About this episode
Dwight Mitchell shares captivating stories from his racing days, including a humorous mishap at Cal Expo involving a 914 and a miscommunication with a fellow driver, Bob Peake. The episode also touches on Dwight's sister, a renowned sailboat racer, and their shared competitive spirit. As the final installment of their conversation, Bracken Helms reflects on the emotional journey of conducting this interview amidst personal challenges in Dwight's life. The episode is filled with nostalgia, racing anecdotes, and a heartfelt connection to 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:
-Terry Zaccone
-Race at the Cal Expo.
-SCCA National Championship and a teammate that gave bad information.
-Funny story at Daytona.
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Porsche 914
"So he texts me back. Bob Peake, Peake, Peake was in our 914. As the story that Bob told me goes..."
The Porsche 914 is a small sports car made by Porsche that was popular in the 1970s. It's known for being fun to drive and has a distinctive look.
The Porsche 914 is a mid-engine sports car produced by Porsche from 1969 to 1976. It was designed as an affordable sports car and is known for its unique styling and handling characteristics.
autocrosser
"a well-respected 914 autocrosser and a leading Formula V driver, Larry Wilson..."
An autocrosser is someone who races their car in a special type of competition where they drive through a course marked by cones. It's about how fast and accurately they can complete the course.
An autocrosser is a driver who participates in autocross events, which are timed competitions that take place on a defined course, typically set up in a large parking lot or similar area. Drivers navigate through a series of cones, focusing on precision and handling rather than speed.
flat out
"can I go flat out through the right hander onto the back straight?"
'Flat out' means driving as fast as possible without slowing down. It's when a driver pushes the car to go at its highest speed.
The term 'flat out' refers to driving a vehicle at full throttle without lifting off the accelerator. It indicates pushing the car to its maximum speed and performance capabilities.
massive spin
"Guess what? Bob didn't succeed. Had a massive spin."
A 'massive spin' happens when a car starts to turn around quickly and loses control. It's like when a car slides and spins instead of going straight.
A 'massive spin' refers to a situation where a car loses traction and rotates uncontrollably, often resulting in the vehicle spinning around on the track. This can happen due to excessive speed, poor traction, or abrupt steering inputs.
Mazda
"Then he tells a pretty humorous story about coming up behind a Mazda. That was pretty good."
Mazda is a car company from Japan that makes different types of vehicles, including sports cars and family cars. They are well-known for their small, fun-to-drive cars like the Miata.
Mazda is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing a range of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and sports cars. They are particularly famous for their innovative rotary engines and the MX-5 Miata sports car.
PCA
"It wasn't through PCA. It was like a beginner's thing done by that one guy was there."
PCA is a club for people who love Porsche cars. They organize fun events where members can drive their Porsches and meet other fans.
PCA stands for Porsche Club of America, an organization dedicated to the enjoyment of Porsche automobiles. They host events, including driving schools and autocross competitions.
Porsche Targa
"What kind of car? Like a like a Targa, like a sixties Targa. It's got a name, Marcell."
The Porsche Targa is a type of Porsche car that has a roof you can take off, making it feel like a convertible while still being strong like a regular car. It's known for its unique design.
The Porsche Targa is a variant of the Porsche 911 that features a distinctive removable roof panel and a fixed rear window. It combines the open-air experience of a convertible with the structural integrity of a coupe.
Porsche 911
"Oh, it's a Chari Zagoni. Yeah. So he was one of the guys that put it on. It was like a big, it was only beginner's course."
The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that many people love. The 1967 version is special because it's one of the earlier models and is very popular among car collectors.
The Porsche 911 is a classic sports car known for its distinctive design and rear-engine layout. The 1967 model is particularly notable for its performance and is highly sought after by collectors.
Porsche Speedster
"The speedster was built by Porsche. The 914 was built by Volkswagen. So there were a lot more things that we had to change on the 914 to make it raceable..."
The Porsche Speedster is a special version of a Porsche car that is lighter and faster. It's designed for a fun driving experience and is popular among car enthusiasts.
The Porsche Speedster is a lightweight, high-performance variant of the Porsche 356 and later models, known for its sporty design and driving experience. It is often praised for its handling and performance on the track.
shift linkage
"There were a lot of things that like the shift linkage, they finally changed into 73 on the side shifter."
Shift linkage is the part that connects the gear stick to the car's transmission. It helps you change gears smoothly when driving.
Shift linkage refers to the mechanical connection between the gear shifter and the transmission, allowing the driver to change gears. Improvements in shift linkage can enhance the driving experience by providing smoother and more precise gear changes.
brakes
"And the brakes were terrible. I remember in the speedster, I could go to the top of the hill..."
Brakes are the parts of a car that help it slow down or stop. Good brakes are very important, especially when driving fast or racing.
Brakes are essential components of a vehicle that allow it to slow down or stop. The effectiveness of brakes can significantly impact a car's performance, especially in racing scenarios where precise stopping power is crucial.
paddock area
"...the paddock area were on, he would call, the far side of the turn. I think it was turn 11 because the start and finish was around the corner. Nowadays, everyone at the paddock area is all on the inside of that last turn."
The paddock area is like a pit stop for race teams. It's where they keep their cars and tools while they get ready for the race.
The paddock area is where teams set up their garages and support equipment during a race weekend. It's typically where cars are parked, serviced, and prepared before and after races.
turn 11
"...I think it was turn 11 because the start and finish was around the corner. Nowadays, everyone at the paddock area is all on the inside of that last turn."
Turn 11 is just one of the corners on a racetrack. Tracks have different turns, and they are numbered to make it easier to talk about where you are on the track.
Turn 11 is a specific corner on a racetrack, often referenced in racing discussions. Each track has its own layout, and turns are numbered to help drivers and teams communicate about the course.
guard rail
"...I spun and hit the inside guard rail. So it wasn't necessarily that your teammate told you you could go flat out..."
A guard rail is a barrier that keeps cars from going off the road. It's like a fence for the road that helps keep drivers safe, especially in dangerous areas.
A guard rail is a safety barrier designed to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway, especially in areas with sharp turns or steep drops. They are commonly seen on racetracks and highways to enhance safety.
Porsche 917/30
"...Mark Donahue, when he was around the 917/30 managed to flip his car during a practice session there had a big crash and it was hurt..."
The Porsche 917/30 is a famous race car from the early 1970s. It was built for racing and is known for being very fast and powerful, with a unique design that helped it win many races.
The Porsche 917/30 is a race car that was developed for the Can-Am racing series in the early 1970s. It is known for its powerful flat-12 engine and aerodynamic design, making it one of the most successful race cars of its time.
DQed
"...he got DQed because the frame tires he put on were mounted on rims. They're wider than the rules allowed..."
DQed means disqualified. It happens when a racer breaks the rules and is not allowed to finish the race or count their results.
DQed stands for 'disqualified', which means a competitor has been removed from the results of a race due to a rule violation. This can happen for various reasons, including equipment issues or conduct violations.
DNFed
"...he actually got DNFed because he didn't fail. And Mueller ended up winning the race..."
DNFed means did not finish. It means the racer couldn't complete the race, often due to problems with the car or other issues.
DNFed stands for 'did not finish', which indicates that a competitor was unable to complete the race for any reason, such as mechanical failure or disqualification. This status is recorded in the race results.
Mazda 914
"...about the Mazda when I passed three times in the middle of the night? No. I did a triple spin in the middle of the night, particularly 914. A lot of the cars put lights up on the deck lid at night..."
The Mazda 914 is often confused with the Porsche 914, a sports car known for its distinctive look and performance. It's a fun car to drive and has a unique design.
The Mazda 914 is a reference to the Porsche 914, which is often mistakenly associated with Mazda due to its similar styling and market segment. The 914 is known for its unique design and handling characteristics.
Porsche 935
"...you immediately thought, oh, that had to be 934, 935. And they pulled over. Well, we were in the same class and we were racing for position."
The Porsche 935 is another racing version of the Porsche 911, famous for its speed and unique design. It was built to compete in endurance races and is very powerful.
The Porsche 935 is a highly modified version of the Porsche 911, developed for endurance racing. It is known for its distinctive wide body and powerful turbocharged engine, making it a dominant force in motorsport during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Porsche 934
"...you immediately thought, oh, that had to be 934, 935. And they pulled over. Well, we were in the same class and we were racing for position."
The Porsche 934 is a special racing version of the popular Porsche 911 sports car. It's built for racing and has features that make it faster and more competitive.
The Porsche 934 is a racing variant of the Porsche 911, specifically designed for Group 4 racing. It features a modified version of the 911 chassis and is known for its performance on the track.
lap record
"But it was going up on a fun thing. So when you got the lap record at Laguna Seca, what year was that?"
A lap record is the fastest time someone has completed a lap on a racetrack. It's a big deal in racing because it shows how fast a car can go and how good the driver is.
A lap record refers to the fastest time recorded for completing a lap on a specific racetrack. Setting a lap record is a significant achievement in motorsport, showcasing a vehicle's speed and the driver's skill.
E production
"And that was in the Speedster. What class? E production. How long did that record stand?"
E Production is a type of racing class where cars are allowed to be modified from their original production versions. This means they can be made faster and more competitive while still being based on regular cars.
E Production is a classification in sports car racing that allows for a wide range of modifications to vehicles while maintaining certain production standards. Cars in this class are typically based on production models but can be heavily modified for performance.
slicks
"That was set when there were no slicks. And when people start putting the slicks on, everybody went around and flat out."
Slicks are special racing tires that don't have any grooves or patterns on them. This helps them grip the road better, especially in dry conditions, making them faster for racing.
Slicks are racing tires that have a smooth surface without tread patterns, providing maximum grip on dry surfaces. They are commonly used in motorsport to enhance performance and lap times.
pre-grid
"...the best place to be is the first place in the line on pre-grid..."
The pre-grid is where cars wait before a race starts. It's important because the order you line up can affect how well you start the race.
The pre-grid is the area where cars line up before the start of a race. Drivers position their cars in a specific order based on qualifying results, and it is crucial for drivers to secure a good spot to maximize their chances at the start.
pole position
"...when you do get a pole position and setting up for the race, and you're the first car in line for the race to start..."
Pole position is the best starting place in a race, right at the front. It means you get to start the race first, which is an advantage because no other cars are in front of you.
Pole position refers to the starting spot at the front of the grid in a race, awarded to the driver with the fastest qualifying time. Being in pole position gives a significant advantage as it allows the driver to start the race without any cars in front, reducing the risk of being blocked or hindered by other competitors.
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