The Avants Podcast

Cars Don't Belong Underwater and Neither Do Car Loans Mar 10, 2025

More car buyers than ever are in a pretty rough spot right now due to Covid ADM pricing. If only someone could have foreseen this completely expected and avoidable crisis! It was us. We saw it. We also talk about bumper disappointment and paint by numbers with your tools.

The Best Tire Deal You Can Get! Mar 03, 2025

Avants now has THE BEST tire deal in the business! We are proud to announce our official partnership with Discount Tire and Americas Tire! All Avants members now get 10% off at all locations, nationwide. This discount can stack with already awesome 10% off discount on Michelin and BF Goodrich tires, meaning you can up to 20% off! No one has a better deal than that. We also take about why your fuel door is on the side it's on, more mods make their way to the Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor, and the F150 Raptor comes soon. Don't forget the Women's Off-Road day coming up this weekend! We'll be there cooking and helping out, so come on by and say hello!

Read more about the Discount Tire and Americas Tire deal here: https://www.avants.com/news/2025/discount-tire

The Functional Touch of the Perfect Floormats from Inhabit Design Works Feb 24, 2025

This week we met up with Jon Hickman and Brian Glass, the partners behind Inhabit Design Works. Inhabit is widely known for their luxurious and functional mats, which have gone in everything from Overland Vans to Singer Porsches. They're now branching slightly beyond that and we got a chance to talk with them about their products as well as touch base on how the Overland business is going, post the Covid boom.

Get the best floormats you can buy here! https://www.inhabitdesignworks.com/

Hack the Planet! Or at Least Your Car Feb 17, 2025

Did you know your car probably has a ton of features that are just hidden away in the software and not enabled? Auto folding mirrors, brighter headlights, fog lights with high beams, disable annoying sounds, warmer seats, and so much more are just a few clicks away if you know what you're doing. There is some inherent risk to this, but we think it's worth it. Just take your time and ask on the Avants Facebook pages if you need help!

Flaming Grinders, Flaming Ladas, and Even Some Not-So-Flammable Moments with Rory Carroll Feb 10, 2025

This week Rory Carroll joins on the show to talk about his life in the automotive industry. From his early days at the New York Times all the way to Jalopnik and Gizmodo and beyond, Rory has driven, written about, and tested some of the most interesting cars to ever exist. We loved making this episode and we know you're going to love listening to it!

The Scottsdale Auction Attendees Didn't Get the Memo Feb 04, 2025

Apparently no one told anyone at Scottsdale auction week that inflation and interest rates have gone crazy, because sales figures were nuts. Unfortunately, people buying KTM motorcycles did get the memo and the company is barely alive. Also, does ANYONE have a good wireless CarPlay or Android auto dongle? We keep trying them and keep coming to the same conclusion; these devices absolutely suck. It's a good week for Shop Talk even though Nick is super sick.

Just Go Buy a Truck Already Jan 27, 2025

We have driven everything from the terrible compact commuter death traps of old to some of the latest hypercars and just about everything between and we still think a truck is the right answer for most of you. In our professional opinion, not owning a proper offroad vehicle at least once in your life, and using it as such, means you're in fact missing out on one of the greatest joys of driving in America - exploring! More than that, todays modern trucks are the new luxury vehicle of choice by offering a better ride, just as many - if not more, luxury options, and the peace of mind of ignoring that giant I-90 pothole. With today's modern hybrids and EVs, even the old mileage concerns are quickly fading away.

The Burden of Being a Car Person Jan 20, 2025

Have you ever considered what life would be like if you weren't into cars? Can you imagine just walking out to your driveway and only caring that the thing in the driveway got you from point to point efficiently and safely? Yeah we can't either. We discuss the idea of how to convert those people in your life to the dark side with us. Also, does anyone know actually want the new EV Charger? Anyone? We can't find a single person who actually does and we're genuinely curious if any of you do. Give us some good reasons to check it out! Speaking of the worst of the worst, we explored Doug Demuro's Doug Score list to see the best and the worst. What is the worst car you've ever driven? https://www.dougdemuro.com/dougscore

Class is in Session with Wryann Van Riper Jan 13, 2025

This week we welcome Automotive Instructor at Clackamas Community College, Wryann Van Riper! Wryann tells us about how he went from the industry to teaching, his many very cool project cars, his love for flying, and how you put a motorcycle engine in your classic Mini!

Crawling Through Arizona and Crawling Right Back Jan 06, 2025

Now that Dan is able to mostly breathe again, we regroup for the new year to encourage you to get out there and drive! Dan crawled through the Arizona mountains in the BRaptor, Nick finished the prep on his Ranger Raptor and picked up a new toy, and we have a ton of fresh Avants events coming up to get you excited for 2025!

Merry Christmas and Don't Forget the Batteries Dec 22, 2024

If you didn't get a Porsche GT3RS for Christmas like some of the Avants members, maybe you got a battery powered one. If so, we recommend some Lithium batteries. We already planned our next Moab trip, Nick mods his Ranger Raptor, Dan gets ready to mod the F150 Raptor, and more automotive news.

If you're still looking for that very last minute gift, an Avants membership never fails!

The 4Runner Crashes! Dec 16, 2024

Toyotas highly anticipated new 4Runner has finally launched on the Toyota website! People were so excited that the traffic crashed the configurator. We talk about the new 4Runner, the not-so-shameful minivan, and naming your car.

Christmas Gifts Every Car Enthusiast in Your Life Will Want Dec 09, 2024

Are you all ready for Christmas this year? Didn't think so, but we've got your back! We've got some great last minute recommendations for all budgets for the car enthusiast in your life. None of these links are affiliate links; this is just the stuff we love that we think make great gifts.

$50 and Under

$20 - Husky Stubby Ratchet and Socket Set
$50 - GOOLOO GT160 Tire Inflator
$40 - Baofeng GMRS Radios
$14-50 - Griots Garage products
$20 - Milwaukee Goatskin Leather Work Gloves
$22 - Scrubs in a Bucket
$17 - Lexivon Torx Bit Socket Set
$11 - RJ45 Panel Flush mount
$27 - INIU Magsafe Charger
$40 - 800Pcs Waterproof Automotive Electrical Connectors
$25 - Door Slot Mats for cupholders
$13 - 2 pack Eraser Wheels

$100 and Under

$99 - Kershaw Leek Carbon EDC Pocket Knife (BIFL)
$99 - Gooloo GT4000S Jump Starter
$50-100 - QuadLock Phone Case and Mount
$99 - Husky Mechanics Tool Set
$99 - OnX Elite Membership
$70 - The LTT Screwdriver
$60-80 - Brothers PT Label Maker
$65 - 2x10 Ratchet Straps
$70 - TP-Link Tapo Camera
$70 - Bose Sound link Micro

$200 and Under-

$150 - Griots Garage Cadillac of Creepers
$150-$400 - Avants Membership!
$160-$325 - Morrflate Compressors and hose kits
$90-500 - Viofo or Vehicle Specific DashCam
$199 - Milwaukee Blower and batteries or similar for your preferred tool brand
$120 - Bose Sound Link Flex
$160 - Mackie 5” Bluetooth Studio Monitors

$200 and Over:

$300-$750 - DJI Drones at Costco
Avants Partner Gift Cards - Metropolitan Detail, Park Place Auto Salon, Accutint, HKP Customs, and more!
Driving School - DirtFish, ProFormance, Turn2
A night out at Salish Lodge and Spa - 15% off for Avants!
$450-$700 - Uniden R7 or R8 Radar Detector
Michelin or BF Goodrich tires at 15% back for Avants members!
Of course, STEK - tint, PPF, etc.
$160-$500 - Traxxas RC Crawler in 1/18 or 1/10 scale!

Avants...Utah? Dec 02, 2024

Nick's windshield remains a blurry mess, the death (or rebirth?) of Jaguar conversation continues, the poor man's stethoscope reveals a potential engine issues on the Ranger Raptor for Nick, Nick's still talking about Moab, Liberty Walk molests a Miura, and we need to open an Avants in SLC.

We're getting ready for our upcoming Gift Guide episode and we would love to hear from you! What's on your list this year? Let us know!

The Worst Rebrand in Automotive History! Nov 25, 2024

This week we discuss what is without a doubt the single worst rebrand in automotive history, Black Friday deals, diving for Porsche parts, how not to clean your glass, and more!

Megan's Back and We're Talking SEMA, Raptor Assault, and Black Friday! Nov 18, 2024

Megan Zalud is back with in the studio this week to catch up! She gives us the scoop on SEMA, Nick talks about his awesome experience with Ranger Raptor Assault, there’s a new Bronco Raptor at Dan’s house, and Dan gives you the inside track on how tell if that Black Friday deal is actually a deal or just a scam to make you feel better.

A special shoutout to Emy Kissick for winning the Mazda Spec MX-5 Shootout!

Ramon Antonio of Avants Portland Nov 11, 2024

It's about time Ramon joined us in the studio! Ramon Antonio is the Portland Coordinator for Avants and he joins us this week to talk about his love for all things on wheels, including the unpowered kind. Ramon talks about his brand StillPour, his tow driving work in San Francisco, and his abundance of cars he has owned.

Follow Ramon here!

https://www.instagram.com/stillpour

https://www.instagram.com/stories/antonioautogarage

Justin Chesnutt Drifts on In! Nov 04, 2024

Formula Drift PROSPEC Driver Justin Chesnutt drifts on in the Avants Podcast this week and talks all things drifting with us! As the owner of After Hours Autosports, Justin isn't just a driver, but he knows a ton about car builds and proper setup for drifting. He's a great resource for anyone looking to get into the sport or who might just be curious about how it all works. You can find Justin at all the links below!

https://www.afterhoursautosports.com/

https://www.instagram.com/afterhoursautosports/

https://www.instagram.com/chesnutt_motorsports/

The Pro of Ceramic Pro, Adam Cote Oct 29, 2024

On this weeks episode we have Adam Cote of Ceramic Pro here to demystify all those different paint coatings you keep hearing about. Adam tells us all about different coatings, how to maintain them, if you can apply them yourself, and every other question we could think of asking him.

Cristy Lee Does It All and Does It Well Oct 21, 2024

Cristy Lee is almost a household name if you're into the car shows, but she does so much more than that. Cristy joins us this week to discuss her love for all things automotive, motorcycles, home improvement, and now... sculpting? Cristy is as fun and friendly as she appears on the screen and a real enthusiast you just have to like. We had such a fun time getting to know her and we know you're going to love this one.

Live from the Rebelle Rally, It's Team Velocity! Oct 15, 2024

Karisa Haydon and Trista Smith give us a live update from the Rebelle Rally! They're currently sitting in 5th place, but the rally is far from over. They've had some really close calls and some 4 wheel air time already with more exciting updates to come.

Follow along on their journey at on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/live/R0IW8nd6ELM?si=ncm2iuwbrG9EMEDf

Follow with live tracking here! https://www.rebellerally.com/live-tracking/!

Learn more about Team Velocity: https://www.rebellerally.com/2024teams/131-team-velocity/

Is Living on the Road the Dream? Oct 14, 2024

Nick went to the RV show, the Crosstrek is king according to Consumer Reports, most car "refrigerators" are junk, and more on this weeks shoptalk! We're looking for you remote workers who really are embracing that remote life! Are you living on the road and traveling in a van? We want to talk to you and hear more about your life. Give us a call at 425-298-7873!

A New Ring Record, A New McLaren Hypercar, and Ford Makes a Ranger Raptor Oct 07, 2024

Mercedes recently stomped the latest ring record with a blistering 6:29 second run, McLaren drops the P1 successor, and did you know Ford makes a RANGER RAPTOR? Who knew? Hint, not the guy at Griots last weekend.

It's a tough time for car makers right now. Nissan, Stellantis, Tesla and more are making serious cuts to once top selling models as car sales start to fizzle out due to various reasons.

Colton and Will Take Us to the Cascade Edge Sep 30, 2024

We've got Colton Edwards and Will Morris from Cascade Edge Motorsports this week talking to us about their journey to motorsports. They are yet another reminder that you even if you started a little later in life, you can still have an amazing career in motorsports with a lot of hard work and dedication. They're also driving instructors down with our Avants partner and personal friends at ProFormance, so if you want to try and learn how to drive just like these guys, you absolutely can... try.

Cascade Edge Motorsport is a new race team founded to bring the spirit of Pacific Northwest racing to the national stage. Drivers Colton Edwards and Will Morris are taking the next step in their motorsports careers by entering the Michelin Pilot Challenge in IMSA, the premier series for sports car racing in the United States. Their first professional race will be the BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona International Speedway in January of 2025, and Cascade Edge invites motorsports fans to follow their journey as the team makes the leap from local, grassroots racing to competing on a national level.
For sponsor and partner opportunity inquiries, contact Keagen Edwards, Director of Operations, at keagen@cascadeedgemotorsport.com.

The Mini Bikes Conquer Moab Sep 23, 2024

We took the Monkeys and Groms to Moab and survived! We tackled Onion Creek, Kokopelli, Hell's Revenge, Fins and Things, Shafer Trail, Chicken Corners, and several trips through Moab traffic all without dying! We even put the GMC HD AEV through its paces tackling Top of the World. It wasn't an easy however with two of the bikes taking some ride-ending damage, not to mention our old bodies taking the brunt of it. We'd like to thank ibuprofen for unofficially sponsoring this trip.

Curtis Creager Returns from the Ring! Sep 16, 2024

This week Curtis Creager joins us in the studio to discuss his return from the Nurburgring! Back in February Curtis joined and discussed his plans for his first time there, and now he's back with all the good stories and more tips and tricks to help you get ready for the big day.

Thumbnail photo credit to Jason Tang.

Would You Buy New or Upgrade Older? Sep 09, 2024

We welcome back Brian Elich for some shop talk around buying a previous gen vehicle and upgrading or buying new with all the options. It's a huge price difference, but is the peace of mind worth it? Dan goes and checks out the new GX550 and still thinks you should probably just buy a Raptor.

We Hate Haptic Feedback Buttons and So Should You Sep 02, 2024

On this episode we discuss the the new car reveals that worth looking at from Monterey, an automatic noise ordinance camera tickets a car with a stock exhaust, Drivers Assistance features are proven to not actually help, a designer at Audi proves they have apparently never driven a car before, and how the tires on your new truck can easily get out of balance in spite of how angry you make people on a forum.

Enjoy the Magic of Pistons and PixieDust! Aug 26, 2024

This week we get the always impressive Faye Hadley on the show! Not just an extremely skilled automotive tech and educator she is also the co-host of MotorTrend’s All Girls Garage, and the featured mechanic on MotorTrend’s Motor Mythbusters series. You can hear all about how Faye got here, her PNW connections, and her love of chickens! Follow along with Faye here!

www.youtube.com/fayehadley www.instagram.com/pistonsandpixiedust/ www.tiktok.com/@fayehadleyofficial www.facebook.com/pistonsandpixiedust www.pistonsandpixiedust.com

A Disco Party With Golden Rovers! Aug 19, 2024

If you've got a Land Rover Discovery, we've got the show for you! Our friends Daniel and Emily join us to talk about their company Golden Rovers who specialize in essential accessories for Land Rovers. Emily and Daniel were famously the friends of ours who hydro locked their Land Rover discovery while out playing on Stampede Pass with us and then immediately started an LS Swap. They have also helped volunteer for Avants Off-Road days and are always out there supporting the community, so next time you see them be sure to say hello!

A Blue Ribbon Kind of Episode Aug 12, 2024

Do you like forest service roads? Do you like doing anything off-road? Do you like dispersed camping? Then you should be supporting the Blue Ribbon Coalition. It's hard to believe how much access we have lost to beautiful lands, and the only people really making a difference to keep our access is the Blue Ribbon Coalition. We strongly believe in treading lightly, packing it in and packing it out, and even want higher fines to people who abuse land, but a lack of management is not land management! Unfortunately we're losing the battle and we need your help. The best way to do that is by supporting the Blue Ribbon Coalition.

You can read more about and support the Blue Ribbon Coalition here: https://www.sharetrails.org/

From Mendocino to Happy Camp - The Best Roads You've Never Driven Aug 05, 2024

The best driving roads aren’t the same things as the best roads. The best road in the country is Highway 12 in Utah, but the best driving road is almost every road in far northern California. Dan discusses his epic R8 road trip, Nick discusses CRF450 sales, Ranger Raptor warranty repairs, and more on this week’s Shop Talk episode.

Ryan ZumMallen Creates Car Books About People Jul 29, 2024

We always say the Avants Podcast is a car show about people so it made perfect sense to have someone like Ryan ZumMallen on as a guest since he creates car books about people. Ryan tells us about his publishing company Carrara Books and talks more about the book everyone should own, Cult of GTR.

The New Kitch on the Block, Siena Kitch! Jul 22, 2024

This week the newest member of the ProFormance Racing School joins us in the studio, Siena Kitch! Siena is a proud chip of the Kitch block and has been basically living and breathing the automotive racing world since the day she was born. She's smart, funny, and a great guest we know you'll love to hear!

Check out ProFormance on Instagram and TikTok to see all of the latest content.

Be sure to check out our Avants Track Days at ProFormance!

https://proformanceracingschool.com/events/

R8 Track Days, New 911 Hybrid Doesn't Suck, and That New RS6 Avant GT Jul 15, 2024

The R8 heads to its proper home at the track next month, Porsche lets the media judge it's new hybrid, and that new RS6 Avant GT is HOT!

Check out our friends at STEK USA! https://www.stek-usa.com/

Need the perfect vehicle for the PNW and beyond? Go see our friends at Carter Automotive group! https://www.carterseattle.com/

The Ranger Raptor Arrives! Jul 08, 2024

It finally happened! Nick got the new and Ranger Raptor and it lives up to all the hype. When it comes to factory capable trucks, Ford really set the bar with the F150 and we think they truly did it again with the Ranger. With less than 600 miles on the odometer, we put Nick’s new baby to the test by taking it over Stampede and up WABDR Section 2!

Special thanks to Hailee Lehtinen for making this deal happen for Nick!

It's Always a Great Episode When We Get Phillip Griot Jul 01, 2024

It’s no secret we are life long fans of all things Griots and Griot's Motors is just the latest reason to like everything they do. This week Phillip Griot, owner and CEO of Griot's Motors, join us to chat about what they have been up to down the hill from the flagship store and he gives us all the great results they’ve had working with Bring A Trailer, how to sell a car, what he’s looking for in cars, and so much more.

A Lotus to Lust After Jun 24, 2024

Lotus finally drops the Emira, a new Koenigsegg gets crispy, and more in a shorter episode this week as we prep for Classics on the Green! We know a few people who have the new Emira now and so far everyone is in love with theirs. If you have the means, we highly suggest it! In sad news, Joe Elmore passed away this past week at 80 years old. He was a staple of the car community, a pioneer in automotive media, and he will be missed.

Dylan von Kleist Takes Us to a Magical World Where Car Washes Don't Destroy Your Paint Jun 17, 2024

We know what you’re all thinking, no such magical world of convenience and safe car washing exists! Well, it turns out that John Denver wasn’t full of it and if you’re one of our lucky Avants members in Colorado you can visit one of the many Autowash locations. All brush type car washes are terrible for your paint, and many touchless car washes can do some real damage as well, but Autowash touchless car washes do things differently. Dylan, VP of Marketing for Autowash Companies, join us this week to set the record straight and he honestly answers all of our questions and keeps the expectations real. Dylan is a former pro detailer who knows the in-and-outs of paint care and he will make you really want to go drive all those amazing Colorado Rocky Mountain roads.

Someone Needs to Take Pity on Nick and Sell Him a Ranger Raptor Jun 10, 2024

Summer is coming and we want to go exploring! Dan has run out of roads and can't find any new ones and Nick needs a Ranger Raptor but can't find a decent Ford dealer to sell him one at MSRP. Won't someone please think of poor Nick and sell him a green Ranger Raptor?!

Team Baby Bronco Grows Up to Become Team Velocity! Jun 03, 2024

When we first interviewed Karisa Haydon and Trista Smith, they were the fresh Rebelle Rally Rookies of the Year, but now they’ve grown up to Team Velocity, a Ford factory backed team! Karisa and Trista are working with Ford and driving the big Broncos now in the Rebelle Rally. If you’re thinking about giving it a shot, we’ve got the show for you.

Be sure to check out Team Velocity Northwest online and follow along on their MANY adventures!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamvelocitynw?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Instagram: @team_velocity_nw

Webpage: team-velocity.com

Email: teamvelocity@gmail.com

It's Been A Great Week! May 27, 2024

It's been a BIG week for us here at the Podcast! Nick got a puppy and a fiancé, Dan got a tractor, and car sales got slapped in the face! This week we talk about the falling prices of even the most popular vehicles on the market, but especially EVs and Bronco Raptors.

Horsepower Accelerates Your Mistakes and Other PRO3 Lessons with Isaiah Dummer May 20, 2024

We talk to recent PRO3 winner Isaiah Dummer about driving, riding, building, and other fun things that cost too much on this weeks podcast! Isaiah has been racing in PRO3 since Covid times, runs his own construction company, and loves all things with engines, just like us. He's got fun stories and was a great guest.

It's Party on the Bottom and Business on the Top with Krissy! May 13, 2024

Krissy Wells joins us back in the studio to talk about the massive amount of Avants events coming up as well as the secret to finding all those elusive Avants Off-Road stickers! We talk about the new Avants Online Store, Classics on the Green, and so much more.

Check out the new store at: https://store.avants.com/

You Have to Pay to Play May 06, 2024

Racing is hard to do on its own, but after a while you will likely find the hardest part is where it hits your wallet. We welcome Brian Elich back in the studio and he joins us to talk about breaking his Camaro into the 9s and still using it as a road race car.

Mount Everything with Help from Nick Lowe-Hale of RAM Mounts Apr 29, 2024

When it comes to mounting solutions, I don't think anyone has even a tenth of the options that RAM Mounts has. Nick Lowe-Hale is the Automotive Aftermarket Account Manager for RAM mounts, so if anyone can figure out your mounting solution it's him. He joins us to chat all about Ram Mounts, his Land Cruiser, and all the areas we never thought to use RAM Mounts.

Follow Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nllh

Show Us Your Dash Apr 22, 2024

Has anyone else noticed it's been dashboards gone wild lately? We like function and form and it seems like more and more vehicles are trying to transplant your living room into your car these days. We talk about the best dashboard designs, the new 4Runner, the $200k Fox Factory Truck, and more on this weeks episode.

Buz Ras of Seattle Speedometer Combines Art and Engineering Apr 15, 2024

Buz Ras is one of those rare craftsman that combines art and engineering by restoring vehicle gauges. Like a clockmaker for gearheads, his specialized and high demand work speaks for itself, but we brought him in to tell his story in his own words. Buz was such a fun guest with great stories well beyond speedos and tachs. He's a guy you'll love to get to know.

Shop Talk - But What About the Raptor? Apr 08, 2024

The road trip continues and the diesel gets it's first off-road excursion in Moab, but the AEV equipped GMC just proves it's no match for a Raptor. That obviously won't do for Dan so something will have to give. We talk tools, towing, and what to do when you give up your Raptor and still need one.

The Wagon Invasion Begins Apr 01, 2024

Justin Osmer is back this week and he’s taking Wagon Fest to the next level! Justin talks about the expansion of Wagon Fest, the best wagons you can buy, and more adventures with his RS6 Avant. If you’re a wagon fan or just like seeing cars you don’t see often enough, then we’ve got good news for you.

When You Have to Downgrade to Kinda Upgrade Mar 25, 2024

After towing the trailer down to Arizona, Dan quickly realizes Raptors aren't the best tow vehicles in spite of being good at basically everything else. We discuss the cons, and more cons, of driving any other truck that isn't a Raptor for better towing capacity. We also talk the most recent news, the Avants events, and the Michelin 15% off deal is back!

Emy Kissick is the Kid All Car People Hope For Mar 18, 2024

Emy Kissick might only be 16, but she definitely taught us a thing or ten. Emy got her racing license before she got her drivers license, races spec Miata, works on her own car, and drives an 1988 300ZX. Add all that up and she still manages to be a 4.0 GPA student. Needless to say, her parents are proud, and she’s a huge asset to the community. Speaking of, a special thanks to our friends and Avants Partner, Hydraulic Solutions for sponsoring Emy and getting people like her on the track.

Follow Emy on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/emy_kissick/

Jessica Johnk Redefines Full Time Employee Mar 11, 2024

If doing what you love means never having to work, then I'm not quite sure anyone told Jessica Johnk. As a full time Sales Readiness and Communications Strategist for Porsche, she is constantly on the road with the team. She somehow still finds some time to hike epic places, ride motorcycles, and even still race cars. On this episode we talk to her about life and how she somehow manages it all.

If Jaykee Evangelista Had an Online Store, We'd Be Broke Mar 04, 2024

You may not know Jaykee Evangelista right away by name, but you probably have seen his work in many places around the automotive world. From designs for Porsche, Hyundai N, Jeff Zwart, Luftgekühlt, and even Top Gear, Jaykee is a busy, busy man! We absolutely love his style and are huge fans of all of his work. Check out his work on Instagram at Groundworks Design and in the next issue of the Avants Magazine!

The PNW Component Himself, Aaron Kerson Feb 26, 2024

We first met Aaron when we did our episode on the Nurburgring and immediately knew we had to have him back on the show. If you're in the bicycle world you probably know Aaron's company and work, PNW Components. PNW Components makes some of the very best bicycle components on the market today, and hands down the best quality swag we have ever purchased. Dan liked it so much he ordered everything they have and he doesn't have a bicycle. Aaron is a huge car guy too of course and just so happens to have a bike rack on his Porsche GT3. That's our kinda car person.

Rivian R1 "T" for Tank Feb 19, 2024

On this shop talk episode we talk all about that crash test video of the Rivian R1T hitting the guardrail, the deteriorating roads, car season coming up, and a painful repair to the R8. Special thanks and shoutout to Chad at Avants Partner: Leather Tech for his great help this week! Check out the video for this episode on our YouTube channel!

50 Years Later, Lyn St James is Still Changing Racing Feb 12, 2024

February 7th was National Girls and Women in Sports Day and we couldn't think of a better way to kick that off than having the amazing Lyn St. James back on the show! Lyn dives really deep and talks to us in depth about learning how to drive open wheel, Indy, and the future of motorsports. This episode is also available on the Avants YouTube channel, so be sure to check it out!

Everything You Need to Know Before You Go To The Green Hell Feb 05, 2024

Of all the places you might be the most excited and yet most nervous to go to, it’s your Senior Prom. After that it’s probably driving the Nürburgring. This episode is all about getting prepped and ready to go to The Green Hell and back without going broke. We brought in 3 experts to help you out: Tom Roberts, Aaron Kerson, and Curtis Creager.

The Newest Member of the Avants Team, Leif Bergerson Jan 29, 2024

On this special episode we introduce Leif Bergerson, the newest member of the Avants staff! Leif is helping us run things in California, so we thought it would be best if we introduced him on video. You can still listen in here of course, but if you want to see Leif be sure to check out the Avants YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2QdvcrxWMb0i8Ix1ezpVVg

Starting the Mods Before Taking Delivery Jan 22, 2024

Dan has a new Raptor coming in March, so of course the mods have already started in January. In this episode we're chatting about those mods that start before your new vehicle even arrives. As odd as this sounds, we actually think it's worth to have some parts waiting and ready to be installed. What mods are you doing before you get your car?

In addition to that, the trailer is already getting it's own upgrades and the list keeps growing!

Colleen Sheehan Got to Ride to School in a McLaren F1 Jan 15, 2024

Read that again; Colleen Sheehan got to ride to school in a McLaren F1. No matter how cool you think you are, you didn't get to ride to school in a McLaren F1. So now that we got that out of the way, she's also an absolute authority on everything Ferrari and probably has more seat time on the track than most of us do on the road!

Horsepower Is Cheaper Than Ever... If You Can Afford It Jan 08, 2024

We often thought the glory days of cheap performance cars were behind us, but performance comes in at bargain basement prices today. In this episode we discuss what we think are the real bargains today, and find out we were wrong all along in real time.

In 1994 the Mustang Cobra was $22,425 and had a whopping 240 horsepower, did 0-60 in 5.9 second, and ran a 14.7 second 1/4 mile. Today, the Ford Mustang EcoBoost costs $32,515, has 315 horsepower, does 0-60 in 4.7 seconds, and does the 1/4 mile almost 2 seconds faster at 13 flat. The little turbo 4 cylinder kicks the old Cobras butt in every single way by a big margin, but the most impressive part? Adjusted for inflation, the Cobra came in at almost $46,000 in 2024 dollars!

An Englishman Invades the Studio Jan 02, 2024

We welcome back official Avants Magazine Editor-in-Chief Karl Noakes! Karl is on a rare break from IMSA and chats with us about his new M2, the Hagerty not-so-hot list of 2023, and we all compare our old-man back injuries! It's always a good time when Karl is here!

A Very Merry Shop Talk Dec 25, 2023

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone! Our long, lost Megan returns to us to join us for Shop Talk this week and we talk all about squashing nuts, the new studio, Borla's electric "exhaust", R8 build updates, and our very adult Christmas lists! Also, if anyone is selling a BAC Mono, let Dan know.

A Grand Tour of Brendan Tonkin Dec 18, 2023

The Tonkin name is definitely a northwest staple and Brendan Tonkin didn't fall far from the family tree. Brendan talks to us all about the new Ineos Grenadier, track time with dad, overlanding, and more, all while his dog became best friends with Nick while we recorded. Brendan has some big plans for Grenadier owners, so we'll check back with him this summer for more exciting updates.

We also got to check out the new Ineos Grenadier at the Avants Toy Drive in partnership with Collectors' Car Garage (formerly Hagerty Garage and Social / Drivers Club) and it sure lives up to all the hype! If you're interested in one, get a hold of Brendan at Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo.

It’s a Baja Blast of an Episode with James Manning with Rothsport! Dec 11, 2023

How big of a hammer do you need when you race Baja in a Porsche 911? We seek to answer important questions like these as we chat with James Manning from Rothsport about Baja, Porsches, and…GIN! Not only does James do awesome things like race Baja, but he also is the owner of The Falls Distilling and makes some damn good gin!

Heckmann & Thiemann - 55 Years Of Servicing Your Porsche, VW, and Subaru Dec 04, 2023

With 55 years in the business, Heckmann & Thiemann have seen it all. We get all the good stories from President and CEO Phyllis Thiemann and Master Technician Bryan Reeves. We talk about the stuff classic Porsche people don’t usually like to in this episode like the Cayenne, Boxster, and even RWB, dive into the topic of the air-cooled boom and how it has impacted owners who bought “cheap” 911s, talk about how to store a car for 20 years, and so much more! Did you know the 356 was going to be the Continental?

Heckmann & Thiemann is an Avants partner and offers 10% off labor for Avants Members! Check them out online at https://heckmannthiemann.com!

Chris Delano: President of IPD and the Authority on Volvo Performance Nov 27, 2023

We went down to Portland to visit some of our Avants friends and partners to the south! This week we finally got to chat with one of the smartest and nicest people we have interviewed to date, Chris Delano, President of IPD. Chris is as true of an enthusiast as it gets, who has always loved Volvos and upgrading them in every way. If you have a Volvo, you need to check out IPD! https://www.ipdusa.com/

Truly Great Stories with Greg Stanley Nov 20, 2023

Greg Stanley is a great story teller. He gives us the inside details of the recent, record breaking 250 GTO sale by RM Sotheby's and much more about his own collection.

Is There Anything Vinny Russo Hasn’t Done? Nov 13, 2023

This week we have a great chat with Vinny Russo, Operations Manager at Westside Collector Car Storage and Special Project Manager for The iD Agency. Vinny talks with us all about his history with Spyker, Hennessey, VF Engineering, and more.

We had some serious audio issues with Riverside, our online podcasting host. Vinny's audio turned out great, and he does most of the talking in this episode. We assure it's worth listening to as Vinny is an extremely interesting guest with a lot of great stories.

Alfa Romeo Brand Marketing Manager & Comedian Kara Coraci Sellentine Nov 06, 2023

This week we chat with Kara Coraci Sellentine! Kara keeps the laughs rolling in and talks to us about all things Alfa, Formula 1, working on Jerry Springer, and more!

Building the Perfect Beast Oct 30, 2023

With the arrival of the R8 it's time for us to take on the next supercar build! We'll be starting by working with our friends and sponsor, STEK to cover the whole car and add some tint, then we have a few more creative mods to add. We'll be sure to keep you all updated as we go along. There is new, exciting news from Triumph and Ducati who will be entering the very competitive world of Motocross. And in a surprise to almost no one, EV sales have begun to drop like a rock, and Toyota flat out says "We told you so" to the automotive world by continuing to focus on Hybrid and Hydrogen research.

Think of something we should cover on the show? Give us a call at 425-298-7873!

Wade Kawasaki Never Lifts Oct 23, 2023

When we say Wade Kawasaki never lifts, we mean that figuratively and literally. From humble beginnings working at a service station as a kid, to racing, and coming up all the way up in the automotive industry to Executive Chairman at The Wheel Group, Wade has truly done it all. Wade and his wife Rose continue to play a pivotal role in keeping the automotive industry going and ensuring that it continues to grow. In his "free" time Wade also acts as Executive Director, Political Action Committee (PAC), for SEMA, making sure we can continue to do all those modifications we love to do that make our cars our own.

Autotrader and E-Rays Oct 16, 2023

Dan gets some first hand experience using the surprisingly good "Buy It Now" Autotrader feature and the new E-Ray configurator is live! Does it change your mind on the new Z06? It may have changed ours!

Get Ready for Even Higher Car Prices... Again... Oct 09, 2023

As the UAW strike comes to a close and wages go up, you can bet those CEOs aren’t going to take a pay cut, which means the money has to come from somewhere! Hint, it’s you, the consumer. This week we chat about the strike and how it’s going to be passed on to the consumers. Got some thoughts on the strike? Give us a call or text and let us know at 425-298-7873!

The Worst Rest Stops Oct 02, 2023

In this episode we talk about the the worst places to drop your pants. We have done a lot of driving all over this great planet and we have found some incredible places to go, but every now and then we come across places you probably just shouldn't stop at.

Shop Talk - Facebook Marketplace Finds Sep 25, 2023

Megan has Covid, Dan has a cold, Nick is still getting over his cold, and so of course we spent all of our time being sick browsing Facebook Marketplace for the coolest cars and other good deals. We found a snowcat, a fighter jet ejection seat, R8s, vintage Corvettes, pre-crashed motorcycles, and more!

The Saleen Solution Sep 18, 2023

This week we have a very special guest, Steve Saleen! Steve joins and talks to us all about the creation of the Saleen brand, Mustangs, the S7, the Bronco, and the upcoming S1! This won't be the last you hear from Steve, he's got a lot more stories coming your way on upcoming episodes.

Experience Karen Brown - VP of Experiential Marketing and Events at Motor Trend! Sep 11, 2023

Karen Brown has the job we all probably want to have, doing all the awesome car events you keep hearing about! Krissy and Adam met Karen and said she was a guest we just had to have, and sure enough, they were right! Karen has a wealth of knowledge to share and some great stories.

R.J. De Vera Continues to Make the Cars You Drive Cool Sep 04, 2023

A lot of people have made a name for themselves in a part of the automotive industry, but R.J. De Vera helped make an entire division of it. If you're not working in the industry, you would probably know R.J. as the kid playing Gran Turismo in the first Fast & The Furious, but he was one of the main people responsible for bringing the cars to the movie itself. From his days working in print, to Hollywood consultant, to creating his own wheel brand, to a long career at Meguiars, and now the VP of Marketing for S.E.M.A, he is one of the main people keeping the automotive modding community going.

Victoria Vander Hoek - Not a Car Girl, A... Aug 28, 2023

If you're in the PNW, you might know Victoria. From working The Shop to playing at the track to rebuilding her various car projects, she keeps herself pretty busy in the car community in spite of also being a full time student. Victoria got into cars on her own, just like any of you can do, and should. On this episode we talk about the unfortunate learning curve of necessity and have a few tips on keeping your car out of the hands of thieves. She also has a few UW parking tips if you're a fast runner.

Monterey Recap and the Engine Building Rabbit Hole Aug 21, 2023

Nick is back from his annual trek of working Monterey Car week! Things are changing down there for sure, so if you haven't been to car week you definitely need to get it on your bucket list sooner than later. While Nick was way, Dan was busy installing a new gym and researching the in-and-outs of doubling or even tripling the horsepower on the Honda Monkeys. Are you a motorcycle tech? Have you gone down the engine building rabbit hole and had it go horribly wrong? Give us a call at 425-298-7873!

Hey, Watch This! More Shop Talk With Megan! Aug 14, 2023

On this episode of Shop Talk we discuss the YouTube videos that keep us learning, laughing, and entertained like the true group of ADHD adults we all are. From mowing lawns to testing ratchets, we've got some good stuff for you to check out. Megan also officially buys Dan's Monkey and Dan shares his unrelenting desire for a sentry gun.

So, You Want to go to Canada, Eh? Aug 07, 2023

Dan took a big road trip up through Canada to Sun Peaks, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Banff, and Jasper National Parks and we think you should too. Outside of the Alps, this is probably the most beautiful mountain terrain on the planet, and it’s not even that far of a drive. Where do you think we should go next? Give us a call and let us know! 425-298-7873!

Pushing 200 for 300 Jul 31, 2023

This is our official 300th podcast episode! Rather than the usual walk down memory lane, we started discussing the desire of hitting the 200 MPH club. What’s the cheapest car we could do it in? What’s the fastest we’ve gone? Where would you do it? We would love to know if you have hit 200 MPH, so give us a call and leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873!

A special thanks to all of you who helped get us here. It’s a long list, but we couldn’t have ever done it without the support of Avants and our friends and families who are the reason we started this show. Thank you to all our sponsors, past and present, who we have had the luxury of truly believing in versus having to take what we were given like many syndicated shows. We are humbled by your support over the years.

The Monkeys Finally Invade McCall Jul 24, 2023

After 2 years of planning and multiple hiccups, we finally took our capable Honda Monkeys to McCall to ride parts of the IDBDR and beyond. Friend and previous Backcountry Monkey participant Brian Elich joined us on our latest and longest adventure and joined us on this episode to give us his point of view on why McCall is still magic.

Have a Seat and Join Toby and Nicole from Scheel-Mann Seats Jul 17, 2023

This is another episode where we interview some people and instantly wish they were closer so we could all hang out and be friends. We talked to Toby and Nicole Pond, the official importers of some of the finest seats on the market, Scheel-Mann. As we always say, spend your money where you spend your time, so if you love to drive like we do you owe yourself a pair of these top quality seats. More than that, Toby and Nicole have some really fun car stories and own some of the most incredible cars you know and love. Listen to their story of how they took a chance and made Scheel-Mann a name you know and respect here in the US.

Shop Talk 3 - Kei Trucks, Tool Boxes, and Megan’s Make Believe Husband Needs a Trailer Jul 10, 2023

On this fun shop talk episode we talk about upcoming cars on Dan's list, the shop and studio update, tool boxes, and choosing the right trailer for Megan's make believe husband.

Official Indy Photographer Chris Owens Jul 03, 2023

This week we speak to the official photographer at Indy, Chris Owens! Chris started his career in photography early and took over as the head track photographer at Indy at 23 and is now the Manager of Photo Operations at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Chris has worked his entire life as a photographer, and at the still young age of 34 is one of the most respected and talented photographers in the motorsports world.

Catching Up With Editor-in-Chief Karl Noakes! Jun 26, 2023

Karl makes his 4th appearance on the podcast, which still doesn’t feel like enough times for all his stories. Ever since retiring from the tech industry Karl has been busier than ever as the Editor-in-Chief of the Avants Magazine, photographing for IMSA, photographing at Le Mans, and so much more. We talk with Karl about all the inside scoops of life at the races and about his new M2!

Accessing Barry’s World Jun 19, 2023

We have had our fair share of accidents and close calls, but the reality of being permanently disabled by one of them is something we have never had to face. After a severe motorcycle accident, Barry Long found himself permanently paralyzed and facing the reality of life ahead in a wheel chair. Barry talks to us about how he didn’t let if stop him from truly living, loving, and enjoying life. Not just inspirational, Barry was a hilarious and fun guest and we see a long friendship between us ahead.

A Short Update While We Prepped for Classics On the Green! Jun 12, 2023

It's a shorter episode this week as we prepped for the Avants Classics on the Green event! This week we talk about the best way to visit parks, NASCAR goes to Le Mans, the new CARB emissions for small engines, and Dan's dog tries to eat Nick's face. Again.

Shop Talk 2 - Sacrilegious Swaps, Hauling Long Loads, and Safety 2nd Jun 05, 2023

On this shop talk episode Dan, Nick, and Megan discuss sacrilegious engine swaps we would do (like a K24 in Ferrari 308), hauling a long load in your short truck bed, and some safety tips after Nick almost loses his legs while doing some off-road recovery!

The Special Tools Avants Members Say You Need! May 29, 2023

We did a poll on the Avants Facebook page on what special tools we might not have but should and several Avants members helped us out! Do you have any of these? We also touch on what we think are the best cars you should buy right now and save for a lifetime and some exciting upcoming events!

Avants and Andrew Norman are a Perfect Pairing May 22, 2023

This week we talk to Andrew Norman, Financial Advisor & Managing Director of Colibri Capital, and a great supporter of Avants and keeping the car community moving forward. From his days as a thug at Exotics at Redmond Town Center to racing Ferrari Challenge cars and now sponsoring Indy driver Benjamin Pedersen, Andrew is a guy who truly supports the sport and the community.

Back To Le Mans and Beyond with Dominic Dobson May 15, 2023

We welcome Dominic Dobson back to the show to catch up and talk about his upcoming journey back to race Le Mans again, hopefully with less fire this time. Dominic joined us way back on episode 66, but he's back again and now as the owner of one of best Avants Partners, Dobson Stuttgart. Dominic shares exciting racing stories, upcoming plans with Dobson Stuttgart, and talks a little about electric motorcycles too!

Check out Dominic at Dobson Stuttgart! https://dobsonstuttgart.com/

The Shop Talk Series May 08, 2023

We're starting a new series! In addition to our regularly weekly shows, every other week we're going to do Shop Talk! This series will cover news, events, project updates, tool reviews, and more! We're looking for your ideas and what roads you want us to go down, pun intended. Listen in for a taste of the new series.

Everything IMSA and Far Beyond with Mark Raffauf May 01, 2023

This week on the podcast we interviewed Mark Raffauf, Senior Director of Race Operations for IMSA, about all things racing from IMSA, to Isle of Man TT, to Formula 1, and everything else. Mark is truly an expert on basically everything racing related and as it turns out even more. With over 50 years of experience in the racing world, you’ll find it difficult to find anyone with his level of experience and knowledge which made for a really interesting episode we really enjoyed recording.

We Don’t Know Jack About Lifts So We Called in the Experts Apr 24, 2023

As Dan went down the rabbit hole of trying to determine what lift to buy, we quickly found out we don’t know jack about lifts. We reached out to the experts at Hydraulic Solutions, Jarett and Sara Bailey, and asked them to come in and give us all the information on vehicle lifts we would ever need to know before purchasing one.

When you decide you need a lift for you shop, reach out to Hydraulic Solutions at https://www.hydraulicsolutions.net/ and follow them on Instagram to see some great design ideas!

Shant Meshefedjian and the Most Excessive of Mercedes Apr 17, 2023

You can’t talk about wild car builds of the 80s without talking about the tuner cars of Koenig. Shant Meshefedjian is an expert on Koenig, especially their polarizing Mercedes builds. Shant gives us the incredible stories of how he acquired one the rarest of them all and his love for the over the top builds that Koenig is famous for.

More Wagons Please! Apr 10, 2023

Here at Avants we have one major complaint with car manufacturers and what they choose to sell in the US…they never give us enough wagons! Give us all the wagons! Megan Zalud joins in the studio again as we discuss all the cars we wish we could import to the US, but those stubborn manufacturers just refuse to give them to us. Did we miss one? Do you agree? Let us know!

Cutting to the Chase with Brionna Lynch Apr 03, 2023

You’ve seen her 280Z on the cover the recent Avants Magazine and seen her work in Black Panther and more, but now you can hear the incredible stories of profession stunt driver and drifter, Brionna Lynch. She gives us all the epic stunt driver stories, stories of last minute engine swaps, race prep, and so much more. Brionna is every bit as great of a story teller as she is a driver. Be sure to check out her article from the Avants magazine posted here and be sure to follow herInstagram to see all her latest updates!

The Molly Project Mar 27, 2023

This week we have the pleasure of talking to Molly Saleen, CEO of Saleen Performance Parts and of course of the legendary Saleen family. Molly talks with us all about The Molly Project, Molly Pop Pink, the history of Saleen, the excitement around the upcoming Saleen 1, and a lot more.

From the Kart Track to the Virtual Track with Megan Zalud Mar 20, 2023

The fact that we met Megan through Avants is kind of surprising since she’s been friends with basically everyone we know for years. Megan started life at the Kart track, but has worked with Bondurant, Yukon Gear and Axle, DirtFish, Forza, and more pursuing her automotive passions. We caught up with Megan at the DirtFish Women in Motorsports Summit which seemed like the perfect place for this recording.

Jennifer Klein Shows Us There’s More To Being Successful In Motorsports Than Being in the Car Mar 13, 2023

This week we sit down with Jennifer Klein and she gives us a reminder that being a success in the motorsports world doesn’t always mean being in the car. If you’re looking for yet another inspirational person who’s making a name for themself in the industry without being a driver or co-driver, then look no further. She shares some great stories of working her way up and there is definitely some great lessons to take home for all of us wanting to or currently working in the industry.

You can work with Jennifer by reaching out to her on her LinkedIn.

Karisa Haydon and Trista Smith Give us a Rebelle Rally Recap! Mar 06, 2023

We start off Women’s Month strong with Karisa Haydon and Trista Smith, aka Team Baby Bronco, who share their journey of doing the Rebelle Rally! They give us the details of how their adventure started before the rally even began and how they completed the rally to make rookies of the year!

Follow along with Karisa and Trista at TeamBabyBronco.com!

Shop Talk! Feb 27, 2023

We discuss challenges of building a shop and still trying to maintain your sanity all while trying to stay within a budget. We also talk about Dan’s attack dog to defend his shop, some pretty cool tools we don’t need, and the quickly rising costs of buying a new Jeep or Bronco.

Emme Hall and Her Epic Adventures Feb 20, 2023

Emme Hall describes herself as “Driver, reviewer, rabble rouser”, but we think she left out that she might be the most epic of adventurers. Rebelle Rally? Check. Baja racer? Check. Crossed Mongolia on a knock-off 49cc Monkey motorcycle? Also check. Needless to say, if you know anything about us, we are fans. Between all that fun she is also a great writer, and one we have followed for a long time on Jalopnik, Cnet, and more. Check out this week’s episode for some adventure inspiration!

Follow Emme on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yeahemme

Read all about Emme’s trip across Mongolia on a Monkey on Jalopnik: https://jalopnik.com/riding-a-monkey-bike-across-mongolia-is-amazing-and-pai-1849686223

Talking About Wings That Actually Work with Amir Bentatou of RS Future Feb 13, 2023

This week we talk with Amir Bentatou, owner of RS Future, and probably the nicest NSX on the road and on the track. Amir obsessively worked his way up through the motorsports ranks to create his company RS Future, which makes functional aerodynamic race components and more! Amir talks with us all about aerodynamics, Time Attack, drifting, NSXs, and his upcoming Discovery channel show, Monster Garage with Taylor Swift.

Paul Charsley Wins the 24 Hours of Daytona Then Calls Us Feb 06, 2023

Paul Charsley is the Motorsports Manager for Heart of Racing and just won 24 Hours of Daytona, but before going home he gave us a call. We literally had to reschedule Paul because he told us “I need to go win Daytona, but we can do the show afterwards.” True to his word, he gives us the recap of Daytona, tells us about Aston Martin’s comeback, The Heart of Racing all women’s team, and Aston Martin… drifting?

Felix Holst: A Master of All His Trades Jan 30, 2023

We first met Felix at the 2022 Avants Classics on the Green last summer and we’ve been excited to have him on the show ever since. Felix was instrumental in shaping our love of Hot Wheels and then went on to creating incredible art with people like Magnus Walker, all while still being a successful bass player. Felix is another one of those special guests with endless interesting stories from living a life well lived that you're sure to enjoy.

Read more about Felix in the Avants Magazine article here! https://www.avants.com/magazine/push-and-pull-with-artist-felix-holst

A STEKtakular Episode with John Kleven Jan 23, 2023

We catch up with long time friend John Kleven, who is now the President of STEK USA. Long time listeners may remember John from all the way back on Episode 32, but a lot has changed since our first chat! John talks about how STEK started, lessons from owning Metropolitan Detail, and his constantly changing and fun car collection.

From Offroad Panigales to High Mileage Ferraris with Arun Sharma Jan 16, 2023

This week we talk with Arun Sharma, General Manager of Ferrari Newport Beach. More than selling cars, Arun has a long history in the motorcycle world when he ran Motorcorsa. Arun has some great insights on the past, present, and future of Ferrari as well as some really fun stories of his time in the business.

Explicit, unfiltered content warning

Going Even Bigger in 2023! Jan 09, 2023

We welcome our long time friends STEK USA as an official sponsor of the Avants Podcast! 2022 was a great year for us and we had some amazing guests, but we think we can do even better in 2023 with their help! Avants has more events, more partners, and we’re growing into even more places. Adam and Krissy join us for this episode and we share our favorite memories of 2022 and share what you should be looking forward to most for 2023.

The Motorsports Photographer Every Photographer Aspires to Be: Jamey Price Jan 01, 2023

You don’t have to be a photographer to really love this episode with Jamey Price, but if you are, you are in for a real treat! Jamey is one of the most successful, talented, awarded, and well known photographers in motorsports today. We get Jamey’s fun story of moving from Steeplechase Horse Racing all the way to his incredibly successful career as a motorsports photographer. You probably know Jamey’s work, so now it’s time to get to know Jamey!

Acclaimed Artist and Driver Stefan Johansson Dec 26, 2022

Stefan is one of those people who just never stops amazing us. From racing Formula 1 and Endurance Driving and then going on to become the incredible artist he is today, he seems to have that golden touch. Stefan starts us off with his stories of racing at the most hardcore time in history to his decision to move to full time artist. Stefan will have a section in an upcoming edition of the Avants magazine for you to see his latest work, but also has a studio you can go visit down in California! We plan to take him up on that generous offer as soon as we can.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and You Probably Want an RC Car Dec 19, 2022

It’s almost Christmas and we hope you are enjoying the holidays! If you’re still looking for some last minute gifts, we’ve got a few ideas for any budget, but on this episode we have a chat about our Christmas lists and hopefully you’ll get a few ideas from us.

Artist Lyn Hiner is as Fun and Friendly as She is Talented Dec 12, 2022

Thanks to Avants Chief Editor Karl Knoakes, we had the pleasure of interviewing the exceptionally talented Lyn Hiner. Lyn is a truly incredibly artist; her paintings would be as at home in a luxury garage as they would be in an executive office or your living room. If you’re looking for the perfect addition to top off your collection, this is definitely your stop. Check our the gallery attached to this episode page and see more of Lyn’s work on her webpage or Instagram.

Demystifying Licensing Your Vehicle with Michael Lencioni Dec 05, 2022

Michael Lencioni of Canyon Park Vehicle Licensing answers all of our many questions about the unfortunate mystery of vehicle licensing. You would think it would be pretty easy to register a car or know what you need to sell a car, but if you're buying out of state, buying a car with damage, or buying a car with a lien holder, you may have some questions. Lucky for you, now you have a resource to call who can help you through the entire process.

Contact Michael at Canyon Park Licensing: https://www.canyonparklicensing.com/

*Correction on the Florida fees - Florida has the highest documentation fees in the United States, with an average document fee of $670. Florida has no cap on how much dealerships can charge for this service, but it is not because they handle all licensing, they just are not regulated in this doc fee area.

Extra Episode! Our Worst Car Mistakes and Some Winter Project Updates Dec 02, 2022

This extra episode is all about our mistakes and of course our potential for more of them as we start our winter projects! Recently an R34 GTR made the rounds on Bring a Trailer, and after some sleuthing by the community it was determined to have quite the problem history of an extensive list of repairs that were undisclosed by the seller. This sparked the thought of what was our most expensive car mistake? Dan discusses a former 2011 C63 AMG and 1993 RX7 while Nick shares his toasty Subaru adventure. None of these were bad cars be design, but much like the R34 GTR, mods and a questionable history led to their demise. Worst of all, we probably could have avoided all of our problems! Tune in and share our pain.

Rocking Out With Rick Dore Nov 27, 2022

We partnered with our friends at LeMay - America’s Car Museum to do a live podcast with legendary designer Rick Dore. Rick is most famously responsible for being the man behind the collection of Metallica front man, James Hetfield, and his designs have made front pages and centerfolds for just about every automotive magazine in the industry. Tune in to learn all about his design process and be sure to check out the extensive gallery, courtesy of Jake Welk at LeMay.

The Incredible Collection of Larry Vollum Nov 21, 2022

This week we got a chance to talk with collector and racer Larry Vollum. Avants Charter members have had the chance to see this collection first hand, but the stories are as cool as his collection! Larry Vollum has been collecting rare and unusual cars for decades. Larry’s fascination with importing vintage rally cars and his past racing experiences has provided him the opportunity to acquire some unicorns. His stories of acquisition are almost as cool as the cars themselves. He’s also probably our only guest who knows how to take the wheels off a 959, because he has one.

Rally With The Rimmers Nov 14, 2022

This special episode was recorded live in front of almost 100 of our Avants Charter Members at the incredible Rimmer family warehouse! We welcome Steve, James, and Josie Rimmer to the show as we get to know the family behind DirtFish Rally School and their stories. Alternative working titles for this episode are "Whatever Josie Says" and "Josie Rimmer and her Dad and brother."

The New Vintage of Vintage Underground Nov 07, 2022

This week we talk to Joe Potter, founder of Vintage Underground in Eugene, OR all about the fine art of converting vintage Jaguar E-Types into modern, electric masterpieces. Vintage Underground may be based in Eugene, OR, but this is no mom and pop restoration shop. Vintage Underground is a cutting edge restoration shop that specializes in British and European cars and is now a pioneer in the electric conversion business. Tune in to hear all about them and their current work and the exciting work around the corner.

Going to Plaid with Steve Bortolotti Oct 31, 2022

This week on the show we welcome Steve Bortolotti, General Manager of the IMSA winning team Pfaff Motorsports! You probably know the Pfaff livery even if you don’t follow IMSA racing since they have the best looking Porsche on the track in it’s clearly Canadian plaid wrap. Steve tells us all about the high and lows of racing, modding his Time Attack RX8, and a whole lot more. We can’t wait to see what Pfaff does in 2023 in the new 992!

Michelle Miller Can Teach You All the Right Racing Moves Oct 24, 2022

Continuing our trend of long overdue interviews, this week we have Michelle Miller! When she’s not busy co-driving for Lucy Block at Hoonigan, Michelle is an instructor with our friends at DirtFish. Listen in to hear all about her exciting life in both the driver and passenger seat.

The Long Overdue Interview With Matt Bell of The Shop Oct 17, 2022

In this interview that’s about 5 years overdue, we talk to Matt Bell, founder of The Shop Clubs. Matt talks about being able to “scratch all his creative itches” with The Shop Clubs, his expansion to Texas, motorcycle trips through Europe, and so much more! Matt is a true enthusiast who does a lot for the car community and a great partner for Avants that you should know. Be sure to check out The Shop at https://theshopclubs.com/.

Motomods! An Episode for Our Friends on 2 Wheels! Oct 10, 2022

We drive everything here at Avants, but a lot of us ride everything too! Dan’s been riding basically his whole life, and even worked in the industry for a while, and Nick’s done just about everything you can think of to his Monkey and CRF450RL, so on this episode we discuss some of our favorite and least favorite mods. We think you can use this episode to get some fun Christmas ideas too. We recommend a Grom or a Monkey since they fit comfortably by the tree.

Turning Accidents into Art with Christi Schimpke of Crash Jewelry Oct 03, 2022

This week we talked with the very talented Christi Schimpke, owner and designer at Crash Jewelry! Crashing your car rarely is a good feeling outside of a figure 8 at your local track, but Christi has taken tragedy and turned that twisted metal into jewelry you'll actually want to wear. She sells special items she has curated herself through her connections in the autobody industry or you can work with her to design a special piece from your own crash or restoration. Christmas is coming, so here's a great idea for all of our listeners looking for something special and different.

Euroadtrip! Sep 26, 2022

If driving around Europe isn't on your bucket list, it definitely should be. Dan spent almost a month doing just that and has some great tips to make your life a little easier as you navigate around hidden speed cameras, tolls, roundabouts, and other things it may take you a little while to warm up to in Europe. He also talks about learning how to blow from a tall, beautiful Viking and really likes Chamonix.

If You Love Events At DirtFish As Much As We Do, You’ve Got Brian Dallas To Thank! Sep 19, 2022

We work a lot with Marketing and Events Manager Brian Dallas at DirtFish. From Avants Off-Road, to WagonFest, to the DirtFish SummerFest, and MANY more, it seems like we're always at DirtFish and we wouldn't have it any other way. We get to know Brian a little better and talk about his love for Minis, cycling, and of course all things Rally. We even got a few surprise visits from some other friends at DirtFish while we were there!

BaT + Avants = Love Sep 14, 2022

In this very special episode of the Avants Podcast we team up with Bring a Trailer Co-founder and President Randy Nonnenberg to announce a very special partnership with Avants! Randy shares his favorite BaT memories, his cars, the Covid car buying boom, and more on this surprise episode!

The Keys to Success with Daniel Chae of Formawerx Sep 12, 2022

If you're looking for that perfect finishing touch for your car, then prepare to be a fan of Daniel Chae and his company, Formawerx. Formawerx creates keys for cars, but not just simple replacements. Think of Formawerx keys as like buying a luxury watch for your car, and once you see them you're going to want one. This was no accident though, Daniel took his success from working and designing at Oakley to designing these beautiful keys, which all have a story that fits the cars they are designed for perfectly. Formawerx makes keys for everything for FJ40s to McLaren F1s, so be sure to check them out at https://formawerx.com.

We had a few audio issues while recording this episode unfortunately, but it's still definitely worth a listen or a watch on YouTube.

Betim Berisha of BBI Autosport Comes Back to Talk About The Future Sep 05, 2022

On this special episode of the Avants Podcast we get to catch up with Betim Berisha, owner and creator of BBI Autosport. Three years ago, on episode 95, we got to talk to Betim about his start here in the Pacific Northwest where he grew up with John Kleven, owner of Metropolitan Detail, and working with our friends over at Park Place Motors. In this episode Betim discusses building incredible Pikes Peak winning cars, building cars from scratch for Hoonigan racing, pushing the technology and development envelope of performance parts, and what the future mandate to move to electric cars means for the performance industry.

Auto Conduct - A Fresh, Artistic Take on Car Shows and Car Storage Aug 29, 2022

This week we talk with Ezekiel Wheeler, the head of Auto Conduct. Ezekiel gives a long overdue fresh approach to car shows and a car storage facility, with an appreciation for all things automotive that those of us at Avants can certainly align with. Auto Conduct takes a fresh, artistic take on car shows that differentiates them from the standard “cars and coffee” we’ve all grown a little bored with by incorporating art, food trucks, entertainment, and more.

It’s Time to Start Planning Your Road Trip! Aug 22, 2022

Did you know the best time for a road trip in the US is the last 2 weeks of September? That means it's time to start planning your next adventure and we're here to help you do it. Dan and Nick talk about their favorite road trip adventures, share a few tips and tricks, and remind you that Drive Everything isn't just the Avants motto, it's a way of life!

Chad Maglaque of ReCell EV Answers Every Question We Could Think of on EVs, Batteries, and Charging Aug 15, 2022

We put out the ask to find someone who could really clear up the click-bait headlines and talk to us about EV batteries, charging, power grid problems, recycling, and more on EVs and Chad Maglaque really stepped up the plate. Chad in PNW native who moved down to Texas to start ReCell EV, one of the few companies tackling replacing and repairing EV batteries outside of the dealers. He is wealth of knowledge of all things EV and power and gives us some great answers.

Fabryce Kutyba, US National Sales Manager for Alpinestars, is Well Qualified Aug 08, 2022

This week we got to speak with Fabryce Kutyba about the leading racewear brand in the motorsports industry, Alpinestars! More than just a guy who sells motorsports gear, Fabryce is and has always been a major gearhead with connections to Aplina, GMG, and much more. He's a racer to the core, has great taste in cars, and has some great stories from a lifetime in motorsports. On top of all that, he's an Avants member!

Dan actually wanted to work really for Alpinestars back in his 20s, and if you dig into the episode notes on the Avants page, you'll get a good laugh at his 20 year throwback.

Michael Honn of STEK USA Educates Us On Paint Protection Film Aug 01, 2022

This week we got to speak with Michael Honn of STEK USA all about protection film and the many differences. This isn't just some ad for STEK though, Michael rallies, rides, off-roads, and drives everything just like the rest of us. He's a real enthusiast with a passion for motorsports and the STEK products he believes in. Come meet Michael and see the STEK demos at Avantsfest, August 6th!!

Going Beyond the Garage to To Griots Motors With Phillip Griot Jul 25, 2022

Here on the podcast we're not shy about admitting we are long time fans of the Griots. We don't just mean the products, we actually like the Griots family and all the work they do. This time we talk with Phillip Griot who is running Griots Motors. Griots Motors offers car restoration, sales and consignment, storage, and detailing, all at the level you'd expect from a name like Griots. Listen in and hear more about the shop from the guy who's name is on the building. You can find out more at https://griotsmotors.com

Jake Barba Builds the Restomod 4x4 You Want Jul 18, 2022

When Jake decided his International Scout restomod build didn't turn out the way he wanted, he decided to something we all wish we could; build it the way he wanted himself. Jake started Bulletproof Restorations out of a bit of spite and took restomodding Internationals to a new level providing LS swaps for proper power, next level interior upgrades, and full frame off restorations and upgrades. We talk with Jake all about the restomod business and what it takes to build perfect Scout.

Evan Zema is Someone You Want in Your Radius Jul 11, 2022

This week we talk to Evan Zema! We've known Evan for quite a while as a car collection manager, but now he is working with our long time friend in Hagerty in their very exclusive Radius program. This isn't an ad for Hagerty though, Evan is a serious enthusiast with boosted E30 325i he built himself, and much like us, likes all things with an engine or motor.

Natasha Adams Reminds Us Life Is Too Short To Drive Boring Cars Jul 04, 2022

No one who runs into Natasha is going to call her boring. When every car you have is a project car you're not going to have a lot of dull moments on or off the road. Natasha takes the term "project car" to new heights with her off-road built Lexus LS400, but that's not all of course. Listen as she tells us all about herself and her many very fun projects.

Bryson Lew Races Lamborghinis for a Living... at 19! Jun 27, 2022

I don't know what you were doing at 19, but we sure weren't racing Lamborghinis for a living like Bryson Lew. Add on to that he's full time student, a black belt, plays piano, and helps coach our friends at Flying Husky Racing, and you could say he's got his life together better than most of us do even now in full mid-life crisis mode. Bryson tells us what it takes to pilot some of the most exciting cars in the world.

Karen Salvaggio Helps Us Learn to Suck Less Jun 20, 2022

Karen knows her stuff. Not only does she race some of the toughest cars around to drive - Cobras and Daytonas from Factory 5 Racing, but she's also highly educated and extremely engaging to talk to! Karen is a personal life coach, driver development coach, career path coach, and even has expertise she can share in motorsports team organizational development. On top of all that, Karen has over 200 first place finishes in various forms of motorsports; she talks the talk and walks the walk! We had a great time getting to know her we know you will too.

Live! An Evening With Lyn St. James! Jun 13, 2022

Recorded live in partnership with ProFormance Racing School and Park Place LTD, we got to enjoy a special evening with the legendary Lyn St. James! Lyn shares some amazing stories of her time behind the wheel and gives some great advice about stepping into motorsports and how to get more women involved in racing. Be sure to check out the YouTube video of this event as well, which we remastered after the recording to give you better audio and video.

Motorcycles, MotoAmerica, and Museums with Richard Varner Jun 06, 2022

This week we got to talk to Richard Varner, CFO of MotoAmerica, and Chairman of the Board for the incredible Petersen Museum. Richard walks us through what it was like building MotoAmerica from the ground up with his crew, shares some lesser known details of the Petersen, and talks about his love all motorcycles and cars. If you want to see some incredible MotoAmerica action locally, be sure to be at The Ridge in Shelton on June 24th-26th! https://www.ridgemotorsportspark.com/motoamericatickets

We apologize for a few minor connection issues that caused some quieter, latent audio, but we think we cleaned it up pretty well for you!

Casey Putsch Makes Us Want to Ride the Big Pokey Thing May 30, 2022

Casey is the kind of guy every guy wants to be friend with. From his many adventures, well beyond the car world, to his travels, and to his philanthropy, there was so much to talk about this interview could have gone on forever. There was no shortage of laughs during this episode and we know you’ll enjoy it start to finish. Check out more about Casey on his YouTube channel and be sure to check out Genius Garage, where he’s working to change the world. We’ll see you at Indy, Casey!

Steven Smith - From Dad Shoes, to Yeezys, to Porsches and Everything Between May 23, 2022

Steven Smith is an icon in the shoe world known for creating the New Balance 574, 997, and 1500, the Reebok Fury, and then of course working with Ye (formerly Kanye West) on the iconic Yeezy shoe line, where he still works today. Steven talks with all about his creative processes, his engineering background, and of course his air cooled Porsche 356 and his road racing Beetle. Enjoy this very special episode and be sure to check out the Avants article featuring him and Steve Pelletier! https://www.avants.com/news/sole-brothers-of-stumptown-steven-smith-steve-pelletier

Rami Atherton - Quirky McLarens, LM002 Tires, and Everything You Should Know About Buying a Supercar May 16, 2022

We sit down and talk with Rami Atherton, brand manager for McLaren Seattle. McLaren might not be new to the area at this point, but OpenRoad Auto Group has recently massively expanded the dealer and we talk to Rami about daily driven McLarens, racing, and the quirks that come with McLarens. We also pick his brain on the other quirky occupants of the dealership - Lamborghini, Bentley, and Rolls Royce.

Alex Haugland is Peak Avants May 09, 2022

Our motto here at Avants is “Drive Everything” and Alex Haugland brings that to a new level. With 170 cars in The Haugland Collection (and growing), driving all of his cars is almost a full time job. Alex tells us all about his massive collection and of rare, fun, quirky, and historically significant cars, and really epitomizes everything we love to see in a car enthusiast. Enjoy this special episode with Master Collector, Alex Haugland, and check out his website while you’re at it to see some of them: https://www.hauglandcollection.com/

An Evening With Randy Pobst May 02, 2022

We had an incredible time interviewing Randy Pobst in front of a live studio audience filled with Avants members. Randy shared all sorts of his favorite car stories with us and we know you'll enjoy hearing them too! A special shout out to our friends at Hagerty for partnering with us to make this event happen.

Justin Bell and the Stories of Le Mans, Photography, McLaren, Meeting The King, and Discharge and Recharge Stops Apr 25, 2022

We had so serious fun talking with the iconic gentleman racer, Justin Bell. He told us so many unfiltered stories of his exciting life from growing up and riding motorcycles to deciding to race in his late teens and going on to win Le Mans, work in motorsports media, being a photographer, and now a fellow podcast hosting "Life. With Legends". Justin also shared his entrepreneurial side, giving some great ideas on how to make electric vehicle charging stations more... interesting. This episode is uncut and unfiltered and is therefor marked explicit.

The Stories Behind the Story Makers of Driven Motion Apr 18, 2022

Dan and Nick talk with Andy Kim and Robin Har of Driven Motion about their films and so much more. We had so much fun on this episode and recording on set with them was every bit as fun. These two are serious artists who absolutely love to share their passion. If you haven’t checked out Driven Motions films, you’re missing out on some great car content (even though Dan was in the last one). And if you haven’t seen any of Robin’s mind blowing art, you need to go check that out too! It’s pretty impressive for him being a tracer. Just kidding, Robin. :)

It’s an All Avants Episode with Sheri Harbour de Vos from Avants Portland! Apr 11, 2022

We finally had the chance to meet our Avants co-worker from Oregon, Sher Harbour de Vos! What better way for everyone to to get to know Sheri better than on the official Avants show? She came out of the tiny island of Ketchikan, Alaska, played with some Ferraris, and now she's running wild down in Portland and representing Avants.

BoneFrog Coffee is A LOT More Than Great Coffee Apr 04, 2022

In this episode we talk with Tim Cruickshank of BoneFrog Coffee and BoneFrog Cellars about his companies mission to honor fallen veterans. More than that, BoneFrog just so happens to be a sponsor of our recent guest, Benjamin Pedersen! We actually didn’t even know that at the time we booked Tim or Benjamin to be on the show; what a small world. You can read more about BoneFrog, get some coffee, or some gear at https://BoneFrog-Coffee.com. We’re working with BoneFrog right now to get Avants Members some coffee to try, so sit tight and enjoy one more great reason to be an Avants member!

Adventure Time With Paul and Inna from Backcountry Discovery Routes! Mar 28, 2022

If you're looking for the best adventure riding or overland routes in the country, it's the Backcountry Discovery Routes. In this episode we talk with some of the key players who give us the gift of the BDRs, Paul Guillien and Inna Thorn. We have probably said it 100x on the podcast at this point, but the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route was without a doubt the most fun we have ever had on a trip in our lives, even beating out the SeaMont Rally! So listen up and get ready, because you're going to want to get out and explore after this episode!

For more information on the Backcountry Discovery Routes, GPS tracks, ride reports, and anything else you'd ever need, head over to RideBDR.com!

Recorded Live At The Avants Magazine Launch! Mar 23, 2022

We recorded this episode live at the Avants Magazine Launch at MotoFish in Redmond! This little bonus episode includes stories from Zachary Philip, one of the first Rivian R1T owners, Sean McDonough, the Exotics “Gatekeeper”, Alex Kochis, who’s Luftgekühlt Porsche 911 Safari is featured in this issue of the Avants Magazine, and Michele Graaff, who wrote the main Land Rover article for the most recent issue. If you missed this event, you missed out. We hope to see you at the next one!

On The Road To Indy With Benjamin Pedersen Mar 21, 2022

If there is one common theme we have found among the many successful professional drivers we have interviewed, it’s that they work harder than anyone else we know to succeed. Benjamin Pedersen is no exception. Twice-a-day workouts, multiple hours in a simulator, engineering sessions, it’s all just part of a normal day for Benjamin. Now living in Indianapolis, Benjamin joins us online for this interview and tells us everything you ever wanted to know about the road to IndyCar Racing. If you’d like to know more about Benjamin beyond our interview, be sure to check out the article by Karl Noakes with images by Keith Scott here: https://www.avants.com/news/the-rise-of-benjamin-pedersen

The Alpha of Alfas: Fred Russell Mar 14, 2022

For the first official Avants Podcast, we bring in the Alpha of Alfas, Fred Russell! Not only is he an expert in all things Alfa Romeo as the President of the Northwest Alfa Romeo Club, he also has one of the most interesting careers you will ever come across. As a full time collection manager, Fred gets experiences most of us can only dream about. No one just handed Fred the keys and said “have at it” though; listen to how he got here and what makes him uniquely qualified for this particular role.

The End of the Drive for RCS Mar 09, 2022

After almost 4 1/2 years, the Rain City Supercars Podcast comes to a close with this final episode. We have taken an opportunity to join our friends in Avants and the show going forward will be the official Avants Podcast! We won't be changing the format of the show much and you'll be treated with more guests from near and far. You won't need to subscribe anywhere else and over the next week you'll see our logo and title changes pop up. You will still have access to all the old episodes, just now under the Avants umbrella. We were some of the first members (4 and 6) of Avants and Avants was one of our first sponsors. We couldn't be happier, or prouder, to be an official part of their team going forward. Thank you to all the listeners who supported us along the way, our guests who became friends, and our sponsors who helped us make this show into something we never imagined it could be when we started.

Don't just get there, enjoy the drive!

Announcing The Avants Podcast! Mar 08, 2022

In news that will probably shock almost no one, The Rain City Supercars Podcast is now officially The Avants Podcast. We have been working with Adam and Avants for almost 4 1/2 years now and we could not be happier to officially announce this change. We will be creating shows in the same way we always have, but now with more guests from all over the world and an even bigger show. The full catalog of our show will still be available and you won't have to update any of your subscriptions, so just kick back, relax, and enjoy the drive!

A Deep Dive In This Crazy Car Market with Brian Elich Feb 28, 2022

When we first recorded this episode we thought we had a pretty good idea of how the market was working, but after talking through it we realized we needed to bring in an expert. We reached out to our good friend of the show, Brian Elich, who gave us some great insights on buying a car in the current market, a different point of view on ADM, and some insight on the Tesla effect.

Get Your Kicks on 66 with Justin Osmer Feb 18, 2022

We welcome back Justin Osmer, founder of Turn-In Point Consulting, as he shares stories from the Forza Horizon 5 launch, driving Route 66 in his RS6 Avant, and a little info on a recent Bring A Trailer auction. If you don't want to take a massive road trip after hearing this episode, you might just be dead inside.

To see more of Justin's travels find him on Instagram at FatherFlywheel.

Chad Haugen of Leather Tech is a True Master of Interior Repair Feb 11, 2022

If we're being totally honest, we never really know what we’re going to get when we book a guest. Chad Haugen, owner of Leather Tech in Bellevue, came highly recommended and he absolutely lived up to the hype! We went to Chad to see his shop and some of his work first hand and left booking him to do some work for us! Not only is he an expert craftsman, but he turned out to be an all around interesting person and a great interview for anyone to enjoy, well beyond just be an expert on interior repair. From starting his business at 19 to talking about learning Hindi to relate to the people in his community more, we know you’re going to love getting to know Chad.

Check out Chad’s business, Leather Tech at https://leathertechrepair.com/ and don’t forget to use your Avants discount for 15% off! And to keep your interior from needing Chad’s work, use our RCS10 code at Griots Garage for Interior Care and Cleaning products, which Chad does personally use and recommend (and they don’t even pay him to!)

We Go Tow to Tow! Feb 04, 2022

On this episode we walk you through all the basics of towing a trailer! We discuss all those acronyms about weights, how to load a trailer properly, how trailer brakes work, and even balls and shackles! We also talk about the film Dan was in, "F#", by our friends at Driven Motion!

A Couple of Tools Talking About Tools Jan 28, 2022

When the members in Avants asked what basic tools everyone should have, we answered in a big way with this extended length show and a huge write-up on our Tips and Links page. We believe these are the most essential tools you should own, and also a few you may not have thought of that come in really handy. We also talk about different price points and why some tools are absolutely worth the money and some just are not.

Check out the giant write-up here where we talk about everything form pick sets to fluid pumps: The Home Mechanic’s Automotive Arsenal

All Those Exotic Rental Stories You Always Wanted to Hear With Zadart! Jan 21, 2022

By many popular requests we finally got the guys from Zadart in to tell us all the fun stories about the exotic car rental world! Eric Reiff and Chris Roberts join us and give you all the info you want to know.

The 2022 Hagerty Bull Market Jan 07, 2022

In this episode we discuss Hagerty’s 2022 Bull Market List. The whole market feels like a bull market right now, but these are the top picks from our friends at Hagerty. Some of these seem extremely predictable, but who knew the Volvo wagon was going to spike like this!?

Check out the full article here from our friends at Hagerty!

Also, be sure to secure your load! Thanks to our friend Bob for this week’s Carter Automotive Group tip of the week!

Island Car Culture and Snowpocalypse 2021 Dec 31, 2021

Dan is working on his tan and Nick is adding as many layers as possible, but we still managed to put together a new episode discussing the polar opposites of car culture we are currently in. Dan gives an update on the car culture he’s found on Oahu (and is looking for more!) and Nick gives an update on the crazy PNW Snowpocalypse that is keeping even the most prepared drivers indoors.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Etc, Etc... Dec 24, 2021

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from us! It’s just the two of us for this holiday episode. We wish you all the best and hope you’re spending some quality time with the people you love.

The Life, Times, and Adventures of Otis Porsche Dec 17, 2021

You’ve probably heard that name before - Otis Porsche. If you’re like us, you probably didn’t realize Otis is actually the name of Richard and Dolores Ranhofer’s Porsche Cayenne, which sat on the dock of a bay a little too long. We meet with the elusive couple who have truly been pioneers in getting the Cayenne it’s off-road credit it actually deserves. These two have been overlanding before overlanding was a word, and continue to take their Porsche on truly challenging adventures. Listen to their stories ranging from how they met to how they started taking just about every backroad and rally around, including the infamously challenging Alcan 5000.

Last Minute Christmas Gifts for Car People Dec 07, 2021

You’re running out of time, but you can still get really cool Christmas gifts for that special car person in your life! In fact, we made a non-affiliate link list so you know you’re not buying anything just because we make money off it. We genuinely love these products and hope you will too! You can find this list on our website in the episode notes with links!

The Incredible Verena Mei Dec 03, 2021

We don’t use that word to describe a lot of people - incredible - but it fits. From drag racing, to stunt driving, to road racing, to drifting, to rally, AND MORE, Verena Mei has basically done it all. In spite of all that, she’s still humble, charming, and was an absolute joy for us to have on the show. Enjoy this very special, extended podcast featuring a guest you won’t forget and definitely enjoy.

To find out more about Verena (because we still couldn’t cover it all in 2 hours), check out her website: http://www.verenamei.com/

You can find Verena on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/verenamei/

Update: Pastrana’s “record” for rolls is 7 3/4 rolls. Now you know.

Happy Thanksgiving! Now Go Off-Roading or Autocrossing! Nov 24, 2021

We had a fun time making this kind of random episode, but we wanted to make sure you had something to listen while stuck in traffic. Thank you to all of you who are listening! We really love doing this and you are the reason we do! We talk about electric cars, autocross, the latest Avant’s Off-Road event, and more! Check out the gallery on this episode if you’re looking for a little motivation to join us for an Avant’s Off-Road event as I don’t think we’ve had a more fun one to date!

It’s Porsches All The Way Down With Nathan Merz Nov 19, 2021

We had a really great and honest interview with Nathan Merz, owner of Columbia Valley Luxury Cars. More than that, Nathan is extremely involved in the PCA, a writer, a content creator, and all around great guy. Nathan has been selling and flipping cars, especially Porsches, since he was 13 years old. From giving credit to his wife and family to being open and honest about inflated values, transporting, and auctions, we liked Nathan the minute we met him and we know you will too. Nathan will be coming back very soon to give us some great stories and advise on how to transport your vehicle the right way!

Ann Doherty Reminds Us You Can Start Racing Whenever You Want Nov 12, 2021

Did you know you can just go sign up for a track day and go? I mean, you’ll want your car in good mechanical shape, but that’s really it. You can just go. Ann Doherty decided after receiving her dream car for her 50th birthday she was going to do just that, and now she is racing a Porsche Cayman GT4 CS.

A Brief History of SEMA and SEMA Updates! Nov 05, 2021

It’s SEMA time, which means if you’re following any automotive news you’re seeing all sorts of new products coming out you probably won’t be able to buy for 6 months thanks to supply chain issues! We give a brief history of SEMA, talk winter tires (not snow tires), and a few other project updates.

Moab vs COTA! Oct 29, 2021

Our audio here is a little rough due to limited infrastructure! Nick went to COTA and Dan went to Moab, but you definitely need to go to both! It’s an adventure update that hopefully inspires you to get out and explore!

The Avants School For People Who STILL Don‘t Off-Road Good Oct 22, 2021

Did you know it’s ok to change your beliefs and opinions when you get new, more credible information? Well, we do, so we thought we’d update Episode 159 and the contents of our Off-Road List, which is housed under our Tips and Links section of our website. In this longer, extensive episode we talk about updates to that list, new tips for getting out on the trail, and you NEED to check out the video from Dan’s webcam on our YouTube page and embedded here. You’re not going to believe what we found trying to drive WABDR Section 3!

Dashcams, Moab, F1, and We Didn‘t Start the Fire Oct 15, 2021

Dan got to watch a police chase which he caught on his dashcam so we figured now would be a good time to discuss what makes a good dashcam, how to mount it properly, and some other tips and tricks. We also go over the next few weeks as Nick is going F1 in Austin and Dan is going off-roading in Moab! There’s some serious Billy Joel talk in here too.

If you’re looking a great Dashcam, our friend Ariel at Vortex Radar knows his stuff and is a source we trust: www.vortexradar.com/best-dashcams/

If you’re looking for the greatest Wikipedia page ever made, it’s We Didn’t Start The Fire by Billy Joel: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Didn%27t_Start_the_Fire

Circuit of the Northwest Update! YES, IT IS HAPPENING! Oct 08, 2021

We welcome Brian Nilsen with Circuit of the Northwest back as he confirms the track is coming! We also talk about customer service during COVID, DSRP vs MSRP, and welcome Daniella Lewis - head of membership for Circuit of the Northwest. We are very excited to have another track that's really happening, but it's going to be so much more than just another track!

Ray York Finds You The Right Garage Oct 01, 2021

Ray York joins us and finally answers the age old mystery of why there are never enough garage photos in home listings! He also shares his story of growing up not far from Dan, meeting Dale Earnhardt, getting fired by his dad at 18, and starting in real estate at the perfect time… 2007. Text RCS to 59559 to get a hold of Ray!

Deerly Departed Sep 23, 2021

In episode 201 we talk about a deerly departed friend Nick met on the way home from Dan’s house. Luckily this was a low-speed mishap, but we will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the worst jaywalkers on the road. Tune in to find out if Nick is still pulling fur out his grill.

Still Enjoying The Drive Sep 17, 2021

We made it all the way to episode 200! We’ve come a long way from Nick’s kitchen and we recorded this one in Dan’s dining room. We present the two best car tips we could think of, talk about the cross-plane crankshaft 4 cylinder, and take a short walk down memory lane.

199 for 199! Pro Rally Co-Driver Rhianon Gelsomino! Sep 10, 2021

For episode 199 we get Professional Rally Co-Driver Rhianon Gelsomino! Not only is she the 2021 ARA National Champion along with driver Travis Pastrana, she’s legitimately one of the most knowledgeable people we’ve ever met when it comes to all things rally and co-driving. She walks us through all of it in a way even we can understand and gives us all the good stories about her racing life, racing with Travis, and she’s even married to Alex, Ken Block’s co-driver. Talk about a power couple!

Living The Dream With Daniel Pilling Sep 03, 2021

Karl introduced us to someone else you’ll want to know, Daniel Pilling! Daniel learned to drive at the track, watched the XJ220 go into production, and has worked with everything from F1, to NASCAR, to Goodwood, and more! Listen in for some great stories!

50 Weird Auto Laws by State Aug 27, 2021

We discuss the 50 weirdest laws we could find by state. In spite of everything on the internet being true, we found out some these were a lie! I mean, if you can’t trust random blogs you read on the internet for legal advice, who can you trust?! We had fun with this one and hope you will too.

It’s Krissy From.. Uh.. Avants! Aug 20, 2021

It’s so weird to say “Krissy from Avants” when we’ve known Krissy as our girl at LeMay for so long. We are so excited to see where she takes Avants and how Avants is going to grow from Adam bringing her onboard. Krissy adds a wealth of knowledge and experience in the car world and we catch up with her and what she’s got planned.

Live From Monterey, It’s Nick! Aug 13, 2021

Nick calls in to give us the update on what’s going on in Monterey for Car Week post Covid lockdown and Dan sits at home and roasts in the 100 degree heat.

You Down With BBP? Aug 06, 2021

Dan’s out and Branden Ben Powell is in! Nick and Branden talk building an off-road community, building the Pinzgauer, magnets (how do they work?!), and even have a GIVEAWAY! Tune and be sure to leave us a comment! Follow BBP on IG at Sarpinz!

The Backcountry Monkey Recap Jul 29, 2021

Well, we kinda did it. We did sections 3 and 4 of the WABDR, which was all we were allowed to do thanks to massive shutdowns across the east side of the state due to fire danger, but we did it and lived to tell the tale! Branden Ben Powell and Brian Elich join us in the studio to tell the tale of the first annual Backcountry Monkey recap!

Chrome Muffler Bearings, South African Alfas, and Group 2 Jul 23, 2021

We love guests that are authentically themselves; it’s what makes people truly interesting! We welcome John and Melissa from Group 2 Automotive as they tell us all about stories from South Africa, driving on “closed roads” in Lamborghinis, Ferrari muffler bearings, and a whole lot more! We are indeed a car show about people and this episode definitely fulfills that and more.

Josie Rimmer Roams Into RCS Jul 16, 2021

A long time ago Dan stumbled across an IG; RoamingRS and thought “What a cool person, she should be on the show!” Turns out that person was none other than Josie Rimmer. You might know that last name if you’re a car enthusiast but Josie is more than her last name to be proud of, she’s a great advocate for women in motorsports, a driver, an equestrian, and just a really fun person to be around! We loved having her on our show and I’m sure you will hear more about her and from her. Go see Josie at DirtFish and get to know why DirtFish is the most fun Dan has ever had in a car and why so many great people work there!

Backcountry Monkey Planning With Branden Ben Powell Jul 08, 2021

When we decided to undertake riding the WABDR on our Monkeys we knew we needed an expert planner. Lucky for us we have Branden Ben Powell! He survived our assault on his liver and is ready to ride with us on his highly modified Monkey and brining all his expertise alone for the ride. Get read for some crazy adventure stories, just a few weeks away!

The Boys Are Back In Town Jul 02, 2021

Dan’s back and in a new place! Krissy is now with Avants! Covid rules have been lifted! FREEDOM! Yes, it’s also the 4th of July episode and we discuss which cars the MOST American you can buy. Some are surprising, some are not, but we had a great time making this episode.

Living That Crankshaft Culture Jun 24, 2021

On this weeks episode we talk to Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal of CrankshaftCulture.com. They also are automotive journalists, work for our friends at Warn Winches, and are active Avants members! These two REALLY walk the walk as well as talk the talk. We cover everything from the Alcan to not defining Overlanding and everything between. There’s a lot here, so kick back, relax, and enjoy the drive these two take us on.

Check out more from Andy and Mercedes at Crankshaftcutlure.com and on Instagram!

1,000 Trucks a Day Jun 18, 2021

1,000 trucks. That’s how may trucks Ford says it makes per day. That’s good, because they have 125,000 Broncos to build for customers. This week’s episode is automotive news you should know and the proper way to jump your car thanks to Carter Subaru!

Also, “If The 2022 Honda Grom Doesn't Make You Happy Maybe You Can't Be Happy.”

McCall is Magic Jun 10, 2021

Dan’s in McCall, Nick’s stuck at home, and we’re recording via phone! So no, Nick isn’t fighting strep throat, he just has AirPods. Yeah, calling you out Apple. Anyway! McCall is amazing and you should come visit. We’ll catch you up to speed on this on road and off road paradise and why it should be on your driving and overlanding bucket list.

Country Roads, Take Me To Idaho Jun 04, 2021

We recorded this episode from Dan’s Raptor! Dan is moving and headed to Idaho for a month, but don’t worry, we’re still making episodes for you! We talk all about Dan’s tractor purchasing, why you need to go to Idaho, and even touch on cars some.

Achtun(ing) Baby! May 28, 2021

On episode 184 we talk with Zach Mauden, Director of Sales and Marketing at Achtuning, all about tuning, tunes and warranties, and… overland RV life? Tune in for another great episode with a guest who is more than just selling the mods you want for your car!

Sound Advice from Sound Wheel Works May 21, 2021

On this episode we talk with Corey Youngren, owner of Sound Wheel Works. Corey has been in the wheel repair business for over 30 years and knows more about wheel repair than anyone we know. Almost all the local shops use his services and we have been customers ourselves since they opened, long before their Avants partnership. If you want to fix your wheels, change the color, or restore an older set, these are the ones to go to! Find out more about them at SoundWheelWorks.com

Also, sorry Branden Ben Powell, you probably drank yourself to death listening.

A Mini Glimpse Into Michele Graaff May 14, 2021

We had a fun chat with Michele Graaff; a passionate Mini GP owner who takes to the track on weekends. Michele is one of many people we are fortunate to talk with who will inspire you to get in your car and take it to the track. Not only is she a talented driver and the VP of the Puget Sound MINI Motoring Club, but she also has a great sense of humor and one of those people you just want to be friends with as soon as you meet her.

More about Michele in her own words:
”I am an academic advisor at University of Washington, writer and editor on the side, working on a few different freelance projects. Owning a MINI was a catalyst for learning performance driving because it’s such an accessible car for a lot of people Upgrading to the MINI JCW GP came from realizing my track skills would eventually require bigger brakes, and some other improvements. I love MINI so much that I was recently elected vice president of Puget Sound MINI Motoring Club. We are an all-female volunteer board of the largest non-profit MINI club in the region. Our mission is to encourage local owners enjoy the culture of MINI. My personal journey has put me onto the track, so most of my free time is spent nerding out over how to become a better driver. I’ve done this mostly alone, picking the brains of a handful of amazing coaches and friends, and lots of reading. This has evolved into me wanting more drivers (especially women!) to understand that getting out on the track isn’t just for people with the “right car” or giant bank account (though you’ll certainly go broke with this passion.) We are fortunate to have a lot of great resources for high performance driving in our area, from ProFormance to the local car clubs hosting HPDE days. Right now, I’m starting to learn pit crew support for a couple of IRDC/ICSCC racing friends. Maybe a race car will be in my future, but for now, I love my MINI GP and everything that goes with it.”

You can find more from Michele on her IG: https://www.instagram.com/mgsees/

This Episode Was Crafted In The Northwest Apr 30, 2021

We welcome Scottie and Jordan Stratton of Northwest Crafted Interiors to tell us all about the dark art of doing interiors! We can tell you without a doubt that quality upholstery is one of the hardest jobs in the automotive industry that we have come across. The guys at Northwest Crafted are absolute masters and can do anything you can dream of to the interior of your car. Like a quality mattress, getting a proper seat is one of the best investments you can make in your car and these are definitely the guys to do it. Even better, they’re an Avants partner!

Check them out at: https://www.nwcraftedinteriors.com/

And on IG at: https://www.instagram.com/nw_crafted/

Rachel Neuharth And The Bronco 2 Project Apr 23, 2021

In this episode we talk about finding the perfect mount for recording from your vehicle with a phone (which is way harder than you think) and we talk to the latest Avants member to go full send at Avants Off-road event, Rachel Neuharth. After a late night birthday Craigslist browsing, Rachel decided she needed a project car and picked up a Bronco 2, then she took the next most important step, she showed up at an Avants event and went full send. We brought Rachel on the show because she’s a good case for what all of us know - just showing up and being nice will get you all the welcoming and support you need.

Follow Rachel’s Bronco project on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/sandy_bronco/

Hey Tesla, Open Your... What? Apr 16, 2021

For episode 179 we cover a lot of automotive news ranging from Colorado’s weed friendly license plate lotto, the insane towing capacity of new trucks, the Rivians are coming, and Tesla’s latest interesting Easter Egg.

From South Africa to Seattle with Naomi Watnick Apr 09, 2021

We get to know driver, enthusiast, and instructor Naomi Watnick! Naomi teaches driving skills for the Porsche Club, BMW Club, and many others, including Avants track days. Get to know Naomi’s story and how she came from driving tanks to racing Miatas.

If you want to learn more about the very cool Merkur XR4Ti - https://www.motortrend.com/news/1985-1989-merkur-xr4ti-buyers-guide/

The Missing Episode Apr 08, 2021

Dan was gone for a while, so we get you up to speed with this missing episode covering a lot of stuff!

Everyone needs to know about the Lockpicking Lawyer - www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9K6rby98W8JigLoZOh6FQ

Watch some guys riding vintage Honda trail bikes 500 miles, proving we aren’t quite as crazy as you thought - www.youtube.com/watch?v=320vUMEoelc

In reference to our Carter Subaru Tip of the week, check out how APR (and many others) are helping you with your powertrain warranty if you decide to void yours with a tune - www.goapr.com/products/software/…20T-EA888-3-T-IS38

Streetspeed717 from YouTube decided to jump his Urus over his Aventador and we think that’s pretty cool - www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_L7lEgZcdc

Gordon Murray puts his new T50 on a dyno and sorta runs the Nürburgring - www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMbNh8y7HUY

Aston Martin vs Honda - Correction, this was Top Gear Season 6, Episode 5 - and Jeremy Clarkson driving.

Nikola is still full crap, SSC is maybe slightly less, and the story of the Dale.

The story of the Dale is fascinating - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twentieth_C…_Car_Corporation - and to correct something in the show we don't want people to misunderstand, we didn't mean Trans "wasn't a thing" in the 60s/70s, we meant it was not a commonly used term at the time and was not widely used to describe sexual identity in historical reference.

And we discuss Nissan's predatory loan practices: jalopnik.com/nissan-is-going-to…stomers-1846636646

Meet Jim Cissell, The Voice Guy! Mar 25, 2021

Jim is a guy you know, and yet you don’t. Literally “The Voice Guy”, Jim has done documentaries, movie previews, radio, and so many ads over the years. We learn his story from being a journalist in the Air Force to a full time career as a voice over artist. We met Jim via our car friends, as usual, and he’s a real car nut too!

The Backcountry Monkey Mar 19, 2021

The Honda Monkey 125. The perfect, adorable, retro style bike for getting you around town. We’re taking it on a 600 mile ride down the WABDR. No, that’s not a joke. Get to hear how this crazy idea became a reality and everything required to take a bike with about 4” of suspension travel and a 1.5 gallon fuel tank down one of Washington’s most iconic, and longest, off-road adventure routes, the WABDR. Tune in as we have a fun ride coming up that we know you’re going to get a kick out of! We also talk about some tips for getting your car ready for driving season!

To read more about the WABDR and see the route, check out the official site: https://ridebdr.com/wabdr/

Celebrating the Women That Shaped the Auto Industry Mar 12, 2021

In this episode we take a dive into the history of women who help create the automotive industry, all the way back to Bertha Benz, the first test driver. In our Carter Subaru Tip of the Week we cover all the resources you can use to find car shows! As promised, here is that list!

Avants
Lemay - Americas Car Museum
Hemmings
Griots Garage - Don’t forget to use code RCS10 for 10% off!
Exotics at Redmond Town Center
And of course we will announce them here!

The Other Putnam: Police Stories and Reality Mar 05, 2021

When we say we’re a car show about people, we mean it, even our own people. In Episode 173, we have a deep, real, and still fun chat with Dan’s brother David, former Washington State Trooper, and leave nothing out. We talk police stories, car stuff, growing up with Dan, adoption, the massive drug problem, the declining police problem, and we definitely don’t hold much back. Enjoy this extended episode with 20 years of stories from being a Washington State Trooper, and so much more.

This episode is not explicit, but deals with some very mature subject matter around drugs, homelessness, and automobile accidents that may no be appropriate for some younger listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

Worth It, Not Worth It! Feb 26, 2021

In this episode we cover some common products we have found to be worth it and a lot that we have found really were not. Hopefully this list saves you some time and gets you the right stuff the first time!

You can access the short link to this list here! https://www.raincitysupercars.com/worth-it-not-worth-it

Meet David Plotts, The New GM Of Drivers Club! Feb 19, 2021

We first met David when he introduced us to Matt Moreman of Obsessed Garage. He also knows our friends at Combat Flip Flops, because it’s always a small world. David is now the new GM of Drivers Club, but his path is an interesting one for sure! From being a Green Beret, to Nordstrom, to Drivers Club, David has held some impressive lines of work. Get to know him on episode 171!

If you liked our Carter Subaru tip of the week and have some alcantara to clean, pick up some Griots Interior Cleaner and a boars hair brush set and get 10% off you order with our code RCS10!

Protecting Your Noggin With Some Helmet Knowledge Feb 12, 2021

This episode is a deep dive in all things helmets! Dan is sort of an expert on them and Nick has a huge head so we thought we would make an episode about it. We cover everything from construction, to safety ratings, to materials, and more odds and ends.

Automotive Topic Potpourri Feb 05, 2021

It's an automotive topic potpourri episode!

Nick reminds us to check our insurance coverage
SSC sets a record, for real this time
Koenigsegg produces another amazing car we can't pronounce
Lexus decides to actually look at it's model line-up and remembers styling is important
What's a new, used car worth?
Here come the embarrassing accessories for the new Bronco
Why do racing simulator wheels and pedals kind of suck?
Nick also reminds you to clean your air filter
There’s a New Top Gear America and it doesn’t suck as much as usual this time!
Stop street racing in Tacoma please!
And the Mt Si Pub is BACK OPEN! For our local listeners, come visit! Great food, great service, great people, and they serve delicious food on metal trays.

All Things RS6 Avant with Justin Osmer! Jan 29, 2021

Justin Osmer joins us at Drivers Club to talk all about Forza memories, a lifetime of Audis, and his new RS6 Avant; the unicorn we all want. Justin has a lot of great car stories and he’s more than a guy who just bought the currently hottest Audi on the market. Justin has worked with Forza, Top Gear USA, Gymkhana, and numerous celebrity automotive podcasts until he made it big with us. Tune in and get to know a great car enthusiast with more great stories. Follow Justin on Instagram at FatherFlywheel!

Remember to use our code RCS10 for 10% off at GriotsGarage.com to in person at the Tacoma store!

Monkeys, Movie Cars, Vectors, And Off-Road Events Jan 22, 2021

In this Dan and Nick episode we talk about riding Monkeys, movie cars we can’t think of, Mr. Feeny, Vectors, and the return of the extremely popular Avants Off-Road Events that we will be at, handing out prizes!

Mike Tolliver Helps Us Give Stance a Chance! Jan 15, 2021

We joke relentlessly about Stance culture on RCS, but we brought in the amazing man behind StanceWars, Mike Tolliver, to give us some real insight on the scene. Mike is easily one of the hardest working event promoters in the car business and Stance culture is easily the most controversial area of the car world, but guys like Mike are exactly why you should give Stance a chance. This is a great interview with an absolute professional who puts on a hell of a show worth seeing. We had so much to talk about on this episode that we are going to have Mike back to talk about his upcoming shows and his lifetime of great car stories from a true car nut.

We Go A Little Off The Rails with Racer On Rails Jan 08, 2021

We got the chance to sit down at the pub with the Bryce and Jordan Allen, the brothers from Racer On Rails, and go a little off the rails! We discuss racing (of course), boats, McLaren rotor costs, and everything Racer on Rails offers to their clients. Listen in for another fun, Mt Si Pub fueled episode!

Learn more about the guys at RacerOnRails.com!

So Long 2020 and Hello Big Changes for 2021! Jan 01, 2021

For 2021 we welcome Griot’s Garage as the exclusive car care provider of Rain City Supercars! We know 2020 was a pretty rough year for a lot of people, but we are extremely thankful to say it was our biggest year ever! We made several changes that yielded a lot of growth as we went beyond Rain City Supercars to RCS in an effort to be more inclusive of everyone that makes up the car community, well beyond supercars.

Above all else, thank you to all our listeners for making this possible. We love making this show for you and we have some extremely interesting guests coming up we know you’re going to love. When COVID-19 permits, you’ll be seeing us at a lot more events too, so stay tuned for a big 2021!

Want to Ride Better? Talk to Linnea Rooke! Dec 25, 2020

Like a lot of car people, we like anything with wheels, including bicycles. Thanks to a great listener suggestion, we tracked down Linnea Rooke, Chief Operating Officer at Fluidride Mountain Bike School in Fall City. She’s not only the COO, she’s also a pro-racer and stars in the instructional series. Fluidride offers global tours, in-person clinics, online classes, and so much more. As we keep preaching here on the show, you can always learn more from professional training and Fluidride is right in our backyard. We had so much fun recording this show and we know you will love it as much as we did!

Check out Fluidride on their website and follow Linnea on IG for some awesome bicycle adventures.

Living the Baja Dream with David Wheaton (Part 2) Dec 18, 2020

On part 2 of our episode with David Wheaton we talk all about epic trips to Baja you find out you booked when you wake up, Raptors, suspension, and laugh all the way through. We had a lot of laughs creating this episode, but it is marked explicit due to some language and an explanation about why penguines like vanilla ice cream. Some stories are just better told unfiltered and we felt this one fit that flow.

Living the Dream with David Wheaton (Part 1) Dec 11, 2020

When Karl first told us about David we knew we were in for a great episode full of great stories. David Wheaton did not disappoint! From his time in Monterey working around Sonoma and Laguna Seca to owning the Mt Si Tavern in North Bend, David is a guy you'll want to know. Not only does he have the best "dive" bar around, he's a friendly guy you just want to keep talking to. Enjoy part 1 of getting to know David!

Snow Wheeling; Our Cure for Covid Boredom Dec 04, 2020

In this shorter episode we discuss our latest little adventure and a few highlights from the week. We have a lot of new and interesting guests coming up in the next few episodes we know you’re really going to enjoy. For now, enjoy this short take!

The RCS School for People Who Don’t Off-Road Good Nov 27, 2020

We get asked all the time, so we made it a highly controversial episode so you can yell at us while listening in your car! Here is all the off-road gear we are carrying all the time and links for most of where you can get it. A lot of this was purchased pre-Avants, on a budget, or in a hurry, and those are marked with an * as we do believe there are in fact better options out there, but this is exactly what we have. You can basically one-stop-shop all of this at our friends at MULE Adventure Outfitters and HKP Customs where your Avants discount really helps! We make ZERO from these links and we know there is better gear out there when it comes to straps, shackles, etc, but we wanted to be honest about what we use and it’s been working fine for us. We are not “hardcore” off-road experts, but we have been doing it a long time, and we do know this gear (and an occasional winch) get 99% of the work done and out of that snow bank or ditch.

See our website for the full list of gear we think you should be carrying and links to get it all: https://www.raincitysupercars.com/the-podcast

A Snowy Stampede and Another Lockdown Nov 20, 2020

Covid may have locked us all down again, but there’s no restrictions off-road! We went up to Stampede Pass last weekend for some snow-wheeling and of course came back with more stories. This episode is all about driving in the thick stuff and settling that AT vs MT tire debate! Also, check out this awesome product for airing up and airing down! We consider this a must have for off-roading and they’re made by a guy down in Oregon. We don’t get anything from this, but we are happy to promote it because it just works so well - https://morrflate.com/

If you just love DIY, you can easily build your own from this parts list here: https://trail4runner.com/2018/05/06/diy-4-tire-inflation-system/

Sadly, we have to report the Avants Off-Road event scheduled for the 21st is cancelled due to the lockdown. :(

James Bond Picks Up The Kids From Soccer Practice Nov 13, 2020

We got an early opportunity to test drive the new Aston Martin DBX! We didn’t get to race a RSQ8 up a mountain like Top Gear, but we definitely got to have some fun! Our friends at Park Place Aston Martin gave us a call and said “Hey, want to drive an SUV you can’t afford?” We of course said yes and we think you’ll get a kick out of our review. Luckily for us, we’ve actually spent a lot of time in the competition, so tune in to hear how it stacks up!

RCS received NO compensation of any kind for this review! We think you know that, but we wanted to be sure. We’d tell you if we ever got paid for a review. We just have really awesome friends who let us drive amazing cars.

Picking The Right Off-Road Vehicle Nov 06, 2020

When it comes to picking the right off-road vehicle, what you want may not be the right tool for the job. Raptor? Terrible for trails. 4Runner? Not exactly built for Baja. Jeep? Not exactly built for… asphalt. That said, all are recognized as some of the best in their class. Then there’s Subaru, which keeps defying the odds with just a little bit of work.

Coley Tipton, President of IRDC Oct 30, 2020

In this weeks fun conversation we talk to Coley Tipton, president of the International Race Drivers Club or IRDC. Coley has some great stories of growing up at the track, getting into racing thanks to Paul Newman himself, crashing into tire walls, and other fun things. We hope you have as many laughs as we did!

Sam Stone and The Philosphy of EVOMS Oct 23, 2020

If you’re into tuning Porsches, you’re probably familiar with Evolution Motorsports or EVOMS as they’re often known to the rest of the world. Sam Stone is the co-owner of Evolution and is here to tell his story and the future of Evolution, opening up very soon in Kirkland!

Your Go-To for Lights and More, Ben Smrecansky of HKP! Oct 16, 2020

Long before we knew who Ben Smrecansky was or that HID Kit Pros was a local company, we knew they were the go-to company for lights. In fact, if you search for LED replacement lights, you’ll probably come across their page as the top result. Beyond lights, HKP Customs can now do everything from lifts, to radars, to stereos, and everything between (except gearing). Ben tells us his entrepreneurial story and talks about how he became the go-to guy for all things lighting and now more!

E-Boards And The Raptor Project Oct 09, 2020

It’s official, the Porsche 911 Turbo S has been sold! That means a road trip, a raptor, and a new build! In addition to that, we added another “vehicle” to our fleet, and Metroboard-X Electric Skateboard! This isn’t your average kids toy; hence the X for X-TREME! We really hate that name, but it’s an impressive piece of tech and a ton of fun. If you’ve been on the fence about something like this, we can’t recommend this little toy enough.

The New CEO of America’s Automotive Trust, Jennifer Maher! Oct 02, 2020

We welcome the new CEO of America’s Automotive Trust, Jennifer Maher! America’s Automotive Trust includes LeMay - America’s Car Museum, TechForce, and The RPM Foundation. In this episode we talk all about jobs in the automotive industry, the future of America’s Automotive Trust, and so much more all about her! More than that, we welcome Automotive Trust as an In-Kind Sponsor! We both want to see the industry grow and we look forward to working as partners.

RCS Rally Recap! Sep 25, 2020

Alright, we admit trying to run a road rally during the apocalypse may not have been our best decision, but we did it anyway. This year was different to say the least. 2020 in general isn’t exactly a great year for anyone, but when you add constantly changing wildfires, rapidly moving wildlife, and rapidly moving police cars things get a little more problematic. Listen in to the 2020 Rally Recap; definitely a drive to remember.

Rest In Peace Sam Work. We know you would have loved this drive and we wish you were here to enjoy the next one. You meant a lot to us and we mourn the loss of a great man and a big part of our car community.

Conversations on Consignment with Jason Harris of NW European Sep 17, 2020

I love it when we have a conversation with someone who is clearly an expert in their field. Jason Harris of Northwest European is clearly one of those guys. NW European specializes in consignment and selling of very special cars and Jason gives us his story and shows it’s truly a labor of love for him, which makes the stories all the better.

Check out more on Jason and Northwest European at NWEuro.com.

CAGS is a Crock, Rally Time, and the Avants Magazine Launch! Sep 11, 2020

In this short episode we talk about CAGS, the RCS Rally, and the new Avants Magazine! This is a shorter episode, but stay tuned, we are heading out on our 2020 Rally and the stories will be coming!

”Mad” Muntz; Nathan That Is! Sep 04, 2020

Nathan Muntz is everyone’s favoite kind of car guy. He has a delightfully ecletic car collection and the know how to keep cars that were never reliable on the road and going strong. We go through his fun list and get the stories behind them, because when you have a list like this, you have stories:

2008 Aston Martin DB9

1997 Land Rover NAS D90

1989 Land Rover 110 truck

1983 JZR cycle car. This is a Morgan 3 wheeler kit.

1971 Dri-Sleeve Moonraker. This is a factory made Bugatti Type 37 tribute car. 1 of 6 made.

1965 Morgan Plus 4. Just purchased during Covid.

1952 Muntz Jet. 1 of 198 made. Total restro-mod… with an 8.3L Viper motor in it.

Need we say more?! Yes, yes we do. Listen in!

Combat Flip Flops. Bad for Running. Worse For Fighting. Great for a Podcast. Aug 28, 2020

In this really fun (and explicit) episode, we talk to Griff and The Wookie from Combat Flip Flops. The start of Combat Flip Flops is like nothing you have ever heard before, guaranteed. More importantly, these passionate guys are genuinely trying to make the world a better place in spite of going through hell to get it done. Check out combatflipflops.com and order up a pair!

If you want to hear the extremely detailed, full story of CFF from Griff himself, the Audiobook and eBook are currently free and absolutely worth a read or listen: STEPS ASCENDING: RISE OF THE UNARMED FORCES

Inside The RCS Rebrand With Jeremy Salvo Aug 21, 2020

On this week’s episode, we talk about the emerging RCS rebrand with our newish graphic designer, Jeremy Salvo. We go down the rabbit hole on a number of topics including design’s role in great music, 80s nostalgia, and the curiously legendary Alfa Romeo logo.

To learn more about the RCS rebrand and check out more of Jeremy's work, head over to www.salvo.design.

Catching Up With Kiki Wolfkill Aug 14, 2020

One of our favorite guests comes back to catch up with more fun stories. Between being busy making the new Halo TV series and the upcoming Halo video game, Kiki found a little time to come back in and catch us up on her amazing life. Beyond Halo she’s a racecar driver, motorcycle rider, and world traveler and always she brings great stories.

Adam Robertson Bids Us Farewell Aug 07, 2020

We are currently on vacation and Adam Robertson is now in Texas, but we had a really fun and real conversation about Adam and his departure from Bellevue. Please note this episode was recorded in advance - breaks and intro were recorded in post.

A Good(ing) Time with Hans Wurl Jul 31, 2020

We have a conversation with Gooding and Company Automotive Specialist (actual title) Hans Wurl! Hans gives us the details on what you can expect by taking your car to auction with Gooding and Company and gives us a few tips as well. Hans is much more than just a great guy to talk to about Gooding auctions, he’s also an accomplished technician with a wealth of knowledge. You can find Hans on Avants or you can reach out to him at Gooding and Company!

From Motorhomes To Minis With Greg Birch Jul 24, 2020

In this especially interesting episode we talk to Dr Greg Birch, the grandson of Alex Birch, one of the lead engineers on the coolest vehicles of it’s kind, GMC Motorhome! Greg is also an accomplished driver, mechanic, and Mini collector who is exceptionally knowledgeable in all things he’s interested. Tune in to this really interesting episode full of fun information! Also, be sure to check out the gallery for this episode! Karl took some amazing photos as usual and Greg was kind enough to share some really great photos of the motorhomes his grandfather helped create.

A Unicorn Of A Guest, Paul Blake! Jul 17, 2020

On this episode we have a Unicorn of a guest, Paul Blake! Not only is a Paul a co-owner of the famous Unicorn bar and restaurant in Seattle, he’s also a racer, driving instructor, and car collector of actually interesting cars! Enjoy some of Paul’s good stories on Episode 140!

A note from Dan: This episode unfortunately had some file corruption we were unable to recover. Fortunately, this only impacted a few scattered seconds of audio across the episode.

Ty Moore And The CRU Jul 10, 2020

On this weeks episode we have Ty Moore of the Cafe Racers Union (CRU)! Ty is more than just a guy running an awesome philanthropy organization, he’s also a former professional race car driver and all around great guy with great stories. Listen and and check out Ty’s work at caferacersunion.com.

Kirk Myhre Of MC Motorsports Design Jul 03, 2020

We’ve got a great episode talking designing and driving with Kirk Myhre of MC Motorsports Design. Check out a great photo set by Karl Noakes for this episode as well as a lot of original content by Kirk. If you need your helmet custom painted or some great photos, you can find Kirk at McMotorsportsdesign.com.

Driving Discussions With Doug Of Drivers Club Jun 26, 2020

In this fun episode we talk about snorkels, diff breathers, 3rd row seating, bad coil overs, and how in the world did BMW get a factory roll cage in a car?! If you know the answer to that one, let us know!

Great news Avants members, you now get a great discount at Park Place Motors and Park Place Auto Salon!

Brian Nilsen and The Circuit of the Northwest Jun 24, 2020

MORE TRACKS! That’s definitely what we need. More importantly we need more places for communities to be involved and bring in renewed interest in the car world and everything associated with it. In this episode get to know Brian Nilsen as he talks with us about his life in the motorsports world and the path to The Circuit of the Northwest.

To learn more about the Circuit of the Northwest, check out https://www.circuitofthenorthwest.com/

Squeaky Belts and Daily Sports Cars Jun 12, 2020

In this episode we have a call to action from our audience! Tell us about your sporty daily driver, whatever it may be, and why you love it! Tell us your favorite thing about your car. It can be a long or short message, doesn’t matter, just let us know! We also talk about squeaky belts, daily driven sports cars, the ridiculous costs of a Porsche badge on a part, and more.

The One Where Nick Gets Punched In The Face Jun 05, 2020

On this week's episode we talk about aftermarket warranties, Nick gets punched in the face, the latest news from SSC, and a little bit more!

Short Take: Beadlocks and Quarantine Car Shows May 29, 2020

In this short episode we touch on the reality of beadlock wheels and trying to have a car show during a quarantine (hint: probably not a great idea).

Catching Up with Karl On Dan’s Deck May 22, 2020

On this fun episode we catch up with photographer Karl Noakes on Dan’s back deck. This week we discuss cast vs flow formed vs forged wheels, Formula 1, Seattle car pics, and places we’re going soon!

This Episode has Jurisdiction May 15, 2020

In this week’s episode we discuss Launch control, full throttle shifting, and what jurisdiction actually means!

Active Aero, Dan’s Drives, And Murder Wasps May 08, 2020

In this shorter episode we discuss the ins-and-outs and a short history of active aero on production cars, driving adventures, and quarantine life.

Give the other Nick from Down Under a follow on IG: I’m Called Nick

Cars and Coffee on The Lake With Zach Hoffner May 01, 2020

If you’re a car enthusiast in the area you’ve probably heard of or attended Lake Washington Cars and Coffee. Zach got the idea about 4 years ago and it’s just continued to grow! Not to be confused with Seattle Cars and Coffee, Lake Washington C&C has a great group of passionate and eclectic enthusiasts who meet every week, rain, snow, or shine at Madrona Park in Seattle. We’ve met plenty of friends and even guests at the event and it’s welcome to car enthusiasts of all types. When this quarantine finally lifts, check them out and say hello to Zach!

Get in touch with Zach via his own website for design work at Zhoffner.com.

Find Lake Washington Cars and Coffee on Facebook and Instagram!

And check out Lake Washington Cars and Coffee every Sunday at Madrona Park in Seattle from 10-12 when we’re not in a quarantine!

Craig Brooks Of Rennfilms Talks Making Films And Sleeping In Your Car Apr 24, 2020

Rennfilms creates some of the most beautiful automotive films you’ll ever see including some for some previous guests of RCS! Listen to him tell his story from humble beginnings in Hollywood to working some music videos that you actually probably watched and automotive films you will definitely want to see. Then toward the end, he turns the tables! Check out Rennfilms.com and enjoy some of his truly beautiful work!

Running a Social Club While Social Distancing Apr 17, 2020

So what happens when you are in charge of a social club in a time where everyone has to do social distancing? Well, if you’re Amanda from Drivers Club you do A LOT more than you might think. From arranging virtual happy hours, to planning fundraising, to booking exclusive guests, Drivers Club is still in full swing. Listen in to get some fun ideas on what to do right now.

Quarantine and Coffee Apr 10, 2020

On Episode 126 we try and focus on some of the good things that are happening around us! A special shout to Woodinville Car Club for helping over 20 people celebrate their birthdays while still staying quarantine safe! We also talk about inclinometers, discuss ways of hacking together multiples stops on Google Maps (because some jerk over there took away are ability to add more than 10 stops and we’re still mad about it), touch on some of the crazy financing deals we’ve seen, and explore some of the long term impacts to the automotive industry we are starting to see.

Here are some links to help you out from today’s episode!

MoreThan10.com - Because someone at Google Maps is a jerk.

Rallista - Because Blake Siebe and friends are not jerks and have an awesome app! (Android coming soon!)

A great story about the work done by Washington State Patrol Troopers, Marysville Police, Tulalip Tribal Police, Lake Stevens Police, Snohomish County Sheriff's deputies, Everett Police and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers all coming together to help celebrate a birthday!

It’s a Podcast with Mike Krene, Not Rocket Science Apr 03, 2020

Things we never thought we’d say: If you need a rocket scientist, we know a guy. We had the pleasure of interviewing Mike Krene, a fellow member at Drivers Club, and asked him all about rocket science, his awesome car collection, and we tried to understand as best we could. We are doing interviews remotely now to do our part to fight Covid-19, but we’re still having fun, so we hope you do too!

Well, That Escalated Quickly Mar 27, 2020

Welcome to Episode 124, recorded and streamed lived from Dan’s garage! Our partners at DC are being responsible and we are holding RCS from Dan’s garage until we get this whole virus sorted out. We streamed this episode live to test out a bunch of ideas and had a little fun, but we also talked about how things are changing in the car world. We have guests and regularly scheduled content coming back next week, so sit back, relax, and enjoy! We’re going to do our best to keep you all entertained through this.

Talking About Racks With Jayme Mayfield Of Rack N Road Mar 20, 2020

There are a lot of reasons to have a good rack on your car and they are more popular than ever! We brought in Jayme Mayfield, Manager of Rack N Road to talk about racks, roof top tents, and picking the right one. If you’re thinking about getting anything for the roof of your car, reach out to him at Rack N Road Bellevue and tell him we sent you!

Alternative Transportation Methods with Cameron Balazic Mar 13, 2020

We here on RCS love all things with transportation related including the electric kind. We invited Officer Cameron Balazic to talk to us about how the police are handling them and how do be a good rider. He’s also an awesome car enthusiast with a gorgeous Golf R and a fellow Avants member.

Correction: Dan mentioned 50 MPH as the top speed of the Zero 10 scooter - it is actually 50 KMH, or 31 MPH. He was correct on the top speed of the electric skateboards he mentioned.

Welcome Back Trevor Wert - Director of Marketing for DirtFish! Mar 05, 2020

We welcome back Trevor Wert to talk more about his expanding role at DirtFish and all the amazing things DirtFish is bringing. Trevor gives us all the info on the big moves DirtFish is making in media and becoming yours and the whole world’s source for all things rally! We talk rally cars, rally drivers, drives to Alaska, and his adventures around the world. Check out Trevor’s work and all the new stuff coming at DirtFish.com!

A Garage Talk With The Griots Feb 27, 2020

To say the name “Griot” is an icon in the automotive world is an understatement. When we were teenagers the Griot’s Garage catalog was the equivalent of the Sear’s Christmas catalog as kids, hell, it still is. We get to know Richard and Nick Griot on our usual unscripted, personal level and laugh the whole way through. Enjoy this very special EXTENDED episode of RCS!

Your Car Guy, Brian Elich Feb 20, 2020

If you’re an Avants member, Camaro aficionado, or just a regular in the PNW car community you probably known Brian. He’s the friend we refer people to when they want a high performance Chevy. He’s also the guy you call when you want to go snow wheeling, have a great bonfire, or just good company. Brian does things a little a different in the car sales world - he makes a lot of real friends. Brian gives us some car buying tips and tells how he came from Motor City to the greater Seattle area.

Don Kitch Is Proof Of What Can Happen If You Never Give Up Feb 13, 2020

Don Kitch is a household name in the car community in the PNW. Those of ours listeners outside of the PNW probably know him too from his many ventures in the driving world - ProFormance Driving School, Team Seattle Racing / Heart of Racing, Dempsey Racing, Le Mans, Daytona, and of course The Art of Racing In The Rain, where he was famously played by Gary Cole. In this special episode we get to know the unscripted and always authentic Don Kitch you’ll want to hear.

All Around The World With Jason Feb 06, 2020

Our favorite Dan replacement comes back to join and talk all about car culture around the world. Jason travels constantly for work and gets to see some of the most amazing car culture around the world. He gives us an overview car culture experiences from London, Singapore, Monaco, Japan, and more!

Jay Gillotti, The Gulf 917, And The Beetles Jan 30, 2020

They say you can’t always judge a book by its cover, nor can you know an author by his books pages. Jay is a man of many talents as a writer and musician, the latter we didn’t know at all until this interview. Listen to Jay talk about his love for all things automotive, especially the Gulf Porsche 917s, and music! Check out the links below to see his impressive book all about the Gulf Porsche 917 and hear some of Jay’s music.

Stew From Stew’s Garage Gives Us More Than Just Car Tips Jan 23, 2020

Stewart Waliser is a young and successful entrepreneur who started Stew’s Garage in Kirkland on his own. That last part is especially important, because it’s hard enough to start a small business, let alone one in your early 20s! Stew’s shop is an absolutely unique garage that allows people of all skill levels to come and not just work on their cars, but also learn! He and his staff can walk your through just about all vehicle maintenance and help you build a new skill set with professional guidance along the way

A Short Scottsdale Preview and More! Jan 17, 2020

In this shorter episode Nick and Dan connect via phone since Nick is having a great time in Scottsdale without him! We talk about what’s crossing the block in Scottsdale and give a quick recap of events there while Dan freezes to death without power at home. Listen in for a unusual, but useful Carter Subaru Tip of the Week as well!

Special thanks to previous guests Scott and Katrina for hosting the AZ Jet Center Event, Shannon Low with Authentic Motorcars for hooking Nick up with an amazing Pantera for the Scottsdale Drive, Ashley Shoemaker from Hagerty, Alexa Bockmier with Park Place Motors for the VIP treatment, and everyone else who made Scottsdale amazing (as usual) this year!

Listen in to Dan who did guest spot on The Money Hour with Tina Mitchell and Keelan Harvey talking about cars, investment cars, money, and keeping it real!

The Bull Market And The Great Escape Jan 10, 2020

Dan cuts through the marketing hype of Radar Detectors and laser jammers on our Carter Subaru tip of the week, the 2020 Hagerty Bull Market List, and Hollywood-esque escape of former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn on this weeks episode of RCS!

2019 In Review! Jan 02, 2020

A lot happened in 2019! Not just for us, but for the automotive world. From 300 mph street legal cars to electric all the things, we tried to cover our favorite stories and breakthroughs from the last year. Dan also tells you the scientifically best way to defrost your car in his Carter Subaru Tip Of The Week!

Are you heading to Scottsdale for Car Week? We have discount tickets thanks to our friends at Jet Center Events! Click here to get your tickets and enter the code RCS20 to get $20 off your tickets to the Arizona Jet Center Event!

Byron Sanborn: Mechanic, Racer, Musician Dec 26, 2019

Byron Sanborn of VRM (Vintage Racing Motors) is a man with stories. Some of which he was nice enough to share and some of which we laughed about for hours off the show. Easily one of the most interesting people we’ve met, let alone interviewed, so we let him go a little longer to share all the details of racing some cars you’ve all probably seen driving around and then some you might have crossed paths with on the lawn at Pebble Beach!

The Always Authentic Roy Cats Dec 19, 2019

One of our most sought after interview requests is with local legend Roy Cats of Cats Exotics. Roy is the epitome of car guy - he drives his exotics, and hypercars, year round. From his famous 60k mile Diablo, to his manual Murcielago SV, to his 675 LT, you might find him crossing the passes on snow tires just for fun. Then there’s the Senna. Did we mention Roy has a Senna? Did you know he used to be a Sheriff?! There’s a lot to listen to and laugh about on this weeks episode!

Special Note: As usual are interviews are unfiltered and unscripted. While this interview is full of lighthearted fun, we did flip the switch on this one being intended for mature audiences.

Story Time! Dec 12, 2019

On Episode 109 it's story time! We enjoy our fancy new mixer (which we are still learning how to use), Lithium Ion Batteries (at a very high level), $30 car tabs (or not), how there are real consequences for being an idiot at a car show (thanks Redmond PD!), winter stuff, and we also discuss our relationship. Apparently.

Gaurav Rajasekar Talks About Joining The American Car Scene Dec 05, 2019

We wanted to make a real episode about what it’s like to be from another country and try and get into American car culture, but as 2 very white guys in our 40s we decided we probably shouldn’t tackle this on our own. Our very good friend, Exotics volunteer, track day junky, and fellow road tripper Gaurav Rajasekar joined us to tell us what it was like moving here from India and jumping into the hot seat of a ‘MERICA screaming, push rod punching, tire smoking, steel guitar twangin’ Corvette Grand Sport (no really, he listens to a lot of country). He’s also a great, funny story teller and you’re sure to get a few laughs out this unscripted, unfiltered episode of Rain City Supercars.

Curtis Creager Prepares You For Your First Track Day Nov 28, 2019

It might be winter, but it’s a great time to sign up for your first track day! Curtis Creager is an instructor with Proformance Racing School at Pacific Raceways in Kent and he’s on this episode to tell you all you need to know about doing your first track day, what mods really matter, and gives us great general driving and car advice. Another interesting guy you definitely should know, so we made sure we brought him on the show!

Supra Steve Talks About How To Buy A Car Out Of State And Beyond! Nov 22, 2019

Supra Steve, the very first guest ever on our show, is back for this special episode! By request we were asked to talk all about how to buy a car out of state (and beyond) sight unseen. It’s not as easy as it sounds no matter what, but people do it all the time. Steve tells us how he bought his GT2 out of the country and imported it and Dan talks about buying many cars out of state and the mistakes he has made along the way. This is a great episode for anyone who’s done this or who is looking to do it, and yes, we know the experience varies greatly!

More Shay! (And We Talk Race Cars) Nov 14, 2019

Dan is finally back from rehab for Episode 105 with Shay Hoelscher! We get to talk about race cars, hair, and more! We also announce our big winner for the photo shoot up at Epic Exposure!

If you listened to this episode and felt inspired to contribute to Project Beauty Share, you can find them here: projectbeautyshare.org/. If you’d like to get involved, please do email us and we’ll get you in touch with Shay!

To learn more about Shay’s company, check out Prive here! www.priveproducts.com/

Taking Life by the Wheel with Tyler Brunkhorst Nov 07, 2019

This week we talk to Tyler Brunkhorst who has one of the most remarkable come-to-cars stories. After losing his wife at a young age, Tyler decided that life was about experiences and he wanted more of them. Tyler is now an experienced driver at Evergreen Autocross and finds ways to fuel his passion for aviation. He also speaks with us about his professional experience which landed him working for both Forza and Need for Speed.

Epic Podcast with Bruce McCallum Nov 01, 2019

Known for building one of the most innovative photography studios on the west coast, Bruce McCallum from Epic-Exposure joins us this week to share his journey. Seeing where he is now, you would never guess the life that this gentleman has led. From fishing in Alaska to racing motorcycles, and from Microsoft to content creation. Check out his work at www.epic-exposure.com or on his Instagram page @epic_exposure. If you like what you see, be sure to comment on this week's post on Facebook or Instagram because, in partnership with Avants and Epic Exposure, we are giving away a free session to get your car photographed at Epic Exposure! Best comment wins! Good luck!

A Tire Tech Session with Blake Siebe Oct 25, 2019

Our Carter Subaru tip of the day has been a popular segment on the show and some of the most common questions we get revolve around tires. Who better than to bring back a guest from one of our most popular episodes to date, Blake Siebe! Blake walks us through the stuff you need to know about your tires, no matter what level of interest you have in cars. This is a must listen episode for anyone with a car!

Porsches, Pikes Peak, And Justin Wilson Oct 18, 2019

In this episode we talk to Justin Wilson of Porsche Bellevue who can’t decide what he wants to do, but seems to be good at all of it. It’s easy to put sales people into buckets, but you’d be far from knowing anything about Justin if you just see him as a salesman. He’s an accomplished race car driver who knows a lot about a lot and you’ll be glad you know where to find such a great resource beyond sales after listening to this episode!

WE HIT 100! Oct 11, 2019

We let the nostalgia role as we hit a big milestone, Episode 100! Nick also turns 40 today, so make sure you reach out and wish him happy birthday! We have a lot of people to thank for being here, but most of all our listeners as we are always grateful you allow us to do this. In a world of podcasts coming and going by the thousands every month, we are beyond grateful to have sponsors we actually believe in; a true luxury in the entertainment world. This show is, and will always be, a labor of love, but without the support of Drivers Club, Hagerty, Carter Subaru, Avants, Rainier Beer, and our dedicated volunteer staff, we would not be able to keep doing this the way we have. Simply put, we LOVE doing this, and it’s all been an amazing ride. Thank you!

Adam ”MacGyver” Nonis - Now You Know A Guy For That Oct 04, 2019

Need to fix your messed up Ferrari? Adam. Getting shot at too often? Adam. Need to convert your E30 BMW Convertible in a ‘66 Volvo Wagon? Adam. Meet Adam Nonis, owner of Atom Design & Development, who can literally do all of the above and more!

We first learned about Adam after drooling over his '66 Volvo, which is actually sitting on top of an E30 BMW convertible chassis. When you see something like that, you need to know more, and we’re sure glad we did.

Simon Aylett’s Special Projects Sep 27, 2019

Simon Aylett is one of those guys you want to just keep talking to. From RHD Lambos to crazy TVR build projects to making something completely custom to give people who never dreamed of being in a race car a new experience, he’s pretty much done it all. He’s also got one of the lowest mileage MGAs in the entire world and it was a local car! Listen in and get to know Simon!

Bonus Episode! Live Recording From Endless Summer 2 At Elsom Cellars! Sep 24, 2019

We did a really fun group of short, live recording interviews with friends we made at the 3 Pedal Posse and SODO Speed's event the Endless Summer block party, and car show.

First up was the woman herself, Jody Elsom, owner of Elsom cellars (or so we found out). Next was the father and son duo of Greg (father) and Miles (son) and there great story about a 914 and a “cat”. After that we had another father son duo, Jake and Dane Greger. Dane is 14 and has his own detailing business down in Puyallup! You can find him here if you’re in that area and need a detail. We then closed out the show with a quick trip down memory lane with Krissy Wells of LeMay - America’s Car Museum. We had a great time as we always do when we hang out with the guys from 3PP and so many of our friends and previous guests of the show!

Randy Wells Talks Full Time Photography Sep 20, 2019

We’ve had a few photographers on the show before; they keep the car shows going. That said, none of them have been 100%, full time, doing nothing else photographers like Randy Wells. His images have been featured in National Geographic, 000 Magazine, and many, many more. He gives us a few pro-tips and talks his love of Porsches. There’s a theme there. Everyone loves Porsches around here and it seems to be for good reason, or maybe we’re just a little biased.

Turning Up The Boost With Betim Berisha Of BBI! Sep 13, 2019

What’s it take to be one of the best Porsche tuners and fabricators in the world, win Pikes Peak twice, hang out with the guys from Hoonigan, and create the coolest cars in the world? Well, start with sleeping in your car and then continue on to doing whatever it takes. We have an amazing, unfiltered interview with Betim Berisha, owner of BBI Autosport, that you’re going to love and likely learn something from.

A Session With Sam From Seen Through Glass Sep 06, 2019

When we first started doing Rain City Supercars, we actually intended on starting it as a YouTube channel. It was terrible! Long story short, we got that idea because we loved channels like the one by our guest this week, Sam from Seen Through Glass. It just so happened that Sam decided to go on a world tour and happened to be in our neck of the woods! Check out this weeks episode and his YouTube channel and the episode he shot while here visiting Drivers Club.

BONUS EPISODE! Monterey Car Week Recap! Sep 04, 2019

We know we missed a few weeks while we were away, so here is a bonus episode recapping Monterey Car Week and featuring a few interviews we did while on the field at Concorso Italiano! We talked to Stefano Sbettega, VP of Prestige, Motorsport and P Zero World with Pirelli Tires and then talk to Ralph Debbas of W Motors, the makers of the Lykan HyperSport and most recently, the Fenyr SuperSport! Enjoy this bonus episode and get ready for another episode this Friday!

The Sea-Mont Rally Review. Emphasis on the Rally part. Aug 30, 2019

This year’s Sea-Mont Rally is going to be really, really hard to top. I mean, we might not have to cross any rivers or move a landslide, but it’ll be hard to top the fun we had this year in the many years to come. We turned the trip from Seattle to Monterey for car week into a 4 day, 1,450 mile trip of a lifetime. Be sure to check out the album for this trip for some great highlights!

Boogity, Boogity, Boogity, It’s Beau Borders! Aug 09, 2019

While Dan was away actually trying to not work on his vacation he missed a great guest, Beau Borders! Beau is a sound engineer, race car driver, and allegedly a “driver consultant”, but more importantly he’s another guest with some amazing stories. He spends his day job time working in Hollywood on a few little movies you might have heard of like Lone Survivor, Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, and Titanic. He spends his free time racing in the Tran-Am Series and apparently knew a guy who raced some Miatas. Allegedly. Enjoy and be sure to check out BeauBorders.com!

Obsessively Obsessing With Matt Moreman Of Obsessed Garage Aug 02, 2019

We have a really deep dive conversation with Matt Moreman of Obsessed Garage about life and building a brand and a business. One of the repeating themes in our highest rated episodes is pure, unfiltered, honesty and authenticity. Matt opens up about his OCD and how it helped him build the masterpiece that is Obsessed Garage.

Rob Sheibe And The Perfect Racecar Restoration Jul 26, 2019

Have you ever seen the most perfectly restored 911 race car ever? We have, and Rob is the guy who created it. Rob was kind enough to give us a garage tour, a history lesson, and a few life lessons on how to do a project right. This is one of those episodes that just keeps getting better and better as the stories go on and you’re going to love it. Be sure to check out the gallery on this weeks episode, you’ll be very glad you did!

We Talk With Cliff Avril About Everything But Football Jul 19, 2019

Cars connect people you just don’t really ever expect to have a connection with sometimes, it’s why we started this Podcast. Former Seahawk, Cliff Avril, is no exception of course. While absolutely famous for his work on the field, Cliff is a huge car guy who loves to rack up miles. He’s also a really down to earth, great guy, who gave us an unforgettable interview we’re really proud of and we think you’ll enjoy as much as we did.

Daniel Piker Reminds Us We Were Really Lazy At 21 Jul 12, 2019

What were you doing when you were 21? College? Parties on the weekend? Daniel Piker is a full time photographer, videographer, and rally co-driver. We were definitely not that cool. We still aren’t, but that’s OK. If you’ve heard some of our previous episodes you've probably heard us drop his name a lot and we’ve featured his photography before. Get to know Daniel and his work on this weeks episode!

Also, if you heard our tip today and are still confused about how about 99% of gasoline engines work, this video is Dan’s favorite for explaining it: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu7g3uIG6Zo

You Down With 3PP? Jul 05, 2019

Are you down with 3PP? 3 Pedal Posse that is. Mauricio Bendana and Jim Krouskop join us to talk about 3PP - what is, why they started it, and how you can join! Join us for an episode of laughs and editing nightmares. Be sure to check out 3PP on Instagram and their website of course. Be sure to stop by Elsom Cellars in Sodo for some delicious wine and always great cars.

Roger Bong Encarnacion Beyond His RWB Jun 28, 2019

We know a lot of people by there cars. Almost EVERYONE in the area knows Bong’s car - his red RWB Porsche 964. Unlike most people though, Bong’s car has track rash. It doesn’t have flawless perfect paint on it’s quarters and the R888s are properly heat cycled and scrubbed in. A Porsche enthusiast of all kinds, Bong talks growing up, cars, mods, and his love for track time. Get to know the guy you already know of in this episode and enjoy the beautiful photo gallery by Karl Noakes!

A Totally Rad Rain City Supercars Episode Jun 21, 2019

Art Cervantes joins us to discuss all things Radwood! Radwood is coming to the PNW this year and being hosted at LeMay - Americas Car Museum in partnership with our sponsors Avants and Hagerty so you know it’s going to be good! Art shares with us his story, the history of Radwood, and his deep love for all cars 80s and 90s. Tune in for some serious nostalgia!

Get your tickets at Radwood.co and remember, Avants members get a discount! We’ll see you all there on July 20th!

Road Tripping All Summer Long Jun 14, 2019

While Summer in the PNW is beautiful, it also means packed roads and construction. DansDrives.com does have some great short drives, this is the perfect time to go on a drive for a weekend or even a few weeks. We recap some of our favorite getaways in this episode and Dan has laid out the routes in detail below. We hope we inspire you to get away and enjoy the drive!

Whistler, BC
That crazy long gravel road that goes up past Harrison Lake that Dan was talking about
To Neah Bay (Cape Flattery) and back, the really fun way (this is a 2 day drive, trust me)
Lake Quinault Lodge + Moclips Highway + Seabrook, WA
A fun road close to Coeur d’Alene, ID
The Lolo Pass Blast
Boise to Bogus Basin
That route through Idaho that will blow your mind, bruise your kidneys, and may cause you to lose your muffler. Part 1 / Part 2. *Warning, this is HARD. Ask James.
Jasper and everywhere along the way. Stop at Mojo’s coffee in Bonners Ferry and try and win your new AR15 or quilt.
Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Craters of the Moon, McCall, Lewiston Hill Climb, Starbuck, and more!

Check out Roadtrippers.com (no affiliation or paid promotion)!

JOIN AVANTS ALREADY.

ASHNAMI! Jun 07, 2019

Have you ever been to Pebble Beach for car week? If not it should be on your bucket list. One of the reasons Pebble Beach is one of the “must do” car events in your lifetime is because of our guest on this episode, Anami Barnett with Hagerty Insurance. Anami is the one behind the many incredible events Hagerty puts on around North America that you REALLY need to do.

Danny Gherman from DG Vintage Coachworks Jun 05, 2019

Danny Gherman of DG Vintage Coachworks talks with us about the difficulties of being a craftsman versus simply repairing cars and shares his passion for Porsche and BMW. The gallery for this episode is definitely a must see! Special shout out to Daniel Piker for some of the photos of the famous Martini Racing livery 964 created by DG and wrapped by our previous guest Gorilla Mad Wraps.

Follow Danny's work on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dgvintagecoachworks/

Check out Daniel Piker Photography as well at: https://www.pikerphoto.com/

Jillian Titus; You Think You Know, But You Have No Idea May 24, 2019

Ever judged a book by its cover? We all have a time or two, but here’s why you shouldn’t. From homeless to GTS and everywhere between, Jillian shares with us her personal story about growing up in trailer park, eventually being homeless and couch surfing to get through school, and to where she’s at now, which as you can imagine is a very different place.

More about Jillian’s adoption here: https://kotaku.com/nintendo-is-such-a-close-knit-company-its-employees-are-5809890

Meet Our Fourth Crew Member, Jared Eades! May 17, 2019

Allow us to formally introduce our producer and #4 of the RCS Team, Jared Eades! Jared has been helping us for a long time now and does our website graphic updates and is working on a lot of upcoming video and a storefront for Rain City Supercars! Beyond that he’s a volunteer at Exotics@RTC and a big car guy with one of the more interesting classics on the road. We talk old cars, new cars, and touch on Corvettes, GTRs, and doing your own work on them. Tune in and get to know Jared!

A Gorilla Mad Podcast May 10, 2019

On this episode we talk to Troy Dorn, owner of Gorilla Mad Wraps! Troy has earned his reputation as the best in the business and his work has been featured in Forza, various magazines, and in rallies all over the world. We go into how he got his start, what makes a good wrap, and what sets him apart from the other guys.

See more of Troy’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gorillamad/

Kerry Hopkins, The Inspiration You’ve Been Looking For May 03, 2019

We didn’t really know Kerry before this episode. We knew who she was, we knew what she drove, we knew her friends, but we didn’t really know her. We didn’t know her story or how she got where she was. We didn’t know just how hard she worked to get where she is today. And we certainly didn’t know just how much fun she was going to be! She’s just another shining example of why we love doing this.

If you’re a woman and want to dip your toes into racing, check out Shift Up Now!

Turn 10 Big Boss - Alan Hartman Apr 26, 2019

We (finally) had the opportunity to get to know Alan beyond his work at Turn 10 Studios and he did not disappoint! Alan has great stories and a real love for cars well beyond the digital kind. We played some Forza, talked about all the cars he has owned, his time at Dreamworks, and living life in the PNW. This special episode was extended a little longer for your entertainment!

Talking To The Only Valet We Trust, Chris Roberts From Salish Lodge and Spa Apr 21, 2019

If you’ve been listening a long time, you’ll know we only actually recommend one single valet; Salish Lodge and Spa. Our guest Chris Roberts runs the show though and we brought him on to answer the questions on what sets them apart, what to do ahead of time to make sure the valet likes you, and what the proper tip is!

Be sure to follow Salish Lodge and Spa Valet on IG, and as a pro-tip, message them ahead of time and let them know you’re coming! Unlike other places, these guys can make your whole night and even offer concierge services for you! These guys really do raise the bar.

Check out the Drivers Date Night designed by Dan on DansDrives.com!

Dante Morelli Carries On A Legacy Apr 12, 2019

On this episode we talk to Dante Morelli about how he came to form his collection in honor of our past great friend, Bruce Leven. Dante and Bruce have been friends, competitors, partners, and collectors for years; they are staples of the PNW car community. When Bruce passed away, Dante and many of other Bruce’s friends helped save Bruce’s vast car collection and bought many of his vehicles. Dante joins us on episode 74 to share some his favorite stories with the late, great Bruce Leven.

Wine and Folly With Madeline Puckette Apr 05, 2019

Loving a good glass of wine and loving cars seems to go hand in hand for most people. Not at the same time of course, but certainly in interests and hobbies. On this episode we just happen to have the absolute queen of the wine world, Madeline Puckette! After this longer episode, it’s so easy to see how she’s gone so far and risen to the top of her field. Listen in and find out why she was just awarded the International Wine and Spirit Competition Communicator Of The Year award!

Kiki Wolfkill Is Even Cooler Than Her Name Mar 29, 2019

Where do you really even start when trying to sum up someone like Kiki Wolfkill? She’s the Studio Head for 343, the studio producing arguably the greatest First Person Shooter of all time, one of the directors of Halo: Nightfall, a former professional race car driver, and as it turns out a ton of fun to talk to! Basically she’s one of the most authentically cool people we’ve ever met and you’re going to love this episode.

Will Diefenbach: Chief Concours Judge, Racer, Sailor, and More! Mar 22, 2019

I don’t think Will was trying to win the title of most interesting man in the world, but he’s definitely a contender. We like all our guests, it’s sort of a requirement to be on the show, but even with people we know it’s amazing how much we learn when we do an interview. Will is a shining example of why we started Rain City Supercars. From working in tech to racing, sailing, judging Ferraris, and being an all around awesome guy, Will definitely has lived a life and has so many great stories. You’re going to love Episode 71!

Surprise! It’s Bonus Time! Mar 21, 2019

Dan is back and so we did a bonus episode! We discuss driving in Ireland, the Geneva show, and our Manager/Producer/Little Sister has a special announcement! Listen in to a fun update and don’t worry, there’s a whole new episode coming tomorrow as usual!

Dan’s Still Gone And Everyone Is Off Their Meds Mar 15, 2019

This editing nightmare brought to you by what I’m guessing was a lot of Rainier and maybe some Basil Hayden. It sounds like no one had any fun at all recording this episode. Enjoy the chaos!

Celebrating Women’s Day The Proper Way With Shay Hoelscher Mar 08, 2019

She races cars, she owns her own company, and she makes things happen! We’ve been looking forward to interviewing Shay for a really long time for many good reasons that you’ll hear on this weeks episode. Shay talks about getting in Porsches, her collection, and her driving experience.

McLaren Bellevue Brand Manager Emily Owen Mar 01, 2019

Buying a supercar isn’t like buying a Honda or a Ford. The expectation for knowledge and service has a MUCH higher bar. Luckily, you have Emily who eats and breathes McLaren. Working in service and now in sales, Emily has the in depth knowledge you want when looking for a car like a McLaren. It’s no secret your hosts are McLaren fans, but we’re not in the same league as Emily. Listen in to Episode 67 as we talk McLarens. Again.

The Many Stories of Dominic Dobson Feb 22, 2019

Our friend Dominic Dobson has one of the most diverse racing careers around; something you just can’t do today. From Baja to Pikes to the Indy 500, he’s done at all and has some absolutely amazing stories to share. A racing fan or not, we know you’ll enjoy the stories he shared on this week’s episode!

SNOWPOCALYPSE! Feb 15, 2019

SNOWPOCALYPSE STRIKES SEATTLE! Actually, that’s not too far off. The city shutdown for most of us for about a week. We brought back Branden Ben Powell with Avants Off Road and King County Search and Rescue to give us some stories and talk about the work S&R has been doing, which isn’t necessarily what you might think.

Jeff Evans Tells Us How To Rally A Prius Feb 08, 2019

To answer your first question, no this isn’t a joke and we have the pics to prove it! Jeff Evans of Throttle Grotto tells us about RallyCross in the PNW and how he started doing it with a Prius. More importantly, he was competitive! Just goes to show, you really can race anything.

More Wankers in Scottsdale Feb 01, 2019

In this episode we recap the fun, the work, and the Wankers we met in Scottsdale. This was another adventure to remember with great people and we’re already looking forward to next year. If you think these stories are good, you should hear the ones we couldn’t record! We have to put out a HUGE thanks to Seth Thomas of APC Auto Spa and Davis Mock who volunteered there time to help with our event. Most importantly, this was our official one year friendiversary with our manager and practically little sister, Amanda from Drivers Club! We wouldn’t have made it this far without her.

Beyond Cars Yeah With Mark Greene! Jan 25, 2019

We talk to our friend and fellow Podcaster Mark Greene of Cars Yeah about how he got started and what made him the host of one of the biggest automotive Podcasts going today. To date, Mark has produced over 1,200 episodes with all sorts of world famous automotive guests. Our Podcasts have a a pretty different format and we’ve got to hand it to him and his success. Mark is a good friend and we had a lot of fun getting to know him beyond the voice on his show. Listen in and check out the story behind Cars Yeah!

Where’s Wingnut? He’s On Our Podcast! Jan 11, 2019

On this episode we have the local, the legendary, WINGNUT! You’ll probably recognize his voice from his real job as the afternoon DJ on 100.7! Wingnut is a huge car and motorcycle guy and tracks both his GTR and his Ducati Panigale 1199R. It’s such a small world in the car world. Enjoy this episode while Dan tries to keep up and stay on topic while Nick’s and Wingnut’s ADD runs wild. Get to know your local DJ beyond the radio on this fun episode.

Master Collector Peter Gleeson - Part 2 Jan 04, 2019

Did you wonder what the title “Master Collector” actually meant? Listen to the follow up episode with Master Collector Peter Gleeson and you will quickly understand exactly why they call him “Master Collector.” The BMW fans are especially going to love this episode, but we’ve got something here for just about everyone. You might even be able to strike up a conversation with that art history major barista you’ve been flirting with after this one. *Art history majors can send their hate mail to info@raincitysupercars.com and put “For Dan” in the subject line.

Master Collector Peter Gleeson - Part 1 Dec 28, 2018

Peter Gleeson is one of those rare people you hope just keeps talking. His car collection is more than a collection of nice cars he bought because they were good investments or eye catching; each car has a story - like being involved in a bank robbery. We’re already looking forward to having Peter back on in the future and we’re sure you will too. In part one of this two part episode, Peter talks to us about his life and his move to the states and how his love for cars and taste in them was formed.

The Great Christmas Episode! Dec 21, 2018

Did we say great? We may have been overselling it a little, but it was fun! We asked our friend and crowd favorite previous guest Jason Bourriague to come into Drivers Club and join us for a fun episode sharing stories and recapping what a fun year we’ve had. Photographer Karl Noakes even had us dress up extra nice for the photos. Jason made sure to make us look bad, but we digress.

Scott and Katrina, The Car Show Experts Dec 14, 2018

Our guests this week are Scott Ingebretson and Katrina Couch who organize Jet Center Events in Scottsdale, AZ and do the marketing for Concorso Italiano in Monterey during car week. If you’re looking for how the big time shows run, these are the ones to talk to.

Doug Perry Defines Drivers Club Dec 07, 2018

The most common question we get asked when people ask about Drivers Club is “What is Drivers Club?” Well, we could spin that question 100 different ways, but Doug Perry is here to tell you himself.

Ben Abrams Tells Us His Story of Creating Stories Nov 30, 2018

We love stories. It’s actually why we do this - we meet a lot of great people with great stories we think the people will want to hear. When eGarage does this they turn it into fine art on the screen. As fans of eGarage we were really excited to have Ben Abrams on our show to hear more about his creative vision, his life, his cars, and the future of eGarage. Ben was kind enough to open up and tell us his story about the vision behind the lens of his eGarage projects including his latest amazing video for Driver’s Club.

Transportation Redecoration With The Byers Nov 23, 2018

Continuing in our trend of talking to awesome couples with a love for cars, we talk to Matt and Allison Byers about buying and building cars their way from the very beginning. Being together since before they could drive, they talk car adventures, car shows, and car builds together. Get to know them and say hello next time you see them at one of the MANY car shows you’ll find them at.

Rain(ier) City Supercars, More McLarens, and More Road Trips Nov 16, 2018

We’ve got some exciting news about the progression of Rain City Supercars (with more to come!), Dan talks about meeting Derek Bell, we discuss McLarens and other Hypercars, and talk about upcoming road trips you can be a part of! We took this episode to just be car guys and talk car stuff.

DAS MULE! Nov 09, 2018

We’ve got Joe and Dana, the founders of one of our favorite shops, MULE Expedition Outfitters. Mule is who we turn everyone to if they need advice on how to do a build right. We are huge offroad fans and Mule is a game changer for the PNW offering more than just fancy parts for sale. We first found out about Mule when they were offering free tech sessions on everything to do with offroad. We love a company that earns their customers and Mule is the standard for customer service in the off road/overlanding world. To top it all off, they’re now an Avants Partner so Avants members get a discount!

Authentic Conversation with Shannon Low Nov 02, 2018

We talk to Shannon Low of Authentic Motorcars in Redmond. If you’ve spent anytime in the car scene in the PNW your probably know Shannon as a staple in the car community here. Shannon is a specialist in just about every car brand, but especially the obscure and unique. Unlike us, he’s a jack of all cars and a master of most. Tune in and hear about LaForza, Spkyer, Saab, and more!

We Got There And Enjoyed The Drive Oct 26, 2018

WE MADE IT TO EPISODE 50! It’s been quite a ride and we decided to take this episode to recap some of our favorite moments, guests, and a few of our blunders over the last year. We tried to narrow it down to our favorite episodes since the start and it wasn’t easy, but we felt like these were some milestones we personally enjoyed. If you haven’t heard us before or you’re new to the podcast, give these a shot!

Coming Up On Rain City Supercars... Oct 19, 2018

Just so you know, this is more like episode 49.5. Nick and Dan were both REALLY sick this week, but we wanted to do a quick episode letting everyone know what’s coming up on RCS as well as introduce our new sponsor, Hagerty! This has always been a labor of love for us, so we’ve been intentionally slow to grab sponsors as we want to only represent brands we personally believe in. We joke a lot, but putting our names on anything is something we actually do take seriously and we are really proud and honored to be associated with Hagerty who has always treated us and their customers well. We should know, Nick has been one before this Podcast ever started.

It’s Ladies Night! Oct 12, 2018

Amanda, Ashley, and Kristen take over the mics for episode 48, which is not 49 like we mentioned in the podcast! The episode is mostly all about the women in the industry who are putting together a driver's group specifically for women enthusiasts that enjoy track time, group drives, and more than just standing next to their cars for attention. The group is officially organized and led by Amanda with Driver's Club so you know it's going to be good.

Branden Ben Powell And All Things SaRPinz! Oct 05, 2018

We talk to the extremely interesting Branden Ben Powell, the owner of the SaRPinz. He talks about one of the most impressive off road vehicles ever made, the Pinzgauer, and how he actively uses it for Search and Rescue. As a huge fan of off-roading, this was easily one of our most entertaining guests to us and even if you have no interest in the off road world, this was a really eye opening interview about how multifaceted and important Search and Rescue is to the PNW. We let this one go quite a bit longer than usual since we were having such a good time talking to Brandon.

The Advancement of Avants with Adam Cramer Sep 28, 2018

We welcome our friend Adam Cramer with Avants back to talk about the massive growth of Avants since way back in Episode 12 and to talk about all the amazing upcoming stuff including his partnership with Blipshift on a PNW tee shirt design, some winter offroading you can do, some rainy weather driving, and more! We talk about Avants often on our show with good reason. If you’re an enthusiast it makes almost no sense why you wouldn’t be a member!

JOHNIWANNA Joins Us! Sep 21, 2018

On this week’s episode we get a visit from John Schommer aka JOHNIWANNA aka Heavy Metal Affliction! John is a Forza Content Creator, streamer, writer, and photographer and you can find him on IG as Heavy Metal Affliction where he chronicles his love of cars. John is a man after our own hearts who loves cars and the people that love them.

So Much British Love! Sep 14, 2018

In this episode we discuss some polar opposite drives - a sunny Sunday in a McLaren 675LT Spider and an off road excursion in a Land Rover Discovery Sport! It’s hard to describe in any form of communication outside of a stupid grin just how amazing the 675LT is and if you haven’t done any off road driving you don’t know what you’re missing!

Monterey Car Week RULED Sep 10, 2018

It's almost impossible to describe what Monterey Car Week is actually like if you've never been before. It's even harder to accurately describe what it was like for Dan this year. We'll walk you through the day by day of our trip, which was every bit as great for us as it sounds and hopefully convinces you to put this on your bucket list if you've never been. Check out our gallery here for the photos, which still don't do it justice.

The SeaMont Rally Recap Sep 07, 2018

WE ARE BACK! And there's a bonus episode coming just a few days after this one! We had an insane amount of fun on the rally and our best year ever in Monterey. On this episode we discuss bug genocide, back roads, bears, bad car washes, and SO MUCH MORE. Buckle up!

Don’t Just Get There, Enjoy The Drive To Monterey Aug 17, 2018

We talk about the Sea-Mont Rally and all things Car Week. Get ready for a lot of updates on social media, live streams, and a whole lot of road tripping! We're headed down 97 and the Volcanic National Scenic Byway to Yosemite and then to Monterey for Car Week! You can follow us on our journey via our Instagram and Facebook as well as some updates coming here. Stay tuned for a lot fun times ahead!

Having a Fab Time With Keith Northrup Aug 10, 2018

I won't tell the story in the description, but Keith is one of those guys we had to meet before we knew him. As usual, a bunch of our friends already knew him and wondered how we didn't. Did we mention it's small car world after all? You probably know Keith via his amazing creation, The Trophy Rat! Easily one of the coolest vehicles we've ever seen.

Kicking Tires With Blake Siebe Aug 03, 2018

It's hard to write a summary about a multifaceted guy like Blake from Northwest Auto Salon and now Right Away Tire. From humble beginnings to the over-the-top style of cars he's created, we were fascinated listening to his story and the lengths he's gone to create the look of the vehicles he has owned.

We Know a Guy, Who Knows a Girl, Who You Should Know Jul 27, 2018

One of the biggest questions we get asked is "Who do I talk to for this thing." Well, we've got you covered. This a short list of who we'd send our mom's to if they needed help, and we like our moms! They're our biggest fans!

Q&A and Our Apologies to the Juggalos Jul 20, 2018

We talk about some great upcoming events like our very own Sea-Mont Rally and the CARnival (GET IT?!) at LeMay - America's Car Museum, our AWESOME drive over Highway 20, and Dan genuinely feels bad for insulting the Juggalos.

3,000 Miles in 4 Days and 4 Shows in 3 Days Jul 13, 2018

We recap our 4 day, 3,000 mile adventure, discuss why Hellcats make terrible plows, and then discuss some highlights from 4 car shows in 3 days! Well, technically one really fancy car wash and 3 shows, but whatever!

Judging Ferraris with Ferrari Judge Dave Tegeler Jul 06, 2018

We talked to Ferrari Concours judge Dave Tegeler about the 2018 Ferrari Concours, judging Ferraris, and getting sued by Lamborghini. You read that right.

R.C.S.A.D.H.D. Jun 29, 2018

Nick's ADHD got the best of him so we mixed it up this time. We answer some listener mail about what you do to get into the car scene after you bought your shiny new supercar, discuss a big money Ferrari, recap a cool LeMay event you should know about, discuss some upcoming car shows, and send out an invite to hang out with us in California!

Brandon Elin Gives Us Some Tips On Getting Our Cars Serviced Jun 22, 2018

We talked to Audi Technician Brandon Elin about tips and tricks for getting your car serviced, maintenance, and weird stuff we've found in cars over the years. This is a great episode for absolutely anyone who's ever gotten their car serviced professionally!

John Kleven Informs Us We Don’t Know How To Wash Our Cars Jun 15, 2018

We talked to our friend John Kleven who happens to own the best detail shop in the state, Metropolitan Detail.

How To Run A Group Drive And Not Get Everyone Arrested Or Killed Jun 08, 2018

It's summer here in Seattle which means all those crazy group drives are popping up! A lot of people run group drives, but if you want one that works and insures the best chances of being drama free we think we've got the magic formula here.

An Englishman on the Avants Podcast - Karl Noakes Jun 01, 2018

We were lucky enough to have one of very favorite photographers on the show this week - An Englishman in Seattle known as Karl Noakes. We see Karl pretty much everywhere and chances are you do too and might not know it. Karl photographs car events because he loves the community cars brings which really sets his photos apart. See our gallery for some his amazing photos and listen to his story on episode 30!

Hey Phil, I Need To Insure My Tank May 25, 2018

Rain City Supercars talks to Phil Raymond with Servco Pacific Insurance about getting insurance for those really special things that don't normally cross the desk of your local agent. We cover project cars, out of state restorations, modded cars, and yes, TANKS! Dan really wants a tank. Nick is wondering if he should call someone about it.

Running A Car Show 101 May 18, 2018

So you went to a few car shows and you thought "Hey, I want to do my own car show!" First off, we're sorry you're crazy and don't know it so we recommended finding a good therapist.

Ashley Shoemaker Tolerates Us For An Hour May 11, 2018

In spite of how often we (and everyone else in the car industry) cross paths with Ashley she never tries to hide or pretend she doesn't know us. I don't really get it either but we sure have had some fun hanging out with her and the group from Hagerty.

Talking Slow Progress with John Zuberek May 04, 2018

Hear me out; what if instant gratification wasn't the driving force behind a car build? What if your goal was to build a car without cutting any corners? What would the result be? Chances are it would be something as special as John Zuberek's perfect E30 M3.

Adam Robertson - Brand Manager Lamborghini/McLaren/Bentley/RR Bellevue Apr 27, 2018

We got Adam Robertson with Lamborghini/McLaren/Bentley/RR of Bellevue to talk slowly enough for Nick to understand his Welsh accent for almost an entire hour.

Allegedly Talking with Attorney John Eltringham Apr 20, 2018

We talk about road rallies and some alleged speed related fun with attorney John Eltringham! John has had A LOT of amazing cars, but especially loves his V12 Lamborghinis.

Spring Is Here...ish! Apr 13, 2018

Nick and Dan recap the Lamborghini Urus Launch, the Mule Open House, and talk about all the upcoming events for spring. If it ever stops raining anyway.

Jaurdey Samuel with 425 Business Magazine Apr 06, 2018

Nick and Dan talk to Jaurdey Samuel with 425 Business Magazine about the advertising side of the car world.

Jason Bourriague talks VW Bus (not van) Culture Mar 30, 2018

Nick and Dan talk to Jason Bourriague, owner of Stella the Bus ('67 Deluxe Safari) and Alice the Bus ('66 Westphalia), and talk about just how great VW Bus culture is.

Trevor Wert with DirtFish Rally School Mar 23, 2018

Nick and Dan talk to Trevor Wert, head of media and former driving instructor from DirtFish Rally School.

D.J. The Hummer Guy Mar 09, 2018

Ok, so there's more to D.J. MacLean than just owning a badass Hummer H1 Turbo Diesel, he's also responsible for some time keeping and tracking at Baja and is working on a new lighting systems that's going to change industry. Check it out on Episode 19!

Kristen Wells with LeMay - America’s Car Museum Mar 02, 2018

We talk to Kristen (not Krissy) from LeMay - America's Car Museum! If you haven't been down to the museum by now you're really missing out, no matter what kind of cars you're into. We go several times a year and are never disappointed. Have listen and here all about it!

How To Mod Your Car The Right Way Feb 23, 2018

Nick and Dan talk about modding your car the right way in the right order and why! Special shout out to our friends at Avants, APC in Woodinville, Metropolitan Detail, MULE Outfitters, and HID Kit Pros who we've talked to on several occasions for professional advice.

Amanda Friedman with Drivers Club Feb 16, 2018

On this episode we talk to Amanda Friedman, the General Manager of Drivers Club Redmond. Amanda was a really fun guest to have on the show we're already looking forward to the next time when she comes back after Driver's Club opens this Summer!

Professional Driver Andrew Evans Feb 09, 2018

We talk to our friend and professional race car driver Andrew Evans!

The Gatekeeper - Sean McDonough Feb 02, 2018

We interview The Gatekeeper - Sean McDonough. You probably know Sean from Exotics as the man at the gate. We know him as a dear friend with a life full of great car stories.

The Wanker In Scottsdale Jan 26, 2018

We had a fun adventure in Scottsdale thanks to the friends we've made at home. To top it off, we were lucky enough to meet a Wanker!

Special thanks for making our trip great to Scott and Katrina with Jet Center Events, Krissy Wells with LeMay - America's Car Museum, Ashley Shoemaker with Hagerty, Amanda Friedman with Drivers Club, and of course, the Wankers.

The Podcast RSS

Adam Cramer with Avants Jan 16, 2018

In this episode we get to know Adam Cramer with Avants, a rapidly growing car club you need to know about!

And We’re (Mostly) Back! Jan 12, 2018

We're back for a new year! Dan's not entirely dead in spite of sounding mostly dead and Nick forgot how to use a mic.

The Stuff You Need In Your Car Dec 09, 2017

We discuss the absolute essentials everyone should carry in their car all the time and a few extras.

Where We Go And Why You Should Too Nov 22, 2017

Nick and Dan talk about their favorite places to meet up with their car friends. The perfect podcast for an upcoming long weekend!

Kevin Beech Nov 14, 2017

You probably know Kevin's cars, so it's time to get to know our friend Kevin!

The Ultimate PNW Supercar Nov 12, 2017

Nick and Dan discuss the ultimate PNW Supercar, if you could only pick one.

Chad and Amanda Townes Nov 12, 2017

We interview to newbies to the PNW car scene, Amanda and Chad Townes.

Benji Meder / M2 Fitness Nov 12, 2017

Introducing our first sponsor, Benji Meder! Benji is the owner of M² Fitness! Listen in to hear more as we discuss our stance on advertising, here about Benji, and of course we talk about cars.