Backseat Driver

It's me, Mark Stone, and on this week's episode of Back Seat Driver, I had the pleasure of attending the Duncan Park Rally Festival organised by the Lombard Rally Series and Tim Nash. While there, I had the opportunity to chat with Philip Ashworth, who rallies a Volvo 142S - a rare sight on British historic rally stages but a popular car in Scandinavia. We discussed how he brought the car to the UK and his experience driving it.

I also enjoyed sitting down with Andy "Ace" Harrison, one of the UK's most brilliant rallying and racing personalities. Andy is well known for his involvement with racing and rallying single-seaters, minis, and various other vehicles, but one of his pride and joys is his Maurice 1800 Land Crab. We talked about the car, his racing career, and his involvement with Race Against Dementia - a cause close to our hearts due to its impact on our families.

During our chat, Andy also gave us a sneak peek into his latest rally car project, the Ex Works Oin Allegro - not your typical rally car, but Andy has found it and is currently restoring it.

So please sit back, relax, and enjoy our conversations with Philip Ashworth and Ace Harrison, two individuals who have a passion for rallying and racing that is truly contagious.

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In this episode, I interview Dougal Cawley of Longstone Tyres. We discuss the technology and build quality of Longstone's vintage car tyres and their benefits. Dougal also talks about the different tyre options available for vintage cars and how to choose the right one for your needs.

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In this episode of the Backseat Driver podcast, we interview Dwight Mitchell from Mitchell and Son Additive Manufacturing, a company that uses 3D printing to reproduce obscure parts for classic cars. We discuss the role of 3D printing in car restoration and some of the most impressive examples of restored cars using this technology. Tune in to learn more about the use of 3D printing in the car restoration process and hear Dwight's thoughts on the subject.

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In this episode of the Backseat Driver podcast, I interview James Tucker, a racing driver, event organiser, and commentator. James's racing career began in 1982 when he gave someone a lift and ended up winning the amateur championship. Since then, he has had a successful career as a driver and organiser, and he shares some of his experiences and memories with us.

We also discuss the excitement and thrill of competition in the world of racing, and James talks about his work commentating on events. If you're a fan of racing or just want to learn more about the behind-the-scenes of the sport, don't miss this episode. Tune in to hear more about James Tucker's career in the exciting world of racing.

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This year's Race Retro 2023 was smaller than previous years, but in my opinion, it was all the better for it. I had the opportunity to walk around and see everything and even had some great conversations with fascinating guests.

One of my guests was Christianne Ireland, a former Formula One driver now racing a mini, following in her father's footsteps. We had a great chat about her racing career and how she got started in motorsports. Another guest was Bill Vero of Everoaks Helmet, a company that provided crash helmets to legendary drivers such as Sterling Moss and Jim Clark. Bill shared some fascinating stories about the history of the company and the iconic drivers they worked with.

I also talked to Pierre Sumy, the editor of News d'Anciennes, an online French classic car magazine. Pierre explained how the French are more enthusiastic about printed and online car magazines than the English. It was interesting to hear about the differences in car culture between the two countries.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation with these three fantastic guests from Race Retro 2023.

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It's me, Mark Stone, and here I am at Rétromobile hosted in Port de Versailles, on the outskirts of Central Paris, and marks the start of the new classic car season. It features cars that can only be seen in magazines or books, but here, they are displayed in front of you in the metal. The world's most fabulous auction houses are also at the event, showcasing cars available for sale, though some require significant money to purchase. Besides cars, accessories, books, and artwork related to classic cars are available.

The exhibition centre where the show is held is impressive, with food and drinks available, and the queues are always short. You can find people from all over the world, and they are always willing to give information and speak to you in English. The show is held from Wednesday to Sunday; even if you spend the entire time there, you will see only some of it. It's an incredible experience, and I highly recommend attending if you ever can.

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It's me, Mark Stone and welcome to the Back Seat Driver Podcast. In this episode, I'll describe my experience visiting Retromobile in Paris. This 47th edition of the show opened the ball of festivities linked to the 24 Hours of Le Mans centenary and confirmed its status as the referenced show for classic car enthusiasts. It was my first time attending the show, and I realised what I had been missing.

In this first part of the podcast, I'll share my initial thoughts and impressions of the show, from the incredible selection of classic cars to the fantastic art and accessories on display. You'll also hear my interviews with amazing people like Cyril, a tremendous artist and classic car enthusiast who designs his watches.

I'll also tell you about the fantastic exhibition centre, the show's place, and the delicious food and drinks available. And if you think you'll get lost in Paris because of the language barrier, don't worry, the exhibitors and visitors come from all over the world, and the French will speak English.

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In this episode of the Back Seat Driver podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Carol Quiniou, an American racing driver based in France. Carol competed in the French Formula V de V series for historic sportscars, often behind the wheel of a Lotus.

Carol has been racing in historic sportscar events in France and Europe since 2000 and has had a lot of success, including winning the French FFSA VHC Endurance Championship with her partner Sévérine Moreau-Langin in 2010. Racing is a big part of Carol's life and she shared with me her passion for the sport and the thrill of competition.

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In this episode of the Back Seat Driver podcast, we hear from Mike Smith, an automotive expert and electric car skeptic. Mike shares his thoughts on the limitations of electric cars and the technology and infrastructure surrounding them in the UK. He explains why electric cars may not be the best choice for everyone and discusses why they may not be suitable as a sole vehicle or a necessary part of one's life. Tune in to hear Mike's expert insights and open-minded perspective on electric cars.

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It's me, Mark Stone, the host of the Back Seat Driver Podcast. I'm sitting in the National Center for Motorsport Engineering at Bolton University in this episode with Director Mark Busfield.

Mark has had a spectacular career, with over 30 years of experience in professional, manufacturer-supported motorsport across various disciplines. He has been a consultant team manager, managing director of classic and modern car specialists, project manager, team director, and even mechanic.

His work has shaped his experience in the world endurance championship, the World Rally Championship, and the BTCC Championship. He is still actively involved in personal projects, competing in grassroots motorsport, and uses his experience to help students at the NCME.

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