Speed Secrets Podcast

On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, Andy Pilgrim joins me to discuss how to have a long career driving race cars! We get into the importance of learning how to learn so you can always improve, having a hook or trigger to switch your mind on, and how to think strategically and tactically in races. He also shares about co-driving with Johnny O’Connell, Ron Fellows, and Allan McNish. Andy’s Speed Secret: Make sure your head is in the right place. Andy Pilgrim was born in the U.K., moved to the U.S. in the early 1980s as a computer programmer, and became a U.S. citizen in 1998. He started racing in the mid 1980s and has since won five championships and 69 races so far in his professional driving career. Additionally, Andy has a serious passion for traffic safety. He is a nationally recognized expert and lecturer on the dangers of distracted driving; in 2008, he founded The Traffic Safety Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 entity. During the past 20 years, he has spoken to hundreds of thousands of students, parents of children of ALL ages, educators, and corporate employees about all aspects of traffic safety. For more information about his foundation, educational materials, and contact information, please visit www.tsef.org. Check out Andy below! https://www.andypilgrim.com https://www.trafficsafetyeducationfoundation.org or https://www.tsef.org

On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, I am joined by Dr. David Ferguson! Dr. Ferguson runs the Spartan Motorsport Performance Lab at Michigan State University and is the author/editor of The Science of Motorsport book. Topics range from dyslexia and diabetes to heart rate variability and the vision techniques of the very best drivers. We also talk about how equal females are to males in racing, and nature versus nurture. Ultimately, it’s all about how you can perform better as a driver. This is one of my all-time favorite episodes!  Dr. Ferguson’s Speed Secret: Treat your body in the same way as you do your race car. Dr. David P. Ferguson earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Masters Degree from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, PhD from Texas A&M University and has postdoctoral training in cardiovascular physiology, nutrition and pediatrics from Baylor College of Medicine. He has worked in racing for over ten years with the top teams in NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula 1, and IMSA. Spartan Motorsport Performance Lab: Automobile racing is one of the largest spectator sports in the world yet there is less than 60 research articles ever published on the physiological stress of driving a race car.  We are currently working with NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula 1 and IMSA racing teams to better understand the strain placed on drivers and pit crews during competition. Then using established training and nutrition programs we are already increasing both the performance and safety of these elite motorsport athletes. Check out Dr. Ferguson below! https://education.msu.edu/kin/smpl/ @DrDavidF13 @msu_smpl

On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, Johannes van Overbeek joins me to talk about the lessons we learn from racing that apply to other areas of our lives – things like “lazy decision,” having too much money (yes, it’s possible!), the pros and cons of technology, and how to manage one’s passion and enthusiasm for something. Oh, and we talk about our co-experience with the Garmin Catalyst. Johannes’s Speed Secret: Make sure your equipment is the best it can be. Look ahead. Know when and where to release the brakes. Check out Johannes van Overbeek below! IG: @johannesvanoverbeek Johannes has won the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Sebring 12-hour, Petit LeMans, raced at Le Mans, and won the Thunderhill 25-hour race six times! He knows how to win endurance races…actually, just about any type of racing. He’s driven for ESM Patron Racing, the Flying Lizards, and factory Porsche and BMW teams.

It’s time for another special edition of the Speed Secrets Podcast! In a new format, Bill Fischer (of the Garage Heroes In Training podcast) hosts this episode, turning the tables on Ross, who answers Bill’s questions. Specifically, in this episode, Bill asks Ross about how to best drive the Keyhole at Mid-Ohio, Turns 5-7 at Road Atlanta, Turns 2 & 9 at Laguna Seca, and Turn 7 at Portland International. Check out Bill Fischer and Ross Bentley belowhttps://garageheroesintraining.com https://speedsecrets.com

On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, I talk with super-successful driver coach, Jim Kearney, about driver coaching. We discuss when a driver is ready and will get the most out of a coach. We also get into how to trigger a performance state of mind, one that will help you perform at your peak on the track. Jim’s Speed Secret: Simplify! Check out Jim Kearney below https://kearneykdd.com Jim is a driver coach who raced Formula Vee himself for years before turning his attention to helping other drivers. His drivers have won multiple SCCA Runoffs championships, so he definitely knows how to help drivers win more.

On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, I talk with Jay St. Claire, Colin Pascik, and Aaron Brooks of Ranger Road Motors (a team that competes in LeMons races, giving Vets a chance to start racing). We discuss the start of Ranger Road Motors, what it’s like for an amputee Vet to jump behind the wheel of a race car for the first time, what it’s like to work with a Vet with PTSD, how to adapt a race to drivers missing a limb, and the number one biggest challenge that first-timers face. Ranger Road Motors’ mission is to bring Veterans together through extraordinary experiences and empower the transition to the next chapter in their life. The transition from military life to civilian life can be difficult. Trauma, stress and loss of camaraderie all contribute to a suicide rate well above average. The aim of Ranger Road is to transition veterans to civilian life through high adrenalin team-based events, reengaging their sense of camaraderie and showing them new battles to win and partners to fight alongside. From the road course to off-road. With specially equipped vehicles and a team of dedicated and experienced volunteers the motorsport division of Ranger Road is taking disabled veterans places they never thought possible. All equipment is provided. Veterans only need to bring their sense of adventure. Check out Ranger Road below! https://rangerroad.org

On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, Brian Bohlander, racer and director of sports marketing for the company that owns PEAK Antifreeze, joins me to discuss what to do (and not do) to land a motorsport marketing partner/sponsor. Want to know the biggest mistake racers make? Tune in to find out! Brian’s Speed Secret: Reach out and ask people in the sport for opportunities. Check out Brian Bohlanderbelow: https://www.brianbohlander.com brianbohlanderracing.com Brian Bohlander is an industry veteran who has successfully led brand sponsorship activation programs within professional motorsports with drivers, teams, and major global series. He also has over three decades as a champion club racing driver, instructor, and grassroots team owner ranging from karting to club road racing. His on-track accomplishments include winning three Thunder Roadster Series championships and 35 series wins in the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). He’s won a WKA Manufactures Cup national event and most recently teamed to win class 5500 at the 2020 Mint 400.  Off the track, Brian owns a race team, is a Motorsports Safety Foundation (MSF) Certified Instructor, and NASA Great Lakes Region's Competition School Director. He also instructed at corporate driving programs including the Raybestos Rookie School.  In 2019, Brian received the Forgeline Wheels Sportsman of The Year award from NASA Pro Racing for leading the development of grassroots racing drivers and working to elevate the professionalism of grassroots motorsports.

Bill Fischer (of the Garage Heroes In Training podcast) hosts this episode, turning the tables on me and asking all your burning questions. In this episode the topic of racing jargon is talked about, specifically “talking tires,” “geometric line,” apex angle,” “both feet in,” and “car rotation.” Check out Bill Fischer belowhttps://garageheroesintraining.comhttps://speedsecrets.com

On this week’s episode of Speed Secret Podcast, James Colborn joins me to discuss everything open wheel racing, what it’s like to race during the pandemic, and racing in British Formula Ford. We also offer tips on racing in the rain. James Colborn’s Speed Secret: Get comfortable with what data can do for you. James started racing in 2009. A graduate of the ProFormance Racing School in Seattle Washington, James acquired his first race license from the International Conference of Sports Car Clubs (ICSCC) and raced his novice year in a BMW E30 series called PRO3. From 2009 until 2017 James lived, and raced, in the United States running in a series of both professional and club racing events. Driving predominantly BMWs, James won races in the ICSCC, National Sports Car Association (NASA) and Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). This ranged from winning the 25 Hours of Thunderhill to SCCA and ICSCC sprint races. James also competed in numerous professional races in the Continental Tire Series, Street Tuner (ST) class with C360R and BimmerWorld. In 2018 James moved back to the United Kingdom and shifted focus to Open Wheel racing and the Formula Ford 1600 series. In 2020 James competed in the Castle Combe FF1600 Championship finishing second in C Class and winning the Formula Ford Carnival race (C Class). James campaigns his Van Diemen RF88 with Wayne Poole Racing. James is passionate about driver development using data. James has partnered with AiM Sports and AiM Technologies since 2013 and his tutorial videos, data seminars and one on one coaching have helped many drivers improve their driving through data analysis and interpretation. Check out James Colborn below: https://www.jamescolborn.com https://www.youtube.com/user/colbornjames

On this week’s episode of Speed Secret Podcast, Loni Unser (yes, of THE Unser family) joins me to talk about her absolute love of the sport. Can you guess what the number one thing is that she’s learned from her family who has a total of 9 Indy 500 wins? She dishes. We also discuss the importance of patience in racing, how important confidence is – especially for a woman in racing, and why “never coast” is bad advice. Loni’s Speed Secret: Dedication and hard work – that’s what it takes, not matter what level or type of racing you’re in. Check out Loni below: All social media: @loniunser Web: www.loniunser.com With an athletic background in downhill skiing and other line-finding sports, Loni Unser recently discovered her talent for racing. With the support of her famous family, she is rapidly becoming a threat on track. She has raced the Spec Miata classes in NASA and the MX- 5 Cup (4 races), as well as a variety of marquees in the World Racing League and ChampCar, among others. The young driver carries her family name to a new generation of fans. Her grandfather was Jerry Unser, the first of the famous Unsers to race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. From then on, the Unser family has won the prestigious Indianapolis 500 nine times and become known as “The First Family” of American auto racing. Unser’s career is made possible through partnerships with companies that are supporting her development. She has worked with Cooper Tire to promote tire and vehicle safety, placing her at the center of a campaign that provided an invaluable opportunity for her to grow as a marketing property and explore the role of brand ambassador. She believes in the power of positive role models and hopes to inspire young girls through her activities on and off track and competes as a Shift Up Now athlete as an ambassador for women in racing. Unser is a recent graduate of the Environmental Design program at the University of Colorado Boulder. Unser continues to focus on her development as a driver and looks ahead to claiming her place in the record books. Her future plans will carry her to a full season in Mazda’s MX-5 Cup Series, IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship and the storied tracks of the FIA World Endurance Championship.