Dinner with Racers

Ep.119 – Derek Bell

If you’re a fan of sportscar racing, we probably don’t need to tell you who Derek Bell is. A five-time winner at Le Mans, three time winner at Daytona, and two-time World Sportscar Champion, Derek is one of the most renowned drivers in the scene. While he’s most known for Porsche and sportscar racing, Derek also drove in F1, drove for Ferrari and multiple other manufacturers, and has made about a million appearances on television and various events. Dinner was served at Le Sorrelle in Boca Raton, FL, with the music of AJudas Booth taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.118 – Don Garlits

Our first drag racer! ….and what better person than Big Daddy himself. Don Garlits is affectionately known as the godfather of drag racing, having won 17 championships and over 100 national wins. Beginning his career in the dangerous world of front-engined dragsters, Don pioneered the rear engine, breaking the 200mph, 240, and 270mph barriers, and even at 86-years old is still tinkering in his pursuit to become the first electric drag racer over 200mph. Dinner was served at Eaton’s Beach Sandbar and Grill in Weirsdale, FL, with the music of Anna Volpe taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.117 – The Story of Jimmy Baldwin

While not a racing story per se, the story of Jack Baldwin’s brother, Jimmy, is one of the most unique and movie-like stories that you won’t believe you’re hearing. The recording explains itself, we’ll set it up no further. Dinner was served at NOCA in Roswell, Georgia, with music by Judas Booth. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.116 – Jack Baldwin

Mr. Hot Wheels himself, Jack Baldwin was THE Trans-Am and GT racer in his day, one of the most feared and respected sportscar aces throughout the 1980’s and ’90’s. A larger-than-life character, Jack has had a crazy career in and out of the car, from running his own T-shirt company, to street drags, to spearheading one of the most popular sponsorship programs in all of sportscar, Jack is a true living legend. Dinner was served at NOCA in Roswell, Georgia, with music by Anna Volpe. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.115 – Joe Varde

Currently viewed as the ultimate crew chief / team director in production stock racing, Joe Varde is responsible for about 45 different production car championships, and that came AFTER his reputed career as a factory driver in a number of touring car championships, where he often beat the factory entries. He’s also another one of the sport’s great characters, and revered paddock-wide. Dinner was served at Canvas in Orlando, Florida, with music by Ben Justus. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.114 – Pierre Kleinubing

Pierre Kleinubing is probably the most decorated touring car racer that’s active today. A competitor in IMSA and World Challenge competition, Pierre has won something like 78 championships in different touring car divisions, including most notably with Acura and Honda by virtue of Real-Time Racing. A guy who lives for racing and time with his family, we learn about his time in Brazil, and current life as a Dad. Lunch was served at Flanagan’s in Pompano Beach, Florida, with music by Judas Booth. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.113 – Ozz Negri

Continuing the celebration of our sportscar roots, it doesn’t get any better than Ozz Negri. Born to modest means, Ozz’s career was started with the strangest stroke of luck that’s more fit for a Hallmark movie, but he took the opportunity and ran with it… embarking on a 30-year career in which he’s had to fight for every opportunity he had. It paid off though, as a winner of The Rolex 24 at Daytona, Petit Le Mans, and honestly one of the nicest and most liked guys in the sport. Lunch was served at Viva Brazil in Hollywood, Florida, with music by Armen Balyan. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.112 – Charles Espenlaub

Labelled as “the most hated driver in sportscar,” Charles is actually a really good guy… he just never played a doctor on television. He is however, a guy who has earned his career in motorsport through true grit, working as a mechanic, a coach, and now a business owner. A guy who has had to work for everything he has, he’s also a cold-hearted snake killer, dangerous with fireworks, and about as much of a man’s man as you can be. Dinner was served at La Terressita in Tampa, Florida, with music by Yahima Riya. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.111 – Razzle Dazzle (Ryan Dalziel)

When it comes to the current crop of sportscar drivers, Razzle Dazzle, known to his parents as Ryan Dalziel, is one of the most respected drivers in the scene. A winner in prototypes, a winner in GT cars, and a guy who cut his teeth as a winner in Formula Atlantic and a competitor in ChampCar, this guy’s versatility makes him one of the most sought after drivers in the paddock. As part of our “mini trip” through Florida in celebration of sportscars, Razzle is both a respected driver and one of the most lively personalities in the scene. Dinner was served at Luma on Park in Winter Park, Florida, with music by Savage Mix. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.110 – LIVE Animal Show at Road America

If you enjoyed listening to our live show at Watkins Glen, well what if we added live exotic animals?? Appearing at the final Continental Tire Road Race Showcase at Road America, we decided to give the fans something new… inviting the stars of that weekends IMSA race to help us present a live petting zoo. Guests included Jordan Taylor, a ferret, Justin Bell, a monitor lizard, Tommy Milner, a tarantula, Renger van der Zande, Katherine Legge, a hairless guinea pig, Justin Marks, Mike Shank, a giant bunny, Laurens Vanthoor, a chinchilla, Beaux Barfield, a burmese python, Bryan Seller, a giant tortoise, Jeroen Bleekemolen, a giant frog, and all the randomness you would expect. Free pizza was served for all! Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car. Music by Kaisor Sosa.