Mechanical

GHIT 0156: Pirate Takeover of Everyone Racers

(from 2018) and the (Horrible) Beginning of Our Podcasting

We found several of the original sound files and decided to put this together for a bonus Christmas gift to everyone.Â This is the podcast recording sessions that started everything.Â We originally intended this to fill in a week gap that the Everyone Racers podcast took for Chris and Chrissyâs wedding.Â However, it took almost thirty tries for us to get to this point.Â

In addition, we added an early snippet of our first GHiT podcast introductions. I guess we did get better over time, but honestly, we really had to, there was nowhere else to go.

We were such newbies back then. Hopefully, we can look back three years from now and feel the same ways about our team now vs then.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

PS Donât blame us. Billâs editing skills have improved to where this was possible and almost sounds decent.

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Highlights from this episode include:

1)Â A few of our best E1R (Everyone Racers) intros followed with our own feeble attempt to follow their episode guideline at the time.

2) A very brief wrap up of our recent race at Thompson with the 24 Hours of Lemons, our teams second overall race, and Alan and Jenâs first ever race. The race weekend was very hot Friday and then very wet and humid for the rest of the weekend.

3) One of our first jokes came at the expense of Jeff. Very fitting.

4) The announcement of the teamâs newest puppy, a Bernese Mountain dog named Zoe Lemons Fischer.

5) Even back then, we had prep issues. Still a focus of our improvement.

6) Alan had bad internet at the time and was using the local Starbucks internet since it was much faster. Lol.

7) When 4-5 psi is an issue on your SpiderStang, a 1984 Mustang GT Turbo, obviously you turn it up to 15 psi or so.

8) The end of the Capri at Thompson is reviewed a bit. The project is still ongoing.

9) Special shout out to Bruce and all his help with fixing the Capri until late in the morning, only to find out our issue was a broken cam shaft.

10) Our first ever racing trophy was received at the Thompson race. Unfortunately, it was the
I Got Screwedâ award and even more unfortunately, it is still our only reward, but at least we have one, lol.

11) Alanâs first black flag came this weekend. But not his last.

12)Â Our first ever attempt to help the Everyone Racers podcast with a sponsor reading.Â It did not go well

13) Vicki provides just the tip. It was on the help of Friday practice. We would add pre-race prep to this as well. A lot of this can be done ahead of time with YouTube and various track guides and track walks available, especially our favorites from Ross Bentley and Racers360.

14) We even discuss our plans for the Capri after the transmission and engine issues at Thompson. The plan is still the same. Our skills just havenât allowed us to get it to the finish line. Yet. Stay tuned.

15) Proof we can have an episode last less than one hour.

GHIT 0152: Craig Watkins Joins us for Car Setup 101 Focusing on the Tires

Craig Watkins Car Engineer for Flying Lizards Motorsports

Carig Watkins with Flying Lizard Motorsports

Craig Watkins joins us for this episode to discuss his driving history, as well as his time spent as an engineer for Flying Lizard Motorsports, among others. Craig concentrates now being an amateur racing driver and fells the pain of being a single person team. We also go into his business that started as a tool he needed to help him as a race car engineer and grew into what we know as Smart Racing Products that offers several solutions that are easy to use to set your car alignment up, even if your car is a truck or a bus. We hope to have Craig on again to go into the area more deeply in the future. We had recording issues so the episode is a mix of two parts, and you may be able to tell a difference in recording almost halfway through. We cannot express how happy we were when Craig said he would come on again to cover the first section that we could not edit well enough to use.

Craig Watkins at the Baja 500 and on Pismo Beach

Craig Watkins on Pismo Beach — Craig Watkins at the Baja 500 and on Pismo Beach

Our Dominating with Dawson segment goes over how to get more out of an HPDE event or a track day by setting goals. It has helped our team to maximize the benefit of each event and get the most bang for the buck/minute of track time. This process will help you to improve as well.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

You can get your Smart Strings, Smart Camber etc. from Smart Racing products at: https://www.smartracingproducts.com/

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Highlights from this episode include:

1) Billâs longest intro to date. Vicki had very little patience for it.

2) Craig covers most of his racing history, off road and on track driving, to becoming a race car engineer, to how he arrived at the present day as an amateur racing driver.

3) How professional racing is different but fundamentally the same as amateur racing.

4) What are some of the functions of a chief race car engineer and how he used several key pieces of data and the driver feedback to get the car as fast as possible.

5) Bad physics/chemistry flashbacks abound. Ideal gas law is fundamentally a relationship that says the Pressure X Volume is proportional to the Temperature. PV = nRT for those playing at home.

6) How the tires are really the critical control point to focus on to get your car to be fast and drive most easily.

7) What is the #1 most critical measurement tool to have in your racing tool belt, how to use it, and how to make sure you minimize variability by using a one individual gauge for all your measurements.

8) And then we also look to what the next few items and measurements are to further refine and improve your carâs performance and âdialing it inâ.

9) A great summary of what the 24 Hours of Lemans â Lemans Classic event is and why you may want to add it as a bucket list item for you and your team.

10) Tire pressure at target. Then tire temperature uniformity across the tire surface and across the four tires +/- 30 degrees F or C?. If you aren’t sure of your exact tire temperature range, around 150 degrees is a good first level estimate to where you enter your tireâs performance window.

11) What are the three primary aspects of your tire alignment, Camber, Caster, and Toe, what they represent, what order to adjust them in, which ones are more critical to performance, and rough starting points for you to begin to optimize from further. As expected, we also get into some of the ways to set up the car to measure and adjust these parameters. We also discuss the other terms that are sometimes referred to including thrust angle.

12) The two ways that tire grip is generated. And there really are only two.

13) While each of the settings are car dependent, we attempt to give some broad based approximate starting ranges that will aid you in establishing a baseline point to begin from to set up your race car. We also try to explain how each parameter, and direction of change, affects the carâs performance.

14) As with several of our prior episodes, Craig explains how the best teams are better by simply being better at the several fundamental aspects of car prep and team operation during a race. And if you sprinkle in a bit of luck, they will compete well and have a better than average chance to win.

15) Craig teases us with his excel list of adjustments and effects that came from his experience as a race engineer. Next time we see him, we are going to get a copy. We have a chance at getting at least the format of the list, without the exact content. tbd.

16) Craig also brings up the very valuable point to remember that you are the one to define how deep down the rabbit hole you want to go and that should be the primary determinant in how deeply you get into the car and its set up.

17) Bill finally gets to make a String Theory joke, but it wasn’t very funny. Situation normal. But it was way better than his tuna joke.

18) We also go into the way to use Smart Strings and Smart Camber to measure and adjust your cars alignment before and even at the racetrack.\

PS Did anyone catch the semi-subtle Three Pedal Mafia reference in this episode? GHiT decals can be sent out to you if you let us know.

GHIT 0152: Craig Watkins Joins us for Car Setup 101 – Focusing on the Tires

Craig's Flyin Lizard Motorsports Porsche

GHIT 0144: B Squad Hotrod Podcast Hosts Train and Woodchuck

Our latest podcast is number 144 with the B Squad Hotrod Podcast Hosts Train and Woodchuck

Colton (aka Train) and Steve (aka Woodchuck) are two of the four host of the âB Squad Hotrodâ Podcast on to discuss how they have learned and continue to learn to work on their hotrod projects, cars and other related projects, like building a huge garage from scratch. We also get into some of the current and upcoming projects and goals for the coming few months. A great podcast hosted by two sets of brothers, in 4 states, and three time zones, they work together towards finishing the project and learning a ton along the way. Since they are B Squad, they came on our podcast, because A Squad would be a guest on a big time TV show.

Ben joins us on our Dominating With Dawson segment to talk about how to buy a car for a project or to become a race car. It is the first of a many part discussion and we will be having at least one returning guest to go over this area more fully in the future. Usually, it I said that you make your money when you buy a stock, or a house, or a car, but in our case it is more like you are only starting to lose your money once you buy the car, lol.

As you would expect, we try to bring them over to the dark side and build a car for a race. We will see how successful we are. We offered to help and race with them. That may not have increased the likelihood of their racing, lol.

Please send in your projects so we can share with the B Squad to help show them what we are doing and drag them into racing.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and

Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Highlights from this episode include:

1) What are the projects of B Squad and some of their background and learnings along the way. With their guidance, we may work our way up to the B squad at some point.

2) The logistics of being located in 4 states and 3 different time zones between the four hosts and their individual projects.

3) Everyone is jealous of Woodchuckâs projects: huge garage with a lift, a Humvee, 1967 fastback Mustang for the family CFO. Progress continues despite working full time in the public health arena of Wyoming.

4) Trainâs projects are equally distracted by his (over) full time firefighting/paramedic and when time allows him to work on his 1941-46 Chevy Pickup with an S10 frame swap and full engine swap resto mod.

5) The way that B Squad works out the mechanics of working together with each other remotely. It involves a lot of calls, photos, video calls, and infrequent in person trips when possible.

6) It seems that all of their interests can be traced back to one of their fatherâs Corvette.

7) Train being in south Texas battles the heat most of the year and Woodchuck in Wyoming battles the cold winters.

8) Suggested first projects to begin learning to work on your own car or project and what to grow into eventually and then where you may want to bring in some professional help.

9) Why you may not want to let Train work on your electrical issue, especially if it is perhaps a 200 dollar 1974 Impala. Take home: shot gun shells are not functional fuse replacements.

10) Vicki somehow make an analogy between learning to work on a car and learning a new video game that actually works pretty well even though it initially sounded a bit weird. If only there was a cheat code with the joystick.

11) The El Jeffe tire story comes back to life to help Train feel a bit better about his Impala.

12) Ever wonder how Woodchuck got his nick name, its covered here. And we finally get to ask the question that has pondered the world forever.

13) Some discussion on how to deal with your tool storage when you need portability and mobility to work outside the home garage. Also, a discussion of several alternatives for how to layout a home garage.

14) Train is not a big fan on body work. He would probably be very open to help if you happen to enjoy it.

15) Train is introduced to cars-parts.com. We are sure it will help, especially with some of the later model car projects. B Squad was the source where we learned of the project Farm YouTube channel which has been helpful.

16) Woodchuck makes a great suggestion of trying to find a mentor to learn from/with.

17)Â If you notice, there seems to be a truck them with most of Trainâs answers and interests.Â Perhaps we could get him into our race truck one day.

GHIT 0144: B Squad Hotrod Podcast Hosts Train and Woodchuck

GHIT 0126: Breaking “Barriers” That Are Keeping You Off Track or From High Performance Driving

Strap in, its a long one

Christian “Mental” Ward joins us for a very special episode where we try to break down any barriers that are keeping you from getting started and trying high performance driving or going out to a track or autocrossing etc. As with every Mental episode, we have tons of stories and go very, very long.

So strap in for a great episode where we show various ways for you, YES YOU, to start TODAY! PS this will also apply to getting some improved training opportunities for the new drivers in the family. Avoiding an accident is the best safety system. If you enjoy taking the fun way home from work/school, if you enjoy going around exit ramps, but you haven’t tried anything further, this episode should show you how to break through any barrier that prevented you from REALLY enjoying your car.

“That guy can sure spin a yarn” – Jeff Wakeman

Barriers Broken during this episode:

1) I don’t have a racing license

2) I don’t have a car to race with

3) My car isn’t ready

4) It’s too far away

5) I am too intimidated by the people or the other cars/may car, or the track

6) I don’t know how to get started (Hint you can contact us or E1R etc.)

7) I’m a ______ e.g. Girl, too young, too old, out of shape, the wrong shape etc. etc. etc.

8) I will one I _____ (insert any number of wonderful wish list items)

9) It costs too much

10) I don’t have time

11) Ego issues

12) Where can I find where I can ______

Our Dominating with Dawson segment for this episode goes into the often overlooked art involved with downshifting, how and when to do it properly, how to practice during your daily driving, and how it can help your car last quite a bit longer during a race.

We hope you enjoy the episode!

Best regards,

Bill, Vicki, Jennifer, and Alan

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training podcast

and team members in the GHiT

Immature Endurance Racing Team

Highlights from the episode include:

1) References to Hamsa and Matt

2) Hot tub rule #1 at the track

3) Details of the Deer Incident/Inside Joke can be found at

4) Your race car is never, ever finished. Ever.

5) Waiting to get your car faster or a faster car will actually impede your learning progress. Counterintuitive but absolutely true.

6) Teen driving training discussion and resources (a few links below)

7) This episode may contain some tough love, but it’s all with love.

8) We take advantage of the opportunity and hit Mental with the Fast and Furious questions, finally

Descriptions:

Autocross: Racing usually in a large area around a temporary course usually composed of orange cones

HPDE: High performance driving education – Where you can learn to drive better, usually on a race track Track Night in America: an event held at a local track where you can drive your car around a race track and dip your toe into the pool

iRacing: a brand of sim racing on a computer that the focus is on more realistic racing than a traditional racing game.

Lots of links:

SCCA: https://www.scca.com/

NASA: https://www.nasaproracing.com/

Track Night in America: https://www.tracknightinamerica.com/

Go Carting: Lots, use Google

24 Hours of Lemons: https://24hoursoflemons.com/ Lucky Dog:

Home

AER: http://americanenduranceracing.com/

Champ Car: https://champcar.org/

WRL: https://www.worldracingleague.org/

Race Seats for Rent: Lots (Google) including The Dog Pound for Lucky Dog and OK Stupid for Lemons seats and Kingpin Motorsports.

Driving Experiences: Lots, use Google

Grass Roots Motorsports magazine Link: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/guest-blog-open-letter-lgbtq-car-enthusiasts

No Money Motorsports: https://nomoneymotorsports.com/2020/06/09/the-14-most-effective-tips-to-spend-less-on-track-days-and-racing-maximize-your-track-time/

Motorsports Reg: https://www.motorsportreg.com/

Teen driving Training near Atlanta: https://atlantamotorsportspark.com/teen-driving/

B.R.A.K.E.S: https://putonthebrakes.org/

Race Image: http://www.raceimage.com/

Racers Parts Wholesale: https://racerpartswholesale.com/

GHiT Handy Links: https://garageheroesintraining.com/racing-resources/

EVO School: http://evoschool.com/

Team O’Neil Rally School: https://www.teamoneil.com/

Skip Barber Racing School: https://www.skipbarber.com/

DirtFish Rally School: https://dirtfish.com/

Bondurant: https://bondurant.com/

The “Marks” clubs, e.g.

BMW CCA: https://www.bmwcca.org/

PCCA: https://www.pca.org/

Audi: https://audiclubna.org/

No Man’s Land Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c0dj11dn98

The Wraith Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC1DRl26Guo

GHIT 0126: Breaking “Barriers” That Are Keeping You Off Track or From High Performance Driving

GHIT 0120: Christina Lam is our special guest driver

Christina Lam is a racing driver for several series, is an instructor for Skip Barber and NASA, as well as a frequent contributor to GrassRoots Motorsports magazine.Â We first started following her as her âAfter A Crashâ 9-part series started a few months back and became instant fans of her approach and her dedication to racing, education, and giving back to the racing community.Â On this episode, we go over how she started to be involved from a point of little knowledge and car/racing influences to where she is not only competing at national events, podium’ing many times, and instructing others to improve their skills.Â It is a fantastic and quite rapid journey from newbie to racing veteran and her latest challenge last season will inspire you and hopefully get you to reach further towards ever higher goals.Â

On our Dominating with Dawson, Ben goes over the difference in driving approaches for endurance racing, autocross, as well as various types of sprint racing.

We hope you enjoy the episode!

Best regards,

Bill, Vicki, Jennifer, and Alan

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training podcast

and team members in the GHiT

Immature Endurance Racing Team

Highlights from the episode include:

1) We have had a long, long work week in the garage, so long that Vicki blanked on her name for a moment and Bill canât spell SCCA, lol.

2) How she started off racing in Autocross one weekend and then had the opportunity of a lifetime drop in her lap a short time later (driving on a little place known as The âRing).

3) Christinaâs first time on track was her first time driving a stick. This may be a good rival for what we ended up doing to Jennifer at her first race at Thompson Speedway. Not our best plan, but we did learn from it.

4) We share post-race hangover stories and several great ideas for further race cross training. Rally, V8 supercars, Ice racing, so much fun to be had, so little time.

5) What is involved with being a one-person team and how she accomplishes all that is required for a race weekend. The big key is prep. Second rule, prep. If you need a third rule, be prepped early.

6)Â We go into her accident last year and how she recovered, both physically and mentally, as well as her new race car.