Dan The Road Trip Guy

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I took a virtual ride around Cincinnati with Kevin Rains. I met Kevin back in 2016 while we were both in Haiti. When you meet Kevin, you feel an immediate sense of encouragement. Kevin began life after college as a pastor in Cincinnati. He would later move into the auto collision repair business. He built a successful chain of shops in Cincinnati and Lexington. He recently sold his business and now spends time coaching other business people and building another business, Dappled Light Adventures (https://dappledlightadventures.com/). I hope this episode provides you great enjoyment. 

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My friend Jamie Hall was in town for a short visit. We had not seen each other in 3 years since he and his family moved to Philadelphia in 2019. We were going to meet up for coffee . I had shared about the podcast and after our coffee time, we took a drive around the east side of Cincinnati for a road trip conversation. Jamie is a pilot and better yet a captain with a major airline. I knew him best as a business owner and entrepreneur. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

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My conversation today is a virtual road trip with Willy T. Ribbs. Willy broke through racial barriers in the 70's, 80's and 90's with his auto racing. He became the first African American to qualify for the Indy 500 in 1991 with inferior equipment but a great team. He went on in 1993 to complete all 500 miles of the race. He won races and championships in Europe. He tested for F1 again breaking ground for diversity in a all while male sport. He won in Trans Am races. He did all this while battling many obstacles both on and off the track. His story is featured in the film Uppity which you can find on Amazon and Pluto. I hope you enjoy our conversation. 

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What makes someone trade a stable trade for a life measured in miles, containers, and pit stops? We bring back a remastered conversation with Big Car Chris—London-born, Texas-rooted—whose path from construction sites to drag strips to global car logistics shows how risk, grit, and friendship can reframe a life. He takes us from Chelsea Bridge cruises to the One Lap of America, from early missteps and cash-in-pocket hustle to the moment eight solid cars filled two containers and opened a business that protects the machines people love.

The road stories are a highlight. Chris relives his favorite run: a 2015 sweep through Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, and Belgium in a patina’d ’67 F100 reimagined with modern brakes, steering, and ice-cold A/C. One booked night in Montreux, then improvisation—choosing the next stop over dinner, asking locals for the better bend, cooking soup by Lake Como on a tailgate with fresh bread. We trade notes on unplanned routes and why they erase stress: Dan’s Channel crossing to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and a later cross-country drive with his father in a BMW 320, thin tires and thicker memories on US 50.

Beneath the horsepower sits heart. Chris reflects on a father who taught him odds, music, and work, and the ache of losing him six weeks before retirement. If he had one more trip, he’d aim the Porsche GT2 at Las Vegas, sit his dad at the tables, and fund a joy he’d saved too long. Dan echoes that with a Kenworth cabover that got away and a reminder that time, not metal, is the rarest collectible. We also spotlight Chris’s brothers, now crafting Aston-level Mustang restomods in Texas, and a southbound bucket list: an overland trek to Peru’s Nazca Lines. The mantra that carries it all comes from a wise friend—do something once a week that scares you—because bold miles make better stories.

Hit play for car importing insights, One Lap camaraderie, European road-trip tactics, and a moving case for chasing what matters while the engine’s warm. If the ride resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who’s overdue for a detour.

You can find Chris on Instagram @bigcarchris

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I met Joanna when she was visiting Lauren this past spring. She was passing through Cincinnati on her way to North Carolina. She is a freelance documentary photographer
and you can find her living the van life in her converted Ford van. 

You can find her on Instagram: @joannaschaus and the web: www.joannaschaus.com

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I caught up with Mike as he was driving a BMW M3 to Pittsburg for hot laps at the Pittsburg Vintage Grand Prix. I met Mike in 2008 on One Lap of America. Mike works at the BMW Performance School in Greer, SC. 

If you are looking to have a fund time, contact Mike and arrange a visit to the Performance Center and be sure to get hot laps with Mike behind the wheel. You will not be disappointed. 

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I caught up with long time friend Robert Parish. In typical Robert fashion he made this conversation fun and interesting. Robert lives in Portland, OR and on our journey he took a drive around Portland and made a couple of car stops in his 2013 VW Golf. 

I have never planned to edit my conversations because road trip conversations cannot be edited. I did have to learn to BEEP out another drivers comments to Robert. 

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This conversation is with Lance White, a BMW collector from Cincinnati, Ohio. I chatted with Lance as he was transporting his BMW M1 to Pittsburg for a hanger gala during the Vintage Grand Prix. 

Be sure to check out the BMW Car Club of America Foundation at https://bmwccafoundation.org/. If you have a teen driver, get them to a street survival event. You will not regret the training they will receive and it might just safe a life. 

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Welcome to an adrenaline-fueled journey with my special guest, Stingray Rob. He's not just a star rising in the racing world, but a man with a unique perspective on life and faith. Born and raised in Idaho, Stingray brings his love for speed to our show, a passion ignited at a young age and nurtured by his family's love for Corvettes and cars in general. Get ready to experience the thrill of his journey from go-kart races to the competitive landscape of IndyCar.

Can you imagine navigating a cross-country expedition to Watkins Glen, New York, with just a paper map? Stingray did just that, embracing the thrill of the open road with his grandparents. Moreover, his pro-Mazda racing experiences, especially the intense 49 races leading up to his first win, will leave you on the edge of your seat. But, it's not all high-speed adrenaline; Stingray's story is also deeply intertwined with his faith, which serves as his compass through the ups and downs of his career. His most memorable race wasn't just about the win, but a life-changing revelation about purpose and trust in God.

But there's more to Stingray than meets the eye. Alongside his need for speed, he firmly believes in the power of community and the importance of wise counsel in decision-making. He'll be sharing some sage advice about living in the moment and the importance of enjoying the journey rather than obsessing over the destination. So buckle up and join us in this engaging and inspiring conversation with the one and only Stingray Rob. His unique perspective on life, racing, and everything in between will surely inspire you.

You can find Sting Ray here: https://www.stingrayrobb.com/

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Juliann Gardner of Cincinnati joins me to have a road trip conversation. She and Ted were traveling back from Washington Island, WI. Juliann is the founder and CEO of One Small Garden. You can find here at onesmallgarden.com. I hope you enjoy this conversation with my long time friend. Ted kept the Dodge Ram moving down the road on the south side of Chicago and headed into Indiana.