Welcome back to the Jeep Talk Show! In this episode, Tony sits down with Tom Zielinski — lifelong off-roader, event creator and operator, Tread Lightly! board member, former racer, and one of the most connected people in the off-road and automotive event world.
Tom shares stories from the "alleged" early days of sneaking into gravel pits, the motivation behind serving on the Tread Lightly board, why he still rides the bumper a little too close on the trail, and how Detroit traffic and Houston Beltway driving shaped his need for speed. They talk V8 Gladiator dreams, meeting at Easter Jeep Safari, the magic (and occasional chaos) of Moab, and why new people at EJS come away wide-eyed.
Tom also opens up about appearing on the Automotive Advantage podcast with Dr. Jamie Meyer and Justin Chesler, how he builds real industry relationships ("be in the mix every day, don't be an idiot, follow through"), the origin story of his events (born from dealership sponsorship frustration and a bit of youthful guilt), and the importance of Off-Road 101 education.
Key Highlights
- Tom's path from power-sports dealerships and mentors to creating major events
- Why Holly Oaks works so well and how new Jeepers become "one of us"
- Tread Lightly, trail stewardship, and the difference between appropriate "shenanigans" and damaging public lands
- The heartwarming side of guiding first-timers and industry newcomers at Moab and 4Fest
- Real talk on building contacts, saying yes (sometimes too often), and staying behind the curtain while delivering
**Timestamps 00:00 Introducing Tom Zelensky and His Off‑Road Journey
- 00:52 – Trail Etiquette: Slow Down and Enjoy the Ride
- 01:38 – Houston Beltways: Toll Roads and Unrestricted Speed
- 02:32 – From Detroit Trucks to Jeeps: Embracing Speed
- 03:10 – TRX Launch and Dreaming of a V8 Jeep
- 03:46 – Rumors of a Hemi‑Powered Gladiator
- 04:10 – Connecting at EJS: Meeting Tom and New Friends
- 04:46 – Moab Adventures and Jeep Overload
- 06:13 – First‑Timer Experiences and Detroit Four Fest Highlights
- 07:22 – Crowd Perceptions at Easter Jeep Safari
- 07:55 – Community Dynamics and Curmudgeons at Off‑Road Events
- 09:19 – Networking at EJS and Introducing the Automotive Advantage Podcast
- 11:39 – Overview of the Automotive Advantage Podcast and Its Hosts
- 13:02 – Recap of the Automotive Advantage Interview and Upcoming Projects
- 14:28 – The "Magic" of Networking and Staying in the Mix
- 17:05 – Half‑Day Work Ethic and the Importance of Follow‑Through
- 17:52 – Motivation Behind Events, Business Insights, and Off‑Road Education
- 22:02 – How Our Off‑Road Events Were Born: From Idea to Execution
- 25:14 – Adventure Spirit, Off‑Road Parks, and Public Lands Ethics
- 27:58 – Educating Off‑Roaders and Preserving Trail Access
- 29:27 – Advocacy for Public Lands and Shared Responsibility
- 31:05 – Inclusivity and Respect for All Recreational Activities
- 31:42 – Upcoming September Events: Cars at the Station and Detroit Four Fest
- 33:45 – One‑Zero‑One Off‑Road Classes and Registration Details
- 37:11 – Engaging New Off‑Roaders: Locker Demonstration and Learning Moment
- 39:38 – FOURFEST at Holly Oaks: Suburban Off‑Road Park and International Attendance
- 41:02 – Jim Morrison, Jeep Leadership and Bob's Health Update
- 43:46 – Supporting Tread Lightly: Trail Clean‑Ups and Community Service
- 44:46 – Toledo Jeep Fest Plans and Inflatable Camper Warning
- 45:41 – Final Thoughts, Trail Encouragement, and New Friendships
- 46:23 – Video Stabilization and Brief Commentary
- 46:51 – Legal Disclaimer and Liability Notice
Links
Support the show, hit the trails responsibly, and we'll see you out there (or at Holly Oaks in September)!
Support the Show & Shop Jeep Gear
Thank you for watching and listening! If you enjoyed the conversation with Tom Zielinski, consider checking out some of the great products and upgrades we discussed (or that fit the off-road lifestyle we talked about).
ARB Air Lockers / Differential Lockers
View on Amazon
Recovery Gear / Soft Shackles & Kinetic Ropes
View on Amazon
Off-Road Jack / High-Lift Style Jacks
View on Amazon
Trail-Friendly LED Lighting / Light Bars
View on Amazon
TPMS Sensors / Tire Pressure Monitoring
View on Amazon
Your purchases through these links help support the Jeep Talk Show at no extra cost to you. For more recommended Jeep gear and to shop the full list, visit View on Amazon Thanks for keeping the show rolling and the trails open!
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