and what we are obviously interested in, off-highway vehicle use. This appointment is essentially a seat at the table, with direct communication with the BLM offices, to make sure our voice as off-roaders is heard, and another part of the effort to keep land open for OHV use. Josh and I also talks about other efforts going on right now, from organizations like Tread Lightly and the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), and the clean-up events we host at our own races. I’m your host Matt Martelli, and this IS the Off-Road Racer Podcast.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with off-road vehicle fabricator and designer Morgan Clark. Morgan stands out in the fabrication scene because of his dedication to a supercar level of design finish work in his vehicles, stemming from his ‘form follows function’ philosophy. We talk about how he came to embody this philosophy, originally studying design, working through the fabrication industry, and eventually starting his own business. Morgan and I then dive into the importance of aesthetics in a vehicle, often seen in street cars, but often lost in off-road builds. Morgan then gives us some insight into his design process, and where he gets his inspiration. We also discuss how the art of design has progressed into the modern era, with computers taking over most of the design process, and lowering the barrier of entry for new designers and fabricators. Looking forward, Morgan talks about his future plans and builds, including a mid-engine, AWD Prerunner. I’m your host Matt Martelli, and this IS the Off-Road Racer Podcast.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with Greg Cotrell, founder and CEO of Rugged Radios. We start the episode talking about Greg’s start in the communications business, and how he carved out a whole new industry in the off-road world. We talk about the significant effects Rugged Radios’ products have had on how people race and recreate off-road. Talking more about Greg himself, we talk about how his personal experiences have shaped his incredible work ethic, and how that work ethic permeates throughout the work culture at Rugged Radios; Specifically, Greg talks about his history in martial arts, and how that has cultivated an absolute ‘no quit’ attitude in him. I’m your host Matt Martelli, and this IS the Off-Road Racer Podcast.