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Episode Summary: Join host Big Rich as he dives into the exhilarating world of off-road sports with the legendary Shannon Campbell. In this episode, Shannon shares his journey from a rural upbringing in Arizona to becoming a renowned figure in the off-road industry. From racing at Top Truck Challenge to making a mark at King of the Hammers, Shannon's stories are as thrilling as they are inspiring.

Key Moments:

• Early Life and Influences: Shannon talks about his upbringing in Gilbert, Arizona, and how his family's involvement in racing influenced his passion for off-road sports.
• Breaking into Off-Road Racing: Hear about Shannon's first major competition at Top Truck Challenge in 1996 and how it set the stage for his future success.
• Innovations and Challenges: Discover the journey of transitioning to independent front suspension and the challenges Shannon faced in desert racing.
• Memorable Moments: Laugh along with tales of close calls, wild races, and the camaraderie of the off-road community, including epic stories with his long-time friend Randy Ellis.
• Future Plans: Shannon shares his aspirations to balance big races with a return to grassroots wheeling adventures and his enthusiasm for upcoming events like Trail Hero and the Rubicon.

Guest Bio: Shannon Campbell is a celebrated figure in the off-road racing world, known for his innovative spirit and competitive drive. As a member of the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame, Shannon continues to inspire with his dedication to the sport and his passion for life.

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So many great stories about a great man!  Mike Czajkowski shares stories about his dad, the legendary Marlin Crawler. Don’t miss episode 270! Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.

2:10 – People always know when Marlin caught them on the trail, where they met him.

18:28 – Paul goes, “hey, this my friend, Marlin.” And Christine gets up, throws the paper and storms off to her room! That was the first time they met.              

29:11 – There was a first gen Toyota mini truck in the church parking lot, my dad snuck out of church to leave a note – cool truck, call me! 

38:28 – How many revisions has the Marlin Crawler truck gone through?? Listen to find out. 

54:05 – he would experiment and learn and put seals in backwards on purpose, just do things in non-conventional ways

1:04:10 – Three boxes. We call that a triple transfer case, and no one had ever done this to go slow over the rocks.

Special thanks to Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.

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Adrenalin-junkies unite and listen in to our favorite, Bill Baird. Stunt planes to dirt to asphalt ovals, bill has done so much. Join us for episode 269 and hear Bill’s story!. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.

6:33 – Sturgis, KY was the second school in the US that was integrated after Little Rock. Third grade, I went to school with 1200 National Guard troops around.

14:03 – Never been to a racetrack, I’ve never seen a race before in my life, I was a fish out of water.              

17:17 – Somewhere between 98 and 99 I started understanding everything about the race car. 

23:27 – I picked up the car up from Shannon and drove back to Oklahoma to race; but Shannon’s car had a kick to it! 

34:35 – I’ve been in Moab 17 times…what got me going out there was retracing my dad’s life while he was out there.

41:58 – I got out of it when you couldn’t run Tire Balls anymore; I had a single-seat car, I’m 56 years old, I couldn’t handle a tire by myself.

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We had an opportunity to attend a fundraiser earlier in the year for Wingshooters.org and it impressed me so much, I had to get the founder/CEO on the podcast. Greg McClelland shares his story and how he finds solace in the woods. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.

2:29 – It’s humbling to see the support from folks who, honestly, don’t have any skin in the game at all

8:36 – I was taught to respect fences, but if there weren’t any fences, I just assumed that it was free              

13:34 – My roommate dared me to come with him, I didn’t want to be a cop. I ended up doint it on a fluke and just kept passing these interviews, even though I was half insubordinate and pretty cocky. 

22:28 – The outdoor recreation, hunting, being in the woods, gun smoke, campfire and bro time, talking sh*t. It makes me feel better. It’s got to help these same guys, right? 

28:20 – My goal is to build a network of like-minded organizations where we can plug folks in.

40:33 – Anything any organization can do, as long as it’s honorable and for the right reasons, man, I’m all for it; any way we can partner and help, I’m glad to do it.

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Self-described, average trail wheeler, Jon Larson, shares the insights that he’s gained with 25 years of running Cherokees. If you ever wondered how you could get involved in off-road, Jon shares his path. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.

5:59 – Dude, did you know that mom and dad were in a cult? I was like, I don’t think it was a cult.

11:18 – I pretty much have OCD when it comes to XJs, I know every part on the XJ by heart, every bolt-size by heart.              

22:46 – I remember some high-speed chases late at night, going through private property, where someone came out with spotlights in some big pickup truck and chased us for 10 miles. 

32:41 – I think the Scout was the only rig I’ve ever sold that I made money on. 

38:56 – I would go to Pick and Pull and take things apart and figure it out. That was my own little personal learning class..

46:03 –I would grab a 30-pack, a buddy or two would come over, and we would part out a whole Cherokee, chop-shop style in 10 hours

1:16:05 – There are private landowners on the Rubicon, 40% of the Rubicon goes through private property, Common people like me don’t know that. 

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This week’s guest may have a weak connection to off-road, but that string is still attached. James Patience is an ambassador for Bikers Against Bullies, and their message is clear – know who you are! I couldn’t think of a better man who knows. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.

4:05 – I think you look back and realize that a lot of what you become as an adult is created when you’re younger

11:50 – I truly believe that everything in the world is a pendulum. If it’s pushed one way, it goes back the other way with equal force              

20:04 – I went to work every day. And I learned that…so when you don’t have balance, and you don’t have structure, you have to find something as an anchor. That was work for me. 

27:21 – I can be average and stay where I’m at, or I can kill it and move forward; and it’s the exact same investment for me. Why not move forward? 

36:53 – Imagine like a chocolate Easter Bunny. You pour the chocolate in the mold and you spin it around, and then once it dries, you pull it out. That’s what we do with these tanks.

47:53 –I have to find a way that nobody can boss me around because of money

52:11 – It’s not about stopping the bully, it’s about being able to control yourself in those situations so things don’t affect you. 

Special thanks to Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.

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Dirthead_Dave from the Dirthead Shed joins us for Episode 265. Let’s talk about building cars from hot rods to offroad, Join us and support the other Dave Chappelle. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.

4:46 – The off-roading is the one thing that’s stuck and put me on the map the most

9:37 – Saturn was its own little weird community, compares to the girls with their IG handle on the side of the hood              

15:32 – I ended up sabotaging the Sentra so it wouldn’t pass smog because my dad didn’t want me to get a mini truck, he knew I’d be broke forever after that 

24:00 – Got my first Jeep in 2005 and that was the kickoff for all the stuff I’m doing now 

30:05 – I told them I’d prep the Bronco and haul it to the start of UA if I got to go, that’s how I weaseled my way in there

48:20 –right now, it’s just wide-open throttle, pushing YouTube and trying to grow my brand 

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Super spotter, Steve Hastings, was smooth, smooth, smooth. A driver in his own right, he spent a lot of his career as Jason Bunch’s spotter. OG rockcrawler who got started in the 60’s behind the wheel of his dad’s CJ5, Steve has seen a lot of rock. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.

5:44 – Two pillows behind and two pillows underneath and low, low, low gear

15:23 – I’m one of Craig’s disciples, one of those rigs he bought high and sold low   

29:12 – More like a lot of tequila and a lot of tacos 

35:40 – Jason’s wife called and said, “Jason was a basket case, don’t you ever leave him behind again!” 

42:36 – We’d look at an obstacle and find the hardest spot, then work backwards to get the right line

51:04 –we weren’t looking for fast, we didn’t care if we finished in nine minutes and 59 seconds, as long as we finished. Smooth, smooth, smooth was our battle cry 

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Part Two. Stories so big we need two episodes to tell them!  Jason Bunch of Tri-Couty Gear has a storied history and he shares it with us. Rockcrawler, racer, business man, enthusiast, Jason’s been part of the OG crowd. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.

7:06 – For once, I’m the guy, not the guy on the outside of the fence, I’m the guy on the inside.

19:08 – Damn, why didn’t anybody tell me I was doing that?!              

24:14 – I owe a lot to learning about mechanical things and driving different vehicles. 

31:42 – I’m on Junkyard Wars, right? And they had us build a land speed vehicle/rockcrawler that could be a boat! 

48:01 – I’m screaming at them, “the k*ll switch, the k*ll switch!”.

54:34 –At one point in my life, I had race face where I was pissed off because I wasn’t winning, I was taking it too serious. 

Special thanks to Maxxis Tires for support and sponsorship of this podcast.

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Stories so big we need two episodes to tell them!  Jason Bunch of Tri-Couty Gear has a storied history and he shares it with us. Rockcrawler, racer, business man, enthusiast, Jason’s been part of the OG crowd. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.

4:47 – We’d take about everything trying to make them faster, we’d grind the rod on a lawn mower and hold it wide open to see if we could make it blow up

16:08 – A cop rolls up and goes, “this brings new meaning to shade tree mechanic!”              

21:04 – my Flat Fender had a healthy 350 in it and a 300 shot of nitrous oxide in it. It was fast. 

30:59 – One night we clocked ourselves going through Sledge Hammer, did the whole trail in 51 minutes and one beer stop included. 

36:25 – I watched Steve work with people and I thought, I need that guy for something, but I don’t know what.

46:34 –I used all of my knowledge of Jeeps and the things I’ve done to build that Jeep, no blueprint, just all in my mind.

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