Episodes
Welcome to a new podcast series, No Dumb Questions. Jeff Braun and I sit down to answer your questions, and we promise – there are no dumb questions, maybe just some dumb answers. On this episode, we address how to get comfortable with high speed corners, how to approach a situation where a faster setup is not what makes the driver most comfortable, and what we are most looking forward to in 2022. Tune in for our new series! Jeff is one of the very best race car engineers in the world. He’s...
Published 01/06/22
Today’s podcast is a “special” episode… that’s because we just launched the Speed Secrets Sim Racer Academy, and I wanted to have a conversation here with my team who has helped make this happen. Anker Berg-Sonne, Conor Murphy, and Ron Gale are my guests today. If you're a sim racer, a driver, or just interested in motorsport, there's something in today's episode for you -- and you should listen in!
Published 11/18/21
This week is an important podcast episode with a special announcement. I’m taking a break from the podcast for “a while” to work on some new exciting things… :). How long is “a while?” I don’t know. But I will record a few random episodes here and there when I get an opportunity to record a conversation with someone super interesting, or I’m at a fun event. Until next time! Keep learning and having fun.
Published 04/29/21
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, Brian Ghidinelli, founder of Motorsportsreg.com, joins me to talk about how to make a comeback in racing, focusing on the basics – vision, braking, steering, throttle – first, then racecraft and the track, the importance of focusing on one’s own performance and not the lap times or competition, and how competitive nature can interfere with having fun! We also get into how the pandemic has impacted the motorsports.
Published 04/22/21
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets podcast, my good friend Tom Long joins me to discuss all things driving styles! We uncover what a driving style is, which driving style is the fastest, and different driving styles for RWD vs. FWD vs. AWD; and for aero versus non-aero cars. Tom also dishes on the importance of “hand speed” – the quickness of turning the steering wheel into a corner.
Published 04/15/21
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, I am joined by Mark Martin (who owns and runs the W2W race team in World Racing League events). We discuss the number one thing that successful teams do to win, what makes the best endurance drivers, the pros and cons of starting your own race team, and how to balance being the team owner and driver.
Published 04/08/21
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, Andy Pilgrim joins me to discuss how to have a long career driving race cars! We get into the importance of learning how to learn so you can always improve, having a hook or trigger to switch your mind on, and how to think strategically and tactically in races. He also shares about co-driving with Johnny O’Connell, Ron Fellows, and Allan McNish.
Published 04/01/21
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, we host Dr. David Ferguson, who runs the Spartan Motorsport Performance Lab at Michigan State University and is the author of The Science of Motorsport book. Topics range from dyslexia and diabetes to heart rate variability and the vision techniques of the very best drivers. We also discuss how equal females are to males in racing, and nature vs nurture. Ultimately, it’s all about how you can perform better as a driver. One of my all-time...
Published 03/25/21
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, Johannes van Overbeek joins me to talk about the lessons we learn from racing that apply to other areas of our lives – things like “lazy decision,” having too much money (yes, it’s possible!), the pros and cons of technology, and how to manage one’s passion and enthusiasm for something. Oh, and we talk about our co-experience with the Garmin Catalyst.
Published 03/18/21
It’s time for another special edition of the Speed Secrets Podcast! In a new format, Bill Fischer (of the Garage Heroes In Training podcast) hosts this episode, turning the tables on Ross, who answers Bill’s questions. Specifically, in this episode, Bill asks Ross about how to best drive the Keyhole at Mid-Ohio, Turns 5-7 at Road Atlanta, Turns 2 & 9 at Laguna Seca, and Turn 7 at Portland International.
Published 03/11/21
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, I talk with super-successful driver coach, Jim Kearney about driver coaching. We discuss when a driver is ready and will get the most out of a coach. We also get into how to trigger a performance state of mind, one that will help you perform at your peak on the track.
Published 03/04/21
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, I talk with Jay St. Claire, Colin Pascik, and Aaron Brooks of Ranger Road Motors (a team that competes in LeMons races, giving Vets a chance to start racing). We discuss the start of Ranger Road Motors, what it’s like for an amputee Vet to jump behind the wheel of a race car for the first time, what it’s like to work with a Vet with PTSD, how to adapt a race to drivers missing a limb, and the number one biggest challenge that first-timers face.
Published 02/25/21
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, Brian Bohlander, racer and director of sports marketing for the company that owns PEAK Antifreeze, joins me to discuss what to do (and not do) to land a motorsport marketing partner/sponsor. Want to know the biggest mistake racers make? Tune in to find out!
Published 02/18/21
Bill Fischer (of the Garage Heroes In Training podcast) hosts this episode, turning the tables on me and asking all your burning questions. In this episode the topic of racing jargon is talked about, specifically “talking tires,” “geometric line,” apex angle,” “both feet in,” and “car rotation.”
Published 02/11/21
On this week’s episode of Speed Secret Podcast, James Colborn joins me to discuss everything open wheel racing, what it’s like to race during the pandemic, and racing in British Formula Ford. We also offer tips on racing in the rain. James Colborn’s Speed Secret: Get comfortable with what data can do for you.
Published 02/04/21
On this week’s episode of Speed Secret Podcast, Loni Unser (yes, of THE Unser family) joins me to talk about her absolute love of the sport. Can you guess what the number one thing is that she’s learned from her family who has a total of 9 Indy 500 wins? She dishes. We also discuss the importance of patience in racing, how important confidence is – especially for a woman in racing, and why “never coast” is bad advice.
Published 01/28/21
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, Don Kitch, old friend and founder/owner/chief instructor of ProFormance Racing School, shares what he would do differently if he could do it all over again. We also discuss fear, micromanaging, knowing when to call it quits, the downside of instructing, and the pros and cons of keeping your club racing equipment when going pro racing.
Published 01/21/21
This week we have a special episode of Speed Secrets Podcast: Ask Ross Edition! Guest host Bill Fischer (of the Garage Heroes In Training podcast) turns the tables on me and asks me all the questions you’ve ever wanted to know. Specifically, in this episode, we discuss the topic of coaching – what is a driver coach, what makes a successful driver coach, and more!
Published 01/14/21
In this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, Matt Romanowski (driver, instructor, coach, and data guru) joins me to dive into all things data and data systems! Specifically we dive into focusing on the speed channel, looking for lack of throttle, and braking issues. We also discuss off-season prep – what drivers can do to help them best prepare getting back on the track! Matt’s Speed Secret: Visualize – practice visualization in all areas of your life.
Published 01/07/21
In this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, I am joined by driving enthusiast Michele Graf. We discuss the misperception that everyone in motorsport is an adrenaline junkie, and the importance of learning, progression, and self-improvement. She shares her experience in HPDE as a woman, and how to make our sport more inclusive and inviting to all. We also compare “hard skills” and “soft skills.”
Published 12/31/20
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, Bryce Kliewer joins me as we go in depth about the lessons learned from racing that apply to business – and vice versa. We also touch on how autocross teaches car control, and compare autocross to time trials to road racing!
Published 12/24/20
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, Mark Boudreau joins me to discuss the business of motorsport and the importance of being flexible with one’s career – doesn’t matter if it’s pro racing, autocross, rallycross, track days, indoor karting, etc. We also detail common errors that drivers make, and he explains how his law background helps him play devil’s advocate for drivers, asking the tough questions.
Published 12/17/20
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, I sit down with Eric Kaul to discuss why the social aspect and community of our sport are so important, the High Performance Driving & Racing Enthusiasts community, and the balance between inclusiveness and exclusivity. We also talk about the impact of fitness and nutrition on performance. Eric’s Speed Secret: Get your fitness and nutrition under control.
Published 12/10/20
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, Stefan Rzadzinski joins me to discuss how he got into and competed in the Race of Champions against Sebastian Vettel, Juan Montoya, Tom Kristensen, Pieter Solberg, Kurt and Kyle Busch, David Couthard, Alexnader Rossi, and James Hinchcliffe. We also get into limits – how to sense your car’s limits, and how to trust yourself to test those limits. Ever wonder if you should improve your car’s setup or focus on your own driving? We explore that, too!
Published 12/03/20
On this week’s episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, I talk with my good friend Tom Roberts about flow, or getting “in the zone.” Tom recently wrote a 4-part article in Speed Secrets Weekly about his research and experience with the state of flow from a neuroscience and more spiritual perspective – and how fear impacts it. It’s all about how to perform at your best when on the track (or off). We talk mindfulness, mindset, awareness, fear, ego, and how these help you become a better driver.
Published 11/26/20