Backseat Driver

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Paul Tattersall, a familiar face at the Tour of Mull Rally, known as much for his commentary as for his unmistakable outfit, complete with Stetson hat, bright yellow Ferrari jacket, and cowboy boots. Paul shares how his passion for motorsport developed, along with his love for historic Formula 1 and Formula 2 ma...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Nick Pagani, who shares his extensive experience working with classic American cars in the film industry. Nick talks about his journey from a family repair business in the 1980s to becoming a trusted coordinator for picture cars on major productions. We explore the crucial role vehicles play on screen, and how t...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I sit down with Tina Thörner, one of the most respected co-drivers in motorsport, to explore her journey both within and beyond rallying. Tina shares how her career began, growing up in a family deeply connected to motorsport, and how that led her to work alongside some of the sport’s biggest names, including Colin McRae and...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I head to Scorton to explore a major milestone for British motorsport, the staging of a Euro Cup tractor pulling event for the first time in England. I’m joined by Craig Whittingham and his brother Daniel Whittingham, who share how they brought this ambitious event to life under the banner of the European Tractor Pulling Comm...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Sophie Hayter, whose career spans both the automotive and aerospace industries, with a lifelong passion for historic machinery. Sophie shares how her fascination with steam traction engines began through her family, particularly the influence of her grandfather and the heritage of engines associated with Eastnor...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I explore the magnificent alpine passes of Europe with my guest Louis Hendrickx, whose passion for driving and road trips has taken him across some of the continent’s most breathtaking routes. Louis explains how his fascination with alpine roads began with a chance discovery of a book dedicated to these legendary mountain pas...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I head to Ainsdale Beach to witness a remarkable recreation of Sir Henry Seagrave’s legendary land speed record attempt. Held between 14th and 16th March, the event brought history back to life with the iconic Sunbeam Tiger Primrose, once driven by Seagrave himself, reaching speeds of over 150 mph on the sands. I explore the...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I dive into the golden age of cinematic car chases from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s with Joe Pep. We begin with the legendary pursuit in Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen, a sequence widely regarded as the benchmark for every car chase that followed. We explore why that scene became so influential and how it changed the way action...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I take a hard look at the enduring allure of supercars and the often sobering realities that come with owning them. I’m joined by Nick Foster, an experienced specialist who works daily with some of the most desirable performance machines on the planet. We discuss how the supercar world has evolved, including the dramatic shif...

In this episode of the  Backseat Driver  podcast, we sit down with esteemed rally driver Simon Daly, who shares his deep passion for rallying—particularly his admiration for Skoda vehicles. Simon reflects on how his early experiences in motorsport, shaped by family influence, played a crucial role in his journey. He fondly recalls his uncles introducing him to the thrill of rallying, inc...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I sit down with Chris Rhodes to explore a life shaped by deep-rooted automotive heritage. Chris shares stories of growing up surrounded by cars, influenced by his father’s Lotus service dealership and a household where motorsport and dealership life were part of everyday conversation. We talk about his early experiences with...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Steve Holden, whose love of cars led him on an extraordinary journey of more than 5,000 kilometres to the Arctic Circle and back in a humble Fiat Panda. Steve talks me through the motivations behind this ambitious adventure, including his decision to buy a far-from-perfect Panda and trust it to cope with some...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Justin Fellows, a devoted enthusiast of veteran and vintage automobiles, best known for taking part in historic events such as the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Justin talks me through his journey from a casual interest in old cars to becoming a committed collector and custodian of veteran machines. We exp...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I take a closer look at the controversial legacy of the Chevrolet Corvair, one of the most debated cars in American automotive history. I’m joined once again by Joe Pep, who shares his insights into how the Corvair became both celebrated and criticised, particularly following Ralph Nader’s landmark book Unsafe at Any Speed ....

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I speak with Katarina Kyvalova, a remarkable talent whose rise in motorsport has been as rapid as it has been impressive. Katarina talks about where her passion for cars began, shaped by early influences and a deep appreciation for classic machinery, despite having no direct family background in motorsport. We focus on her lo...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I catch up with Paul Woodford to talk about his remarkable return to rallying since the pandemic. After stepping away from the sport for fourteen years, Paul explains what drew him back behind the wheel and how quickly things have escalated since. Paul walks me through the wide range of machinery he has driven recently, from...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I dive into the ever-evolving world of automotive restoration and modification, with a particular focus on resto-modding, where classic cars retain their soul while gaining modern performance. I’m joined by Tony Shine, who talks me through his journey from a young enthusiast modifying Volkswagens to tackling an ambitious Ford...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I turn the spotlight on the extraordinary yet often overlooked career of Lella Lombardi, one of motorsport’s true pioneers and the only woman to score points in Formula One. Joined by Jon Saltinstall, I explore Lombardi’s life and career, from her groundbreaking achievements on the world stage to the barriers she faced compet...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I delve into the remarkable career of Joe Pep, one of America’s most celebrated car illustrators, whose artwork is inseparable from his lifelong passion for vintage automobiles. Joe Pepitone shares the early influences that sparked his love of classic cars, growing up in New Jersey and drawing inspiration from television show...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Sam Grange-Bailey, a highly respected classic car dealer who shares her distinctive path into the automotive world. Sam talks about growing up in a family deeply rooted in car trading and how she helped evolve her father’s traditional business by embracing new technology and the early use of the internet. We exp...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Ashley Gregory, a formidable young talent competing in Mini Stocks and making serious strides as a female racing driver. Ashley talks me through her journey into motorsport, which began at just ten years old and has been driven by persistence, hard work, and a genuine passion for racing. We discus...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I sit down with Alex Jacques, a highly respected voice in sports commentary, to explore his journey into the world of Formula One broadcasting. Alex shares how his early passion for motorsport, combined with a few unexpected twists of fate, steered him toward some of the most high-profile commentary roles in the sport. W...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I explore a striking statistic in the Porsche world: there’s said to be a one-in-three chance of owning a Porsche, yet the ownership rate among women is far lower. To dig into that, I’m joined by Sarah Rhodes, a passionate Porsche owner who defies the odds. Sarah shares her journey from early fascination to the moment sh...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I speak with Helen 'Helly' Blake, a remarkable racing driver whose journey into the world of Autograss racing is anything but ordinary. Helen shares how her path to motorsport began far from the track, rooted in an equestrian background and fuelled by childhood memories of toy cars and time spent in her father’...

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I travel to EpocAuto 2025, held just outside Lyon, France, one of Europe’s most celebrated showcases of classic and vintage motoring. I explore the event’s standout exhibits, including a stunning display of BBM racing cars and a lesser-known but remarkable French marque curated by Gérard Gamont, who shares the fasci...