Speed Secrets Podcast

Erin Vogel joins me to talk about self-coaching, instructing at HPDE events, visualization (especially after focusing on sensory input), fear, and how to find that little bit more speed. We have this very cool conversation about what one learns from instructing, and how racing makes you a faster track day driver.

Erin has been track driving since 2009, and racing since 2014. She races a Spec Boxter in Porsche Owners Club and Porsche Club of America events, and instructs primarily with the Audi Club.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erin.vogel.98

Instagram: @erynn.vo

Blog: http://www.gearsgunsandglitter.com

David Vodden joins me to talk about why some race tracks are more successful than others, why some car clubs and event organizers do a better job than others, whether our sport is growing or not, and what the real secret is to being faster around Thunderhill.

David is the President and CEO of Thunderhill Raceways. He’s been with the facility since before it was even built, being a part of the initial planning and development process. And before that he managed an oval track.

Web: https://www.thunderhill.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thunderhill-raceway

Twitter: @ThunderhillPark

Andrew Rains joins me to talk about how to use – and train – your peripheral vision to improve your driving, as well as the APEX Pro device, and using data to coach yourself. We wrap up the show with Andrew’s insight into what he wishes he knew when he first started track driving.

Andrew has been going to the track since he was five years old, has raced in Pirelli World Challenge and club racing, coaches at Barber Motorsport Park (and other places!), and is the Marketing Director for APEX Pro.

To learn more, following the links below:

• Web: www.apextrackcoach.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/apexdigitaldrivingcoach & http://www.facebook.com/rainsracingal
• Instagram: @apexdigitaldrivingcoach & @rainsracing

And feel free to email Andrew at [email protected] for information on the APEX Pro.

Danny Kok joins me to talk about the AMG Driving Academy he runs in Canada, the ice driving programs he puts on, and about his plans to go racing in 2018. Danny, an accomplished racer and great driver coach, hasn’t raced much in the past few years, so he shares his plans to get ready, as well as how he’s training his co-driver for his first season of racing.

Danny, my former business partner, runs the Canadian AMG Driving Academy, which conducts driver training programs on race tracks and in the snow and ice of Gimli, Manitoba. Be sure to check out www.AMGDrivingAcademy.ca for information about the programs he and his team conducts. And follow Danny’s 2018 racing on Instagram @Shinning_Star_Motorsports, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Shining-Star-Motorsports-156852091722973/

Scot Elkins joins me to talk about the Motorsport Safety Foundation (MSF), its various safety initiatives, and especially the Instructor Certification program it launched in the spring of 2017. We also touch on the topic of electric car racing.

Scot is the COO of the Motorsport Safety Foundation, as well as the race director for the Formula E series. Having spent years as a race engineer, as well as a senior official with the American Le Mans and IMSA series, he has a broad perspective on the sport, from HPDE and track day events, to major international racing.

Learn more about the MSF Instructor Certification program at http://www.motorsport-safety.org/initiatives/certified.

Peter Carroll joins me to talk about his recent article in Speed Secrets Weekly, “14 Ways to Improve Your Driving.” Specifically, we talk about braking too hard, not enough trail braking, getting on the throttle too early, coasting, not using all the track, downshifting too much, shortening the distance by altering your line, and how to experiment with new driving techniques.

Peter Carroll is a BMW and Porsche club racer, track day driver, and instructor. Living in the Toronto area, his home track is Canadian Tire Motorsport Park at Mosport, but he’s driven and instructed at tracks all over North America. He gets a thrill out of helping other drivers learn and improve.

Andrew Comrie-Picard joins me to talk about how to sense the traction limits of any type of car you’re driving, whether on pavement or dirt - just how to drive fast on any surface, and how learning to drive a variety of cars will make you a better driver. Versatility is a good thing! We talk about “dynamic traction," sliding friction, sliding, slip angles, traction circle, weight transfer, and “steering with your feet.” Okay, we talk about rally, rallycross, drifting, road circuit driving, and even radio controlled cars. This is one of my favorite podcasts yet! And it just so happens to be the first anniversary for the show.

ACP (as Andrew is sometimes known) has driven just about everything, from rally to rallycross, from off-road to road courses, from radio controlled cars to drifting and hill climbs. He’s a Canadian-born race car driver, stunt driver, stunt coordinator, automotive journalist, spokesman, and TV personality. Interestingly, he has five university degrees, including a B.A. from The University of Trinity College (University of Toronto), an M.A. from Trinity College, Oxford, and MBA and LL.B. (law) degrees from McGill University, and was a competitive rower at both Oxford and McGill. Amongst other things, he’s won Rally America championships, the Targa Newfoundland Rally, and medals at the X Games.

Learn more about Andrew at:

• Web: http://www.acpracing.com
• Instagram: @acpracing20
• Twitter: @acpracing
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/AndrewComriePicard
• Zip Tire: www.ziptire.net; 1-844-Zip-Tire

Brian Bonner joins me to talk about motorsport marketing, or sponsorship. Getting someone else to pay for you to race, or even to do track days, is like a dream come true for many. But how do you do that? Brian has worked with drivers and teams at every level, from Indy Car and NASCAR to club racing. And he’s learned more than a few things along the way – things that can help you.

Brian runs his own motorsport marketing agency, but is so focused on his clients that he talks only about them – and wants you to learn more about them at:

• Sheldon Creed - www.sheldoncreedracing.com
• Anthony Alfredo - www.anthonyalfredo.com
• James Chartres - Kanga Motorsports - www.kangamotorsports.com
• Race Face Brand Development - www.racefacebranddevelopment.com

Eleven different drivers sit down with me at NCM Motorsport Park while at a BMW CCA HPDE Track Event and share their thoughts on what makes one track more technical than another, what their favorite corners are, which car they’d most want to drive, what the most valuable lesson they learned at the track is, and how to attract new and younger drivers to our sport. 

This episode is different than the past ones, as it’s 3 separate conversations with small groups of drivers participating in the BMW CCA RoundUp event at NCM on October 27-29, 2017. The drivers are Chad Sledd, Bob Habel, Hak Bowman, Erik Corwin, Matt Busby, Kevin Sweeney, Rob Shifflett, Bill Wade, David Bufford, Hayes Teague, and Zack Ketring.

Tom Martin joins me to talk about all things motorsport, from business to the original Can-Am series, from Spec Miata to HPDE and track day driving, from low cost endurance racing to the passion we all share for our sport. It’s a very cool conversation, and his advice about the business of motorsport is invaluable!

Tom owns Winding Road Racing, a multi-facted motorsport business that involves a magazine, retail safety equipment and performance parts stores (online and brick-and-mortar types), a race team, and a builder and supplier of cars for racing and track days.

Go to www.WindingRoadRacing.com for cars, parts and racing info, and www.WindingRoad.com for the magazine (driving, new cars, video info).