Speed Secrets Podcast

On this week’s Speed Secrets Podcast, Samir Abid and I get into how best to use data to help you become an even better driver, managing the driver’s mind when it’s too analytical and focused on data, and how to use the data from another driver to improve your own driving. We also talk about what Samir learned from having Scott Mansell of Driver61 drive his car, and what makes Lewis Hamilton so special. Samir shares about his involvement in Nike’s Breaking2 and the Ineos 1:59 Challenge projects (breaking the 2-hour barrier for running a marathon)! Samir’s speed secret: Once up to speed, focus on corner exit rather than late braking. Samir Abid is the founder of Your Data Driven and a Chartered Professional Motorsports and Automotive Engineer from the UK. As well as developing suspension systems for several OEMs and racing teams (including Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Multimatic), Samir has also spent the last ten years working with Olympic and professional level sports teams, and is also a keen club racer.  Check

On this week’s Speed Secret Podcast, Jonatan Jorge joins me to discuss what’s made him so successful as a coach, when a coach needs their own coach, and looking outside motorsport (at other sports) to learn how to be a better coach and driver. We also get into the misconception of looking way ahead and through the corner, the value of checkpoints, different references for different drivers, and visual pattern matching. As a bonus, Ross shares his “vision process.” Jonatan’s speed secret: Know yourself. Jonatan’s second speed secret: Expect nothing, accept everything. Jonatan Jorge has been racing and coaching since 1991 and leads JJRD’s operations, coaching philosophy and service delivery. He has made a mark in the racing world both as a driver and coach in auto racing’s most highly respected series and echelons, including: -  Nascar -  British Formula 3 -  Turkish Formula 3 -  Skip Barber National and Regional Series -  Formula Ford 2000 -  Grand Am/Rolex Series -  IRL -  American LeMans -  World Karting Cha

On this week’s Speed Secrets Podcast, Rob Krider joins me to talk about his writing career; his novel, Cadet Blues; his “other” job as a California Highway Patrol officer; and his experience when his car caught fire. Ever wonder the similarities between racing and police driving? We get into that, too! Rob’s speed secret: Drive fast enough to scare yourself once a lap; make micro-improvements; be consistent. Rob Krider is a National Champion racecar driver from the NASA Honda Challenge series and he writes the "Toolshed Engineer" column for SpeedNews magazine. He is featured in the documentary film, Double Down, about earning a podium finish at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. Besides racing and writing, Rob earns his living as a California Highway Patrol officer. He attributes a lot of his success behind the wheel from his training at the CHP Academy. From that experience he authored the novel Cadet Blues, a humorous take on police training. Links Below: Rob Krider's book about surviving the California Highway P

On this week’s Speed Secret Podcast, John joins me to discuss some very important things in driving: self reflection, awareness, accountability, ego, and being okay saying “I don’t know.” John breaks down philosophy and teaching, and how “Aha!” moments are rare, but that’s ok because learning is a process! We break down the traits of the best and worst drivers, and explain how having a fixed vs. growth mindset will determine your success.John Santiago: Learn How to Learn John’s speed secret: Know yourself. Find ways to become aware of how you can improve.

On this week’s Speed Secrets Podcast, Jeff and I discuss how to improve your race strategy decisions – what to know, what to ask, what to understand, and having patience. We also dig into his hobby business, Mesa Vista Coffee, and his love of coffee roasting! Jeff is one of the very best race car engineers in the world. He’s engineered cars at every level, and every type: NASCAR, karts, club racing cars, Indy, GT and Prototypes, and even Top Fuel dragsters. But what sets Jeff apart from many engineers is how he can explain what he’s doing, what a car is doing, and even how the best think. Check these out to follow Jeff’s company, Mesa Vista Coffee! eBay: Mesa Vista Coffee Instagram: @mesavistacoffee Facebook: facebook.com/mesavistacoffee

On this week’s episode, Danny and I discuss his background as a driver and his motorsport business, Hankook Motorsports. We talk everything tires and tackle how to find the right tire pressure for your car, how to use tire temperature, whether tires are directional or not, heat cycles, and how driving styles affect tires! Danny van Dongen is a Dutch racing driver and entrepreneur, currently competing in the MW-V6 Pickup Series. Danny’s speed secret: Feel what the tires are doing and adapt your driving to them. Check these out to follow Danny: https://hankookmotorsports.com @hankookmotorsports @dannyvandongen

On this week’s episode, Chris Andrews joins me to discuss how driving styles impact the handling of a car, different car setups for oval and road racing, the best passing zones at Watkins Glen, and the best books to read to learn about the best car setup and engineering. Also, a special treat, Chris shares hilarious stories about Dale Earnhardt (including what he says at a urinal). Chris's speed secret: Never stop learning. Check these out to follow Chris: Web: www.tcaellc.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcaengineeringllc/

On this week’s episode, Adam Jabaay joins me to discuss the best stories from the Slip Angle podcast, everything Gridlife, and eSports and sim racing. He also shares how he manages time between racing, family, and business – and where to sneak sleep in! Adam is a club racer in SCCA, NASA and Lemons, a HPDE instructor, and one of the organizers of the Gridlife events. He’s also a co-host, along with Austin Cabot, on the Slip Angle podcast; in addition, they have the TrackTuned.com blog. Adam’s speed secret: Work harder on your driving than you want to work. Check these out to follow Adam Slip Angle Podcast: www.tracktuned.com www.grid.life www.facebook.com/GRIDLIFEOfficial/ IG: @gridlifeofficial Twitter: @gridlifefest

On this week’s episode, David Williams joins me to talk about how sim racing can make you a better track day driver or racer. We dive deep to discuss Virtual Racing School, how being a pro sim racer works (where does the money come from?!), dealing with a lack of sensory input from the sim, sensing the limit in a sim, the accuracy of car setups in the sim, brain neuroplasticity and adapting to sims and real cars. Oh, and David offers sim coaching services.   David’s speed secret: Be deliberately willing to push beyond your ability in measured amounts.   David is an Avid motorsport enthusiast with 13 years of experience and success across multiple sims with VRS Coanda Simsport. He’s a hardware design engineer & racing coach for Virtual Racing School and a multiple race driver competition finalist including the 2012 GT Academy.  Check these out to follow David: Twitter: @CoandaDave YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidWilliamsRacing Virtual Racing School: https://virtualracingschool.com Niels Heusinkveld

Rob Wilson joins us on this week’s episode to share stories about coaching F1 drivers, the importance of weight transfer, why confidence matters, and the perfect technique to turning a steering wheel. He also shares his aha! moment as a driver and a coach. Rob’s speed secret: Always tell the car what’s coming next. Rob Wilson is well-known as a driver coach to many current and past Formula One drivers (Kimi Raikkonen, Nico Rosberg, Valtteri Bottas), as well as working as an instructor with the Skip Barber school years ago. He’s won the British Formula Ford Championship, raced in Indy Lights, IMSA prototype and GT cars, Formula 3, and even NASCAR.

On this week’s episode, James Chartres joins me to talk about how he built his confidence and became one of “the oast Ones” in the competitive world of SCCA, finding the balance between being analytical and just letting go to have fun, making track notes, and turn 5 at Laguna Seca. We also dive into racing sponsorships/partnerships at the grassroots level. James races a Spec Racer Ford in the SCCA San Francisco region, runs his own team – Kanga Motorsport – and in his spare time is an aerospace engineer for NASA (or is that the other way around?!). As a club racer, James has put together some amazing marketing partnerships to help support his team, too. James’ speed secret: The little changes and improvement add up. Check these out to follow James! Web: kangamotorsports.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kangamotorsports/ Instagram: @kangamotorsports Twitter: @kangamotorsportsYouTube: kangamotorsports

In this week’s episode, Tom O’Gorman joins me to talk about autocross (how it helps and hurts road course driving), simulators and eSports, the ideal corning line, and making a career in racing! We also discuss why driving a bad car in bad conditions can actually be a really good thing! O’Gorman’s Speed Secret: Start with well-known limits, and then push each of them by adapting references. Follow O’Gorman here: Instagram Facebook (racing) Facebook (personal)

On this week’s episode, Scot Elkins joins me to discuss being COO of IMSA/ALMS and managing the merge with Grand-Am. He dishes all about the Motorsport Safety Foundation – the what and why of the HPDE instructor certification program “CERTIFIED,” how the safety standards are set, and why all driving instructors should get CERTIFIED. Scot is the COO of the Motorsport Safety Foundation, as well as the race director for the Formula E series. Having spent years as a race engineer, as well as a senior official with the American Le Mans and IMSA series, he has a broad perspective on the sport, from HPDE and track day events, to major international racing. Check out MSF and the CERTIFIED program here.

On this week’s Speed Secrets Podcast, Dane Cameron joins me to discuss building confidence as a race driver, how to drive a car with aerodynamic down force – how to learn to trust it and manage its traction, and the difference in driving styles between open wheel and sports cars. He also shares what it was like to get the call to drive for Roger Penske! Dane Cameron is the reigning IMSA WeatherTech champion, alongside his co-driver at Team Penske Acura, Juan Montoya. And that’s a title he’s won in the past, back in 2016, too. Oh, and also the IMSA GTD championship in 2014. And I think a Formula Mazda championship well before that, and… well, you get it. Dane wins a lot. Cameron’s speed secret: focus on the smoothness and not over-driving – build the cornering speed, corner by corner, then lap by lap. Follow Dane Cameron: IG: @danecameron19 Twitter: @danecameron19 Facebook: www.facebook.com/danecameronmotorsports  

Andrew Rains joins me on this week's episode to discuss all about data systems. We tackle how to best use your data system, the importance of understanding the "why" behind what you see on data, what data can and can't do, and more...  Andrew Rains has been going to the track since he was five, has raced in Pirelli World Challenge and club racing, is the marketing director for APEX Pro, races as often as he can, and instructs/coaches drivers of all levels.  Andrew's Speed Secret? If you have a data system, get familiar with how to use it as a tool, and how to read it.  Contact Andrew by email if you have questions about data and/or the APEX Pro: andrew@apextrackcoach.com And follow him at: Web: https://apextrackcoach.com  Facebook: @officialapexpro Instagram: @officialapexpro YouTube: APEXPro

Colin Braun joins me to talk about traveling for races, getting the balance between overthinking and not thinking enough when driving, trusting your subconscious programming to drive, and getting into the zone. We also discuss the important of always learning and never getting complacent, and what to do when you can’t do what you want with your driving technique. Colin has raced and won in everything from NASCAR to IMSA. He currently drives in the Weather Tech IMSA series, as well as for CrowdStrike Racing in the SRO series.  Oh - and he’s been on the Speed Secrets Podcast more than anyone else! Colin’s Speed Secret: PT it. Follow: Web: https://colinbraun.com IG: @colinbraun FB: https://www.facebook.com/ColinBraun TW: @colinbraun

Dave Peters joins me to talk about the world of HPDE, driving Miatas, and where driving confidence comes from. Dave founded and runs HPDEjunkie.com, a website devoted to listing HPDE events in the U.S. (and Canada soon). It’s a great resource – and it’s free to event organizers. They just need to contact Dave and let them know of their events. So if you know of an event, or an organizer who needs more participants, make sure it’s listed on HPDEjunkie.com.  Dave’s Speed Secret: Build confidence in yourself and your car. For more info on HPDEjunkie.com, go to www.HPDEjunkie.com, or @HPDEjunkie on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Travis Okulski joins me to talk about where Road & Track is headed, his racing experience and how that’s contributed to where he is today, what makes drivers like Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal, and Colin Braun so great, and the future of motorsport – including Formula E. Travis is the Editor-in-Chief for Road & Track magazine. He started racing karts when he was 12, but realized that a career in motorsport – something he was committed to – was best achieved from behind the keyboard rather than the steering wheel. His job is one that most every gearhead would kill to have.  Travis’ Speed Secret: Eyes up. Work hard. Road & Track: Web: www.roadandtrack.comInstagram: @roadandtrack Twitter: @roadandtrackFacebook: RoadandTrack YouTube: RoadandTrack

Jim Kearney joins me to talk about what it takes to win more races, and we discuss the importance of car prep, mental prep, having triggers to get you in the right state of mind/mood, and track notes. Jim is a super-successful driver coach who raced Formula Vee himself for years before turning his attention to helping other drivers. His drivers have won multiple SCCA Runoffs championships, so he definitely knows how to help drivers win more. Jim’s Speed Secret: It’s all about self-belief. Trust the process. You can reach Jim by email at jim@kearneykdd.com, and learn more at his website at https://kearneykdd.com.  

Ryan Yard joins me to talk about everything from using motorsport to motivate you in other areas of your life to the creative puzzle that is driving faster. In our conversation, we talk about getting in flow, car setup, using music to trigger performance, dealing with problems, focus, discipline, and the benefits of journaling and note-taking. Ryan started in HPDE, quickly moved to wheel-to-wheel racing, and currently competes in SCCA and PCA events. He also leads a national championship. He’s taken his tech background and put it to good use with his racing, but most importantly, he’s used racing to motivate him to improve his health – including losing 150 pounds. Ryan’s Speed Secret: focus on the process of what you do to prepare.  Follow Ryan on his blog at www.ryracing.com