Speed Secrets Podcast

Ryan Dalziel joins me to talk about how he’s developed into one of the best race car drivers in the world – what techniques he thinks are most important (hint: it has to do with corner speed and what you do with the throttle), and how to take your driving to that level. He shares his thoughts about his Tequila Patron-ESM co-drivers, Brendan Hartley and Johannes van Overbeek, and how their driving styles compare, as well as confidence. Then we talk about race driver coaches, and specifically how to find the best one for you.

Ryan has won in practically every form of racing he’s competed in, and is currently driving for Tequila Patron-ESM in IMSA. He’s also one of those drivers who can not only do, but can also explain how he does it – and that’s not a common trait. Recently, Ryan started RaceCarCoaches.com, a website where you can find a coach that is geographically ideal for you.

Web: http://www.ryandalziel.com

Twitter: @ryan_dalziel

Facebook: ryandalzielofficialpage

Instagram: @ryan_dalziel

Ashton Harrison and I talk about racing in the Global MX-5 Cup series, what it’s like as a woman in racing, instructing at the Porsche school, and the challenges that come with being a woman telling a man how to drive.

Ashton is a young woman I’ve had the pleasure of coaching – and she’s fast. Even faster than some of her results have shown (and we talk in the podcast about why that is). She’s raced in Spec Miata and the Global MX-5 Cup series, is an accomplished driving instructor, and loves to help at animal rescue centers around the country.

You can follow along with Ashton – and especially, learn from her blog – at AshtonHarrison.com, Instagram @aharrison_, Twitter @aharrison03, and Facebook at www.facebook.com/AHMotorsports03/.

Oh, and be sure to check out my Ask Ross column, as well as send me your questions, by going to SpeedSecrets.com/Ask-Ross.

Kevin Fandozzi joins me to talk about tires – how to break them in, warm them up, and pressure them. We also talk about how tires are developed, what Kevin did to his tires to podium at the recent SCCA Runoffs, and where Continental Tire is going in the sport. Be sure to listen to his advice in the last 10 minutes or so of the show – it’s super valuable stuff.

Kevin is the Product Manager for Continental Tire Motorsport. As an engineer and club racer (finished second at the SCCA Runoffs at Indy this year), he knows what goes into tires both technically and from behind the wheel.

For more info:

• Continentaltire.com
• IMSA.com
• Hoosiertire.com

Michael Silver and I talk about how he got to be so good a driver in a short period of time – less than a year. And it’s not just seat time, but how he applied the seat time that made the difference, as he shares here. Oh, and we also talk about astronauts and how Michael communicated with them in space, as well as his incredibly varied background.

Michael started track driving less than a year ago, and to say he’s become addicted to it is an understatement - he’s had about 40 days on track since he began! With a background – education and experience – in computer science, human factors, linguistics, genetics, music, molecular biology, color science, photography, business, and teaching, he brings an interesting perspective to learning how to be an even better driver.

Michael has worked for Apple (where he developed the technology for astronauts to email from space); wrote and directed music for Shakespeare Santa Cruz; was made an honorary Air Force Captain; hung out with Carlos Santana and Keith Richards (after helping set up their studios); been a disc jockey for a large classical music station; and he and his wife, Claire, founded Audio High to help raise money for a number of charities and eventually went on to found a separate non-profit organization (Silver Linings). Pretty boring stuff, right?

Michael’s main business is Audio High (AudioHigh.com), and you can contact him by email at [email protected]. And you’re bound to run into him at a track, somewhere, sometime.

And be sure to check out "Ask Ross" at SpeedSecrets.com/Ask-Ross/, and email your questions to me.

David Murry and his son, Dylan join me to talk about the track day business, how to manage modern cars on the track, why NASCAR is a great option for young drivers, how important a driver’s reputation is in this sport, reading a car’s handling, what a son learns from his father who is a racer. And then Dylan and David provide their simple but important advice to you.

David is one of the most successful sports car drivers in recent history, having won in IMSA, ALMS and Grand-Am, in practically every class. He operates his David Murry Track Days program at tracks all over the east coast. His son, Dylan, at 17 years of age, has already raced at Spa, in Legends and NASCAR.

Follow Dylan:

• Website: www.dylanmurry.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/Dylan-Murry-419397274806523/
• Twitter: @DylanMurry_2
• Instagram: @DylanMurry_2

Follow David:

• Website: www.davidmurry.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/david.murry.71
• Twitter: @DavidMurry        
• Instagram: @David.Murry

And if you want to sign up for the How to Read My Car webinar, go to SpeedSecrets.com/Read-Your-Car/.

Brian Ghidinelli and I sit down at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, while at the SCCA Runoffs, and we talk about left-foot-braking, driving a Spec Miata fast, how to learn a new track quickly, and the state of the sport – is participation increasing or decreasing, and why.

Brian is the founder of MotorsportReg.com, the leading motorsport event registration site, as well as Race Hero, the timing and scoring app.

While Brian and I were talking, I mentioned the great video of his feet while driving a near record-setting lap of Laguna Seca. His footwork, moving from right- to left-foot braking is something to strive for! You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/_ZeHNGA8MXY

Connect with Brian through MotorsportReg.com and RaceHero.io, as well as @ghidinelli on Twitter and at www.facebook.com/ghidinelli.

Ryan Kristoff joins me to talk about the electronic driver aids, such as ABS, traction and stability control, and automatic braking systems available in almost all cars these days. And more important to you, do you turn them off when driving on the track or leave them on? That’s the big topic we’re talking about today.

Ryan is a SCCA racer, as well as an automotive engineer who works on electronic safety systems for Bosch Engineering.

To follow Ryan:

Facebook: Facebook.com/ryankristoffracing

Instagram: @ryankristoffracing

Phil Wilkes joins me to talk about car racing and flying – but not at the same time. We’re talking racing, track driving, and piloting planes. Oh, and simulators, self-coaching, and the mental game.

Phil is a commercial pilot and training officer for that big classic Australian airline, a former (for now – he may be back) Formula Vee racer, and the co-author (along with me) of the book, Performance Pilot.

You can purchase a copy of Performance Pilot – either hard copy or Kindle version – through Amazon.

Web: PerformancePilot.net

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PerformancePilot

Twitter: @PerformPilot

Simon Kirkby joins me to talk about Lime Rock Park, the Lime Rock Driver’s Club, Skip Barber, and what he’s learned through decades of working with the icon of driver training. Along the way, Simon shares stories about Terry Earwood, Dorsey Schroeder, Simona de Silvestro and others. Oh, and he talks about 3 different ways to get through the Left-Hander at Lime Rock fast!

Simon is the Director of the Lime Rock Driver’s Club, a very special place and program for drivers of almost all levels who are passionate about driving.

Check out the Lime Rock Driver’s Club at www.LimeRockClub.com, and Simon at www.SimonKirkby.com.

Sam Smith joins me to talk about writing for Road & Track, how he got his start working on and writing about cars, his own racing, fellow Editor-at-Large Peter Egan, driving a NASCAR Cup car with Boris Said, Jack Baruth, hanging out with Kimi Raikkonen at Fiorano, having a day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with 5 historic Indy car... well, you get the idea – amazing stories!

Sam is the Editor-at-Large for Road & Track magazine, as well as an amateur racer and hard-core car guy. Obviously, you can follow him by reading Road & Track, in print and online at roadandtrack.com, but also on Twitter and Instagram @thatsamsmith. Or feel free to drop him a line by email at [email protected].

Of course, please pick up a copy of the October issue of Road & Track magazine. Better yet, subscribe to it by going to roadandtrack.com.

In this episode I talk about the trip to the Nurburgring that I help organize each year. For more information about it, go to SpeedSecrets.com and enter your name in the box to be put on the list for details about the 2018 trip.