Disco Derek West spills on family, racing, opportunities, and why he’s retired now. A twenty-year career with over 100 wins in all elements of off-road, Derek has always been a wheelman. He can drive anything and podium. 

3:54 – Four wheelers started the driving bug

9:03 –my very first race is a holeshot race and everyone’s wrecking!

14:07 – John Lloyd was the one who got me into off-road

16:12 –Camp Jeep in Branson is where I met Ritchie

20:17 – Ashley was driving my comp rig to college

24:18 – I learned you have to trust your rig and trust your spotter

28:00 – the sponsors weren’t interested, nobody was interested

30:48 – I am just the monkey behind the wheel 

33:32 – I hated optional lines

37:58 – got invited to KOH in 2009

43:40 – I got second place, and somebody said “What happened?” I was proud of that second place

51:39 –that was the hardest race

58:11 – the solid axle is actually doing extremely well

1:02:05 – the origin of “disco”

1:05:03 – if you can swing it, pay for it yourself, sponsorship is a job.

 

We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.

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The dynamic duo, Randy Kruse and Shain Chapman, from K2 in Mason, Texas join us for Episode 63.  Wheeling buddies and business partners for over 20 years, Shain and Randy talk about the different properties, K1 and K2; how they got here, and what’s in store for the future of wheeling in Texas. It’s a great listen with lots of laughs amongst these old friends.

3:02 – you’re going to make the team!

7:51 –state champion chicken judging team

13:12 – squeezed four years into five and a half

13:54 –when I didn’t get into vet school on a whim I applied to law school

17:50 – we met at a party

19:58 – we spent the next couple hours trying to get me upright

21:14 – “Boy, this is Texas”

26:26 – how much would you pay? 

28:53 – the nature of off-road

30:54 – I don’t think I have any pictures I can actually publish

33:55 – what’s the difference between West Coast wheelers and Texas? ….thought there was going to be fight

40:39 – but you were a bull rider?  Yeah, that ride is only 8 seconds!

47:53 – it’s such a family sport

49:25 – we did have Ted Nugent out here

54:38 – I guess I’ll go clean the toilets

1:04:53 – where does the name, Katemcy Rocks, come from?

1:11:06 – Texans take their BBQ seriously

 

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The little brother brings a whole lot of history of his own. Casey Scherer doesn’t really roll in his brothers shadow, more like on a parallel path. Casey spends time with Rich talking about the moves he’s made, his racing history and his plan to live his best life ever.  I’ll never forget meeting him in Arizona after a Spring Training game and the fun that ensued.

4:09 – we were hooked!

7:18 –first job involved a sledgehammer

10:12 – spent nights in Mello’s barn working on race Jeeps

11:40 –I ran faster laps than the instructors

13:30 – ran with NASCAR drivers

15:00 – it taught me discipline

19:47 – Shannon taught us how to share

24:07 – the 25 hour long endurance race was fun 

25:38 – staring down my own gun from the barrel end

28:05 – I bought a bone stock Can-Am X3

31:20 – it wasn’t a sponsorship, it was a relationship

39:09 – I got hurt. It was all games off. No more racing.

41:48 – how do you continue your life and not dwell on this silly situation?

46:12 – there’s no script

49:15 – Mountain Vibe Festival

52:21 – Team Awesome

 

We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.

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I always think of Trent McGee as a magazine guy, and that’s certainly how he got his start – but listen in to see what else he’s been up to in his 20+ year career in off-road. Ultimate Adventure, Superlift TV, there’s lots of great stuff packed in this episode.

4:40 – early days developed my love for the desert

7:06 – everything just stings, sticks, or bites

8:27 – theater set the stage because I had on-camera experience

10:35 – rules to keep teens safe while driving: buy them something small so they can’t put many people in it, add a stick shift so they can’t text

12:37 – my dad was livid….

15:20 – I needed an internship

17:08 – my 10 seconds of courage

21:02 – I thought I was pretty knowledgable 

32:00 – yeah, Louisiana, not a chance

41:45 – the most special build was for a co-worker that had a unicorn

49:48 – I hung out my own shingle about 10 years ago

50:54 – I’m one of two guys that have been on every Ultimate Adventure

59:16 – to Alaska at 25 mph

1:04:42 – Jeep Dirt-n-Drive to Moab

1:25:57 – Life is not about things

 

We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.

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This is a must-listen episode!  Clay Egan was paralyzed at age 22; started rockcrawling at age 32; became a full-time motivational speaker at age 37. If you’ve ever struggled with life, with circumstances, with your future, this is one episode you need to hear. The power of prayer, positivity, and healing is strong with this one.   

3:20 – Utah, the most amazing state on the planet

7:44 – Let’s talk about the accident

11:15 – good enough that I’ve been able to be fully independent as a C6 quadriplegic

13:32 – the physical pain and trauma was so bad, I just wanted to feel better

15:18 – it wasn’t that bad mentally because of my back story

19:23 – construction was my thing

21:47 – my rockcrawling start

29:45 – my final rockcrawling competition 

31:43 – KOH 2009

33:39 – I made a deal with God

36:13 – I started speaking all over the country

“my good attitude has been my meal ticket everywhere, it’s been the key t my success.  You know, we all have stuff we deal with in life, we all have challenges, whether it be financial challenges, our jobs, marital challenges, loss of a child, divorce, whatever it is, we all have those obstacles to overcome and they suck when we’re in it. But what I’ve learned through all of mine is if you can find just one good thing in that bad experience – you grow, you learn, you go forward a better person.”

41:40 – I retired from speaking in 2017

44:38 – I have always been blessed with the best of friends

 

We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.

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Energetic, friendly, and knowledgeable describes Jeep enthusiast Jim Horne as he joins us for Episode 59 to share how a kid graduated from a Missouri high school ends up in Pahrump, Nevada (for now). Lots of stories and laughs along the way with his strong, beautiful wife, Barb. 

2:56 – since I was born I’ve been around everything Jeep-wise 

8:14 – I don’t know if I maybe had anger issues, but I love playing football

9:47 – A couple of years ago, Barb was diagnosed with breast cancer

12:50 – I really got into this industry, it’s saved us

17:26 – it’s those personal experiences that build character

18:46 – we would shut the job down because he was yelling at me and I was yelling back

27:35 – aircraft mechanic jobs were flooded with ex-military, no room for me

34:41 – it was time to settle down 

37:09 – once you’re on the Rubicon, you’re not getting off until you’re done

38:57 – we started Outlaw Jeep Tours on the corner like a hooker

42:54 – Steve Nantz has been a key person in my life

46:25 – you’re living the dream

58:29 – I put her into a roll

1:04:34 – fighting vapor lock in the race truck

1:15:59 – you’re only failing if you don’t try

 

We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.

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What do yellow hats, gas tanks, Jeeps, and bicycle parts have in common?  Tony Pellegrino and Genright.  Tony is the founder of Genright, a company now supplying thousands of SKUs for your Jeep, listen to how it began with a gas tank.  Lots of personal history in this one with Tony and his family, Debbie, Jamie and Jordan.  Names you know in the industry.

4:37 – My parents sent us to parochial school to straighten us boys out. 

10:14 – I won an award for building a four-wheel drive radio controlled car from scratch.

12:27 – I drove home in reverse so I didn’t miss my curfew

14:41 – the start of the off-road bug

17:23 – I did my homework

18:58 – the next job found me

24:00 – I met the one

26:10 – I worked like a dog 

31:18 – remember the rc car?

36:53 – the evolution of Genright

41:43 – The problem with ramping up a company during an economic crash

49:45 – too many guys that are disconnected from reality

58:44 – the importance of trail etiquette

1:05:30 – tremendous industry relationships have come from Ultra4

1:12:02 – the origin of the yellow hat

 

We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.

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www.4lowmagazine.com 

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Can you say driven? The preeminent spotter of the rockcrawling world, Chris Poblano joins us on Conversations with Big Rich. Chris talks about the differences of spotting for different rockcrawlers over the last two decades – Tony K., Brent Bradshaw, Olivia Messer, and currently Jesse Haines. It’s a good listen.

5:17 – I wanted to be Magnum P.I. 

9:46 – Mom picked us up from school with the boat attached.

13:54 – Big-O revoked my lifetime alignment warranty

22:44 – Carnage for the Con 2001

25:17 – Tony launched that cone

29:29 – First disabled sports run

33:25 – The Bradshaw years

41:56 – Matt Messer approached me about spotting his daughter, what an honor 

46:02 – There’s only a couple of drivers like Jesse

48:03 – every competitor should judge, just another component of competition

49:50 – The physical therapy practice

51:35 – I do Crossfit so I can eat what I want

54:37 – Sanding your hands

59:38 – My future is in Tennessee

1:05:23 – what makes a great spotter?

 

We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.

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Episode 56 of Conversations with Big Rich is part two of an exceptional interview with Bob Bower.  If you haven’t met Bob, read what Ron Stobaugh had to say about him on the occasion of his 75th birthday.  

“Off Road Hall Of Fame. Racers Racer. Marketing Professional. Trainer of the Tire Pros. Most of my friends know these accolades as related to Bob. Many don't know he may or should be in the Tuna Fishing / Airplane Shuttling / Train Car Hopping / Corvette Club Hall Of Fame. Bob not only put up with me as a nor-cal squid that dreamed of Baja racing, he acted. A surprise trip to San Felipe (first time to a desert/Baja/off road race), picking up some kid named Robby Gordon, introductions to every person I had read about or watched on ABC Wide World of Sports, and the occasional kick in the ass when I veered too far off course. Taking me tuna fishing, even though I get motion sick, he hung in there with me - unforgettable experiences. I believe in Karma/Fate whatever you want to call it. I met Bob just before my dad passed away and six months after our son was born. This calm, tough, supportive, willing to let our 2 year old pull on his beard to the point of tears "lawn gnome" was there when we needed that type of figure in our lives. He deserves the Hall of Fame Induction, as well as all of the other known or unknown accolades. But Bob is most deserving of being called - a good human being.”  No kinder words could be spoken.

I’m going to forego the Show Notes for this second part of the Bob Bower interview, because if you listened to part one, you already know you want to listen to part two. One of the pieces Rich and Bob talk about in part two is “What About You?”  It’s the best common sense piece for off-roaders out there.  Written 20 years ago, updated only to change the dates – for you, put in the day after any big event you are attending. It should be top of mind for everyone, it even applies to day-to-day life.  This is what matters most.

Go on over to www.bigrichklein.com and read it there.

 

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The author of the BFG pits program, co-driver extraordinaire, off-road legend Bob Bower shares insights into his early days. Bob is a practiced speaker, Rich and Bob had such a great interview, we split it into two episodes. This is part one.

5:13 – earliest memories were reading MotorTrend and a feature article on Bill Stroppe’s teams on the PanAmerican rally  

7:32 – learned to drive in a 5 mph old military jeep

10:58 – worked in a body shop and that immersed me in to being a car guy

16:56 – Tom Johnson’s Union Oil was a rite of passage in the neighborhood

19:05 – Religiously cleaned all the windows, front and back – but wait, that’s plexiglass on that Corvette

21:38 – cruising VanNuys Blvd in a Corvette

23:14 – I have an opinion

24:37 – I was getting trained as a speaker – and I didn’t know it yet 

26:28 – wouldn’t you like to hook up with the people who set the trends instead of follow them?

32:26 – I didn’t know squat about tires

36:19 – slow hands, slow feet – that’ how you pit

42:40 – recognizing what is at stake when I’m talking

48:58 – here’s why off-road racing is expensive

53:37 – See’s Candy marketing built the BFG pits

56:50 – my first co-driver gig – I had finally arrived

59:11 – made ESPN’s Crash of the Week with that one

1:03:25 – if you’re in the air, you can’t accelerate, you can’t stop and you can’t steer

1:06:01 – the key to winning a long-distance desert race is not going faster, but going a little less slow

1:08:47 – Retired from racing on my terms with a win at the 50th Annual Baja 1000

Join us next week for some more great insight with Bob Bower for part two of this interview. 

 

We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.

www.maxxis.com

www.4lowmagazine.com 

Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.

 

All Automotive with Matt Clawson
Automotive related topics. Anything from owning an repair facility to racing. Anything...

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Support the show