The Driving Experience

Hi and welcome to episode 21 of The Driving Experience.  If you’re in to driving for fun and adventure, restoring cars, racing, or anything car or driving related this is the Podcast for you…The Driving Experience.  This is your host Kevin Pennell.  If racing is your dream then you're going to love this whole episode.  Settle back and enjoy this ride.  I'm talking with Ryan Cheek once again who has returned from her first driving experience at the famed Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for 2024.  Ryan had quite the experience, to say the least.  She also talks about further insights on racing for ALS, her cars, American Cross Kart, and even how you could get your start into racing.  Ryan Cheek is talking about  Living Her Dream of Racing on this episode of The Driving Experience . Connect with Ryan Cheek:  https://www.ryancheekracing.com/ Find Ryan on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanCheekRacing

If you’re in to driving for fun and adventure, restoring cars, racing, or anything car or driving related this is the Podcast for you…The Driving Experience.  This is your host Kevin Pennell.  And this is Episode 20! Some of you may know or have heard of Paul Wegweiser, especially when referencing performing work on BMWs.  You may have wished to just sit down and pick Paul’s brain when it comes to his knowledge of these cars.  Well, settle back and prepare yourself for my conversation with Zenwrench himself Paul Wegweiser on this episode of The Driving Experience! Connect With Paul Wegweiser: https://www.zenwrench.com/

If you’re in to driving for fun and adventure, restoring cars, racing, or anything car or driving related this is the Podcast for you…The Driving Experience.  This is your host Kevin Pennell. Today we’re talking something that we may miss on our adventures with classic cars… Insurance.  Wait, what??? you say. If you have put in sweat, time, maybe a little blood in restoring your car, you probably want to think about insuring your investment.  And that’s where we’re going today conversing with Paul Kaperonis and independent insurance agent who specializes in insuring classic cars.  We’re talking about declared value, what constitutes a classic, and how many miles can you drive a classic plus a few fun stories about driving experiences.  Keep listening as we talk about Protecting Your Classic with Paul Kaperonis. Contact Paul Kaperonis: Pkaperonis@larryhelms.com

Hi, this is Kevin Pennell your host for the Driving Experience.  If you’re into driving for fun and adventure, restoring cars, racing, or anything car or driving related this is the Podcast for you… On this episode I’m very happy to have Scott Sturdy visit again.  The Vintage is celebrating 20 years of fun times for BMW enthusiasts.  It’s titled The Vintage 20 Year Dysfunctional Family Reunion.  We’re reviewing details, past fun times, and what to do to prepare for your experience at The Vintage on this episode.  So, settle back and enjoy as Scott Sturdy and I talk about Celebrating 20 Years of The Vintage https://www.atthevintage.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/atthevintage

If you’re in to driving for fun and adventure, restoring cars, racing, or anything car or driving related this is the Podcast for you…The Driving Experience.  This is your host Kevin Pennell. Hill climbing, participating in hill climbing, setting up a car for hill climbing, cross cart racing, Ford Mustangs, racing to the clouds of Pike’s Peak, these are just some of the passions of Ryan Cheek or Ryan Cheek Racing.  There’s yet another very important passion for Ryan too, Racing for ALS.  AND, I’ve saved this for the last, congratulations Ryan for being accepted and invited to The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb scheduled for June 24, 2024.  We recorded this episode a couple days before she got the word.  To say Ryan is passionate about her Driving Experiences would be an understatement as you’ll tell in a couple moments.  Join Ryan Cheek and I as we talk about Her Passion for Racing on this episode of the Driving Experience. Connect with Ryan Cheek https://www.facebook.com/RyanCheekRacing Connect with Racing for ALS https://www.racingforals.com/

If you’re in to driving for fun and adventure, restoring cars, racing, or anything car or driving related this is the Podcast for you…The Driving Experience.  This is your host Kevin Pennell. Taylor Hagler is a former equestrian athlete turned race car driver in touring car and sports car competition world-wide.  She is a factory driver for the Hyundai supported Bryan Herta Autosport team and is a two-time champion in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR category.  Taylor has also competed in the famed Nurburgring 24 Hour race and finished 2nd in class.  She also uses her motorsports platform to bring attention to animal related philanthropy efforts such as Project K9 Hero. Join Taylor and I now as we talk about 4 Hooves to 4 Wheels, One Woman’s Racing Journey on this Episode of The Driving Experience.

If you’re in to driving for fun and adventure, restoring cars, racing, or anything car or driving related this is the Podcast for you…The Driving Experience.  This is your host Kevin Pennell.  Pease welcome Eric Peck who has been in active promotion and leadership of the ZSCCA, Z Series Car Club of America.  He and his wife, Nancy, also own and operate Bimmer Bum, supplying not only parts and supplies for Zs, but other BMWs as well.  Eric and Nancy personify dedication toward Z series BMWs as the family of owners that it is.  Buckle up and get ready for a BMW Z Experience on this episode of the Driving Experience. Contact Eric Peck  https://shop.bimmerbum.com/  Contact ZSCCA https://www.zscca.org/

If you’re in to driving for fun and adventure, restoring cars, racing, or anything car or driving related this is the Podcast for you…The Driving Experience.  This is your host Kevin Pennell. In this episode, we’re talking motorcycles and more specifically, a particular motorcycle, its driver, and their stories that nearly spans the globe and 42 years.  We’re going to be hearing from Chris Donaldson, the driver of that motorcycle and author of his best selling book Going the Wrong Way, A ‘coming of age’ road trip like no other.  Chris began his journey in the 70’s with a Moto Guzi sport bike beginning from Belfast, Northern Ireland with his sights set on, wait for it, Australia!  He made a wrong turn and well… What’s it like to try such a trek?  Why do it?  Join me now as I talk with Chris Donaldson about What’s Good About Going The Wrong Way.   Connect with Chris Donaldson http://chrisdonaldson.world/     Some thoughts from Chris Donaldson   Since the Stone Age, the Walkabout has been an Aboriginal rite of passage. When adolescent boys wander aimlessly through the bush on a journey with no particular destination, to make the spiritual transition from boy to man. It’s a time for self-assessment and deep thought, to learn about himself without the influence of his elders, friends, or family. It’s a physical and psychological journey. Chris didn’t look like an Aboriginal adolescent as he set off from Belfast on his café racing Moto Guzzi. But it was the same determination that drove him to set off on a journey of self-discovery. This desire drove him to break free from the mediocre, middle-class existence and reach out for the unknown. The demand was irresistible and bound him to the ancient ritual that many young men before me had taken. But when the Iranian revolution stopped the planned 4-month, 10,000 mile bike trip to Australia, he ends high in the Andes, 50-odd thousand miles later, before returning to Belfast. Extra-ordinary is a genuine understatement for the journey, especially, when seen through the eyes of a lad brought up in the 70s Belfast Troubles where this venture began. Belfast was closed in on itself, with gates, checkpoints, fences, fears and suspicions holding many people trapped. A sobering realisation among the ensuing adventures is that across continents there was no escape from meetings with checkpoints, guns and fearful divisions. However, the outstanding thing the author lets us share in, is the network of positive humanity around the world, enabling challenges to be met and overcome or circumvented. And somehow there is always petrol (and golden syrup) to be found, to fuel the next step forwards. An amazing adventure before google maps, mobile phones and social media. At times breathtaking when going through some hairy situations along with the best of Belfast humour. Unlike those today caught up taking photos of every moment and shared on social media.

If you’re in to driving for fun and adventure, restoring cars, racing, or anything car or driving related this is the Podcast for you…The Driving Experience.  This is your host Kevin Pennell. In this episode, I’m talking with Jon Krolewicz of the SCCA, the Sports Car Club of America.  And that’s what we’ll be talking about, The SCCA Driving Experience. Contact the SCCA through their website: https://www.scca.com/

Hi and welcome to the Driving Experience.  With the great responses on the labor of love to restore a classic, we’re revisiting that subject with some further insights on the purchase, transport, and restoration of a BMW Z3 Coupe.  Stephen Kent is sharing his driving experience with Elvis, his Z3 Coupe. As in the last episode, we’ll be looking at the unexpected hurtles that you can encounter.  Consider some advice about things to look for and maybe a few things to avoid. Buckle up and get ready for a wonderful ride with Stephen Kent and Elvis, his Z3 Coupe on this episode of the The Driving Experience.

Hi and welcome to The Driving Experience.  This is Kevin Pennell.  Over past episodes, we’ve talked about classic cars, driving classic cars, classic car events, well today, we’re venturing into the process of the build, building a classic and some of the details surrounding that build.  We’re looking at some of the unexpected hurtles that you can encounter.  Consider some advice about things to look for and maybe a few things to avoid.  We’re even going to briefly travel down a side road into off-roading a vehicle.  No doubt, we’re covering some ground in this episode of the The Driving Experience with Fern Amorim as he’s in the process of Restoring A Classic. Fern Amorim can be contacted via a search on FaceBook using his name Fern Amorim The Blue Book referenced in this episode is "The BMW 2002 A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic Sporting Saloon" by James Taylor and Mike MacArtney available on Amazon.

Hi and welcome to the Driving Experience.  This is Kevin Pennell your host and I’m welcoming three guests on this special episode, Mike Self, Rob Siegel, and Andrew Wilson.  These veterans of road tripping will be sharing their adventures, misadventures, preparation guidelines, and the fun that awaits any traveler for a real road trip adventure.  I even have a couple adventures myself!  Without anything further, let’s buckle up and get ready for Road Trip Adventures on this edition of the Driving Experience!

In this episode of The Driving Experience, Rob Siegel will be talking about Enjoying the Cars he has, some valuable tips on preparing to road trip your classic car, and just plain fun experiences of buying and restoring cars.  Rob is an automotive writer who has written for Roundel Magazine for over 30 years, authored several books, and writes for Hagerty in their publication.  Let’s buckle up and get ready for a great ride with Rob Siegel as he talks about Enjoying the Car Life.  To Order Rob Siegel's Books or to get in touch with him.  Here's the link!   https://robsiegel.com/

Stayed tuned!  In this episode of The Driving Experience, we’ll be hearing from Matt Koppi of Koppinger Performance.  Matt talks about some of his experiences with cars he’s worked on, a few tips when it comes to finding a good technician for your car wether a classic or daily driver, and few other insights of enjoying your car wether an appliance or your automotive source of pure pleasure.  

This episode of the Driving Experience takes us to the coast of Maine as Andrew Wilson and I enjoy a casual conversation with Villi Enders.  Villi makes his living in Maine in the medical community.  But he has another passion which began in his teenage years in Europe.  The passion, collecting cars.  This casual conversation is quite enjoyable as we stroll down Villi’s memorable and knowledge filled pathways.  He’ll also be sharing some invaluable information on what to look for and avoid when looking at acquiring classic cars.  Villi maintains his 60 plus collection of cars, mostly European, including Mercedes, Volkswagen, Fiat, Peugeot, Opel, and BMW.  Then there’s the Bentley and Jaguar.  Villi can share the history, as he knows it, for all these cars.  So, why does he have such a vast personal collection?  He looks at collecting cars as being a Curator of Automotive History.  Let’s join Villi as he shares his early motivation for collecting many of these cars.

Get your driving gloves, driving glasses, and driving spirit ready.  It’s time once again for the Driving Experience.  This is your host Kevin Pennell.  This week we’re visiting with Clara Loose from central Florida.  A couple years ago, Clara was interviewed for an article in BMWs Roundel Magazine as one of the youngest members of the BMW CCA.  So, that’s one part of her story.  Her first BMW 2002 saved her life after she was run off the road and rolled it nine times, and she walked away!  If that isn’t enough, she also has a passion for restoring a riding classic Vespas.  Keep listening as we hear from Clara Loose who is Living Her Driving Experience!

Catching up with participants Clay Weiland, Steve and Donna Mets, and Anne Marie Vincent at the 18th Annual "The Vintage."  This is, without a doubt a fun episode!  The Vintage Experience!

In today’s episode of the Driving Experience we’re celebrating 50 Years of M.  This is Kevin Pennell your host.  I’ll be talking with Michael Mitchell of the BMW Foundation and curator at the Ultimate Driving Experience Museum.  We’re talking about lots of great stuff about the Foundation, Street Survival, and how you can get involved with the BMW Foundation at your home or in Greer, South Carolina.   Of course, we’ll also be talking about some of the cars and details for visiting the newest exhibition, The Power of M: Celebrating 50 Years! Contact the Foundation!  https://bmwccafoundation.org/

Hey everybody!  It’s time once again for The Driving Experience!  Kevin Pennell here.  This episode is dedicated to The Vintage.  This will be the 18th annual get together for classic BMWs from all around the country converging on the area surrounding Asheville, North Carolina.  The Festmeister himself, Scott Sturdy will be talking about the event, what to do to register, planning for your trip whether you’re local or if you’re driving from California.  This is an exciting event for all ages and classic BMWs to attend and appreciate the surrounding mountains of North Carolina.  The Vintage is the place to be May 19-21st.  Let’s have some fun and talk about The Vintage for 2022!