Paul Weel | Part 1 - the win that got away at Baja
About this episode
Paul Wheel shares his gripping journey through off-road racing, recounting the heartbreak of narrowly missing victory at the Baja 1000 alongside Toby Price. He reflects on the challenges faced by Team Australia, including a devastating fuel mishap and the loss of a trophy truck to fire. The conversation delves into his family's deep-rooted connection to motorsport, the evolution of PWR Performance, and the lessons learned from both triumphs and setbacks. With a mix of humor and sincerity, Paul provides insights into the grit required to compete at the highest levels of racing.
Weely joins the pod for a Feature Ep as he and Toby Price try to process losing the famed Baja 1000 in Mexico in recent weeks almost within sight of the finish!
A tear away on two-wheels as a youngster and how he came to an ‘arrangement’ with the Police.
Riding with Jeremy McGrath and how leaving school at a young age didn’t hold him back.
Plus the family love of Off Road racing and the determination his Dad Kees has shown fighting back from a recent stroke.
And keep an ear out for Paul’s Dakar plan….a bud you may not have heard about until now.
The Weel’s aren’t often in the media spotlight but it’s quite the story and Paul’s keen to share more of it. Enjoy this rare convo with the racer turned businessman at the cutting edge of competition cooling.
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off-road trophy truck
""a stunning latest generation off‑road trophy truck that he'll compete in in 2026.""
An off‑road trophy truck is a special kind of race car built to drive over rough desert terrain. It has big tires, strong body parts, and a suspension that can handle jumps and bumps.
An off‑road trophy truck is a high‑performance, purpose‑built vehicle designed for extreme desert racing events such as the Baja 1000 and Dakar Rally. They feature large, low‑profile tires, a reinforced chassis, and powerful off‑road capable suspensions.
BF Goodrich
""I was there taking in the bucket list event with the team from BF Goodrich.""
BF Goodrich makes tires that are used on race trucks and cars, especially for tough off‑road events. They’re known for strong, durable tires.
BF Goodrich is a tire manufacturer known for producing high‑performance off‑road and racing tires. Their products are commonly used in desert races like the Baja 1000.
co-driving
"a privateer, co-driving for one of the gun teams during that golden era for the sport, establishing their own two-car holding team with some star drivers of the day"
Co-driving means two drivers take turns driving the same car during a long race, so they can rest and keep going.
Co-driving refers to the role of a second driver who shares driving duties in endurance races, often switching during pit stops.
gun teams
"a privateer, co-driving for one of the gun teams during that golden era for the sport, establishing their own two-car holding team with some star drivers of the day"
Gun teams are racing groups that have a set lineup of drivers and staff, working together to compete in races.
Gun teams are organized racing groups that compete in events like the Australian Touring Car Championship, often with a structured hierarchy of drivers and support staff.
privateer
"a privateer, co-driving for one of the gun teams during that golden era for the sport, establishing their own two-car holding team with some star drivers of the day"
A privateer is a racer or team that runs on their own money and support, not backed by a car company.
In motorsport, a privateer is an individual or team that competes without direct factory support, relying on their own resources and sponsorships.
Dakar Rally
"[257.0s] And he's remarkable of how he can drive an off‑road car so precisely, and I think that comes back from the motorcycle background, [269.0s] and especially with the Dakar and Fink and his motorcrossed background."
The Dakar Rally is a famous off‑road race that goes through tough terrain like deserts and mountains. It tests how well drivers can handle rough roads and long distances.
The Dakar Rally is a long-distance off‑road endurance race that began in 1978, originally running from Paris to Dakar. It is known for its extreme terrain and high level of challenge for both drivers and vehicles.
fuel system
"So with these fuel systems, it's not like a supercar fuel system where it's gravity fed and..."
Think of it as the car’s plumbing for fuel—where the gas is stored and sent to the engine.
A fuel system is the collection of components that store, deliver, and manage gasoline or diesel to an engine. It includes fuel tanks, pumps, filters, and lines.
gravity fed
"So with these fuel systems, it's not like a supercar fuel system where it's gravity fed and..."
Instead of a pump, the fuel just flows down because of gravity—like pouring water from a bottle.
A gravity-fed fuel system uses the force of gravity to move fuel from the tank to the engine, without a pump. It’s common in older or very lightweight cars.
top hose
"And the fuel blew out of the top hose."
It’s the pipe that carries fuel from the tank to where it goes next. If it gets too pressurized, it can pop off.
The top hose is the fuel line that connects the tank to the pump or injectors. In a pressurized system, it can burst if pressure is too high.
fuel stop
"We had another fuel stop up our sleeve if we needed to there. But we didn't think we needed to."
During a race, the car pulls into a pit to fill up on gas. This pause is called a fuel stop.
A fuel stop is a planned pit stop during a race where the driver refuels the car. It’s critical for endurance events and can affect strategy.
Volkswagen (VW)
"And he was actually supposed to go many years ago now and go and race Dakar in one of the support trucks for Fink Want who ran the VW team."
Volkswagen, or VW, is a German company that makes many kinds of cars and trucks. They’re known for reliable vehicles like the Golf.
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars like the Golf to larger SUVs and commercial trucks.
support trucks
"And so the big support trucks at UC, you know, bouncing around with three or four people in them."
Support trucks are big vehicles that help the racing cars. They bring spare parts, fuel, and people who fix the cars if something breaks.
Support trucks are large vehicles that accompany race teams during events like the Dakar Rally. They carry spare parts, fuel, crew members, and equipment needed to keep the race cars running.
Ford Raptor
"[1132.0s] We'll put a deal together for the Ford Raptor."
The Ford Raptor is a special version of the F‑Series pickup truck that’s made for off‑road adventures. It has a big engine and stronger suspension so it can handle rough terrain better than a regular truck.
The Ford Raptor is a high‑performance off‑road pickup truck built by Ford Motor Company, known for its powerful engine and aggressive suspension tuning.
Chevy U
"And it was a 1927 Chevy U, which was the first police car in, some of you know, in Concurry or somewhere like that."
The Chevy U was a small police car made by Chevrolet in the 1920s. It was used to patrol cities because it was light and easy to drive.
The Chevy U was a compact police car produced by Chevrolet in the late 1920s. It featured a small, lightweight chassis and was used primarily for patrol duties in urban areas.
radiator
"[1396.0s] ... thinking this would be a little corner radiator place kind of thing."
The radiator is like a big metal box that helps keep the car’s engine from getting too hot by moving heat out of the liquid that runs through it.
A radiator is a heat exchanger that cools the engine coolant, preventing overheating.
OE replacement
"[1404.0s] ... KJ radiators was, you know, a OE replacement, you know,"
OE replacement means buying a part that comes from the same company that made the original part for the car, so it should fit and work just like the old one.
OE replacement refers to parts that are manufactured by the original equipment manufacturer, matching the specifications of the parts originally installed in the vehicle.
chain
"No, the chain was actually from 98, I crashed at the Melbourne Grand Prix. And I had a chain on and the seatbelts were over the chain when I hit the wall."
A chain is a series of linked metal pieces that help move the bike or car. It’s like a belt but stronger, and it needs to be kept tight and oiled so it doesn’t break.
The drive chain is the metal link that transmits power from the engine’s crankshaft to the rear wheel on motorcycles and many cars. It must be properly tensioned and lubricated to prevent failure during high‑speed operation.
motocross racing
"Anyway, we won't go there on that one, but, you know, we had a lot of fun racing bikes, and I was fortunate enough to go and race in America as well."
Motocross is a type of motorcycle racing that happens on rough, muddy tracks with big jumps. Riders have to be very good at controlling their bikes and staying balanced.
Motocross is off‑road motorcycle racing on dirt tracks with jumps and obstacles. It emphasizes rider skill, bike handling, and endurance.
Australian Safari
"might have been in the Australian Safari and something goes wrong, unfortunately, for the pair of you"
The Australian Safari is a kind of SUV that was made in Australia. It’s known for being able to drive on rough roads and having plenty of room inside.
The Holden Australian Safari is a mid-size SUV produced by the Australian automaker Holden from 1994 to 2005. It was popular in Australia and New Zealand for its off-road capability and spacious interior.
Formula One
"maybe we should have a crack at Formula One."
Formula One is the top level of car racing, with very fast cars that race on special tracks around the world.
Formula One (F1) is the highest class of single-seat, open-wheel racing sanctioned by the FIA. Races are held on circuits worldwide and feature cutting‑edge technology.
Cypods
"[2174.0s] obviously go around and it sits in the Cypods [2177.0s] back in 2009, 2010 around that era."
Cypods are the side parts of a race car that help keep it cool and make it go faster by controlling how air moves around the car.
Cypods refers to the aerodynamic sidepods used in racing cars, particularly in Formula One. These pods house radiators and cooling ducts while shaping airflow around the vehicle to improve performance.
Renault
"[2226.0s] Renault supplied Red Bull for me one."
Renault is a car company from France that makes many different cars. They also help racing teams by giving them parts.
Renault is a French automobile manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars to larger family models. The company has a long history in motorsport and has supplied parts for racing teams.
World Championship
"that was the first year when he won the World Championship"
The World Championship is a yearly competition where the best racing teams and drivers try to win the top prize.
In motorsport, the World Championship refers to the annual series of races where drivers and teams compete for the highest title in Formula 1.
Red Bull Racing
"And we ended up doing a deal with Red Bull which was they come to us in Melbourne"
Red Bull Racing is a racing team that uses cars to compete in the world’s biggest car races.
Red Bull Racing is the Formula 1 team owned by the energy drink company Red Bull, competing at the highest level of motorsport.
Mercedes-Benz
"we don't want you to supply Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes"
Mercedes-Benz makes fancy cars that are also very good in racing.
Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury automaker known for its premium vehicles and strong presence in motorsport.
Ferrari
"we don't want you to supply Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes"
Ferrari makes very fast, expensive cars that are famous for racing and looking cool.
Ferrari is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer known for its high-performance racing and road cars.
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