Off-Road Racer Podcast

Welcome to the first edition of Off-Road Racer Live. These recordings come from the 2026 Off-Road Expo, in the Josh the Auto Buyer booth.In this edition, Matt Martelli and Bob Bower sit down with Josh Stabile, better known as Josh the Auto Buyer, who was responsible for bringing this entire group of builders, prerunners, racers, and off road personalities together at the Expo.Josh talks about how the idea came together in just a matter of weeks, starting with a few phone calls and growing into an entire hall built around the people and vehicles he wanted to see represented. The goal was simple: change the vibe, bring some of the old school culture back, and create a place where builders and enthusiasts could actually hang out, talk, and share what they have built.The conversation also gets into Josh's own history with off road. From his first Baja Bug and years of driving Raptors to building his first serious prerunner, Josh explains how he went from simply enjoying trucks to becoming one of the biggest buyers and sellers of built Ford Raptors in the country. He also talks about the 2023 crash that changed his approach to safety and eventually led to his current desert truck.A major theme throughout the conversation is the connection between prerunner culture and off road racing. Josh believes the two sides of the sport should be closer together, and that racing is a major part of what created the trucks, technology, and culture that people enjoy today. He also talks about getting younger people interested in the sport by giving them something to aspire to, whether they start with a UTV, a Raptor, a clapped out truck, or eventually move into a full desert truck.Josh also explains why he wanted so many different builders and styles represented in the hall, from RJ Fab and Kibbetech to Chris Allen, Dirt King, and All American Sender. The goal wasn't to create another competition between builders, but a space where people could appreciate the work, learn from each other, and bring more people into the culture.Recorded live at the 2026 Off-Road Expo.

Welcome to the first edition of Off-Road Racer Live. These recordings come from the 2026 Off-Road Expo, in the Josh the Auto Buyer booth.In this edition, Matt Martelli and Bob Bower sit down with Rob Lindsay of RJ Fab to talk about his path from working in a high school metal shop to building some of the most detailed and creative off road vehicles in the industry.Rob talks about starting out building street and drag race cars, eventually turning fabrication into a full time business, and how a prerunner project for Tom Kirkmyer and Richard Boyle pulled him into the off road world. He also talks about the crossover between hot rods, drag racing, and off road, and how ideas and fabrication techniques continue to move between different parts of the automotive world.A major part of the conversation is Rob's approach to building. From the Willys that competed at SEMA's Battle of the Builders to his work combining hot rod level fit and finish with serious off road suspension, Rob explains why he puts so much emphasis on creativity, metal shaping, and doing things differently. They also get into the balance between modern technology like CAD and 3D printing and the craftsmanship that comes from actually shaping and building something by hand.Rob also talks about some of the projects currently coming out of RJ Fab, including an 1100 horsepower four wheel drive crew cab truck and an 89 K5 Blazer with a mezzanine rear suspension. The conversation touches on the small details that make a vehicle more functional, from tire changing systems to custom mounts and other ideas that are designed around the experience of the person actually using the vehicle.The episode also covers Rob's connections throughout the off road industry, including his time working with Gary Lane, Tony Pellegrino, RJ Anderson, and others who have influenced his approach to fabrication and vehicle design.Recorded live at the 2026 Off-Road Expo.

Welcome to the first edition of Off Road Racer Live. These recordings come from the 2026 Off Road Expo, in the Josh the Auto Buyer booth.Matt Martelli and Bob Bower sit down with Blake Wilkey to talk about his second season racing in the Pro UTV class, his progression from Class 11 into one of the most competitive fields in off road racing, and what it takes to run at the front as a privateer team. Blake talks about the pace of modern UTV racing, the importance of preparation, and the challenge of keeping up with factory backed teams while running the entire program out of his own shop. The conversation also covers his background in off road racing, starting with dirt bikes and an $1,800 Chenoweth before progressing through buggies, trucks, and Trophy Truck.A big part of the conversation is Blake's approach to building vehicles and creating content. From Class 11s and Broncos to boats and other unconventional projects, he talks about finding new ways to have fun, create something different, and bring people along for the ride. They also discuss the role Blake plays in connecting with younger fans and helping grow the next generation of off road enthusiasts.Looking ahead, Blake talks about stepping back from some of the racing in 2027 to focus more on adventure and exploring new places, while potentially moving into a 6100 truck and continuing to race when the right opportunities come up.Recorded live at the 2026 Off Road Expo.

Welcome to the first edition of Off-Road Racer Live. These recordings come from the 2026 Off-Road Expo, in the Josh the Auto Buyer booth.In this installment, Matt sits down with well known car builder Robby Woods. Robby shares his story, from a Moto racing career turned sideways, to selling scrap steel to build a short course program, racing with the best on a budget, and becoming a car builder. Robby share's his current ventures, including his upfitted TRX's and a new AWD Race Truck platform he plans on debuting soon.BJ Baldwin joins half way through the epsiode, and he and Robby go into the many facets of vehicle building. Engine placement, Ride Height, ground clearance, and the relationship between travel and horsepower. The second part of this episode is a real treat, with both guests having a real conversation about the aspects of what makes this sport so incredible.

Welcome to the first edition of Off-Road Racer Live. These recordings come from the 2026 Off-Road Expo, in the Josh the Auto Buyer booth.In this Installment, Matt and Jim sit down with Ryan Millen. Part of the legendary Millen family, son of Rod Millen, Ryan has racing baked into his DNA. With a lengthy personal history in many forms of racing, including stage rally and desert racing, Ryan is a certified veteran himself. Matt, Jim, and Ryan go into his racing history, and how that has progressed to today, racing with the legendary Herbst family. The crew also go into Ryan's mechanic and fab work. Ryan had the oppurtunity to revive the iconic Land Shark Class 1 buggy, and told the story of bringing back that piece of off-road history.

Welcome to the first edition of Off-Road Racer Live. These recordings come from the 2026 Off-Road Expo, in the Josh the Auto Buyer booth.In this installment, Matt sits down with Ryan Kibbe, owner of Kibbetech, one of the most well known vehicle builders in our sphere. Matt and Ryan go into his history, how some small skills in repairing bikes for the neighborhood kids led his career into what it has become today. Matt and Kibbe talk about modern prerunner builds, and the things that Kibbe has built, and wants to build.

Welcome to the first edition of Off-Road Racer Live. These recordings come from the 2026 Off-Road Expo, in the Josh the Auto Buyer booth.In this installment, Matt and Desert Dime sit down with Paul Fisher, known as All American Sender, known for producing videos of him preforming stunts in his prerunner. The crew go into the history of freestyle and stunt-based motorsports, with the inception of the famous Gymkhana series, and Paul's take on the format, with his Flight School series on YouTube. Paul breaks down how he approaches his stunts, from location planning, to jump building and scouting, to content delivery. Paul gives a unique perspective, as one of the few people in our culture who puts content first.

Welcome to the first edition of Off-Road Racer Live. These recordings come from the 2026 Off-Road Expo, in the Josh the Auto Buyer booth.Matt catches up with Danny Thompson, who has been a guest on the show previously. Danny Thompson is son of the late great Mickey Thompson, who may be credited as the man who kickstarted off-road, and stadium, and short-course racing as sports. Now, Danny competes at the Bonneville Salt Flats, setting land speed records in a number of classes. Matt and Danny go into what Danny has been into since we last had him on the show, and the two talk about the advancement of off-road racing as a sport and culture.