Show Notes
Camel Trophy Legends Ian Chapman & Tom Collins: Knife Fights, Hurricanes, and the Stories Behind the MudSteve Beres and Ike Goss host an episode of The Underpowered Hour recorded during extreme storm conditions at the Camel Trophy 45 event at Eastnor Castle. They interview longtime Camel Trophy organizer Ian Chapman and Camel Trophy and Land Rover legend Tom Collins, covering stories from past events including a confrontation involving journalist Robert Pelton Young, memories from Madagascar 1987, and how former competitors became key support staff. Chapman and Collins discuss Land Rover’s limited role in organizing Camel Trophy, how vehicles were chosen based on availability and marketing launches (including Defender, Discovery, Range Rover, and Freelander), and why the event ultimately worked because of the people and the selection process. The conversation includes notable incidents such as a famous windscreen-penetrating log accident, helicopter crash survivals, a minefield navigation story during a pre-scout, and reflections on the lasting camaraderie of Camel Trophy reunions. The episode ends with thanks to the Camel Trophy Owners Club and event organizers, and a promise of future Land Rover podcast episodes.
More from The Underpowered Hour
Steve Beres and Ike Goss welcome Liza and Jenna back from the Rebelle Rally 2026 for a quick, tired-but-excited recap ahead of a longer decompression episode. They celebrate Team 155’s best-ever result with a P4 finish, a stage win, and a Pennzoil Challenge win that came with a championship belt and a VIP trip to the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas, while thanking Ralph and Kathleen for the loaned truck. Liza and Jenna tease stories about extreme weather (a hurricane hit at base camp one, flash flooding en route to base camp two, and a sandstorm at base camp three), tracker issues, a near checkpoint mistake, and an unrevealed “boo-boo” to the vehicle. The hosts invite audience questions via Instagram, YouTube, or their website, mention a Land Rover documentary screening in Santa Monica, and thank sponsors and partners.
On the penultimate day of the Rebelle Rally 2026, hosts Steve Beres and Brodie Peariso recap Team 155’s performance after a 305 km transit day to the dunes, where the rally will finish tomorrow. Despite a few mid-day mishaps, the team placed 13th on the day with 181 points (about 80% of available points), keeping them 4th overall with 1,210 points (86%); they sit 71 points off first and 34 points behind third, with only a 2% accuracy gap to third place. They discuss the public finish line event, family attending (including both moms), awards and the dinner gala, and touch on other competing Land Rovers, including a Series II Discovery that barely passed tech and a classic Defender that’s running strong, before previewing a final-day update depending on connectivity.
Steve Beres and Brodie Peariso recap a tough Day 6 of the 2026 Rebel Rally, using the Rebel Rally dashboard to review a team’s timeline and track. Despite collecting many checkpoints and performing well enough for a potential first-place stage score, the team incurred a 35-point penalty from arriving late to base camp and three wide misses, including trouble at difficult 8X and 9X checkpoints that only 12 teams reached. They discuss how wide misses create major point damage, speculate about terrain issues in Johnson Valley, and note a possible timing question around a 5:00 PM check-in. The day ends 13th with 225 points minus penalties (190), dropping from 3rd to 4th overall at 1,029 points, still within reach. They preview a southbound transit day to the dunes and changing sand conditions.
Hosts Steve Beres and Brodie Peariso recap Day 5 of the 2026 Rebelle Rally in Johnson Valley, describing a “choose your own adventure” stage with scattered checkpoints over about 290 km, some technical difficulties and a possible detour, yet Liza and Jenna finish third on the day and remain third overall after finding 91% of checkpoints. They note strategy differences among teams, Barlow winning the stage with rookie Hurricane, and that an early arrival at CP6 cost half points, keeping the team just off second for the day while first place remains a close tie at 93%. They discuss team 122’s alternator and battery failure leading to a tow and walking in, broader vehicle wear and flooding risks, later start times skewing midday standings, and looming difficult days, dunes, and incoming weather. They also highlight Liza and Jenna leading the privateer Pennzoil Challenge with 202 points over 190.
Steve Beres and Brodie Peariso recap day four of the 2026 Rebelle Rally, praising major upgrades to the YB Tracker dashboard and explaining the 515 km, 2.5-difficulty route from Nevada through Las Vegas and historic Route 66 to Roy’s Motor Inn as the first day of another marathon. They highlight Team 155 tying for first on the day for their first stage win, noting their only notable points loss came at checkpoint 10, and that the result moves them into second overall behind strong competition including Laura Wanless in a Ford Racing Bronco Raptor. The hosts discuss rain, flooding, water crossings, and a rain delay, plus how Serac’s Defender modifications help protect vulnerable intercoolers in rough conditions. They invite viewer questions, preview base camp two and upcoming Southern California dunes, and share how to sponsor the team via theunderpoweredhour.com for a prize drawing.