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 t ..read more

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with off-road champion and badass Sara Price. We talk about her off-road career starting in motocross, and how her experiences in motocross set her up to excel in every other racing discipline she has done since. We then talk about her most recent accomplishment, winning a stage and finishing the Dakar rally in 4th place. Making here the first American woman to win a stage in the SXS class. Sara talks through step-by-step her road to Dakar, from gathering sponsorships and funding to run the rally as an independent, to running the rally ..read more

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with off-road racer Dan Myers. The Myers family has been in off-road racing for decades, now spanning three generations. Dan talks about the significance of off-road racing for his family, and how they have stayed in it for so long. Dan also gives a unique perspective on the evolution of off-road from the perspective of being a second-generation off-road racer. We also discuss The Myer’s family business, Toyota of Escondido. Dan and I talk about the dealership’s involvement in action sports, being an avid sponsor of athletes in many dis ..read more

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with game-changing off-road builder Neal Mason. Neal and I talk about his history in off-road vehicle building, starting as a self-taught fabricator, and working his way all the way up to building his Mason All-Wheel Drive truck, the most advanced racing machine platform on the planet. We discuss his drive to be constantly developing and moving forward, his work ethic when tackling new projects and problems, and how these aspects of his character show in his builds. We also discuss the responsibilities a car builder has, building a safe ..read more

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with Class 1 champion and businessman Mario Fuentes. Mario talks about growing up in the off-road scene in the Juarez/El Paso area, and how it has fostered his obsession of off-road racing. Mario and I then talk in depth about class 1, and the significance of a high-level buggy class, compared to the other truck classes. We also discuss Mario’s recent career-defining victory at the 2024 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400, bringing off-road racing maverick Lalo Laguna aboard his team, and more. I’m your host Matt Martelli, and this IS the Off-Roa ..read more

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with Jerry Zaiden, co-founder of Camburg Engineering. Camburg Engineering is an industry leader in off-road suspension systems for the consumer market, with a history of testing their products in off-road racing. Jerry and I discuss the edge Camburg has gained from their involvement in off-road, and the history of Camburg's own race program. Going deeper, we talk about the newest iteration of their race program, supercharged by Magnaflow's recent acquisition of Camburg, and accomplished off-road racer Kyle Jergensen. Going into the busi ..read more

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I once again am joined by Jim Beaver, and we sit down with the Polaris Factory Race Team general manager, Ryan Thomas. The three of us sit down to talk about the program, some of the members/racers in the program, and their rise to one of the top premier race teams. We also discuss Ryan’s involvement in off-road before the program, at one point being the Director of Wide Open Baja, and at another being the President of Ultra 4 Racing. On a wider scale, we talk about the current impact off-road racing and the larger motorsports scene have on each o ..read more

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with 2020 ORMHOF Inductee Bob Bower. Bob has participated in nearly every facet of off-road culture, from pit volunteering to co-driving and driving, managing pit and race teams, and TV color commentary. In nearly all of the things Bob has done, he has contributed massively to the off-road culture; His most well-known accomplishment is the inception of the BFGoodrich Pit Support program, possibly the most successful and widely used pit service in Off-Road History. Bob tells of his starts as a member of a Corvette club, how that led to a ..read more

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I get to talk with recent Parker 400 Winner Larry Heidler. Larry talks about his extensive race history leading into the Pro Open UTV Class and his new Lonestar Racing build. We also discuss the evolution of Off-Road technology, such as the UTV's progression into the race-machines they are today, as well as the impressive capabilities of modern suspension systems; And the affect these changes have had on race-craft. Looking forward, we talk about Larry's game plan and competition for the upcoming Mint 400, as well as what he plans on racing later ..read more

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with two-time Dakar Rally Champion Ricky Brabec. We discuss the differences between the rally format and North American off-road racing, and the importance of American representation within rally. Ricky then shares his personal and gnarly experiences in rally over the past few years. We also discuss what lies in Ricky's future, and what achievements he is still pursuing. I’m your host Matt Martelli, and this IS the Off-Road Racer Podcast powered by Monster Energy ..read more