Car Chat

Bruce Wood is the Managing Director of Cosworth. Bruce shares his journey from starting at Cosworth as a graduate in 1987 to leading the company through iconic projects like the Cosworth Sierra, IndyCar engines, and modern hypercars like the Aston Martin Valkyrie. https://www.cosworth.com/ Enjoy, Sam Show Notes: 00:00 The Passion for Engineering and Design 02:55 Bruce Wood's Journey at Cosworth 05:50 The Evolution of Cosworth in Motor Racing 09:12 The Impact of Technology on Engine Design 12:07 From Graduate to Managing Director 15:00 The Challenges of Motor Racing 17:54 The Phases of Cosworth's Business 20:47 Experiences During Ford Ownership 24:09 The Wilderness Years and Reinvention 27:05 The Hypercar Era and Future Directions 39:34 The Shift in Sponsorship Dynamics 42:27 The Evolution of Powertrains in Racing 44:51 Navigating Challenges in a Competitive Landscape 46:46 The Transition to Hypercars 49:42 The Role of Consultancy in Automotive Engineering 51:11 The Jaguar CX-75 Project 56:35 Understanding Hybrid Powertrains 01:01:21 The Bugatti Evolution and Performance Goals 01:05:12 Developing the Valkyrie Engine 01:17:31 The Complexity of Engine Design 01:19:24 The Philosophy Behind Hypercars 01:23:19 Challenges in Emissions and Engine Design 01:27:12 The Future of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles 01:32:35 The Evolution of Engine Technology 01:36:30 The Appeal of Hypercars 01:39:01 The Current Era of V12 Hypercars 01:42:51 The Role of Cosworth in Hypercar Development 01:46:18 The Future of Engine Design 01:49:13 Memorable Driving Experiences 01:51:39 Undervalued Cars and Personal Favorites 01:53:08 Innovative Car Designs and Future Trends 01:55:03 The Ultimate Dream Garage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Robin Shute is an engineer and 4x Pikes Peak Champion. He competes in the top class with his Wolf based racer. Robin joins me at home for a chat about Pikes Peak, racing, his engineering background and his upcoming car designed to smash records. A great chat with some real depth. Enjoy, Sam https://www.instagram.com/robin.shute/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/@thesendyclub Show Notes: Chapters 00:00 The Basics of Engineering and Racing 00:46 Robin Shute: A Racing Journey 04:00 Early Influences and Career Path 07:48 Tesla: The Early Days of Innovation 11:57 The Evolution of Electric Vehicles 16:11 The Importance of Team Size in Racing 18:06 The Birth of the Wolf Racing Team 21:54 Pikes Peak: The Challenge of the Mountain 26:10 The Technical Aspects of Racing Cars 30:02 The Development of the Wolf Car 33:52 Pushing the Limits of Speed 39:12 Engineering Innovations and Challenges 43:03 The Decision to Build a New Car 49:27 The Case Against Electric Vehicles 55:07 Exploring the Future of Race Cars 01:08:01 The Future of Autonomous Driving 01:10:27 Nitro Rallycross and the Evolution of Racing 01:12:52 Electric Vehicles in Motorsports 01:14:14 Innovations in Car Design and Engineering 01:19:02 The Simplicity of Effective Engineering 01:22:51 Driving Experience and Car Weight Dynamics 01:29:31 The Unlimited Class and Record-Breaking Aspirations 01:35:04 Memorable Journeys and Dream Cars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Cole, Co-Founder and Owner of King of the Hammers. Dave, a former off-road racer himself, has turned the rugged desert of Johnson Valley, California, into the ultimate proving ground for the world’s toughest drivers and machines. Known as the "toughest one-day off-road race on the planet," King of the Hammers combines high-speed desert racing with brutal rock crawling, pushing competitors to their absolute limits. We discuss Dave’s journey from racer to race organiser, the origins of King of the Hammers, and how it grew from a casual challenge among friends into a global motorsports phenomenon. With a mix of adrenaline, innovation, and a die-hard off-road community, Dave shares the magic that makes King of the Hammers more than just a race. Enjoy, Sam https://kingofthehammers.com/ Show Notes: 00:00 Introduction to King of the Hammers 03:12 The Evolution of Rock Crawling and Off-Road Racing 05:59 The Technical Aspects of KOH 08:55 The Challenges of Desert Racing 11:54 The Dynamics of High-Speed Off-Roading 14:48 The Importance of Vehicle Design and Engineering 18:13 The Role of Strategy in Off-Road Racing 21:09 The Future of Off-Road Racing and Vehicle Innovation 23:50 Conclusion and Reflections on the Sport 37:46 The Evolution of KOH 50:04 Training and Preparing for KOH 01:00:20 The Impact of COVID on Off-Road Events 01:08:08 Memorable Experiences and Future Innovations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we’re joined by Max Banks, one of the key figures behind Alfaholics, the world-renowned specialists in classic Alfa Romeo restorations and performance upgrades. Founded by a family with a deep passion for Alfa Romeo, Alfaholics has earned a global reputation for transforming vintage Alfas into meticulously restored and enhanced machines, blending classic beauty with cutting-edge engineering. Max shares the story of Alfaholics, the way their parts business helps the restomods (and keeps prices down) and we took their Super for a drive. Enjoy, Sam https://www.alfaholics.com/ https://www.instagram.com/alfaholicsltd/ Show Notes: 00:00 The Thrill of Lightweight Cars 02:54 Max Banks and Alfaholics: A Family Legacy 06:08 The Evolution of Alfaholics 08:58 Racing Heritage and Development 11:49 The GTA-R Program: Balancing Performance and Character 14:45 Parts Supply and Market Positioning 18:05 The Unique Business Model of Alfaholics 20:54 The Process of Building a GTA-R 24:14 Customer Relationships and Expectations 27:05 The Future of Alfaholics and Car Development 39:38 Evolution of the GTA-R and Track-Oriented Builds 42:30 Memorable Nürburgring Experiences 44:51 Driving Dynamics of the GTA-R 46:46 The Joy of Driving Lightweight Cars 47:15 Daily Drivers and the Appeal of SUVs 50:06 Changing Customer Profiles in the Automotive Market 52:02 Building and Pricing the GTA-R 54:26 Racing Adventures and Championship Wins 56:25 Driving the McLaren M6B 01:00:12 The Team Behind the Racing 01:02:40 Options Beyond the GTA-R 01:05:01 Memorable Driving Trips and Car Preferences Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices