Backseat Driver

Join me on the Backseat Driver Radio Show as I welcome back Noel Stokoe, Press Officer and librarian of the Jowett Car Club, for an enthralling episode delving into Jowett's captivating automotive journey. From their exhilarating racing triumphs, including the Lamo 24-hour race and victories in the one-and-a-half litre class, to their commercial ventures epitomized by the reliable Bradford van and...

Join me on the Backseat Driver podcast as I delve into the captivating history of Jowett, the renowned Yorkshire car manufacturer, with special guest Noel Stokoe, the Jowett Car Club press officer. Discover their origins as a blacksmith shop, their innovative flat twin engines, and their clever marketing strategies. Explore the rich heritage of the Jowett Car Club, the world's oldest one-make car...

It's me, Mark Stone, and on this episode of the Back Seat Driver Podcast, I chat with Michael McColgan, the managing director of Ex-Pressed Steel Panels. Using a unique process, we explore how their company creates replacement body panels for classic cars. Mike shares his passion for cars and discusses the demand for their panels in local and global markets. ___ https://pod.link/1656058575 Visit o...

It's me, Mark Stone, and I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Vista Heritage Centre and chat with Seren Whyte, the event manager of HERO and ERA. We delved into the rich history of HERO and ERA, tracing their origins and growth over the years. From the nostalgic Pelican Classic to the exhilarating Peking to Paris rally, Seren shared the diverse range of events they organize, catering to n...

It's me, Mark Stone; join me as I welcome a special guest, Mike Heap, the founder of Vintage Lakeland Tours, to the Back Seat Driver Radio Show. Discover how Mike's love for vintage machinery, instilled by his grandfather, led him to create unique tours in a beautifully restored 1928 Austin 12/4 Windsor Saloon. Get ready to hear about the charm and allure of vintage cars, the joy of exploring York...

On this episode of Backseat Driver Podcast, I have a special guest - Gez Parton, a devoted vintage car enthusiast. Gez takes us on his remarkable journey from Worthing to John O'Groats, then Land's End, and back home, showcasing the enduring capabilities of old cars. He shares his motivations, including cancelled events and wanting to fulfil a bucket list item. Despite encountering some car troubl...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Andy Jones from his home, which is like a museum filled with old and interesting cars, trains, clocks, and more. Andy is a collector and enthusiast with a particular love for his Austin 7 and the nostalgia of classic Landrovers. We talked about Andy's passion for collecting and restoring vintage vehicles, and he shared some of the stories and me...

It's me, Mark Stone, and we're taking a thrilling detour on this episode of the Back Seat Driver Podcast. Join me as we explore the recent Wrea Green Classic Car Show, where I couldn't help but notice the incredible influx of veteran, vintage, and pulse vintage cars. It's truly a sight to behold! I had the pleasure of chatting with Andrew Wearing, one of the event's main organisers. Andrew's life...

It's me, Mark Stone and in this podcast episode, I speak with Amiee Watts, daughter of Patrick Watts, a former touring car driver. Before her foray into motor racing, Amiee was an avid horse rider and had even considered pursuing it as a career. However, a few accidents and the expense and time commitment of the sport made her reconsider. ___ https://pod.link/1656058575 Visit our sponsors GAZ Shoc...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Martin Lawrence, a man who is a fanatic of Lotus sports cars. Martin's love for Lotus began as a child, helping his father, a Marine engineer, fix up cars. He eventually purchased his first Lotus, a prop in a Duran Duran music video, and his love affair with the brand began there. ___ https://pod.link/1656058575 Visit our sponsors GAZ Shocks 116...

It's me, Mark Stone and this episode of the Back Seat Driver Podcast I'm back with the second part of the 116 Trophy Special with my guest Mark Bate who returns to discuss how slower drivers are getting quicker and the importance of getting the most out of the car. We talk about the excitement of racing and how the driving standards and car quality impact the race. They also discuss the importance...

I interviewed Mark Bate, the creator of an affordable and successful motor racing series. He explained that minimizing costs was crucial, and they achieved this by selecting the BMW 116 series as the car for the Gaz Shocks 116 Trophy. All vehicles in the series are identical, including wheels, tires, brakes, roll cages, and seats. This makes it fair for all drivers, regardless of their budget. The...

In this episode, I had the opportunity to speak with Steve Entwistle, the owner of a beautiful orange Mini known as "The Orange Box." I first spotted the Mini while driving through Padiham and couldn't resist taking some photos. After posting them on Facebook, I was directed to Steve, who is not only the owner of the Mini but also a rally driver! ___ https://pod.link/1656058575 Visit our sponsors...

It's me, Mark Stone, and on this week's episode of Back Seat Driver, I had the pleasure of attending the Duncan Park Rally Festival organised by the Lombard Rally Series and Tim Nash. While there, I had the opportunity to chat with Philip Ashworth, who rallies a Volvo 142S - a rare sight on British historic rally stages but a popular car in Scandinavia. We discussed how he brought the car to the U...

In this episode, I interview Dougal Cawley of Longstone Tyres. We discuss the technology and build quality of Longstone's vintage car tyres and their benefits. Dougal also talks about the different tyre options available for vintage cars and how to choose the right one for your needs. ___ https://pod.link/1656058575 Visit our sponsors GAZ Shocks 116 Trophy Hodder Tyres Tarox Br akes SAS Autos List...

In this episode of the Backseat Driver podcast, we interview Dwight Mitchell from Mitchell and Son Additive Manufacturing, a company that uses 3D printing to reproduce obscure parts for classic cars. We discuss the role of 3D printing in car restoration and some of the most impressive examples of restored cars using this technology. Tune in to learn more about the use of 3D printing in the car res...

In this episode of the Backseat Driver podcast, I interview James Tucker, a racing driver, event organiser, and commentator. James's racing career began in 1982 when he gave someone a lift and ended up winning the amateur championship. Since then, he has had a successful career as a driver and organiser, and he shares some of his experiences and memories with us. We also discuss the excitement and...

This year's Race Retro 2023 was smaller than previous years, but in my opinion, it was all the better for it. I had the opportunity to walk around and see everything and even had some great conversations with fascinating guests. One of my guests was Christianne Ireland, a former Formula One driver now racing a mini, following in her father's footsteps. We had a great chat about her racing career a...

It's me, Mark Stone, and here I am at Rétromobile hosted in Port de Versailles, on the outskirts of Central Paris, and marks the start of the new classic car season. It features cars that can only be seen in magazines or books, but here, they are displayed in front of you in the metal. The world's most fabulous auction houses are also at the event, showcasing cars available for sale, though some r...

It's me, Mark Stone and welcome to the Back Seat Driver Podcast. In this episode, I'll describe my experience visiting Retromobile in Paris. This 47th edition of the show opened the ball of festivities linked to the 24 Hours of Le Mans centenary and confirmed its status as the referenced show for classic car enthusiasts. It was my first time attending the show, and I realised what I had been missi...

In this episode of the Back Seat Driver podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Carol Quiniou, an American racing driver based in France. Carol competed in the French Formula V de V series for historic sportscars, often behind the wheel of a Lotus. Carol has been racing in historic sportscar events in France and Europe since 2000 and has had a lot of success, including winning the French FFSA...

In this episode of the Back Seat Driver podcast, we hear from Mike Smith, an automotive expert and electric car skeptic. Mike shares his thoughts on the limitations of electric cars and the technology and infrastructure surrounding them in the UK. He explains why electric cars may not be the best choice for everyone and discusses why they may not be suitable as a sole vehicle or a necessary part o...

It's me, Mark Stone, the host of the Back Seat Driver Podcast. I'm sitting in the National Center for Motorsport Engineering at Bolton University in this episode with Director Mark Busfield. Mark has had a spectacular career, with over 30 years of experience in professional, manufacturer-supported motorsport across various disciplines. He has been a consultant team manager, managing director of cl...

On this episode of the Back Seat Driver radio show, we have special guests, Max and Giam Huber, two young and talented racing drivers from Spain. They come from a family of racers, with their father Ralph paving the way for them in the industry. Join us as we hear about their journey as racers, their challenges, and how they're following in their father's footsteps. ___ https://pod.link/1656058575...

I interview John Joe Vollans, a true expert in classic cars. He's a former editor of Modern Classics and currently contributes to some top car mags like Practical Classics, Classic Cars Magazine, The SL Shop, and Classic & Sports Car. He will share his knowledge of modern classic cars, what sets them apart from traditional classics and why they're becoming so sought after. He'll also be giving...