Bob Miller, a passionate motorsport enthusiast, shares his journey from rural Indiana to becoming a notable figure in autocross and time attack events, particularly with Korean cars. He discusses his experiences with various vehicles, including a Hyundai Elantra and a Kia Rio, and recounts his epic road trip to Laguna Seca for a Gridlife event. The conversation touches on the challenges and joys of motorsports, the camaraderie within the community, and the unique thrill of competing in a car that defies expectations. Bob's humorous anecdotes and insights make for an engaging listen.
"I grew around there and I got to learn how to drive real-world drive cars on gravel roads the correct way, which is sideways."
In rear-wheel drive cars, the back wheels get the power from the engine, which helps them handle better when driving fast or turning. It's often found in sports cars.
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is a vehicle configuration where the engine's power is sent to the rear wheels, which can enhance handling and performance, especially in sports cars. This setup allows for better weight distribution during acceleration and cornering.
"And front-wheel drive cars, dad taught me the finer points of, you know, car control by yanking the emergency brake mid-corner."
In front-wheel drive cars, the front wheels are responsible for both steering and moving the car. This setup is popular because it can save space and is often easier to handle.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a vehicle layout where the engine powers the front wheels. This configuration is common in many cars due to its efficiency and space-saving benefits, but it can limit performance in certain driving conditions.
"They were the only front-wheel drive cars we owned. We had bought my grandmother a Dodge Caravan because she had bad knees."
The Dodge Caravan is a type of minivan made by Dodge. It's designed to carry families and their stuff, making it a popular choice for people with kids.
The Dodge Caravan is a minivan that was produced by Dodge, known for its spacious interior and family-friendly features. It has been a popular choice for families due to its versatility and practicality.
"...we had an 88 Mercury Topaz automatic. If you've ever driven one of those, they have got to be the slowest vehicle on the planet with the AC on."
The Mercury Topaz is a small car that was made in the late 1980s. People often found it to be very slow, especially when the air conditioning was turned on, making it less enjoyable to drive.
The Mercury Topaz was a compact car produced by Mercury, a division of Ford, from 1984 to 1994. Known for its affordability, it was often criticized for its lack of performance, especially when air conditioning was used.
"was an 84 Ford Tempo five speed. That made the bestest jays in the school parking lot ever."
The Ford Tempo is a small car that Ford made in the 1980s and 1990s. It was designed to be affordable and useful for everyday driving.
The Ford Tempo was a compact car produced by Ford from 1984 to 1994. It was known for its affordability and practicality, but it wasn't particularly popular among enthusiasts.
"the car I bought to drive when I turned 15, I bought a Buick Park Avenue."
The Buick Park Avenue is a large, comfortable car that Buick made for many years. It's known for being a nice car to drive, especially for long trips.
The Buick Park Avenue is a full-size luxury sedan that was produced from 1975 to 2005. It was known for its spacious interior and comfortable ride, often appealing to buyers looking for a smooth, luxurious driving experience.
"...the Park Ave blew an injector pump literally a month before I got my license."
An injector pump helps send fuel to the engine so it can run properly. If it fails, the car may not start or run well.
An injector pump is a critical component in a fuel injection system that delivers fuel to the engine's injectors. It ensures the correct amount of fuel is supplied for optimal engine performance.
"on a gravel road. It made an STS Civic seem stable in corners. So here comes the SCCA ta..."
The Honda Civic is a small car that many people like because it's dependable and saves gas. It's also fun to drive, especially when going around corners, which is why it's often talked about in racing circles.
The Honda Civic is a compact car known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and sporty performance, particularly in its higher trims. It has a strong following in motorsports, especially in events like the SCCA, where its handling and agility are often highlighted. The Civic's versatility makes it a popular choice among both everyday drivers and car enthusiasts.
A five-speed means the car has a manual gear system with five different speeds you can shift through. It gives you more control over how the car drives.
A five-speed refers to a manual transmission with five gear ratios. This allows for better control over the vehicle's power and efficiency compared to automatic transmissions.
"I bought my first Korean car. 2002 Elantra sedan, GLS car, five speed."
The 2002 Hyundai Elantra is a small car that was popular for being inexpensive and reliable. It was one of the earlier models from Hyundai that started to gain a better reputation.
The 2002 Hyundai Elantra is a compact sedan that was part of the Elantra's second generation. It was known for its affordability and practicality, appealing to budget-conscious buyers.
"we were looking at, you know, something in that size range, you know, the ZX2 at the time, the Cavaliers, they were all trash."
The Chevrolet Cavalier is a small car that was made by Chevrolet for many years. It was known for being cheap and practical.
The Chevrolet Cavalier was a compact car produced by Chevrolet from 1982 to 2005. It was known for its affordability and was popular among budget-conscious consumers.
"Like, yeah, but like the 100 the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty, like was the reason people bought those cars."
A 10 year/100,000 mile warranty means that if something goes wrong with the car, the company will fix it for free for up to ten years or until the car has been driven 100,000 miles. This makes buyers feel safer about their purchase.
The 10 year/100,000 mile warranty is a type of vehicle warranty that covers repairs and defects for up to ten years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. This warranty was a significant selling point for Hyundai vehicles, as it provided buyers with peace of mind regarding reliability.
"the Cavaliers were just the the escort or focus or whatever happened to be."
The Ford Focus is a small car that many people enjoy driving because it's fun and easy to handle. It's also practical for everyday use.
The Ford Focus is a compact car that has been produced since 1998. It is known for its fun-to-drive nature and practicality, making it a popular choice among small car buyers.
"the Cavaliers were just the the escort or focus or whatever happened to be."
The Ford Escort is a small car that was made for many years and was known for being affordable and practical for everyday use.
The Ford Escort is a compact car that was produced from 1980 to 2003. It was designed to be an economical choice for consumers and was available in various body styles, including sedan and hatchback.
"It was they were they were small undersized. Three clutches in that car."
A clutch helps you change gears in a car. If it's too small or weak, it can wear out quickly, especially in powerful cars.
A clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages the engine from the transmission, allowing the driver to change gears. In performance contexts, the design and size of the clutch can significantly impact the vehicle's ability to handle power and torque.
"And that era of Hyundai engines were torquey. So they were they they made a decent enough amount of power..."
If an engine is described as torquey, it means it has a lot of power available at low speeds. This helps the car move quickly without needing to rev the engine high.
A torquey engine produces a lot of torque at lower RPMs, which means it can accelerate quickly from a stop or at low speeds. This characteristic is often desirable in vehicles for better performance and drivability.
"...the ones that allow people that can't drive a man of transmission to look like they can drive a man of transmission. Yeah, they're terrible on clutches."
A manually operated transmission is a type of car transmission where you have to change gears yourself using a stick and a pedal. It gives you more control over how the car drives.
A manually operated transmission, often referred to as a manual or stick shift, requires the driver to manually change gears using a clutch pedal and gear stick. This type of transmission allows for greater control over the vehicle's power delivery and performance.
Autocross is a type of car racing where you drive through a course marked by cones. Each driver goes one at a time, and the goal is to complete the course as quickly as possible without hitting any cones.
Autocross is a timed competition in which drivers navigate one at a time through a defined course on either a sealed or an unsealed surface. It's a popular motorsport for testing car handling and driver skill.
"Um, STF was a class that they had for about six years. It was so good."
STF is a category in autocross racing for certain types of cars that are modified but still can be used on the road. It allows drivers to compete in a fun and challenging way.
STF stands for Street Touring FWD, a class in autocross that allows for certain modifications to front-wheel-drive cars while keeping them street-legal. It's designed for cars that are fun to drive but still practical for everyday use.
"...I started to do autocross with the Indy region SCCA and then, uh, Kevin Butterfield..."
The SCCA is a club for people who love cars and racing. They organize events where you can race your car and meet other car enthusiasts.
The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) is a nonprofit organization that promotes motorsports in the United States, including autocross, road racing, and rallying. It provides a platform for enthusiasts to participate in various racing events.
"...my last woman in my old Suzuki Swift, but that got me into autocrossing big time..."
The Suzuki Swift is a small, budget-friendly car that is fun to drive, especially for activities like racing on closed courses.
The Suzuki Swift is a compact car known for its agility and affordability, making it a popular choice for entry-level drivers and those interested in motorsports like autocross.
"...I co-drove with Brian Harmer in his old Corolla that very first year..."
The Toyota Corolla is a small car that many people buy because it's dependable and gets good gas mileage.
The Toyota Corolla is a popular compact car known for its reliability and efficiency. It has been one of the best-selling cars worldwide for many years.
"...But I bought the Corvette and went decided that I should have a Corvette and the wife was like,..."
The Corvette is a fast sports car made by Chevrolet. It's known for being powerful and stylish, making it popular among car enthusiasts.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a high-performance sports car known for its powerful engines and distinctive styling. It has been a symbol of American automotive performance since its introduction in 1953.
"...to go when we're getting rid of the truck. So the Forte went and I missed that car for for many, many yea..."
The Kia Forte is a compact car that looks good and has a lot of useful features. It's a great option for people who want a reliable car without spending too much money.
The Kia Forte is a compact car that combines style, technology, and value, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious consumers. It offers a range of features, including advanced safety technology and a comfortable interior, appealing to both young drivers and families. The Forte is often discussed for its competitive pricing and warranty coverage.
"The TPI was making three hundred and forty five foot pounds of torque because it didn't make horsepower."
Foot pounds of torque measures how much twisting force an engine can produce. It's important because it affects how quickly a car can accelerate.
Foot pounds of torque is a unit of measurement that quantifies rotational force. In automotive terms, it indicates the engine's ability to do work, particularly in moving a vehicle from a standstill or accelerating.
"And then it still had that was the last year of the four plus three transmission, which was basically a T10, a super T10, with a dugmash two speed overdrive behind it."
A four plus three transmission has four regular gears and an extra two-speed option for better fuel economy when driving fast. It helps the car use less fuel on the highway.
The four plus three transmission is a type of manual transmission that features four forward gears and an additional two-speed overdrive. This setup allows for better fuel efficiency at higher speeds while maintaining performance in lower gears.
"...n front of me in 2017. Yeah, but I had bought the C10 that year. So that was that was out, unfortunatel..."
The Chevrolet C10 is an older pickup truck that many people love for its strong build and good looks. It's often restored by fans who enjoy working on classic cars.
The Chevrolet C10 is a classic pickup truck that was produced from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, known for its robust build and timeless design. It has gained a cult following among collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate its vintage styling and versatility. The C10 is often discussed in the context of restoration projects and classic car shows.
"is the real to 13 to 2013. Kia Rio SX SX manual. What an only year that happened."
The Kia Rio is a small and affordable car that's great for getting around town. It's known for being reliable and has a lot of features for the price, making it a smart choice for many drivers.
The Kia Rio is a subcompact car that offers a balance of affordability, efficiency, and practicality. Known for its value and modern features, it appeals to budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable daily driver. The Rio has evolved over the years, incorporating more technology and safety features, making it a competitive choice in its segment.
"...nd, Scott and Becky, needed somebody to tow their Miata down to NOLA in November of 2020."
The Mazda Miata is a small sports car that has two seats and can have its roof taken off. People love it because it's really fun to drive, especially on winding roads.
The Mazda Miata is a lightweight, two-seat sports car celebrated for its exceptional handling and driving enjoyment. Known for its convertible top and sporty design, it has become a favorite among driving enthusiasts and has a strong presence in motorsport events. The Miata's simplicity and fun-to-drive nature make it a classic choice for those seeking an engaging driving experience.
"...rked out front of Caesars. Parked between Bentley Bentayga and whatever the newest Land Rover Range Rover th..."
The Bentley Bentayga is a very expensive and luxurious SUV that has a lot of fancy features and a powerful engine. It's made for people who want the best of the best in a vehicle.
The Bentley Bentayga is a luxury SUV that combines opulence with performance, showcasing Bentley's craftsmanship and engineering prowess. It is designed for those who seek a high-end driving experience with powerful engine options and a lavish interior. The Bentayga represents the pinnacle of luxury in the SUV market, often discussed for its exclusivity and status.
"...ntley Bentayga and whatever the newest Land Rover Range Rover thing is. That's where we were literally sandwich..."
The Land Rover Range Rover is a fancy SUV that can go off-road and is very comfortable inside. It's popular among people who want a stylish vehicle that can handle rough terrain.
The Land Rover Range Rover is a luxury SUV known for its off-road capabilities and high-end features. It combines ruggedness with comfort, making it suitable for both adventurous terrains and city driving. The Range Rover is often discussed for its prestigious status and advanced technology, appealing to those who desire both luxury and performance.
Car
Honda That Honda
"...cond gear all the times. That was I will tell you that Honda fit power with Kia Rio gearing is a combination"
The Honda That's is a small car made for city driving in Japan. It's easy to park and uses less gas, making it a practical choice for people who drive in busy areas.
The Honda That's is a compact car designed primarily for the Japanese market, known for its unique design and practicality. It features a small footprint, making it ideal for urban driving, and offers efficient fuel consumption. Although not widely known outside Japan, it represents Honda's innovation in creating versatile city cars.
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