What started as a public relations crisis turned into absolute dominance on track. Todd and Sylas cover the fascinating story behind Audi making their debut in American motorsports, and the performance that followed. The 1988 Trans-Am season was not only the first time that Audi raced in America, minus the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, but it was also the first time they went circuit racing. Audi has always been know in the motorsport history books for their success in rally, but not many know about their early days on pavement. Their all wheel drive Quattro system was so dominant in circuit racing that it was seen as an "unfair advantage", and actually led to AWD racecars being banned in several series.

Cold Start Hint: A sedan turned racecar, with an odd number of cylinders.

Answer to Episode 82 Cold Start: 1997 PC26 IndyCar with the Ilmor-built Mercedes turbo CART engine

The guys sit down with Daniel Rascher, a sports economist and Professor at the University of San Francisco, and the President of the consulting firm, SportsEconomics. With decades of experience in the sports industry, he has worked with clients such as the NBA, NFL, MLB, NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, ALMS, and many more. Professor Rascher gives his perspective on the economics of the motorsports industry at the moment, and shares his experience working on the major antitrust case between 23XI and NASCAR earlier in 2026. Get ready: we are going back to class, to learn about a side of motorsports that we don't typically think about! (Plus, Sylas learns that yards are used in football, not baseball. :-))

Cold Start Hint: It raced after the IndyCar split

Answer to Episode 81 Cold Start: 1930's Austin 7

Answering the questions no one thinks to ask, Todd and Sylas dive into explaining the Whys of everyday automotive facts we take for granted. Focusing on infrastructure, the guys cover how we have developed the automotive landscape we all use today. From why stop signs are red, to where the left hand drive car came from, delve into the history of the things about cars that most of us don't think twice about.

Cold Start Hint: One of the first to be like this!

Answer to Episode 80 Cold Start: Ferrari Dodici Cilindri

A new era is among us! It seems that in the upper end of the automotive industry, the next steps forward are actually going backward, and taking a look at what made cars so enjoyable to drive in past years. This phase of the digital analog car is here, and it means that the newest technologies in the automotive sector are now being used to make cars feel "old". Well, not old as in outdated, but old regarding the way they feel behind the wheel -- to try to bring more of that analog mechanical feeling that makes car enthusiasts fall in love. And not only are we seeing this in the high end supercar space, but also in a new age of enthusiast designed electric cars as well. Todd and Sylas cover all, along with their opinions.

Cold Start Hint: Analog motor in a digital car.

Answer to Episode 79 Cold Start: Mercedes SLR Sterling Moss.

A name that seems to pop up in many different racing stories and is undoubtably synonymous with motorsports, Sir Sterling Moss is a figure in racing who is worth knowing more about. For those unfamiliar with vintage racing, you may have heard "Sterling Moss" in reference to the Mercedes SLR Sterling Moss edition, a sleek windshieldless roadster hypercar. You would have to be someone quite special to have Mercedes name a car after you, so Todd and Sylas go back in history to learn more about this racing icon -- one of the most successful F1 drivers who never won a championship.

Cold Start Hint: Can you tell it doesn't have a windshield?

Answer to Episode 78 Cold Start: Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, obviously

Monterey Car week is one of the largest gatherings of car enthusiasts in the country. The petrol passionate crowd swarms the usually quiet Monterey Bay Area in California to attend car shows, auctions, and exclusive events. The main appeal for many is the insane exotic sports cars that fill up the streets, and the exclusive access to high end auto manufacturers newest model unveilings. Unfortunately, the popularity of the event has grown over the last decade by a large margin, attracting a crowd seeking attention and recognition of others on the Internet rather than enjoying the community. Todd and Sylas reflect on some fond stories of their experiences at Monterey Car Week and discuss the shift that has been occurring and how it could end Car Week as we know it.

Cold Start Hint: There was one at car week, obviously

Answer to Episode 77 Cold Start: 1912 Indian Board Track Racer

A work trip through the Central Valley of California led Sylas to visit a motorsports museum off the beaten path. He took a side quest into the Clovis Flat Track Museum to see what he could learn about the two wheeled motorsport realm. This museum might be the best kept secret in the greater Fresno area, packed with race bikes through the years -- even including a 1970s Pikes Peak motorcycle, all the way to a 1912 Indian board track racer. Sharing his story, Sylas leads Todd on another tangental rabbit-hole dive into the crazy world of Board Track racing, and how these wooden tracks came about in the early 1900s.

Cold Start Hint: Might just be a weed whacker

Answer to Episode 76 Cold Start: Mazda RX-7 (FC)

It may not be the more glamorous side of the automotive industry, but it is the most important in regards to keeping our prides and joys on the road. The guys sit down with a special guest to talk about being a mechanic, what it takes, how to get into the career, and what it looks like in the motorsports space. Joining the podcast in this episode is Mike Whitcraft, a teacher and program developer at a mechanics training institution called Ranken University based in St. Louis, Missouri. He has years of experience working with OEMs and is a car enthusiast through and through.

Cold Start Hint: This one may need a little mechanical help (*they usually do*)

Answer to Episode 75 Cold Start: V10 TDI VW Phaeton