August 2nd, 1970, Hockenheim, Germany. 28-year-old Jochen Rindt stands atop the winner’s podium, holding the German Grand Prix championship trophy. His wife and young daughter stand proudly at his side. He looks across the crowd of cheering Germans and thinks back to the 1961 German Grand Prix - when he was one of them. A schoolboy watching his first ever F1 race, realizing for the first time that he wanted to become a driver. Nine years later, he was on top of the racing world, poised to become...
Jul 17, 2023•51 min•Ep. 202
In December of 2001, Aussies across the continent were hit with earth shattering news – Holden Racing Team’s golden boy, Craig Lowndes, was joining Ford’s Blue Oval. Shockwaves rippled through the legions of loyal V8 Supercar racing fans – it was known that you were either team Holden or team Ford, and there was no switching sides. A rivalry deeper than the Hatfield and McCoys, and more bitter than the Red Sox and Yankees, was about to be put to the ultimate test. But how did this deep seated ri...
Jul 10, 2023•55 min•Ep. 201
We spend a lot of time talking about the most famous heroes in auto racing: names like Enzo Ferrari, Michael Schumacher, or Lightning McQueen. But today on Past Gas, we’re skipping past the Greatest Hits album and getting into the DEEP CUTS. Who was the first person responsible for timekeeping Formula One races? How did Sabine Schmitz become queen of the Nurburgring? And who was the first female driver to participate in an organized race? Today on Past Gas, we’re going to learn about some of the...
Jul 03, 2023•49 min•Ep. 200
Rat Fink was artist Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s biggest envelope-pushing creation that drove teenagers to car shows and parents up the wall. But how did a young man with no automotive engineer training, who almost flunked out of high school, make such an impact on American car design? How did he stand out in Southern California during the height of kustom kar madness? And what type of legacy can a few crude creatures really leave behind? Today on Past Gas, the gnarly life and creations of hot rod icon...
Jun 26, 2023•50 min•Ep. 199
Catch our episode on Duncan Hamilton yet again, on this exclusive episode revisit! Today we’re looking into the bonkers life of Duncan Hamilton, the only man to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans drunk behind the wheel. This guy might have the nuttiest story so far on this podcast: from building his own car as a teenager, too surviving back to back sinking ships in World War Two, and surviving multiple crashes on the track. There’s only one Duncan Hamilton! You asked for it -- and we listened. We're fi...
Jun 19, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 198
A dreary rain set in over the Fuji Speedway during the 1998 All-Japan Grand Touring Championship. A thick wall of fog and relentless, heavy rain blanketed the racetrack in almost unmanageable conditions. Then, an accident between a Porsche and Ferrari changed the course of Japanese racing forever. How did racing in Japan go from boring to world-wide phenomenon? How did punishing drivers that won lead to better racing? And, how did a 1997 Chevy Cavalier wind up in the middle of a Japanese race? T...
Jun 12, 2023•50 min•Ep. 197
By the last race in the 1985 Indy Car Series, the drivers’ championship had come down to a single point – between Al Unser and his son, Al Unser Jr. Al Unser Sr was already an accomplished racer, with 3 Indy 500’s and two National Championship wins under his belt, whereas his son’s career was just beginning, and a championship win would cement his place in the world of IndyCar racing. Al was faced with a unique decision – he could pass his rival to his third national championship, or keep his sp...
Jun 05, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 196
The story of the Shelby Daytona Coupe is well-told, and filmed, but the part played by its designer, Peter Brock, has been long overshadowed. Who was the designer of Shelby’s iconoclastic Daytona Coupe? How did he get such an important assignment at 27 years old? What did he do after the historic events that followed? All that and more, on Past Gas, about the Other Peter Brock and the Shelby Daytona Coupe. You asked for it -- and we listened. We're filming Past Gas again! Head to our Youtube cha...
May 29, 2023•52 min•Ep. 195
After blowing three engines, Willy T Ribbs was about to give up on his dream of running in the Indy 500. With only hours left to get into the race, his team disassembled the engine, assessed the situation, and tried for a fourth time. They succeeded. That was the day Willy became a part of racing - and more importantly - American history. But why did it take so long for Willy to get the start he deserved? Where did he get his brash attitude and how did that affect his career? And how did he fina...
May 22, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 194
This is the second part of our two-parter on Phil Hill and the 1961 Formula One season, where the guys (and guest host Elizabeth Blackstock) ask – why was it a death sentence to drive for Ferrari? Aside from Phil Hill, who were some of these tragic figures? And why didn’t Enzo Ferrari go to the funerals of his drivers? Today on Past Gas, the story of how the Ferrari Curse was broken by an American. You asked for it -- and we listened. We're filming Past Gas again! Head to our Youtube channel and...
May 15, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 193
This is Part 1 of our 2-part series on Phil Hill! Phil Hill spent his youth dreaming of driving foreign cars. He would read British race publications front to back. He grew to idolize the racers like Juan Manuel Fangio and Alberto Ascari and cars like Maseratis, Ferraris, and Triumphs. But for much of his life, it was just a dream. So how did the nervous son of a Postmaster and hymn composer become one of the most talented race car drivers of all time? Why did he leave racing near the peak of hi...
May 08, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 192
The year is 1988. Chrysler is getting pummeled by Ford and GM in sales, and the company’s lineup of cars weren’t inspiring consumer excitement. They needed a new, exciting car - and fast. Company VP Bob Lutz was driving to work in his 1985 Shelby Cobra when it hit him. The Cobra was exactly the kind of car Chrysler needed to add to its repertoire. So Bob put together a team, gave them a three-point directive, and the rest, as they say, is history. The result of Bob’s efforts was the iconic Dodge...
May 01, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 191
The year is 1870. And a samurai has just started a trading operation in a Japan still coming to grips with the modern world. Through hard work, ingenious engineering, and perhaps more than a little war profiteering, that company would later grow to be Mitsubishi - one of the four largest companies in one of the world's four largest economies. But how did sales plummet to just 15 percent of their peak in a few short years? How did the company watch Volkswagen's Dieselgate unfold and then TOP IT? ...
Apr 24, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 190
Eight-time World Rally champion Sébastien Ogier was primed to defend his title at the 2022 World Rallycross season opener at Monte Carlo. As the four-day event progressed, the man who’d dominated Rallycross for the last decade was in the lead… until he found himself competing with an unexpected aggressor: a 47-year-old dude who hadn’t participated in a WRC event in over a year, driving a car he’d never raced. It was Sébastien Loeb. How did Sébastien Loeb become a racing icon, despite not getting...
Apr 17, 2023•46 min•Ep. 188
1989. The first episode of Seinfeld had just aired, Game Boys were flyin’ off the shelves, and the Berlin Wall was about to fall. But for car enthusiasts everywhere, 1989 will be remembered for something even bigger. The year that the Mazda MX-5 was released in the United States. How did the Miata become one of the most beloved two-seaters of all time? Who were the people who brought it to life? And how did a Japanese company end up making the ideal British roadster? Today on Past Gas: the origi...
Apr 10, 2023•55 min•Ep. 187
If you’re an F1 fan, you’re probably familiar with the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. But who ARE the Hermanos Rodriguez? What impact did they have on motorsports in Mexico? And is being fearless really a good quality for a race car driver, or indicative of future disaster? Today on Past Gas, the story of Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez. Thanks to our sponsors: Get Valvoline for your car! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit https://BetterHelp.com/GAS to get 10% off your firs...
Apr 03, 2023•50 min•Ep. 186
When we think of getaway cars, we usually think of criminals hopping into an automobile, perhaps after they’ve robbed a bank or a jewelry store, and speedily fleeing the scene to avoid being caught for their crime. But how did the term come to be? Who are the most infamous criminals to get behind the wheel? What kind of cars did they drive (and sometimes steal) to get the job done? And what are some of the inventive ways that these criminals put these cars to use? Today on Past Gas, the history ...
Mar 27, 2023•47 min•Ep. 181
Jim Clark never intended to become a professional race car driver. What he wanted was to be a shepherd and eventually take over his family’s farm in Scotland. So, how did Jim’s unbelievable driving career come to be? Where and how did his natural driving talents get noticed? And in such a loud, colorful sport, how did Jim manage to snag the spotlight with such a quiet, humble persona? Today, on Past Gas, we cover the remarkable and record-breaking career that Jim Clark never saw coming. Thanks t...
Mar 20, 2023•58 min•Ep. 181
Hollywood. LalaLand. The windy city of brotherly love. The stars of the screen are known for their outsized appetites for clothes, houses, and, most importantly to us, cars. While the majority of celebrities likely tool around in a Model X or a Rivian, there are some for whom this is not the way. Today on Past Gas, we are going to look at celebrities who consider cars and motorsport their calling. Who are these famous faces and what inspired them? Are they legit? And most importantly, what are t...
Mar 13, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 180
Gordon Johncock may not be a name you’re familiar with, but he’s a legend on the track - especially at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But how did Gordon Johncock achieve his status as a legend at the Indy 500? What caused him to shy away from the limelight? And what made Johncock racing’s unluckiest winner? Today on Past Gas, the story of Gordon Johncock. Need to hire? You need Indeed. Visit https://Indeed.com/PASTGAS to start hiring now. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give onli...
Mar 06, 2023•49 min•Ep. 180
In December of 1922, French industrialist and innovator André-Gustave Citroën was determined to show the world how tough his cars could be. Though the Citroëns were simple and affordable, he knew they were built to handle any terrain… even the Saharan Desert. But how exactly did the company’s founder, André Citroën, get his start? How did Citroën cars set the standard for how automobiles could be made more accessible for consumers? And how did André Citroën almost lose it all? On today’s episode...
Feb 27, 2023•53 min•Ep. 179
Few people in human history have been infected with a love for automobiles and pushing their limits quite like Jessi Combs. But how did one of the most recognizable faces in automotive television also become the fastest woman on earth? How did Jessi manage to excel in multiple high-pressure, male-dominated industries? And what led to the tragic crash that claimed Jessi’s life? Today on Past Gas, we’re learning about the life of modern automotive legend Jessi Combs Check out our video mentioned i...
Feb 20, 2023•47 min•Ep. 179
If you’re a fan of American racing, chances are you know the name AJ Foyt. But how did this fiery Texan write himself into the history books? How did he manage to come back after career-ending injuries? And what made AJ Foyt so dominant for so long? Today, on Past Gas, the life and times of one of America’s most well-known drivers, AJ Foyt. Thanks to our sponsors: Visit https://Indeed.com/PASTGAS to start hiring now. Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way by going to...
Feb 13, 2023•57 min•Ep. 178
In 2004, Ford decided they were done with Formula One, and started looking for someone to buy the remnants of their failed team, Jaguar. Luckily, an energy drink company was eager to take the reins. That’s right - Red Bull had decided to launch an official Formula One racing team, and little did the world know that they were about to change racing forever. But how has a team that’s been around for less than 20 years become one of the most successful Formula One organizations in the world? Who we...
Feb 06, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 177
Roger Penske Racing’s debut was going pretty well… until his team’s Corvette t-boned a slower competitor in the middle of the night session. But failure was not an option for Roger Penske, and nothing was going to spoil his first race as an owner. A perfectionist with a compulsive need to win, Roger instructed his team to grab two flashlights and some duct tape. This car was going to get back on the track… How did Roger Penske go from racing to running a team? Why did he walk away from driving a...
Jan 30, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 176
Whether you’re kicking up dust on your favorite dirt bike, or screaming a crotch rocket down the 101 at midnight, there’s nothing on earth like riding a motorcycle. But Harley Davidson bikes are a little different. Maybe it’s their sound, maybe it’s their mystique, maybe it’s a century’s worth of market dominance. But how did the hogs get their start? What led to the company’s meteoric rise in automotive culture? And where does H-D stand today? Strap on your saddlebags. This week on Past Gas, we...
Jan 23, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 175
Alain Prost was a fiery Frenchman, and an elite driver known for dominating the track like no driver before him. But along with his unrivaled success, The Professor had an extremely combustible personality and made more than one enemy on his path to glory. But how did this son of a small-town handyman become an F1 driver in the first place? What led to Prost’s legendary personal feud with Ayrton Senna? And how does Alain’s legacy stand up against recent greats like Schumacher and Hamilton? Today...
Jan 16, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 174
Twenty years before the launch of YouTube, tuning shops partnered with tuner magazines and illegal street racers in Japan to produce one of the most legendary viral car videos in history. The video would go on to cement careers, create massive media franchises, and ultimately resulted in an entirely new motorsport. And it was all done with one of the most unlikely cars anyone could have imagined at the time - the Toyota AE86. Who is “The Drift King” Keiichi Tsuchiya? How did drifting go from leg...
Jan 09, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 173
Bernie Ecclestone: a name more commonly spit out than spoken. How did the son of a fisherman, born into poverty, come to be a billionaire? How does a man go from living in the northern English countryside to jet-setting with a string of new wives over the course of his life? What kind of person could have such an incredible hero’s journey, only to end up the villain in the eyes of the public? Today on Past Gas - the story of the notorious and controversial Bernie Ecclestone. More about Show: Fol...
Jan 02, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 172
December, 2022. Everywhere, work is winding down for the holidays. Everywhere, except of course, the Past Gas Studio. After a year of epic and inspiring stories, producers Kristina and Gavin are wringing their hands, anxious because the upcoming episode list is looking thinner than Ken Miles after 24 hours of Le Mans. That's when Kristina has a brilliant idea. "Dear Santa, what I would like more than anything in this world is some banger ass ideas for our podcast.” Then, without warning, the Pas...
Dec 26, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 171
