About this episode
Dwight Mitchell shares captivating stories from his racing career, including his unexpected stint as a drag racer and his experiences with concourse events. He reflects on his emotional journey following the loss of his wife, intertwining personal anecdotes with insights into his automotive passions. The conversation touches on his meticulous approach to car restoration and memorable moments from his racing days, including humorous mishaps. With contributions from Bill Patton and Jerry Woods, this episode offers a blend of nostalgia and heartfelt storytelling that resonates with the Porsche community.
Dwight Mitchell is known in Porsche circles for his dominance in PCA AX and as a 5 time SCCA Champion. 2 ASP Solo 2 National titles. 2 Class SPI Pro Solo Championships.
In this episode we talk about:
-Winning the Lazar Blanchard PCA award.
-Winning the Manhattan Concours PCA award.
-Wrecking a Renault.
-Doing Chase car work.
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Datsun 240Z
"I went by John Morton's place... I got to see that 240Z that he just barely got done that's super nice."
The Datsun 240Z is a popular sports car from the 1970s that many car enthusiasts love for its style and speed. It's a symbol of Japanese automotive engineering from that era.
The Datsun 240Z is a classic sports car produced in the early 1970s, known for its sleek design and performance. It played a significant role in popularizing Japanese sports cars in the U.S.
top fuel dragster
"...he raced a dragster, like a top fuel dragster for like three events. All right. And this one, I asked the questions because Bill Patton grew up in the Bayer, as you..."
Top fuel dragsters are super-fast racing cars that compete in short races called drag races. They have really powerful engines that help them go from zero to very fast in just a few seconds.
A top fuel dragster is a type of drag racing car that is designed for maximum speed and acceleration. These cars are powered by supercharged engines that can produce over 10,000 horsepower, allowing them to complete a quarter-mile race in less than four seconds.
PCA
"...I asked Bill, like if he had anything I should ask. And I also talked to Jerry. So I don't know if this is a bill question. This sounds like a bill question. I mean, he's PCA crazy."
PCA is short for the Porsche Club of America, a group for people who love Porsche cars. They organize events and help members learn more about their cars.
PCA stands for the Porsche Club of America, an organization dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of Porsche automobiles. It hosts events, car shows, and provides resources for Porsche enthusiasts.
concor award
"...this sounds like a bill question. I mean, he's PCA crazy. You won the laser Blanchett award. That's a concor award."
A concor award is a special prize given to cars that are restored and presented very well at car shows. It's a way to recognize the best cars at these events.
A concor award is a prestigious recognition given at car shows, particularly in the context of classic and vintage vehicles. It typically signifies excellence in restoration and presentation.
Zuzich of the year
"...the concor award or the Zuzich of the year. I can't remember which it was."
The Zuzich of the Year is an award given to someone in the Porsche community for doing something really great, like showing off their car or helping others.
The Zuzich of the Year is an award given within the Porsche community, likely recognizing outstanding contributions or achievements among Porsche enthusiasts or at events.
Porsche 914
"...I won the overall concor championship at the Porsche parade in our 914, our own 914. With our Blanchett, it had nothing to do with going fast."
The Porsche 914 is a small sports car made by Porsche in the 1970s. It has a unique design and is known for being fun to drive.
The Porsche 914 is a mid-engine sports car produced by Porsche from 1969 to 1976. It is known for its unique design and handling characteristics, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts.
Manhattan trophy
"...you won the Manhattan trophy concourse. There we go. Manhattan was the concor award."
The Manhattan trophy is an award given to cars at shows, especially for how well they are presented. It's a way to honor great cars.
The Manhattan trophy is another award given at car shows, particularly within the Porsche community, recognizing excellence in car presentation or achievement.
odometer
"they found that people were fludging the mileage on their odometer, which were all mechanical in those days."
An odometer is a tool in cars that shows how far the car has traveled. Older cars used mechanical odometers, which were easier to change than today's electronic ones.
An odometer is a device used in vehicles to measure the distance traveled. In older cars, odometers were mechanical, which made them easier to tamper with compared to modern digital odometers.
Porsche 911
"And everybody thought the screen beautiful, I think 72 or 73 911."
The Porsche 911 is a well-known sports car that has been around for many years. The versions from 1972 and 1973 are especially famous for their style and speed.
The Porsche 911 is a classic sports car that has been in production since the early 1960s. The models from 1972 and 1973 are part of the early generations known for their distinctive design and performance.
Delphi Green
"the 914 for lime green car. It was called Delphi Green."
Delphi Green is a special color that was used for some Porsche cars, like the 914. Cars with unique colors can be more attractive to buyers.
Delphi Green is a specific color used by Porsche for some of their vehicles, particularly the 914. Unique colors like this can add to a car's desirability and value.
lapping tool
"...I was in my garage doing an engine rebuild for the fellow that bought my speedster. And I was, do you know what a lapping tool is for valves? No. When you do a valve job, anyway, it looks like an 8 meter, except there's a suction cup on the end."
A lapping tool helps make sure that the parts of an engine fit together well. It uses a suction cup to hold the valve while you spin it with a special paste to make it smooth.
A lapping tool is used in engine maintenance to ensure that valves seat properly in their respective cylinder heads. It typically has a suction cup that attaches to the valve, allowing the user to apply a lapping compound and spin the valve to create a smooth, even surface.
valve job
"...When you do a valve job, anyway, it looks like an 8 meter, except there's a suction cup on the end. And you put the suction cup on the end of the valve and you put a little bit of the valve lapping compound on it."
A valve job is when you fix or clean the valves in an engine to help it run better. It makes sure everything fits together correctly so the engine can work well.
A valve job involves servicing the engine's valves to ensure they seal properly. This process may include cleaning, lapping, or replacing valves and their seats to maintain engine performance.
suspension
"Fortunately, somehow it did not bend the suspension, but the front fender..."
The suspension is the system in a car that helps it ride smoothly over bumps. It includes parts that support the car's weight and keep the tires in contact with the road.
The suspension system of a vehicle is crucial for providing a smooth ride and maintaining vehicle stability. It includes components like springs, shock absorbers, and control arms that work together to absorb bumps and support the vehicle's weight.
warts
"take off what we call the warts, which were those little round parking lights..."
Warts are small round lights on the front fenders of some cars, like the Porsche 914. They are used to help other drivers see the car better when parked.
In automotive terms, 'warts' refer to small, protruding elements on a car's body, often used for decorative or functional purposes, such as parking lights. In this context, it describes the round parking lights on the Porsche 914 fenders.
Porsche 935
"He never seen a 935 engine compared to 911. It's mega times more complex with all the turbo stuff..."
The Porsche 935 is a special racing car based on the Porsche 911. It's famous for its powerful turbo engine and was very successful in races.
The Porsche 935 is a racing version of the Porsche 911, known for its distinctive wide body and turbocharged engine. It was highly successful in endurance racing, particularly in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
turbo
"It's mega times more complex with all the turbo stuff and flat fans and whatnot."
A turbo is a part that helps the engine get more air, which makes it more powerful. It's often used in fast cars to help them go faster.
A turbocharger is a device that forces more air into the engine's combustion chamber, allowing for more fuel to be burned and thus increasing power output. It is commonly used in performance and racing cars.
flat fan
"It's mega times more complex with all the turbo stuff and flat fans and whatnot."
Flat fans are special fans used in racing cars to keep the engine cool. They help make sure the engine doesn't overheat during races.
Flat fans are a type of cooling fan used in high-performance engines, particularly in racing applications. They help manage engine temperatures by directing airflow efficiently.
Daytona 24 Hours
"the first time I ran the Daytona 24 hours, I asked somebody..."
The Daytona 24 Hours is a famous car race that lasts for 24 hours. Cars race around a big track, and teams try to go the farthest in that time.
The Daytona 24 Hours is a prestigious endurance race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. It features a mix of sports cars and prototypes racing for 24 hours straight.
NASCAR
"when you go through the NASCAR part of the course..."
NASCAR is a type of car racing in the U.S. where cars race on oval tracks. It's very popular and has many fans.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is a popular motorsport organization in the United States, known for its stock car racing events, particularly on oval tracks.
Triumph TR-3
"...I mentioned I had this Triumph TR-3. Yeah. I decided to get married, and I owed my father money on the car..."
The Triumph TR-3 is a small sports car from the 1950s that many people love for its fun driving experience and classic look. It's a great example of British engineering from that time.
The Triumph TR-3 is a British sports car produced from 1955 to 1962, known for its classic design and spirited performance. It features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and is celebrated for its handling and driving experience.
rear engine
"...Renault Dauphine, it had a swimmer axle, rear engine, cast iron engine..."
A rear engine means the car's engine is located at the back instead of the front. This can help with how the car handles and drives, especially in smaller cars.
A rear engine layout means that the engine is located at the back of the vehicle, which can improve traction and handling, especially in sports cars. This design is often found in compact cars and some performance models.
Renault Dauphine
"...they just called Renault in those days. Renault Dauphine, it had a swimmer axle, rear engine, cast iron engine..."
The Renault Dauphine is a small car made in France during the 1950s and 1960s. It was designed to be affordable and practical for everyday use, making it a common sight on the roads at that time.
The Renault Dauphine is a compact car produced by the French manufacturer Renault from 1956 to 1967. It was known for its economical design and was popular in Europe during its production run.
swing axle
"the geometry I learned many years later was the transmission with swing axle like a Volkswagen."
A swing axle is a part of a car's suspension that helps the wheels move up and down. It allows for better handling, but it can sometimes make the car less stable.
A swing axle is a type of suspension design that allows the wheels to move up and down independently while maintaining a fixed position relative to the chassis. This design can improve handling but may also lead to instability in certain conditions.
Triumph TR
"but somehow, because I had had this Triumph, if you may recall, a Triumph TR, they had a low-cut door, very low-cut."
The Triumph TR is a type of sports car made by the British company Triumph. They are known for being fun to drive and have a classic look.
The Triumph TR is a series of sports cars produced by the British manufacturer Triumph. Known for their distinctive styling and performance, these cars were popular in the mid-20th century.
narrow tires
"...and it had little narrow tires on it. Probably weighed 500 pounds more that was billed with."
Narrow tires are thinner than regular tires. They can help a car go faster in some situations but might not grip the road as well as wider tires.
Narrow tires are tires with a smaller width compared to standard tires. They can improve fuel efficiency and handling in certain conditions but may provide less traction than wider tires.
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