After a 5,000-mile summer tour of the American West in a purpose-built Ineos Grenadier, we sat down with Alex Parpottas from Buzz Overland to discuss the trip, the gear and the philosophy that bridges the gap between his love for high-speed racing and long-distance exploration.
From Rally Raid to Overlanding
For Alex, the journey into overlanding was a natural progression from a life spent off-pavement. “My background and passion are rooted in off-road motorsport and rally raid,” he says. “Today, I combine that experience with my love for travel and overlanding, creating vehicles and solutions that allow people to explore further, with confidence and adventure at the heart of everything we do.”
This ethos is the cornerstone of Buzz Overland, which he co-founded with fabricator Ryan Thomson in 2023. “Our philosophy is simple: no compromises. We focus on durability, performance, and reliability — building premium accessories that last and give people the confidence to explore further. Built by passion, driven by adventure.”
That rally DNA profoundly influences his approach. “Rallying and rally raid require a bit of everything — speed, precision, and an obsession with the small details. I often say I’m OCD about details because in racing, preparation is everything… I bring that same mindset into overlanding: being prepared for the worst usually means the worst never happens.”
A Grenadier Transformed
For his U.S. tour, the choice of platform was a 2024 Ineos Grenadier Trailmaster. But as expected, it didn’t remain stock for long. Alex and his team equipped it with a suite of upgrades designed for serious capability.
- Alu-Cab Gen 3 R rooftop tent
- Buzz Overland System 3 storage system with roof shelf and cargo barrier
- Buzz Overland Big Brake Kit
- Braid 17×8 Winrace wheels with 34” BFGs
- Buzz Overland LED lighting package and Rocksliders
- GP Factor winch and bullbar
- Eibach suspension lift
“The setup gave us the perfect balance of capability, comfort, and reliability for long miles on- and off-road.”
When asked about the standout piece of gear, Alex was quick to praise his Alu-Cab tent. “The Gen 3-R was the key player… it is the easiest tent I have ever set up, literally 30 seconds and we can be inside. The best part for us was being able to store our pillows and sleeping bag in the tent and still be able to close it. A luxury we have not previously had!”
Serendipity and Sensory Overload
The trip’s planned destination was the Big Thing, X-Overland’s event at their Ranch in Montana, but the real discovery was one of serendipity. “We connected with Mary-Hannah and Andy from Expedition Rove, who generously invited us to their home in Idaho. Once we arrived, we were blown away by how beautiful the state is… It felt like home straight away.”
Alex travelled with his partner, Lauren, and the couple found a rhythm with fellow overlanders. “We’ve done a lot of trips together, so we knew what to expect… It was great to share experiences, swap ideas, and build new friendships through the journey.”
The routing along sections of the Backcountry Discovery Routes in Washington and Oregon proved a highlight. “We finished on the beach in Oregon and even got to do some sand dune driving — an unforgettable way to end that stretch of the journey.”
But such an ambitious tour wasn’t without its challenges. “We underestimated covering 8 states and 5000+ miles whilst also trying to take a lot in. Sensory overload was real!”
Amidst the marathon drive, there were moments of pure magic. His favourite campsite? “Somewhere on the BDR route we found this beautiful lake… we managed to luck out and get a spot right next to the water, perfect arrival time for a sunset and to chill. It really was surreal and almost ‘movie’ like.”
The most memorable wildlife encounter was equally cinematic. “Hands down, seeing a moose while having breakfast at camp. It crossed the river right in front of us in the most incredible way — it honestly felt like something out of National Geographic.”
Testing for the Future
For Alex, a trip like this is the ultimate proving ground. “Using our own gear is crucial to product development. Feedback from real-world use can’t be replicated, and I always say — if I don’t enjoy using the kit myself, why would I want to sell it?”
This journey provided critical data on the current product range and illuminated the path forward. He’s particularly excited about the upcoming Buzz Overland rear seat delete and water tank package. “It’s a game changer… It pairs so well with an Alu-Cab Silenus Roof Conversion that we feel it will become a firm favourite.”
When asked for his one piece of essential gear for the backcountry, his answer was immediate and practical: “Garmin GPS tracker.” And his vision of a perfect camp setup was refreshingly simple and relatable: “Alu-Cab Gen 3-R. Charcoal. Steak. Cold beer.”
The Horizon
Balancing the demands of business with the call of the wild is a conscious choice for Alex. “Trips like this are not only good for the soul, they also give me real-world experiences that deepen my understanding of the market, our customers, and the products we’re building.”
His personal adventure bucket list is still overflowing. “Hmmmm, so many… Northern Africa in our Silenus converted Grenadier or South America in our US Grenadier?”
His final piece of advice for anyone hesitating to embark on their own journey is a powerful mantra to live by: “Just do it, you can spend so much time finding reasons not to, but my motto in life has always been get out there and do what you want, one thing we don’t get to decide on, is how much time we have left!”
Follow Alex Parpottas and Buzz Overland’s continued adventures on Instagram @Alexparpottas and @Buzz_Overland.