Off-Road Racer Podcast JB15 Network

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.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with Pearse Umlauf, CEO and President of Jeep Jamboree USA, a company that hosts 50+ off-road events a year, both domestically and internationally and has been instrumental in keeping the legendary Rubicon trail open for all to enjoy. Pearse and I discuss the company's history and its founder, Mark A. Smith, who was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1979. Coming into the present, we talk about some of the company’s current projects and the freedom the company maintains as a family-owned business. Pearse and I also talk a lot about the current state of the Jeeping community, focusing a lot on the constant battle to keep public land open to off-road vehicles, and how the release of the 4-door Wrangler has changed the Jeeping scene. Wrapping up, we talk about the effect off-roading has on your psyche and the importance of overcoming challenges. I’m your host Matt Martelli, and this IS the Off-Road Racer Podcast.