Dinner with Racers

Ep.249 - Bruce Canepa

Bruce Canepa has defined the gold standard of vintage racing and restoration. A lifelong car guy growing up near Santa Cruz, California, Bruce’s incredible eye for detail and design has created a unique career path that has taken him from building model cars as a kid, to restoring some of the most renown classic cars today. Not just a racing builder, he’s an accomplished driver in his own right, competing in the top ranks of sportscar, dirt, hillclimb, and beyond. Dinner was served at Bruce’s Scotts Valley shop, Canepa Design, courtesy Back Nine Grill & Bar in Santa Cruz, California, with “Rock it Tonight” by Milano taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.

Ep.248 - Adrián Fernández, Part Two

Adrián Fernández is a one-of-a-kind story with deep roots in IndyCar and sportscar racing. Raised with modest means in Mexico City, the idea of tenacity is redefined with his story, literally having himself smuggled to the Netherlands with no money to further his career, and eventually becoming a multi-time winner in IndyCar and IMSA, many of which were achieved with his own team. Beyond that, his legacy is probably best seen with re-invigorating the next wave of Mexican racing heroes, paving the way for many of today’s names. Dinner was served courtesy of Bulla in Coral Gables, Florida, with “Miami Beach” by Cosmonkey taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.

Ep.247 - Adrián Fernández, Part One

Adrián Fernández is a one-of-a-kind story with deep roots in IndyCar and sportscar racing. Raised with modest means in Mexico City, the idea of tenacity is redefined with his story, literally having himself smuggled to the Netherlands with no money to further his career, and eventually becoming a multi-time winner in IndyCar and IMSA, many of which were achieved with his own team. Beyond that, his legacy is probably best seen with re-invigorating the next wave of Mexican racing heroes, paving the way for many of today’s names. Dinner was served courtesy of Bulla in Coral Gables, Florida, with “On The Way” by Jonezen taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.

Ep.246 - Alex Job

Alex Job is one of the most accomplished and respected team owners in the history of sportscar competition. Starting as an amateur racer balancing motorsport ambitions with a career in auto sales, the Florida native would use a rarely seen level of caution and calculation to slowly build his own racing team, Alex Job Racing, into a powerhouse that would not become one of the most heralded Porsche teams in history taking wins at Daytona, Petit Le Mans, and an unprecedented 10 victories at Sebring. Dinner was served courtesy of Rodello’s in Leesburg, Florida, with “Somewhere New” by Louis Island taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.

Ep.245 - Pipo Derani

Pipo Derani is one of the most talked about characters in IMSA racing today. One of the most aggressive and unapologetic drivers in the GTP and prototype ranks, the Brazilian’s tenacity has to led to victories at Daytona, Sebring, and with a reputation of being as fast as they get. What makes Pipo interesting, however, is his completely opposite off-track character, being nothing but a polite and likable family man and a remarkably pleasant guest. Dinner was served courtesy of THE NOW DEFUNCT Maloko Miami in Miami, Florida, with “Don’t Look Anywhere” by Sara Flint taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.

Ep.244 - Sebastien Bourdais, Part Two

Sebastien Bourdais is probably best known as the king of IndyCar (formerly ChampCar) racing throughout the mid-2000’s. Winning four-consecutive titles, the Frenchman was as dominant as you could get in that era, before heading off to careers in Formula One, returning to IndyCar, and now in the GTP ranks of IMSA. Fiercely analytical and incredibly honest about himself,Sebastien’s candor makes for a truly one-of-a-kind look at one of the sport’s quiet greats. Dinner was served courtesy of Il Ritorno in St. Petersburg, Florida, with “On Fait la Fete” by Bamton taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.

Ep.243 - Sebastien Bourdais, Part One

Sebastien Bourdais is probably best known as the king of IndyCar (formerly ChampCar) racing throughout the mid-2000’s. Winning four-consecutive titles, the Frenchman was as dominant as you could get in that era, before heading off to careers in Formula One, returning to IndyCar, and now in the GTP ranks of IMSA. Fiercely analytical and incredibly honest about himself,Sebastien’s candor makes for a truly one-of-a-kind look at one of the sport’s quiet greats. Dinner was served courtesy of Il Ritorno in St. Petersburg, Florida, with “Entre le Doigts” by Sara Benasouli taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.

Ep.242 - Bill Lester

Bill Lester is probably best known for his groundbreaking role within NASCAR, known as the first African American to earn a pole position in the Truck series as well as compete in a full season of NASCAR. What makes Bill such an interesting story, however, is his origins leading to this. Transforming himself from software engineer to club racer in amateur sportscars, Bill’s path to professional motorsports was anything but traditional. Dinner was served courtesy of Don Bonachon in Suwanee, Georgia, with “Ain’t Looking Back” by Richard Farrell taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.

Ep.241 - Jim Downing

Jim Downing may not be a household name in modern day racing, but his legacy has saved countless lives. A long-time sportscar racer and team owner in his own right, after achieving incredible success with Mazda and his famed Kudzu racing team, the lasting legacy of Jim will always be his co-invention and distribution of the HANS device, which took years to finally become a mainstay of modern safety in racing. Lunch was served courtesy of Henri’s Bakery and Deli in Brookhaven, Georgia. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.

Ep.240 - Lars Giersing

When it comes to sportscar engineers, especially in GT racing, Lars Giersing has long been a known figure in the paddock. Coming from a very non-traditional background, Lars is one of the most accomplished figures in the paddock without ever earning a degree, relying instead on incredible intuition and knowing how to shape any racing program. This has led to countless IMSA championships, wins at Daytona, Sebring, and beyond. Dinner was served at Zen Bistro in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the song “Island” by Christopher Young taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.