BREAK/FIX the Motorsports & Vehicle Enthusiast Variety Show

Drive Thru News#43 - Real Talk! The Cost of EV Ownership in 2024

Episode #43 of the Drive Thru! Break/Fix podcast's monthly news episode containing automotive, motorsports and random car-adjacent news. It's our SEASON 5 kick off, where we get a little more personal, and "real talk" about the Total Cost of owning an EV in 2024.
Showcase: SEASON FIVE KICK OFF!
VW is making a beefed up and stripped down Polo for Farmers?
Our thoughts on the 2025 Mercedes AMG GT-43
What do you buy $101K V8 Jeep Wrangler or $105K Porsche 944? 
Not your grandparents Buick! Introducing: The Wildcat (again).
Hyundai is on a roll… announces the IONIQ (9) NINE
But what about the Rivian R3X and the Renault R5-EV?
Ford vs Telsa vs Rivian, who comes out on top?
We cover new EVs, Concepts and Cars from: Tesla and many others!
Covering the latest in WEC and Formula 1 news along with...
Community News, brought to us by CollectorCarGuide.net
HPDEjunkie.com Track Side Report
With hysterical Florida Man stories and much, much more! 
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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/
00:00:00 Introduction and Sponsorships00:00:35 Season Five Kickoff00:01:08 Cybertruck Update00:02:54 Real Cost of EV Ownership00:05:39 Home Upgrades for EVs00:16:05 Chrysler Hybrid Issues00:32:06 Future Electric Vehicles00:36:14 Remembering Marcello Gandini00:37:01 Volkswagen's Farm-Ready Polo00:39:33 Porsche's Unsellable Collection00:41:41 Mercedes' New AMG GT 4300:45:55 Chevy Bolt's Impressive Mileage00:47:55 Buick's Surprising Comeback00:49:52 Kia and Hyundai's EV Innovations00:57:50 Ford's Affordable EV Plans00:59:22 Polestar's Future with Geely01:00:16 Lost and Found: Classic Cars01:04:34 The $100,000 Porsche 944 Debate01:05:52 Tesla's Rental Car Fiasco01:08:32 Electric Truck Showdown01:15:05 The Ferrari Movie and Other Must-Watch Films01:16:37 Nebraska Woman's Gas Rewards Scheme01:24:01 Florida Man's Motorcycle Chase01:25:50 Motorsports News and Updates01:32:46 Wrapping Up and Thank You

Team Penske's Aerodynamicist: Lauren Sullivan

Our guest tonight is the daughter of a Super Late Model team owner and a former Boeing engineer. She has worked for Roger Penske’s NASCAR and NTT INDYCAR SERIES programs since 2015, experiencing success at the highest level of motorsports. 
But what Lauren Sullivan experienced with Beth Paretta’s female-powered “500” team at Indianapolis Motor Speedway stands as the most impactful moment of her career. And she’s here with us on Break/Fix to share her Motorsports journey with you! 
This episode has been brought to you in part by the Women In Motorsports North America (WIMNA). Learn more at www.womeninmotorsportsna.com
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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/
00:00 Introduction to BreakFix Podcast
00:47 Meet Lauren Sullivan: A Journey in Motorsports
01:34 Growing Up in a Racing Family
02:23 From Science Fairs to Engineering
04:31 Transitioning from Aerospace to Motorsports
06:04 Joining Penske and the Female Forward Team
07:16 Challenges and Inspirations in a Male-Dominated Field
10:27 The Role of Aerodynamics in Racing
23:12 Spotting in Motorsports: The Human Element
29:17 The Dance of Habit Forming
29:23 IndyCar vs NASCAR: An Engineer's Perspective
30:35 The Evolution of Motorsport Engineering
31:46 The Reality of Working in Motorsport
33:24 Diversity and Inclusion in Motorsport
37:11 The Intersection of Art and Science in Motorsport
40:42 Creative Problem Solving in Engineering
45:05 Women in Motorsports North America
49:22 The Future of Motorsport and Personal Reflections
52:32 Closing Thoughts and Shout Outs

USAC "Silver Crown" Champion: Taylor Ferns

Tonight’s guest is an accomplished racecar driver, team owner, law student, writer for Speed Sport, co-host of On the Drive, and so much more! Throughout her 22-year racing tenure, she has won numerous races, championships, awards, and set records that do not only pertain to her gender, in a diverse portfolio of racecars, and on varying race surfaces. 
As a United States Auto Club (USAC) champion, Taylor Ferns has carved a name for herself within the open-wheel ranks including, but not limited to, being the youngest female driver to win a sprint car race, becoming the first female to win USAC midget and sprint car races at a multitude of racetracks, being the second female to ever win a USAC championship, having the most USAC Silver Crown starts by a female, and having the highest finish by a female in USAC’s 51-year Silver Crown history. 
This episode has been brought to you in part by the Women In Motorsports North America (WIMNA). Learn more at www.womeninmotorsportsna.com
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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/
00:00 Introduction to BreakFix Podcast
00:47 Spotlight on Taylor Ferns
02:07 Taylor's Early Racing Journey
03:50 Balancing Education and Racing
06:11 Merging Law and Motorsports
07:28 Diverse Racing Experiences
14:22 Challenges and Growth in Racing
16:12 Future Aspirations and NASCAR Insights
19:19 Simulators in Motorsports
21:24 Physical Demands of Racing
23:33 The Business Side of Racing
24:33 Women in Motorsports
34:23 Future Plans and Mentorship
35:22 Conclusion and Shoutouts

50 Years after TITLE IX - On & Off the Track: A Roundtable on Women in Motorsports

Daniel J. Simone (Moderator for this Roundtable) earned his Ph.D. in History from this University of Florida. He then taught at Monmouth University before serving as curator at the NASCAR Hall of Fame from 2016-2021. Dr. Simone is on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Voting Committee and delivers presentations and academic papers at universities and automotive museums across the United States and Canada. He currently serves as program assistant at the New York Historical Society Museum & Library, where he is co-processing and researching the Women's Sports Foundation Collection and conducting oral histories and developing content for a digital exhibition.
The Symposium has provided a platform for excellent in-depth and thought-provoking presentations on the successes, struggles, and contributions of unheralded women racers and car owners across various auto racing disciplines. The green flag for this roundtable discussion will wave with panelists (Lauren Goodman, Buz McKim and Chris Lezotte) integrating these prior presentations into a brief historiographical discussion of women in motorsport. From there, the panelists will pull from their multi-disciplinary backgrounds and markedly different professional experiences and discuss why, where, and how they extended the boundaries of women in motorsports history scholarship. Finally, the audience will take the checkered flag with a challenge: to propose new themes and topics for future conversations, with an emphasis on the accomplishments women have made in motorsports without ever owning or taking the wheel behind race car.
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.
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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/
00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgements
00:24 Moderator Introduction: Dr. Daniel J. Simone
00:58 Symposium Overview: Women in Motorsports
01:49 Panelist Introductions and Backgrounds
02:15 Title IX and Its Impact on Motorsports
03:02 Challenges and Opportunities in Motorsports
04:58 Historiography and Key Resources
13:08 Audience Interaction and Contributions
21:48 Current Initiatives and Future Directions
27:06 Oral Histories and Documentation
30:43 Reflecting on Lynn's Racing Career
31:20 Exploring Women in Motorsport Podcasts
32:25 Historical Perspectives on Women in Racing
33:11 The Role of Racing Wives
33:57 Advertising and Funding in Motorsport
34:59 Notable Women in Racing History
35:34 Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Racing
36:58 The Importance of Preserving Racing History
48:39 Recent Achievements by Female Drivers
50:46 Future of Women in Motorsport
52:17 Concluding Thoughts and Future Prospects

As Fun & Friendly, as she is Talented: Lyn Hiner!

Studying art at the Pratt Institute in New York, our guest ended up working in the business world as the trade show manager for PRI - the Performance Racing Industry. For nearly a decade, she enjoyed everything about the racing industry and learned the value of good business acumen. Those early experiences helped shape the course of Lyn Hiner’s life as she decided to become a professional artist.
To quote artist Rick Delanty - “Lyn Hiner's paintings express the joie de vivre that she so vibrantly embodies in her personality. Whether an abstract study of shape and color, or an emotional impression of land, sky, or sea, Lyn sees through to the essence of what she observes - and more importantly, feels. She describes the world she sees with color, joy, and sensitivity. Her artworks are real life, interpreted through a worshipful lens.” 
And she’s here with us on Break/Fix to share her story with YOU!
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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/
00:00 Introduction to BreakFix Podcast
00:27 Lynn Hiner's Journey from Business to Art
02:12 Balancing Art and Business
03:50 Becoming a Professional Artist
06:06 Passion for Porsches and Automotive Art
14:31 The Turning Point: The Accident and Petals Collection
24:32 Emotional Reactions to Art and Cars
26:01 Signature Style and Palette Knife Work
27:11 Collaborations and Special Projects
28:40 Thoughts on Hyper Realistic Art
32:04 Generative AI in Art
34:57 Choosing Future Art Pieces
35:33 The Importance of Art in Education
39:53 Advice for Aspiring Artists
42:54 Upcoming Projects and Global Reach
45:20 Legacy and Final Thoughts
 

Dedicated, Fast & Fearless: Cindi Lux

Our guest has won 14 road racing championships, more than 90 victories, over 170 podium finishes and more than 55 pole positions. Included in that accomplishments like being crowned the first ALMS Women’s Global GT Series Champion, she was a Dodge Motorsports Team Driver, Completed in World Challenge, A NASA Bronze and Silver Medalist, as well as the 2nd woman in History to win the SCCA June Sprints… TWICE!. 
She’s dedicated, fast and fearless; Cindi Lux is recognized as one of North America's most talented and versatile drivers. And she’s here with us on Break/Fix to share her story!
This episode has been brought to you in part by the Women In Motorsports North America (WIMNA). Learn more at www.womeninmotorsportsna.com
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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/
00:00 Introduction to BreakFix Podcast
00:47 Introducing Cindy Lux: A Racing Legend
01:30 Cindy's Early Life and Racing Beginnings
03:10 First Race Car and Initial Struggles
04:52 Learning the Ropes and Gaining Respect
1:45 Balancing Corporate Life and Racing
16:53 Founding Lux Performance Group
19:32 Favorite Tracks and Racing Challenges
21:04 Bucket List Races and Car Rivalries
24:11 The Viper's Rocky Start
24:20 Inside Dodge Motorsports
25:28 Evolution of the Viper
26:08 Driving the Viper on Track
28:15 The Future of the Viper
33:28 Teaching a Blind Person to Drive
36:58 Women in Motorsports North America
39:33 Cindy Lux's Racing Journey
44:45 What's Next for Cindy Lux?
45:50 Conclusion and Shoutouts

CRASH Jewelry (Christi Schimpke)

Tonight’s guest has a background in art history, and began metal working when she discovered her passion for jewelry fabrication a few years ago. Today she makes sustainable uni-sex jewelry from the metal of luxury automobiles like  Aston Martin, Porsche, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini, Audi, Bentley, and more.
Christi Schimpke’s, vision for CRASH materialized when she was working in her garage studio. During breaks from work, she observed the gorgeous cars that arrived for repair and wondered what happened to the cast-off metal. After many months of experimentation, she discovered her own unique process of cutting, bending, and sanding the scrap metal, and CRASH Jewelry started to take shape. And she’s here with us tonight to tell us the rest of the story…
And joining us tonight, is co-host, Lauren Goodman, Supervising Producer of Media and Exhibitions from the Revs Institute! 
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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/
00:00 Introduction to Break/Fix Podcast
00:27 Meet Christy Schimpke: From Art History to Metalworking
00:47 The Birth of Crash Jewelry
01:29 Christy's Journey into the Autosphere
03:54 Early Challenges and Successes
05:12 The Art and Technique of Crash Jewelry
07:47 Special Projects and Collaborations
16:34 Customer Stories and Personal Connections
23:19 Future Plans and Upcoming Events
25:27 Conclusion and How to Connect

Designing Emotion: Formula 1 and Ferrari

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 discusses the cultural and historical significance of Ferrari. He shares personal reflections, emphasizing how movie adaptations shape public perceptions of historical figures, specifically citing Ferrari and Enzo Ferrari's autobiography 'My Terrible Joys' as key influences. Summers critically examines Ferrari's essence through his own experiences, including visiting Maranello and evaluating the brand's unique place in motoring history. He recounts Ferrari’s pivotal moments in racing and design, and also highlights the emotional impact of Ferrari’s cars, comparing them to art and cultural symbols. Additionally, Summers critiques the recent American movie adaptation of Ferrari’s story, remarking on its perspective and historical accuracy. He wraps up with thoughts on Ferrari’s evolving identity and the timeless allure of its cars, all while weaving in anecdotes from his past and a brief endorsement for Auxito LED lights.
00:00:00 Introduction to Jon Summers
00:00:35 Ferrari: A Deep Dive
00:02:42 Ferrari's Cultural Impact
00:03:30 Maserati vs. Ferrari
00:04:41 Personal Ferrari Experiences
00:06:14 Sponsorship Break
00:08:23 Ferrari Movie Expectations
00:11:31 Enzo Ferrari's Life and Legacy
00:20:07 Ferrari's Myth and Reality
00:40:11 Formula One and Ferrari
00:44:58 The Evolution of Ferrari's Image
00:48:03 A Letter from a Classic Ferrari Owner
00:53:57 Ferrari's Multifaceted Ambitions
00:54:47 The Origin of the Prancing Horse
01:01:34 Ferrari's Role in Italian Modernity
01:14:58 The Legendary Ferrari GTO
01:23:34 Ferrari's Legacy and Brand Identity
01:27:27 Conclusion and Credits
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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.

This is Sisterhood (Patreon Special Re-release)

As we continue to celebrate International Women's Month, we #tbt and go behind the scenes with our Season-3 guests Paige & Kelly McReynolds of MCREY MX. They share their thoughts on the future of MX and Supercross with respect to electric bikes, their top pick for "new vehicles" and share more stories about growing up in the Motocross community.
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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/
00:00 Introduction and Behind the Scenes00:24 A Hilarious Bike Mishap02:11 Sisterhood and Growing Up03:22 Sticker Shenanigans04:23 Off-Road Adventures and Future Plans05:22 Daily Drivers and Dream Cars12:38 Electric Bikes and Industry Changes19:14 Conclusion and Farewell

The most powerful Woman in the room is... Lydia Fenet

Using skills honed over two decades performing in front of thousands, our guest understands what it takes to engage, motivate, and inspire an audience. She speaks on topics ranging from women’s empowerment and leadership to motivating sales teams to perform at their highest level. Her speaking style is inclusive, engaging, and witty, keeping audiences learning and laughing at the same time.
Since leading her first auction in 2001, Lydia Fenet has taken the rostrum for over fifteen hundred auctions, gracing stages and engaging audiences all over the world. Car lovers will recognize her as Broad Arrow’s Principal Auctioneer at Monterey Car Week and Amelia Island, and we are very flattered that Lydia has joined us to share her… Road to Success. 
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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/
00:00 Introduction to BreakFix Podcast00:50 Meet Lydia Fennett: Auctioneer Extraordinaire01:33 Lydia's Journey to Becoming an Auctioneer03:57 The Art and Challenges of Auctioneering10:27 Transition to Car Auctioneering21:05 Lydia's Podcast and Personal Insights28:46 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Welcome Lauren Goodman, from the REVS Institute

Tonight’s guest received her Masters in Fine Arts in screenwriting from the College of Motion Pictures Arts at Florida State University. While volunteering at the Revs Institute in Naples, Florida, she encountered one of two Maseratis entered by Lucy Schell in the 1940 Indy 500. Wanting to know more, and diving head first into the research, Lauren Goodman became an overnight Petrol-head, now owns a sports car, and finds herself as the Supervising Producer for Media and Exhibitions at The Revs Institute! And she’s here to share her story with you! 
Revs Institute is more than a car museum — it is a place to see society through a different lens. It is an invitation into a working educational institution dedicated to the study, preservation, conservation, and restoration of historically significant automobiles. Explore the rich historical materials and images that define the automobile’s role in society and motor sport. Step into the amazing world of meaningful cars at Revs Institute. if you’re in the Naples, FL area - stop by the REVS institute for a visit, get a tour, and learn more about the museum and its collection. For more information check out www.revsinstitute.org or follow them on social media @revsinstitute on FB and IG, or @therevsinstitute on YT.  
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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/
00:00 Introduction to BreakFix Podcast
00:27 Meet Lauren Goodman: From Screenwriting to Petrolhead
02:38 Discovering the Revs Institute
03:59 Falling in Love with Formula One
05:21 Experiencing Grand Prix in Person
10:10 Volunteering at the Revs Institute
12:46 Embracing the Track Life
13:56 The Miata Journey Begins
15:47 Introduction to REVS Institute
16:20 Exploring the REVS Collection
17:28 The Importance of Media in Preservation
19:45 REVS Institute's Role in Formula One Heritage
22:51 Women in Motorsport History
27:31 Future Plans and Initiatives
31:12 Rev's Ed: Shop Class for Grownups
32:29 Conclusion and Farewell

What Should I Buy? - HPDE & Track Day Cars (2024 Edition)

As we head into a new season of Track Day driving we’re faced with drastic changes in the sports car and passenger vehicle world, we decided to jump back to the What Should I Buy? that started it all… Track Cars!
We’re here to answer that very question with our esteemed panel to settle another What Should I Buy? debate. This time, we’ve reached back into the Break/Fix catalog of Track Day and HPDE experts for their advice on what cars you should consider learning to drive at the limit. Joining us tonight are Mike Arrigo from Hooked On Driving, Nabil Abushar from Just Track It, Chris Cobetto from NASA & Hyperfest fame, Jason Kennedy is joined by his Chief Instructor Rick Hoback from AutoInterests with co-host Andy Lee currently driving for Flying Lizard Motorsports in SRO and Lamborghini Super Trofeo, and is also a former, long-time, instructor at the Bondurant Racing School.  
Like all What Should I Buy (WSIB) episodes… we have some shopping criteria. Price, Performance and putting a smile on your face weekend after weekend are a priority. Our panel of extraordinary petrol-head panelists are challenged to find our “first time track day participant” something that will make their friends go “You take that on the track?”
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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/
00:00:00 Introduction to the Debate
00:00:46 Meet the Panelists
00:01:09 Shopping Criteria for Track Cars
00:02:25 BMWs for Track Days
00:08:14 The Spec Panther Series
00:12:53 Miata: The Track Day Staple
00:22:58 Front-Wheel Drive vs. Rear-Wheel Drive Debate
00:28:44 The Joy of Mixed Car Racing
00:29:36 Choosing the Right Car for Track Days
00:30:17 New vs. Used: The Debate
00:31:34 Mustang and Camaro: Reliable Track Choices
00:35:30 The Importance of Learning to Drive
00:46:26 The Role of Nannies in Modern Cars
00:56:07 Track Insurance: A Must-Have
00:57:11 The Importance of Track Day Insurance
00:57:45 Instructor Policies and Insurance Changes
00:59:39 Real-Life Insurance Scenarios
01:03:41 The Rise of Electric Vehicles in Motorsports
01:04:42 Challenges and Concerns with EVs on Track
01:11:36 Transitioning from HPDE to Racing
01:12:25 Spec Classes and Car Recommendations
01:16:04 Endurance Racing and Financial Considerations
01:22:28 Shoutouts and Promotions
01:29:56 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts