The Underpowered Hour

Dakar Classic with “The Gazelles”: Building a Defender from Scratch and Racing the Desert

Steve Beres and Ike Goss skip the news to interview Helen and Marcella (“The Gazelles”) about their debut run in the Dakar Classic in a self-built classic Land Rover. Helen explains how her first desert rally idea began with Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles in 2019, how she and Marcella—friends for over 21 years—became teammates, and why in-car chemistry matters under stress. They describe building their Dakar vehicle “Purdy” from the ground up after an outside build effort failed, using a pre-inspection for peace of mind before shipping the car, and arriving surprised to see big teams still wrenching in the bivouac. They share standout moments, including meeting top competitors, encouragement from Saudi spectators, and a last-day crisis where hitting a rock caused two flats and required help from another team. They discuss on-course assistance rules, helping others in dunes, lessons learned, and hint at future adventures. Intro and Hosts 01:18 Why This Dakar Interview 02:49 Meet the Gazelles 03:30 How the Idea Started 05:30 Finding the Right Teammate 06:30 Team Chemistry in the Car 08:26 From Gazelles to Dakar Timeline 09:15 Building Purdy from Scratch 10:45 Skills and the YouTube Build Series 12:54 Logistics and Pre Inspection 16:49 Arriving in Saudi Race Bubble 18:49 Meeting Legends and Local Moments 21:05 Was Dakar a Success 22:22 Racing Under Cameras 23:58 Finish Line Tire Crisis 25:48 On Course Support Rules 27:29 Helping in the Dunes 28:50 Whats Next Adventure 30:10 Lessons From Dakar 33:57 Lightning Round 36:21 Shoutouts and Motivation 38:48 Hosts Wrap Up

Olympic Silver Medalist Ben Ogden

Steve and Ike welcome Olympian and cross-country skier Ben Ogden, calling in from Sweden as his race season continues after the Olympics. Ben explains how he got into the sport in Vermont, describes winning silver in the men’s individual sprint and again in the team sprint with Gus Schumacher, and breaks down sprint race format, tactics, and the major role of ski selection and waxing support. The conversation shifts to Ben’s 1973 Series III Land Rover restoration bought from Vermont restorer Lanny Clark: an 18,000-mile but heavily rusted, long-nonrunning “derelict” that became his off-season outlet. Ben details progress—bodywork, welding aluminum, marine blue paint challenges after a PPG discontinuation, rebuilt drivetrain, brakes, and remaining wiring and interior bits—plus other vehicles, motorcycles, knitting, and a quick lightning round. 00:00 Show Intro and Hosts 01:22 Meet Olympian Ben Ogden 02:13 Why Cross Country Skiing 04:16 Olympic Silver Medal Story 06:54 Ski Wax and Prep Secrets 11:50 Land Rover and Olympic Skiing 14:14 Ben’s Series III Project Begins 19:04 Restoration Progress and Paint Drama 21:54 What’s Left to Finish 22:31 Dash Trim Hunt 23:17 Care Package Offer 23:45 Oregon Off Road Plans 24:10 Other Rigs Garage Tour 26:14 Volvo Trucks And Military Oddities 27:53 Motorcycles And Learning Wrenching 29:00 Knitting As A Project Fix 30:20 Sweater Reveal And Restoration Mindset 33:21 Lightning Round Q And A 34:38 Thanks And Sign Off

The Masters Garage Roundtable

Steve Beres hosts an episode of The Underpowered Hour from John Masters’ podcast studio in the English countryside while Ike Goss is traveling. Steve is joined by John Masters, Camel Trophy legend Bob Ives, Land Rover mechanic Dan Ives, and Nick Dimbleby after a day driving two matching GAC Camel Trophy vehicles, including one Masters restored and another recently acquired vehicle associated with Ian Chapman/Bob Ives. They discuss the history of the four Moscow/Red Square GAC Discoverys (560–563), the unknown whereabouts of 560 and 561, and details of Masters’ restorations, originality and patina, and how hard the vehicles were used in Camel Trophy selections and training (including water “tide marks,” mud inside chassis rails, and stories about A-bars/ropes used to link vehicles). The group also talks about current Land Rover topics including the Defender Trophy, Dakar coverage and logistics, the appeal of recognizable vehicles in rallying, and hopes for more manufacturers competing in Land Rover’s Dakar class. Nick shares updates on his Freelander trip in India (about 2,000–2,500 miles, up to roughly 14,000 feet, with three Freelanders and two cracked expansion tanks) and a Freelander incident involving an animal nest fire. Masters mentions his next restoration project: a 1985 Camel Trophy Ninety Dutch team vehicle currently in Spain with a raised roof and other modifications. Nick also recounts driving a Range Rover “Popemobile” with a fake pope during a 1995 Rover France project celebrating the end of classic Range Rover production. The episode closes with plans to have Nick and Lisa on to discuss the India adventure, and joking updates about trying to get proof of life from Land Rover’s Jerry McGovern.

Camel Trophy Legends Ian Chapman & Tom Collins

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.

Land Rover Tariffs, New Electric Models, and a 1951 Series I Purchase

Hosts Steve Beres and Ike Goss discuss a range of topics including Land Rover's impending $520 million tariff hit in the U.S., the introduction of new electric models like the electric Velar replacement and Evoke, and a deep dive into the acquisition of a vintage 1951 Land Rover Series I. They also delve into skiing accidents affecting Land Rover influencers, their upcoming travels, and future plans for vehicle restorations.