Drive Thru News #68 - From Overheated to Overjoyed

This month's Drive Thru News mixes banter and headlines with a “What Should I Buy?” story: Brad abandons his troubled orange Mk4 GTI “Pumpkin Spice” after finding oil-and-coolant “chocolate milk” from internal failure and frame misalignment, then buys a high-mileage Vortex Blue Turbo Beetle (one of 2,000 U.S. cars) that’s clean, street legal, and likely chipped, prompting naming jokes and parts-swapping plans. The crew debates VW’s business turmoil, an allegedly Mk4-inspired Mk9 Golf design, the 2027 ID.Buzz return, Porsche EV uncertainty, a Cayenne Electric Coupe, simulated “manual” shift-by-wire, and Brembo’s non-hydraulic brake system. Other topics include Stellantis moves and factory health complaints, BMW killing the Z4 but teasing a manual M3 CS, an ugly Mercedes EV, discounted Hertz Shelby Mach-Es, an Outlander recall and handling rant, a pristine 1992 Scirocco auction, Cybertruck mishaps, books and upcoming events, Florida flying-car talk, sim-racing updates, and 24 Hours of Lemons prep including a risky wheel-sourcing tow story. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00:00 Drive Thru Kickoff 00:00:49 Buying yet another VW?!? 00:05:27 Pumpkin Spice Autopsy 00:09:15 Naming The Blue Beetle 00:11:09 Parting Out The Orange GTI and Resisting The Porsche Temptress 00:18:01 VW Business Model Panic 00:19:41 Mark 9 Golf Controversy 00:21:21 ID.Buzz Returns? Price Debate! 00:24:24 Porsche EV Hype and Cayenne Electric Coupe Roast 00:30:22 Fake Manual "Shift By Wire" and "Brake By Wire" Warning 00:37:39 Nurburgring Record Eye Roll 00:39:15 What's going on at Stellantis? 00:44:59 BMW Z4 Farewell and Manual M3 CS rumored for US 00:46:55 Ugly Mercedes Concept - The AMG GT 4 door 00:49:40 Hertz Shelby Mach-E Fire Sale 00:51:49 Mitsubishi Outlander Rental Nightmare 00:54:59 Lost and Found Scirocco GT-II 00:57:42 Cybertruck Recall Chaos 01:00:42 Book Club Updates 01:02:49 Events and Automobilia 01:04:16 Flying Cars and Florida Men 01:09:38 Motorsports Legends Series 01:13:12 Sim Racing Updates 01:16:24 Our Lemons Prep and Towing Nightmares 01:26:46 Wrap Up and Thanks ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram

The Gran Touring Motorsports team (Eric, Brad, and Tania), along with Steve & Izzy from Everything I Learned From Movies, review the 1995 Jackie Chan film 'Thunderbolt'. They discuss various motorsports, including the intricate car chase scenes, Jackie Chan's stunts, the film's production issues, and the unique elements of the movie. They dive into technical aspects like the featured car models, racing sequences, and significant action scenes, blending humor with detailed critique. The podcast humorously navigates the convoluted plot, appreciates the choreography, and comments on the movie's cultural impact. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00:00 Guest Introductions, Banter, Drinks and Movie Review Setup 00:03:15 Jackie Chan's Thunderbolt: Initial Impressions 00:04:20 Director and Cast Overview 00:11:38 Movie Viewing Experiences 00:12:50 Trailer and Opening Scene Discussion 00:17:20 Jackie Chan's Playful Style 00:18:05 The Bonneville Salt Flats Scene 00:19:33 Hong Kong Racing and Junkyard Fight 00:23:08 Police Checkpoint and Car Chase 00:31:48 Cougar's Arrest and Interrogation 00:32:32 Junkyard Interview and Fight Scene 00:35:57 Cougar's Escape Plan 00:37:24 Comparing Thunderbolt to Fast and Furious 00:39:31 Explosive Escape, Grenades and Gory Scenes 00:40:54 Nighttime Junkyard Chaos 00:45:03 Hospital Drama and Confrontation 00:47:38 Racing Preparations and Mishaps 00:50:26 Pachinko Parlor Showdown 00:54:18 Final Race and Climactic Finish 01:06:14 Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram

This episode of Evening With A Legend features endurance driver Ricky Taylor talking about his Le Mans experiences, from attending in 2001 with his father (Wayne Taylor) to racing there from 2013 onward. Ricky describes the event’s scale, the track’s dusty first laps, narrow roads, tricky slow corners, night-time loneliness, and the WEC vs IMSA differences in culture, rules, and precision. He explains Le Mans’ low-energy surface and long tire life, plus how top-level simulators and Michelin tire models aid preparation. Ricky also reviews Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac’s recent Le Mans effort, including qualifying pace, missing Hyperpole, and an engine failure, and reflects on racing with his brother Jordan and teammate Filipe Albuquerque. He discusses Jackie Chan’s LMP2 program, LMP2’s competitiveness, Garage 56’s Camaro impact, Cadillac’s 2026 F1 plans, and goals to improve after a difficult season. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 Ricky's early Le Mans Memories 03:09 First Racing Laps 2013 04:55 IMSA vs WEC Culture 06:25 Night Stints, Track Surprises and Passing 10:50 Training and Simulator Prep 14:53 2025 Cadillac Le Mans Postmortem 16:50 Family Racing Together 17:59 Jackie Chan LMP2 Story & Why LMP2 Matters 22:04 Garage 56 24:01 Filipe Albuquerque's Hybrid Knowhow 27:09 Are the Cars Too Reliable? 28:48 Audience Q&A 33:29 Thoughts on Cadillac F1 in 2026 34:40 Le Mans 2026 Plans  38:03 Why Le Mans Matters Most and Final Thanks! ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram To learn more about or to become a member of the ACO USA, look no further than www.lemans.org, Click on English in the upper right corner and then click on the ACO members tab for Club Offers. Once you become a Member you can follow all the action on the Facebook group ACOUSAMembersClub; and become part of the Legend with future Evening With A Legend meet ups.

In this Break/Fix Pit Stop Minisode, the hosts welcome back legendary sports car driver Hurley Haywood to revisit his defining years with Audi in Trans-Am and IMSA. Hurley explains how Bob Tullius and Audi brought him into the program after he broke his leg, describes Group 44’s professionalism, and contrasts team dynamics once Audi factory engineers controlled strategy and development. He recounts early surprises with the Quattro, learning all-wheel-drive technique, and how the cars became overwhelmingly dominant, winning a Trans-Am championship before SCCA banned four-wheel drive and IMSA piled on weight and engine restrictions that rarely slowed them. Haywood discusses the advanced 90 Quattro GTO, politics that ended Audi’s program, his brief Ferrari F40 IMSA experience, lessons from Walter Röhrl, and reflections on technology, dominance, and Audi’s prospects in Formula 1. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 Hurley Haywood Returns 01:54 Injury to Audi Opportunity 03:21 Audi Quattro First Test 04:49 Bob Tullius Team Culture & Factory Team Dynamics 08:25 Quattro Dominates TransAm 09:47 IMSA 90 Quattro Monster 14:17 Penalties Couldnt Stop Audi 16:26 Rivals Rage and BOP Politics Begin 20:03 Audi Track Antics ... Hans' Mischief Stories 21:53 Walter Röhrl Wisdom: Turbo Lag Techniques 24:31 Le Mans 911 Turbo Reunion 25:46 The Five Cylinder Sound 26:41 NASCAR Talladega Test 27:33 IMSA Exit Politics & The Ferrari F40 Detour 30:20 Revisiting Legends Today 36:04 Can Audi Win F1? 36:53 Final Thanks and Outro ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram

In this episode of The Logbook, our History of Motorsports Series, Mark Raffauf traces IMSA’s nearly 60-year evolution from John Bishop and Bill France’s founding phone call to today’s hybrid era. Raffauf recounts IMSA’s early experiments with Formula Fords/Vees, the shift to closed-wheel GT racing, the creation of Camel GT, RS/“little car” series on street tires, and All American GT, plus innovations like road-racing stock cars, Group 5, and GTP prototypes developed with the ACO to keep cars available to private teams. He highlights major manufacturers and iconic cars (Porsche 935/962, BMW CSL, Greenwood Corvette, Mazda rotary, Audi 90 GTO, Jaguar, Nissan, Toyota, Ferrari 333 SP), the growth of street races and Firestone Firehawk, rising speeds and safety limits, ownership turmoil, the IMSA split into ALMS and Grand-Am, and the eventual merger leading to today’s booming IMSA with strong OEM support and advanced hybrid prototypes. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 Meet Mark Raffauf 02:14 IMSA Origins Bishop & Bill France 03:55 First Races Open Wheel 04:53 Closed Wheel Camel GT, Small Cars w/ Street Tires 06:32 All American GT Era 10:42 American Challenge Stock Cars 11:39 Group 5 Turbo Monsters 13:48 GTP Arrives Daytona 1978 15:20 935 Evolution And Innovation 18:11 Privateers Payout Philosophy and the Road America Breakthrough 22:29 Lola T600 Ground Effects 26:14 Audi 90 GTO Quattro 28:28 Jaguars Take Over 29:11 Street Races: Miami and the Downtown street racing boom! 29:42 Wild tech experiments 30:13 GTP rules vs Group C 33:06 Firehawk showroom racers 34:47 Night racing survival 36:54 When speed got dangerous 38:46 Ownership turmoil and exports 40:57 GTP peak and aero wars 44:49 World Sports Car era 46:46 Ferrari 333SP dominance 48:11 Split into Grand Am and ALMS 50:57 Merger to modern IMSA 51:49 Hybrids and today’s grid 53:53 Closing remarks and sponsors ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.

This Formula Fanatics episode recaps the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka: “Kimi” wins despite a poor start, finishes 14 seconds ahead of Piastri, and the race features Beerman’s major 50G crash after a sudden slowdown ahead, plus a long cleanup that impacts strategy and hurts Russell after a safety-car sequence. They discuss concerns about speed disparity, energy management, and rumored FIA reconsideration of the 50/50 electric split, along with upcoming regulation changes and Ferrari upgrades, noting Miami is likely processional while Canada may better reveal impacts. They criticize Cadillac’s poor performance and debate Audi’s mid-pack results and viability, including talk of leadership rumors. Tania gives her take on the F1 movie: impressive visuals but an unrealistic, overlong storyline, with skepticism about a sequel; they mention interest in a forthcoming Schumacher project focused on 1994. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 Suzuka Recap Begins 01:20 Winner and Early Drama 02:00 Beerman Crash Breakdown 02:50 Power Unit Rules Debate 03:40 Cleanup Chaos and Safety Car 04:40 Russell Radio Weirdness 05:21 Cadillac Strategy Fiasco 06:42 Battles and Hamilton Buzz; Ferrari F40 & Off Track Drama 09:31 Mansell on Hamilton's Eighth Title, and Does Eight Titles Matter? 15:18 Is Racing Too Artificial Now? 15:35 Reg Changes Preview 16:45 Audi Midfield Debate 20:08 Drivers And Leadership 21:30 Miami And Canada Outlook 23:05 F1 Movie Reactions 29:15 Schumacher '94 Hype 30:37 Wrap Up And Sponsors ==================== Formula Fanatics, is the high-octane sub-series of Break/Fix Podcast’s Drive Thru Motorsports News! This is your pit stop for all things Formula 1 — from breaking headlines and race recaps to insider analysis and paddock buzz. The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/ Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/gtmotorsports Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/

Break/Fix's Drive Thru News Episode #67 recaps April's automotive news and oddities, starting with economic turmoil and fuel changes: extended E15 use, ethanol’s impact on economy, evaporation, water absorption, and rubber seals, plus brake-fluid hygroscopy and the wider impact of diesel shortages on shipping and heating oil. The hosts criticize Volkswagen’s EV strategy (Touareg EV talk, China-only Jetta SUV, ID model struggles, layoffs, potential government aid) while noting nostalgia tie-ins like Hot Wheels R32s. Other topics include Stellantis’ Poissy plant shifting to parts/recycling, a modern Fiat three-wheeler, Morgan’s BMW-powered Supersport pricing, Cadillac Blackwing discontinuation, a C8 Corvette stop-sale over turn-signal software, Toyota RAV4 GR Sport badging, a Pininfarina NSX restomod, Nissan heritage parts, Smart’s new EV concept, Tesla Roadster skepticism, Florida drone speed enforcement, insurance non-payment without collision coverage, a truck climbing a Lamborghini, NASCAR EV plans, Lance Stroll’s GT3 result, sim-racing updates, and a Lemons Focus project update plus upcoming events. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00:00 Show Kickoff 00:00:51 Geopolitics Hits Auto Sales 00:02:06 Ethanol Fuel Explained 00:09:10 Diesel Shortage Fallout 00:12:10 VW EV Touareg Debate 00:18:42 VW China Jetta SUV 00:22:19 VW Profit Crash Layoffs 00:25:13 Stellantis Poissy Factory Shift 00:27:38 Fiat Three Wheeler Returns! 00:28:20 Morgan Supersport 400 Reveal 00:30:09 GM Blackwing Farewell 00:31:58 Corvette Stop Sale Recall 00:35:03 Toyota GR Badge Creep 00:36:59 Pininfarina NSX Restomod 00:38:28 Kia's new Stinger Concept 00:39:37 Nissan Heritage Parts 00:41:06 Smart EV Concept Talk 00:44:31 Lost and Found: The Beetle RSI, or should you buy a Porsche 356 instead? 00:53:16 Uncool Wall Nominee! 00:55:14 Tesla Roadster Vaporware 00:57:26 Seriously What Could Go Wrong? 01:04:57 Events and Announcements 01:06:25 Drones Catching Speeders, Trucks Climbing Lambos & other Florida Man stories! 01:13:49 Motorsports News Roundup 01:17:18 Sim Racing Updates 01:20:49 Lemons Project Update 01:23:20 Support and Sign Off ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram

On this episode of The Motoring Historian, Jon Summers summarizes a Western Automotive Journalists recap of CES 2026 led by chair Charlie Vogelheim, arguing that major auto innovation has shifted from traditional auto shows to CES. He frames the industry around electrification, autonomy, connectivity, and shared mobility, noting huge spending since 2010 largely from outside traditional OEMs, and discusses how autonomy remains harder than early forecasts. Highlights include Waymo’s sixth-generation vehicles with 29 sensors and expansion to colder cities; Nvidia’s open AI platform; Uber’s planned 2026 Lucid Gravity-based autonomous rollout; Qualcomm’s single-chip ADAS/infotainment concept enabling cheaper EVs and reinforcing “software-defined” cars like Xiaomi’s ecosystem approach; bolt-on ADAS from comma.ai; Zoox demos; Mercedes “Level 2++”; Sony-Honda’s expensive Afeela; Germany’s remotely driven Vay concept; and standout tech like a hovering flying motorcycle and Donut Lab’s solid-state battery designs. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 Why CES Matters 01:10 EV Future Hopes 03:23 Three Revolutions 05:32 Shared Rides and Waymo 09:38 ACES and Investment 11:13 Waymo Gen 6 Hardware 13:33 Cold Weather Challenges 15:09 Nvidia and Lucid Gravity 17:41 Qualcomm One Chip Cars 21:39 Software Defined Automakers 25:19 Aftermarket Autonomy Debate 27:24 Autonomy Reality Check 28:56 More CES Oddities + Flying Bikes and Batteries 39:11 AI Construction Machines 41:50 Is ACES Still Relevant? 43:29 Outro and Credits ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram Jon Summers is the Motoring Historian. He was a company car thrashing technology sales rep that turned into a fairly inept sports bike rider. On his show he gets together with various co-hosts to talk about new and old cars, driving, motorbikes, motor racing, motoring travel. Copyright Jon Summers, The Motoring Historian. This content is also available via jonsummers.net. This episode is part of the Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission.

Break/Fix Podcast hosts Theodore “Ted” Giovanis with returning co-host Tom Newman to trace Ted’s unconventional path into road racing - from autocross and early SCCA club racing to Grand-Am/IMSA endurance competition! Ted discusses how Balance of Performance shapes modern racing strategy, the technical and human factors of endurance racing, and how benchmarking with pro-drivers transformed his driving approach. Ted also details the origin and mission of the Jane Koskinas Ted Giovanis (JKTG) Foundation for Health and Policy - formed after his wife Jane passed from metastatic breast cancer - its focus is funding specific researchers with minimal university overhead, and emerging uses of AI in diagnostics and biopsy analysis. The episode closes with Ted’s continued racing plans and future in pro-racing, even at the age of 80. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 Meet Ted Giovanis 01:28 First Steps Racing 02:44 Climbing to Grand Am 04:45 Lime Rock Paddock Tales 07:20 From BMW to Porsche 08:37 Business Win Fuels Racing 10:10 GT4 Car Carousel 12:50 Balance of Performance Explained 18:13 Endurance Strategy and Driver Ratings 25:07 Setup Secrets and Car Feel 28:10 Crashes Comebacks and Grit 31:35 Motivation To Improve 32:04 F1 Style Cancer Modeling & Driving Research Philosophy 36:04 Foundation Origin Story: Funding Researchers Not Overhead 42:52 AI In Diagnostics And Biopsies 46:20 Gentleman Driver Reality Check and Advice For Late Starters 53:54 Daytona Over Le Mans 57:03 Proudest Racing Moments 59:11 Shoutouts And Final Wrap! ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram

This episode of the Logbook, our History of Motorsports Series, discusses the intertwining advancements in motorsports and space exploration in 1965. Dr. Mark D. Howell, a cultural historian, explores the parallels between pioneering figures in motorsports, like Richard Petty and Jim Clark, and space exploration heroes, such as Frank Borman and Jim Lovell. Dr. Howell draws connections between technological innovations and national ambitions that shaped historical milestones in both fields. The narrative highlights Formula One's 75th anniversary, NASA's Project Gemini, and competitive advancements in NASCAR, Indy 500, and land speed records at Bonneville Salt Flats. Additionally, the influence of societal and cultural memory in shaping historical understanding is examined. The episode underscores how the accomplishments of 1965 have continued to impact racing, space exploration, and collective cultural identity. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 Setting the Stage: 1965 in Motorsports and Space Exploration 00:50 The Significance of 1965 04:07 The Space Race: Achievements and Challenges 05:03 Gemini Missions and American EVAs 13:27 NASCAR's Evolution and Controversies 18:52 The 1965 Indianapolis 500 24:37 Ford's Global Racing Ambitions 27:21 Bonneville Salt Flats and Land Speed Records 30:03 Motorsports Legends of 1965 33:25 Societal Logics and Collective Memory 37:12 Q&A Session 47:13 Closing Remarks and Credits ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.