Backseat Driver

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Brenda Priddy, who spent twenty years making a living as one of America's best-known automotive spy photographers, tracking down and photographing secret prototype cars before the manufacturers were ready to reveal them.

Brenda's extraordinary career began almost entirely by accident in 1992, when she spotted a group of camouflaged vehicles near her home in Arizona. Grabbing her camera, she managed to photograph a prototype Ford Mustang, and when one of her pictures appeared on a magazine cover, the calls started coming in from automotive publications around the world.

What followed was two decades of detective work, patience and occasionally confrontation. Brenda explains how she learnt to anticipate the movements of manufacturers' test teams, staking out hotels, watching desert roads and using cameras, radio scanners and local knowledge to capture vehicles that car companies were desperate to keep under wraps.

We discuss some of her biggest scoops, including early Chevrolet Corvettes and even a presidential limousine, alongside the dangers of the job. From angry engineers and attempts to prevent her taking photographs to the physical risks of pursuing the perfect shot, Brenda reveals that automotive espionage was not always as glamorous as the resulting magazine spreads might suggest.

She also explains how her family became involved in her unusual profession, why working from public locations was so important and how the arrival of camera phones and the internet gradually transformed the market for exclusive spy photographs.

Having stepped away from the relentless pursuit of prototype cars, Brenda now channels her creativity into fine art photography, photographing hummingbirds, exhibiting her work and leading photographic tours.

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It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by motorsport journalist and author Gary Watkins to explore the remarkable rise of GT3 racing and how it became one of the most successful categories in international motorsport.

Gary's latest book charts the first twenty years of GT3, and together we look back at how Stéphane Ratel helped create a formula that transformed sports car racing. By combining production-based machinery, Balance of Performance regulations, and driver grading, GT3 offered manufacturers, private teams, and amateur drivers a chance to compete on a more level playing field.

We explore how GT3 emerged from the lessons of earlier GT1 and GT2 championships, and why allowing specialist tuners to develop and homologate cars opened the door to a remarkable variety of machinery. From the Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari to the growing involvement of major manufacturers, GT3 quickly established itself as an attractive alternative to increasingly expensive forms of racing.

Gary explains how the category's flexibility helped it spread around the world, becoming equally successful in sprint racing and major endurance events. We discuss the role of the SRO, the importance of privateer teams and how GT3 has provided opportunities for countless drivers to establish careers in professional motorsport.

But has GT3 become a victim of its own success? With increasingly sophisticated cars, rising costs and manufacturers developing machinery specifically for competition, we ask whether the category risks losing the accessibility and production-car connection that made it so successful.

It's a fascinating look at the evolution of modern sports car racing, the people and decisions that shaped GT3, and the challenges it faces as it enters its third decade.

Gary's book provides a comprehensive account of the category's first twenty years and is essential reading for anyone interested in how GT3 changed the landscape of international motorsport.

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It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined once again by Ruben Verdes, an authority on Rolls-Royce and Bentley, as we turn our attention to the fascinating world of classic car concours, judging and the preservation of automotive history.

In the second part of our conversation, Ruben shares his extensive experience as a concours judge and vehicle valuer, explaining what really happens behind the scenes at some of America's most prestigious classic car events. We discuss the differences between British and American car culture, why the United States has such a thriving concours scene and what makes these gatherings so important to collectors and enthusiasts.

Ruben takes me through the judging process, from the initial practical checks to the detailed examination of originality, authenticity, condition and presentation. We explore how judges reach their decisions, why accurate provenance matters and the lengths organisers go to in ensuring that cars are genuinely what their owners claim them to be.

We also discuss the considerable influence that winning a major concours can have on a car's reputation and value, alongside some of the remarkable vehicles and personalities Ruben has encountered over the years.

Beyond the prestigious competitions, Ruben reflects on the wider American classic car scene, from major national events to local cars-and-coffee gatherings, and explains why both have an important role in keeping enthusiasm for historic vehicles alive.

Above all, this is a conversation about the responsibility that comes with owning and preserving significant cars. Ruben believes these machines should be seen, enjoyed and appreciated rather than hidden away in private collections, ensuring future generations have the opportunity to experience motoring history for themselves.

It's another fascinating insight into the world of Rolls-Royce, Bentley and classic car collecting, and a reminder that preserving automotive heritage is about much more than simply keeping old cars in immaculate condition.

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Hamish Robertson from the Watch Collectors Club to explore the fascinating relationship between motorsport and watches, and how the two have become almost inseparable over more than a century.

With the practical role of timekeeping in early motoring, when dashboard clocks and specialist watches could be found in cars from manufacturers including Bugatti, Peugeot and Mercedes. From there, we trace the rise of the chronograph and its transformation into the watch most closely associated with racing drivers and motorsport enthusiasts.

Hamish takes me through some of the watches that helped define that relationship, including Heuer’s Autavia, Carrera and Monaco. We discuss Jack Heuer’s clever approach to motorsport sponsorship, his relationships with individual racing drivers and how Steve McQueen helped turn the distinctive square-cased Monaco into a cultural icon.

We also explore the extraordinary story of the Rolex Daytona, a watch that was not always particularly desirable but eventually became one of the most recognisable and sought-after watches in the world. Hamish explains how changing movements, dealers, marketing and celebrity ownership all contributed to creating the Daytona mythology we know today.

But motorsport watches are certainly not confined to expensive Swiss mechanical pieces. We discuss quartz and digital watches, including the remarkable durability of Casio’s G-Shock, and why accuracy and resilience can matter considerably more than mechanical tradition when a watch is actually being used in demanding conditions.

From affordable microbrands and heritage reissues to some of the finest examples of haute horlogerie, we look at the enormous choice available to enthusiasts today and why motorsport continues to inspire watchmakers at every price point.

We also discuss the growing community around watch collecting, the role of clubs, exhibitions and specialist shows, and how organisations such as the Watch Collectors Club are helping enthusiasts understand and enjoy the stories behind the watches on their wrists.

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It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Ruben Verdes, a leading authority on Rolls-Royce and Bentley, to explore the remarkable history, craftsmanship and stories behind some of the world’s most celebrated motor cars.

Ruben’s involvement with these marques stretches far beyond simply owning or admiring the cars. As a consultant, museum manager, concours judge, editor and treasurer of the Rolls-Royce Foundation, he has spent decades researching the vehicles, the people who built them and the owners whose stories form part of their history.

We trace Ruben’s fascination with cars back to childhood journeys with his father before exploring how that interest developed into a lifelong dedication to automotive history and preservation.

Our conversation takes us through the evolution of Rolls-Royce, from the days when customers purchased a chassis and commissioned a coachbuilder to create the body, through to the move towards factory-built cars. We also discuss the enormous importance of aero engines to Rolls-Royce, the company’s relationship with America and the fascinating story of cars produced at its Springfield factory.

Ruben takes us behind some of the mythology surrounding the marque too, including the legendary Silver Ghost reliability trials, badges, coachwork and the importance of establishing genuine provenance. He explains how careful archival research can sometimes reveal a very different story from the one that has been repeated about a particular car for decades.

Ultimately, this is a conversation about much more than Rolls-Royce. It is about preserving motoring history properly, understanding the craftsmanship and engineering behind these extraordinary machines, and making sure the stories attached to them are every bit as authentic as the cars themselves

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It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by author Steve Rendle to look beyond the drivers and cars and discover the extraordinary operation that keeps modern Formula One moving.

Steve’s book explores the enormous infrastructure behind F1, where teams employing hundreds of people and spending vast sums of money ultimately have one objective: putting two competitive cars on the starting grid.

We look at what really happens during a Grand Prix weekend, from the engineers and mechanics working trackside to the teams back at the factory operating what is effectively a mission control centre. While the cars circulate thousands of miles away, specialists analyse live data, run simulations, and feed information back to the circuit in the relentless search for performance.

Steve explains the increasingly important role of simulators, including the incredibly detailed scans of circuits that allow teams to recreate tracks virtually. We also discuss how information gathered during practice sessions can be processed overnight, allowing teams to refine setups and strategies before the cars return to the track the following day.

It reveals a side of Formula One that television rarely captures. Behind two drivers and two cars sits an extraordinary network of people, technology, logistics and information, all working together to find fractions of a second.

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Beatty Crawford, a hugely experienced figure in rallying, to ask some serious questions about the direction of the modern sport and whether World Rally Championship cars have simply become too fast.

Drawing on a career that includes victory on the Circuit of Ireland and experience across some of rallying’s most demanding events, Beattie shares his concerns about the extraordinary performance of today’s WRC machinery and the potential consequences for both competitors and spectators. We discuss how modern cars compare with the infamous Group B era and whether increasing performance inevitably brings increasing risk.

But this conversation is about much more than outright speed. Beatty argues that the magic of rallying has always come from watching drivers wrestle cars across demanding terrain, where skill, movement and spectacle matter just as much as the numbers on a speedometer. We ask whether some of that character is being lost as technology becomes increasingly sophisticated.

We also discuss spectator safety, regulation, rising costs and the widening gap between the World Rally Championship and grassroots competition. Beatty shares his thoughts on the FIA’s approach to the sport and why he believes rallying needs to reconsider its priorities if it is to remain exciting, accessible and sustainable.

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It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Joe Mallinson, the new Clerk of the Course for the Ilkley Jubilee Historic Rally, to discover just what goes into organising one of Britain’s much-loved historic road rallies.

Joe takes me behind the scenes of the event, explaining the enormous amount of planning required long before the first car crosses the start line. We talk about plotting the route, organising officials and marshals, keeping competitors and spectators safe, and the responsibilities that come with taking on the role of Clerk of the Course.

We also look ahead to this year’s two-day rally, including the atmosphere of the start in Otley Market Square, the route through the surrounding countryside and the collection of historic cars expected to take part.

Joe explains the vital role played by volunteer marshals and local car clubs in keeping events like this alive, as well as the camaraderie that brings competitors, officials and enthusiasts back year after year.

It’s a fascinating look behind the scenes of historic rallying and a reminder that while the cars and drivers might get most of the attention, an extraordinary amount of work goes into making an event like the Ilkley Jubilee happen.

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It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Ilias Strousidis, a racing driver and watch designer whose two great passions, motorsport and horology, have come together in a fascinating way.

Ilias shares his journey through motorsport in his native Greece, from his love of BMWs to competing across different racing disciplines. We discuss the growing Greek motorsport scene, the challenges faced by drivers there, and his experiences at events including BMW Live and endurance racing.

Away from the track, Ilias explains how his frustration at being unable to find a watch that truly reflected his passion for racing inspired him to create Steel Timepieces. We explore how his experience behind the wheel influences his designs, with functionality for drivers sitting alongside distinctive styling and traditional watchmaking craftsmanship.

Ilias also takes me through the process of creating a watch, from the first sketches and prototypes to working with Swiss manufacturers on cases, movements and final production. Rather than chasing mass production, his focus remains on limited numbers, quality and creating something genuinely special for collectors and fellow motorsport enthusiasts.

We also look ahead to the Manchester Watch Show, where Ilias will showcase his latest creations and continue bringing together two worlds with far more in common than you might initially imagine.

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It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Chris Allsop, affectionately known as the “Biker Granddad”, who at the age of 75 has set off on an extraordinary motorcycle adventure across Europe aboard his BMW F800GT.

Chris shares what inspired him to get back on the road after a period when family health challenges had limited his opportunities to travel. With his freedom restored, he decided it was time for another adventure, setting his sights on the Carpathian Mountains, Moldova and some of the less travelled corners of Europe.

We talk about why Chris chose the BMW F800GT for the journey, balancing long-distance comfort with the agility needed for twisting mountain roads. He also explains what makes travelling by motorcycle so different from driving, from feeling more connected to the landscape to the trust required in both yourself and your machine when tackling unfamiliar roads.

Along the way, we explore the different attitudes towards motorcycles across Europe, the camaraderie between riders and why motorcycling is certainly not reserved for the young. At 75, Chris remains determined to explore new places, meet new people and collect experiences rather than possessions.

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