Rod Chong is a creative director and automotive cultural icon whose career spans music videos, video games, and real-world car culture. In this episode, Sam explores Rod’s journey from directing rock music videos to co-founding Speedhunters, leading creative direction on Need for Speed and Project CARS, and building cutting-edge car experiences at Race Service with brands like Ferrari and Porsche. It’s a deep dive into racing games, car culture storytelling, and the art of blending virtual and real motorsport.

Enjoy

Show Notes:

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George Williams returns to talk about launching Get Lost Automotive and their first build, Project Safari — a lifted, reimagined Lotus Elise S1. We cover everything from road trip stories to suspension geometry, design philosophy, and how he’s applying his photographic eye to building cars.

Enjoy.

https://www.getlostautomotive.com/
https://www.gfwilliams.net/

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Katarina Kyvalova races everything from pre-war Bentleys to Jaguar E-Types at places like Le Mans, Spa, and Monaco. We talk about her mad first race in a 1928 Bentley, how she handles gearboxes with no synchro, and what it’s really like driving five weeks across the world in the Beijing to Paris rally.

Enjoy.

https://www.instagram.com/kkyvalova/

Chapters:

00:00 – Why Racing Is Addictive

03:01 – From Classic Rally Co-Driver to Vintage Race Addict

05:57 – Baptism by Fire: Her First Race Was a 24-Hour in a 1928 Bentley

09:05 – Endurance Racing in Pre-War Machinery (No Seatbelts, No Syncros)

11:59 – Mastering Crash-Box Gearboxes and Central Throttle Pedals

15:12 – Jumping Between Pre-War Bentleys and GT4 Cars

18:02 – Adjusting Driving Style for Every Car – E-Type vs. Healey vs. LMP

21:02 – Beijing to Paris: A Five-Week Endurance Rally With No Team Support

24:09 – What Makes Historic Racing Totally Different From GT Racing

26:57 – Learning Teamwork at 100kph: Rallying With No Backup

30:07 – Brake Fade, Sticking Throttles & Other Historic Race Surprises

33:10 – Dream Garage, Future Races & the One That Got Away

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Jingyi Chen, Head of Battery at Breathe Battery Technologies, joins me to discuss how software is transforming the way EV batteries are charged, managed, and designed. We get into the science behind fast charging, battery degradation, and why Breathe’s tech is already being used by major OEMs like Volvo, Rimac and Cosworth.

Enjoy.

https://www.breathebatteries.com

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: Smarter batteries, faster charging

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Matt Prior is back for a good rant about car tech gone wrong — from driver-monitoring nags to touchscreens where buttons should be. We cover the charm of the Ineos Grenadier, the Ariel Nomad, small luxury cars, and Matt’s latest purchase, plus behind-the-scenes stories from Autocar’s “My Week in Cars.”

Enjoy.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/

Show Notes:

00:00 – Why Cars Nag You: Attention Assist and Driver Monitoring
03:02 – How The Podcast Started (and Who’s Behind It)
05:55 – Weird Cars We Love: Niche Gems and Cult Favourites
09:05 – Why Car Companies Make Odd Decisions
11:37 – Luxury Cars: What Actually Sells and Why
14:44 – Can Small Car Makers Survive the EV Shift?
17:39 – How Car Design Has Evolved (and What Buyers Want Now)
20:31 – Speed Isn’t Everything: What Makes a Great Drive
23:49 – When Tech Helps vs When It Just Gets in the Way
26:34 – The Laws That Shape the Cars We Get
42:43 – Why Small Cars Got So Big
47:07 – Premium Feel in Pint-Sized Cars
49:06 – Real Quality vs Perceived Quality
51:18 – Why New Tech Can Be So Annoying
56:33 – Driver Aids: Helpful or Just a Hassle?
01:00:46 – Why Simple Cars Are So Hard to Make Now
01:09:43 – The UI Problem: Why Are Car Screens Still So Bad?
01:15:29 – The Sweet Spot Between Features and Frustration

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Simon Saunders, founder of Ariel Motor Company, returns to chat about the all-new Nomad 2, the future of EVs, Ariel's experimental hypercar, and why some cars just make people smile. We also dive into titanium 3D printing, rally testing, and the psychology of driving.

Enjoy,

https://www.arielmotor.co.uk

Chapters:

03:01 Introducing the Nomad 2: Design and Performance Changes

05:58 Off-Road Capabilities and Customer Experiences

08:58 Testing and Development: Real-World Applications

11:51 The Psychology of Driving: Car Perception and Enjoyment

14:56 Navigating Regulations: The Future of Internal Combustion Engines

18:03 Electric Vehicles: Challenges and Opportunities

23:25 The Future of Electric Vehicles

28:15 Innovations in Electric Bike Design

35:05 3D Printing and Material Advancements

40:31 Design Philosophy and User Experience

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Goran Turkic, founder and CEO of Tedson Motors, returns to the podcast to discuss their bold new project: the Etna. Based on the Lamborghini Gallardo, yet radically re-engineered and redesigned, the Etna aims to deliver the most authentic driving experience possible in 2025. Goran shares insights into the challenges of blending Lamborghini's iconic V10 heritage with cutting-edge technology, achieving over 10,000 RPM, and how they've completely reimagined the Gallardo chassis and aesthetics.

Enjoy

https://tedsonmotors.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Reinventing the Gallardo: A New Era Begins

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Paul Howse shares insights from his fascinating career as a car designer, highlighted by his 11-year tenure at McLaren Automotive where he was instrumental in designing iconic cars like the McLaren P1 and the 720S. From drawing cars in his school books to refining automotive design at Northumbria and the Royal College of Art, Paul discusses the delicate balance between aesthetics, functionality, and innovation in automotive design. He also shares personal stories about the pressures and triumphs at McLaren, his journey into watercolor artistry, and his current exciting projects, including collaborations with Lanzante.

Enjoy,

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Amy Heynes (Shore) is an acclaimed automotive and lifestyle photographer known for her distinctive, storytelling style that blends photojournalism with classic automotive scenes. In this episode, Amy joins Sam Moores to delve into her journey from wedding photography to becoming a prominent figure capturing the emotional and human elements of the automotive world. They discuss the nuances of developing a personal style, navigating commercial pressures, and finding genuine inspiration beyond the automotive sector. Amy also shares valuable insights into why limitations spark creativity, the significance of natural lighting, and her experiences shooting iconic events like Goodwood Revival. An inspiring chat for anyone passionate about photography, cars, or the artistry behind capturing moments.

Enjoy.

https://amyshorephotography.com/

Show Notes:

00:00 Finding Your Photography Style

04:57 The Journey into Automotive Photography

10:11 Developing a Unique Perspective

15:11 The Role of Storytelling in Photography

20:08 Inspiration Beyond the Automotive World

25:10 Embracing Limitations for Creativity

29:59 The Importance of Gear and Comfort

34:49 Navigating Social Interactions as a Photographer

36:17 Incorporating Yourself into the Moment

39:31 The Art of Photography: Rules and Personal Style

45:47 Becoming a Nikon Ambassador

51:22 The Evolution of Camera Technology

55:13 Favourite Events and Storytelling in Photography

01:01:47 Visual Beauty and Personal Connection to Photography

01:07:22 Exploring Unique Locations for Photography

01:08:02 Challenges in Photography Shoots

01:10:27 Creative Freedom vs. Client Constraints

01:12:53 The Balance of Freelancing and Collaboration

01:13:03 Hobbies Beyond Photography

01:14:21 The Impact of Music on Creativity

01:19:27 Navigating the Pressure of Video Production

01:21:43 Finding Joy in the Day-to-Day

01:25:54 Memorable Road Trips and Experiences

01:27:14 Dream Cars and Personal Favorites

01:28:07 Undervalued Cars in the Market

01:30:46 Starting a Business in Car Restoration

01:34:15 The Five Car Garage Dream

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Howden Haynes is the Technical Director and co-owner of Progressive Motorsport, known for his engineering skills and extensive experience in top-level racing with Audi Sport Team Joest and Bentley’s Le Mans programs. Howden shares insights into his motorsport journey, from early days at hill climbs to engineering wins at iconic races like Le Mans and DTM. He provides a behind-the-scenes look at the innovations and challenges involved with racing technology, including Audi’s diesel prototypes and advanced hybrid systems.

Explore the complexities and safety aspects of maintaining and racing modern classic LMP cars, the art of navigating technical regulations, and hear anecdotes about his memorable experiences, such as his debut as race engineer with the legendary Audi R8. Essential listening for anyone passionate about motorsport, engineering, and racing innovation.

Enjoy.

https://www.progressive-motorsport.com/

Show Notes:

00:00 The Evolution of Motor Racing Noise

02:59 Journey into Motorsport Engineering

05:53 The Transition to Professional Racing

08:58 The Role of a Race Engineer

12:05 The Importance of Detail in Racing

15:01 Career Path and Learning in Motorsport

18:03 Innovations in Race Technology

21:05 The Move from Bentley to Audi

38:15 The Evolution of DTM Racing

42:22 The Diesel Revolution in Racing

46:52 Complexity and Technology in Modern Racing

50:46 The Challenges of Running Historic Race Cars

56:31 Safety and Regulations in Motorsport

01:01:11 The Future of Hybrid and Electric Racing

01:05:31 The Unique Challenge of Pikes Peak Racing

01:10:24 The Thrill and Danger of Racing

01:12:41 Transitioning from Racing to Engineering

01:16:13 Diverse Engineering Cultures in Motorsport

01:21:56 Cross-Pollination of Skills Across Industries

01:30:37 Innovative Problem Solving in Sports and Beyond

01:31:12 Memorable Driving Experiences and Car Preferences

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