{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Here's What The Dakar Rally Is Like Up Close","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/here-s-what-the-dakar-rally-is-like-up-close","audioUrl":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/VERTICALSCOPEINC2666913092.mp3?updated=1769807087","description":"Hello and welcome to The Truth About Cars Podcast! This week we chat with journalist and photographer Mercedes Lilienthal about the Dakar Rally.\n\nTTAC contributor Matthew Guy and managing editor discuss winter sunglasses and the return of Tony “Smoke” Stewart to the world of NASCAR.\n\nYou can find us wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find us online at tee tee a cee dot com, that’s TTAC dot com, or at the truth about cars, all spelled out, dot com.\n\nWe thank Mercedes Lilienthal and Matthew Guy for their time and Matt Posky for editing. Most of all, we thank you for listening! \n\nWe’ll see you next time!"},"annotations":[{"startTime":18.8,"endTime":23.7,"type":"concept","title":"Dakar Rally","url":"/glossary/dakar-rally","quote":"...we chat with journalist and photographer Mercedes Lillianthal about the Dakar Rally. T-Tech contributor Matthew Guy and I discuss winter sunglasses and the return of Tony Smoke Stewart to the world of NASCAR.","canonicalId":"concept:dakar-rally","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Dakar Rally is an annual off-road endurance event, known for its challenging terrain and long distances. It typically features a variety of vehicles including cars, trucks, and motorcycles, and is held in various locations around the world, with recent editions taking place in Saudi Arabia.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Dakar Rally is a famous race where drivers compete in tough off-road conditions. It includes different types of vehicles like cars and motorcycles, and it's known for being very challenging."}},{"startTime":35.3,"endTime":40.2,"type":"brand","title":"Aston Martin","url":"/glossary/aston-martin","quote":"...From Toyota's to Aston Martin's, eBay has thousands of cars, and the largest online selection of vehicle parts and accessories.","canonicalId":"brand:aston-martin","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Aston Martin is a luxury British sports car manufacturer, known for its high-performance vehicles and association with James Bond films. The brand emphasizes craftsmanship, performance, and style in its cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"Aston Martin is a luxury car brand from the UK, famous for making stylish and fast sports cars. They are often seen in movies, especially James Bond films."}},{"startTime":87.1,"endTime":93.1,"type":"concept","title":"Dakar Classic Series","url":"/glossary/dakar-classic-series","quote":"...if there's a money tree that presents itself and we win a lottery, we would love to actually compete in the Dakar Classic Series. It's kind of a dream.","canonicalId":"concept:dakar-classic-series","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Dakar Classic Series is a rally event that celebrates classic vehicles, allowing them to compete in a challenging off-road environment similar to the original Dakar Rally. It emphasizes adventure and endurance, attracting participants who appreciate vintage automotive engineering.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Dakar Classic Series is a race for older cars that takes place in tough off-road conditions. It's like a big adventure for classic car lovers who want to see how their vehicles perform in challenging situations."}},{"startTime":93.1,"endTime":98.9,"type":"car","title":"Mitsubishi Pajero","url":"/cars/mitsubishi/pajero-mini","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/2003-2005_Mitsubishi_Pajero_Mini_rear.jpg","quote":"...we would love to actually compete in the Dakar Classic Series. It's kind of a dream. We've got a Pajero sitting right behind us behind the wall here.","canonicalId":"car:mitsubishi:pajero-mini","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Mitsubishi Pajero is a mid-size SUV known for its off-road capabilities and durability. It has been popular in various markets for its ruggedness and versatility, making it a suitable choice for adventurous driving, including rally events.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Mitsubishi Pajero is a type of SUV that is great for driving off-road. 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I saw some of the Fords come through on stage, stage three...","canonicalId":"brand:ford","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Ford is an American automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, and performance cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"Ford is a well-known car company in the United States that makes many types of vehicles, like trucks and cars."}},{"startTime":646.2,"endTime":646.5,"type":"brand","title":"Honda","url":"/glossary/honda","quote":"And same with Honda too, with Hot Racing...","canonicalId":"brand:honda","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Honda is a Japanese automotive manufacturer recognized for its reliable cars and motorcycles, as well as its innovations in engineering.","simplifiedExplanation":"Honda is a popular car company from Japan that makes reliable cars and motorcycles."}},{"startTime":667.8,"endTime":672.2,"type":"part","title":"differential parts","url":"/glossary/differential-parts","quote":"...if they had tools, if they had consumables, if they had differential parts and spare engines and all those types of things, we had a really in-depth tour of all of that...","canonicalId":"part:differential-parts","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Differential parts are components of a vehicle's drivetrain that allow the wheels to rotate at different speeds, especially important during turns. 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They make driving smoother and safer."}},{"startTime":803.84,"endTime":808.1,"type":"car","title":"Toyota Land","url":"/cars/toyota/land-cruiser","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/1982_Toyota_Land_Cruiser_BJ41.jpg","quote":"...e three defenders, there were two factory-backed  Toyota Land Cruisers, and then there were three privateer ent...","canonicalId":"car:toyota:land-cruiser","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"imageAttribution":"TTTNIS (CC0)"}},{"startTime":803.84,"endTime":808.1,"type":"car","title":"Nissan Patrols","url":"/cars/nissan/patrol","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/2014_Nissan_Patrol_%28Y62%29_ST-L_wagon_%282015-08-07%29_01.jpg","quote":"there were three privateer entries that had Nissan patrols.","canonicalId":"car:nissan:patrol","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Nissan Patrol is a large SUV known for its off-road performance and rugged design. 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It's used in tough races like the Dakar Rally because it can handle rough conditions.","imageAttribution":"OSX (Public domain)"}},{"startTime":834.2,"endTime":839.3,"type":"concept","title":"stock class","url":"/glossary/stock-class","quote":"...to be part of Dakar in this revamped stock class, they worked with them to update the regulations...","canonicalId":"concept:stock-class","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The stock class in racing refers to vehicles that are built to remain close to their factory specifications, with limited modifications allowed to ensure fairness in competition.","simplifiedExplanation":"The stock class is a type of racing where cars are mostly kept the same as they come from the factory, with only a few allowed changes."}},{"startTime":958.2,"endTime":962.0,"type":"car","title":"Subaru","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/2014_Subaru_Impreza_WRC_2001_a.jpg","quote":"...we're going to compete this weekend up there with our personal Subaru, things like that...","canonicalId":"car:subaru","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Subaru is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for its all-wheel-drive vehicles and performance-oriented models. 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