Car Chat

This week we are joined by Daniel Morad, professional racing driver and AMG factory driver, to dive into his journey from karting at eight years old to competing on the world’s biggest endurance racing stages. We talk about his early days in go-karting, the challenges of moving through the ranks, and the intense physical demands of racing – including how he bulked up his neck to survive 5G corners!https://moradness.com/Daniel shares the highs and lows of his career, from winning championships and being a Red Bull Junior Driver to dealing with career setbacks, pivoting into sports car racing, and ultimately landing a factory role with Mercedes-AMG. We explore the business side of motorsport, the hustle behind finding sponsors, and how he revived his racing career after years away from the track.He also dives into his work with Moradness, his motorsport lifestyle brand, and how sim racing plays a role in his training today.Enjoy, SamShow Notes:00:00 The Reluctance Towards Data00:24 Journey into Motorsport03:54 The Dynamics of Karting08:23 Understanding Karting Mechanics10:08 Transitioning to Formula Cars15:11 The Challenge of Increased Power19:30 Navigating Competitive Racing20:24 The Reality of Racing Politics30:27 Endurance Racing Insights32:03 The Journey to Sports Car Racing34:26 Winning the Rolex 24: A Career Milestone36:54 Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence42:33 The Importance of Networking and Sponsorships48:50 Navigating the Financial Realities of Racing56:25 Driving Techniques: Mastering the Cup Cars01:01:04 The Role of Data in Racing Performance01:11:30 Sim Racing: A New Frontier in Driver Development01:13:11 The Evolution of Sim Racing Equipment01:19:07 Driving Techniques and Sim Racing Dynamics01:25:36 The Debate of Sim Racing Realism01:31:17 Experiences in Real Racing01:36:48 Memorable Driving Experiences and Car Preferences#CarChatPodcast #DanielMorad #AMG #EnduranceRacing #SimRacing #Moradness #Motorsport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we sit down with Tim Dutton, the man behind Ivan Dutton, a specialist restoration business dedicated to pre-war Bugattis. Tim shares his deep-rooted family history in motorsport and Bugatti restoration, tracing back to his grandfather’s time as a riding mechanic at Brooklands.https://www.duttonbugatti.co.uk/The conversation covers the intricacies of restoring and maintaining these historic machines, from the engineering brilliance of Ettore Bugatti to the evolving world of vintage car ownership and racing. Tim explains the differences in Grand Prix Bugattis, the art of engine tuning, and the challenges of recreating rare parts with old-school techniques.From driving a Bugatti 35 down to Monaco for the historic GP to racing in the Le Mans Classic at sunrise, Tim’s stories highlight the passion, skill, and dedication required to keep these legendary cars alive. They also touch on the evolution of historic racing, the impact of modern technology, and how the market for classic Bugattis has changed over the years.If you love vintage motorsport, engineering craftsmanship, or just great car stories, there is lots here. Show Notes:00:00 The Allure of Le Mans and Vintage Racing03:00 A Family Legacy in Bugatti Restoration06:04 The Evolution of Motor Racing08:57 Understanding Bugatti Ownership12:05 The Artistic Vision Behind Bugatti14:55 Restoration Processes and Challenges18:04 Tailoring Cars to Drivers' Needs21:13 Driving Experience of Vintage Grand Prix Cars23:50 The Technical Aspects of Racing Bugattis27:02 Modern Challenges in Restoration and Engineering30:50 Understanding Advance / Retard in Classic Cars32:36 Modernizing Pre-War Cars for Comfort35:26 Restoration Challenges: Balancing Authenticity and Modern Standards39:32 The Evolution of Machining and Restoration Techniques42:43 Navigating the Market for Classic Bugatti Cars51:40 Racing Dynamics: The Importance of Authenticity56:12 Testing Classic Cars: Challenges and Solutions59:15 Iconic Bugatti Models and Their Features01:01:03 The Challenges of Racing on Open Roads01:02:28 The Thrill of Trialing and Endurance Racing01:04:55 The Bonds Formed Through Racing01:06:32 The Art of Engine Turning and Car Restoration01:09:10 The Dilemma of Concours Restoration01:12:49 The Stories Behind Historic Cars01:15:22 The Evolution of Bugatti and Its Legacy01:20:34 The Future of Bugatti in Modern Automotive Culture01:30:02 Memorable Driving Experiences and Dream Cars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marlon Goldberg shares his journey from car dealerships to founding Workshop 5001, diving into Porsche restoration, car culture, and the importance of technical knowledge in sales. We cover the philosophy behind Workshop 5001 and what makes these cars so special. https://workshop5001.com/Show Notes: 00:00 The Porsche Restoration Landscape02:58 Marlon Goldberg: Journey into Porsche Restoration06:13 The Evolution of Car Dealerships09:01 From Sales to Operations: A Career Shift11:47 Building Relationships in the Car Business15:10 The Singer Experience: Crafting Classic Cars17:56 Starting Workshop 5001: A New Venture20:47 Navigating the Challenges of Car Restoration23:57 The Importance of Technical Knowledge in Sales26:53 Building Cars: The First Projects30:11 The Philosophy of Restoration33:01 The Future of Car Restoration and Education49:02 The Challenges of Sympathetic Restoration52:23 Personalized Client Engagement in Car Restoration55:10 Documentation and Quality Assurance in Restorations01:00:54 Engine Building: Techniques and Innovations01:06:50 Client Expectations and the Evolution of Air-Cooled Engines01:12:03 Collaboration and Innovation in Custom Builds01:19:12 Performance and Practicality in Modern Builds01:24:22 Memorable Journeys and Personal Reflections01:30:03 Market Trends and Undervalued Cars01:34:49 The Future of Automotive Technology and Electric Cars01:36:34 The Ideal Five-Car Garage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gordian Von Schöning (CTO at HWA) joins us for a chat about his journey with HWA. We cover what goes on at this impressive company, a bit about it's genesis and the projects along the way including their new HWA Evo. This is not your average restomod. https://www.hwalegacy.com/https://www.hwaag.com/en/Enjoy, Sam Show Notes:00:00 Rethinking Restomodding00:49 Gordian's Engineering Journey03:07 HWA's Legacy in Motorsports05:56 The Evolution of HWA08:48 Technology in DTM Racing12:13 The Relationship Between Racing and Road Cars14:53 HWA's Role in Road Car Development18:12 Customer Racing Dynamics21:05 Balancing Performance and Usability23:55 The Impact of Balance of Performance (BOP)26:53 HWA's Shift to Road Car Projects31:49 The Evolution of the HWA Evo36:43 Design Philosophy and Customer Involvement41:05 Powertrain and Performance Specifications46:15 Weight Management and Engineering Challenges50:34 Production Plans and Future Projects52:53 Unique Features and Market Positioning54:19 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Craig Callum, Senior Design Manager at Hot Wheels (@cforcraig), joins us for a fascinating conversation about his journey through the automotive and toy industries. From dreaming of being a car designer at age five to working at MG Rover, Lego, and now Hot Wheels, Craig has always been driven by creativity. We discuss his time freelancing for Lego while snowboarding in the Alps, his role in creating the popular Speed Champions line, and how he's now leading the design of Hot Wheels' iconic mini cars.Craig shares insights into designing cars both big and small, the challenges of scaling car designs for toys, and even how Hot Wheels projects inspire real car manufacturers. He also reveals his personal love for hot rods, his Ford Model A builds, and his perspective on car culture in Los Angeles.Enjoy, SamShow Notes:00:00 The Journey to Car Design02:57 The Evolution of Design Thinking06:11 The Role of Imagination in Design09:01 Hot Wheels: Merging Fantasy and Reality11:50 The Challenges of Scale in Design15:07 The Experience of Studying Car Design17:57 Career Path: From Internships to Design20:50 The Transition to Freelancing and Lego24:05 Designing for Lego: A New Adventure26:57 The Impact of Design on User Experience30:10 Speed Champions: Bridging Cars and Lego33:01 The Future of Design and Personal Passion44:39 The Evolution of Adult Lego Fans48:02 Sam's Journey at Lego and Speed Champions52:55 Transitioning to Hot Wheels56:21 Life on the Road: Building a Camper Van01:00:15 Managing Design at Hot Wheels01:06:53 The Hot Wheels Legends Tour and Community Engagement01:12:41 Personal Car Collection and Experiences Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bruce Wood is the Managing Director of Cosworth. Bruce shares his journey from starting at Cosworth as a graduate in 1987 to leading the company through iconic projects like the Cosworth Sierra, IndyCar engines, and modern hypercars like the Aston Martin Valkyrie.https://www.cosworth.com/Enjoy,SamShow Notes:00:00 The Passion for Engineering and Design02:55 Bruce Wood's Journey at Cosworth05:50 The Evolution of Cosworth in Motor Racing09:12 The Impact of Technology on Engine Design12:07 From Graduate to Managing Director15:00 The Challenges of Motor Racing17:54 The Phases of Cosworth's Business20:47 Experiences During Ford Ownership24:09 The Wilderness Years and Reinvention27:05 The Hypercar Era and Future Directions39:34 The Shift in Sponsorship Dynamics42:27 The Evolution of Powertrains in Racing44:51 Navigating Challenges in a Competitive Landscape46:46 The Transition to Hypercars49:42 The Role of Consultancy in Automotive Engineering51:11 The Jaguar CX-75 Project56:35 Understanding Hybrid Powertrains01:01:21 The Bugatti Evolution and Performance Goals01:05:12 Developing the Valkyrie Engine01:17:31 The Complexity of Engine Design01:19:24 The Philosophy Behind Hypercars01:23:19 Challenges in Emissions and Engine Design01:27:12 The Future of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles01:32:35 The Evolution of Engine Technology01:36:30 The Appeal of Hypercars01:39:01 The Current Era of V12 Hypercars01:42:51 The Role of Cosworth in Hypercar Development01:46:18 The Future of Engine Design01:49:13 Memorable Driving Experiences01:51:39 Undervalued Cars and Personal Favorites01:53:08 Innovative Car Designs and Future Trends01:55:03 The Ultimate Dream Garage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Robin Shute is an engineer and 4x Pikes Peak Champion. He competes in the top class with his Wolf based racer. Robin joins me at home for a chat about Pikes Peak, racing, his engineering background and his upcoming car designed to smash records. A great chat with some real depth. Enjoy,Samhttps://www.instagram.com/robin.shute/?hl=enhttps://www.youtube.com/@thesendyclubShow Notes:Chapters00:00 The Basics of Engineering and Racing00:46 Robin Shute: A Racing Journey04:00 Early Influences and Career Path07:48 Tesla: The Early Days of Innovation11:57 The Evolution of Electric Vehicles16:11 The Importance of Team Size in Racing18:06 The Birth of the Wolf Racing Team21:54 Pikes Peak: The Challenge of the Mountain26:10 The Technical Aspects of Racing Cars30:02 The Development of the Wolf Car33:52 Pushing the Limits of Speed39:12 Engineering Innovations and Challenges43:03 The Decision to Build a New Car49:27 The Case Against Electric Vehicles55:07 Exploring the Future of Race Cars01:08:01 The Future of Autonomous Driving01:10:27 Nitro Rallycross and the Evolution of Racing01:12:52 Electric Vehicles in Motorsports01:14:14 Innovations in Car Design and Engineering01:19:02 The Simplicity of Effective Engineering01:22:51 Driving Experience and Car Weight Dynamics01:29:31 The Unlimited Class and Record-Breaking Aspirations01:35:04 Memorable Journeys and Dream Cars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Cole, Co-Founder and Owner of King of the Hammers. Dave, a former off-road racer himself, has turned the rugged desert of Johnson Valley, California, into the ultimate proving ground for the world’s toughest drivers and machines. Known as the "toughest one-day off-road race on the planet," King of the Hammers combines high-speed desert racing with brutal rock crawling, pushing competitors to their absolute limits.We discuss Dave’s journey from racer to race organiser, the origins of King of the Hammers, and how it grew from a casual challenge among friends into a global motorsports phenomenon. With a mix of adrenaline, innovation, and a die-hard off-road community, Dave shares the magic that makes King of the Hammers more than just a race.Enjoy,Samhttps://kingofthehammers.com/Show Notes:00:00 Introduction to King of the Hammers03:12 The Evolution of Rock Crawling and Off-Road Racing05:59 The Technical Aspects of KOH08:55 The Challenges of Desert Racing11:54 The Dynamics of High-Speed Off-Roading14:48 The Importance of Vehicle Design and Engineering18:13 The Role of Strategy in Off-Road Racing21:09 The Future of Off-Road Racing and Vehicle Innovation23:50 Conclusion and Reflections on the Sport37:46 The Evolution of KOH50:04 Training and Preparing for KOH01:00:20 The Impact of COVID on Off-Road Events01:08:08 Memorable Experiences and Future Innovations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we’re joined by Max Banks, one of the key figures behind Alfaholics, the world-renowned specialists in classic Alfa Romeo restorations and performance upgrades. Founded by a family with a deep passion for Alfa Romeo, Alfaholics has earned a global reputation for transforming vintage Alfas into meticulously restored and enhanced machines, blending classic beauty with cutting-edge engineering.Max shares the story of Alfaholics, the way their parts business helps the restomods (and keeps prices down) and we took their Super for a drive.Enjoy,Samhttps://www.alfaholics.com/https://www.instagram.com/alfaholicsltd/Show Notes:00:00 The Thrill of Lightweight Cars02:54 Max Banks and Alfaholics: A Family Legacy06:08 The Evolution of Alfaholics08:58 Racing Heritage and Development11:49 The GTA-R Program: Balancing Performance and Character14:45 Parts Supply and Market Positioning18:05 The Unique Business Model of Alfaholics20:54 The Process of Building a GTA-R24:14 Customer Relationships and Expectations27:05 The Future of Alfaholics and Car Development39:38 Evolution of the GTA-R and Track-Oriented Builds42:30 Memorable Nürburgring Experiences44:51 Driving Dynamics of the GTA-R46:46 The Joy of Driving Lightweight Cars47:15 Daily Drivers and the Appeal of SUVs50:06 Changing Customer Profiles in the Automotive Market52:02 Building and Pricing the GTA-R54:26 Racing Adventures and Championship Wins56:25 Driving the McLaren M6B01:00:12 The Team Behind the Racing01:02:40 Options Beyond the GTA-R01:05:01 Memorable Driving Trips and Car Preferences Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices