Rebecca Nguyen - The Warehouse / Arizona Car Week 2026
About this episode
Rebecca Nguyen joins the podcast to discuss Arizona Car Week 2026 and her role at the Warehouse event center. The conversation explores the evolution of car culture in Arizona, the potential for de-restricted speed zones inspired by Germany's Autobahn, and the significance of community connections in the automotive scene. Rebecca shares insights on her journey from managing a restaurant to becoming a partner at the Warehouse, emphasizing the importance of creating memorable experiences for car enthusiasts. The episode also touches on the challenges and opportunities within the local car culture, making it a rich discussion for anyone interested in the automotive community.
In this episode of Hard Parking, host Jhae Pfenning sits down with Rebecca Nguyen, co-founder of The Warehouse in Mesa, AZ, to discuss her journey from the Future Collector Car Show in 2016 to building the venue into a premier collector car storage facility, social hub, and event space housed in a historic citrus warehouse. They explore Arizona Car Week's growth, the debut of the six-day Art House Collective art exhibition (January 20-25, 2026), and Rebecca's thoughtful approach to curating inclusive events that welcome enthusiasts from all levels, from exotics to family-friendly gatherings. The conversation delves deeper into personal reflections, including the importance of community connections, memories built over a decade, parenthood, and concerns about AI's societal impact, technology's future, and creating positive change. Jhae closes by praising Rebecca's relentless drive and loyalty, encouraging listeners to revisit her 2021 appearance (episode 99) for more on her origins.
Chapters:- 0:00 Intro, Arizona Car Week Buzz & RAPID Act Discussion
- 4:15 Catching Up with Rebecca Nguyen at The Warehouse
- 9:30 10-Year Full Circle: From Future Collector Car Show to Partner
- 15:45 Building The Warehouse: Storage, Social Hub & Community Vision
- 22:00 Arizona Car Week 2026 – Art House Collective & Elevated Events
- 28:20 Event Curation: Inclusivity from Exotics to Family-Friendly
- 35:10 Challenges, Memories & Making Positive Impact
- 41:30 Deep Dive: AI, Society, Parenthood & Future Worries
- 47:50 Rebecca's Drive & Why Connections Matter
- 51:00 Wrap-Up, Shoutouts & Thanks to Rebecca Nguyen
Rebecca Nguyen's first appearance on Hard Parking (Episode 99 – "Rebecca Nguyen is Print Driven," December 13, 2021):
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNZZV-CqWrY
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rebecca-nguyen-is-print-driven/id1477527835?i=1000544786155
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/736w0kYvwcaZnOogSOTwGW?si=ch-UcqgeQbqUiIKc8o1Gnw
(Great for listeners wanting the full-circle backstory from her Future Collector Car Show days.)
Arizona Autobahn Act / House Bill 2059 (RAPID Act):
The Reasonable and Prudent Interstate Driving (RAPID) Act, introduced by Rep. Nick Kupper on January 16, 2026, proposes derestricted daytime speed zones for non-commercial vehicles on select rural interstates (pilot on I-8), with night limits at 80 mph, stricter penalties for reckless driving, and annual safety audits—inspired by Germany's Autobahn but with safeguards.
Full article: https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/new-bill-could-bring-autobahn-style-roads-to-arizona/
Main Show Sponsors:- Right Honda: https://righthonda.com/
- Right Toyota: https://www.righttoyota.com/
- Arcus Foundry: https://arcusfoundry.com
- Autocannon Official Gear: https://shop.autocannon.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.Hardparking.com
- Patreon: www.patreon.com/hardparkingpodcast/
- Instagram: instagram.com/hardparkingpod/
- YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HardParking
Don't miss The Warehouse's Art House Collective during Arizona Car Week—running January 20-25, 2026! Head to Mesa for automotive art, culture, and community.
Acura Integra GSR
"In an older car, a little hairy, for example, take my 1999 Acura Integra GSR, even with the turbo on it, you get up to 120 and you're just begging that thing to stay together."
The Acura Integra GSR is a sportier version of the Integra, which is known for being fun to drive. It has a stronger engine that makes it faster and more exciting.
The Acura Integra GSR is a performance-oriented variant of the Integra, known for its sporty handling and high-revving engine. The GSR model features a more powerful engine compared to the base Integra, making it popular among enthusiasts.
turbo
"even with the turbo on it, you get up to 120 and you're just begging that thing to stay together."
A turbo is a part that makes a car's engine more powerful by forcing in extra air. This helps the engine burn more fuel and go faster.
A turbo, or 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. This technology enhances performance without significantly increasing engine size.
Acura NSX
"In my NSX now, you get to 120 and you don't really realize it."
The Acura NSX is a fast sports car that is very well designed. It can reach high speeds easily and feels stable and safe while doing so.
The Acura NSX is a high-performance sports car known for its mid-engine layout and advanced technology. It offers a blend of speed, agility, and comfort, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.
Porsche 911
"...if I do a high end event, say the Porsche event, you know, we had 911 turbos here at 40 of them, etc. We had a singer, we had a roof and this, this crowd that I,..."
The Porsche 911 Turbo is a fast sports car that has a turbo engine, which helps it go really quickly. It's popular because it's fun to drive and can be used every day.
The Porsche 911 Turbo is a high-performance variant of the iconic 911 sports car, known for its powerful turbocharged engine and advanced technology. It's a favorite among enthusiasts for its blend of speed, handling, and everyday usability.
RUF
"...we had 911 turbos here at 40 of them, etc. We had a singer, we had a roof and this, this crowd that I,..."
RUF is a company that makes very fast cars based on Porsches. They take the original cars and make them even better and faster.
RUF Automobile is a German manufacturer known for producing high-performance vehicles based on Porsche models. They are recognized for their engineering excellence and bespoke modifications, often creating cars that exceed the performance of standard Porsche offerings.
Singer
"...we had 911 turbos here at 40 of them, etc. We had a singer, we had a roof and this, this crowd that I,..."
Singer is a company that takes old Porsche 911 cars and makes them look and drive really well. They add modern features while keeping the classic style.
Singer Vehicle Design is a company known for its high-end restorations and modifications of classic Porsche 911s, particularly focusing on enhancing performance and aesthetics while retaining the original character of the car.
Toyota RAV4
"...we also had ones that were like, here's a right hand drive RAV4. And you can only appreciate it if you're into that kind of quirky car. So yeah, my curation is really based on that concept..."
The Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV that many people like because it's reliable and has a lot of space inside for passengers and cargo.
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact SUV known for its versatility and practicality. It has been popular for its reliability and spacious interior, making it a great choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
quirky car
"...we also had ones that were like, here's a right hand drive RAV4. And you can only appreciate it if you're into that kind of quirky car. So yeah, my curation is really based on that concept..."
A quirky car is one that is unusual or different from regular cars. People who like these cars often enjoy their unique styles or features.
A 'quirky car' refers to vehicles that have unique or unconventional designs, features, or characteristics that set them apart from mainstream models. These cars often attract enthusiasts who appreciate their individuality.
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