Oliver Gavin is synonymous with the dynasty that is Corvette Racing. A graduate of European junior formula racing, Oliver’s largest success came in American sportscar racing, eventually becoming part of GM and their staple Corvette program, where he’d enjoy a multi-decade career that won just about everything: Daytona, LeMans, a million championships, you name it. Lunch was served at Bonefish Grill in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the song “Let’s Go” by Marc Robillard taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
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Renger van der Zande is one of the most likable guys in the IMSA paddock. A staple of prototype racing, Renger’s journeyman path to the top has seen no shortage of challenges, from insurmountable debt to using his side businesses as a means to get himself back in the sport. Somehow he’s made it all work, winning an IMSA championship, and major races such as Sebring, Long Beach and beyond to be one of the most respected sportscar drivers of the current era. Dinner was served at Martini’s Organic in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the song “Take U There” by Rex Banner taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Laurens Vanthoor is one of the current greats in sportscar racing. Having just won the World Endurance Championship, Laurens is a top-race for Porsche, currently racing with Penske in the LMDh prototype category. Growing up in Belgium, Laurens’ career has spanned from running with several current star in European junior ranks, to becoming a factory driver for both Audi and Porsche, winning races such as Spa, Daytona, and the most unique win at Macau in history. Lunch was served at The Porch Kombucha in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the song “Temptation” by Ride Free taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Mike Rockenfeller has quietly risen to become one of the most celebrated racers in all of sportscar. Growing up in rural Germany with limited means, Mike was the quintessential successful junior racer with limited means, eventually finding his way onto the Porsche factory driver roster, then Audi, and now Ford. Mike has literally won everything there is to win in sportscar, from LeMans, to Daytona, to even a DTM championship. Dinner was served at Dahlia Mexican in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the song “Crash and Burn” by Kissing Candice taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
A staple of 1980s and 1990s sportscar racing, Juan Fangio II is one of the greats of IMSA GTP racing. The nephew of Juan Manuel Fangio, one of Formula One’s greatest, Fangio II embarked on a career unique to himself, and carving a path that you’d never expect given his namesake. One of the greats from Argentina, Juan is a true gentleman and has the stories to back it up. Dinner was served at El Casco de Fangio, the Private Estate of the Fangio family, with the song “Summetime Boss’s” by Wessley Thomas taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Tony Kanaan is a modern legend of IndyCar racing. Enjoying a career that spanned across four decades, the 2004 IndyCar champion became synonymous with hard luck at the Indianapolis 500 before finally taking the checkered flag after years of trying. A longtime fan favorite, Tony’s real story begins off the track with his father, making a promise unlike any other. Also available to watch on MotorTrend, this dinner was served at Fernando’s Brazilian and Mexican Cuisine in Broad Ripple, Indiana, with the song “Extrano” by Tania Matus taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
As part of our video documentary series, “Kidnapping Fangio,” available on MotorTrend’s YouTube channel, we are proud to present a series of extended interviews through our podcast. In this final installment, we present two different interviews. The first is with Juan Fangio II, who is not only the nephew of Juan Fangio but a champion driver in his own right, having won multiple IMSA GTP Championships. Growing up in the family, Juan II was raised with the stories from the era, shedding light on the personal side of the incident. Lupe Fuentes is Cuba’s leading expert on the incident, representing Proyecto Cultural Amigos de Fangio, an organization committed to preserving the memory of the incident in Cuba. Lupe was also joined by our dedicated Cuban liaison, Robert Ordaz, who plays the role of interpreter. Dinner with Juan II was served at El Casco de Fangio, Fangio’s private estate, in Balcarce, Argentina. Dinner with Lupe was at Fangio Havana in Cuba’s Claxon Hotel. The song “Juan” is courtesy of Tarante Groove Machine.. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
As part of our video documentary series, “Kidnapping Fangio,” available on MotorTrend’s YouTube channel, we are proud to present a series of extended interviews through our podcast. In this third installment, we meet with one of the foremost experts on Fangio History, Fernando Barragan. As the head of the Fundacion Fangio, an Argentina-based organization committed to preserving the heritage of Juan Manuel Fangio, Fernando greeted us with open arms in Argentina, including driving and guiding us through Balcarce, Argentina, the home of Fangio. Dinner was served at El Casco de Fangio, Fangio’s private estate, in Balcarce. The song “Kidnap Juan Fangio” is courtesy of Sean Heckman, written for and featured in the Kidnapping Fangio series. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
As part of our video documentary series, “Kidnapping Fangio,” available on MotorTrend’s YouTube channel, we are proud to present a series of extended interviews through our podcast. In this second installment, we take a departure from racing to learn even more about the history of Cuba. A Professor in Cuban and Caribbean History at the University of Florida, Lillian Guerra is one of the foremost experts on the topic, which can be even further explored in her book “Heroes, Martyrs, and Political Messiahs in Revolutionary Cuba, 1946-1958.” Dinner was served courtesy of Hotel Eleo, located inside the University of Mom. The song “Veinti-Seis de Julio” is courtesy of Myles Nye and Sean Heckman, written for and featured in the Kidnapping Fangio series. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Larry Holt is one of the most respected and influential characters behind the scene in many motorsport paddocks. Effectively managing the motorsport programs of Multimatic, an international automotive design and manufacturing company, Larry and Multimatic have been part of an incredible roster of noteworthy sportscar programs, including the Ford GT, Porsche GTP, and upcoming Mustang GT3. What makes Larry a legend, however, is his one-of-a-kind demeanor and storytelling. Lunch was served courtesy of Annina’s Bakeshow and Catering in Goodwood, Canada, with Larry’s son Geoff taking us via his band STRNGR STRNGR and the song “Mech Force 10.” Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
A product of IndyCar’s “Road to Indy” development program and eventually making his way to the top ranks, Dalton Kellett presents a unique perspective as someone who has never hidden his background or means to funding. Bringing personal sponsorship from his family’s business, K-Line, the maturity of the Toronto-raised driver has been repeatedly demonstrated by not only being upfront about his opportunities, but recognizing his own limitations and pursuing a degree in engineering simultaneously. Dinner was served courtesy of Miku Toronto in Toronto, Canada, with “Kuwait” by Vic Sage taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Ron Fellows is a legend in many categories. A legend of sportscar racing, a legend of Canadian racers, and a legend of the Corvette brand. The son of a preacher, Ron’s tenacity and willingness to risk everything and find himself in crushing debt has proven the investment needed for success, with the Canadian going from a home-built garage racer to a winner at Daytona and LeMans, largely through his famed ties with the Chevrolet Corvette, of which he was one of the original team members. Lunch was served courtesy of Shrimp Cocktail in Oshawa, Canada, with “Everything Changes” by A.M. Beef taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Bruce Canepa has defined the gold standard of vintage racing and restoration. A lifelong car guy growing up near Santa Cruz, California, Bruce’s incredible eye for detail and design has created a unique career path that has taken him from building model cars as a kid, to restoring some of the most renown classic cars today. Not just a racing builder, he’s an accomplished driver in his own right, competing in the top ranks of sportscar, dirt, hillclimb, and beyond. Dinner was served at Bruce’s Scotts Valley shop, Canepa Design, courtesy Back Nine Grill & Bar in Santa Cruz, California, with “Rock it Tonight” by Milano taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Adrián Fernández is a one-of-a-kind story with deep roots in IndyCar and sportscar racing. Raised with modest means in Mexico City, the idea of tenacity is redefined with his story, literally having himself smuggled to the Netherlands with no money to further his career, and eventually becoming a multi-time winner in IndyCar and IMSA, many of which were achieved with his own team. Beyond that, his legacy is probably best seen with re-invigorating the next wave of Mexican racing heroes, paving the way for many of today’s names. Dinner was served courtesy of Bulla in Coral Gables, Florida, with “Miami Beach” by Cosmonkey taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Alex Job is one of the most accomplished and respected team owners in the history of sportscar competition. Starting as an amateur racer balancing motorsport ambitions with a career in auto sales, the Florida native would use a rarely seen level of caution and calculation to slowly build his own racing team, Alex Job Racing, into a powerhouse that would not become one of the most heralded Porsche teams in history taking wins at Daytona, Petit Le Mans, and an unprecedented 10 victories at Sebring. Dinner was served courtesy of Rodello’s in Leesburg, Florida, with “Somewhere New” by Louis Island taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Pipo Derani is one of the most talked about characters in IMSA racing today. One of the most aggressive and unapologetic drivers in the GTP and prototype ranks, the Brazilian’s tenacity has to led to victories at Daytona, Sebring, and with a reputation of being as fast as they get. What makes Pipo interesting, however, is his completely opposite off-track character, being nothing but a polite and likable family man and a remarkably pleasant guest. Dinner was served courtesy of THE NOW DEFUNCT Maloko Miami in Miami, Florida, with “Don’t Look Anywhere” by Sara Flint taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Sebastien Bourdais is probably best known as the king of IndyCar (formerly ChampCar) racing throughout the mid-2000’s. Winning four-consecutive titles, the Frenchman was as dominant as you could get in that era, before heading off to careers in Formula One, returning to IndyCar, and now in the GTP ranks of IMSA. Fiercely analytical and incredibly honest about himself,Sebastien’s candor makes for a truly one-of-a-kind look at one of the sport’s quiet greats. Dinner was served courtesy of Il Ritorno in St. Petersburg, Florida, with “On Fait la Fete” by Bamton taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Bill Lester is probably best known for his groundbreaking role within NASCAR, known as the first African American to earn a pole position in the Truck series as well as compete in a full season of NASCAR. What makes Bill such an interesting story, however, is his origins leading to this. Transforming himself from software engineer to club racer in amateur sportscars, Bill’s path to professional motorsports was anything but traditional. Dinner was served courtesy of Don Bonachon in Suwanee, Georgia, with “Ain’t Looking Back” by Richard Farrell taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Jim Downing may not be a household name in modern day racing, but his legacy has saved countless lives. A long-time sportscar racer and team owner in his own right, after achieving incredible success with Mazda and his famed Kudzu racing team, the lasting legacy of Jim will always be his co-invention and distribution of the HANS device, which took years to finally become a mainstay of modern safety in racing. Lunch was served courtesy of Henri’s Bakery and Deli in Brookhaven, Georgia. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
When it comes to sportscar engineers, especially in GT racing, Lars Giersing has long been a known figure in the paddock. Coming from a very non-traditional background, Lars is one of the most accomplished figures in the paddock without ever earning a degree, relying instead on incredible intuition and knowing how to shape any racing program. This has led to countless IMSA championships, wins at Daytona, Sebring, and beyond. Dinner was served at Zen Bistro in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the song “Island” by Christopher Young taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Filipe Albuquerque has become a staple of modern prototype racing. A winner at Le Mans, Daytona, and having driven for some of the most prolific teams including Audi’s legendary LMP1 program, the Portuguese driver is known for his talent on track and enthusiastic personality off of it. Lunch was was served at Bonefish Grill in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the song “Promised Land” by Dan Ayalon taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
A driver synonymous with BMW, Augusto Farfus is a legend of touring car, GT, and now prototype racing. Hailing from Brazil as a dominant driver in junior categories, Augusto came into the sport with a family history unlike any other, and transitioned it wins at venues like Macau, Spa, Nurburgring, Daytona, and more. Dinner was was served at Bonefish Grill in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the song “Hey Love” by Rex Banner taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.
Nick Tandy is considered one of best drivers in modern sportscar racing. A winner at Le Mans, Daytona, and just about every other race you can imagine, Nick is a current IMSA GTP driver for Porsche Penske, but his foundation is anything but traditional. Growing up in the UK racing mini stocks on ovals, his path to road racing greatness was far from obvious. Lunch was served to a very hung over Nick at Boondocks in Port Orange, Florida, with the song “Let’s Go” by Marc Robillard taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.