Life with Legends

C. J. WilsonMotorsports is a compelling and aspirational way of life, and sometimes we forget that, until someone from the top of their (other) game come in to our world, and bring with them a set of principles and focus that energizes even the most jaded of us.Such is the case with Major Baseball League Pitcher, C. J. Wilson, who I got to sit down with at his stunning car dealership in Fresno, CA.From the moment I met C.J. I was struck by his intensity and commitment, not just to becoming faster in the race car, but also by creating his own racing team to further his aspirations.I was in the pitlane for Fox Sports for most of his racing career, and he was always a cool interview, especially fro a British guy that wouldn’t know how to throw a baseball if my life depended on it!I have wanted to have this conversation for so long, as I was fascinated about his approach to life and to be honest, I had to find out if he was born or made this way.As I think you will discover during this podcast, there was never a doubt he would become successful in life. From pitching for the Los Angeles Angels to the high banks of Daytona, he also, apparently, never had doubts either, which is pretty extraordinary. And now, his intellect and skill set is focussed on his thriving car dealerships, but I was pleased to hear that racing is never far from his mind. So for a man so successful so young, the story has many chapters to go!JB

So, this week a short but kind of cool little show, as I headed down last week to Jim Busby’s place (yes you heard him in Episode 22) as while the racing circus was in town for the Long Beach GP, he held a little open house for some of his racing pals from the RRDC (Road racing Drivers Club).I grabbed a quick chat with, and this is in order of appearance:Alwin Springer  - legendary Porsche Engine builder known as AndialMy father Derek Bell and Mark Rafauf, who has been involved with the IMSA series on the technical side since time began and still wields huge influence to this day!Jim Busby himself and Bruce Meyer join to wrap things up. It is just a fun show and I hope you have fun listening to these amazing guys!JB

Bruce MeyerI have been fortunate to meet so many extraordinary people over the years, but there are some that really do inspire you, and  Bruce Meyer is one of those true gentlemen that I am just blessed to call a friend.Often called the ‘unofficial Mayor of Beverly Hills’, Bruce just seems to know everyone and they in turn adore him back. People gravitate to his engaging demeanor, and I think its not just me that wishes they could come back as him in the next life!His extraordinary car collection is secretly located just feet above the visiting tourists, and yet to any of us in his car world, it is a place for us to meet and enjoy some of the most beautiful cars ever built. But I am always intrigued on how do people achieve this level of success, what was their motivation, how did they pull it off?I knew little of his journey and so sitting down in his garage was a real treat, and learning the whole story makes him even more impressive.A true car guy and the perfect role model.I hope you enjoy it.JB

Jim BusbyWhat I love about motorsport is the ridiculous number of stories just waiting to be told!At every level, in each era, there are incredible personalities who contributed greatly to the development of our sport, and Jim Busby is one such man.Based out of Laguna Beach it would have been easy for anyone driving past, to miss the world class racing operation taking place just out of sight.Jim is one of the rare talents that could combine engineering and fabrication skills with great speed behind the wheel.Hitting his stride in the heady days of 80’s sportscars in the IMSA GTP Series, his cars won multiple races as well as winning his Class at Le Mans as a driver.It was a great time of camaraderie and high jinks, but balanced by intense competition, and Jim saw it all. Drag racing and the famous Bonneville Salt Flats also benefited from his intense passion for all things fast, and being a true blooded hot-rodder he made everything faster than when he got it.What a cool guy and great fun to talk to. We only just touched the surface in this podcast, so I may need round 2!Enjoy,JB

Ray EvernhamTo hear how Ray and I met you need to listen to this podcast, but I have to say, this guy is one of my favorite people in Motorsport!His new life as a TV host, car collector, consultant to Hendrick Motorsports, and founder of the SRX series, and in demand as a speaker and host at the top car events around the country, all make Ray a very busy guy.But it is his extraordinary exploits as crew chief to the rising star that was Jeff Gordon, is what makes him so fascinating and legitimate! Together they won 47 Cup races and 3 cup Championships, which is simply outstanding.I always wanted to sit Ray down and hear some of the behind the scenes stuff, so I hope you have fun listening!JB

Bill WarnerI had the immense pleasure of spending time with Bill at his wonderful new car garage in Jacksonville Florida, the Monday after The Amelia weekend.Known internationally as the man who founded the Amelia Concours d’Elegance 28 years ago, Bill recently sold the Concours to Hagerty so they might lead it into the next era.Bill truly was the pulse of the event for so many of us that visited year after year. His extraordinary knowledge of not just the cars but the people involved, is legendary. He can recall the names of every driver in a certain race, what happened and why. As someone that can’t remember my own last race, it always blows me away!But the story of Bills obsession and passion for cars and racing goes back to his extensive career as a top motorsports photographer and writer for Road & Track magazine since 1971 and has images on his walls that show he really was there, right in the heart of the action. Andretti, McQueen, Gregg, Haywood. Everyone!Bill is a charming and entertaining raconteur , a successful businessman and I feel very fortunate to have had this opportunity to catch up with him. And also, to call him a friend. JB

Brenda Vernor, Personal Assistant to Enzo FerrariWhen we reflect on history, no matter the subject, it is easy to focus on the central figures and forget, that to simply operate on a daily basis there were key people who helped them function. People so close to the source that they are truly sole witness to the making of that history. The supporting role in the movie of their life so to speak.One such person is Brenda Vernor, who for many years was the legendary Enzo Ferrari’s personal assistant, based at the factory in Modena.I have known Brenda for many years thanks to her friendship with my father, Derek, since he was at Ferrari in 1970 racing in Formula 1.Which is why, when the opportunity came to spend a morning with Brenda at her friend’s house in West Palm Beach after the Ferrari Cavallino event, I thought it a great idea to take Dad with me as a surprise!Brenda is 90 now but sharp as a knife and still faithfully loyal to ‘The old man’ but what a lovely experience, talking to someone that was right there as the Ferrari brand took off under the stern but brilliant leadership of Enzo himself.Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode, as the Brenda’s of this world won’t be with us forever and their firsthand stories are too intimate and special to pass undocumented!The lady who worked with Ferrari!Enjoy.JB

Tanner FoustI think someone once said that fear itself keeps you young (or am I making that up?), either way it explains why this weeks guest on Life with Legends looks so youthful!Tanner Foust has that kind of god-given car control that would have made him a star in any kind of car, but the fact that the early intervention of rallying and a stint as an ice driving instructor, shaped his career is a great story. An X-Games gold medal winner, Formula Drift Champion, and, well way too much to list here!Making a huge name for himself as a rally driver, then the transition to Rallycross and all the attention that , proved he had the chops against the best in the world. But his parallel career as one of the worlds most in-demand stunt drivers is what blows my mind! World record holder for the longest car jump in a four wheeled vehicle at 332 feet, and doing a loop the loop for a Hot Wheels campaign, all makes him certifiable….you would think!However, the opposite is true as he is intelligent, calculating and almost zen-like in his approach to risk in his day job. He is a busy man, as much as anything for his talent in front of the camera as well, having been the host of Top Gear America for years.He flew up to meet me in his beautiful single engine plane, and I learned a lot from our conversation. I hope you do too.JB

This is the case of JB meeting JB!While our paths have occasionally crossed, mainly at social events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed or back in the day at the bar at the BRDC dinner and dance, I have always thought Jenson Button and I would be great friends. He just never knew it!Anyway, now we both live in Los Angeles I have hoped for a while that we could sit down for Life with Legends. The trouble is that Jenson is busier now than ever, so last week, before the madness of racing seasons kick off, we met at the Petersen Museum and guess what; we were like old friends!When you are an active racing driver working your way through your career you tend to not to get that involved or aware of other peoples racing backgrounds. For me that was the case with Jenson, but once I read up on his early days in karting and how successful he was, it all dropped into place on why and how he set himself up for such an amazing F1 career!He literally won nearly everything possible in Karting against some of the other (now) biggest names in racing; 3 x British Open Kart Champion, Winner of the European Super A Championship and many, many more.His incredibly smooth and precise driving style led to a long stint in Formula One winning 15 races and the Drivers Championship in 2009, and was definitely a fan favorite known for his easy going nature and relatability.While his post-Formula One career is pretty far reaching, but his appetite to still race is huge, and so some very exciting news ahead for him - stay tuned! Thanks to everyone at the Petersen for giving us space to record this episode and a highlight for sure was seeing a couple of his old F1 cars in the vault! Very cool!Anyway, we had a great time and covered a lot of ground in two hours and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did having it.JB

Gil de FerranOne of the friendships I value most in my adult life is the one I share with Gil.Since we got to know each other really well when I first moved to America in 2000, we lived close together and our families became part of each others lives.It was extremely interesting to me to watch his ‘life’ as a top IndyCar driver and how he handled it. From the training to the PR, he was everything a pro should be, and when it came to race weekends he had an intensity that was almost scarey. But there was another side that definitely reflects his Brazilian roots, and that is the ability to embrace the fun side of life. Every Monday after a race weekend we had huge BBQ’s and much laughter and shenanigans ensued! I believe it was that ability to offset the demands of his racing career with family and friends that contributed to his success.Winning the IndyCar Championship for Team Penske in 2000 and 20021, as well as the 2003 Indianapolis 500, Gil was a force to be reckoned with. His career since then has been wide ranging and always with a connection to the sport he loves. I have been planning to sit and talk with Gil for months so when we finally did, we had a lot to cover. He is one of the most articulate men I know (especially when you remember English is his second language) and loves nothing more than a deep, lengthy conversation over drinks that extend well into the early hours. Food is always involved and we share a love of cooking that makes us look like an old married couple in the kitchen!Gil is a fascinating human and I hope you get a glimpse of all the layers in this episode of Life with Legends.JB

Don Prudhomme When you meet Don ‘The Snake’ Prudhomme in person, he exudes a calm, composed and warm vibe with no indication of what he did for a living.The reality is he is one of the fastest men alive, with four NHRA FC Championships to his name, as well as being the first Funny Car driver to exceed 250mph!Global recognition came not just to Don, but to Drag racing in general, when he and Hot Wheels team-mate Tom McEwen became the Snake and Mongoose rivals. The toy versions of their race cars were equally as coveted by a whole generation of young fans, and no doubt propelled everyone involved to fame and fortune.I arranged to meet Don at our mutual friend Bruce Meyers garage in Beverly Hills, as Bruce owns one of the significant cars from his career, and we thought it would be a great backdrop for the portrait. As it happens, Bruce joined in the conversation which made it only better!Admittedly I know little about this form of motorsport, but my respect for people that push the limits of speed is immense and to have lived life on that fine line makes Don a real hero to me.Now I want to have a go….!JB

Ed PinkTo be honest, what I know about engine building is pretty pathetic considering my livelihood depended on them working at high capacity for hours on end. And I have always regarded engine builders as mysterious wizard-like creatures that worked their magic far away from the bright lights of the race track.On that past part I am kind of right I think!But there is one name that is part of racing folklore – and that is Ed Pink.Now a sprightly 91 years old and still building the odd engine in his shop in Newbury Park, CA, Ed was a fantastic interview and I found myself captivated by his life story.A huge part of the Drag racing scene, as well as sports cars and Indycar, Ed could make an engine perform like no other. He just had that touch that teams would pay dearly for.I loved this conversation, but I still think he is a wizard.JB

Mario AndrettiI doubt there is a corner of the earth where the name Mario Andretti wouldn’t be met with recognition!He is in every way the definition of a legend.One of only two drivers to win in Formula One, NASCAR and Indycar, as well as countless victories in midget car and sprint car racing.As of today he is still the last American to win an F1 race, in a career that cemented his legacy as one of the most successful drivers in the history of the sport.Now a brand name, involved in current racing as well as a winery and entertainment centers, it would be easy to forgive Mario for loosing connection to his humble origins. But that simply isn’t the case; when I went to his house he was welcoming, kind and generous with his time and I felt truly privileged to have spent the time with him.I loved taking his portrait and I think you will see it, there is a twinkle in his eye that reflects his love of life, and his deep and never-ending passion for racing cars.This is a special one – I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.JB

John MortonThere are fast racing drivers that make history and everyone knows their name.And there are fast racing drivers who are a part of racing history but unless you are in the sport, you will never know their names.John Morton is one such guy.If you ever raced against John during his extremely successful career, you for sure will have seen his name written on the side of his car as he passed you!From shop boy at Carroll Shelby’s race shop to driving with Ken Miles in a 427 Cobra for his former boss, John forged a reputation as a fast and reliable driver. That got him hired for the BRE Datsun team where he won a ton of races.The big-time sports cars scene came calling in 1985 with Busby Racing in a Porsche 962 which led to an amazing legacy of winning races for Nissan, including an overall win at the grueling Sebring 12 Hours.John is a quiet, polite and charming man, who may just have been too nice for his own good.Oh yes, and we raced together at Le Mans in a Viper!I truly hope you learn more about this wonderful man and enjoy our conversation.JB

Sir. Jackie StewartIf there ever was a unicorn in the pantheon of racing greats then it would be Sir Jackie Stewart!Maybe no other driver of his era made such huge contributions both on and off the trace track, to the overall professionalism as well as the safety aspects that undoubtably saved tens of lives. Nicknamed the ‘Flying Scott’ he had a swift ascendancy up the racing ranks to Formula One where he won the World Drivers Championship three times and raced in nearly everything else along the way. Surviving an era where he lost so many dear friends, Sir Jackie gave his whole life to making the sport better for everyone. Despite being a severe dyslexic, his business acumen is nothing short of brilliant, and his relationships with brands such as Rolex and Ford have lasted many decades.  Throughout this amazing journey he has enjoyed the support of his beautiful wife Helen. From the pitlane doing timing, to the halls of royalty, they have been a dynamic team. Now it is his time to be her rock as she is suffering from Alzheimer’s, but the difference is Sir Jackie is tackling this devastating disease with all his energy and resources, bringing together his vast network to find a cure. I met with Sir Jackie in the summer during a trip to the UK, and to spend a few hours at his magnificent country estate was an honor. Seeing the memorabilia from such a life made me appreciate even more who he really is and what he achieved. I hope you enjoy the conversation and please visit www.lifewithlegends.com to view the limited edition portrait of Sir Jackie which is signed by him, with only 24 ever being printed. Thanks for listening!JB

Well, I had to make this one happen, didn’t I?TK is truly one of the best humans that I know and for so many reasons.Obviously his racing record is outstanding: While in college he cleaned up in the IMSA GTU category winning the Championship twice.Then into SCCA Trans Am where he became part of the folklore of that great American racing series during the 90’s, scoring four championships!  NASCAR came calling and he showed huge promise, especially on the road courses, and for sure a long a profitable career was on the horizon. Then came a life changing crash at Watkins Glen in 1991 which left his legs shattered. TK made a stoic recovery and would race again, but the momentum was lost. Experiencing a kind of re-birth a more rounded man found his niche in front of the TV cameras and TK quickly became a fan favorite. Now it goes without saying that the highlight of his career was starting the Torque Show with Jason and myself, but in all seriousness, getting to know the new and improved mature Tommy Kendall has been one of the delights of my adult life. He is a gracious, generous, intelligent man that brings insight to any subject. Proving that life has many phases, TK is embracing his latest, and I am very proud to call him my friend. I hope you enjoy the conversation!JB

Parnelli Jones Well put it like this, I wouldn’t have wanted to race against this tough competitor in his prime!Parnelli Jones was the kind of all-rounder that won in everything he drove. Indy 500, USAC Stock cars, Pikes Peak, Team owner – he became the guy to beat! From being the 1961 Indy 500 Rookie of the year to winning it just two years later, he made a name for himself, fast!At the same time he dominated the Pikes Peak race, to be followed up with a USAC Stock Car crown!Wins in off -road racing in events like the Baja 1000 also cemented his reputation as the guy to beat, as well as his abilities as a team owner which brought him even further success. Having the opportunity to visit PJ at his house in Palos Verde, CA, was such an honor and privilege I will remember it forever. His is definitely in the final few laps of life’s race, but was gracious, funny and generous with his time. There is no video to accompany it as I didn’t want to show one of our heroes as being a little frail in old age, but I hope you still appreciate this conversation as much as I did. But check out the unique portrait I took of him www.lifewithlegends.comThankyou to my friend Mike Folmer for arranging everything.JB

Hurley Haywood A man who graciously entered the motorsports history books with a gentle smile and kind eyes, Hurley Haywood has the kind of glamour and style that befits a socialite of the age. But that is the outer skin: underneath he was a fierce competitor who made his way to the podium a record number of times in the world’s major sports car races! Synonymous with Porsche and Brumos racing he had a longtime racing partnership with Peter Gregg and many others. Hurley came from money but you wouldn’t have known it when he got behind the wheel. As tough as anyone, but with the intelligence to know when to attack and when to manage his equipment. This combination meant he was in demand for most of his career as the driver who could win races and championships. A private man, Hurley also authored a great book on his life and a Netflix documentary simply named ‘Hurley’ that allowed him to share with the world his own journey in his words. I met up with Hurley at his beautiful home in St Augustine, Fl where the world of noisy, fast cars seemed a distant memory. Until we talked.

Magnus Walker I wanted to get Magnus on the Show early on, as he bridges the gap so perfectly between the pure bred racers that created racing history, and the enthusiasts that provide the support, passion and momentum behind the automotive world. We have been friends for quite a long time now and to see his persona grow from a niche Porsche-phile to a legitimate tastemaker in the car world, has been inspirational to say the least. Still humble and proud of his Sheffield roots, Magnus is so naturally cool that I reckon almost every one of the Porsche owners wish they could be a bit like him. If you read his wonderful book ‘Urban Outlaw’ then you will appreciate his unlikely journey to the top VIP table at the most prestigious car events around the world. There is a revised version (just released) of the book which tells of the beautiful love affair and relationship he has forged with his partner, Hannah Elliott. So even if you have the original copy, double down to get the latest scoop. Sitting down with Magnus was such a blast, and we certainly covered some unexpected ground, and our little British balls even got some airtime.  Yup. You will have to watch to find out why!JB

There are drivers that come along that you just know would have been successful at whatever they choose to do. That can be said about Patrick Long.  I have watched his career as both a fan and friend and with the relatively recent news he had stepped down from full time racing, I knew I had to catch up with him and find out more. Also, I can’t just have older guys on LWL and he does qualify as a legend to the current generation.A California kid who had a big dream of being a top racing driver, and together with his dedicated family, did just that. From Karting to racing in Europe against the best up and coming young talent, Patrick cut his teeth the hard way. Without doubt, his commitment and drive to win alongside this incredible training ground, helped propel him into the spotlight as a driver to watch. First with Red Bull and their young F1 driver search and then with Porsche, his career really took off for the German Marque, becoming a Factory driver since 2003. Pat had multiple class wins at Le Mans, Daytona 24, Sebring and Petit Le Mans as well as winning many Championships along the way. But on-track success wasn’t enough for Patrick, he created his own corner of the Porsche world with Luftgekult; the ultimate celebration of Air Cooled Porsche’s! Now with almost a cult following you can find them around the world, and something tells me he won’t stop there! So, to confirm: he hasn’t retired.He has retired from his factory driver status.Which means, watch out as there is even more to come.