Conversations with Big Rich
Sports & Recreation Podcasts
Hear conversations with the legacy stars of rockcrawling and off-road. Big Rich interviews the leaders in rock sports.
Location:
United States
Genres:
Sports & Recreation Podcasts
Description:
Hear conversations with the legacy stars of rockcrawling and off-road. Big Rich interviews the leaders in rock sports.
Language:
English
Contact:
2082202135
Website:
http://www.bigrichklein.com/
Email:
skrehbiel63@gmail.com
Episodes
Episode 214 features Brent Bradshaw, a self-proclaimed Simple Man
5/9/2024
Brent Bradshaw is a master with many things, known for supporting the Samurai community as the hands behind TrailTough, he’s transitioned to a cancer-free simpler life. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
4:24 – my dad was real proud of the parts he was able to sneak home
11:57 – my whole life, I would nail tricycle wheels or lawn mower wheels to 2x4s to make go-karts, whatever rolled, I loved.
18:17 – in those days, I was allowed to get 3 pages of citations, now you get 3 tickets and you’re out.
30:48 – in this neck of the woods, a 4WD vehicle that’s light, nible and small gets you in areas where other people don’t go. That was the key.
37:42 – the builds were mostly to support the Samurai community, I never intended to start a full-on company called Trail Tough, it just blew up.
44:46 – we built the Crustacean, everything was perfect!
57:08 – the first event I won was Tucson, it was not a happy day for Tracy
1:02:56 – life changed when I got cancer. While I was having surgery, Linda was doing research. Cancer feeds on low oxygen, high acid, high sugar environment.
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:18:41
From bratty kid to responsible adult, grow-up with Justin Hall on Episode 213
5/2/2024
Justin Hall began as a rockcrawling and racing competitior. Moving from a Suzuki Samurai to an Unlimited car, then jumping over to the 4500 class, Justin grew up in rock sports. If you’re looking to do the same, listen in for some great advice. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
4:42 – I watched it go from small town to big town with a ridiculous amount of people
8:07 – every break I got, winter, spring, summer, my dad had me work at his company, and I got all the crap jobs, but it taught me a trade
12:42 – my parents knew I’d get myself in trouble with anything more than a 4-cylinder, we settled on a 1988 and and-a-half Suzuki Samurai
18:33 – we picked up a Campbell car and got it put back together, and that car was on the podium every event
23:07 – there are a couple of climbs at Oroville that I was the only person to do unassisted
26:21 – My all-time goal was to beat Tracy
38:13 – It was the biggest waste of money to go 10 miles, but it was the most fun 10 miles I’ve ever had
44:26 – when you’re racing at 100% against somebody, knowing that they’re going to hold their line, it makes it so much more fun
50:29 – at a certain point, you try not to drive with your wallet on the dash
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:06:25
Episode 212 features Amy Granat from CORVA
4/25/2024
Land use warrior, Amy Granat, Managing Director of CORVA (California Off Road Vehicle Association) joins us for a discussion of what’s on the table for off-road and why it matters to her. Amy is a leader in the fight to keep public lands open to the public. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
3:47 – You have to be more calculated, …I call it being pointed but polite
10:17 – not being able to walk was a difficulty until a friend said, “You have a Ford truck, it has four-wheel drive, what are you waiting for?”
13:07 – it’s very tiring having people look at you and what you can’t do, they were looking at me in my truck and seeing what I could do, and that’s a very big difference
18:50 – when people talk about off-roaders, it really upsets me because they’re mischaracterizing our generosity
28:42 – …there are a lot of states like Nevada and Utah that didn’t go through the process, their areas are more at risk
35:07 – this is policy, not politics
49:21 – why wasn’t there access to the Cleveland National Forest for Riverside County? Everyone forgot.
59:24 – if you’re constantly saying not o everything, you end up getting excluded from the table; being at the table is key
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:29:29
Episode 211 features Ivan “Ironman” Stewart dreaming the big dreams that came true
4/18/2024
Ivan Stewart on Episode 211. Such a privilege to interview the Ironman. We talk about all the dreams and adventures, and the timing, the all-important timing! Ivan was inducted in the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2006. Ivan is why we say; legends live at ORMHOF.org. Be sure to tune in on your favorite podcast app.
2:19 – the race is almost secondary, the pre-running and the adventure is the real story
10:42 – an automobile is so cool because you can get in your car and set the radio station exactly like you want, and the heater, and…
19:29 – without GPS, you had to remember the course, and the better you were at the that, the more successful you were going to be
26:09 – I said, “Charlotte, the sun should never be rising on our right-hand side!”
35:55 – it wasn’t going to cost a whole lot more to build a desert truck, although it cost a lot to campaign them
40:09 – Sometimes you hit the timing just perfect!
45:21 – You got to have a dream to have a dream come true.
50:47 – I wanted to race off-road, I didn’t want to talk about it!
Special thanks to ORMHOF.org for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:02:22
Frank “Butch” Arciero instills winning into all he does on Episode 210
4/11/2024
Born to a family of Italian immigrants, Butch Arciero and his brothers understood the value of hard work. A lifetime of commitment to that landed him in the Hall of Fame. Butch was inducted in the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2019. Butch is why we say; legends live at ORMHOF.org. Be sure to tune in on your favorite podcast app.
3:23 – my mom was on the last ship that came out of Naples to the US before they stopped all the shipping when the war broke out
13:26 – “Listen, Frank, if you get good grades next semester, I’m going to give you a present.”
20:13 – my dad always wanted to own a race car
27:23 – Well shoot, I can compete with these guys, and then start winning
32:07 – I remember everybody telling me, if you’re in an area with lots of people, watch for booby traps
43:14 – One of the things with me, if I’m going to do something, I don’t just want to do it, I want to be able to win.
57:25 – I’ve got one more story I have to tell, it happened in Mexico….
Special thanks to ORMHOF.org for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:04:20
Kicking off Season 5 with Sean Pond discussing outdoors and the Halt the Dolores Movement
4/4/2024
After four full years of podcasting, we bring you the most important episode to date to kick off Season 5. An interview with Sean Pond, the de facto leader of the Halt the Dolores Movement shares why stopping this National Monument designation in its tracks. Please listen on your favorite podcast app and follow-up with the Call to Action. Sean needs our help.
6:12 – what the Navy doesn’t tell you is that you’ll see a whole lot more water than you will see of the world
11:28 – I worked in building 771 at Rocky Flats, the most dangerous building in the world at the time
15:57 – if my close friends were to describe me, they’d tell you I do two things – I hunt and I wheel
23:11 – if you like to hunt and you like off-road and you like the thrill of the chase, it’s a hard habit to break
24:54 – HALT THE DOLORES – let’s talk about what it is and why it matters!
36:29 – it stifles ranching, mining, outdoor recreation, hunting – it affects so many people, it’s a shame
43:53 – google the 30 by 30 agenda and the America the Beautiful Act; over 100 million acres of public land will lose access to for all time
53:36 – if we were standing around at an event talking about this, you’d think it was a conspiracy theory
1:01:49 – CALL TO ACTION: Sign the petition, call your congressman, Share, Share, SHARE, help fund the fight
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:10:11
Episode 208 features Wrong Seat filler, Chris Rea talking about life, bikes, and commitment
3/28/2024
Wrong seat filler, Chris Rea, shares perspective on what it takes to be lucky. Listen in as one of the Lost Boys shares how going all in (on whatever you’re doing) has an impact on life. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
4:25 – my dad had to pull me out of t-ball because I was too competitive
9:45 – for my sister and I, sports were life.
13:24 – if you want to play football, you’re 100 pounds.
21:41 – my first foray into offroading was a high school club called Unauthorized
28:36 – in 2005, I realized I was going nowhere and I was going to be nothing, so I joined the military
32:52 – if there was a rule, it was black and white as far as I was concerned.
41:14 – one of my favorite things is that Tracy Jordan is still scared of me
54:17 – I’m just here to stay fit so I can beat my dad
1:05:48 – I’m just some random guy who’s been really lucky to work with amazing teams
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:15:53
Ray Moon, warrior, on Episode 207
3/21/2024
A warrior in all respects, Ray Moon fought in Vietnam and continued fighting for our rights when he returned. Land warriors were as important in the beginning as they are now. Ray was inducted in the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1979. Ray is why we say; legends live at ORMHOF.org. Be sure to tune in on your favorite podcast app.
3:12 – I had my first encounter with a Jeep in Vietnam and I didn’t know how to drive the damn thing
7:41 – it worked out very well, the military structure, I got it, I grew up.
16:29 – I live in Simi Valley now and volunteer at the Reagan Library, the Presidential Library
29:11 – PTSD is what they call it today, and we all have problems with that, I was no different
35:43 – I became the conservation chairman for Cal Four Wheel Drive
41:23 – There was a woman who was so happy we were closed down so she could take her Buick out and enjoy the posies, and the BLM guy was like, no, if we restrict them, we restrict you
47:16 – we wanted to take a reasonable attitude toward all that
53:51 – you don’t go into any of this stuff for the glory
Special thanks to ORMHOF.org for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:05:35
Peri Kalar, daughter of Mastercraft founder, Jack Miller talks about life in the safety lane with her family in Episode 206.
3/14/2024
Mastercraft has had some powerful owners, from founder Jack Miller to daughter, Peri Kalar, to ORMHOF inductee Robbie Pierce. Hear about how it began all those years ago and the forces behind it. Peri shares some life-changing experiences with you. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
4:16 – he was in the army and became a parachute rigger, that’s where he learned to sew
9:53 – I worked at Mastercraft as the janitor; but my brother fired me a lot.
13:50 – we used to have soda cans taped to the rollbars, and they would have stuck stubs and tickets.
17:43 – we made a PSSS kit – a Personal Sanitation System in a little brown bag
21:19 – that was the worst and best year of my life because I found out I could survive anything
29:57 – Robbie was my supplier forever, so when I wanted to sell the company, it was perfect
38:13 – when dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s he said, I’d like to make a list of things that are important that I want to remember…
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:00:54:02
Episode 205 features Mark McMillin, chairman, racer, legacy builder.
3/7/2024
Family legacy racer, Mark McMillin, chairman of the Board of the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame shares life in the McMillin family. It’s all about people, with a few race cars and some river-time thrown in. Mark was inducted in the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2018. Mark is why we say; legends live at ORMHOF.org. Be sure to tune in on your favorite podcast app.
2:46 – My dad used to say, if you want to get something done, give it to somebody who’s busy
12:11 – when I graduated college, there were no jobs for me, interest rates were 19-20%, we weren’t building houses
20:44 – Racing is a big part of our life. It’s not our whole life.
23:07 – why we’ve been successful is because we try hard at everything we do
26:43 – I was never the fastest guy in a buggy, but I always found the finish line
40:54 – “What is your legacy?” Good people!
44:10 – I think this off-road racing fraternity is 99% people cut from the same cloth
49:01 – You don’t have to have a cheat sheet for things you really care about.
Special thanks to ORMHOF.org for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:00:54:09
Johnny Campbell, American Honda Champion, on Episode 204
2/29/2024
Johnny Campbell, 11-time Baja Champion, Johnny has raced, supported, and managed the American Honda team. A fun listen, Johnny shares stories from around the world. Johnny was inducted in the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2018. Johnny is why we say; legends live at ORMHOF.org. Be sure to tune in on your favorite podcast app.
9:17 – at a local level, I had a couple number one plates. I had a few mentors, I was always following them and watching what they were doing
13:13 – I was 21 when I finally got noticed by American Honda, and a guy who became my absolute hero and mentor
24:26 – Bruce was super humble, super organized, super smart
31:32 – we were professional at pre-running and racing and following ribbons and arrows, but we were novices at trying to navigate off a roadbook
41:57 – I call it 11 time, 17 gives people the illusion I rode it all
53:35 – We’ve built a program around Rancho Santa Maria, the school and orphanage that every year we do an event called the Baja Beach Bash
59:56 – ORMHOF was a really big point in my career; I think as a racer, it’s more than just racing, it’s how have you impacted the sport?
Special thanks to ORMHOF.org for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:16:05
Episode 203 features Brendon Thompson, little brother, family man, and TV personality with mad skills
2/22/2024
TV Personality, Brendon Thompson, enlightens on us on the finer points of being on American Chopper – the builds, the craziness; but that’s not all, we get insight into his early life and his parenting, throw in a little 5150 racing and you’ve got the full meal deal. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
3:24 – my older brother was always the helping hand for me, picking me back up when I was doing wrong; he kept me on track
8:47 – I almost got fired because I didn’t know fractions, couldn’t read a tape measure
18:47 – My boss wanted to semi-retire so he passed off the gas tanks to me, I just started doing my own thing.
22:19 – in 2010, that’s when I got that phone call to see if I wanted to come build a bike with Paul Jr. on television
36:13 – you don’t need to create the drama, the drama was there, it was craziness.
48:41 – We did a lot of cool stuff, I’ve had a lot of cool experiences with the show, with Paul.
51:47 – it was a big deal because we parked in Tracy Jordan’s spot, they’re like, you gotta move, Tracy’s here – we were like, okay, whatever.
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:13:47
Les Figueroa from FigSpeed dishes on drag racing on Episode 202
2/15/2024
FigSpeed honcho, Les Figueroa dishes about drag racing, off-road, and being at “that” level with the big boys. It’s a great listen, plenty of stories to keep you entertained. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
5:17 – I still have the car that my dad raced and bought in 1970
16:59 – knowing I always loved drag racing, I took the position at Mallory Ignition making minimum wage; about $4.25 an hour
20:32 – all the events I was able to work at, I was also able to race at. The people on the West Coast thought I was an East Coast racer…I never told anyone I was new.
23:48 – so leaving the starting line as close to perfect as possible was the name of the game
28:17 – being there for Speed Week was awesome, we stayed at the Speedway Motel by the Brickyard, Mario Andretti’s room was down the hall, and Jeff was next to him, once you were in at that level, it was one big, huge family.
34:28 – Our company Fig Speed had a great relationship with Lucas Oil
42:51 – I got kicked out for one of the Pedagon Brothers, the thing is, nobody told me I was kicked out, I had to read it in National Dragster
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:00:04
Introducing Andy DeVercelly x 4 on Episode 201
2/8/2024
All American racing family, we’d like to introduce you to Andy DeVercelly – numbers, 2,3,4, and 5. #2 is 93 years young and raced in the first Baja 1000; #5 just graduated to go-karts from mini-dwarf cars. It’s a fun listen of four generations of racers. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
3:14 – Andy 2 – the bullfighter is my car, I hit a bull on the highway just before LaPaz
12:48 – Andy 2 – I had no idea at all where I was, there were like three street signs down there
19:00 – Andy 3 – my grandpa was an Ironman kind of guy, no one else could drive the car
25:06 – Andy 3 – Now that I’ve retired, I get the pleasure and fun of it all to go work with my son
31:36 – Andy 4 – so as far as 4 wheels, he’s still a few years out – he’s just tall enough now to start learning
39:26 – Andy 2 – the big thing was the energy, the energy that the people have down there for the 1000 is next level
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:00:51:15
Episode 200 with Todd Young, fabricator, promoter, rockcrawler and Pirate
2/1/2024
Our favorite pirate, Todd Young, shares life in the hood, work, rockcrawling, and unexpected life changes. This is a great one, if you’ve ever had a chance to be around Todd, you’ll appreciate that he tells it like it is. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
3:57 – My dad was always a brawler, So I was born with the expectation that you solved everything with a good fistfight.
10:58 – I kind of fell into the weld shop, they had us welding right away
19:20 – I don’t do rules and politics very well, at I stage I got fed up and wallpapered the whole back wall of the shop with all those memos and stuff
30:12 – I got into a six-foot snowbank and slid off the edge, and that 4Runner wasn’t nearly as capable as I thought it was
38:42 – So off we go to Goldendale, and sure enough, Big Rich and Little Rich are throwing the biggest rock crawling soiree…and I’m like, that’s my kind of people right there
45:59 – Next thing I know, we’re rounding up rocks and culverts and throwing some fun crawls in our backyard for our local rockcrawling club
53:27– Well, ditch the bike and I’m going to shoulder roll this wreck out; I hit a lot harder than I thought
59:33 – My whole world was shrinking, the doctor goes, I’m just going to throw this out there, not to alarm you, but we can cut it off and I’ll have you back to work in six, eight weeks.
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:16:05
Pioneer woman, Mary McGee, on Episode 199
1/25/2024
Mary McGee is a legend in off-road racing; solo’d the Baja 500 on a bike as the first person to do so; a woman who never learned to quit and always said yes to everything offered. She thinks she’s the luckiest woman ever, her history is a great story. Mary was inducted in the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2023. Mary is why we say; legends live at ORMHOF.org. Be sure to tune in on your favorite podcast app.
3:31 – My 9-year-old brother and myself (age 5), by ourselves went on the steamship from Juneau to Seattle
19:29 – Vashak said to Dan, Mary, she should road race the motorcycles, make even smoother than the car.
24:45 – Women couldn’t have credit cards in their name, they couldn’t have anything in their own name.
29:41 – “Are you motorcycle people?” yes, “You have to leave”
34:24 – my friend, Steve McQueen, said, “Mary, you have got to get off that pansy road racing bike and come out to the desert.” Will I have to get dirty?
55:48 – We only made it to El Arco and it was freezing; I went around and around that fire and got myself nice and hot and went right over to those two guys sleeping on cardboard and slithered right in between them
1:10:34 – Once you start something, you should see it through to the end, however it goes.
Special thanks to ORMHOF.org for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:18:41
North Carolina based cowboy/rockcrawler, Matt Deas on Episode 198.
1/18/2024
Cowboy Matt Deas, one of the OG rockcrawlers hails from North Carolina where he raises kids and horses. Matt shares with us some great stories about rockcrawling in the early days.. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
5:16 – Man, I love my childhood going to school and stuff, there were 89 of us in my graduating
10:43 – Once I got healed, I started ordering parts and got me a trail rig
17:11 – from 02-03 the sport evolved more, more participants and stuff
22:07 – Jellico was always my favorite because that’s where it all started for me
29:44 – Probably the WE Rock in ’07 we ended up third, but I remember the level of competition was huge
38:56 – I want to say it was ’10 a lot of people were coming back, they caught their breath and was like, hey, we survived the storm
47:01 – I’m going to treat myself for a while, I’m going to treat myself for a while, I made it three weeks
57:44 – We ought to put a show on, get some sponsorship and really pump it up – you woulda been proud of me.
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:03:03
Keeping the Stoke alive at Total Chaos, Nicole Pitell on Episode 197
1/11/2024
Nicole Pitell brings her own brand of hype to every conversation, she shares the inside scoop of Total Chaos to the podcast. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
6:12 – at the end of the day, it’s what makes each of us individually happy is what’s going to elevate you and take you to the next level
12:05 – I want noted for the record, I suck at driving in mud
19:47 – our product line comes from having to build better parts for our friends who were pitting for us
25:44 – I think you need good competition to elevate your innovation and your passion
32:50 – they just let me go full stupid down south of the border
41:33 – An all women’s? That sounds horrible was the first thing I said to her.
46:03 – I really like to have fun in life, no bad days
55:12 – I don’t hang around with people that aren’t motivated, inspired, and driven every day
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:01:08:04
Shock champion, Glenn Classen of Radflo on Episode 196.
1/4/2024
Glenn Classen made a big move from South Africa to the US to expand his market for shock absorbers – almost 20 years in, he’s continued to grow and develop Radflo for the off-road market. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
3:46 – as a kid, being aware of anything socially or politically about how the country ran you weren’t aware of until much later
11:44 – let’s fire this thing back up, we made parts and started selling shocks
13:01 – in any business, there’s massive swings of good luck and bad
16:11 – that’s how I sold it to my wife, we’d come over to the US for two years and then go home
23:04 – I came over here and very quickly realized that this was a massive pond and I was a very small fish
33:23 – we are just a shock manufacturer
38:44 – we make shocks to suit the different lift kit manufacturers, we don’t do generic
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:00:47:27
Mega-Rock Sports Supporter, Stan Haynes of Branik Motorsports on Episode 195.
12/28/2023
Stan Haynes has rock sports under his skin; a long-time supporter of both series and competitors, Stan shares life in a family-run business with us. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
6:07 – I thought I was getting drafted to go die in Vietnam
11:24 – 57’ Chevy, I hot-rodded the heck out of it
15:52 – we still continue with Branik doing foundry work and ceating master tooling, molds, and dies making thousands of parts and a foundry and castings
19:50 – in starting a business you’re going to go through hard times, but be prepared and try to always have the attitude of don’t give up
28:49 – I started going to King of the Hammers in ’09 and two years later we’re racing
32:17 – I love free market, I love capitalism, it really enhances a business to be better.
41:52 – What a beautiful place of God’s Green Earth, everyone needs to experience the Rubicon, am I right?
Special thanks to 4low Magazine and Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.
Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.
Support the Show.
Duration:00:53:42