BREAK/FIX the Motorsports & Vehicle Enthusiast Variety Show

Best of the Bay (Part 2): Lexus vs Hyundai

Jon Summers is the Motoring Historian. He was a company car thrashing technology sales rep that turned into a fairly inept sports bike rider. On his show he gets together with various co-hosts to talk about new and old cars, driving, motorbikes, motor racing, motoring travel.
Jon begins Part-2 of his "Best of the Bay" recap with the Lexus GS550, highlighting its luxurious touch points and ideal size. He compares it to the Genesis GV series, favoring the Lexus for its subtle quality. Next, he reviews the Kia Sorento, noting its attractive interior and impressive features, although it falls short of the Lexus in material feel. Jon then examines the Kia Carnival minivan, praising its spacious design and handling. The Hyundai Ioniq 5N impresses him with its unique styling and sporty performance, albeit with a few quirks like a high trunk floor. Finally, he reviews the Elantra N, appreciating its old-school hot hatch feel and responsive handling. Throughout, Jon shares his experiences and observations, providing insight into what sets each vehicle apart.
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Judas Priest - The Hellion
Lexus GX550 - lovely materials justify the cost. Better quality than Genesis. Loved the giddyup.
Judas Priest - Rock Hard, Ride Free
Kia Sorento - nice looking interior, content awesome, surprisingly stable, responsive at high speed, irritating electric whirr
Comparing screen treatments
An aside on Acura ZDX - HUD display worked well
Kia Carnival - No irritating whirr, tons of space, surprisingly planted in high speed sweeping turns, a modern state of the art minivan
Judas Priest - The Sentinel
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N - the triangle theme makes the Ioniq 5 an interesting piece of design. Perhaps short changed by driving only on slow roads. The gamification of performance; a 21st century turquoise shell suit of a car, “licence looser”, great value at sub $60k
Hyundai Elantra N - Old school cool hot hatch. Buy this instead of the Ioniq, and save $20k. But a young person’s car. Coped well with emergency braking at high speed. 
Judas Priest - Defenders of the Faith
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The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net
More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/
Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
Copyright Jon Summers, The Motoring Historian. This content is also available via jonsummers.net. This episode is part of the Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission.

Best of the Bay (Part 1): New Cars Road Tested

Jon Summers is the Motoring Historian. He was a company car thrashing technology sales rep that turned into a fairly inept sports bike rider. On his show he gets together with various co-hosts to talk about new and old cars, driving, motorbikes, motor racing, motoring travel.
In this episode Jon focuses on the 'Best of the Bay 2024' car event. He reminisces about his participation in various Western Automotive Journalists' events and acknowledges the organizers and contributors, especially Michael Coates and Page One Automotive. Jon details the event format, including driving routes and the structure of the test drives. He highlights various vehicles, mentioning the Toyota Camry as the best overall car due to its value, and the Lucid Air as an impressive but expensive option. He also shares his love for more soulful, less efficient older machines compared to modern, efficient cars. Jon ends with a reflection on the emotional connection with vehicles that newer models often lack.
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D.A.D. - Girl Nation
Thanks to Western Automotive Journailsts and Michael Coates
Thanks to Page One, the Press Car suppliers
Thanks to the OEMs for supplying cars, and nicely specc’d ones too
J is honest about these cars, lord knows he’s not doing this for the money
The venue - the Dream Inn, Santa Cruz
Pacific Coast Highway 1 San Francisco to Santa Cruz - really an awesome road
17 cars, timetabled driving slots
Hill and coastal driving routes allowing high and low speed testing, including sweeping bends
Judgement to be “the Best At What The Car Set Out To Do”
J’s Best Car: 2025 Toyota Camry
J’s Best, price no object: 2025 Lucid Air
If It Was J’s Money: 2025 Genesis G80
2025 Fiat 500e - basic, but adequate
Many good cars, some great ones, no terrible ones
But none are as cool as the ‘91 Gixxer - 750 not a 1000 like I say - I rode before this recording
As the machines get more efficient, they become less intereting
Judas Priest - Free Wheel Burning
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The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net
More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/
Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
Copyright Jon Summers, The Motoring Historian. This content is also available via jonsummers.net. This episode is part of the Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission.

The Milwaukee Mile (Steve Zautke)

Steve Zautke bridges both the oval world and the road world, which are coming closer and closer together. He is a native of Milwaukee, got involved with the Milwaukee Mile at a very young age. His father was a filmmaker and a fan and participated in the events there, organizing them and helping out. He is an author and published a book on Road America. He also participates in this Henry Miller Club News, and works for the SVRA magazine. He's a wonderful writer and historian, and he's also a devotee of Road America. 
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00:00 Introduction and Speaker Introduction
02:11 Milwaukee Mile: The Oldest Racetrack
04:00 Early Races and Tragic Beginnings
06:51 The Golden Era of Racing
11:15 Midget Car Racing and Post-War Popularity
13:31 Iconic Drivers and Memorable Moments
20:10 AJ Foyt's Pole Position and Race Highlights
21:18 The Marchese Brothers and Their Promotion Legacy
22:28 Ed '20 Grand' Steinbach: The Voice of Midwest Racing
23:08 Wisconsin Speedways Dinner and Racing Legends
24:13 The Rise of Stock Car Racing at Milwaukee Mile
25:22 Corporate Sponsorship and the Miller 200
27:00 USAC vs. NASCAR: The Evolution of Stock Car Racing
27:46 ASA's Challenge and Dick Trickle's Victory
28:20 NASCAR's Arrival and Departure from Milwaukee
28:49 The Quarter Mile Dirt Track and Local Heroes
29:25 USAC's Missed Opportunity with Marlboro Sponsorship
30:18 Memorable Moments and Racing Legends at Milwaukee
32:10 Rick Mears' First Win and Penske's Domination
34:53 The Decline and Revival of Milwaukee Mile
35:23 The Harry Miller Club and Vintage IndyCars
36:02 Milwaukee Mile Videos and Personal Stories
37:13 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements
====================
The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net
More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/
Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.
 

Poll Position: NASCAR Nation and National Politics (Mark Howell)

Part of an ongoing, larger body of research by Dr. Mark D. Howell, and explores the long, complicated, and often controversial relationship between NASCAR (the National Association for Stock Car Automobile Racing) and the American political system. From NASCAR founder “Big Bill” France’s campaign support of then-presidential candidate George Wallace, to former NASCAR Grand National driver Tighe Scott’s arrest for allegedly attacking police officers during the Capitol Riot on January 6th, 2021, the road to Washington, D.C. has often taken a detour (usually a hard right) through Daytona Beach.
Part of this paper looks at NASCAR’s connection to various political candidates, both during campaigns and after votes have been counted (and certified). Another section of this presentation examines the use of race cars as campaign promotional “vehicles” over the years. 
This paper explores the very public and very strategic alliance between political candidates and NASCAR Nation. From Jimmy Carter welcoming Grand National drivers to The White House to Ronald Reagan sharing Kentucky Fried Chicken with Richard Petty, the relationship between stock car racing and politics presents itself as a calculated  combination of regional identity and popular culture-driven stereotypes.
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00:00 Introduction and Sponsors
00:21 NASCAR and Politics: An Overview
01:27 Historical Political Connections
02:20 Recent Events and Controversies
04:11 NASCAR's Cultural and Political Influence
05:03 Origins of NASCAR and Political Ideologies
09:09 NASCAR's Evolution and Political Ties
16:04 Modern Political Engagements
21:12 NASCAR's Demographics and Future Challenges
25:51 Electric Vehicles and NASCAR's Future
33:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
33:25 Credits and Acknowledgements
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The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net
More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/
Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.

Screen to Speed No.41: Emma Galasso's debut Episode!

This episode of Screen to Speed is the debut episode for its new host Emma Galasso (@bullissemma). Emma and her guest Axe, explore the dynamic world of sim racing. They discuss Axe's journey from playing Gran Turismo on a PS2 to competing in sim racing events with a custom-built sim rig. Axe shares personal stories, highlighting the role of sim racing as an escape from bullying, as well as the technical progression from using a controller to a Logitech G29 wheel.
They dive into the design and significance behind liveries, particularly Axe's use of colors from the androgyny flag. Axe details his involvement in competitive sim racing, including the Winter and Spring Cups, and his future aspirations that blend his passion for driving and videography, inspired by figures like Larry Chen. The conversation also touches on the challenges women face in motorsports and sim racing, with Axe expressing a desire to support female drivers through photography and media. Additionally, Axe discusses their broadcasting studies and on-track photography experiences, aiming to integrate these skills into a career. The episode concludes with a call for more eSports organizations in the U.S. and an appreciation for communities that promote diversity and inclusion. So buckle up – Screen to Speed starts now!
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00:00 Introduction to Screen to Speed, Meet the new Host: Emma Galasso!01:07 Axe's Journey in Sim Racing03:17 From Controller to Wheel: Axe's Setup Evolution06:02 First Competitions and Memorable Races11:15 Future Goals in Sim Racing and Broadcasting15:08 Experiences at Real-Life Races16:51 Photography and Videography in Motorsports19:47 Supporting Female Drivers in Motorsports24:48 Community and League Racing25:56 The Importance of Racecraft in Sim Racing27:12 Learning Through Mentorship and Drills; Joining a Development Program30:13 Experiences with Harassment in Sim Racing32:16 Balancing Sim Racing with Other Hobbies34:55 Improving Driving Skills and Techniques37:18 Memorable Moments in Sim Racing39:18 Future Goals and Aspirations in Sim Racing43:01 Challenges and Strategies in Sim Racing49:03 The Need for More Women in Esports
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The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net
More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/
Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
INIT eSports focuses on sim racing events and digital tournaments. They bring eSports content to fans and sponsorship opportunities to brands, while maximizing audience reach across multiple sports, industries, and platforms. INIT eSports is a woman-led company where Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility is in their DNA, and their platform aims to combat bullying and cheating to help make the eSports world as safe and fair as possible. To learn more, be sure to logon to www.initesports.gg today or follow them on social media @initesports, join their discord, check out their YouTube Channel, or follow their live content via Twitch.
Copyright INIT eSports. This content originally aired on the INIT Talks livestreams via Twitch. This episode is part of the Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission.

You know what grinds my sequential gearbox?

On Ferrari Friday's, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing; drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales and trends in the collector market.
In this episode of the Ferrari Marketplace Podcast, William focuses on the often frustrating world of automotive YouTubers, particularly those focusing on Ferraris. The episode discusses misleading content, such as incorrect claims about car purchases and modifications, and the challenge of creating engaging yet truthful videos. He also highlights the complexities of car valuations and repairs, pointing out that many YouTubers don't account for labor costs in their builds. Throughout, he contrasts different approaches by various influencers and commends others like Steve Hamilton for their genuine and accessible approach to car enthusiasm. The episode wraps up with reflections on balancing content integrity versus clickbait tactics.
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00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Sponsor Announcements
01:07 Rant on Automotive YouTubers
03:35 Annoying YouTuber Trends
06:50 Ferrari-Specific YouTuber Critique
14:21 Final Thoughts and Shoutouts
23:05 Conclusion and Sign-Off
====================
The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net
More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/
Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
Copyright William Ross, Exotic Car Marketplace a division of Sixty5 Motorsports. This episode is part of our Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission.

The Ripple Effect of U.S. Regulations on Motorsports

Quinn Beekwilder examines the unanticipated outcomes of government regulations, mainly focusing on tobacco and alcohol regulations and their profound impact on the motorsports industry. Originally instituted to mitigate the promotion and distribution of harmful substances, these regulations inadvertently fostered a new era of sponsorship and revenue streams for motorsports. By analyzing historical context, regulatory changes, and the strategic adaptations of motorsports organizations, we uncover how these laws fundamentally transformed the economic landscape of the sport.
In the early 20th century, Prohibition in the United States catalyzed the rise of stock car racing, as bootleggers modified their vehicles to evade law enforcement. This phenomenon laid the groundwork for the widespread popularity of motorsports in the U.S. Subsequently, tobacco companies leveraged the sport's high visibility to advertise their products, providing substantial financial support for racing teams and events. The 1970 Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act, which banned tobacco advertising on television, aimed to protect public health but inadvertently led to a sponsorship windfall for NASCAR, resulting in the creation of the Winston Cup Series and the Camel GT series, further entrenching tobacco's financial influence in motorsports.
By examining these developments, this presentation looks at the interplay between public health policy and commercial interests, understanding how government regulations designed to protect public health can have far-reaching and sometimes unforeseen effects on industries like motorsports.
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00:00 Introduction and Sponsorship
00:23 Professor Beekwilder's Background
03:00 The Impact of Prohibition on Motorsports
07:30 The Rise of NASCAR
11:57 The Influence of Tobacco Sponsorship
19:54 IMSA and the Camel GT Series
27:22 Modern NASCAR and Sponsorship Changes
33:05 Conclusion and Q&A
====================
The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net
More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/
Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.

Evening With A Legend: The Camoradi Corvette

Tonight, we have an opportunity to bring a piece of Le Mans to you, sharing in the Legend of Le Mans with guests from different eras of over 100 years of racing. 
The Camoradi USA Racing’s 1960 Corvette was built for international competition under the auspices of Chevrolet General Manager Ed Cole and Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Duntov and went on to race successfully in Havana, Daytona, Sebring, Nürburgring, Sweden, and Le Mans. The only thing more amazing than this car’s creation and race record is its survival. On the way to Britain’s famed Goodwood circuit in August 1960 it was crashed hard and left for dead but miraculously, the shattered remains were preserved and discovered some thirty years later by Loren Lundberg, an unbelievably tenacious Corvette enthusiast from Glendale, Arizona. 
Our panel of guests tonight include: Richard Prince, author and official photographer for the GM Corvette Race Team; Dominic Testa, owner of the car; Chuck Schroedel, who was a member of the Camoradi team at Le Mans in 1960
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Featuring the voices of Allonte Barakat (The Motor Chain) and Revel Arroway (CARnection Advisors); We appreciate these talented podcasters lending their support to the MPN. 
00:00 Introduction to Evening with a Legend
00:53 Introducing the 1960 Camaradi Corvette
02:20 The Story of Lloyd 'Lucky' Kastner
03:30 The Camaradi Corvettes at Sebring
07:35 Technical Details of the Camaradi Corvette
13:48 Chuck Schroedel's Journey to Le Mans
25:06 The Camaradi Maserati Team
30:17 The Mulsanne Crash and Speed Records
30:47 Owning a Piece of Le Mans History
31:37 The Camaradi Team and Notable Figures
32:05 Fred Gamble and Carroll Shelby
32:26 The 1960 Le Mans Race
33:11 American Reception at Le Mans
34:12 Loren Lundberg's Quest for the Camaradi Corvette
34:59 Bob Wallace's Journey
37:27 Finding the Camaradi Corvette
40:11 The Car's Restoration and Legacy
49:46 Modern Corvette Racing and the C8
56:28 Closing Thoughts and Acknowledgements
====================
The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net
More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/
Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/
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To learn more about or to become a member of the ACO USA, look no further than www.lemans.org, Click on English in the upper right corner and then click on the ACO members tab for Club Offers. Once you become a Member you can follow all the action on the Facebook group ACOUSAMembersClub; and become part of the Legend with future Evening With A Legend meet ups.
 

Screen to Speed No.40: Inside the Sim Racing Revolution w/ Stormmalina

In this episode, Bel Wells (@StormMalina) returns to talk about her passion for Sim racing, rallying, snowboarding, and flight Sims. She is a content creator and streamer known for her engaging presence in the gaming community. She actively streams on Twitch, where she has amassed a following of approximately 7,900 viewers. Her content primarily focuses on gaming, and she maintains an active presence on the platform, with her most recent live session occurring just hours ago. In addition to her Twitch activities, Bel shares her experiences and insights into sim racing through various platforms. She has discussed her journey into racing games in an Instagram post, highlighting her passion for the sport. Furthermore, she has been featured in discussions about female sim racers who stream, indicating her active participation and recognition in the sim racing community. So buckle up – Screen to Speed starts now!
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00:00 Introduction to Screen to Speed
00:53 Meet Bell Wells: Racing Streamer and Porsche Sports Supercup Participant
01:14 Getting Started in Sim Racing
02:39 Racing Together: Bell and Her Husband's Journey
03:04 First Racing Games and Transition to iRacing
04:13 Challenges and Love for Nordschleife
06:35 From Rookies to Road Racing
07:02 Oval Racing and Community
08:15 Favorite Cars and Tracks
12:34 Porsche Sports All Stars Experience
17:20 Exploring Other Simulators
20:38 Upgrading Racing Equipment
24:58 Streaming Journey and Balancing Chat
26:55 Funniest Moments in Sim Racing
27:55 Being a Female Sim Racer and Streamer
28:16 Friendly and Welcoming Community
28:42 Competing with the Boys
29:20 Experiences in Sim Racing
30:51 Encouraging More Girls in Sim Racing
32:52 Rally and Endurance Races
40:48 Snowboarding Adventures
43:24 Plans for Sim Racing and Streaming
47:38 Advice for Newcomers in iRacing
52:00 Favorite Tracks and Final Thoughts
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The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net
More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/
Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
INIT eSports focuses on sim racing events and digital tournaments. They bring eSports content to fans and sponsorship opportunities to brands, while maximizing audience reach across multiple sports, industries, and platforms. INIT eSports is a woman-led company where Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility is in their DNA, and their platform aims to combat bullying and cheating to help make the eSports world as safe and fair as possible. To learn more, be sure to logon to www.initesports.gg today or follow them on social media @initesports, join their discord, check out their YouTube Channel, or follow their live content via Twitch.
Copyright INIT eSports. This content originally aired on the INIT Talks livestreams via Twitch. This episode is part of the Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission.

RM/Sothebys Paris 2025 Auction Recap

On Ferrari Friday's, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing; drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales and trends in the collector market.
In this episode William focuses on notable sales and no-sales from the RM/Sothebys auction in Paris, highlighting specific cars such as the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, a Ferrari 599 GTO, and others. He provides insider opinions and market insights on why certain bids succeeded or failed, discussing the intricacies of car auctions, market fluctuations, and the collector car market. He emphasizes the importance of passion over profitability in car collecting and shares his views on the potential market shifts. 
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00:00 Welcome to the Ferrari Marketplace Podcast
01:08 RM Sotheby's Auction Highlights
02:16 Ferrari Memorabilia and Collectibles
06:23 Ferrari 599 GTO and Market Trends
09:28 Ferrari 360 Challenge and 512 M
18:54 The Grand Finale: 1964 Ferrari 250 LM
24:17 Market Reflections and Upcoming Auctions
====================
The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net
More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/
Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
Copyright William Ross, Exotic Car Marketplace a division of Sixty5 Motorsports. This episode is part of our Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission.

On the Road with the Motoring Historian: Iconic Gixxer, LA Fires

Jon Summers is the Motoring Historian. He was a company car thrashing technology sales rep that turned into a fairly inept sports bike rider. On his show he gets together with various co-hosts to talk about new and old cars, driving, motorbikes, motor racing, motoring travel.
Jon embarks on highway journey where he discusses his most recent experiences, including winning an auction for a Gixxer 1100 motorcycle in Santa Monica and navigating the aftermath of the 2025 LA fires. He includes his road trip details, the challenges of riding different models, and his visit to Iconic Motorsports, where he picks up his newly acquired Gixxer 1100. Jon provides vivid descriptions of his journey through Northern and Southern California, emphasizing the changes and impacts of the fires on familiar LA locations.
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Firehouse - All She Wrote
The Rock Store
A third Slingshot Gixxer 1100
Challenges of 30 year old sportsbikes
California Highway 25, 198 - highly recommended
Harley Softail and Interstate 5 in the winter
Reprising my stay in Grapevine, and the following awesome morning ride
Iconic Motorcycles
The Katana
Tundra doesn’t notice Gixxer is in the bed
Firehouse - Reach For The Sky
PCH closed, troops and hummers
Santa Monica business as usual
Sunset in Ojai; 101 home
Reflecting on declining classic bike prices
In Flames - Clayman
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The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net
More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/
Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
Copyright Jon Summers, The Motoring Historian. This content is also available via jonsummers.net. This episode is part of the Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission.

Ray Elder, The Racing Farmers & The Rise of the NASCAR Winston West Series

Shortly after the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2025 nominees were announced, two-time Daytona 500 winner and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. posted, “Ray Elder won six NASCAR Western series championships: 1969, 70, 71, 72, 74, and 75. Elder would compete with the NASCAR Cup regulars when they ran at Riverside and beat them in 1971 and again in 1972.” Yet Ray Elder was not one of the nominees.
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, the Elder family raced and grew alfalfa, beans, and cotton at their farm in tiny Caruthers, California. With Ray at the wheel, older brother Richard atop the pit box, and father Fred handling  ownership, “The Racing Farmers” dominated the competitive NASCAR Winston West Series for years. They also held their own when NASCAR Cup Series regulars visited Riverside.
Elder finished in the top five on eight occasions from 1971-1976, claiming two victories. Elder—and fellow Winston West competitors such as Hershel McGriff, Dick Bown, Jimmy Insolo, and Jack McCoy—helped facilitate the growth and development of NASCAR west of the Rocky Mountains. It wasn’t too long after the Racing Farmers returned to the fields that a new crop of west coast stars began to compete full-time (and win championships) at the national level in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Daniel J. Simone earned his Ph.D. in American History from the University of Florida in 2009, where he wrote his dissertation: “Racing, Region, and the Environment: A History of American Motorsports.” From 2010-2015, Dr. Simone taught World History and Environmental History at Monmouth (NJ) University. In 2016, he was hired as Curator of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, and held that position through 2021. The following year, Dr. Simone was tabbed to assist the New-York Historical Society Museum & Library, where he co-processed the  Women's Sports Foundation Collection and developed content for digital exhibition. Dr. Simone is on the editorial board of the Journal of Motorsport Culture & History and serves on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Voting Committee. 
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00:00 Introduction and Sponsors
00:19 Ray Elder and the NASCAR Winston West Series
00:53 The Elder Family's Racing Journey
01:45 Daniel J. Simone's Contributions
02:28 Early NASCAR History
03:33 West Coast Racing Pioneers
05:00 Ray Elder's Early Life and Racing Beginnings
05:37 The Rise of the Racing Farmers
08:58 Rivalries and Championships
12:29 The Golden Era of West Coast Racing
18:28 The Racing Farmers' Dominance
30:50 Challenges and Changes in the 1970s
35:03 Legacy and Conclusion
====================
The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net
More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/
Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.