Big Pete podcast

We sit down with our very own Uncle Graham, who shares with us his keen hobbies of O Gauge model railways and creating bespoke models for special people. He also tells us how, as a young boy, seeing drag racing demonstrations at Elvington sparked an interest that would stay with him for years. That passion later led him to help build a car to go drag racing at Santa Pod, and when he heard the sport he had fallen in love with was coming to his own town, he knew he had to get involved.We briefly cover the history of northern drag racing, from Crossland Moor and the pop-up airfields to the permanent settlement of York Raceway. From the moment a microphone was thrust into his hand at a power sports festival at Aintree and he was told, “’Ere, tell them about drag racing — the dragsters are coming out now,” he never looked back. He went on to co-commentate at Santa Pod, covering Super Gas while supporting events around the country, before the opportunity arose to commentate there more regularly. Shortly afterwards, he also took up the mantle of commentator at York Raceway. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A very good friend of Big Pete, Dan “Clarky” Clark, tells us what got him into motorcycle trials, how he got his first bike, and why Haworth was the centre of the universe when it came to creating world-class trials riders. He tells us how he went to Australia for a week and came back six months later, and how that experience inspired him to create a travelling trials show that toured all over the UK and Europe, eventually expanding to two teams. He then went on to create The Great Yorkshire Bike Show, which grew into a huge event but was short-lived despite its popularity. He later returned to the show scene, developing a whole new set of shows and even resurrecting John Surtees from the grave. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The shows are finished and the nights grow long — but what does a Monster Truck team do when there’s nothing to do for six months?Andy and Michael head off on their holibobs, enjoying fine views and the Autobahns. Back at the workshop, we get stuck into the work on the monster trucks over winter, covering the axles, fitting the new body, and upgrading the shocks.Michael makes his trip home over Christmas, annoying CJ, getting in the way, and being thoroughly overfed. Then there are our work parties, getting the monster trucks ready for the season ahead.We also talk about what’s to come in the 2026 season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

that's Right the Podcast no one wanted is back for season 2!! we have already some podcasts pre recorded we briefly tell you about them look out every Thursday morning for the latest pod cast and follow us on our journey across the UK with our two Monster Trucks Big Pete and Grim Reaper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We here at the Big Pete Podcast are thrilled to have Dave the Angry Trucker join us for a chat. We’re honoured that he chose “tu proppa Yorkshire lads” to take his podcast virginity — and we were not gentle with him!He tells us why DAFs are his thing, about his drag race with Trucker Girl, the total loss of steering in the middle lane of the M62, how he got into trucking, going viral for the first time, his experience in the passenger seat of Big Pete, how he copes with his newfound fame, his art and tagging, his Magnum plans, and how he met Shannon (Trucker Girl) — plus how that friendship came to be.we wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year and we look forward to doing some DAMAGE in a town near you soon!!!Please do check out our social media, Big Pete Monster Trucks, and of course recommend us to a friend or an enemy — we don’t care, we’re aiming for 10 listeners!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

its the last podcast of the season as our Monster Truck Season comes to an end so does the opportunity to meet up and grab some unwanted person to interview.in this episode we reflect on our season with the trucks where we have been and we reflect on our season doing our first podcasts and how we have not only broadened our minds of the people but the minds of our colleagues in the industry. don't worry we will be back in 2026 with more stories more people and more laughs, until then as always from all of here at Big Pete we love you and good bye! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mathew Hunt, better known as Musical Ruth—the singing nun on a motorised piano—shares the story of how it all began. At just 15 years old, he was busking on the streets with a keyboard in the 1980s, entertaining drunks on the top deck of buses before running off to London in search of fame and fortune.His journey led him to Chessington World of Adventures, where he worked as a ride operator. One day, when a ride broke down, he decided to entertain the waiting public. His spontaneous performance caught the attention of the entertainment manager, who immediately promoted him to the entertainment department. Hidden away in the depths of the costume department was “Ruth”—waiting to be discovered and unleashed on the theme park’s unsuspecting visitors.After a brief hiatus, Ruth returned—this time no longer confined to the theme park, but free to entertain audiences across the entire nation.We also cover the viral moments, as well as Ruth’s disastrous appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, where Simon Cowell infamously labelled it “the worst act I have ever seen.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re joined by Dangerous Steve—a man with a life story as unique as his act. Steve shares his remarkable upbringing as the son of a butler working for a Lord and Lady on a grand country estate. As a boy, he even helped his father serve none other than the Iron Lady herself, Margaret Thatcher, during a visit to the manor.His father bold decided that Steve become a stuntman. From joining a motorcycle stunt team at a young age, his path was already far from ordinary. But in true showman style, he eventually ran away to the circus while still at school—choosing a life of danger, spectacle, and entertainment.Steve also tells us how he met his wife and how, together, they built a show that’s become a crowd favourite. His performances include everything from unicycles to blind motorcycle jumps to his signature monowheel act—an adrenaline-fuelled blend of danger, comedy, and pure skill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a slightly different podcast this week as we go live on the evening before the UK Monster Truck Nationals. CJ walks us through the course layout, we catch up with some fans, and reunite with friend of the team Gary Lee (from a previous episode), who’s joined by his cousin Steve—complete with one of his famously bad jokes.We have a quick chat with stunt legend Terry Grant, who shares stories about driving his car under Big Pete, tackling the Goodwood course on two wheels, and his new role in production at the Nationals.We also catch up with Mrs Swamp Thing, Claire, and her helpful neighbour—who considered applying for a spot on the Big Pete crew. Claire even lets slip an embarrassing Tony story! Georgina joins us too, talking about her first few drives in Swamp Thing and looking forward to race day.We then chat with a Sportsman ET racer about breakouts, sandbagging, and race strategy. Finally, we wrap things up in the tranquillity of the pits, surrounded by the very best monster trucks in the UK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the show: We’re joined by the one and only Stephen Grindle—better known as Dingle Fingle the Clown! From growing up as the son of a butcher, pulling outrageous pranks, scaring shop workers, and even throwing knives at his brother, Dingle’s mischievous beginnings set him on a path to an extraordinary career in clowning.Starting at the world-famous Blackpool Circus, Dingle went on to perform at Chessington World of Adventures, create unforgettable acts like Vampire for Hire, and perfect his legendary Comedy Clown Car Act.He’s toured the globe, entertained thousands, and shares the hilarious (and slightly hair-raising) story of the time he was injured during a music concert in Paris.A long-time friend of the team, Dingle joins us for laughs, stories, and a glimpse into the wild world of professional clowning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aaron Stannage, the son of our very first guest Mark Stannage, joins us to share what it was like being born into the stunt industry. From performing his first motorcycle stunts at just three years old, to buying his own stunt show in his mid-teens and setting world records—he’s had quite the journey. He even shares the story of listening to his favourite song by Jason Derulo on repeat for an hour! Aaron gives us his perspective on the incident involving his dad at Glastonbury, and how that moment pushed him, as a teenager, to run the show entirely on his own—performing all the stunts himself, some for the very first time. He goes into detail about the stunts he’s performed and his ambition to join the stunt register, having already worked on a number of productions—with some fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. Despite growing up in the spotlight of the stunt world, Aaron remains incredibly humble. He also tells us about the extraordinary effort he put into buying his dad the ultimate 50th birthday gift—it left us all on the team feeling a little inadequate (in the best way). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining us this episode is the owner and driver of Swamp Thing Monster Truck—the most successful driver-truck combo in the UK. Tony and Swamp Thing have also toured the European legs of the Monster Jam World Tour.Tony receives an apology from our team boss as he recalls their first meeting on the set of Scrapheap Challenge. We discuss the UK Monster Truck Nationals, and Tony drops an exclusive announcement about what’s coming for the 2025 event.We dive into the origin of the name (spoiler: it’s nothing to do with CJ), the creation of the Grim Reaper, and remember a beloved colleague in the industry who sadly lost his life.We also cover the car-crushing tank/fastrax —its history, our time with it, and Tony’s much-needed and impressive redevelopment of the former Full Metal Jacket.if you enjoy the podcast please give us a review and be sure to recommend us to a friend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Big Pete Crew Member Graham ‘Shoulders’ Frazier Joins the ShowThis week, we’re joined by former Big Pete crew member Graham ‘Shoulders’ Frazier, who shares how his life took an unexpected turn as a teenager when a monster truck pulled up at his dad’s engineering business—changing everything he thought his future would be.Graham joined the "Monster Circus" as a crew member, where he earned the nickname Shoulders. A string of bad luck in the agricultural industry led to the collapse of his father's business, prompting Graham to look into motorsport universities. He takes us through his journey from Formula Ford to Formula 3—working alongside future F1 stars as they cut their teeth in the lower leagues of motorsport—before landing an incredible opportunity with the Haas F1 Team.As huge F1 fans, the Big Pete crew bombard him with questions, and Graham gives us a real behind-the-scenes look at the world of Formula 1. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Episode: Ian Higgins – F1 Stock Cars, Stickers & SkateparksIn this episode, long-time friend of Big Pete, Ian Higgins, shares how he financed his F1 Stock Car career, how working in retirement homes led to a "bodies-for-tyres" scheme with the local funeral service, and how he built the UK’s first indoor skatepark in the 1970s.We hear about his big crash that put him in hospital for six months—where he was allowed to smoke in his room! We also talk about how we met: Ian was in the ice cream business, selling at the dragstrip, while also running a sticker business. He’s responsible for the Grim Reaper’s design and provided the stickers for Big Pete, as well as the infamous design for the Armourgeddon tank.Ian is also behind the designs for Gary’s Mini Monsters and is now the promoter and manager of his own oval racing team, Stock Karts.If you enjoy this episode, please recommend us to a friend and follow Big Pete Monster Trucks on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Week’s Podcast Episode: A Nod to the Big Pete CrewIn this week’s podcast, we give a shout-out to the entire team behind Big Pete—past and present—who have all played a vital role in bringing Big Pete and the Grim Reaper to shows across the country for your entertainment.For every team member, there’s a story. We briefly delve into memories of former crew member Peter, who over the years gave us pure comedy gold—like the time in Ireland, the journey back from near Inverness, or when he couldn’t get into his own bed.We also talk about the early days of “slumming it” with no caravan or washing facilities, and how far we’ve come since—now a travelling circus of van conversions!Plus, we catch up with Scott, a crew member from the early days of Swamp Thing, and CJ reveals thinks he is truly responsible for Swamp Thing…Please check us out on our other socialsBig Pete Monster Trucks on Facebook, Instagram Tick Tock and YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The usually quiet Paul Hannam is finally forced to share his story of how he got into the industry. As a young boy, seeing the famous Kangaroo Kid perform completely changed his outlook — from that moment, he knew he wanted a quad bike and to become a stuntman.Paul got into quad racing relatively late in life, entering the Weston Beach Race alongside 500 other riders. He later struck up a friendship with the now-retired Kangaroo Kid, who was living back in Australia. This led to Paul flying out to spend time at Kanga HQ.After returning home and getting back into racing, the Kangaroo Kid decided to come out of retirement and hit the UK show circuit once again — with Paul becoming part of his act.Naturally, there are one or two classic Kanga stories thrown in along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining us this week on the Big Pete Podcast are Dan Whitby and Arran Powley from Bolddog FMX.Dan shares how his over-competitiveness often gets the better of him — to the point he sometimes doesn’t even like himself! Starting out as a young lad working for Bolddog with no aspirations of becoming a freestyle motocross (FMX) rider, he was left with access to the FMX facility, over a weekend he taught himself several FMX tricks. When he told the team leader and owner, he wasn’t believed — until he demonstrated the tricks, and was thrown into performing FMX in a live show the following weekend.Before long, Dan was gifted the FMX team and began developing new riders, while the team boss moved into stunt work for film and TV. This then opened doors for Dan and Arran to dress up and perform in major productions across the industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having been involved in drag racing (the motorsport kind—not men in dresses!) for over 40 years, we've collected a fair few stories. That’s right—drag racers, be afraid!In this episode, we talk about losing a bin bag full of money, pairing up unsuspecting sleepers against so-called “fast cars,” and dealing with drunk racers using a massive JCB.We also recount nearly being kicked out of our own venue by security hired for an on-site festival, upsetting bikers, a person sent to sabotage an event, and share a few legendary tales of an iconic drag racer.wenny vs r8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQh7yZs-1Xw Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our very good friend — and the painter of our Monster Trucks — Gary Lee from Mini Monster Truck Mania, joins us to share his incredible journey in the entertainment industry. Starting at just 13 years old as an exotic escapologist, Gary recalls some of the wild routines he performed, including hanging from cranes.He later rebranded himself as a sequin-wearing stuntman, famously being "exploded" in a coffin by the Thai stunt team. Gary went on to develop a clown act involving a spinning ladder, which sadly led to a serious back injury that ended his performing career.Refusing to give up showbiz, Gary purchased a classic act called The Battling Cumberland Giants, complete with iconic props, before developing Mini Monster Truck Mania. Today, he brings joy to children and adults across the UK by offering mini monster truck driving experiences, and he also serves as the Chair of the Amusements and Catering Equipment Society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining us is multiple British Truck Racing Champion Dave Jenkins.We caught up with Dave at Convoy Cymru at Pembrey Circuit, where we were appearing with the monster trucks. We managed to get an hour of his time in his pit area, with the crew working away behind us after day one of racing.Dave shares fond memories of our Wheelie Truck and Jet Truck, reminiscing about attending his first shows as a young boy with his dad—back in the early days of truck racing. In those days, trucks would finish their delivery routes, uncouple their trailers, and then line up to race with 20 others on a circuit.He talks us through his journey from humble beginnings—starting his truck racing career with no money and relying on appearance fees to get to the next event—to becoming a superstar truck driver in India.We wrap things up with some quick-fire questions and a surprise cameo from Ryan Smith, where their friendly rivalry makes an appearance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We do our first interview! starting with our very good friend Mark Stannage, who has been touring the UK performing stunts for over 40 years. He now runs two teams: Stunt World International and the Stannage Stunt Team.From being inspired by the famous Evel Knievel toy to a chance encounter with a stuntman in a car park—and even rubbing shoulders with Eddie Kidd—Mark shares with us the highs and lows of the stunt industry, quite literally. This includes a high fall at Glastonbury that went wrong, as well as his all-time favourite stunt.Also joining us is Mark’s right-hand man, Stu Shaw, who recounts one of his most memorable stunts: jumping through a curtain-sided truck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From an unlikely start as a café racer in a poor area of Yorkshire, to drag racing promoter, wheelie car operator, race truck driver, jet-powered truck operator, and wheelie truck driver — all the way to becoming Monster Truck drivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.