Racing Stories - The Mechanicians
Interviews with the men and women that make motorsports happen. From the office to the dyno, trackside and the occasional driver, I'd like to introduce you to the the people that have made Motorsports what it is. I have been fortunate enough to spend twenty years in racing and that has allowed me to meet so many real people that make it all work. Please follow along as I interview various people that have had a silent impact in the industry. If you are or were in the business and want to be on the show, please contact me and let's set something up. Thanks for stopping in.
Episodes
Our guest today is someone who’s had a huge impact on North American motorsport—both behind the wheel and behind the scenes. Jacques Couture started out as a racing driver, but his real legacy comes from what he built for others. He brought the Jim Russell Racing Driver School to North America, helping kickstart the careers of future legends like Gilles Villeneuve, Danny Sullivan, and Allen Berg.
But Jacques didn’t just focus on dri...
In this follow-up episode of The Mechanicians – Racing Stories, we wrap up our conversation with Brent Cusick, a seasoned motorsports professional whose path has taken him from Honda Performance Development in IndyCar to his current role at Aerodine Advanced Composites. Brent reflects on his relentless pursuit of a career at the highest levels of North American motorsports and shares insights into the innovative composite technolog...
In this episode of 'The Mechanicians - Racing Stories,' I follow up with Brent Cusick of Aerodine Composites.
We discuss some unique experiences in the racing world, including handling personal challenges while maintaining demanding careers.
Brent shares insights into his current role managing quality control at Aerodine, his past involvement in IndyCar, and the importance of maintaining work-life balance.
In this continuation of our conversation with 1992 Formula Atlantic champion Christopher Smith, we explore the evolution of motorsports technology, the financial highs and devastating lows of racing, and the enduring impact of his father, Carroll Smith. From the rise of AI-driven data analysis to the cautionary tales of fortunes lost in the pursuit of speed, Christopher shares candid insights into the ever-changing world of racing....
The Mechanicians - Racing Stories
🎙️ Episode: "Ripples in the Pond" with Christopher Smith
In this episode of The Mechanicians - Racing Stories, we sit down with Christopher Smith for an in-depth look at the lasting impact of racing legends, the evolution of motorsports education, and the unsung heroes who keep the industry moving. From the legacy of Jim Russell’s school to the mechanics and engineers shaping modern racing, we explo...
I have a cold but I wanted to share an upcoming guest list: Joel Swanlaw - Production Supervisor of Czinger Vehicles
Bob Butte - the very first Jim Russell Racing Mechanic in North America
Christopher Smith - Formula Atlantic driver and son of Carroll Smith
Jacques Couture - Founder of Jim Russell Racing Schools in North America and creator of the Mechanics Training Program
Bob Earl - Mechanic and Former Formula Ford Champion and...
In this final session with Ty Cota-Robles of Toyota Racing Development TRD, Ty and I catch up on some old names and we test posting video too!
To listen to the entire series go to https://themechanicians.com/episodes or check Spotify, Apple, iHeart Radio or any other podcast feed.
Be sure to subscribe there and if you are interested in being on the show Go here https://themechanicians.com/contact
Music
Music track: Synergy by A...
We continue with Ty Cota-Robles and get into some of the details at Toyota Racing Development (TRD). We can't share it all due to non Disclosure Agreements but it is interesting I promise. Also we chat a bit about the time I was sued by a group of disgruntled Jim Russell Racing Driver School Mechanics Training Program students. Ah good memories of good times here at The Mechanicians - Racing Stories.
Music
Music track: Synergy by...
In this session, Ty takes us through the last few steps of his path to become an important part of Toyota Race Development TRD in Costa Mesa, California for the last 15 seasons in their NASCAR and Midget Programs.
He's had a potpourri career and adds some insight that is helpful to an aspiring Motorsports Professional.
For more information visit the Mechanicians.com and check out my latest post here as well : https://app.podcastpag...
It's 2025 and we are back with Ty Cota-Robles!
We will get to hear Ty's back to school calling, how the dot com meltdown of the early 2000s affected his career, and more of his career moves that included custom car builds under impossible tile-lines and even a stint in the then-emerging Drift scene with Tyler McQuarrie.
Music
Music track: Synergy by Aylex
Source: https://freetouse.com/music
Free Vlog Music Without Copyright
C...
In this session we meet with Ty Cota-Robles. Ty and I go back to the Jim Russell School where he was a student in the Mechanic Training Program.
Extra thanks to my wife, Dana Klyver for her taking on the duties of proof-listening and beginning editing.
Music
Music track: Synergy by Aylex
Source: https://freetouse.com/music
Free Vlog Music Without Copyright
Creative Commons__Attribution 3.0
Unported - CC BY 3.0
Music promoted b...
In this last session from March of 2021 with Brent we hear about his move to open happiness with Formula Cars and more.
Music
Music track: Synergy by Aylex
Source: https://freetouse.com/music
Free Vlog Music Without Copyright
Creative Commons__Attribution 3.0
Unported - CC BY 3.0
Music promoted by Vlog Music
In this session Brent's hard work starts to pay off.... and gets even harder.
The Mechanicians is now available on Apple Podcast as well as iHeart and of course on Spotify.
To contact please visit
Music
Music track: Synergy by Aylex
Source: https://freetouse.com/music
Free Vlog Music Without Copyright
Creative Commons__Attribution 3.0
Unported - CC BY 3.0
Music promoted by Vlog Music
In this first session with Brent Cusick we discuss his start in racing, family and life changes that took him away from the business.
If you are interested in being on the show please visit The Mechanicians : https://themechanicians.com/
Music : Music track: Synergy by Aylex Source: https://freetouse.com/music Free Vlog Music Without Copyright Creative Commons__Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0 Music promoted by Vlog Music ...
What is a Mechanician? Seems pretty simple to me but I have been inside this project since March of 2020 - yeah Pandemic project.
Thing in I just couldn't do puzzles or make masks or dance like a Ticks Tock person so I need to do something. Plus I think we were all doing some soul searching then about end of days and all as we watched the world get slowed down.
Oh please, no opinion or politics here, I'll just waste my time delet...
While standing at the track I had the idea that there are more people not driving the cars than are driving the cars.
This intro gives some insight about the program. I'll be cross posting Podcast to YouTube for the in person and remote interviews.
Full disclosure, I spent twenty years in professional Motorsports behind the scenes and hope that my interviews help inspire others to enter the business.
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