About Robert Pepper

Robert Pepper is a motoring journalist, author, photographer and driver trainer, specialising in offroad vehicles, towing and sportscars.

Robert is a keen 4WD club member, leading trips ranging from day trips to outback journeys, coordinating events such as abandoned vehicle recovery days and navigation challenges, and assisting with policy around industry and government changes affecting 4X4 owners. Robert is a frequent guest speaker at 4X4 club meetings and shows on topics ranging from how vehicles work to photography to the future of 4X4s.

Training is another of Robert’s skills; he has been a senior instructor with 4WD Victoria, where he rewrote the Proficiency 4X4 training course, created a towing course and an advanced winching course. Robert has also conducted training on navigation, photography, car control and racetrack techniques. He also has a background in instructor development. He also carries out product tests on behalf of aftermarket companies, sometimes ahead of release to the wider automotive media, and worked as a driver for vehicle advertisement shoots.

Robert has competed in the Outback Challenge and other winch competitions, has run part of the Pajero Challenge navigation exercise, and owns a Nissan Pulsar racecar which he uses to compete in the local state championship with wins, poles and lap records to his credit.

Before he was into cars Robert was a pilot with an interest in aerobatics, and a gliding instructor qualified in the UK and then New Zealand. He enjoys activities that involve machines with wings, wheels or sails.

Notable journalism results:

Discovered and publicised the MA/MC classification issue, resulting in Ford, Haval and Jeep reclassifying their vehicles from MA to MC.
First to publicise and explain the issues around GCM and towing particularly with 3500kg towing.
Only journalist to notice carmakers had mispresented ground clearance for example the Fortuner, and Ford with the Raptor, and explained why
First journalist to drive stock Chinese vehicles over the Simpson (Haval and Great Wall)
First journalist to carry out a comprehensive electric vehicle tow test in Australia.
Possibly the only motoring journo in Australia who can instruct offroad, on racetracks, for towing and owns both a modified 4WD and a circuit racing car?

I don’t just write about 4X4s, I live the life.

Content examples

Facebook page & YouTube
Articles on Practical Motoring and Motofomo
Magazine reprints
Webinars
I am a regular guest on the 4X4 Earth podcasts.
Software – coded a towing weights calculator and a tyre size calculator.
Various interviews as a motoring expert on radio such as this one (35:11)

Services

Writing

Product tests — vehicles, technology, camping equipment, vehicle accessories
Technical articles — anything from electronic driving aids, differentials, suspension, how GPS works, driving techniques
Monthly columns, opinion writing
Offroad travel writing
Interviews, reportage, events

Photography