The Rags To Races Podcast: Motorsports And Racing For Everyone

In this episode, Jake goes over the importance of getting your hands on the rule book and not only reading it, but learning all you can from its pages. Jake has seen it many times before, and even been guilty of it himself. Not reading the rules enough to fully understand them. Almost every question you may have about your car or the class you're racing in can be answered just by opening the rule book and reading. Jake also talks about the advantages of knowing the rules and how they apply to your car. Take all the information you can from this quick episode and let Jake know if there's any questions you may have. Please rate, review and subscribe on iTunes. This helps more people find the show. You can also find the show at www.facebook.com/ragstoraces We're also on Twitter @ragstoraces, Instagram @rags2races and as always feel free to send an email to ragstoraces@gmail.com

In this episode, Jake goes over the current state of his Miata that is being built for Chumpcar Series Racing. Jake covers just how much he's spent on the car, and how much still needs to be spent just to get the car on track. He also compares the cost of building a car from scratch to buying a used race car. (Hint- It's MUCH cheaper to buy a built car as opposed to building one yourself.) Jake has said many times over that he's "a glutton for punishment" when it comes to building a car over buying one. It has nothing with the "Built over Bought" mantra. Jake just loves the build process and is willing to incorporate the losses incurred when comparing a built race car over buying an already proven race car. If you're like Jake and love the build process, share your pictures on the Facebook page, Instagram or Twitter. You can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ragstoraces I'm on Twitter @ragstoraces My Instagram is @rags2races Make sure to rate, subscribe and review on iTunes. You can also find the show o

Hey everybody! Jake here. I've got a bit of a sore throat, so I wasn't up to doing a full show this week. I did however want to reach out to all of you and let you know what's in the works. I've been busy emailing people for upcoming episodes and also working on some solo episodes to give you some great info on what you can do to reach your motorsport goals. If you haven't yet, please rate, review and susbscribe on iTunes. You can also find me on Stitcher. Follow me on Twitter @ragstoraces. I'm on Instagram @rags2races. You can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ragstoraces and check out the blog on Opposite Lock. You can always email me your questions at ragstoraces@gmail.com. As always, keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down. There are no strangers in motorsport, only friends you haven't met!

In this episode, Jake chats with Ian and Dave of Team Clearcoat. Jake gets their side of the big Chumpcar Race weekend, their aspirations for future motorsport goals, and starts to set up his race team for the Miata. We have some laughs and talk about what it takes to run a successful endurance race with a car that has its share of poor engineering ideas. The biggest thing I learned from working with them during the race and talking about the weekend afterwards was just how true my saying is: There really are no strangers in motorsport, only friends you haven't met. Before the Chumpcar weekend I had only met Ian once, and spoken to Dave via email and social media. I reached out to them when I found out they were coming out to my neck of the woods, and it turned into an exciting weekend that was full of ups and downs. You can do it too. Just starting a conversation with someone can open doors for you to this great pastime! You can find Ian and Dave everywhere podcasts are found, on Instagram and Twitter at @Te

In this episode, I go over my weekend as a crew member on a Chumpcar World Series team, Dead Pedal Racing. I met up with Ian and Dave from The Team Clearcoat Podcast and set to work on a 1988 Maserati Biturbo. We got to experience both good times and bad in the racing world. Between the 2 seven hour races, we had a bad day on Saturday and a great day on Sunday. Despite all the low points, we had some pretty great high moments. Overall, it was a great journey, and one I would gladly participate in again. If you're not listening to Team Clearcoat yet, you should give them a listen. You can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ragstoraces I'm on Twitter @ragstoraces Instagram @rags2races You can always email me at ragstoraces@gmail.com I'm blogging on Opposite Lock, and the Youtube page is now up with all my previous podcasts. Remember, there are no strangers in motorsport, only friends you haven't yet met. Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

Today, Jake talks to Matt Covert, founder of RacersHQ.com. Matt started out as a stunt car driver and has since shifted to motorsports by way of autocross. RacersHQ.com was built for the aspiring race car driver, but the website is an ever-growing source of information on performance driving for amateurs and pros alike. RacersHQ.com also has one big segment that NO ONE else is doing like he is. SPONSORSHIP for autocross! You read that correct. Cash to race. Matt and Jake go over how autocross is the perfect stepping stone to following your motorsport dreams. The techniques you learn at an autocross will help you exponentially when you start wheel-to-wheel racing on a track. While Jake and Matt swap stories, we also delve deep into fitness and diet as it pertains to the pro driver. Matt shares some insight and helps Jake to start getting fit and back into shape so he can handle hours behind the wheel. If you're serious about going semi-pro or full pro race driver, this is the episode for you. You can find Matt

In this episode, Jake and Brooks talk to a good friend of the show, Rich Walke. Rich races with the SCCA Majors in STL class in a 1987 Mazda RX7. Rich shares with us some great stories, but more importantly how to get your start in road racing. Rich has been racing for over 41 years and shares his ups and downs in the sport. He also tells us how we can get our start there as well. While running in the Majors isn't in everyone's budget, there are ways you can make it work, and ways you can get involved at little to no cost to yourself. Get out there, start talking to those already racing, and jump in feet first!   If you like the show, please rate, review and subscribe on iTunes. You can also find the show on Stitcher. You can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ragstoraces We're on Twitter at @ragstoraces Instagram @rags2races I'm now blogging on Opposite Lock, search for Rags to Races Email me any questions you may have ragstoraces@gmail.com Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

In this episode, we come back to autocrossing as a way to get your start in motorsports. Jake had Michael Beck, Robbie Vierhout and Adam Nielsen from the Ten Tenths Podcast on to talk about their experience "chasing cones" and just how easy it is for someone, even outside of a major area like Chicago to get started. We break away a little to hear about drifting a vintage Fiat, melted relays and fuel leaks. Jake also gets some insight on podcasting from the guys and future plans for their show. Please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes. If you like the show, share with a friend. Look for me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ragstoraces You can find me on Twitter at @ragstoraces Check out my pics on Instagram at @rags2races I've started blogging on Opposite Lock. You can find my first blog under Rags to Races. I'm starting a YouTube page, so keep on the lookout for Ragstoraces there. Finally, please email me with any questions, comments or otherwise at ragstoraces@gmail.com Keep the shiny side up and the greasy

In this episode, we sit down with David "Finch" Finchum, of the TSSCC (Tri-State Sports Car Council) and talk about autocross. Autocross is one of the best first steps into performance driving. It's a great way to test yourself, your vehicle and compete with other like-minded individuals. We ask David what a typical day is like, what it takes to get involved and even what costs you can look at to drive (P.S.- It's not that much!). David and I also share some of our favorite stories about autocrossing and getting out there on the track. Some have happy endings. Some, not so much.   Please rate, review and subscribe on iTunes. You can also find me on facebook at www.facebook.com/ragstoraces You can find me on twitter at @ragstoraces and on Instagram at @rags2races Also, feel free to email me with any questions you may have at ragstoraces@gmail.com   Keep the shiny side up, and the greasy side down!

In this episode, I introduce my co-host, Brooks. Brooks is your average guy. He's not a gearhead per se, but loves the idea of getting into racing. He always thought that getting into motorsports was just a pipe dream. Brooks is going to be the voice of the "everyman" on the show, and help me keep things understandable to all who listen. You can find the rags to races podcast on social media at: www.facebook.com/ragstoraces On twitter at @ragstoraces On instagram at @rags2races Or you can email us at ragstoraces@gmail.com   Please subscribe, rate and review on itunes.

Welcome to the Rags to Races Podcast! I'm your host, Jake. I'm here to show you how easy it is to get involved in motorsports, no matter what your budget is! I'll be sharing some of my experiences, and talking to others who love the thrill of motorsport. In this episode, I introduce myself, the podcast and what to expect from upcoming episodes. Enjoy!