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Send us a text What if the biggest risk on track isn’t your driving skill—but what happens after something goes wrong? In this episode of Drivesport, host DMC sits down with Justin Steele, Managing Partner of OpenTrack Insurance, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in amateur track driving: insurance. Justin shares how his lifelong motorsports background led him to help solve a problem most drivers don’t realize they have until it’s too late. You’ll learn why your regular auto policy stops the moment you enter the paddock, how track insurance actually works, and why peace of mind can make you a better driver. From real-world crash statistics to liability coverage myths, this conversation explains how protecting your car—and yourself—lets you focus on what matters most: learning, improving, and having fun on track. This episode is essential listening for HPDE drivers at every level, whether you’re heading out for your first track day or you’re already a certified track rat. What You’ll Learn  ·      Why standard auto insurance does not cover you on the track. ·      How track insurance “fills the gap” once you enter the paddock. ·      The real crash statistics from thousands of HPDE policies. ·      Why insurance can actually improve driver confidence and performance. ·      What on-track liability insurance covers—and why it matters. ·      Why hold-harmless waivers don’t fully protect you legally. ·      How instructors and family members can be covered under one policy. ·      The difference between per-event and annual track insurance. ·      When it makes financial sense to switch to an annual policy. ·      Why asking questions is the most important skill for amateur drivers.   Ideas Worth Sharing ·      “It’s not a matter of if something happens on track. It’s just a matter of when.” — Justin Steele ·      “You can be the best driver in the world. You still can’t outdrive a mechanical failure.” — Justin Steele ·      “When you’re relaxed and confident, you drive better—and you have more fun.” — Justin Steele ·      “Hold-harmless waivers don’t stop lawsuits. Liability insurance protects you when opinions turn into claims.” — Justin Steele   Resources   Justin Steele: LinkedIn | Website  OpenTrack Insurance  Circuit of the Americas VIR (Virginia International Raceway) Road America   Protect your car and drive with confidence on the track. Get your quote at https://drivesport.co/insurance Protect your car and have more fun at the track with OpenTrack insurance.Get your quote at https://Drivesport.co/insurance

Send us a text What separates a confident, smooth driver from someone constantly fighting their car on the track? In this episode, championship-winning Porsche driver and instructor Perry Needham reveals how to start high-performance driving safely, intelligently, and with maximum fun. You’ll discover the best ways to prepare for your first track day, as well as Perry’s step-by-step process that allows beginners to gain confidence without risking their cars or their sanity.  Listen in to hear coaching strategies, visualization techniques, and real-world lessons from the track that can instantly elevate your driving. Perry also explains why vision is everything, why smooth inputs matter, and how to progress from beginner laps to more advanced high-speed control. This episode is a masterclass in balancing preparation, precision, and pure enjoyment behind the wheel. What You'll Learn: How to start high-performance driving safely and confidently.What beginner drivers need to know about seating, harnesses, and helmet safety.How to use a tire gauge, check brakes, and maintain suspension for track readiness.How visualization and track simulations can prepare you before your first lap.Why smooth and fluid inputs make you faster and safer on any track.How to pace yourself with controlled laps before pushing limits.What to look for when choosing your first track-capable car.How to interpret racing lines, apexes, and braking zones like a pro.Lessons learned from real-world mistakes that every beginner can avoid.How to balance fun and discipline to enjoy every moment on the track.Ideas Worth Sharing: “Vision is everything.” - Perry Needham“Your hands follow your eyes. Where you look, your hands will instinctively turn to that.” - Perry Needham“I did crash a streetcar badly… because I pushed it too hard. I was overdriving… Progress through this process slowly. Methodically. Do it right.” - Perry Needham Resources: Burt Brothers Motorpark K1 SpeedPorsche 911 GT3 CupPorsche Club of AmericaSCCA (Sports Car Club of America)NASA (National Auto Sports Association)HPDE (High Performance Driving Education)Ferrari F8 TributoAudi TTLaguna Seca TrackRoad AtlantaRoad America (Elkhart Lake) TrackMid-Ohio TrackWatkins Glen TrackLexus Driving SchoolPorsche Club 

Send us a text What if the biggest limiter on your performance car isn’t the engine, the suspension, or your driving skill, but your tires? In this episode, Jonathan Benson, Founder of Tyre Reviews, joins the show to break down why tires are one of the most misunderstood (and underestimated) parts of performance driving, both on track and on the road. You’ll learn how tire choice, tire pressure, wheel size, and conditions like heat and rain directly affect grip, wear, and lap times. Jonathan explains how he started Tyre Reviews after noticing a huge lack of reliable tire information, how he tests tires in real-world conditions, and what your car is trying to tell you when your pressures are off. From avoiding shredded tires to understanding why bigger wheels often hurt performance, this episode gives you practical insights that can instantly improve how your car drives and feels. What You'll Learn: Why tires matter more than most car mods.How tire pressure changes as tires heat up.What your car feels like when pressures are wrong.How often you should check tire pressures.How to avoid shredding tires on track.Why tire choice is not one-size-fits-all.What to focus on when driving in the rain.Why big wheels hurt performance.How tire wear really works. Ideas Worth Sharing: “The same tires for many different people can mean many different things.” - Jonathan Benson“A tire that works well for me might not work well for other people.” - Jonathan Benson“People love big wheels, but they are the worst thing to put on a performance car.” - Jonathan BensonResources: Jonathan Benson: LinkedIn | Website Atlanta Motorsports ParkCroft CircuitProtect your car and have more fun at the track with OpenTrack insurance.Get your quote at https://Drivesport.co/insurance

Send us a text Send us a text What does it really take to master car control and have fun doing it? In this episode, Porsche Experience Center coach Charles Turner shares how everyday drivers can elevate their performance driving skills, understand their car’s limits, and gain confidence on the track. From learning how tire grip affects every movement to keeping your vision focused on where you want the car to go, Charles breaks down the techniques that make driving both safer and more enjoyable. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at Porsche’s one-of-a-kind new vehicle experience and what makes their driver programs unlike anything else. Whether you’re a passionate Porsche owner, a weekend track driver, or simply want to become a more capable and confident driver, this conversation will change the way you think about performance driving. What You'll Learn: How Porsche creates unforgettable vehicle experiences.What to expect from your first track session at the Porsche Experience Center.How to safely explore your car’s performance limits.The role tire grip plays in maintaining control.Why your vision determines how your car handles turns.The biggest mistakes drivers make on the track.How to correct oversteer and understeer with confidence.The importance of staying calm and having fun while learning.Charles Turner’s favorite Porsche to drive and his dream track car.The mindset every performance driver should bring to the track.Ideas Worth Sharing: “When in doubt, power out.” - Charles Turner“Look where you want that car to eventually be—not always where that car is heading—and you will get the car going where you want it to go.” - Charles Turner“Have fun. This is so much fun. I cannot stress how enjoyable it is to get out there and jump into a car. Obviously, we all want you to be safe. We want you to come back in one piece, and we want your car to come back in one piece. But have some fun with it. Don't get too wrapped up if you mess something up.” - Charles TurnerResources: Charles Turner: LinkedInPorschePorsche Experience CenterCayenne Turbo GTBurt Brothers Motorpark

Send us a text What if the thing holding back your driving isn’t your technique—but a software setting you’ve never looked at? In part 2 of my interview with Suellio Almeida, you’ll learn why even one incorrect software setting or pedal calibration can completely ruin your driving, as well as how to avoid common mistakes. Suellio shares the exact techniques he uses with students to diagnose bad inputs, eliminate delay, and train precise braking and steering control so your sim becomes a tool that actually makes you safer, faster, and more consistent. Listen in to discover core driving principles that apply to every car—GT, formula, high downforce, low downforce—and why great drivers don’t reinvent their style for each vehicle. We also dive into the psychology behind fear of steering, how to master corner entry without oversteer trauma, and the secret to clean exits. Don’t miss hearing how to move through the frustrating “initial adjustment phase” with confidence. What You'll Learn: How incorrect sim settings can destroy your driving.The step-by-step method to properly calibrate brake pedals.How to identify and fix input delay, clipping, and posture problems.Why you should adjust one sim setting at a time, not all at once.The “string theory” technique to link brake release to steering angle.Why drivers fear steering input and how to overcome corner-entry oversteer trauma.How to maximize rotation mid-corner to prevent exit understeer or spins.Why sim practice works like music practice.How racecraft, defensive driving, and situational awareness are trained in Suellio’s academy.Ideas Worth Sharing: "You need to make sure that the equipment and the software is well sorted before you even judge it." - Suellio Almeida"Another very, very big mistake is to add more steering while staying on the brakes. The car does not like that. The car immediately punishes you for it." - Suellio Almeida"You can go on YouTube and watch some fast driver doing it. But what is the thought process inside your head that will lead to that input without you having to be a copycat all the time? How can you become the reference rather than need a reference? I want you to become the benchmark." - Suellio AlmeidaResources: Suellio Almeida: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | EmailiRacingShelby GT350Radical SR3Protect your car and have more fun at the track with OpenTrack insurance.Get your quote at https://Drivesport.co/insurance

Send us a text What if the key to becoming a dramatically faster, safer, and more confident driver wasn’t more track time but knowing how to learn? In this episode, DMC sits down with Suellio Almeida, the sim-racing coach turned real-world racing educator with more than 12,000 students, 200M+ social media views, and a reputation for breaking down complex driving technique into simple, repeatable steps. You’ll hear how Suellio blends piano training, educational psychology, and motorsport fundamentals to teach drivers of any age how to improve with precision both in the sim and on track. Listen in to learn why sim and real-world driving now work best together, how to avoid the “Mount Stupid” stage of confidence, and what Suellio’s new training frameworks are doing to prevent crashes and accelerate driver development. From trail-braking drills to dynamic brake bias to developing real left-foot sensitivity, this episode is filled with actionable insights for anyone serious about growing as a driver. What You'll Learn: Why sim and real-life driving now complement each other more than ever.How Suellio built a coaching method from music principles and motor-learning science.The difference between passive vs. active counter-steer.What “dynamic brake bias” really means and how it affects balance.Why most drivers think they’re trail-braking but aren’t.How to build true brake sensitivity with pedal-based drills.How to avoid the “Mount Stupid” phase and stay coachable.Why sim drivers often transition more easily to real cars.How to safely find the limit in both sim and real-world settings.The key to real improvement.Ideas Worth Sharing: “If you can cause it, you can prevent it.” - Suellio Almeida“Your number one thing to do as a driver is to understand the grip limit of the contact patch as quickly as possible because that's the tool you're going to work with forever.” - Suellio Almeida“A sim racer will feel a real car with way more precision than a real racer who has not done any sim racing because we have trained ourselves to work with less data. And then when we get to a place of more data, we say, ‘Oh my God, this is so easy. I can feel everything.’” - Suellio AlmeidaResources: Suellio Almeida: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTubeEmailiRacingProtect your car and have more fun at the track with OpenTrack insurance.Get your quote at https://Drivesport.co/insurance

Send us a text What makes driving a sports car on track such a powerful experience—and how can you do it safely, confidently, and with real skill? In this episode, Iyar Koren shares how Autostrada creates a welcoming environment for car enthusiasts to explore their vehicle’s capabilities on track without the pressure of competition. You’ll learn how Autostrada focuses on safety, precision, and respect for both drivers and their cars, while delivering a VIP experience that helps people unlock the joy of performance driving. Listen in as Iyar discusses why every driver—no matter their experience level—can benefit from coaching and continual learning. From tire pressure and braking technique to mindset and ego management, he offers insights into what makes driving both deeply technical and surprisingly peaceful. Whether you’re new to driving or looking to refine your performance driving skills, this conversation will inspire you to approach the track with confidence, curiosity, and care. What You'll Learn: Why performance driving is about precision, not competition.The value of structured, safe environments for learning to drive on track.How Autostrada helps drivers enjoy their supercars to the fullest.Why coaching is valuable at every skill level, even for instructors.How to create a respectful, ego-free track environment.Why tire pressure and preparation matter more than you may think.The mindset shift that transforms anxiety into focus behind the wheel.How modern car technology impacts performance driving.What makes the track one of the safest places to develop driving skills.How combining art, science, and passion creates the magic of car culture.Ideas Worth Sharing: “There's no wrong way to get involved with the racetrack.” - Iyar Koren“The more you can check your ego at the gate, the better the experience you're going to have.” - Iyar Koren“I think that's what makes cars so great, actually. You have this thing that doesn't exist very frequently, where you have the combination of art and science, form following function, and function following art. That just doesn't exist in a lot of other sectors.” - Iyar KorenResources: Iyar Koren: InstagramAutostradaBurt Brothers Motorpark Ferrari McLarenLambourginiNASAPorsche Club of America

Send us a text What does it take to hit the track without destroying your car or your wallet? In this episode, I sit down with James Jenkins, owner and chief mechanic of Velocity Performance, to break down exactly how beginners can get started in amateur motorsports safely and confidently. From what choice can make or break your first track day drive to understanding tire camber, suspension setup, and car cooling, James offers practical tips to help you balance speed, safety, and fun. Listen in as James takes us on a journey through his own motorsport beginnings, teaching himself mechanics to maintain his cars affordably and growing into a trackside professional supporting drivers across the country. You’ll learn about the importance of hands-on experience before investing in expensive modifications and the value of programs like driving schools, rentals, and track days to get your feet wet safely. James also shares the key lessons he’s learned and why having fun should always come first. What You'll Learn: How to safely start in track driving without a fully modified racecar.What mechanical basics matter most for first track days.How to mentally and financially prepare for track day risks.Why brake fluid choice and DOT ratings are critical for high-speed performance.How to evaluate tire condition and camber for optimal handling.What safety equipment will protect you.How to gauge if driving on the track is right for you before investing heavily.What track support and local facilities you should look for when starting out.How hands-on experience and rental programs reduce learning curves and cost.Why fun should always be your priority, even when pushing your limits.Ideas Worth Sharing: “If you come to the racetrack and you're starting to get serious about the sport, and it becomes so serious that you show up and something doesn't go your way and you have a bad day out here, you've done it really wrong. If you find yourself not having fun, you're just doing it wrong. I think that having fun will keep you in the sport, keep you motivated to go again.” – James Jenkins“Keep your hands loose and keep your eyes up.” – James Jenkins“Anytime that you take a car onto a racetrack, you need to be mentally and financially prepared to throw the keys away.” – James JenkinsResources: Velocity Performance: (801) 896-3305Burt Brothers MotorparkNissan 300ZX Twin TurboNHRA Drag RacingSacramento Raceway Park Castrol SRF Racing Brake FluidMOTUL RBF High-Performance Racing Brake Fluid – 600 / 660 / 700Porsche Boxster and Cayman (987)Porsche Experience Center Lexus Driving SchoolXtreme XperienceSonoma Raceway

Send us a text What separates a good driver from a truly great one? In this episode, we sit down with racing legend Ross Bentley—professional racer, four-decade driver coach, and author of multiple Speed Secrets books—to uncover the principles behind high-performance driving and effective coaching. You will learn how to simplify complex techniques, think critically on the track, and differentiate between instructing and coaching.  Listen in as Ross shares insights from decades of experience in IndyCar, IMSA, and sports car racing, including lessons from over 180 days per year of driver training programs. He talks about the mindset that separates great drivers, as well as the value of asking questions, exploring “what if?” scenarios, and developing mental models to enhance performance. Ross also breaks down how performance techniques translate into everyday life to reduce anxiety, improve focus, and more.  What You'll Learn: How to simplify complex driving techniques for better performance.The difference between instructing and coaching—and why it matters.How to develop mental models to anticipate the track ahead.Practical strategies for braking, turning, and throttle control.Techniques to maintain focus and flow under pressure.Performance driving lessons to improve everyday life and work.How visualization and mental imagery can enhance driving skills.The mindset that separates good drivers from great ones.Why asking questions and exploring “what if?” scenarios deepens understanding.How mastering fundamentals leads to consistent, safer, and faster driving.Ideas Worth Sharing: “A great instructor knows when to stop telling and start drawing it out. And sometimes it's not saying anything at all.” - Ross Bentley“Whenever an instructor tells you to do something or encourages you to do something, or even asks you a question to get you to do something, don't be afraid to say ‘why?’ Because the second you understand why, you can apply that to everything.” - Ross Bentley“Not asking enough questions early in my career—and not taking advantage of other people's knowledge—was the most expensive lesson I've learned.” - Ross BentleyResources: Ross Bentley: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTubeBooks by Ross BentleyIt’s Not the Car PodcastThe Technique of Motor Racing (Driving) by Piero TaruffiWillow Springs RacewaySports Car Club of British ColumbiaINDYCARIMSA (International Motor Sports Association)TransAmBurt Brothers MotorparkPhoenix RacewayTrac-Com