223 - Brake Check (Devin Giles)
About this episode
Scott Robertson, a driver coach and former pastor, shares his journey into motorsports, starting from a childhood fascination with cars to competing in events like the One Lap of America. He discusses the importance of mental resilience in racing, how personal experiences shape driving performance, and the value of community and support in the motorsport world. The conversation delves into the emotional aspects of racing, the significance of self-awareness, and the impact of external validation on personal growth. Scott emphasizes the need for vulnerability and connection in both racing and life.
We wanted to share a podcast we enjoy called Brake Check - hosted by Devin Giles.
It's about the real struggles everyone goes through, and the stories of drivers we know in the paddock. Scott got to be on this week, so we wanted to share it with all of you - give him a follow!
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Chrysler Neon SRT-4
"...he's a Chrysler dealer at the time, and he took some training early to get one of the country's first neon SRT fours. Big block. Big block"
The Chrysler Neon SRT-4 is a sportier version of the regular Neon car. It has a turbocharged engine that makes it faster and more fun to drive, making it popular with car enthusiasts.
The Chrysler Neon SRT-4 is a high-performance variant of the standard Neon, known for its turbocharged engine and sporty handling. It was popular among enthusiasts for its affordability and tuning potential.
One Lap of America
"And his plan was for us to get that car, do some gentle prep on it, and go take it on the One Lap of America."
One Lap of America is a car racing event where drivers take their cars to different racetracks around the country over a week. It's a mix of driving on public roads and racing on tracks.
One Lap of America is a unique motorsport event that combines road rallying and track racing, where participants drive a single car across various racetracks in the United States over a week-long period. It tests both the car's performance and the driver's skills.
Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB)
"decided to buy, as you pointed out, my very unique red NB Miata. And it's one of a million, man."
The Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB) is a small sports car that's fun to drive. It's known for being light and having great handling, making it popular with car lovers.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB) is the second generation of the popular lightweight sports car, known for its agile handling and fun driving experience. It features a compact design and rear-wheel drive, making it a favorite among driving enthusiasts.
HPDE
"never really looked back so far. Got into HPDing, quickly developed into competition."
HPDE means High-Performance Driving Experience. It's an event where people can drive their cars on a racetrack to learn how to handle them better and improve their driving skills.
HPDE stands for High-Performance Driving Experience, which is a type of driving event where participants can learn and improve their driving skills on a racetrack in a controlled environment. It's often used as a stepping stone for those interested in motorsports.
OEM car
"It's mainly to do with the an OEM car does so well. I don't like that. I want everybody to be in pain."
OEM means the car is made by the company that originally built it, not a modified version or a different brand.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. It refers to vehicles that are produced by the original manufacturer, as opposed to modified or aftermarket vehicles.
Porsche GTX
"as long as you have a pretty good checkbook, you can go into one of at least four or five different dealers and buy something with a warranty that is unbelievably capable on track. Yeah. And I mean, insert any Porsche GTX."
Porsche GTX refers to a type of Porsche car designed for high performance, often used for racing or track events.
The Porsche GTX is a variant of Porsche vehicles that emphasizes high performance and track capability, often featuring enhancements over standard models.
Plymouth GTX
"...le on track. Yeah. And I mean, insert any Porsche GTX. That is one of them. It's good. And so, you kno..."
The Plymouth GTX is a classic car from the muscle car era, known for being powerful and fast. It's a cool car that many collectors admire because of its performance and unique design.
The Plymouth GTX is a classic American muscle car that was produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s, known for its powerful engines and performance-oriented design. It represents the golden age of muscle cars and is celebrated for its combination of style and speed.
time attack
"the days of the Porsche 911 twin turbo time attack car with all the aero catching fire"
Time attack is a racing style where drivers try to complete a lap as quickly as possible, often using special cars designed for speed.
Time attack is a motorsport format where drivers compete to set the fastest lap time on a track, often using highly modified cars to achieve optimal performance.
Porsche 911
"... good. And so, you know, the days of the Porsche 911 twin turbo time attack car with all the aero catc..."
The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that looks really cool and is super fast. It's known for being a great car to drive, and many people love it for its style and performance.
The Porsche 911 is an iconic sports car that has been in production since the early 1960s, known for its distinctive design and rear-engine layout. It combines luxury with high performance, making it a benchmark in the sports car segment and a favorite among driving enthusiasts.
Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06
"Or hell, even a C8Z now. Yeah. And yeah, the Z cars, the GT cars."
The Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06 is a very fast sports car that has its engine in the middle. It's built to be super powerful and fun to drive on the road or the racetrack.
The Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06 is a high-performance version of the Corvette, featuring a mid-engine layout and a powerful V8 engine, designed for both street and track performance.
Sunday Cup
"we did it in our Sunday Cup car for two years with a small group of Sunday Cup people and that was a riot."
The Sunday Cup is a fun racing event where people can race their cars against each other. It's not super serious, and anyone can join in with different types of cars.
The Sunday Cup is a grassroots racing series that emphasizes fun and accessibility, often featuring unique or unconventional cars in a competitive yet friendly environment.
Fields Auto Works Cardinal Coupe
"And so you did it in the fairly unique car last year, right? Two years running. What do they call it? Yeah, the Fields Auto Works Cardinal Coupe."
The Fields Auto Works Cardinal Coupe is a special car that looks different from most cars. It's known for being unique and fun to drive.
The Fields Auto Works Cardinal Coupe is a unique car known for its distinctive design and performance characteristics, often attracting attention in automotive events.
aero
"...we had some aero put on it, which helped a lot. But we were the only car in a wide, wide margin..."
Aero is about how a car is shaped to move through the air. Good aero helps the car go faster and stay stable.
Aero refers to the aerodynamic features of a car that help it cut through air more efficiently, improving stability and performance at high speeds.
ABS
"...we were the only car in a wide, wide margin that didn't have ABS, didn't have launch control..."
ABS helps you stop your car without skidding. It makes sure the wheels keep turning so you can steer while braking hard.
ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System, a safety feature that prevents the wheels from locking up during braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control.
launch control
"...didn't have launch control. And we were on two 45 tires. Like I mean,..."
Launch control helps cars start quickly without spinning their wheels. It's like a special setting that makes sure you get off the line fast.
Launch control is a feature in high-performance cars that optimizes acceleration from a standstill, allowing for maximum grip and minimal wheel spin.
245 tires
"...didn't have launch control. And we were on two 45 tires. Like I mean,..."
245 tires are 245 millimeters wide. Wider tires can help a car grip the road better, especially when turning.
The '245' refers to the width of the tire in millimeters. Wider tires can provide better grip and stability, especially during cornering.
GT RS
"...it's a production car, but it's not a, it's not a fucking GT RS, right? I'm waiting for the,..."
GT RS is a special version of a sports car that is designed to be faster and perform better than regular versions.
GT RS refers to a high-performance variant of a sports car, typically featuring enhanced power, handling, and aerodynamics compared to standard models.
five second cars
"you know, five second cars, I got to drive around the street, right? Whereas like,"
A 'five second car' is a car that can go really fast, reaching 60 miles per hour in just five seconds. It's a way to describe how quick a car is.
The term 'five second cars' typically refers to vehicles that can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about five seconds. This performance metric is often used to gauge a car's speed and agility.
splitter
"one of our cars destroyed and lost its splitter on the highway because of what we think was a beaver."
A splitter is a part at the front of a car that helps it stay stable when going fast. It can get damaged easily if it hits something on the road.
A splitter is an aerodynamic component attached to the front of a car, designed to increase downforce and improve stability at high speeds. It can be vulnerable to damage from road debris or impacts.
stock suspension
"...did it in my Miata that had a stock suspension because I didn't have enough money to buy that..."
Stock suspension is the standard setup that a car comes with when you buy it. It's made for regular driving and comfort, not racing or high performance.
A stock suspension refers to the original suspension system that comes with the vehicle from the manufacturer. It is designed for comfort and everyday driving rather than performance.
HVAC
"...we were also in the deep South of NOLA in this car with no HVAC and our phones kept shutting off..."
HVAC is the system that keeps the inside of your car comfortable by heating or cooling the air. If it's not working, it can get really hot or cold inside the car.
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It is the system in a vehicle that controls the temperature and air quality inside the cabin.
sub 40 lap time
"...I went sub 40 at Gingerman, congratulate me. Let's go."
A 'sub 40 lap time' means finishing a lap on a racetrack in less than 40 seconds. It's a way to measure how fast someone can drive around the track.
A 'sub 40 lap time' refers to completing a lap on a racetrack in under 40 seconds, which is a significant achievement in terms of speed and performance. It indicates a high level of skill and vehicle capability.
Gingerman
"...at Gingerman, congratulate me. Let's go."
Gingerman is a racetrack in Michigan where people can drive their cars fast and compete. It's known for being a fun place for car enthusiasts.
Gingerman Raceway is a road course located in South Haven, Michigan, popular for amateur racing and track days. It features a variety of turns and elevation changes, making it a challenging track for drivers.
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