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1: Scott Birdsall on Crashing at Pike's Peak

1: Scott Birdsall on Crashing at Pike's Peak

Talk Talk Nation May 14, 2026 64 min
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About this episode

Scott Birdsall’s Pike’s Peak story kicks things off: he “flew off the edge of the mountain” and landed “on the top of his roof,” then explains what went wrong when “the brakes failed” at “like 14,000 feet.” Between crash survival and recovery, the conversation ranges from his diesel-class Pike’s Peak record and TA2 plans to Bonneville’s salt-flat stability, parachute braking, and sideways moments. The episode also tours garages, swaps, and the mindset behind building and racing—plus a few wild build detours.

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Car

Ford Edge

"...rrific crash on Pike's Peak where he flew off the edge of the mountain and landed on the top of his roof..."

The Ford Edge is a crossover SUV, which is a family-friendly vehicle that’s built for everyday driving. The podcast mentions it in a story about a very serious crash on Pike’s Peak. The key point is that the Edge was involved in that incident.

Concept

Pike's Peak

"You may know him from his horrific crash on Pike's Peak where he flew off the edge of [14.3s] the mountain and landed on the top of his roof in his truck."

Pike’s Peak is a super famous race where vehicles drive up a mountain. The track is hard on tires and brakes because it’s steep and the weather can change fast.

Term

roof in his truck

"You may know him from his horrific crash on Pike's Peak where he flew off the edge of [14.3s] the mountain and landed on the top of his roof in his truck."

Landing “on the top of his roof” suggests a rollover or severe impact where the vehicle rotates and ends up inverted or near-inverted. In crash analysis, the roof is a critical survival space, so rollovers are a major safety concern.

Concept

Bonneville

"Or you may know him from his unmodified truck record at Bonneville."

Bonneville is a famous place in Utah where people try to set speed records on salt. It’s all about going as fast as possible in a straight line safely.

Concept

unmodified truck record

"Or you may know him from his unmodified truck record at Bonneville."

“Unmodified” usually means the truck is basically stock, not heavily upgraded. That makes the record more impressive because it relies on the original design.

Car

Toyota Tacoma

"...nch of JDM stuff, but also your land speed Toyota Tacoma and a NASCAR thing we don't want to talk about ye..."

The Toyota Tacoma is a pickup truck made by Toyota. People like it because it can handle rough roads and it’s a common truck to modify for special builds. The podcast mentions it as a standout example of what people do with Tacomas.

Concept

brakes failed

"So I chucked it off because I don't, the brakes failed. And I went off at like 14,000 feet and I went 175 vertical feet onto the roof and then rolled 11 times and ended up 700 yards away from the roadway."

“Brakes failed” means the car didn’t slow down the way it should. On a tough course like Pike’s Peak, that can be especially dangerous because you need braking to stay in control.

Concept

14,000 feet

"So I chucked it off because I don't, the brakes failed. And I went off at like 14,000 feet and I went 175 vertical feet onto the roof and then rolled 11 times and ended up 700 yards away from the roadway."

14,000 feet is very high altitude. The air is thinner up there, which can change how the car runs and how well systems like cooling and braking handle heat.

Concept

Craigslist days before Facebook marketplace

"So I paid 200. I got, so this is back in the Craigslist days before Facebook marketplace. So I was perusing Craigslist as usual because I've addicted to buying shit boxes off the internet..."

They’re talking about the earlier days of buying used stuff online. Back then, Craigslist was a common place to find cheap vehicles to fix up or flip.

Concept

flip it

"And I'm like, man, it's ugly, but I can probably do something with it and flip it. So I went and I ground him down to $225 and I hauled it back..."

“Flip it” means buy it, fix it up a bit, and sell it again for more money. The host is describing buying a cheap truck and planning to resell it.

Term

patina

"And I'm like, man, this thing's cool. It's got a really rad patina on it, which is most like a lot of, like the truck was kind of famous for its patina."

Patina is the natural wear-and-tear look a vehicle gets over time. Some people like it because it looks authentic and shows the car’s history.

Term

diesel engine

"And then one day I'm like, you know what? We're going to throw a diesel engine in it and like come and swap it and make like a shop truck out of it."

A diesel engine is a type of engine that runs by compressing air so the fuel ignites from heat/pressure, not from a spark plug. People often pick diesel engines for trucks because they can pull strongly at low speeds.

Concept

car builds

"And then one day I'm like, you know what? We're going to throw a diesel engine in it and like come and swap it and make like a shop truck out of it. I have zero self restraint when it comes to like car builds, you know, case in fact, that was our garbage truck for the shop."

A “car build” just means someone is working on a car project—changing it on purpose instead of leaving it stock. Here, they’re talking about turning a cheap truck into a shop work truck by swapping in a different engine.

Term

compound turbos

"The whole thing snowballed and then it ended up getting like compound turbos and then it [392.2s] getting bigger injectors"

It’s a turbo setup that uses more than one turbo to help the engine make boost more smoothly. Instead of waiting for one turbo to spool up, the system tries to keep power coming across more of the RPM range.

Term

injectors

"getting like compound turbos and then it [392.2s] getting bigger injectors and then, oh, now it needs bigger brakes."

Fuel injectors are the parts that deliver gasoline (or other fuel) into the engine. If you’re making more power, you often need bigger injectors so the engine doesn’t run out of fuel.

Term

bigger brakes

"getting bigger injectors and then, oh, now it needs bigger brakes. [395.4s] Oh, now it needs, now it needs suspension"

If a truck is going faster, it also needs to stop better. Bigger brakes help the vehicle slow down more strongly and handle the extra heat from repeated hard stops.

Term

tube frame

"I'm going to cut the back chassis [398.8s] off and make a tube frame and before you know it, it's 1300 horsepower."

A tube frame is a chassis made from welded metal tubes, usually replacing a stock body-on-frame or unibody structure. It’s common in race trucks because it can be built lighter and stronger in specific load paths, making it easier to fit suspension and safety equipment.

Concept

time attack

"Like I want to go race Bonneville. [440.3s] So I go race Bonneville, you know, Pikes Peak, uh, time attack stuff, like grid life."

Time attack is racing against the clock. You make repeated runs and try to get the fastest lap by dialing in the car’s setup and grip.

Topic

grid life

"Pikes Peak, uh, time attack stuff, like grid life. [445.4s] I get to race for fun, but also results at the same time."

Grid Life is a racing event brand where people compete on track and show off modified cars. Here it’s mentioned as another kind of racing the speaker wants to do.

Car

2JZ

"So we took the shop's garbage truck and put a 2JZ in it and about a bazillion dollars worth of parts and now it goes fast."

The 2JZ is a Toyota engine that’s well-known for handling big power, especially when turbocharged. Here, they’re swapping it into a garbage truck so the truck can be built like a serious performance machine.

Term

Garrett G 50

"So that's a Garrett G 50. So it's, you know, insane about that big. How many, well, like 150 millimeter, like."

Garrett is a well-known turbo brand. “G 50” is a specific turbo size/type, and in this story it’s so big that it’s almost comically oversized for the truck.

Term

millimeter

"How many, well, like 150 millimeter, like. No, it's not that big. Uh, I think that one's an 88, 88 millimeter."

They’re using millimeters to describe turbo size. The bigger the number, the bigger the turbo hardware is.

Term

large frame turbos

"Well, so with the Garrett large frame turbos, I think they even make a 67 or a 70 millimeter, a small one, but it's in the big frame and they go all the way up to like 120 or 109."

A “large frame” turbo is a bigger turbocharger built to move a lot of air. Bigger turbos can make huge power, but they can take longer to get up to speed.

Concept

hit apexes

"Like I want to turn, hit apexes. I want to have some racecraft there."

In racing, the “apex” is the inside point of a turn. Hitting it means you steer so you pass closest to that inside point, which usually helps you accelerate out faster.

Concept

racecraft

"I want to have some racecraft there. But when I, when I got there, I was shocked at how sketchy it is to drive on,"

Racecraft is the “smart driving” part of racing. It’s how you choose your line and control the car when you’re going fast and the tires are working hard.

Concept

floating

"You get out there and you're floating, right? And you're driving a car that's not meant to go 250 miles an hour"

“Floating” means the car starts to feel like it’s not firmly stuck to the ground. At extreme speed, the air can affect the car so the tires don’t grip as well, making it harder to steer.

Concept

aerodynamics of a shoe

"So you're out there basically trying to go 250 plus with something with the aerodynamics of a shoe. That's absolutely insane."

They’re saying the car’s shape isn’t very efficient in the air. At top speeds, that can create extra drag and make the car less stable.

Concept

go sideways

"You've had a lot of scares in your driving career, but the one at Bonneville where this thing goes sideways is just sticks out in my mind"

“Going sideways” is when the car starts to rotate and point in a different direction than it’s traveling. If it happens at high speed, it can be very hard to correct quickly.

Term

exit speed

"And so the, my exit speed on that run was 252 miles an hour. And, you know, when you pull a parachute in a, in a land speed vehicle,"

“Exit speed” means how fast the vehicle is going at the end of the timed part of the run. It’s one of the main numbers people care about in land-speed racing.

Term

parachute

"And, you know, when you pull a parachute in a, in a land speed vehicle, you don't lift, you lift after the parachute, you feel the parachute hit. I didn't know that."

A parachute is used to slow the vehicle down after the run. When it opens, it can pull hard enough to change how the vehicle moves, so timing is important.

Term

bias ply tires

"Are you running bias ply tires? Yeah, they're, they're specifically made by Goodyear for 300 miles an hour."

Bias ply tires use a construction where the internal plies are laid at angles (instead of belts arranged radially). They tend to be more “flexible” in sidewall behavior than modern radial tires, which can affect how the tire grips and how it behaves when sliding at very high speed.

Brand

Goodyear

"Are you running bias ply tires? Yeah, they're, they're specifically made by Goodyear for 300 miles an hour."

Goodyear is a tire company. Here, they’re mentioned because the tires were made for extremely high speeds.

Term

flow state

"when I'm driving, I'm in like a flow state and I don't really think of like, what ifs it's all just like lizard brain."

A “flow state” is when you’re so focused on what’s happening right now that you react automatically. In driving, it means you respond to the car’s behavior quickly without thinking too much.

Concept

lizard brain

"really think of like, what ifs it's all just like lizard brain. Yeah. It's lizard brain stuff."

“Lizard brain” is a way of saying you react automatically, like an instinct. In racing, that’s useful because you don’t have time to think through every correction.

Term

going sideways

"Like, okay, I'm going sideways. I need to turn into it as much as I can."

“Going sideways” means the car isn’t pointing exactly where it’s moving. The tires are sliding a bit, and the driver has to steer and control it so it doesn’t spin out.

Term

turn into it

"Like, okay, I'm going sideways. I need to turn into it as much as I can."

“Turn into it” refers to steering into the direction of the slide to help the car regain stability. In practice, this is a common technique for correcting oversteer: you steer toward the direction the rear is stepping out so the tires can re-establish the right grip angles.

Term

tires held up

"So I can't believe that the tires held up going that fast sideways. Like I would just imagine they would crumble"

“Tires held up” means the tires didn’t overheat or fall apart even while the car was being pushed very hard. At extreme speeds and sideways slides, tires can wear out fast.

Term

200 plus

"a lot of guys get sideways at 200 plus, sometimes 300 plus at Waterville and I don't know if they save it."

“200 plus” means extremely fast driving. At that speed, it’s much easier to lose control if the car starts sliding or if grip changes.

Concept

getting sideways

"I feel like the salt has so much give to it that when you get sideways, you're just kind of spinning. Healing salt."

“Getting sideways” means the vehicle starts to slide sideways instead of going straight. That usually happens when the tires lose grip. The driver is saying they managed to regain control after that slide.

Concept

spinning

"I feel like the salt has so much give to it that when you get sideways, you're just kind of spinning. Healing salt."

“Spinning” here means the truck starts rotating as it slides, instead of staying pointed the way you want. On slippery surfaces, it can keep turning until you correct it. The driver is saying the surface helped them recover.

Term

tech inspection

"the Bonneville stewards, they slap you with a tag that makes you go back and get tech inspection again. If you spin, and I threw up so much salt dust that they thought I spun."

“Tech inspection” is an official safety check of the vehicle. If officials think the car or truck may have been damaged or behaved in a way that needs review, they can make you go through it again. The speaker is frustrated because it’s time-consuming.

Concept

salt dust

"If you spin, and I threw up so much salt dust that they thought I spun. So they came out to slap me with a tag."

“Salt dust” is the gritty powder that gets thrown up when the tires hit the salt. It can make it hard for officials to see exactly what the vehicle did. The speaker says the dust made them think he spun.

Car

Chevrolet Spin

"I'm like, no, I didn't spin. And they're like, we saw you spin. I'm like, no,..."

The Chevrolet Spin is a small van made for carrying people. In the podcast, it comes up because someone says they didn’t “spin,” but others claim they saw it happen. The car is mentioned as part of that situation.

Term

loopholes

"Racing God. Yeah. Yeah. And I think, you know, a shade of that happens still in racing where you like find, you have to find loopholes to find an edge on your competition, but he was"

In racing, “loopholes” means finding a way to follow the rules but still get an advantage. It’s basically using the rules in a clever way to go faster.

Term

nitrous

"Like nitrous in the roll cage, stuff like that. Like my, one of my favorite ones is when they, you know, like limited the size of"

Nitrous is a gas you can inject into the engine to make it produce more power. It’s like a temporary “power boost” that racers use when they need extra speed.

Concept

NHRA rule book

"So I, uh, years ago, I built a drag car to the 67 NHRA rule book. Yeah. So there's like extra gas in the tube in the car."

NHRA is a big organization that runs drag races. Their rule book is basically the official “what you’re allowed to do” list for different race classes.

Concept

gasser

"No, no, it's just like, it was a gasser. Yeah. Nobody, they're gassers now are, you know, like pro mods and stuff like that."

A “gasser” is a drag-racing class/style associated with older cars, where teams often ran a more traditional, straight-line drag setup rather than modern purpose-built drag platforms. The speaker contrasts earlier gassers with today’s “pro mods,” implying the rules and competitive landscape changed over time.

Concept

driver seat forward or after the stock position

"It said the driver's seat has to be forward or after the stock position. Yeah. So I made the driver seat, the rear seat and moved it forward three inches."

This is a specific kind of drag-racing compliance rule: the driver’s seat location must be within a defined range relative to the factory (“stock”) position. The speaker uses that constraint to justify moving the seat and rearranging the cabin so the car still fits the class rules.

Concept

firewall

"And so that was like my interpretation of the, did you move the whole firewall back and yeah. So that's why, because you couldn't sit in the front anymore, because the engine was so sunk back."

The firewall is the barrier between the engine area and the cabin. If you move it, it changes the space inside the car and where the driver can sit.

Concept

engine was so sunk back

"So that's why, because you couldn't sit in the front anymore, because the engine was so sunk back. So you like had to sit in the back seat."

“Sunk back” means the engine was pushed farther back into the car than normal. That can steal space from the front seating area, so the driver ends up sitting farther back.

Concept

oh shit moment

"So all right, I kind of just want to talk about like, oh shit moments, because [1028.8s] you've had so many out of those two, is there anything that beats those, you [1034.2s] know, flying off of Pike's Peak or going sideways at 240 miles per hour?"

An “oh shit moment” is when something suddenly feels really dangerous. In racing, it’s the kind of instant where you realize you have to react immediately to avoid trouble.

Car

911 Porsche Gt

"...t feel like I, so I drove my GT three cup car, my Porsche GT three cup at Pike's Peak last year."

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car model. The podcast mentions a GT3 cup car, which is a race version related to the 911 line. They bring it up because the host drove it at Pike’s Peak.

Car

Dart 2JZ

"So we have a Dart 2JZ and that thing that's capable of, you know, 2,500 horsepower. But do we run it at that?"

“Dart 2JZ” is a custom race car setup using a Toyota 2JZ engine. They’re talking about how much power it can produce and how they decide what to run during races.

Term

dyno

"So we like when we dyno it, it made 1460 to the wheels and I had it on tune five of seven."

A dyno is a test machine that measures how much power the engine is making. It helps you see what your tune is actually doing before you race.

Term

tune five of seven

"So we like when we dyno it, it made 1460 to the wheels and I had it on tune five of seven."

This means the car’s computer has several pre-set “maps” for how it runs. They pick one of those maps (like tune 5) depending on the situation.

Concept

power ceiling

"So it's, it's at like a power ceiling right now. So we're going to add more weight to it this year..."

A “power ceiling” means there’s a limit to how much power you can use effectively. Past that point, the tires can’t grip or the car can’t stay stable, so more power doesn’t help.

Term

mechanical downforce

"So we're going to add more weight to it this year so we can put, you know, more mechanical downforce on it to hopefully get more traction this year."

Mechanical downforce is what makes the car “stick” to the ground more. It helps the tires get more grip so you can put power down without spinning or losing traction.

Term

miles per hour

"You actually broke your own record at Bonneville, right? You set it like just over 200 miles per hour."

Miles per hour (mph) is how fast something is going. They’re using it to talk about the car’s top speed at Bonneville.

Car

Nissan Quest

"...ruck record with, with it. So this is like a sign quest that you had and you still broke the record. Yea..."

The Nissan Quest is a minivan, which is a vehicle made to carry passengers comfortably. The podcast mentions it because it was involved in a record or challenge. The focus is on the Quest being the car used for that event.

Part

transmission

"And then one year we did a whole transmission redevelopment on old smokey and it, everything just went completely foobar and we had modified the frame and everything that except the new transmission…"

The transmission is the part that sends power from the engine to the wheels through different gears. Rebuilding it for racing is a major job, and if it goes wrong, the whole car can miss the event.

Term

modified the frame

"…we had modified the frame and everything that except the new transmission and we couldn't get it ready in time."

Modifying the frame means changing the car’s structural chassis or mounting points, which can affect alignment, rigidity, and how loads travel through the car. In racing, frame changes are sometimes needed for fitment or performance, but they can also introduce unexpected problems if other systems aren’t re-engineered to match.

Term

wrap

"I love this pearl, Matt white, by the way, is that a wrap? It's a wrap. So that's a, that's a one of 23 or 24, uh, Supra is in quick silver."

A wrap is a vinyl covering put on top of the paint. It can change the look and protect the original paint—here, it’s used because the original paint isn’t in great shape.

Term

built dart motor

"So this, this car is like a wild daily driver. It's got a built, uh, dart motor in it."

A “built” engine means it’s been strengthened and upgraded inside to handle more power. “Dart” usually points to high-performance parts used in that build.

Term

Moton three-way suspension

"Oh wow. It's got Moton three-way suspension. Like it's, it's like a really high end street car..."

Moton is a performance suspension brand known for motorsport-grade dampers. “Three-way” suspension typically means the shock/damper has separate adjustment circuits for different damping behaviors (commonly compression and rebound, with an additional control), allowing fine-tuning for traction and ride/handling balance.

Term

JDM

"this is mostly JDM in here over there. We have some beamers and then there's like a wagon here outside that is lifted crazy."

JDM means “Japanese Domestic Market.” It’s a way enthusiasts talk about cars and parts that were made for Japan, which often have unique versions compared to what you’d find elsewhere.

Brand

beamers

"this is mostly JDM in here over there. We have some beamers and then there's like a wagon here outside that is lifted crazy."

“Beamers” is just slang for BMW cars. It means they’ve got some BMWs around.

Car

AMC 360

"Is that the four liter inline six, the AMC one? No, it's the 360, the AMC 360."

“AMC 360” means a V8 engine from AMC with a 360-cubic-inch displacement. People often swap engines like this in older cars to get more power.

Concept

frame-up resto

"modern transfer case, all new suspension, like that's a frame up resto, except for the, the body, like we left a little patina on the body."

A frame-up restoration is when someone rebuilds a car starting from the main structure (the frame). It usually means lots of parts get replaced, not just cleaned up.

Term

transfer case

"And then, you know, modern transfer case, all new suspension, like that's a frame up resto, except for the, the body, like we left a little patina on the body."

A transfer case is a part in many 4-wheel-drive cars that sends power to both the front and rear wheels. It helps the vehicle switch between normal driving and low-speed, high-traction modes.

Term

light bar

"And it, do they have like a light bar up front or is that stock light? No, that's all. So we custom made that front bumper for it at a sheet metal"

A light bar is an extra set of lights mounted on the front of a car. People add them to see better, especially off-road or at night.

Brand

Baja designs

"So we custom made that front bumper for it at a sheet metal and then it's got some big Baja designs, like LP six is on the front of it."

Baja Designs makes aftermarket off-road lights. If a car has Baja Designs on it, it typically has upgraded lighting meant for better visibility off-road or at night.

Term

LP six

"big Baja designs, like LP six is on the front of it. It's super cool."

LP6 is a specific Baja Designs light model. It’s the kind of extra off-road light people mount on the front bumper to see farther ahead.

Concept

veggie conversion

"It's like it was owned by someone that like did a veggie conversion to it to "

A “veggie conversion” usually means changing a vehicle so it can run on vegetable oil instead of regular fuel. It often takes extra modifications, and if it isn’t set up right, it can cause problems.

Term

veggie oil

"like run it on veggie oil. And it's, it's just like, I was like, it's all screwed up."

“Veggie oil” means using plant-based oil as fuel instead of regular gas or diesel. It can be tricky because it doesn’t act exactly like the fuel your car was designed for.

Term

harmonic bouncer

"Like the, the harmonic bouncer like spit itself off. Oh shit."

A “harmonic bouncer” sounds like something meant to stop the car from shaking or vibrating at certain engine speeds. The goal is to keep vibrations from causing problems or failures.

Term

right hand drive

"I just bought a 97 Supra, like total shit box, right hand drive, NA automatic."

Right-hand drive means the steering wheel is on the right side of the car instead of the left. It can change how the car feels and how you position yourself to drive.

Term

NA automatic

"I just bought a 97 Supra, like total shit box, right hand drive, NA automatic."

“NA” means the engine is naturally aspirated, not turbocharged. “Automatic” means you don’t shift gears yourself, and the car’s acceleration behavior will feel different than a manual or a turbo car.

Term

door slammer

"But we're going to go out and cross my fingers, hopefully get a door slammer in the 300 mile an hour club."

A “door slammer” is slang for a car with a normal enclosed body—basically a production-style car with doors. It contrasts with more exotic, purpose-built race machines.

Concept

300 mile an hour club

"But we're going to go out and cross my fingers, hopefully get a door slammer in the 300 mile an hour club."

It’s a bragging-rights speed milestone: hitting 300 mph on a measured run. It usually means the car has to be proven safe and fast enough under strict rules.

Concept

license up to 300

"Is that like an extra license that you have to get? So I've got a license up to 300 now, I think, because I've got my double A license, I'd have to check."

They’re talking about rules that let you drive faster only after you’ve proven you can. The event uses different “levels” of permission based on your previous runs.

Concept

double A license

"So I've got a license up to 300 now, I think, because I've got my double A license, I'd have to check."

“Double A” here is a higher permission level for speed runs. It means you’ve met the requirements to be allowed to attempt faster speeds.

Term

welding, cutting, fabrication

"So the first shop is where we do all the welding, cutting, fabrication, like all the dirty stuff, machine work."

“Fabrication” in a motorsports garage means building or modifying parts from raw materials—often alongside “welding” and “cutting.” This is the hands-on metalworking stage where you create custom components or repair damaged structures before final assembly.

Term

machine work

"all the dirty stuff, machine work. Um, and then the second shop is, you know, wiring, final assembly, you know,"

Machine work is precision shaping of metal or other materials using shop equipment. It helps parts fit correctly and work the way they’re supposed to.

Term

wiring

"Um, and then the second shop is, you know, wiring, final assembly, you know, all the clean, cleaner stuff."

Wiring is the electrical setup in the car—running wires for things like sensors and controls. It’s usually done later in the build once the main parts are in place.

Company

Resolute Motorsports

"So like Resolute Motorsports and Chuckles garage are the same address. Okay. And so they use the same, the same stuff, but they, you know, Resolute Motorsports is specifically Porsche stuff"

Resolute Motorsports is the name of a garage/shop. They’re described as doing Porsche-focused work at the same location as another shop.

Company

Chuckles garage

"So like Resolute Motorsports and Chuckles garage are the same address. Okay. And so they use the same, the same stuff, but they, you know, Resolute Motorsports is specifically Porsche stuff and Chuckles garage is like a party."

Chuckles garage is another shop at the same location. The way it’s described sounds more flexible and not limited to just one car brand.

Concept

restoration and fabrication

"So have you always been into restoration and fabrication and, and fixing cars up? Or I, I'm kind of, I want to talk about how you made the leap from being a"

Restoration is bringing an older car back to good condition. Fabrication means making parts yourself when you can’t just buy the exact piece.

Concept

carting

"Well, motorsport kind of came naturally because I've been carting for a long time. Uh, since I was a little kid, I've been racing dirt bikes since I was young."

Carting means racing go-karts. It’s often how people start learning how to drive and race before stepping up to bigger cars.

Concept

three-wheel motion

"And the cars, the trucks look fun. [2219.2s] And, you know, three wheel motion around every corner, like that, that sign me up."

“Three-wheel motion” means the truck is only touching the ground with three wheels instead of four. That can happen when it hits a jump or lands in a weird way, and it’s one reason the driving looks so intense.

Concept

jumps and flips upside down

"My good friend, uh, Pat O'Keeffe raced a stadium super trucks and it has one of [2246.4s] the most famous crashes where you're like jumps and like flips upside down and [2250.9s] then spins across the bar."

They’re describing a crash where the truck hits jumps and ends up flipping over in the air. It’s basically the vehicle losing control after it launches and then landing in a way that makes it keep rotating.

Car

Celica ST 185 GT four

"as long as we're talking about Celicas, I really want to touch on this one back here... This is a Celica ST 185 GT four, um, turbocharged four cylinder all wheel drive, uh, factory homologation for rally cars."

This is a special rally version of the Toyota Celica. It has a turbo engine and all-wheel drive, and it was built to meet the rules that let it race in rally events.

Term

factory homologation

"This is a Celica ST 185 GT four, um, turbocharged four cylinder all wheel drive, uh, factory homologation for rally cars."

Homologation is basically “approval to race.” The company has to make a certain number of near-identical cars that are street-legal so the race version is allowed to compete.

Term

turbocharged

"This is a Celica ST 185 GT four, um, turbocharged four cylinder all wheel drive, uh, factory homologation for rally cars."

A turbocharger forces extra air into the engine. That helps the engine make more power without needing a bigger engine.

Term

off-road tires

"So I mean, it handles like shit because it's got like off-road tires on it, but [2391.3s] it's so fun and like the looks you get, people are like, what is that?"

Off-road tires are built for dirt and rough terrain, with tread that’s meant to bite into loose surfaces. On regular roads, they can feel worse—less precise steering and grip—than street-focused tires.

Term

livery

"Most people don't get it because it's just like a 90s car with a livery on it. [2399.5s] Yeah. [2403.4s] Well, no one would ever think that it's like an original, you know, if any, if"

A livery is the car’s graphics and paint design—like racing-style stripes or decals. In this case, the design makes people think it’s a custom paint job rather than something original.

Car

BMW E30

"That's cool. And also, um, beamers, like, uh, was it the E 30, E 30, the E 30? Yeah."

The BMW 3 Series is a luxury car that’s meant to be comfortable but also fun to drive. The E30 is an older version of the 3 Series that people still talk about. The podcast mentions it when discussing BMWs.

Term

engine swap

"So my buddy Mark brought that car to me and told me what he wanted. ... And it was just like a simple swap. ... So I talked him into 2JZ swapping it."

An engine swap means putting a different engine into a car than it originally came with. It’s more than just dropping in an engine—you usually have to change other parts to make it work.

Term

horsepower to the wheels

"It's insane. Yeah. So we'll show you if you go, if you're watching this on YouTube, we'll show you B roll of it, but it makes how much horsepower it makes. It makes 1180 to the wheels."

Wheel horsepower is how much power actually reaches the tires. It’s measured on a dyno and is usually less than the engine’s headline number because some power is lost along the way.

Term

Garrett turbo

"Um, it's a 2JZ GTE, a big Garrett turbo on it. It's got a pandemic wide body, a Ford 8.8 diff, like custom cradle, like huge brimbo brakes…"

A Garrett turbo is a performance turbocharger. Using a bigger one usually helps the car make more power at higher speeds, even if it can feel less responsive at low speeds.

Term

brimbo brakes

"It's got a pandemic wide body, a Ford 8.8 diff, like custom cradle, like huge brimbo brakes, like full custom interior…"

This is talking about Brembo-style performance brakes. Bigger brakes help the car stop harder and stay consistent when you brake a lot.

Term

wide body

"It's got a pandemic wide body, a Ford 8.8 diff, like custom cradle, like huge brimbo brakes, like full custom interior…"

Wide body means the car’s fenders are widened. That lets it run wider tires, which can help it stick to the road better.

Term

Ford 8.8 diff

"It's got a pandemic wide body, a Ford 8.8 diff, like custom cradle, like huge brimbo brakes…"

“Diff” refers to the differential, the part that sends power to the rear wheels while allowing them to rotate at different speeds in turns. The Ford 8.8 is a popular rear-axle/differential swap because it’s strong and widely supported with aftermarket parts.

Term

custom cradle

"It's got a pandemic wide body, a Ford 8.8 diff, like custom cradle, like huge brimbo brakes, like full custom interior…"

A cradle is like a mounting frame that holds parts of the drivetrain in place. If it’s custom, it’s been modified so everything fits and stays solid under hard use.

Concept

big turbo cars

"I would imagine it's kind of uncomfortable to like try to drive 25 with 1200 horsepower. It's actually not. Yeah. You can just, I don't know. Yeah. So that's the cool thing about big turbo cars."

Even though big turbos can make huge power, good tuning can make the car feel manageable day-to-day. The goal is to control when the boost comes in so it’s not just “all or nothing.”

Term

RPM

"So what RPM does it kick in? We're like 3,500, 4,000, like the party starts and then like it's, it gets, the"

RPM tells you how fast the engine is spinning. If it “kicks in” at 3,500–4,000 RPM, that’s when the car starts feeling noticeably stronger.

Term

burnout

"oh wow, you throw a thousand plus horse at 275 tire and it's just going to do dial a burnout anywhere you want."

A burnout is when the tires spin and smoke while you’re trying to heat up or test traction. They’re saying the car has so much power that it’ll do that easily.

Company

ALC machine

"So we have ALC machine in town that's, these guys are like the 2JZ gurus. So if we have any stock block 2JZs that goes to them,"

ALC machine is a local shop they trust for 2JZ engines. They send the engine work there because the shop specializes in that Toyota motor.

Term

stock block

"So if we have any stock block 2JZs that goes to them, otherwise I use dart and that dart builds us the motor in their factory"

A “stock block” is the original engine base from the factory. It’s the starting point before any upgrades or machining.

Concept

tandem Supra

"Um, I also have the only tandem Supra ever made over there, but I feel like, I don’t know, I have more of a connection to this cause that was my first Supra."

A “tandem Supra” sounds like a custom, one-of-a-kind Supra setup. It likely means the car was modified in a very unusual way, not something you’d find from the factory.

Car

Toyota RAV4

"stop talking about my RAV4, but it is an NPC car. [2697.9s] Is it a first gen RAV4? [2699.2s] No, it's a 2024."

A Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV that people often use for everyday driving. Here, they’re talking about a 2024 model they bought because they needed something practical for their kids.

Term

600 miles to a tank

"but on, if I fill it up and I charge it up, it gets me 600 miles to a tank. [2726.5s] Yeah. [2726.9s] That's legit."

“Miles to a tank” means how far the car can drive before you need to stop for gas. They’re saying it can go about 600 miles between fill-ups.

Term

sport mode

"It has 300 horsepower with, you know, like sport mode. [2730.9s] Yeah. [2731.3s] And it's not a Prius."

Sport mode is a button or setting that makes the car feel more responsive. It usually makes acceleration quicker and changes how the car drives compared to normal mode.

Car

Toyota Prius

"Yeah. And it's not a Prius. Yeah."

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid car, meaning it uses both a gasoline engine and an electric system to save fuel. People mention it because it’s a very recognizable model. The podcast is clarifying that the car being discussed isn’t a Prius.

Car

Toyota Sienna

"So I'm, I'm shopping for a Sienna and I know like vans aren't your thing. [2745.1s] I gotta stop you there, bro."

The Toyota Sienna is a minivan, which usually has more room for kids and car seats than many SUVs. They’re considering it because their current vehicle doesn’t fit their growing family needs.

Topic

Minivans being underrated

"You know what I'd like to touch on? [2794.3s] Yes. [2794.5s] Is how slept on minivans are. [2797.6s] Yeah."

They’re talking about how minivans are often overlooked. The point is that they can be really convenient for families.

Car

Honda Civic Type R

"And now it looks like a civic type R. Like it has like a spaceship and a civic type R had a baby."

The Honda Civic Type R is a performance version of the Civic. It’s known for sporty looks and track-ready tuning, and here it’s used as a style comparison.

Car

Toyota Supra

"It's looks just like the Supra. Yeah. Like it's got the same tail."

The Toyota Supra is a well-known sports car that people associate with speed and tuning. Here it’s mentioned because the other car’s styling reminds the host of a Supra.

Term

drag coefficient

"I mean, at least it's sleeker and with like a lower drag coefficient too. It's lower."

The drag coefficient is a number that describes how easily air resists a car’s motion. A lower drag coefficient generally helps reduce aerodynamic drag, which can improve top speed and efficiency—something the host links to the car being “sleeker.”

Car

Honda Odyssey

"Oh, he does his Honda though. His, his auto, uh, what is it? He has a funny name for it. It's an Odyssey that makes like a thousand horsepower."

The Honda Odyssey is a minivan. The funny part here is that someone is building one for huge power—way beyond what you’d expect from a minivan.

Term

JZ swap

"I want to get one of those and slam it and like two JZ swap it because"

A “JZ swap” is when someone changes the engine to a Toyota JZ-series engine. It’s popular with car builders because those engines are well-known for being strong and easy to modify.

Term

slam it

"I want to get one of those and slam it and like two JZ swap it because"

“Slam it” means lowering the car so it sits very close to the ground. People do it for the look, but it can make everyday driving less comfortable and reduce ground clearance.

Term

Japanese Craigslist

"Yeah, I, uh, how do you feel about like Japanese Craigslist?"

They mean a Japanese version of Craigslist—used cars being sold by individuals. The concern is that you might not know the car’s real condition until you inspect it.

Term

rusted out

"If you don't have like a vetted, uh, place like top rank, bringing them in, like it could just be rusted out."

“Rusted out” means the car has heavy rust, often so bad that it can affect safety and repairs. It’s a common worry with cheap imports if you can’t verify the car’s condition first.

Concept

importing a car (shipping exposure and inspection risk)

"everyone looks great on the ads and like, it's like immaculate and he goes there and he looks at it and he's like, dude, this thing's a shit box. Like the towers are rotted out on it or stuff like that. ... it might actually be good, but then it has to spend months like amongst, you know, sea spray, like on the ship, super damp ... And then it might just sit in the port for a while too."

They’re warning that imported cars can look great in photos, but problems may show up after shipping. Salt water exposure and delays at the port can make rust worse, and nobody may check the car while it’s waiting.

Car

Mitsubishi Delica

"And I think I was looking at, you know, like Delica space gears, like those kind of Delicas are so cool. I love Delicas."

The Mitsubishi Delica is a popular Japanese van. People love them because they look cool and can be made to handle rough roads, and here they’re talking about lowering or lifting one for a dramatic look.

Term

slam Delica

"I think the slam Delica would be cool. Yeah. Yeah."

“Slam” means lowering the car a lot so it sits very close to the ground. People do it mostly for the look, but it can make the car harder to drive over bumps.

Car

Toyota Previa

"But the Previa was sick. So the Previa had the 22 RE in it, but with a supercharger. Yeah, the supercharged and they made five speed versions too."

The Toyota Previa is a minivan, but some versions were made to be faster than you’d expect. In this segment they’re talking about a supercharged Previa and that it could come with a manual and all-wheel drive.

Term

supercharger

"So the Previa had the 22 RE in it, but with a supercharger. Yeah, the supercharged and they made five speed versions too."

A supercharger is a device that forces extra air into the engine. More air usually means more power, so the car feels stronger.

Term

five speed versions

"Yeah, the supercharged and they made five speed versions too. And I think they were all wheel drive."

“Five-speed” means the car has a manual gearbox with five forward gears. It can help the engine stay in the right range as you drive.

Term

all wheel drive

"And I think they were all wheel drive. Man, yeah."

All-wheel drive (AWD) sends power to more than just the front or rear wheels, improving traction. That can help a vehicle accelerate more effectively on slippery or uneven surfaces.

Car

Mazda Rx7S

"...per car owners and you know, like all these built RX7s and NSXs and R34s would show up. And I remember t..."

The Mazda RX-7 is a sports car made by Mazda. It’s known for having a unique engine design compared to most cars. The podcast talks about RX-7s that people build and modify for performance.

Car

Honda NSX

"...wners and you know, like all these built RX7s and NSXs and R34s would show up. And I remember this one, ..."

The Honda NSX is a sports car made by Honda. It’s known for being a serious performance car that enthusiasts pay attention to. The podcast mentions it as part of a group of highly modified cars.

Car

Nissan R34S

"... you know, like all these built RX7s and NSXs and R34s would show up. And I remember this one, you know,..."

The Nissan Skyline is a performance car model that many car enthusiasts like. People often modify them for more power and better driving. The podcast mentions it as one of the cars that shows up in a group of heavily built vehicles.

Brand

T37s

"And he pulls around the corner in this Previa that he had put on. [3079.1s] He put T37s on. [3081.6s] I know what you're talking about."

“T37s” is a type of aftermarket wheel that a lot of Japanese car fans like. People choose them because they’re stylish and often lighter than factory wheels.

Term

supercharged

"And he's like, you know, it's supercharged. [3085.9s] And we're like, yeah, we know. [3087.4s] That's so rad."

“Supercharged” means the engine has a device that forces extra air in. That usually helps the engine make more power than it would normally.

Term

slammed

"but there's some like slammed Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda,"

“Slammed” means the car sits very low to the ground. People do it mostly for the look, and it can change how the car rides.

Car

Ferrari SF 90

"For some reason I love like the, I saw, what is it? [3127.6s] SF 90, the one with like the 80s style tail lights that are just like, [3133.9s] Oh yes."

The Ferrari SF 90 is a high-end Ferrari supercar. Here, they’re reacting to how one looked—especially the rear lights—and how the color made it stand out.

Brand

Porsches

"It's the same thing with like Porsches. [3161.0s] Like I really, I like odd colored Porsches. [3163.4s] But when I see a red Porsche, I'm like, yeah."

They’re just talking about Porsche colors. The point is they like Porsches in more unusual colors, and they’re less excited about red.

Car

Chevrolet C5

"...er hand, I like red. So like I'm picking up a red C5 from my buddy Sahan. He's got like this cleanest ..."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car made by Chevrolet. The “C5” is a specific generation of Corvette. In the podcast, someone is picking up a red C5 that’s described as especially clean.

Car

3500 Dodge 3500

"...ing that up. And then my daily truck, it's like a Dodge 3500. All lifted up Cummins and all that stuff."

A “Dodge 3500” is a heavy-duty pickup truck. It’s made for tasks like towing and carrying heavy loads, and the podcast says this one is lifted and has a Cummins engine. It’s mentioned as the daily truck someone drives.

Term

Cummins

"And then my daily truck, it's like a Dodge 3500. All lifted up Cummins and all that stuff. It's bright red."

Cummins is a company that makes diesel engines. In this context, it means the truck is powered by a Cummins diesel, which is popular for strong pulling power.

Term

Imola red

"There's, and you know, obviously like BMW has Imola red, which is one of the best reds. What's your favorite red out of any OEM red?"

Imola red is a specific factory paint color used on some BMWs. They’re saying it’s one of the best reds you can get from the manufacturer.

Car

BMW M3

"... get another one. So my friend Rick sold me a, an M3 was a 95 or 97. I can't remember."

The BMW M3 is a faster, sportier BMW version of the 3 Series. The podcast mentions an older M3 from the mid-to-late 1990s. It’s brought up because someone bought one from a friend.

Term

hell rot red

"So my friend Rick sold me a, an M3 was a 95 or 97. I can't remember. But it was hell rot red. Oh, nice. The bright red."

“Hell rot” is German for “light red,” and in this context it’s being used as the specific paint color name for the BMW M3 the speaker bought. It’s more precise than saying “bright red,” because it points to a particular OEM color/trim combination.

Term

Modena interior

"And it had the Modena interior. So, and I found out that they only made like a handful."

“Modena interior” is a named interior color/style. They’re saying this M3 had that specific interior setup, not just any generic interior.

Car

Mazda MX-5 / Miata

"Yes. Although the Miata, the current Miata is still cool. It is cool."

The Mazda MX-5 (Miata) is a small two-seat roadster. It’s known for being light and enjoyable to drive. The podcast says the current Miata is still a cool car.

Term

LS with twin turbos

"Probably like an LS with twin turbos."

“LS” is a popular GM V8 engine family that’s often used for swaps. “Twin turbos” means using two turbochargers to push more air into the engine for extra power.

Term

super late onset turbos

"Super late onset turbos."

With turbo cars, “onset” is when the turbo really starts adding boost. “Late onset” means it kicks in later in the rev range, so it can feel slower at first but stronger higher up.

Term

spool to like 5k

"So it does a spool to like 5k."

“Spool” is how fast the turbo spins up. If it “spools to” around 5,000 RPM, that means you don’t get the big boost until you’re revving that high.

Brand

Forza Horizon

"That's like something I would do in Forza Horizon."

Forza Horizon is a racing game where you can drive and customize cars. They’re comparing their idea to the kind of crazy build you’d do in the game.

Brand

Gran Turismo

"Remember what, I remember, uh, the first Gran Turismo came out..."

Gran Turismo is a racing video game series where you can drive and tune lots of cars. They’re talking about picking a car that’s basically meant to be a mess to make the experience more fun.

Topic

Sonoma Raceway

"Yes. That's when I go, when I go testing, it's either Thunder Hill Raceway or Sonoma Raceway. Oh, cool. Where would you rank it as far as your favorite tracks?"

They’re talking about Sonoma Raceway and why it’s a tough, interesting track. The conversation highlights corner types and how they make driving more demanding.

Topic

Thunder Hill Raceway

"Yes. That's when I go, when I go testing, it's either Thunder Hill Raceway or Sonoma Raceway. Oh, cool. Where would you rank it as far as your favorite tracks?"

Thunder Hill Raceway is another track the speaker uses for testing. They bring it up to compare it with Sonoma.

Term

10 tenths

"I mean, if you're at 10 tenths, just stay neutral, just stay neutral throttle through the carousel or you'll, you'll end up in the, uh, in the bushes before you know it."

“10 tenths” means you’re driving as hard as the car will safely go. At that point, tiny errors can cause you to lose control or go off the track.

Term

neutral throttle

"I mean, if you're at 10 tenths, just stay neutral, just stay neutral throttle through the carousel or you'll, you'll end up in the, uh, in the bushes before you know it."

“Neutral throttle” means you keep your foot steady on the gas instead of changing it mid-corner. That helps the car stay balanced and predictable through the turn.

Term

carousel

"I mean, if you're at 10 tenths, just stay neutral, just stay neutral throttle through the carousel or you'll, you'll end up in the, uh, in the bushes before you know it."

A “carousel” is a particular corner section on a track that’s taken in a smooth, curved way. The key is to keep your inputs steady so the car doesn’t get unstable.

Concept

legends car

"You call it a legends car. So it started out life as a legends car. It still is. We call it a super legends car now. But a legends car are like these really inexpensive race cars. They have motorcycle engines. It's a tube chassis..."

A “legends car” is a cheap, entry-level kind of race car. It’s built with a simple metal frame and usually uses a motorcycle-style engine, with lightweight body panels so racing stays affordable.

Term

tube chassis

"They have motorcycle engines. It's a tube chassis and it comes with like a 37 Chevy or 32 Ford or 34 Ford body or what, you know, just a little fiberglass body."

A tube chassis is a vehicle frame made from welded steel tubes, rather than a full unibody structure. It’s common in race cars because it can be lighter, easier to reinforce, and simpler to build around for a specific racing setup.

Term

motorcycle engines

"But a legends car are like these really inexpensive race cars. They have motorcycle engines. It's a tube chassis..."

In legends cars, “motorcycle engines” means using an engine design originally intended for motorcycles. These engines are compact and relatively inexpensive, which helps keep the overall race-car cost down for spec-style racing.

Term

fiberglass body

"...just a little fiberglass body."

A fiberglass body uses fiberglass panels instead of heavier steel bodywork. On lightweight race cars, fiberglass helps reduce weight and cost while still providing the external shape needed for racing.

Term

driveline

"Yeah, one seat because so you're the driver and you take up like three quarters of the interior space and then the driveline is the passenger. So like there's this little hump where the driveline is and then the other door."

The driveline is the power-transfer system under the car. It’s what connects the engine to the wheels, and in this setup it sticks up into the cabin, making the interior very tight.

Term

road race

"There's nothing more fun than like a legends car that you took and modified to go out and road race with."

Road racing means racing on a track with lots of corners, not just going left and right on an oval. The car has to handle braking and turning well to be fast.

Car

Yamaha FJ 1200 engine

"And it's got a little four cylinder from a Yamaha. Yeah, it's got a Yamaha FJ 1200 engine."

They’re talking about putting a motorcycle engine (from a Yamaha FJ 1200) into a small race car. That kind of swap can make the car feel really lively because the engine is light and makes decent power.

Term

torque

"It makes like 70 pound feet of torque. Like it's super fun."

Torque is the engine’s twisting force. More torque usually means the car feels punchy when you get on the throttle, even if peak horsepower isn’t the biggest number.

Concept

running fast lap times without using the brakes

"No, not passing, but we could run really fast lap times because I don't have to use the brakes. It doesn't weigh anything."

They’re talking about a way to drive where you keep your speed through turns instead of slowing down a lot. If you can do that, you can set quicker lap times because you lose less time to braking.

Concept

corkscrew

"Yeah. And not the carousel, but the corkscrew in that thing is like a religious experience because you're carrying so much speed, you just drop in."

The “corkscrew” is a well-known tricky section of the course where the road twists quickly. Drivers have to keep the car hooked up and pointed correctly while going very fast.

Concept

carrying so much speed you just drop in

"That's got to be frustrating for them. That this little buzz bomb is like, you can't leave them in the corners. Yeah. And not the carousel, but the corkscrew in that thing is like a religious experience because you're carrying so much speed, you just drop in."

They mean the car stays moving really fast and the driver commits to the turn without backing off. The track shape makes it feel like you’re dropping into the corner while staying in control.

Concept

turn 11 / "widowmaker"

"There's turn 11, the S's and the carousel. Turn 11 doesn't have a name like a... The widowmaker or something like that. No, it's just like, don't hit the tires."

They’re talking about a specific turn (turn 11) that people consider especially scary. The warning is basically: don’t get too close to the tires or you’ll lose control or slow down a lot.

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