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A Profile Piece

If you’re into the off-road scene whatsoever, then you have more than likely heard the name Blake Wilkey. Blake is just a kid from San Diego who rose to internet fame by breaking the law but, at the same time, producing a viral video of him tearing up the streets in his custom-built V8 Baja Bug. After his viral moment, Blake used his hard work ethics and his creative mind to build himself a legendary empire by the time he was 30 and solidified his mark in the off-road world with more viral videos, brand collaborations and sponsorships, custom builds, and more.

Blake was introduced to a world of adrenaline-fueled action sports and motorsports from a young age. Growing up surrounded by the desert, rivers, and the thrill of extreme sports, he developed a passion for creativity and fabrication. His early exposure to hand-built, one-of-a-kind projects, rich with style and vibrant colors, inspired him to pursue his own path in custom vehicle builds. At just seven years old, Wilkey began learning to weld alongside his father, sparking a lifelong passion for working with his hands. His background in motocross racing, where he competed from the age of nine to twenty, provided him with valuable skills in mechanics, terrain awareness, and perseverance, which seamlessly transitioned into his career in fabrication and off-road racing.

At 15, Wilkey built his first prerunner truck under his grandmother’s carport, relying on online resources and advice from family and friends. This challenging yet rewarding project ignited a drive in Wilkey that continues to fuel his passion for off-road innovation. By the age of 17, he had entered the off-road fabrication industry, eagerly learning and honing his craft while reinvesting everything he earned back into the sport. Wilkey’s hard work and dedication have led to a series of accomplishments, including multiple racing championships and signature custom builds. His achievements also extend beyond racing, with creative content that has inspired a global audience, signature Wilkey R/C cars and boats, and the launch of his apparel company, Shreddy Lyfe.

As someone who has known Blake for almost ten years, I can personally attest to his dedication to this industry and can back his hard work ethic. I have never met anyone who grinds as much as Blake does. Over the years, Blake has built many custom vehicles and been able to monetize them in ways that not many have been able to do before him. From the iconic and one-of-a-kind JAWS trophy bug to his championship-winning Class 11 Volkswagen and even a few one-off boat builds, there’s nothing this guy can’t drive or build. Blake recently put himself on the world stage by accomplishing the longest jump in a trophy truck while at an event hosted by Colby Raha and Record Breakers Co. Quite the accomplishment for a guy who started in a small garage with his dad.

Blake has not only built some really cool vehicles; he has also taken the underrated classes of the off-road racing world and made them popular and fun again. Take Class 11, for example. This is a desert racing class where you are restricted to using a factory Volkswagen bug with just a few modifications, such as tires and shocks. Blake came into that class as it was dying and helped turn it around. You can now see class 11 racing at King of the Hammers, Rally X, short course racing, and every major desert race. These were almost exclusive to Mexican races before, with low entry numbers. Seeing him race in that car even makes me want to build one and go have some fun.

When you build cool stuff and can drive like Blake does, you tend to get noticed. With a social audience of more than 275k followers, Blake’s messaging and influence go far beyond the racetrack. He has made a name for himself as a high-performing and well-liked personality. This has been very positive for his many sponsors that are able to keep his shop running and his schedule busy—proving that you can turn your passion into a working and profitable business model. It’s a lot of work, but when you’re a guy like Blake, you make it happen.

As this industry grows and becomes more complicated and crowded with influencers and up-and-coming racers, we are guaranteed to see Blake at the forefront of innovation, creativity, and loud personalities. He truly is an Industry Shaker and I think we have a lot more to see from him in the future. Let his story inspire you to take that leap, grind a bit more, and seek out those dreams you haven’t accomplished quite yet.