BREAK/FIX the Motorsports & Vehicle Enthusiast Variety Show

Freedom, Freedumb, Autoliv and The Future of Automotive Safety

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 reflects on his experiences and the evolving landscape of automotive safety. He delves into the presentation by the airbag manufacturer Autoliv, exploring the company's innovations and their impact on global car safety. Jon also shares his thoughts on the tension between safety measures and the freedom of driving, recounting personal anecdotes and observations on motorcycle riding, driver behavior, and regulatory environments. The episode covers the history and future trends in automotive technology, the role of organizations like the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the broader implications of vehicle autonomy and electrification.
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2001: A Space Odyssey
Autoliv have half of the global airbag market
The venue - Nordic Innovation House
Similar event to the Hawkwind and Lidar pod
Sven Beiker and SAE Mobilus
Know Thine Enemy ?
Safety Fast, not Safety Fast
The Motorcycle Helmet law debate - personal choice, or the state’s right to dictate what you do
Harley Davidson Roadglide digression
Smoking while riding
Barry Sheene’s smoking helmet
Ned Ludd
Saving 35,000 lives a year, targeting 100,000
Safety is a Sherman Tank for the School Run
Freedom and Freedumb are a trade off
Waymo now (Q4 ‘24) functional in San Francisco, despite the odd phantom driver
The Roi de Belge opera seating position and Leopold of Belgium
Becker Limos
Vis a Vis seating
The cliche’d image of the Car of The Future
Freedumb makes you happy - exposing yourself to irrational danger makes you fullfilled
Exposure to risk makes it an adventure
Parrallels between dogs and bikes
Honda CBR Racebike lives again
An embarrassing fall
Bikini chicks and celebrities
Forgetting to switch on the CBR fuel tap
A eulogy on doing hard things because they are hard
Analysis and Statistics suck the Joy out of motoring
Running Wild - Free Wind Rider
SAE and Standards
Hanna Karlssen
Bunac Student Exchange program
Active Safety vs. Passive Safety
$5 milliseconds to get an airbag inflated
Only 10ms for side impact airbags
The Door Hit; Keith Odor, Mike Hawthorn, JD McDuffie
Airbags for big rigs, safely rolling 18 wheelers
Airbags in bikes (!!!)
Pedestrian airbags in the cowl
Run over by a grey Citroen BX
“We Must Design For Free Flying Objects in the Cabin”
Steering Wheel Cover design
Zoox Fireside Seating (new words for Vis A Vis)
Safety Focus on Low Speed Prangs
Blocking and Tackling of safety - seat belt positions, design of cars noses
Saxon - Forever Free
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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/
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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.

Operation Motorsport (Jason Leach)

Established in 2017, Operation Motorsport promotes the physical, emotional, psychological, and educational life skills necessary for recovery and reintegration of our veterans into civilian life through Motorsports. 
Operation Motorsport has three distinct roles: to provide motorsport as a recovery activity, to provide training and qualifications to return beneficiaries to work, and as relationship managers to the motorsports industry for vocational opportunities for ill and injured service members and disabled veterans.
And with us tonight is COO & Treasurer for Operation Motorsport Jason Leach to tell us all about their rehabilitation and outreach program.
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00:00 Operation Motorsport: Mission and Roles
00:57 Meet Jason Leach: COO and Treasurer
01:40 The Genesis of Operation Motorsport
03:46 Jason's Journey into Motorsports
05:53 Operation Motorsport's Footprint and Partnerships
10:34 Motorsports Immersion Program
13:08 Diversionary Therapy: eMotorsports and iRacing
19:12 Challenges and Support for Veterans in Motorsports
26:50 The Importance of Teamwork in Motorsport
28:26 Challenges and Opportunities in NASCAR
30:03 Joining Operation Motorsport
33:06 Supporting Veterans Through Motorsport
35:36 Volunteer Opportunities and Corporate Sponsorship
41:15 Future Plans and Events
47:58 Fundraising and Community Engagement
49:09 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
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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/gtmotorsports
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
 

Screen to Speed No.37: Beitske Visser always ready to take that next BIG step!

Beitske Visser is a professional racing driver from the Netherlands. She is best known for her versatility across multiple racing disciplines, including single-seaters, touring cars, and endurance racing. Visser began her motorsport career in karting before transitioning to open-wheel racing, where she competed in the Formula BMW Talent Cup and ADAC Formel Masters, achieving multiple race wins and podiums.
In 2019, Visser gained international recognition as a front-runner in the W Series, a single-seater championship exclusively for women. She finished as the championship runner-up in its inaugural season, solidifying her status as one of the top female racers in the world. Her consistency and speed in the series earned her a reputation for being a tough competitor.
Beyond the W Series, Visser has also competed in endurance racing, including the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. She has driven for renowned teams such as BMW Motorsport, competing in GT and endurance categories.
Visser is highly regarded for her technical understanding of racing and her ability to adapt to different car types, from single-seaters to GT and endurance machinery. She continues to build on her successful racing career, competing at a high level in multiple international championships. So buckle up – Screen to Speed starts now!
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00:00 Meet Beitske Visser: A Racing Prodigy
01:19 Karting Beginnings and Early Success
02:46 Transition to Formula Racing
04:34 Challenges and Triumphs with Red Bull
06:35 From Formula Renault to GT Racing
09:38 Endurance Racing and the W Series
15:45 Sim Racing and the Impact of COVID-19
27:40 Future Aspirations and Advice for Aspiring Racers
36:38 Conclusion 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/gtmotorsports
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.

Automotive User Interface Conference (Stanford)

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.
This episode covers reflections on the evolving nature of historical storytelling and its importance, and how society currently undervalues historians as Jon delves into the intersection of history and modern automotive technology. He discusses his recent experience at the Automobility User Interfaces 2024 conference held at Stanford. He also elaborates on different themes from the conference, including vehicle user interfaces, autonomous driving and its interaction with humans, the role of dynamic lighting in vehicles, and the intriguing functionalities of future car designs. Special mention is given to his keynote participation alongside Dr. Barbara Karanian, where they encapsulated elements from their Stanford teaching course, 'ME236 - Tales to Design Cars By.' The show encapsulates the forward-thinking discussions at the conference on the future of personal mobility, user interface developments, and maintaining the essence of traditional automobiles amidst rapid technological changes.
00:00:00 Conference Overview: Automobility User Interfaces 2024
00:00:56 The Role of Historians in Modern Contexts
00:01:47 Reflections on the Value of Storytellers and Historians
00:02:39 Stanford Conference Experience
00:03:47 Keynote Speech with Barbara Karanian
00:07:28 The Importance of Storytelling in Academia
00:08:36 Generational Shifts in Car Enthusiasm
00:11:23 The Evolution of Autonomous Vehicle Research
00:43:14 Challenges in Autonomous Driving
00:48:06 Sustainability and Future Mobility Solutions
00:52:40 Pedestrian Safety Measures
00:55:19 Eco Driving and Autonomous Vehicles
00:56:45 Urban Mobility and Infrastructure
00:59:07 Personal Reflections on Driving Changes
01:02:08 Autonomous Vehicle Research Highlights
01:22:04 Pro Social Behavior in Micro Mobility
01:37:40 Bystander Effect in Autonomous Buses
01:41:33 Conclusion 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/gtmotorsports
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.

Evening With A Legend: David Murry

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. 
David Murry whose career began in Formula Fords, leading to the Sports Renault series. While driving everything he could get his hands on from 1981 to 1991, he won numerous races and the 1985 Sports Renault Championship. 1991 saw the beginning of David’s long term relationship with manufacturers like Lotus, Porsche and BMW contracting him to drive the infamous BMW M3-GTR. And in 1998 he began his journey to win at LeMans with 4 attempts from 1998 through 2011. 
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00:00 David Murry's Early Racing Career
02:45 Journey to Le Mans
04:00 First IMSA Race and Sponsorship Struggles
05:11 Breakthrough with Porsche
06:27 Testing and Qualifying for Le Mans
08:09 First Le Mans Experience
09:52 Challenges and Lessons at Le Mans
22:19 Return to Le Mans in 2000
25:55 The Art of Racing: GT vs LMP Drivers
27:31 The Rise of Audi at Le Mans
30:43 Challenges and Triumphs: Racing in the Rain
31:50 Reflections on Racing with Andy Pilgrim
33:48 The Evolution of Racing Technology
36:49 A Decade Later: Returning to Le Mans
45:09 The Future of Racing and Personal Endeavors
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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/gtmotorsports
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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.36: Lena Bee: Sim Racer, Cosplayer & Sound Designer

In Episode 36, host Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya (@LoveFortySix) welcomes Lena Bee (Lalena Bee) to INIT Talks. Lena is a sim-racer with Team Beehive and has been passionate about racing since childhood. Her love for racing began when her father introduced her to sim racing, and they spent countless hours playing classic titles like IndyCar by Papyrus, Gran Turismo, and GP2. Currently, she is focused primarily on iRacing, where she continues chasing new goals on the virtual track. She is also a sound engineer, singer, songwriter, and producer, which has led to some interesting opportunities within the Sim Racing world.  
Lena talks about her other passions—fashion and cosplay are a big part of her personality. Heavily influenced by Japanese Pop Culture, she definitely stands out in a crowd. She showcases a lot of her work on Instagram. Whether behind the wheel or in the studio, She is always creating and pushing herself to new limits. So buckle up – Screen to Speed starts now!
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00:00:00 Meet Lena Bee: Sim Racer, Cosplayer, and Sound Designer00:01:11 Exploring Thailand's Car Culture00:07:36 Lena's BMW Project Car00:13:32 From Real Racing to Sim Racing00:15:00 Journey into Sim Racing and Streaming00:23:49 Favorite Cars and Racing Series00:28:54 The World of Gaming Sound Design00:32:56 Gaining Confidence in Streaming and Racing00:33:27 Balancing Multiple Roles: Streamer, Cosplayer, and Game Sound Designer00:33:50 Challenges of Streaming and Racing Simultaneously00:35:04 The Importance of Dynamic Hobbies00:35:49 Returning to Twitch and Overcoming Technical Issues00:37:30 Experiences with iRacing and New Features00:41:44 Discussing Car Preferences and Racing Strategies00:52:07 Future Plans for Social Media and Content Creation00:59:41 Travel Experiences and Aspirations01:01:25 Advice for Women in Car Culture and Sim Racing01:03:13 Conclusion and Social Media Links
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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/gtmotorsports
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.

The Group B-sides (Pit Stop Minisode)

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.
Sometimes we can go a bit off the rails in an episode, here's some additional content from the Group B Rally discussion that didn't quite fit in the main episode. Enjoy this Pit Stop minisode.
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00:00 Technical Challenges and Overcoming Them
00:50 Origins and Evolution of Rallying
02:25 Favorite Rally Events and Stages
05:39 Classic Car Stories and Group B
08:45 Audi's Legacy in Motorsports
10:15 Building the Ultimate Rally Team
10:55 The Risk of Rally Drivers
11:16 Consistency vs. Speed
11:49 Choosing the Best Drivers
12:11 The Versatility of Rally Drivers
13:28 The Legacy of Group B
16:15 Modern Rally Legends
19:04 The Complexity of Rally Scoring
19:35 Best of the Bay Event
20:33 Conclusion and Call to Action
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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/gtmotorsports
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
Copyright Jon Summers, The Motoring Historian. This episode is part of our Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission.

Man or Machine, who was best in Group-B Rally?

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.
On this episode Jon Summers invites Crew Chief Eric from Break/Fix Podcast to debate "Who Was Best" in the 1980s Group B Rally. Was it: Audi, Lancia or Peugeot?
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00:00:00 Group B Rallying: A Technological Revolution
00:02:07 The Golden Era of Rally: Group B
00:03:01 The Role of Producers in Reality TV and Motorsport
00:03:56 Setting the Scene: Group B Rally Cars
00:06:19 The Evolution of Group B Rally Cars
00:11:06 The Impact of Group B on Motorsport
00:35:04 The Rise of Lancia and the Delta S4
00:43:29 Ford's Struggle and the RS200
00:47:21 The Legacy of Group B and Its Cars
00:49:33 Group B Disbandment and Nostalgia
00:50:15 The Influence of Virtual World on Group B
00:50:47 Personal Connection to Rallying
00:51:36 The Evolution of Rally Cars in Games
00:52:35 Analyzing Group B Cars' Performance
00:54:20 Best Car of the Group B Era
00:56:30 Legendary Drivers of Group B
00:57:13 Hannu Mikkola: The Comeback King
01:05:33 Michele Mouton: Breaking Barriers
01:12:33 Ari Vatanen: The Artistry of Drift
01:19:42 The Tragic End of Group B
01:32:22 Legacy and Modern Rallying
01:36:30 Conclusion 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/gtmotorsports
Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/
Copyright Jon Summers, The Motoring Historian. This episode is part of our Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission.

Drive Thru News #52 - The Journey into Cyber Truck Ownership!

In Episode #52 of the Drive Thru! Break/Fix podcast's monthly news episode containing automotive, motorsports and random car-adjacent news, we embark on a journey, reviewing some of the "best of" Tesla Cyber Truck news through Brad's car buying experience. Should he? Shouldn't he? Can he trade this allotment for something else? Tune in to find out! Showcase: TESLA CYBER TRUCK
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00:01:48 Cybertruck Reservation Woes
00:03:38 Cybertruck Features and Pricing
00:07:58 Cybertruck Performance and Comparisons
00:35:32 The Wooden Cybertruck and Elon Musk's Response
00:39:51 Cybertruck's Stainless Steel Issues
00:42:48 Tesla's Cost-Saving Move: Wrapping Cars Instead of Painting
00:44:30 Cybertruck Wraps: Practicality and Issues
00:45:49 The Debate Over Cybertruck's Aesthetics
00:46:44 Shaq's Carbon Fiber Cybertruck
00:48:52 Tesla's Recalls and Quality Control Issues
00:54:02 The Cybertruck's Water Sensitivity
01:06:50 The Controversial Shifter Location
01:08:13 Cybertruck's Safety and Build Quality Concerns
01:21:19 The Future of Cybertruck and Tesla's Business Decisions
01:25:57 Closing Thoughts and Outro
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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/gtmotorsports
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Ireland, the Last Bastion of Road Racing

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 of 'The Motoring Historian' with Jon Summers, he is joined by returning guest John Garcia, delving into the niche world of Irish road racing. The show begins by recounting personal motorcycle anecdotes and transitions to a discussion about the unique culture of road racing in Ireland, contrasting it with more mainstream events like the Isle of Man TT. John Garcia shares his recent experiences riding in Ireland, highlighting the grassroots nature of the sport and his participation in a local motorcycle rally. The narrative also addresses the challenges facing this form of motorsport, including safety and insurance issues. Additionally, there are side stories of memorable motorcycle rides, encounters with local characters, and personal reflections on the changing landscape of San Francisco's motorcycling community.
Whiskey In The Jar
John Garcia, and Remus his dog
Samson - Riding With The Angles
The Yamaha XS650 which brought us together
The Free Motorcycle
A Motorcycle Love Letter
Irish Neil, Construction guy, AMA Champion
A bad highside
Stripping racebikes in a wheelchair
Neil’s Hayabusa sales technique
Cholmondeley-Tapper buying a Bugatti for the same reason
A shipping crate full of Hayabusas
Irish road racers in California
Gaz and the Bandit
Gaz’ x-ray image
Speeding ticket vs. pool
Gary Moore - Nuclear Attack
Sharing a warehouse with Irish Moving
“When Amazon moved in, we got kicked out”
The Boys Are Back In Town
Mark Gammie and Seat Cupras
Cupra Formentor rental car
John rides in Ireland
The traditional closed roads triangle course
Falling off on cow sh1t
Wheelieing a ‘91 GSXR 1100. In the rain.
Suzuki B-King
Fore Race course
Derek Shiels
The Seven Wonders pub
A Sierra and a dry stone wall
Neil’s brother’s Marker Stone
Whiskey in the Jar
Appendix A - Gaz’ second “close one”
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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/gtmotorsports
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.

TL:DR - Iacocca: The Man, The Myth & The Legend

I was never planning on diving deep into the history of Lee Iacocca, but after reviewing “A Faster Horse” – a documentary surrounding the creation of the 6th generation Mustang on Netflix – the film stirred up a name I hadn’t heard in years: “Lee Iacocca.” – This mysterious, legendary, near mythical name, was thrown around a lot when I was a kid.
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00:00 Discovering Lee Iacocca
01:47 Early Life and Career Beginnings
02:56 Rise at Ford Motor Company
03:36 The Birth of the Mustang
04:41 Success and Leadership at Ford
05:12 The Downfall of the Mustang Mania
05:22 The Rise of the Fiesta in Europe
05:37 Iacocca's Impact on Chrysler
05:55 The Birth of the Dodge Caravan
06:08 Chrysler's Acquisition of AMC and Jeep
06:15 Iacocca's Management Philosophy
06:38 The Parody of Dodge Aries Owners
06:50 Iacocca's Influence on Motorsports
07:25 The Vision for the Viper
07:54 The Legacy of the Mustang and Viper
08:01 Reflections on Iacocca's Contributions
08:40 The Book's Lessons and Relevance
09:00 Final Thoughts 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/
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Articles from the TL:DR mini-series can be found on gtmotorsports.org; and if you'd like early access to these minisodes, be sure to check out our Patreon.
 

Almost ... Giacomelli & Alfa Romeo F1 at WGI in 1980. (Dr. Mario Tecce)

Remembering Giacomelli and Alfa Romeo Almost Winning the Last United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen - October 5, 1980, was a very important day at Watkins Glen International circuit.  Historical research, including about motor racing, cannot be done with hypotheses or with “what ifs” but only with facts. However, it can indeed be conceived that the facts of that day affected many future things.  This was going to be the last F1 GP at Watkins Glen.  The starting grid had an unexpected pole sitter: the Alfa Romeo of Giacomelli.  
Those were the years of Ferrari, winner of 1979 championship, of Lotus, winning in 1978, while the age of Williams was just beginning.  Alfa Romeo, although possessing ancient racing victories, was back in racing for less than 2 years.  Giacomelli, an Italian driving a fully Italian car, started on the pole maintaining firmly his lead position. He kept the lead and seemed close to an extraordinary win. Suddenly, a minor electrical problem stopped him on the track and the Williams of Jones won the race. 
One wonders what would have been if Giacomelli had won.  Perhaps Alfa Romeo’s racing efforts would not have been discontinued as happened and a second major Italian team would have stayed in Formula 1.  Possibly a prestigious F1 win in the US, the major car market in the world, and eventual further successes could have improved the prospects of Alfa Romeo to remain an Italian state property and continue to progress as an independent firm.
Mario Felice Tecce has been a Formula 1 and motorsports enthusiast since 1971. With his strong interest and deep passion in car racing, he explored Formula 1 seasons of the last fifty years as a major example of pursuing the best in life choices. This is because following motorsport may be not only pleasant and interesting, but also a way to recognize drivers’ high-level competition as a shared effort to pursue together the best possible result. He is a molecular biomedical researcher and teaches biochemistry at University of Salerno, Italy.
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00:00 Remembering Giacomelli and Alfa Romeo
00:56 The Significance of October 5th, 1980
01:17 Giacomelli's Near Victory
01:51 Hypothetical Impact of Giacomelli's Win
02:22 Race Day Highlights
03:44 Historical Context of Formula One
06:00 Alfa Romeo's Return to Formula One
06:51 The 1979 and 1980 Seasons
08:29 Alfa Romeo's Remarkable Performance
08:53 Key Contributors: Giacomelli and Chitti
10:25 Challenges and Missed Opportunities
11:24 Speculations on Alfa Romeo's Future
12:03 Closing Remarks 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/gtmotorsports
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.