Tech House and Speed by Bill Wood: Episode 105

Tech House and Speed by Bill Wood:  Episode 105

Guests: Michael Shank (00:00), Luis Diaz (12:30), Travis Hanson (25:47), Ari Vatanen (36:50)

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Tech House & Speed this week is international again. We talk to a team from Central Ohio while it's still in Florida. We talk with an ALMS champion in Mexico City. We talk with a Michigan driver teaching champions how to driver in New Hampshire. And we go to Finland to talk with a World Champion who made his bones in Africa. Still, this week, we spend the hour talking with Winners, Champions and Legends on Tech House & Speed!

In Segment One we talk with Rolex 24 at Daytona winner Michael Shank. He built the team that dominated the 50th anniversary race. Would you believe two cars on the Podium in one of the world's greatest races? Michael Shank Racing is based in Ohio when many of his competitors have surrendered to the lure of Charlotte or Indianapolis. And he's winning anyway. That's why Buckeyes are called nuts! Certainly Shank is as tough as any nut anywhere.

In Segment Two we talk with Luis Diaz in Mexico City. Diaz won an LMP2 championship in the ALMS in 2009 with Adrian Fernandez. Now he's a wheelman on the Level 5 Motorsports team with Scott Tucker. The crew ran second in the championship last year and they're returning again this year for another go at the title. It all starts at the Sebring 12 Hour in mid March.

Michael Shank	Luis Diaz	Travis Hanson	Ari Vatanen

In Segment Three we talk with Travis Hanson who won the Super Production category in American rallying last season. He opened defense of the title last weekend at the Sno*Drift Rally with a 15 minute win in a sport that measures success in fractions of seconds.  Hanson and his father/co-driver Terry Hanson drove the entire event worried about an engine that was knocking from the start of the first stage. And they pressed on regardless.

Finally in Segment Four we talk with one of rallying's pure legendary drivers, Ari Vatanen. He won a World Rally Championship in 1981. And he matched that with four Dakar Rally wins. But his career continued when he emerged from the driver's seat serving on the European Parliament from two countries, Finland and France. He's maybe the only man in history to pull that off! But we catch Vatanen while he's filling out his first job application ever. Rallyists must be prepared for anything. 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: 53:00