Off-Road Racer Podcast

Episode 84: Chris Blais

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, Matt Martelli sits down with Chris Blais, one of the most accomplished motorcycle racers to come out of the desert. Before making the jump into UTVs, Chris was among the best moto racers in the world, competing against the toughest riders on the planet and even landing on the podium at the legendary Dakar Rally.That same intensity and focus have carried him into the UTV world, where Chris has built a reputation not just as a talented driver, but also as a builder who understands how to maximize performance. In the episode, he dives into his philosophy on race builds, why weight and balance matter so much, and how years of experience on two wheels gave him a unique perspective behind the wheel of a four-wheel machine.Chris’s story is more than just racing — it’s about resilience, adapting to new challenges, and staying true to the competitive spirit that first pushed him to race dirt bikes at the highest level. His journey shows how the core values of determination and grit can carry a racer from Dakar to the desert UTV wars of today. 🎙 Presented by Dirt Co.

Episode 83: Jason Coleman

Before Jason Coleman was behind the wheel, he was 'the shop kid' at Terrible Herbst — sweeping floors, cleaning CVs, and learning the sport from the ground up.This is a recurring story that comes up frequently on the show. We always talk about the importance of “sweeping the floor.” It’s a humble start, but it’s how countless racers and industry leaders got their foot in the door. That work builds respect, discipline, and opportunity — Jason’s story proves it.Matt and Jason also touch on the legendary Herbst Truggy and AWD truck, machines that pushed the boundaries of off-road innovation.

Episode 82: Mike 'Otto' Deutsch

This week we sit down with Mike “Otto” Deutsch, co-founder of Biltwell, a brand that has become a cornerstone of motorcycle culture. These days, Otto is best known for helping bring people together—through events like the Biltwell 100 and countless other moto gatherings that celebrate the spirit of two wheels and the garage-built community.In this episode, Otto and Matt dive into everything from the early days of Biltwell to the evolution of grassroots racing, the crossover between moto and off-road, and the importance of keeping the culture authentic. They talk about the lessons learned from building a lifestyle brand, the people who make it thrive, and the stories that keep events like the Biltwell 100 so special.This is a wide-ranging conversation that captures not just Otto’s journey, but the spirit of the community he’s been helping to shape for decades. 🎙 Presented by Dirt Co.

Episode 81: Dan Roush

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, we sit down with Dan Roush — a racer with a story unlike any we’ve heard before. Dan isn’t a household name in the off-road world, but his life was forever changed in an instant during a brutal crash in Baja. In the moments after the impact, Dan made the conscious choice to keep breathing, fight through the pain, and survive. From the details of that day to the long road of recovery, Dan shares his journey with honesty and perspective. We talk about how his crash reshaped his outlook on life, what it taught him about resilience, and why the off-road community played such an important role in his healing. This is more than just a racing story — it’s a story about the human spirit, perseverance, and finding strength in the face of overwhelming challenges. 🎙 Presented by Dirt Co.

Episode 80: David Clay

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with David Clay, founder of RacingTrax, the GPS tracking and timing system used by UNLTD and many other off-road racing series. We dive into how a series of frustrating experiences racing in Baja led David to develop one of the most important innovations in modern desert racing. What started as a tool to keep track of race vehicles has evolved into a system that increases safety, improves race management, and provides critical real-time data to teams, officials, and fans alike. We talk about how the technology works, what it takes to run it across thousands of square miles of remote terrain, and what’s next for the future of live tracking and safety in off-road racing.This one’s a deep dive into the tech that keeps our sport moving forward. — Matt MartelliPresented by: @thedirtco – Built for those who go off-road.