Speed Secrets Podcast

Chuck Tucker joins me to talk about HPDE instructing – what the best instructors do, how the classroom sessions need to work with the in-car instruction, the secret of the “secret goal,” and the best driving drills being used today.

Chuck, who is an engineering professor in real life, changes into his superman instructor suit when instructing with NASA Great Lakes Region, as well as the PCA and BMW clubs.

Chuck’s Speed Secret: Ask your student questions – then listen.

You can find Chuck on Facebook, as well as email him at [email protected].

If you’re ever looking for a good track map, just go to SpeedSecrets.com/Trackmaps.

Andy Pilgrim joins me to talk about racing and traffic safety education. He tells us about his experience co-driving with Dale Earnhardt Sr and Jr at Daytona, why he’s won so often, and the work he’s doing in the traffic safety education world – and why you should care. Andy tells you how you can get free copies of the training videos he’s produced.

Andy has won in just about everything he’s driven from the factory Corvettes to Cadillacs. He’s committed to giving back by helping save young drivers’ lives, through his Traffic Safety Education Foundation work.

Andy’s Speed Secret: Eyes to the vanishing point.

To learn more about Andy’s traffic safety initiatives, go to his Traffic Safety Education Foundation website at www.tsef.org. And you can also contact him through his website at www.AndyPilgrim.com.

Randy Beikmann joins me to talk about the ideal line – the one that results in the fastest lap times – something that he’s been modeling from a mathematical perspective, and then relating to real track driving. What he shares will give you a deeper understanding of why you drive the line you – or should drive the line you’re currently not!

 Randy is a former engineer for General Motors, and currently teaches engineering at Kettering University. He’s written the super-important book, Physics for Gearheads – a must-have for anyone interested in understanding vehicle dynamics and driving at a deeper level. As important is the fact that he’s also a track rat who drives a Porsche Cayman in PCA events.

 Randy’s Speed Secret: Power is not the end-all. Traction is more important.

 You can purchase Randy’s Physics for Gearheads at Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

Trey Shannon joins me to talk about how to improve your fitness for performance and race driving. We talk about how to train your breathing, vision, sense of balance, and your fine muscle control to improve your footwork. Trey provides some great tips for simple exercises you can do at home, without expensive equipment.

Trey runs Podium Performance Fitness in Charlotte, NC, where he trains drivers like Tom Long, Colin Braun and John Edwards. As a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and with a Engineering degree, you know he looks at fitness training in a analytical and specialized manner.

Trey’s Speed Secret: Take the pressure off yourself.

Follow Trey and Podium Performance Fitness:

• Web: https://podiumperformancefitness.com
• Facebook:www.facebook.com/PodiumPerformanceFitness/
• Twitter:@podiumpf
• Instagram:@podiumperformancefitness

For more information about the Improve Your Braking & Corner Entry webinar, go to SpeedSecrets.com/Braking-Entry

Phil Lombardi joins me to talk about what most drivers struggle with the most – corner entry speed – as well driving style, perception, and focusing on performance. Phil’s insights are hugely valuable. And even more important are his recommendations of how to work through these challenges to become an even better and faster driver.

Phil was a long-time Skip Barber instructor, and currently provides personal coaching for drivers of all levels, and instructs for the Lucas Oil School of Racing.

Phil's Speed Secret: "Focus on your own performance, not the results."

Follow Phil on social media…

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/phil.lombardi.31
• Twitter: @philiplombardi
• Instagram: @fastphillombardi

For more information about the Improve Your Braking & Corner Entry webinar, go to SpeedSecrets.com/Braking-Entry. Registration closes on January 13th, 2019.

Eric Meyer joins me to talk about the steps and process he’s seen that the best drivers – and organizations – use to become even better drivers. From first-timers to serious club racers and pros, there are certain things – situational awareness, passing and being passed, flags, race starts – that everyone should learn. And there’s a process you can use to learn them more effectively.

Eric is the Chief Instructor for the NASA Great Lakes Region, and has raced in both amateur and pro racing – Grand-Am and Pirelli World Challenge, for example.

Eric’s Speed Secret: The more you scan with your eyes, the better.

Follow:

• NASA Great Lakes Data Acquisition Resource page
• Eric also mentioned TrackAttack.io and APEX Pro.

Oh, and mark February 23, 2019 on your calendar for a super-cool event that Eric and I are doing together in Indy. More details are coming soon.

Mark Sternberg is on today’s show and we bounce around, talking about karting, Karma Automotive, the pros & cons of having ADHD, Formula One, Honda S2000s, and what to do when you need to pee.

Mark is a life-long car and driving enthusiast who has turned his passion into a career. He helped re-launch the Peterson Automotive Museum, races karts, founded the L.A. F1 Fan Group, and currently works for Karma Automotive. Oh, and he’s in the process of launching a car-themed watch company called Heel & Toe Watches. How cool is that?!

Mark’s Speed Secret: If you’re wearing your driving suit and you need to pee, tuck the arms of your suit into your pant leg to avoid it touching the floor.

Follow Mark on Instagram @jdotmark, and his new watch company at www.heelandtoewatches.com.

Matthew Walker joins me to talk all about the importance of sleep on your driving performance – everything from how it impacts learning to your ability react and focus. He also provides tips on how to get better sleep, how to manage jet lag, the effect a lack of sleep can have on your health, what drugs and alcohol do to sleep, and memory formation and practice.

In addition to a love of all things motorsport, Matthew is the Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. With a degree in neuroscience and PhD in neurophysiology, he is also the founder and director of the Center for Human Sleep Science. And of course, he is the author of the International Bestseller book, Why We Sleep.

Matt’s Speed Secret: Get no less than seven hours of sleep.

Follow:

• www.sleepdiplomat.com 
• www.humansleepscience.com
• Twitter: @sleepdiplomat

The tables are turned – I’m the guest, and Frank Greif is the host. Frank was my guest on episode #1, I coached him when he started racing, he’s a business coach and a former TV talk show host. Oh, and we’re good friends, so it was interesting to have him asking me questions. And that’s what the show is about: my thoughts on this podcast, learning, driving, Formula One, Indy Car, NASCAR, who my greatest influences were, and who my support team are.

A special thank you to Frank for helping out with this episode, and to you, for listening! I never would have guessed I’d have created one hundred podcasts, but the reason I have is because of the feedback I’ve gotten from you and others. So again, thank you!

There’s always more… so join me next week when I have another interesting guest on the show, and we talk more about performance driving.

Bret Holmes joins me to talk about our passion for shifting, and specifically driving manual transmission cars. We talk about how young drivers DO have an interest in performance driving, the future of manual transmissions, and the 3 Pedal Car Club of America.

Bret has a strong passion for driving manual transmission vehicles, which was the initial motivation for starting the 3 Pedal Car Club of America. You can – and should – join by going to www.3pcca.com.

Bret’s Speed Secret: Eyes up.

Web: www.3pcca.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/3pcca

Instagram: @3pcca

YouTube: 3pcca