About this episode
Ted Giovanis joins the hosts for a lively dinner conversation that dives deep into his unique journey as a gentleman driver in motorsport. With a background in healthcare policy and a knack for billing neutrality, Ted shares insights on how his business acumen shaped his racing career. The discussion touches on his late start in racing, the importance of understanding vehicle dynamics, and his experiences in the IMSA paddock. Listeners will appreciate the blend of humor and serious topics, making for an engaging and informative episode.
A modern day “gentleman driver” and not offended by the word, Ted’s noteworthiness in motorsport doesn’t just come from his achievements on the track, but also his incredible story off of it. With a lifelong career in different facets of hospital operations and medical billing, Ted’s rise to notoriety most notably came in the field of “billing neutrality,” where Ted discovered a massive error in the government policy, and successfully sued to make it right. Turning his fortune to not only motorsport, Ted has also invested heavily in medical research and philanthrophy, notably through the Jayne Koskinas Foundation, named after his late wife. Dinner was served at Folk Art in Atlanta, GA, with Jessie Ried’s “Time Goes By” taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for making this all happen!
Ford Ranchero
"It's branding. And I had Wavos Rancheros, which is what I always get there because folk ar..."
The Ford Ranchero is a type of vehicle that looks like a car in the front but has a truck bed in the back. It was made to help people who wanted to carry things like a truck but still enjoy the comfort of a car. It's a classic and interesting choice for those who like unique cars.
The Ford Ranchero is a unique vehicle that combines the features of a car and a pickup truck, first introduced in the 1950s. It is significant for its innovative design, appealing to those who needed utility without sacrificing comfort, and it represents a unique chapter in American automotive history. The Ranchero is often discussed for its classic appeal and versatility.
Continental Tire
"So, uh, continental tire has been with us for 10 years now. And so a lot of that is because you guys have been so supportive."
Continental Tire makes tires for cars and trucks. They are known for making good quality tires that help vehicles perform better on the road.
Continental Tire is a well-known manufacturer of tires for various vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, and motorcycles. They are recognized for their innovation and quality in tire technology.
Chevrolet Corvette
"...somewhere in the middle of 71, I bought a Corvette. It was more autocross and a couple of track days."
The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast sports car that many people love for its speed and style. It's often used in races and has been popular for many years.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a high-performance sports car known for its powerful engines and sleek design. It has a rich history in American automotive culture, often associated with racing and performance driving.
autocross
"...It was more autocross and a couple of track days. But nothing, nothing really serious."
Autocross is a fun driving event where you drive your car through a course set up with cones. You try to complete the course as fast as you can, but it's all about control and skill.
Autocross is a timed competition where drivers navigate one at a time through a defined course marked by cones. It emphasizes precision and handling rather than outright speed.
Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4
"...I had to buy another sports car in 1991. But it's a BC 3000 GT VR4. Scared myself coming home from the dealership."
The Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4 is a fast sports car from the early 90s. It has four-wheel drive and a powerful engine, which makes it exciting to drive.
The Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4 is a high-performance sports car that was produced in the early 1990s. It features all-wheel drive and a twin-turbocharged V6 engine, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts for its performance and technology at the time.
2002
"He happened to have a 2002 that he was trying to get rid of. So I bought it."
The BMW 2002 is a small, sporty car made by BMW that was popular in the 1970s. It's known for being fun to drive and has a strong following among car enthusiasts.
The BMW 2002 is a classic compact car that was produced from 1968 to 1976. It is known for its sporty handling and is often considered one of the first true sports sedans.
SCCA
"So then I went through the SCCA stuff and we wanted to move up."
The SCCA is a club for people who love car racing. They organize events where anyone can compete in their cars, from beginners to experienced racers.
The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) is an organization that promotes motorsports and provides a platform for amateur racing. It organizes various racing events, including autocross and road racing.
weight transfer
"And it was not about what was happening with weight transfer. And so that led to a metamorphosis of my thinking of what we were going to do."
Weight transfer is what happens to a car's weight when it speeds up, slows down, or turns. It affects how the car handles and can make it easier or harder to control.
Weight transfer refers to the movement of a vehicle's weight during acceleration, braking, and cornering. Understanding weight transfer is crucial for optimizing handling and performance in driving.
brake marker
"If I don't get my brake marker as late as I need to, I'll go into the corner and I'll sense that I over slowed and I touch the gas..."
A brake marker is a sign or point on the track that tells drivers when to start slowing down before a turn. It's important for driving safely and quickly around corners.
A brake marker is a visual cue on the racetrack that helps drivers determine when to start braking before entering a corner. Properly identifying and using brake markers is crucial for maintaining speed and control during a race.
over slowing
"...I'll sense that I over slowed and I touch the gas, which takes way off the front, which keeps you going."
Over slowing means braking too hard or too early before a turn, which can make you go slower than you need to. It's important to find the right balance when slowing down for corners.
Over slowing refers to the act of braking too much before entering a corner, which can lead to a loss of speed and momentum. This can negatively affect a driver's lap time and overall performance.
Aston Martin GT4
"So right now it's an Aston Martin GT4 car. I'm still working on stuff."
The Aston Martin GT4 is a type of race car made by Aston Martin. It's designed to be fast and handle well on the racetrack, and it's used in racing competitions.
The Aston Martin GT4 is a race car designed for GT4 racing series, featuring a balance of performance and handling. It's built to compete in various motorsport events and is based on the production Aston Martin models.
BMW 330
"...in my BMW days, it was like 2002, 325, 330. So there's some kind of like..."
The BMW 330 is another model from BMW's 3 Series, similar to the 325 but usually has a stronger engine and more luxury features. It's designed for those who want a bit more power and comfort.
The BMW 330 is also part of the BMW 3 Series and is known for its blend of performance and luxury. It typically features more powerful engines and additional luxury features compared to the 325 model.
Indy
"...went to Mazda and one of the things that we did while we were at Indy, we had the opportunity..."
Indy is short for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a well-known racetrack in Indiana where many important car races take place, including the Indy 500.
Indy refers to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a famous racetrack in the United States known for hosting the Indianapolis 500, one of the most prestigious car races in the world.
Porsche 911 GT3
"...to test a GT three car. And he was riding with me and I crashed it. He was passenger seat in a GT three car."
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a special version of the 911 sports car that is built for racing and high performance, making it very fast and exciting to drive.
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a high-performance variant of the iconic 911 sports car, designed for track use with enhanced aerodynamics and a powerful engine.
passenger seat
"...he was passenger seat in a GT three car. Yeah. And he, and you stepped it and you stepped it."
The passenger seat is where someone sits next to the driver in a car. It's important because the experience can be very different depending on how the driver drives.
The passenger seat is the seat in a vehicle that is designed for a passenger, typically located next to the driver's seat. In performance driving, the passenger's experience can vary greatly depending on the driver's skill and the car's capabilities.
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