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Larry 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 Bondurant on the trails

17:40 – the impact of John nelson on the professionalism of the sport

23:49 – race advice from Rob McCachran

29:10 – When opportunities present themselves, the start of Poison Spyder for Larry

35:30 – the definition of “lightening in a bottle”

37:50 – what precipitated the sale of Poison Spyder to Transamerica

41:01 – shocked by the diagnosis 

48:40 – “Get off the course!” – racing KOH

57:14 – what’s next after three years of retirement – how fast it all happens

Catching up with Larry was a lot of fun, it’s fascinating to hear the rest of the stories that we all know just a little bit about.  

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Bruce 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 – Property is easy, red tape is the tough part

19:36 – Sometimes the things you’re forced to do end up being the best choice, who knew?

25:07 – How creative do you gotta be to pass tech some times?

39:47 – Here’s where my competitive career started

44:48 – What’s next for Rausch Creek?

50:42 – You’re all invited – July 25-26 – old-school reunion at WE Rock, come down Saturday night 

52:33 – That’s NOT east coast!

Conversations with Big Rich is all about the history, catching up with the folks who are the foundation of rock crawling.  Bruce Shallis continues to fit that description.  We appreciate you, Bruce!

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Jeff 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 – Spend $2200, make $40K – I’ll take that deal all day long

20:50 – how to keep up with all the different rule books, CalRocs, ProRock and UROC

25:07 – How creative do you gotta be to pass tech some times?

28.52 – You lied to me…

45:28 – the best co-dawg ever!  Keep listening, you’ll be laughing outloud (sorry Jason!)

56:34 – The Budget Rental
 
1:07:51 – The evolution of Jeeps – the four eras

It’s always so good to catch up with old friends, you’ve heard of Jeff Mello, get to know him better here.  Truly an original, and an OG as well.  Great Stories!

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From 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 leader

47:08 –Taking the family to Glamis, oh, what a ride…

55:56 – Kyle goes on a roll…old time rockcrawling stories 

If you haven’t been to Attica in a while, it’s time to go back.  Kyle has created a first-class facility with all the amenities.  Lots of terrain challenges, and if you time it right, you might be able to avoid the mud.  Check out. https://badlandsoffroad.com/ for all your offroading needs.

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Mr. 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 of moonshine for their sponsor

48:22 – What it’s like to be the Tire Czar

57:56 –The origination of GripLock Ties

1:14:51– Creighton’s life advice…Racing makes you a better man…

So great to hear Creighton doing so well, and don’t miss his special offer.  FREE SHIPPING on Griplock Ties by using the code BIGRICH at checkout.  www.griplockties.com 

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

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Family-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 can you fit in a Burro?

27:08 – How do you develop a product line?  You give the customers what they ask for

42:37 – My friendship with Phil Howell and how that began

54:22 – The Rocky Road had a secret weapon

1:18:00 –You’ll want to listen to John and Gerald’s experience at KOH

1:42:16 – Business changes and how the kids got involved

John Currie has such a great history with rock sports, taking Rock Jock forward is good for the industry, be sure to check them out at www.rockjock4x4.com and check out the Industry Profile in Issue 33 of 4Low Magazine.

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Lovell 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 there anything that can go more wrong on your first day of competition?

22:49 – What every woman wants to hear on the day she gives birth to twins – Honey, I quit my job!

27:24 – I can go to Baja, but I’ve only got three days

32:47 – The start of my ProLite career and advice from McGrath and Greaves

42:43 – Advice from the best of the best – just let it go, man

53:10 – A bet with JT on Pike’s Peak – listen to see who wins?

1:04:03 – Desert karma, it’s great when it blooms!

Keep up with Brad Lovell all over the internet – just Google Lovell Racing and you can’t miss him – on FB, in images, on Ultra4 – Brad has really made a name for himself.

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New 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 viewers on Truck Night

20:24 – You can’t afford to go racing…nobody can

29:24 – Why do exo’s have to be so ugly?

46:02 – The definition of family, much love to the Tin Benders

Want to know where Bender is after Truck Night?  You’ll find him at https://motobilt.com/

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No 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 the road?

25:30 – The origin story for Lasernut

36:33 – the future of rockcrawling – who’s your driver?

42:36 – There’s no private property on the lakebed?  Or is there?

51:40 – an offer you shouldn’t refuse….

If you’re in the market for anything lasercut – from one part to 1,000,000 parts – contact Cody at Lasernut https://lasernut.com/

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One 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 marketing ploy

13:51  A giant computer nerd changes everything

30:49  Baja challenges everything

47:15  The sale of Pirate, including Camo becoming a Pirate

If you’re in the market for a house in St George, Utah – Lance is your go-to at https://www.stgeorge.properties/

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

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