Speed Secrets Podcast

Mike Smith, Josh Herbert & Chris Graham joins me to talk about their experience moving from HPDE to Time Trials and now to wheel-to-wheel racing in NASA Spec Miata. They share thoughts on the highs and lows, costs, and what they’ve learned. Mike talks about how he’s striving to improve his vision skills, they tell us about how they’re finding and working with sponsors, and Josh shares a great Speed Secret: Just go to a track day and drive!

Loren Elmer joins me to talk about his book, Stay Alive While Driving, The Secrets of a Race Car Driver. Obviously, there are many skills & techniques that we learn driving on the track that lead to us being better drivers on the street – Loren shares a few of his secrets. We also talk about how you can help others be better drivers on the street. Loren has instructed drivers from teens to race drivers, and everyone in between, having taught at the major racing schools and teen driving programs.

Steve Welk joins me to talk about why so many racers and performance drivers make such good entrepreneurs. Of course, since Steve is a great driver coach, we have to dive into some driving topics, too. Steve is a former driver, a successful driver coach, and an entrepreneur. He founded and runs Styled Aesthetic, a clothing company that specializes in sports apparel. Walk around any race track paddock and you’ll see shirts, t-shirts, jackets and hats that Steve’s company has sourced and printed.

Brian Makse joins me to talk about the differences and similarities between a few production cars and the factory-built race versions of the same car, the new TCR race platform, a book he’s just completing all about Rolex Daytona 24-Hour race winners (and their watches), and what you can do to get the most out of a coach/instructor. Brian is first a race driver, and second an automotive author and presenter (he’s quick to point out that he’s not an automotive journalist).

Colin & Melissa Braun, as well as Sean Rayhall join me as I drive a Kia Ceed to the Le Mans circuit, and then from there to Paris after the race. We share stories about our not-so-beautiful chateau in the French countryside (cold showers, cats, flea bites), our best and worst air travel experiences, how to pass on the outside of a corner, what it takes to make a career in racing, and what to do with the brake and gas pedal!

Mark Lutes, Scott Refert, and Ron Gale join me to talk about driving simulators, from different perspectives: a sim chassis builder, a race car engineer, and a sim racer. Of course, I throw in my own thoughts from a driver training viewpoint. We talk about the importance of the types of controls, VR glasses, and how big the sim racing community is. Mark is the man behind Fast Track Sims, Scott is a race car engineer, and Ron an old friend and sim racer.

Jordan Taylor joins me to talk about the driving styles of the best drivers, but before we do we also talk about nature vs. nurture. In other words, did he inherit his driving abilities from his dad, Wayne, or was it something he learned. And then… we have a surprise cameo appearance from Rodney Sandstorm!

Danna Van Noy talks about how to get your spouse involved and be supportive of your driving addiction! Part marital advice, part motivator, it’s a fun conversation about a “tricky” topic. We also talk about entrepreneurs & adrenaline sports. Danna and her husband Brian have recently launched a product called Protect N Peel - out of necessity, having started tracking their Porsches a few years ago, primarily with the PCA. Go to www.ProtectnPeel.com, and use the code “speedsecrets” to get a 50% dis

Road & Track write Jack Baruth joins me to talk about whatever is bugging him. Amongst other things, we talk about funding to help young drivers make a career in racing, the mental game of driving, track day safety, HPDE instruction, and how to make the most of a race start. Jack’s Speed Secret #1: “At the start of spring races, push hard until there’s no reason to – for at least the first few laps.” Speed Secret #2: “Ask yourself what people around you know that you don’t.”

Chris Wehrheim joins me to talk about karting, and how you can use it to improve your driving. We also talk about why some young drivers make it, and some don’t, but mostly discuss ways you can use a kart to make you a better driver. Chris has won a lot in racing, but it’s what he’s done outside of the car/kart that I think is most impressive. From coaching and managing drivers, to creating driving gloves, the same drive that made him win on the track is helping him be successful off the track.

Cameron Norsworthy talks about flow - getting into the zone. There are many factors that contribute to triggering a “flow performance” - we talk about the most important ones. In this show he takes a few minutes to lead listeners through a short visualization session, and helps you identify what will help you get into the zone more often. Cameron is the founder and Performance Director for The Flow Centre, and is an athlete, author, entrepreneur, ICF coach, sports psychologist in training, and speak

Jamie Stiehr talks about vintage & club racing, how to grow participation in our sport, how to help charities through racing, and the Race Against Kids’ Cancer (RAKC). Many individuals and teams have used motorsport as a platform for raising funds for a good cause, and the RAKC, which supports the Morgan Adams Foundation is a great example. Jamie has raced with the Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing club for years, as well as in the SCCA, and has served as the RMVA's chief instructor.

Marshall Pruett talks about what the best drivers do that make them the best. His insights on Scott Dixon, Alexander Rossi, Simon Pagenaud, Sebastian Bourdais, Robert Wickens, Josef Newgarden... are fascinating – and educational. Marshall is best known for his Marshall Pruett Podcast and his writing & photography. But what makes his perspective so interesting is that he spent many years as a mechanic, engineer, team manager, driver, and coach. Marshall has seen drivers from more angles than most!

Dave Pratte joins me to talk about, well… mistakes. Okay, and some things that are not mistakes, too, but Dave and I talk about how valuable mistakes are from a learning perspective. We have fun discussing the judgment one needs when passing, and how ego can make a difference; the most common mistakes drivers make with their cars; the differences between autocross and time attack, and road racing; and what one learns from testing tons of different cars.

Scott Mann joins me to talk about High Performance Driver Education (HPDE) instructing, and particularly what are the traits that the best instructor have. We share stories and thoughts about the importance of an open/growth mindset, dealing with Type A personalities, how to practice instructing, and what the best focus on. When asked to choose between driving and instructing, Scott's response is “Instructing!” In other words, he’s passionate about helping other people how to drive better.