Backseat Driver

On December 5th, 2023, the racing world lost a true legend: Rosemary "Rosie" Smith. Rosie's career was a whirlwind of triumphs from co-driver to rally champion. She's renowned for her iconic partnership with the Hillman Imp and for driving for brands like Ford, Porsche, and Renault. In 1978, she set a land speed record, and at 79, she drove an 800 HP Renault F1 car. Rosie's autobiography, "Driven,...

It's me, Mark Stone and in this Backseat Driver Podcast, I present the second part of this Salon EpocAuto 2023 Special with interviews from Loic Depailler, Jean-Pierre Jarier, and Gerard Gamand. We discuss their racing experiences, favourite cars and circuits, and thoughts on modern Formula 1. ___ https://pod.link/1656058575 Visit our sponsors GAZ Shocks 116 Trophy Hodder Tyres Tarox Br akes SAS A...

It's me, Mark Stone, and in this special Backseat Driver podcast, I interview Bernard Asset, a renowned F1 photographer; Emmanuel Pozet of ELF, an oil and fuel company associated with motorsport; Anthony Beltois, a racer and son of Jean Pierre Beltois; Michel Janvier, a cartoonist and artist, and Loic Duval from the Fédération Française de Véhicules d'Époque, discussing their experiences and invol...

Join me, Mark Stone on the Backseat Driver Podcast as we welcome Keith Moise, trustee of the British Commercial Vehicle Museum and Rob Pratton, Activity Coordinator. They take us on a nostalgic journey into vintage commercial vehicles. Discover the rich history of British commercial vehicles and their manufacturers, including Leyland Trucks, Thornycroft, and Albion. Explore the origins of the muse...

Join me, Mark Stone, on the Backseat Drive Podcast as we welcome Freddie Frot, a Frenchman living in England and a passionate vintage car enthusiast. Freddie shares his deep connection to the iconic Montlhery circuit south of Paris. Discover the exhilarating banked track with its 53-degree slope and remarkable racing history. We also delve into the Vintage Revival Mony event, which celebrates the...

On the Backseat Driver Podcast, I welcome Peter Stevens, a highly esteemed British car designer who has left an indelible mark on the automotive industry. With an impressive portfolio that includes the Jaguar XJR-15, McLaren F1, MG ZS, and many more, Peter's creative vision and meticulous craftsmanship have redefined the concept of automotive design. We have the privilege of hearing Peter's fascin...

On this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, we are joined by Justin Benson, who is not only a multi-sport enthusiast but also a passionate racing and rally enthusiast. He shares his colourful racing and rally career, filled with exciting moments and various cars. From his early days with a powerful Vauxhall Magnum 2300 to rallying in a modified Fiat Uno, Justin's experiences showcase his love...

John Mayhead, the editor of Haggerty's UK Price Guide, joins me, Mark Stone on the Backseat Driver Podcast. John shares insights into the valuation of classic and collectable cars, highlighting the growing interest among younger generations. He explains how Haggerty gathers data from various sources, including expert opinions, auction results, and insurance information, to provide comprehensive an...

Join Mark as he welcomes Peter Barker, an accomplished author and journalist in the racing and rallying world, to the Backseat Driver Radio Podcast. In this episode, Peter shares his journey into rallying, the art of rally navigation, his experiences with classic cars, including the Mini Cooper, and his participation in the gruelling London to John O'Groats trial. Get ready for an engaging convers...

On today's Backseat Driver Podcast, I'm coming to you live from Oulton Park, where the GAZ Shocks 116 Trophy is revving up for its track day ahead of the season finale this Saturday. It allowed me to catch up with Mark Bate, the visionary behind the 116 Trophy, and engage with a couple of drivers. But the day's highlight was undoubtedly my discussion with the only Ray Grimes, a dear friend and inc...

Welcome to the Backseat Driver Podcast, where I welcome Warren Kennedy, the managing director of Classic Restorations Sales. Warren's vast collection of Healeys makes him genuinely remarkable, with a particular emphasis on pure Healeys (except for a rare Ford Fiesta Healey). His passion for these iconic cars shines through as he shares his journey into the world of Healeys. From the early designs...

Mark welcomes the incredibly cheerful and accomplished rally driver Neil Brighton in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast. Known for his infectious laughter and unwavering smile, Neil shares his journey in rallying, from co-driver to driver, highlighting his thrilling moments and challenges. Get ready for a fascinating conversation filled with inspiring stories, behind-the-scenes insights,...

It's me, Mark Stone, and on this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I'm joined by Gregor Marshall, an accomplished racing driver and author who shares his unique perspective as the son of the late great Jerry Marshall, a legendary figure in the world of motor racing. Gregor reflects on the challenges of growing up with a larger-than-life father and the pressure to live up to his father's achi...

Ian Kellett from IK Sport Classic joins me in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast. Ian shares his fascinating journey from being a young lad passionate about cars to becoming a racing driver and a devoted lover of classic cars. IK Sport Classic has become one of the best destinations for classic car enthusiasts, offering a showroom, workshop, café, and various shops. Ian talks about his ba...

In this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I'm delighted to welcome Michael Steele, a passionate enthusiast of classic motorcycles. While he no longer rides on two wheels due to balance issues, there has always been a deep admiration for motorcycles alongside cars. Michael, who happens to be the partner of former radio presenter Jane Steele, shares his experiences as the newly appointed chair...

In this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I delve into the world of the Yorkshire Rally Mafia with rally driver and car enthusiast Jonathan Pulleyn, also known as JP. From the origins of this legendary group to the present-day drivers who carry on the tradition, JP takes us on a journey of discovery through Yorkshire's rich rallying history with stories of iconic rallies like the Mintex and...

It's me, Mark Stone. In this captivating podcast episode of the Back Seat Driver Podcast, Rob Gravett shares thrilling stories from his motocross days to his successful transition to four-wheel racing. Discover his unique driving techniques, unconventional lines, and strategies that kept his competitors guessing. ___ https://pod.link/1656058575 Visit our sponsors GAZ Shocks 116 Trophy Hodder Tyres...

Join me, Mark Stone, on the Backseat Driver Podcast as I welcome Tim Kelly, the Motoring Claims guru and an expert in car insurance. With over 15 years in the insurance industry as a mechanic and engineer, Tim offers a distinct perspective. As a consumer advocate, he aids individuals in battling insurance companies, exposing their tactics like claim denial and delay and unveiling the financial asp...

Join us on the Backseat Driver Podcast as we welcome Freddie Hunt, the son of legendary Formula One driver James Hunt. Freddie shares his racing journey in this captivating interview, from initially not being involved in motorsport to pursuing his passion for endurance racing. He discusses his recent LMP3 race at the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans and his aspirations to compete in the pres...

Join me, Mark Stone on the Backseat Driver Podcast for a sweet and fascinating episode as we welcome Matthew Poat, Chief Chocolate Engineer at Racing Chocs. Matthew shares his unique journey from being a motor racing electrical engineer in Formula One to becoming a chocolatier. Discover his exquisite chocolate racing helmets inspired by iconic drivers and teams. Learn about the attention to detail...

It's me, Mark Stone, and in this third part of the Classic Le Mans series, I have a diverse lineup of guests sharing their experiences and insights connected to the iconic Le Mans race. First up, we have Roger Townsend, a driver from New Zealand who has travelled a long way to participate. Roger shares his excitement for the event and discusses his connection to Le Mans. He's driving a 1972 Ford C...

Join us on the Backseat Driver Podcast as we delve into the world of hill climbing with Nick Upton, Chairman of the Bugatti Club, and John Staley, Vice President and Chairman of the Bugatti Affairs Committee. Discover the origins of Prescott Hill Climb, one of the oldest hill climb events in the UK. Learn about the Spaghetti Owners Club and their mission to provide sporting events for Bugatti owne...

It's me, Mark Stone, from the Backseat Driver Podcast. Join me as I take you to the breathtaking Matra Museum, also known as Musee Espace Automobiles Matra, in Romorantin, France. Discover the fascinating history of Matra, the French industrial conglomerate involved in automobiles, bicycles, and even weaponry. Matra's legacy is captivating, from racing cars to iconic people carriers. Listen to my...

Join me, Mark Stone, at the Le Mans Classic 2023 on the Back Seat Driver Podcast. In this captivating episode, we enjoy hearing from a diverse group of guests who share their unforgettable experiences at the event. First, we have John Lomas of Blue Diamond Riley Services. John reflects on the challenges vintage cars present and the excitement of waiting for updates without modern telemetry data. N...

Join me, Mark Stone, on a special edition of the Back Seat Driver Podcast as we delve into the historic celebration of a hundred years of Le Mans 2023. This event is an absolute spectacle, featuring over 600 authentic cars from the era, many of which participated in the legendary Le Mans races. These are not replicas; they are the genuine article. So sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in captiv...