Cold Start

General Manager and EVP of Sonoma Raceway, Brian Flynn, joins us to talk about his history working in the NASCAR industry with Richard Petty, as well as giving us his thoughts on the current state of NASCAR and how it's changed in the modern era. And of course, we talk about Todd and Sylas's home track, Sonoma Raceway, and learn more about the inner workings of operating an internationally recognized race facility. 

Cold Start Hint: The mascot for one of Sonoma Raceway's main sponsors

Episode 15 Cold Start Answer: MFG Road Course Sprint Car (Pikes Peak Special)

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the second-oldest auto race in America that most Americans have never heard of or watched. Since testing on the mountain has started for this year's race, Todd and Sylas cover the fascinating history of the race and Sylas shares some of his personal insights of the logistics of how a race is held on a public road that ends at the summit of a mountain over 14,000ft. 

Cold Start Hint: it has a wing the size of a picnic table

Episode 14 Cold Start Answer: Radical SR3 XXR

With so many racetracks across America, where else do you start the conversation than with the ones in your own backyard? Todd and Sylas chat about the tracks they have driven and whether they are worth the hype, or not. Starting in California, the guys talk about Sonoma Raceway, Thunderhill, Laguna Seca, Buttonwillow, and more.

Cold Start Hint: powered by a motorcycle engine but has four wheels

Episode 13 Cold Start Answer: EuroNASCAR

From racing short track in the United States to NASCAR in Europe, Nick Strickler is the definition of a grass roots racing hero. Listen to his wild story of how he got into motorsports and made his way to EuroNASCAR, an interesting series in and of itself. He even keeps that same grass roots mindset as he continues to add to his racing resume, driving anything and everything to add to his skillset.

Cold Start Hint: it's V8 but with an accent

Episode 12 Cold Start Answer: Jim Russell Lola B07/20 Formula 3

In this episode  of "Checkered Past" (our series about Sylas and Todd's racing pasts), Todd takes us back to how he got his start in racing -- diving head first into the deep end, moving from street cars to high downforce open wheel racecars in just over 5 months. A saga about triumphant highlights and character-building lowlights, this is the tale of rapid immersion into a life of racing.

Cold Start Hint: it's not a street car 

Episode 11 Cold Start Answer: Mitsubishi Delica L300 Star Wagon Turbo D

Our first guest on the Cold Start podcast! Bailey Smith, the General Manager of Club Wheelhouse, tells his story of moving from Florida to California to work within the automotive industry and pursue his passion of cars. From road tripping an imported Mitsubishi Delica van across the country to rebuilding an FD RX-7 to be the ultimate back road carver, it's apparent his joy and love of cars comes from the adventures and experiences they can provide. 

Cold Start Hint: roll coal brotherrr!

Episode 10 Cold Start Answer: BMW SpecE30 again...

In the first episode of a new series covering some of Sylas and Todd's racing stories, Sylas tells the story of how a rivalry between West Coast and East Coast leads to being disqualified from a national race in 2018. A tale of high emotions, malicious intent, totaled cars, and misread rules shows the not so fun side of club racing. You won't want to miss this one!

Cold Start Hint: we've used this one before. 

Episode 9 Cold Start Answer: 2019 Toro Rosso F1

Watch out IndyCar and NASCAR! In the last couple years, has F1 done a better job in understanding the American motorsport fan comparative to IndyCar or even NASCAR? Todd and Sylas talk about how Formula 1 has positioned itself to capture the American audience and what changes will be coming in the future to continue F1's rise in the USA. 

Cold Start Hint: a racecar sponsored by craft hotdogs. 

Episode 8 Cold Start Answer: 2000 Honda Civic SiR

Has the modern era of cars gone too far and could the best driving experiences be behind us? Todd and Sylas work through the decades to determine when the best drivers cars came to the market. They also figure out when it all may have gone wrong and why modern sport cars don't live up to the analog experiences from the past. And move aside, string theory, Sylas's M3-Theory may be the next big thing in understanding the automotive universe through the years. 

Cold Start Hint: released before the Ferrari Enzo with the same redline 

Episode 7 Cold Start Answer: 2001 Plymouth Prowler

Sometimes cars become well known and iconic not because of their fantastic driving experience or collectibility, but for being the butt of the joke. The bad, weird, and ugly cars of the past can be just as memorable as the good ones. Todd and Sylas go through some of the cars from the 80's, 90's, and early 2000's that are still burned into their memories for all the wrong reasons. Comment any of the bad, weird, or ugly cars they missed.

Cold Start Hint: it didn't come with a V8 but maybe it should have. 

Episode 6 Cold Start Answer: 1988 BMW M5 (E28)