Meet Chelsea Russo: Marketing, Customer Support and 4WD Enthusiast at M4C
At M4C 4WD Accessories, Chelsea Russo, or Chels as we call her, wears many hats. Primarily handling marketing and social media, she also helps out with order dispatch and sales from time to time. Originally from Perth, WA, Chelsea has a deep-rooted passion for four-wheel driving, and that love shines through in her work and adventures.
Chelsea’s 4WD Journey
First 4WD Love
Chelsea’s first vehicle was a little Toyota Rav4, which, while not a true 4WD, saw its fair share of off-road tracks and camping trips. Her first “proper” 4WD, however, was a 2009 GXL 76 Series—a vehicle she drove and learned from for three years before recently upgrading to a 2024 model. “The thing I loved most about that car is how much it taught me mechanically,” she says. Working on it nearly every weekend, she gained hands-on experience that has fueled her passion for the 4WD lifestyle.
Unforgettable Adventure
One of Chelsea’s most memorable 4WD experiences was a year-long, 35,000 km trip around Australia with her younger sister. “It was a trip I had dreamt of since I was a little girl,” she shares. The adventure took them through iconic destinations like the Gibb River Road, Tanami Track, Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, the Great Ocean Road, and even shark diving in Port Lincoln, SA. “Doing it in my dream car with my sister made it 100x better.”
Dream Ride
If Chelsea could take any vehicle on an epic 4WD adventure, she’d love to customize an 80 Series Land Cruiser by dropping in a VD engine. Growing up, her family always had an 80 Series, which left her with a soft spot for its reliability and capability. “It’s funny because just the other day, a workshop in QLD completed this exact swap I’d been dreaming about,” she says. While practical, Chelsea also loves the idea of keeping her dream build authentically Toyota.
The Ultimate Adventure
When it comes to dream destinations, Chelsea has her sights set on Cape York. “On my dream adventure, I’d be heading up to Cape York at the beginning of the season to beat the crowds,” she says, hoping to take her time and enjoy everything Far North Queensland has to offer. River crossings, especially Nolans, are high on her bucket list.
Must-Have Gear
For Chelsea, the one piece of “gear” she can’t go without on any trip is Wiki Camps, a handy app that’s led her to some of the most breathtaking campsites Australia has to offer.
Life Beyond 4WDs
When Chelsea isn’t on the tracks, she’s likely indulging her love of music. “I attend a gig most weekends,” she says. She’s also a fan of fishing, often heading out on the boat with her boyfriend—though, as she jokes, she outshone him on a recent squidding trip, catching eight to his three.
An interesting fun fact about Chelsea? She lived in Broome, WA, in 2022 and dreams of moving back to the north someday. And if you were to ask her what song she’d take on her next 4WD trip, it would be “Daughters of the Northern Coast” by Aussie Crawl, a song filled with fond memories from her lap of Australia.
Always Learning, Always Growing
Chelsea is always eager to expand her 4WD knowledge, particularly when it comes to self-recovery and troubleshooting vehicle issues. “The most important thing to have is knowledge,” she says, thankful for the wisdom she picks up from her dad, cousins, and co-workers.
Looking ahead at M4C, Chelsea is excited about future events, particularly the possibility of organizing a day trip or repeating the open day they hosted last year. With her enthusiasm and expertise, we can’t wait to see what Chelsea will accomplish next!
Whether she’s crafting engaging content for M4C or hitting the road in her 76 Series, Chelsea Russo embodies the adventurous spirit of the 4WD community. Stay tuned for more from Chelsea and the M4C team!
