Bill Wood posted on January 28, 2012 11:00
Tech House and Speed by Bill Wood: Episode 104
Guests: Lucas Ordonez, Lucas Luhr (00:00), Chris Duplessis (18:16), Antoine L'Estage (28:13), Dave Mirra (40:40)
(click play above to listen)
The United State will finally get on board the international racing season this weekend with the Rolex 24 at Daytona. That includes the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge that will also open its season this week. We also launch the North American rally season with the Sno*Drift Rally in Michigan. We look at all of this this week talking to Winners, Champions and Legends on Tech House & Speed!
In Segment One we talk with two international champions. Lucas Ordonez has a very unique story. In 2008 he got off the couch where he was a gamer and won the GT Academy competition. Nissan opened the door to a racing career and he rolled that opportunity into a 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup LMP2 championship and a class podium at the Dubai 24 Hour a week ago. Lucas Luhr is the most successful ALMS champion in history and he backed that up with a 2011 FIA GT1 title with Nissan. He'll be in the Rolex 24 this weekend followed with a season that includes drives in the ALMS and Grand-Am this season.
In Segment Two we talk with Chris Duplessis, the 2008 and 2010 2WD American rally champion. He'll be at the Sno*Drift Rally, the season opener this weekend in Michigan. He's also committed to running the entire season as he looks to get his 2WD championship back. He also talks about the new car he's building for the next rally, the 100 Acre Wood Rally in Missouri.
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| Lucas Ordonez |
Chris Duplessis |
Antoine L'Estage |
Dave Mirra |
In Segment Three we talk with Antoine L'Estage, the 2010 American rally champion and 2011 champion in Canada. L'Estage is arguably the best rally driver in North America. Last year he lost the American championship by less than 1.5 seconds over the course of the entire season. He starts the season at Sno*Drift with a new car built by his team manager John Buffum, an 11-time American champion himself.
Finally in Segment Four we talk with BMX legend Dave Mirra, the all-time medal winner at X Games. Mirra was building a career in stage rallying before this year when he switched his concentration to rallycross. He'll be staying with Subaru when he turns the page to Global Rallycross. In the midst of that, though, he's found another passion, boxing. He had a promotional fight with fellow X Games legend Brian Deegan last fall. He found he loved the training so much he wants to try another fight sometime this year. If you have missed any part of this episode or guest, you can go to iTunes where this and past shows are available for your convenience. Tech House & Speed archives are also available "On Demand" or via RSS syndication at www.ByBillWood.com, www.TechHouseandSpeed.com or at www.RaceFanRadio.com! Enjoy!! TRT: 54:40