BREAK/FIX the Motorsports & Vehicle Enthusiast Variety Show

• Straight Line Speed - the History of Niagara Dragway (Dean Johnson & Jim Oddy)

  Niagara Dragway was one of the most popular and iconic drag strips in New York State from the early 1960’s to 1974. “SUNDAY…NIAGARA” commercials boomed from superstation WKBW during that period making Niagara THE PLACE TO BE for maximum automotive excitement! During Niagara’s tenure, icons of the sport – Garlits, Muldowney, Prudhomme, McEwen, and many others rocketed down the Niagara quarter-mile. This presentation features track promoter, Dean Johnson and longtime competitor at Niagara - Jim Oddy – who is a member of both the NHRA Division 1 and International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Sit back as we relive that history with stories, photos, and memories of those wild Sunday’s at Niagara! ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00:00 The Birth of Niagara Dragway 00:04:52 Early Days and Challenges 00:07:23 Memorable Races and Innovations 00:11:49 Sponsorship and Community Involvement 00:23:48 NASCAR and NHRA Sanctioning 00:34:52 The Art of Promotion 00:38:22 Innovations and Safety in Racing 00:44:25 Drag Racing Classes and Competitions 00:51:04 The Business Side of Racing 00:57:08 The Legacy of Niagara Drag Racing 00:59:47 Jim Oddy: The Beginning of a Racing Journey 01:00:43 First Taste of Victory 01:00:56 The Indy Nationals Experience 01:01:30 Building and Racing the Anglia 01:05:04 Transition to Double B Gas Class & The Opel GT Era 01:06:55 Challenges with Funny Cars 01:09:01 Return to Competition Eliminator 01:15:39 Pro Mod Success and Hall of Fame Induction 01:19:43 Reflecting on the Drag Racing Community 01:26:16 Skyline Drag Racing Revival 01:32:10 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/ Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/gtmotorsports Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/ This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family. 

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• The Engineer Racer: Sabre Cook

  On this episode of Break/Fix’s “Women of the Autosphere” series we’re thrilled to welcome Sabre Cook - a true force in motorsports whose journey is as inspiring as it is impressive. From her early days karting in Colorado to breaking barriers in open-wheel racing, Sabre has proven herself both on and off the track. She’s not only competed in elite series like W Series, USF2000, and Indy Pro 2000, but she’s also balanced her racing career with a background in mechanical engineering, working with some of the biggest names in the automotive industry. In a sport where talent, tenacity, and technical skill must work in perfect harmony, Sabre embodies the full package—paving the way for the next generation of women in racing. And, we’ll dive into her path, her perseverance, and her vision for the future of motorsports. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 Meet Sabre Cook: A Force in Motorsports 01:50 Sabre's Early Racing Journey 04:05 Balancing Racing and Education 07:46 Applying Engineering to Racing 15:43 Sponsorship Challenges and Successes 18:05 Women in Motorsport: Progress and Challenges 19:07 Comparing F1 Academy and W Series 21:50 Joining Porsche Cup Racing & Development Program 27:49 Generations of Porsche Drivers 32:04 Advice for Aspiring Drivers 37:40 Future Plans and Shoutouts 40:32 Closing Remarks ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/ Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/gtmotorsports Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/

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• The Living Legacy of William S. Jackson & the Society of Automotive Historians

  Like most of us, William S. Jackson, became involved with automobiles at an early age. During the early 1950’s, he was a member Penn State University’s hot rod club, and in the mid-50’s he was racing in SCCA events with a Jaguar 120-M and some Morgans. After his military service, he completed his degree at Penn State and began a lifelong career in journalism. His editorship of major vintage car clubs magazines during the 1960’s and 70’s gives Bill credit as one the founders who launched the then-fledgling “old car hobby” turning it into the vibrant community and economic powerhouse that it is today. Bill is a charter member of the Society of Automotive Historians, founded in October of 1969. And during the Annual SAH Awards Banquet in 2023 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Bill presented his Auto-Biography to the banquet audience, including his recollections of the early days of the SAH; and the following recording was made by Bill, from that same script, in 2024. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/ Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/gtmotorsports Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/ This episode is sponsored in part by THE SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE HISTORIANS (SAH); The SAH encourages research into any aspect of automotive history, and actively supports the compilation and preservation of papers, organizational records, print ephemera, and images to safe-guard, broaden, and deepen the understanding of motorized, wheeled land transportation through the modern age and into the future. For further information on the SAH visit www.autohistory.org

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• What was "Peak Car" and do we need Traction Control?

  Jon Summers is the Motoring Historian. He was a company car thrashing technology sales rep that turned into a fairly inept sports bike rider. On his show he gets together with various co-hosts to talk about new and old cars, driving, motorbikes, motor racing, motoring travel. Jon opens the show with an anecdote about his son Ollie's go-karting experiences at both gas and electric karting events. He recounts the ups and downs of Ollie's races and emphasizes the sportsmanship displayed. The discussion then shifts to broader topics: Jon and his co-host Mark Gammie reminisce about memorable driving experiences and classic cars. They debate the concept of 'peak car,' particularly valuing models from the early 2000s for their balance of technology and driving experience. The conversation also meanders through various automotive histories, discussing the evolution of driving aids like traction control, and touching on specific car models such as the Toyota 2000 and Mazda Cosmo. They end by considering auto imports and the market for classic European cars in the U.S. ==================== 00:00 Introduction & Welcome 00:43 Anecdote: Ollie's Karting Adventure 05:11 Discussing Racecraft and Techniques 08:57 Exploring California Roads 11:44 Debating Peak Cars 21:42 Debating Traction Control 24:24 Motorbike Traction Control and Safety Aids 25:43 Exciting New Cars and Tech 27:08 Hot Hatches and European Imports 33:11 Classic Japanese Cars and Their Appeal 37:26 Toyota's Iconic Models 39:10 Conclusion and Credits ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/ Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/gtmotorsports Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/ Copyright Jon Summers, The Motoring Historian. This content is also available via jonsummers.net. This episode is part of the Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission.

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• Evening With A Legend: Butch Leitzinger

  Tonight, we have an opportunity to bring a piece of Le Mans to you, sharing in the Legend of Le Mans with guests from different eras of over 100 years of racing.  Butch Leitzinger, best known as an ALMS driver with Dyson Racing, he has also driven for a variety of other teams and race series. He is a three time winner of the Daytona 24 hours in 1994, ‘97 and ‘99. He won two IMSA driver's championship titles in both 1997 and 1998 while driving for Dyson Racing, and was named 2002 Rookie of the Year in the Trans-Am Series; and has raced in both the NEXTEL and Busch NASCAR series. Butch has attempted to conquer the 24 hours of Le Mans 6 times in his career, driving for Panoz in 1997 and ‘99, team Cadillac in 2000, then clinching a podium with Bentley in 2001, and  returning to Bentley in 2002 with a final run with Risi Competizione in 2003; and he’s here with us tonight to share his motorsports journey with us! ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 Meet Butch Leitzinger 01:50 Butch's First Encounter with LeMans 03:53 Challenges and Experiences at LeMans 06:37 Comparing Daytona and LeMans 11:53 Racing with Panoz: The Journey Continues 13:13 Switching Teams: From Panoz to Cadillac 16:19 The Bentley Era: High Stakes and Iconic Wins 23:14 Comparing the Bentley to Other Cars 25:10 The 2002 Bentley Campaign 28:14 Bentley's 2003 Victory and Controversy 30:25 Transitioning to Ferrari and GT Racing 32:53 Lessons from LeMans 34:58 Advice for Aspiring LeMans Racers 38:33 Modern Prototypes and Future Prospects 41:51 Closing Thoughts and Acknowledgements ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/ Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/gtmotorsports Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/ To learn more about or to become a member of the ACO USA, look no further than www.lemans.org, Click on English in the upper right corner and then click on the ACO members tab for Club Offers. Once you become a Member you can follow all the action on the Facebook group ACOUSAMembersClub; and become part of the Legend with future Evening With A Legend meet ups.

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