Conversations with Big Rich
218 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago -Hear conversations with the legacy stars of rockcrawling and off-road. Big Rich interviews the leaders in rock sports.
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Episodes
Baja racer, Shelby Hall, on growing up with Grandpa Rod, Episode 18
August 06, 2020 06:00 - 57 minutes - 39.5 MBThe youngest of a family of legacy desert racers, Shelby Hall, granddaughter of Rod Hall, joins us for this episode. While that is a title befitting royalty in the Baja scene, Shelby has skills of her own. Check out this desert racer and see what she’s learned and accomplished. 3:54 – Faster, daddy, faster 10:15 – Inspired to do the Rebelle Rally, getting out of my comfort zone 17:39 – Stockish vehicles on the Rubicon 19:49 – Getting coached by grandpa 23:41 – Learning from your mista...
Breaking Arizona Waterfalls with Rob Bonney, Episode 17
July 30, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 42.8 MBThis is a fun one, Rob Bonney, OG rockcrawler from Arizona. He’s a trail breaker on those big waterfalls you’ll find there and goes back to the early, early days. Find out some strategies the best spotters use, and call him for your resto work – on Anything – you want to build. 3:17 – never doubt the determination of a 14 year old with a new to him truck 5:16 – Learning from the best of the best 6:44 – Who’s the king of the bump? 10:46 – Something to be said for having the most fun ...
Founding Family member, George Schultz talks EJS and trail building in Moab, Episode 16
July 23, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 47.8 MBLike so many things this year, Easter Jeep Safari was canceled, but it was one of the first things off the list for off-roaders. We caught up with George Schultz, a member of the Red Rock Four Wheelers to talk, not only about EJS, but also about trail building in Moab. As a second-generation wheeler in Moab and part of the founding families, it’s a little bit different perspective. Come take a listen, there is some great insight here. 3:46 – the formation of the Red Rock Four Wheelers...
Poison Spyder's Larry McCrae, Episode 15
July 16, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 50.6 MBLarry McCrae joins us from St George, Utah – his retirement home, to talk about rock crawling in the early days, Poison Spyder, his battle with throat cancer and what he’s up to now. And no, retirement isn’t really on the list. Check out https://www.zionjeeptours.com/ next time you’re in Southern Utah, that’s Larry’s latest endeavor that keeps him connected to Jeeps. 3:52 – everybody mods a Datsun pickup, right? 7:07 –the back story to Larry’s first Wrangler. 10:33 – meeting John Bon...
Bruce Shallis, Foundation of the Industry, Episode 14
July 09, 2020 06:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBBruce Shallis is a stand-up guy, partner in both Rausch Creek and Burning Rock Off-Road Parks, Lacrosse Coach, rockcrawler, and East Coast defender. Bruce gives some insight to what it takes to fill all those roles. Join us for another Conversation with Big Rich on your favorite podcast channel. Be sure to Subscribe so you’re reminded every Thursday when a new episode drops. 2:45 – It’s always the wife’s fault 4:39 – Credit where credit is due. 8:08 – Define “Modified” 14:17 – Propert...
The 4 Eras of Jeeps, Where does Jeff Mello fit? Episode 13
July 02, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 54.5 MBJeff Mello is not just a rockcrawler, hear him tell his story, with some laughs along the way. If you can get through it with out laughing, you deserve a prize. Jeff shares some great stories and his philosophies on the four eras of Jeeps and which one we’re in now. 4:20 – I don’t think Jeff really “remembers” this trip… 7:12 – The perfect second date, guys, don’t hand your girl the keys unless you mean it. 11:07 – “We would play, who can go furthest in two-wheel drive?” 14:32 – ...
To the Badlands from Paragon, Kyle Knosp shares it all, Episode 12
June 25, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 42.2 MBFrom Paragon to Badlands, Kyle Knosp shares his philosophies on life and business, with some rockcrawling and some crazy stories thrown in. Attica, Indiana is the place to visit if you want it all. 4:52 – The start of the off-road obsession 9:59 – The REAL difference between East and West off-roading 14:45 – The best part about rockcrawling – it’s always family 19:41 – Count your blessings 30:45 – how Kyle really ended up at the Badlands in Indiana 35:51 – The many parts of being a...
The Original Mr. Maxxis, Creighton King on Episode 11
June 18, 2020 07:00 - 1 hour - 52.8 MBMr. Maxxis, himself, joins us this week – Creighton King – the founder of Griplock Ties and former tire guy shares a lot of insight regarding sponsorship, new business and how a Jeep started it all. Be sure to tune in and enjoy the conversation. Creighton has a special offer at the end. 3:08 – Christmas Day surprise. 12:20 – How a Jeep saved my life… 17:54 – Mr. Maxxis is born 27:31 – We are not an “orange wannabe tire company” 38:21 – how three Mormons from Utah scored 12 quarts o...
John Currie shares his history with rock sports and the formation of Rock Jock, Episode 10
June 11, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 81.4 MBFamily-owned businesses don’t always successfully split into pieces, Currie Enterprises is the exception. We talk with John Currie about the future of Rock Jock 4x4 and the history of Currie Enterprises. From rockcrawling to racing, the family has been involved in it all. There are lots of little gems in this one. Stay tuned for more. 4:43 – The things you do for love…love of motorcycles, that is… 8:03 – Can you imagine being the first one to drive Highway 91? 17:10 – How many kids...
Learn what it's really like to be a Professional Racecar driver with Brad Lovell, Episode 9
June 04, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 59 MBLovell Racing’s Brad Lovell shares his history in rock sports and desert. There isn’t much he hasn’t done, from rockcrawling to Pike’s Peak to racing spec trophy trucks. The consummate professional tells us more about what it’s like to be a professional racecar driver. It’s never easy. But great things come out of hardwork. Brad alludes to stuff we’re going to get to hear more about soon. Join us on your favorite podcast channel. 3:41 – The start of the Ford obsession 10:16 – Is t...
I Really Know Bender! Rob 'Bender' Park on Episode 8
May 28, 2020 06:00 - 58 minutes - 40 MBNew Shirt alert – we’ve seen tons of them over the years that say, I know Bender…new ones are going to say I Really Know Bender. Rob ‘Bender’ Parks joins us from Alabama with some history about rockcrawling and the Tin Benders. There are times when you think truth is stranger than fiction, there are some moments in this episode that are going to surprise you. 6:10 – He talked a lot faster than he rode 10:49 – Working for free, wrecking cars and buying new ones 14:48 – A million live ...
Lasernut and Lasertown explained with guest, Cody Waggoner
May 21, 2020 06:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBNo doubt you’ve already got the t-shirt….everyone I know has a Lasernut or Lasertown t-shirt – our next guest is famous for giving them away. Please welcome Cody Waggoner to the show. Cody brings his history of rockcrawling, the formation of Laserut and the building of Lasertown to the show this week, together with his plans for the future and an opportunity for you – the listener. 2:11 – Ugh, who’s dad didn’t do this?? 7:27 – Applying for your last, best job at 18 11:48 – Where’s th...
Pirate 4x4 Origin story with Lance Clifford
May 14, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 52.6 MBOne of the biggest influencers in off-road joins us for this episode. Lance Clifford, founder of Pirate 4x4 shares the origin story of how it all began. At one time, Pirate was the source for all things rock sports. Check out the latest episode of Conversations with Big Rich. 1:54 Sometimes all it takes is a mud puddle to catch the off-road bug 4:17 Pirates of the Rubicon, drinking club with an off-roading problem, is born 6:07 How America Online influenced off-roading with their ma...
ARCA Founder, Ranch Pratt shares some history
May 07, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 45.7 MBOnly a few can claim to be at the start of competitive rockcrawling, Ranch Pratt is one of those. Ranch, founder of ARCA, shares some insights on how competitions drove innovation, why dads matter and his goals now. Listen as Big Rich catches up with Ranch. 3:06 Guilted in to his first four-wheel drive 7:38 How Ranch bought an event that hadn’t even happened yet 15:44 The secret revealed: how rockcrawling promoters build a course 17:56 Another saga of prior BLM management getting it wr...
Kickin' back with an OG rockcrawler, Charlie Melchner
April 29, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBWe’re kicking it old school this week with one of the OG competitive rock crawlers, Charlie Melchner. Charlie comes with a unique knowledge of cars and what they can do, but a limited sense of how to build “I can measure with a yardstick, mark it with a crayon and cut it with a torch.” He left the finesse to the builders. Join us for a great conversation while Charlie fills us in on wheeling with all the greats of the sport. 3:16 Lessons learned: Never compliment a salesman on his truc...
A Shared History, an interview with Lil Rich Klein
April 27, 2020 01:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBSometimes it’s your parentage that leads you into a career. Lil’ Rich Klein didn’t get a lot of choice in whether he was going off-roading. Listen to father and son talk about how it all began and where, Rich the younger is now. Trail Hero, TORN and how it all works together to promote the sport of rockcrawling. 1:56 How old were you when you first rolled over? 10:04 Meeting Shannon before Shannon was Shannon… 18:26 The real origins of Trail Hero, wouldn’t it be cool if? 32:38 List...
A conversation with Dustin Webster, the original North American Red Bull athlete
April 26, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 54 MBProfessional athlete since age 17, Dustin Webster shares his cliff diving adventures, rockcrawling and what it takes to be a professional athlete. The stories are all here, from diving off platforms in Croatia to racing King of the Hammers. Join us to here the inside track on the life and times of Dustin Webster, the first North American Red Bull athlete. **we’re still new to podcasting and didn’t realize a chirp had developed in the recording of this episode. Stick with it, the interview...
A personal history of rockcrawling and off-road, Episode 1
April 25, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 73.1 MBThe first, the pillar episode of the Big Rich podcast is live! In this episode Shelley interviews Big Rich about the beginning of rock crawling for him. It’s a perseverance story, a succeed at all costs, a bootstrapping, I want this so bad, I’ll do whatever it takes. Almost twenty years later, WE Rock is still strong. Come along for the journey, see where it all began. Season 1, Episode 1 with Big Rich Klein 7:20 Who yells “What’s the name of your club?” to guys he’s never met before? 16...