Backseat Driver

On this episode of Backseat Driver Podcast, I sat down with former rally driver Malcolm Graham and his co-driver, Charlie Woodward, for a profoundly insightful interview. Malcolm took us on a journey through the annals of rallying history, starting from his humble beginnings in 1961 with an unlikely rally car, a Triumph Herald Cooper. Throughout his career, Malcolm piloted an impressive array of v...

It's me, Mark Stone. This week, I had the pleasure of attending the Vintage Montlhéry 100 event, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the renowned French circuit. Amidst the festivities, I marvelled at an impressive array of classic cars, motorcycles, and historic race series, including the Gas Shox 116 Trophy and 120 Coupe Cup. Engaging with participants, organisers, and enthusiasts like Andy L...

In this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting Ian Bannister, a dedicated stock car racing enthusiast and co-author of the captivating book 'It's Not All About The Racing'. Together, we delved into the rich tapestry of stock car racing, exploring its vibrant culture and community beyond the thrill of the competitions. Ian captures the essence of the sport through pho...

In this special episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, we pay tribute to the enduring legacy of Peter Collins, a British racing driver whose remarkable career was tragically cut short in 1958. Born in 1931, Collins's meteoric rise through the ranks of motor racing left an indelible impression on the sport, earning him admiration from luminaries such as Enzo Ferrari. Yet, despite his impressive ac...

In this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I dive headfirst into the captivating world of historic marathon rallies. Join me as we explore iconic events like the London to Mexico and London to Munich rallies, uncovering the exhilarating tales of participants and enthusiasts alike. The heart of this episode lies in the detailed accounts of the challenging 1974 London to Sahara to Munich rally....

In this episode of the Backseat Driver podcast, I take you behind the scenes of Mission Motorsport's track day event for veterans at Three Sisters Circuit. This event sheds light on the charity's remarkable initiative to harness the power of motorsport as a rehabilitative tool for armed forces personnel. Through interviews with key figures such as Mark White, Jill Baines, veterans, and car owners,...

It's me, Mark Stone, and I've got something special for you in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast. I had the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in the thrilling atmosphere of the 2024 Flying Scotsman Rally. From the excitement of its start at Carden Park, Chester, to the triumphant finish at Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland, I experienced firsthand the vibrant world of automotive heritage...

In this fourth and final part of an interview with international co-driver Mike Wood, he reminisces about his extensive rally career, highlighting his last international rally in 1973 at the Monte Carlo with the Datsun 240Z, where he and his team secured a ninth-place finish. Mike discusses the pivot in his career post-rallying, marking his involvement with Sandiford Motorcycles and, later, Montes...

In this third instalment of Mike Wood's rally career series, the renowned co-driver discusses his experiences in international rallying, starting with his first Tulip Rally in 1955. Mike shares anecdotes about his challenges and peculiarities, including navigating Europe's terrains and dealing with language barriers. He also highlights his participation in the Tour de France Automobile and the Lon...

This is Part two of an extensive interview with legendary rally co-driver Mike Wood sharing stories from his extensive career in rallying, beginning with the unconventional repair methods for rally cars, including tipping Minis on their sides to change drive shafts. Mike takes us through various high points of his career. He details his experiences in iconic rallies like the Geneva Rally, the Mont...

In this first part of the interview, legendary co-driver Mike Wood shares stories of his career in motorsport. Born in 1934, Wood discusses how his passion for motorsport was ignited in 1947 after watching motorcycle racing. His early days included navigating rallies in his father's Mark I Ford Prefect, eventually leading to his recognition as a highly skilled navigator. Wood recounts his extensiv...

I had the pleasure of meeting David Kelsall, a remarkable individual who transitioned from rally driver to celebrated automotive artist. Engaging in a conversation outside Kelsall's home in the Yorkshire countryside, I delve into his journey, beginning with his days in rallying, his self-taught path into the world of art, and his exploration of digital mediums in creating his masterpieces. Kelsall...

It's me, Mark Stone, and I'm thrilled to bring you an exclusive look into Praga Cars with Mark Harrison, the Managing Director of Praga Cars UK. We're diving into Praga's rich history, from its inception in 1907 in Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic, to its rise as a prominent race car manufacturer. Mark Harrison enlightens us on Praga's evolution, from manufacturing road and racing cars to br...

In this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast! I sit down with Derek Drinkwater, a passionate racing enthusiast with a knack for vintage American car restoration. Derek takes us on a thrilling journey through his love affair with racing, from his early days tinkering in his dad's garage to his adventures at iconic events like Bonneville and the Le Mans Classic. He also shares insights into his un...

It's me, Mark Stone and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I talk to Graeme Hardy about his passion for impersonating living and fictional characters. He discusses his incarnations as George Formby, Tazio Nuvolari, Stan Laurel, and Harold Steptoe, among others. He reflects on the meticulous research and effort he puts into recreating these characters and the positive impact and recogn...

In this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I interview Paul Woodford, a manager of Cadwell Park, a classic car filmmaker, and a Clan Crusader expert. He discusses his role at Cadwell Park, his journey into the world of motorsport, and the fascinating history and design details of the Clan Crusader. The conversation delves into how the Clan Crusader shook up the rally world in its heyday and t...

In this episode, I chat with Mark Gregg of The Motor Cycling Club (MCC), who takes us on a historical journey of the Club since its inception in 1901. With numerous fascinating stories, Mark discusses how the Club evolved from purely motorbikes to embracing motorcars and the development of MCC competitions. He also sheds light on passionately crafted Club vehicles, the roles of passengers, and how...

Angelica Fuentes Garcia, one of Mexico's foremost rally co-drivers and drivers, shares her journey into motorsport on the Backseat Driver Podcast. Angelica talks about her early start in the sport, impressive success in rally championships, experiences in major historic rallies like La Carrera and Monte Carlo, and her passion for endurance events. She highlights motorsport's challenges and beauty...

It's me, Mark Stone and in this Backseat Driver Podcast episode, I interview Anna-Louise Felstead, a renowned automotive artist. A.L. discusses her journey as an artist, her unique process of creating live art at car events, and her preference for painting classic pre-war cars like Bugattis and E.R.As. In addition to automotive art, A.L. recounts instances where she painted unconventional and sugg...

In this episode of the Backseat Driver Radio Show, I chat with Lorraine Gathercole, the British Women's Racing Drivers Club chair and the Motorsport Committee for Motorsport UK, discussing her unconventional journey into motorsport, her experiences as a racing and rally driver, and her role in promoting and supporting women in the field. She also talks about her business, Gathercole Race Engineeri...

In this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I had the privilege of interviewing Andy Larton, the founder of LED Motorsport, a company steeped in motorsport history since 1976. Andy shares the fascinating evolution of his company, starting from humble car servicing beginnings and eventually venturing into thrilling motorsport projects like the Talbot Samba and 205 GTIs. We delved into the highs...

It's me, Mark Stone and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I chat with Noelle Dunkerley and Paul Flett, the proud owners of 'Kermit,' a stunning 1951 Frazer Nash Le Mans replica. We dive into their journey with this vibrant green car, from its inheritance to its restoration, and their thrilling racing and road trip adventures, including their dream to participate in the Classic Le Man...

In this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I sit down with a rallying legend, Ian Grindrod. Famous for his professional rally co-driving career, Ian shares a fantastic trip down memory lane with me, recalling encounters with some of the most iconic figures in the sport. From Trevor Roberts to Henri Toivonen, the list of people he has worked with is impressive. His insights into the sprawling...

In this episode of Backseat Driver Podcast, I welcome Niel Gioia, a well-known car dealer and actor, back to the show. Neil shares his insights into the current state of car dealerships, explicitly referencing how the market has shifted toward electric cars and how potential buyers are being driven towards leasing arrangements due to increasing prices. Utilising his extensive industry knowledge, N...

It's me, Mark Stone, and I welcome to the Backseat Driver Podcast Peter Tattersall from UKcircuits.net to discuss Peter's passion for racing and classic cars, his experiences as a racing driver, his comprehensive guide to racing tracks in the UK, and his efforts to monetize his knowledge. We delve into the technical aspects, interesting anecdotes, and the nitty-gritty of the racing world. ___ http...