Shows
The Avants PodcastMichael Beats MoabWe conclude the Moab conversation with Megan, Michael, and Brian, and talk about all the things we learned, where we're going next, and how much of a beating Moab gave us all. Thanks to Michael Smith however, we feel more prepared than ever for out next adventures in the wild.
The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle!
Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873
We're do...2025-05-2751 min
The Avants PodcastRock Beats MeganMegan, Michael, and Brian join us in the studio to discuss misadventures in Moab and Megan's impression of the drummer from Def Leppard. The guys talk about almost rolling on Hell's Gate and what they should have done different. Live and learn!
The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle!
Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873
We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Ap...2025-05-2344 min
The Avants PodcastMetal Beats RockWe're back from Moab and mostly unscathed! Mostly. Some of our bodies took a beating, but our hitch sliders put in the real work. We definitely learned the real value of geometry and physics, but most importantly the value of a group member with experience.
The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle!
Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873
We're doing give aways! Leave us a r...2025-05-2050 min
The Avants PodcastLegend of Formula D, Time Attack, and Pikes Peak - Dai Yoshihara!On this week's episode we have the pleasure of having Dai Yoshihara in the studio! Dai talks with us about growing up and street racing in Japan, moving to the US, and becoming a champion of Formula D, Time Attack, and Pikes Peak!
The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle!
Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873
We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on...2025-05-0552 min
The Avants PodcastAre Overlanders Killing Overlanding?This week we we’re calling out you gatekeepers! No, not the good kind like the Sean at Exotics, but those people who say you can’t do something without a specific type of mod. Did you really need those Baja Designs lights? Is that Warn Platinum 12k winch necessary? How about the $2,500 roof top tent you use once a year? Yes, there is a difference in all that gear, but eventually you have to admit you don’t need the laser lighting as much as you want it to go down that well groomed gravel road. On top of tha...2025-04-2856 min
The Avants PodcastIt's a Pop Quiz!Dan surprises Nick with a pop quiz of automotive knowledge! Can you beat Nick? Did we get a few wrong? Join us this week and have another good reason to yell at your radio besides listening to the news.
The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle!
Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873
We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we...2025-04-2146 min
The Avants PodcastThe Lumpsucker.. or McMurtry Spéirling Pure!In spite of what we think, the McMurtry Spéirling Pure is not in fact related to the Lumpsucker fish, but it does drive upside down and you've got to see it! We also talk about how basic hand tool installation usually means $700+ in power tools, Ferrari teases bringing back a manual transmission, Easter Jeep Safari brings out all the Jeeps we want but Stellantis probably won't build, Chevy pulls a Ford GT move, and.. Super Duty Ranger? Hell yeah!
Check out the video of the McMurtry Lumpsucker Fish Car here: https://youtu.be/g6LYcgaQ46c?s...2025-04-1748 min
The Avants PodcastLightbars on Supercars and a Doozy of a Day at SingerSo many mods happened in the last few weeks! Our friends at HKP Customs installed a Baja Designs lightbar on the R8, Metropolitan Detail did another amazing job of STEK Paint Protection on the F150 Raptor, the Bronco Raptor got power step sliders, and Nick's Ranger Raptor is getting more armor. On top of all that, Dan went to Singer and saw how the million dollar "sausage" is made!
The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle!
Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans
...2025-04-1041 min
The Avants PodcastLee Luna Keeps the Quality Going at Metropolitan DetailAvants and this podcast have a long history with John Kleven and Metropolitan Detail and now Metropolitan has moved on to the capable hands of Lee Luna. Lee and John join us in the studio this week to talk about how Lee was chosen to take over ownership and continue the highly respected Metropolitan Detail name.
The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle!
Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Leave us a vo...2025-03-311h 03
The Avants PodcastBuying a Car is as Easy as You Make ItIs buying a car still hard for you? It doesn’t have to be! If you know how to prepare and how to talk to the sales and finance people you can be in and out in almost no time with no drama. We brought Brian Elich back this week to talk about the buying process, the quickly changing market, ADM, the new truck, and of course the mods that have already started for the truck that isn't getting any mods. We also discussed why the oval piston Ferrari V12 is nothing like the Honda design, more issues for ou...2025-03-2446 min
The Avants PodcastTurbocharging Vs Supercharging, FIGHT!We tackle one of the oldest arguments of all time, turbocharging versus supercharging! Both have their advantages and disadvantages of course, but either is better than none. So how about both!? It's been done, even on a few production cars!
Check out this great video that explains everything you'd ever want to know!
The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle!
Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Leave us a voicemail! 425-298...2025-03-1747 min
The Avants PodcastThe Best Tire Deal You Can Get!Avants now has THE BEST tire deal in the business! We are proud to announce our official partnership with Discount Tire and Americas Tire! All Avants members now get 10% off at all locations, nationwide. This discount can stack with already awesome 10% off discount on Michelin and BF Goodrich tires, meaning you can up to 20% off! No one has a better deal than that. We also take about why your fuel door is on the side it's on, more mods make their way to the Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor, and the F150 Raptor comes soon. Don't forget the Women's...2025-03-0335 min
The Avants PodcastHack the Planet! Or at Least Your CarDid you know your car probably has a ton of features that are just hidden away in the software and not enabled? Auto folding mirrors, brighter headlights, fog lights with high beams, disable annoying sounds, warmer seats, and so much more are just a few clicks away if you know what you're doing. There is some inherent risk to this, but we think it's worth it. Just take your time and ask on the Avants Facebook pages if you need help!
2025-02-1739 min
The Avants PodcastCrawling Through Arizona and Crawling Right BackNow that Dan is able to mostly breathe again, we regroup for the new year to encourage you to get out there and drive! Dan crawled through the Arizona mountains in the BRaptor, Nick finished the prep on his Ranger Raptor and picked up a new toy, and we have a ton of fresh Avants events coming up to get you excited for 2025!
2025-01-0657 min
The Avants PodcastMerry Christmas and Don't Forget the BatteriesIf you didn't get a Porsche GT3RS for Christmas like some of the Avants members, maybe you got a battery powered one. If so, we recommend some Lithium batteries. We already planned our next Moab trip, Nick mods his Ranger Raptor, Dan gets ready to mod the F150 Raptor, and more automotive news.
If you're still looking for that very last minute gift, an Avants membership never fails!
2024-12-2338 min
The Avants PodcastChristmas Gifts Every Car Enthusiast in Your Life Will WantAre you all ready for Christmas this year? Didn't think so, but we've got your back! We've got some great last minute recommendations for all budgets for the car enthusiast in your life. None of these links are affiliate links; this is just the stuff we love that we think make great gifts.
$50 and Under
$20 - Husky Stubby Ratchet and Socket Set
$50 - GOOLOO GT160 Tire Inflator
$40 - Baofeng GMRS Radios
$14-50 - Griots Garage products
$20 - Milwaukee Goatskin Leather Work Gloves
$22 - Scrubs in a Bucket
$17 - Lexivon Torx Bit Socket Set
$11 - RJ45 Panel Flush m...2024-12-0955 min
The Avants PodcastAvants...Utah?Nick's windshield remains a blurry mess, the death (or rebirth?) of Jaguar conversation continues, the poor man's stethoscope reveals a potential engine issues on the Ranger Raptor for Nick, Nick's still talking about Moab, Liberty Walk molests a Miura, and we need to open an Avants in SLC.
We're getting ready for our upcoming Gift Guide episode and we would love to hear from you! What's on your list this year? Let us know!
2024-12-0237 min
The Avants PodcastRamon Antonio of Avants PortlandIt's about time Ramon joined us in the studio! Ramon Antonio is the Portland Coordinator for Avants and he joins us this week to talk about his love for all things on wheels, including the unpowered kind. Ramon talks about his brand StillPour, his tow driving work in San Francisco, and his abundance of cars he has owned.
Follow Ramon here!
https://www.instagram.com/stillpour
https://www.instagram.com/stories/antonioautogarage
2024-11-1141 min
The Avants PodcastJustin Chesnutt Drifts on In!Formula Drift PROSPEC Driver Justin Chesnutt drifts on in the Avants Podcast this week and talks all things drifting with us! As the owner of After Hours Autosports, Justin isn't just a driver, but he knows a ton about car builds and proper setup for drifting. He's a great resource for anyone looking to get into the sport or who might just be curious about how it all works. You can find Justin at all the links below!
https://www.afterhoursautosports.com/
https://www.instagram.com/afterhoursautosports/
https://www.instagram.com/chesnutt_motorsports/2024-11-0457 min
The Avants PodcastColton and Will Take Us to the Cascade EdgeWe've got Colton Edwards and Will Morris from Cascade Edge Motorsports this week talking to us about their journey to motorsports. They are yet another reminder that you even if you started a little later in life, you can still have an amazing career in motorsports with a lot of hard work and dedication. They're also driving instructors down with our Avants partner and personal friends at ProFormance, so if you want to try and learn how to drive just like these guys, you absolutely can... try.
Cascade Edge Motorsport is a new race team founded to b...2024-09-3056 min
The Avants PodcastA Disco Party With Golden Rovers!If you've got a Land Rover Discovery, we've got the show for you! Our friends Daniel and Emily join us to talk about their company Golden Rovers who specialize in essential accessories for Land Rovers. Emily and Daniel were famously the friends of ours who hydro locked their Land Rover discovery while out playing on Stampede Pass with us and then immediately started an LS Swap. They have also helped volunteer for Avants Off-Road days and are always out there supporting the community, so next time you see them be sure to say hello!
2024-08-1950 min
The Avants PodcastRyan ZumMallen Creates Car Books About PeopleWe always say the Avants Podcast is a car show about people so it made perfect sense to have someone like Ryan ZumMallen on as a guest since he creates car books about people. Ryan tells us about his publishing company Carrara Books and talks more about the book everyone should own, Cult of GTR.
2024-07-2951 min
The Avants PodcastThe New Kitch on the Block, Siena Kitch!This week the newest member of the ProFormance Racing School joins us in the studio, Siena Kitch! Siena is a proud chip of the Kitch block and has been basically living and breathing the automotive racing world since the day she was born. She's smart, funny, and a great guest we know you'll love to hear!
Check out ProFormance on Instagram and TikTok to see all of the latest content.
Be sure to check out our Avants Track Days at ProFormance!
https://proformanceracingschool.com/events/
2024-07-2250 min
The Avants PodcastDylan von Kleist Takes Us to a Magical World Where Car Washes Don't Destroy Your PaintWe know what you’re all thinking, no such magical world of convenience and safe car washing exists! Well, it turns out that John Denver wasn’t full of it and if you’re one of our lucky Avants members in Colorado you can visit one of the many Autowash locations. All brush type car washes are terrible for your paint, and many touchless car washes can do some real damage as well, but Autowash touchless car washes do things differently. Dylan, VP of Marketing for Autowash Companies, join us this week to set the record straight and he honest...2024-06-1749 min
The Avants PodcastIt's Party on the Bottom and Business on the Top with Krissy!Krissy Wells joins us back in the studio to talk about the massive amount of Avants events coming up as well as the secret to finding all those elusive Avants Off-Road stickers! We talk about the new Avants Online Store, Classics on the Green, and so much more.
Check out the new store at: https://store.avants.com/
2024-05-1350 min
The Avants PodcastWhen You Have to Downgrade to Kinda UpgradeAfter towing the trailer down to Arizona, Dan quickly realizes Raptors aren't the best tow vehicles in spite of being good at basically everything else. We discuss the cons, and more cons, of driving any other truck that isn't a Raptor for better towing capacity. We also talk the most recent news, the Avants events, and the Michelin 15% off deal is back!
2024-03-2555 min
The Avants PodcastEmy Kissick is the Kid All Car People Hope ForEmy Kissick might only be 16, but she definitely taught us a thing or ten. Emy got her racing license before she got her drivers license, races spec Miata, works on her own car, and drives an 1988 300ZX. Add all that up and she still manages to be a 4.0 GPA student. Needless to say, her parents are proud, and she’s a huge asset to the community. Speaking of, a special thanks to our friends and Avants Partner, Hydraulic Solutions for sponsoring Emy and getting people like her on the track.
Follow Emy on Instagram here: https://www.in...2024-03-181h 01
The Avants PodcastIf Jaykee Evangelista Had an Online Store, We'd Be BrokeYou may not know Jaykee Evangelista right away by name, but you probably have seen his work in many places around the automotive world. From designs for Porsche, Hyundai N, Jeff Zwart, Luftgekühlt, and even Top Gear, Jaykee is a busy, busy man! We absolutely love his style and are huge fans of all of his work. Check out his work on Instagram at Groundworks Design and in the next issue of the Avants Magazine!
2024-03-0452 min
The Avants PodcastRivian R1 "T" for TankOn this shop talk episode we talk all about that crash test video of the Rivian R1T hitting the guardrail, the deteriorating roads, car season coming up, and a painful repair to the R8. Special thanks and shoutout to Chad at Avants Partner: Leather Tech for his great help this week! Check out the video for this episode on our YouTube channel!
2024-02-1951 min
The Avants Podcast50 Years Later, Lyn St James is Still Changing RacingFebruary 7th was National Girls and Women in Sports Day and we couldn't think of a better way to kick that off than having the amazing Lyn St. James back on the show! Lyn dives really deep and talks to us in depth about learning how to drive open wheel, Indy, and the future of motorsports. This episode is also available on the Avants YouTube channel, so be sure to check it out!
2024-02-1254 min
The Avants PodcastThe Newest Member of the Avants Team, Leif BergersonOn this special episode we introduce Leif Bergerson, the newest member of the Avants staff! Leif is helping us run things in California, so we thought it would be best if we introduced him on video. You can still listen in here of course, but if you want to see Leif be sure to check out the Avants YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2QdvcrxWMb0i8Ix1ezpVVg
2024-01-2957 min
The Avants PodcastAn Englishman Invades the StudioWe welcome back official Avants Magazine Editor-in-Chief Karl Noakes! Karl is on a rare break from IMSA and chats with us about his new M2, the Hagerty not-so-hot list of 2023, and we all compare our old-man back injuries! It's always a good time when Karl is here!
2024-01-031h 12
The Avants PodcastA Grand Tour of Brendan TonkinThe Tonkin name is definitely a northwest staple and Brendan Tonkin didn't fall far from the family tree. Brendan talks to us all about the new Ineos Grenadier, track time with dad, overlanding, and more, all while his dog became best friends with Nick while we recorded. Brendan has some big plans for Grenadier owners, so we'll check back with him this summer for more exciting updates.
We also got to check out the new Ineos Grenadier at the Avants Toy Drive in partnership with Collectors' Car Garage (formerly Hagerty Garage and Social / Drivers Club) and it s...2023-12-181h 30
The Avants PodcastHeckmann & Thiemann - 55 Years Of Servicing Your Porsche, VW, and SubaruWith 55 years in the business, Heckmann & Thiemann have seen it all. We get all the good stories from President and CEO Phyllis Thiemann and Master Technician Bryan Reeves. We talk about the stuff classic Porsche people don’t usually like to in this episode like the Cayenne, Boxster, and even RWB, dive into the topic of the air-cooled boom and how it has impacted owners who bought “cheap” 911s, talk about how to store a car for 20 years, and so much more! Did you know the 356 was going to be the Continental?
Heckmann & Thiemann is an Avants partne...2023-12-0456 min
The Avants PodcastChris Delano: President of IPD and the Authority on Volvo PerformanceWe went down to Portland to visit some of our Avants friends and partners to the south! This week we finally got to chat with one of the smartest and nicest people we have interviewed to date, Chris Delano, President of IPD. Chris is as true of an enthusiast as it gets, who has always loved Volvos and upgrading them in every way. If you have a Volvo, you need to check out IPD! https://www.ipdusa.com/
2023-11-2758 min
The Avants PodcastPushing 200 for 300This is our official 300th podcast episode! Rather than the usual walk down memory lane, we started discussing the desire of hitting the 200 MPH club. What’s the cheapest car we could do it in? What’s the fastest we’ve gone? Where would you do it? We would love to know if you have hit 200 MPH, so give us a call and leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873!
A special thanks to all of you who helped get us here. It’s a long list, but we couldn’t have ever done it without the support of Avants...2023-07-3157 min
The Avants PodcastCatching Up With Editor-in-Chief Karl Noakes!Karl makes his 4th appearance on the podcast, which still doesn’t feel like enough times for all his stories. Ever since retiring from the tech industry Karl has been busier than ever as the Editor-in-Chief of the Avants Magazine, photographing for IMSA, photographing at Le Mans, and so much more. We talk with Karl about all the inside scoops of life at the races and about his new M2!
2023-06-2655 min
The Avants PodcastA Short Update While We Prepped for Classics On the Green!It's a shorter episode this week as we prepped for the Avants Classics on the Green event! This week we talk about the best way to visit parks, NASCAR goes to Le Mans, the new CARB emissions for small engines, and Dan's dog tries to eat Nick's face. Again.
2023-06-1233 min
Baylor Law Criminal Law Society PodcastEpisode 57- Tara AvantsCrimes Against Children Prosecutor and Internship Coordinator for the McLennan County District Attorney's Office, Tara Avants, joins host Garrett Farrel to discuss Ms. Avants time in Limestone County as an ADA, her time at Baylor Law and her impact on the Practice Court Program. Ms. Avants also shares her thoughts on prosecuting Crimes Against Children. Lastly, we discuss the internship program at the McLennan County District Attorney's Office. Truly a can't miss episode!!2023-06-0141 min
The Avants PodcastThe Special Tools Avants Members Say You Need!We did a poll on the Avants Facebook page on what special tools we might not have but should and several Avants members helped us out! Do you have any of these? We also touch on what we think are the best cars you should buy right now and save for a lifetime and some exciting upcoming events!
2023-05-291h 03
The Avants PodcastAvants and Andrew Norman are a Perfect PairingThis week we talk to Andrew Norman, Financial Advisor & Managing Director of Colibri Capital, and a great supporter of Avants and keeping the car community moving forward. From his days as a thug at Exotics at Redmond Town Center to racing Ferrari Challenge cars and now sponsoring Indy driver Benjamin Pedersen, Andrew is a guy who truly supports the sport and the community.
2023-05-2258 min
The Avants PodcastBack To Le Mans and Beyond with Dominic DobsonWe welcome Dominic Dobson back to the show to catch up and talk about his upcoming journey back to race Le Mans again, hopefully with less fire this time. Dominic joined us way back on episode 66, but he's back again and now as the owner of one of best Avants Partners, Dobson Stuttgart. Dominic shares exciting racing stories, upcoming plans with Dobson Stuttgart, and talks a little about electric motorcycles too!
Check out Dominic at Dobson Stuttgart! https://dobsonstuttgart.com/
2023-05-1557 min
The Avants PodcastMore Wagons Please!Here at Avants we have one major complaint with car manufacturers and what they choose to sell in the US…they never give us enough wagons! Give us all the wagons! Megan Zalud joins in the studio again as we discuss all the cars we wish we could import to the US, but those stubborn manufacturers just refuse to give them to us. Did we miss one? Do you agree? Let us know!
2023-04-101h 00
The Avants PodcastCutting to the Chase with Brionna LynchYou’ve seen her 280Z on the cover the recent Avants Magazine and seen her work in Black Panther and more, but now you can hear the incredible stories of profession stunt driver and drifter, Brionna Lynch. She gives us all the epic stunt driver stories, stories of last minute engine swaps, race prep, and so much more. Brionna is every bit as great of a story teller as she is a driver. Be sure to check out her article from the Avants magazine posted here and be sure to follow herInstagram to see all her latest updates!
2023-04-031h 08
The Avants PodcastFrom the Kart Track to the Virtual Track with Megan ZaludThe fact that we met Megan through Avants is kind of surprising since she’s been friends with basically everyone we know for years. Megan started life at the Kart track, but has worked with Bondurant, Yukon Gear and Axle, DirtFish, Forza, and more pursuing her automotive passions. We caught up with Megan at the DirtFish Women in Motorsports Summit which seemed like the perfect place for this recording.
2023-03-2059 min
The Avants PodcastFelix Holst: A Master of All His TradesWe first met Felix at the 2022 Avants Classics on the Green last summer and we’ve been excited to have him on the show ever since. Felix was instrumental in shaping our love of Hot Wheels and then went on to creating incredible art with people like Magnus Walker, all while still being a successful bass player. Felix is another one of those special guests with endless interesting stories from living a life well lived that you're sure to enjoy.
Read more about Felix in the Avants Magazine article here! https://www.avants.com/magazine/push-and-pull-with-artist-felix-holst
2023-01-301h 21
The Avants PodcastGoing Even Bigger in 2023!We welcome our long time friends STEK USA as an official sponsor of the Avants Podcast! 2022 was a great year for us and we had some amazing guests, but we think we can do even better in 2023 with their help! Avants has more events, more partners, and we’re growing into even more places. Adam and Krissy join us for this episode and we share our favorite memories of 2022 and share what you should be looking forward to most for 2023.
2023-01-091h 05
The Avants PodcastAcclaimed Artist and Driver Stefan JohanssonStefan is one of those people who just never stops amazing us. From racing Formula 1 and Endurance Driving and then going on to become the incredible artist he is today, he seems to have that golden touch. Stefan starts us off with his stories of racing at the most hardcore time in history to his decision to move to full time artist. Stefan will have a section in an upcoming edition of the Avants magazine for you to see his latest work, but also has a studio you can go visit down in California! We plan to take him...2022-12-2654 min
The Avants PodcastArtist Lyn Hiner is as Fun and Friendly as She is TalentedThanks to Avants Chief Editor Karl Knoakes, we had the pleasure of interviewing the exceptionally talented Lyn Hiner. Lyn is a truly incredibly artist; her paintings would be as at home in a luxury garage as they would be in an executive office or your living room. If you’re looking for the perfect addition to top off your collection, this is definitely your stop. Check our the gallery attached to this episode page and see more of Lyn’s work on her webpage or Instagram.
2022-12-1249 min
The Avants PodcastThe Incredible Collection of Larry VollumThis week we got a chance to talk with collector and racer Larry Vollum. Avants Charter members have had the chance to see this collection first hand, but the stories are as cool as his collection! Larry Vollum has been collecting rare and unusual cars for decades. Larry’s fascination with importing vintage rally cars and his past racing experiences has provided him the opportunity to acquire some unicorns. His stories of acquisition are almost as cool as the cars themselves. He’s also probably our only guest who knows how to take the wheels off a 959, because he has...2022-11-211h 00
The Avants PodcastRally With The RimmersThis special episode was recorded live in front of almost 100 of our Avants Charter Members at the incredible Rimmer family warehouse! We welcome Steve, James, and Josie Rimmer to the show as we get to know the family behind DirtFish Rally School and their stories. Alternative working titles for this episode are "Whatever Josie Says" and "Josie Rimmer and her Dad and brother."
2022-11-1453 min
The Avants PodcastThe Long Overdue Interview With Matt Bell of The ShopIn this interview that’s about 5 years overdue, we talk to Matt Bell, founder of The Shop Clubs. Matt talks about being able to “scratch all his creative itches” with The Shop Clubs, his expansion to Texas, motorcycle trips through Europe, and so much more! Matt is a true enthusiast who does a lot for the car community and a great partner for Avants that you should know. Be sure to check out The Shop at https://theshopclubs.com/.
2022-10-171h 06
The Avants PodcastMotomods! An Episode for Our Friends on 2 Wheels!We drive everything here at Avants, but a lot of us ride everything too! Dan’s been riding basically his whole life, and even worked in the industry for a while, and Nick’s done just about everything you can think of to his Monkey and CRF450RL, so on this episode we discuss some of our favorite and least favorite mods. We think you can use this episode to get some fun Christmas ideas too. We recommend a Grom or a Monkey since they fit comfortably by the tree.
2022-10-101h 06
The Avants PodcastIf You Love Events At DirtFish As Much As We Do, You’ve Got Brian Dallas To Thank!We work a lot with Marketing and Events Manager Brian Dallas at DirtFish. From Avants Off-Road, to WagonFest, to the DirtFish SummerFest, and MANY more, it seems like we're always at DirtFish and we wouldn't have it any other way. We get to know Brian a little better and talk about his love for Minis, cycling, and of course all things Rally. We even got a few surprise visits from some other friends at DirtFish while we were there!
2022-09-1958 min
The Avants PodcastBaT + Avants = LoveIn this very special episode of the Avants Podcast we team up with Bring a Trailer Co-founder and President Randy Nonnenberg to announce a very special partnership with Avants! Randy shares his favorite BaT memories, his cars, the Covid car buying boom, and more on this surprise episode!
2022-09-1445 min
The Avants PodcastBetim Berisha of BBI Autosport Comes Back to Talk About The FutureOn this special episode of the Avants Podcast we get to catch up with Betim Berisha, owner and creator of BBI Autosport. Three years ago, on episode 95, we got to talk to Betim about his start here in the Pacific Northwest where he grew up with John Kleven, owner of Metropolitan Detail, and working with our friends over at Park Place Motors. In this episode Betim discusses building incredible Pikes Peak winning cars, building cars from scratch for Hoonigan racing, pushing the technology and development envelope of performance parts, and what the future mandate to move to electric cars...2022-09-0558 min
The Avants PodcastAuto Conduct - A Fresh, Artistic Take on Car Shows and Car StorageThis week we talk with Ezekiel Wheeler, the head of Auto Conduct. Ezekiel gives a long overdue fresh approach to car shows and a car storage facility, with an appreciation for all things automotive that those of us at Avants can certainly align with. Auto Conduct takes a fresh, artistic take on car shows that differentiates them from the standard “cars and coffee” we’ve all grown a little bored with by incorporating art, food trucks, entertainment, and more.
2022-08-2948 min
The Avants PodcastIt’s Time to Start Planning Your Road Trip!Did you know the best time for a road trip in the US is the last 2 weeks of September? That means it's time to start planning your next adventure and we're here to help you do it. Dan and Nick talk about their favorite road trip adventures, share a few tips and tricks, and remind you that Drive Everything isn't just the Avants motto, it's a way of life!
2022-08-2254 min
The Avants PodcastFabryce Kutyba, US National Sales Manager for Alpinestars, is Well QualifiedThis week we got to speak with Fabryce Kutyba about the leading racewear brand in the motorsports industry, Alpinestars! More than just a guy who sells motorsports gear, Fabryce is and has always been a major gearhead with connections to Aplina, GMG, and much more. He's a racer to the core, has great taste in cars, and has some great stories from a lifetime in motorsports. On top of all that, he's an Avants member!
Dan actually wanted to work really for Alpinestars back in his 20s, and if you dig into the episode notes on the A...2022-08-0854 min
The Avants PodcastSteven Smith - From Dad Shoes, to Yeezys, to Porsches and Everything BetweenSteven Smith is an icon in the shoe world known for creating the New Balance 574, 997, and 1500, the Reebok Fury, and then of course working with Ye (formerly Kanye West) on the iconic Yeezy shoe line, where he still works today. Steven talks with all about his creative processes, his engineering background, and of course his air cooled Porsche 356 and his road racing Beetle. Enjoy this very special episode and be sure to check out the Avants article featuring him and Steve Pelletier! https://www.avants.com/news/sole-brothers-of-stumptown-steven-smith-steve-pelletier
2022-05-231h 12
The Avants PodcastAlex Haugland is Peak AvantsOur motto here at Avants is “Drive Everything” and Alex Haugland brings that to a new level. With 170 cars in The Haugland Collection (and growing), driving all of his cars is almost a full time job. Alex tells us all about his massive collection and of rare, fun, quirky, and historically significant cars, and really epitomizes everything we love to see in a car enthusiast. Enjoy this special episode with Master Collector, Alex Haugland, and check out his website while you’re at it to see some of them: https://www.hauglandcollection.com/
2022-05-091h 06
The Avants PodcastAn Evening With Randy PobstWe had an incredible time interviewing Randy Pobst in front of a live studio audience filled with Avants members. Randy shared all sorts of his favorite car stories with us and we know you'll enjoy hearing them too! A special shout out to our friends at Hagerty for partnering with us to make this event happen.
2022-05-021h 14
The Avants PodcastIt’s an All Avants Episode with Sheri Harbour de Vos from Avants Portland!We finally had the chance to meet our Avants co-worker from Oregon, Sher Harbour de Vos! What better way for everyone to to get to know Sheri better than on the official Avants show? She came out of the tiny island of Ketchikan, Alaska, played with some Ferraris, and now she's running wild down in Portland and representing Avants.
2022-04-1148 min
The Avants PodcastBoneFrog Coffee is A LOT More Than Great CoffeeIn this episode we talk with Tim Cruickshank of BoneFrog Coffee and BoneFrog Cellars about his companies mission to honor fallen veterans. More than that, BoneFrog just so happens to be a sponsor of our recent guest, Benjamin Pedersen! We actually didn’t even know that at the time we booked Tim or Benjamin to be on the show; what a small world. You can read more about BoneFrog, get some coffee, or some gear at https://BoneFrog-Coffee.com. We’re working with BoneFrog right now to get Avants Members some coffee to try, so sit tight and enjoy one...2022-04-0445 min
The Avants PodcastRecorded Live At The Avants Magazine Launch!We recorded this episode live at the Avants Magazine Launch at MotoFish in Redmond! This little bonus episode includes stories from Zachary Philip, one of the first Rivian R1T owners, Sean McDonough, the Exotics “Gatekeeper”, Alex Kochis, who’s Luftgekühlt Porsche 911 Safari is featured in this issue of the Avants Magazine, and Michele Graaff, who wrote the main Land Rover article for the most recent issue. If you missed this event, you missed out. We hope to see you at the next one!
2022-03-2333 min
The Avants PodcastOn The Road To Indy With Benjamin PedersenIf there is one common theme we have found among the many successful professional drivers we have interviewed, it’s that they work harder than anyone else we know to succeed. Benjamin Pedersen is no exception. Twice-a-day workouts, multiple hours in a simulator, engineering sessions, it’s all just part of a normal day for Benjamin. Now living in Indianapolis, Benjamin joins us online for this interview and tells us everything you ever wanted to know about the road to IndyCar Racing. If you’d like to know more about Benjamin beyond our interview, be sure to check out the ar...2022-03-2158 min
The Avants PodcastThe Alpha of Alfas: Fred RussellFor the first official Avants Podcast, we bring in the Alpha of Alfas, Fred Russell! Not only is he an expert in all things Alfa Romeo as the President of the Northwest Alfa Romeo Club, he also has one of the most interesting careers you will ever come across. As a full time collection manager, Fred gets experiences most of us can only dream about. No one just handed Fred the keys and said “have at it” though; listen to how he got here and what makes him uniquely qualified for this particular role.
2022-03-141h 18
The Avants PodcastThe End of the Drive for RCSAfter almost 4 1/2 years, the Rain City Supercars Podcast comes to a close with this final episode. We have taken an opportunity to join our friends in Avants and the show going forward will be the official Avants Podcast! We won't be changing the format of the show much and you'll be treated with more guests from near and far. You won't need to subscribe anywhere else and over the next week you'll see our logo and title changes pop up. You will still have access to all the old episodes, just now under the Avants umbrella. We were some...2022-03-0945 min
The Avants PodcastAnnouncing The Avants Podcast!In news that will probably shock almost no one, The Rain City Supercars Podcast is now officially The Avants Podcast. We have been working with Adam and Avants for almost 4 1/2 years now and we could not be happier to officially announce this change. We will be creating shows in the same way we always have, but now with more guests from all over the world and an even bigger show. The full catalog of our show will still be available and you won't have to update any of your subscriptions, so just kick back, relax, and enjoy the drive!2022-03-0818 min
The Avants PodcastChad Haugen of Leather Tech is a True Master of Interior RepairIf we're being totally honest, we never really know what we’re going to get when we book a guest. Chad Haugen, owner of Leather Tech in Bellevue, came highly recommended and he absolutely lived up to the hype! We went to Chad to see his shop and some of his work first hand and left booking him to do some work for us! Not only is he an expert craftsman, but he turned out to be an all around interesting person and a great interview for anyone to enjoy, well beyond just be an expert on interior repair. Fr...2022-02-111h 06
The Avants PodcastA Couple of Tools Talking About ToolsWhen the members in Avants asked what basic tools everyone should have, we answered in a big way with this extended length show and a huge write-up on our Tips and Links page. We believe these are the most essential tools you should own, and also a few you may not have thought of that come in really handy. We also talk about different price points and why some tools are absolutely worth the money and some just are not.
Check out the giant write-up here where we talk about everything form pick sets to fluid pumps...2022-01-281h 39
The Avants PodcastThe Avants School For People Who STILL Don‘t Off-Road GoodDid you know it’s ok to change your beliefs and opinions when you get new, more credible information? Well, we do, so we thought we’d update Episode 159 and the contents of our Off-Road List, which is housed under our Tips and Links section of our website. In this longer, extensive episode we talk about updates to that list, new tips for getting out on the trail, and you NEED to check out the video from Dan’s webcam on our YouTube page and embedded here. You’re not going to believe what we found trying to drive WABDR Se...2021-10-221h 23
The Avants PodcastIt’s Krissy From.. Uh.. Avants!It’s so weird to say “Krissy from Avants” when we’ve known Krissy as our girl at LeMay for so long. We are so excited to see where she takes Avants and how Avants is going to grow from Adam bringing her onboard. Krissy adds a wealth of knowledge and experience in the car world and we catch up with her and what she’s got planned.
2021-08-2058 min
The Avants PodcastThe Boys Are Back In TownDan’s back and in a new place! Krissy is now with Avants! Covid rules have been lifted! FREEDOM! Yes, it’s also the 4th of July episode and we discuss which cars the MOST American you can buy. Some are surprising, some are not, but we had a great time making this episode.
2021-07-0249 min
The Avants PodcastLiving That Crankshaft CultureOn this weeks episode we talk to Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal of CrankshaftCulture.com. They also are automotive journalists, work for our friends at Warn Winches, and are active Avants members! These two REALLY walk the walk as well as talk the talk. We cover everything from the Alcan to not defining Overlanding and everything between. There’s a lot here, so kick back, relax, and enjoy the drive these two take us on.
Check out more from Andy and Mercedes at Crankshaftcutlure.com and on Instagram!
2021-06-251h 12
The Avants PodcastSound Advice from Sound Wheel WorksOn this episode we talk with Corey Youngren, owner of Sound Wheel Works. Corey has been in the wheel repair business for over 30 years and knows more about wheel repair than anyone we know. Almost all the local shops use his services and we have been customers ourselves since they opened, long before their Avants partnership. If you want to fix your wheels, change the color, or restore an older set, these are the ones to go to! Find out more about them at SoundWheelWorks.com
Also, sorry Branden Ben Powell, you probably drank yourself to death...2021-05-2152 min
The Avants PodcastThis Episode Was Crafted In The NorthwestWe welcome Scottie and Jordan Stratton of Northwest Crafted Interiors to tell us all about the dark art of doing interiors! We can tell you without a doubt that quality upholstery is one of the hardest jobs in the automotive industry that we have come across. The guys at Northwest Crafted are absolute masters and can do anything you can dream of to the interior of your car. Like a quality mattress, getting a proper seat is one of the best investments you can make in your car and these are definitely the guys to do it. Even better...2021-04-3057 min
The Avants PodcastRachel Neuharth And The Bronco 2 ProjectIn this episode we talk about finding the perfect mount for recording from your vehicle with a phone (which is way harder than you think) and we talk to the latest Avants member to go full send at Avants Off-road event, Rachel Neuharth. After a late night birthday Craigslist browsing, Rachel decided she needed a project car and picked up a Bronco 2, then she took the next most important step, she showed up at an Avants event and went full send. We brought Rachel on the show because she’s a good case for what all of us know...2021-04-2352 min
The Avants PodcastFrom South Africa to Seattle with Naomi WatnickWe get to know driver, enthusiast, and instructor Naomi Watnick! Naomi teaches driving skills for the Porsche Club, BMW Club, and many others, including Avants track days. Get to know Naomi’s story and how she came from driving tanks to racing Miatas.
If you want to learn more about the very cool Merkur XR4Ti - https://www.motortrend.com/news/1985-1989-merkur-xr4ti-buyers-guide/
2021-04-0947 min
The Avants PodcastCelebrating the Women That Shaped the Auto IndustryIn this episode we take a dive into the history of women who help create the automotive industry, all the way back to Bertha Benz, the first test driver. In our Carter Subaru Tip of the Week we cover all the resources you can use to find car shows! As promised, here is that list!
Avants
Lemay - Americas Car Museum
Hemmings
Griots Garage - Don’t forget to use code RCS10 for 10% off!
Exotics at Redmond Town Center
And of course we will announce them here!
2021-03-1240 min
The Avants PodcastMonkeys, Movie Cars, Vectors, And Off-Road EventsIn this Dan and Nick episode we talk about riding Monkeys, movie cars we can’t think of, Mr. Feeny, Vectors, and the return of the extremely popular Avants Off-Road Events that we will be at, handing out prizes!
2021-01-2258 min
The Avants PodcastThe RCS School for People Who Don’t Off-Road GoodWe get asked all the time, so we made it a highly controversial episode so you can yell at us while listening in your car! Here is all the off-road gear we are carrying all the time and links for most of where you can get it. A lot of this was purchased pre-Avants, on a budget, or in a hurry, and those are marked with an * as we do believe there are in fact better options out there, but this is exactly what we have. You can basically one-stop-shop all of this at our friends at MULE Adventure...2020-11-271h 04
The Avants PodcastA Snowy Stampede and Another LockdownCovid may have locked us all down again, but there’s no restrictions off-road! We went up to Stampede Pass last weekend for some snow-wheeling and of course came back with more stories. This episode is all about driving in the thick stuff and settling that AT vs MT tire debate! Also, check out this awesome product for airing up and airing down! We consider this a must have for off-roading and they’re made by a guy down in Oregon. We don’t get anything from this, but we are happy to promote it because it just works so wel...2020-11-2044 minThe Avants PodcastCAGS is a Crock, Rally Time, and the Avants Magazine Launch!In this short episode we talk about CAGS, the RCS Rally, and the new Avants Magazine! This is a shorter episode, but stay tuned, we are heading out on our 2020 Rally and the stories will be coming!
2020-09-1129 min
The Avants PodcastA Good(ing) Time with Hans WurlWe have a conversation with Gooding and Company Automotive Specialist (actual title) Hans Wurl! Hans gives us the details on what you can expect by taking your car to auction with Gooding and Company and gives us a few tips as well. Hans is much more than just a great guy to talk to about Gooding auctions, he’s also an accomplished technician with a wealth of knowledge. You can find Hans on Avants or you can reach out to him at Gooding and Company!
2020-07-311h 07The Avants PodcastDriving Discussions With Doug Of Drivers ClubIn this fun episode we talk about snorkels, diff breathers, 3rd row seating, bad coil overs, and how in the world did BMW get a factory roll cage in a car?! If you know the answer to that one, let us know!
Great news Avants members, you now get a great discount at Park Place Motors and Park Place Auto Salon!
2020-06-261h 02
The Avants PodcastAlternative Transportation Methods with Cameron BalazicWe here on RCS love all things with transportation related including the electric kind. We invited Officer Cameron Balazic to talk to us about how the police are handling them and how do be a good rider. He’s also an awesome car enthusiast with a gorgeous Golf R and a fellow Avants member.
Correction: Dan mentioned 50 MPH as the top speed of the Zero 10 scooter - it is actually 50 KMH, or 31 MPH. He was correct on the top speed of the electric skateboards he mentioned.
2020-03-1354 min
The Avants PodcastYour Car Guy, Brian ElichIf you’re an Avants member, Camaro aficionado, or just a regular in the PNW car community you probably known Brian. He’s the friend we refer people to when they want a high performance Chevy. He’s also the guy you call when you want to go snow wheeling, have a great bonfire, or just good company. Brian does things a little a different in the car sales world - he makes a lot of real friends. Brian gives us some car buying tips and tells how he came from Motor City to the greater Seattle area.
2020-02-211h 13
Neekology101Episode 70 A FORCE of UnderdogsIt's hard to believe we have done our seventh fan-fiction! After the events of the Last Jedi, Princess Leia, Rey, and Rose talk about the future and what kind of hope underdogs possess. This was our first female cast so thank you, Megan Thurm for playing Leia, Autumn Avants as Rey, and Nicki Porter as Rose. Thanks Hayden Thurm for being one of our script writers as well as working with Faith Mc Neil on our sound effects. Maybe the FORCE be with you, always.
2020-02-1411 min
The Avants PodcastEpic Podcast with Bruce McCallumKnown for building one of the most innovative photography studios on the west coast, Bruce McCallum from Epic-Exposure joins us this week to share his journey. Seeing where he is now, you would never guess the life that this gentleman has led. From fishing in Alaska to racing motorcycles, and from Microsoft to content creation. Check out his work at www.epic-exposure.com or on his Instagram page @epic_exposure. If you like what you see, be sure to comment on this week's post on Facebook or Instagram because, in partnership with Avants and Epic Exposure, we are giving...2019-11-0147 min
The Avants PodcastWE HIT 100!We let the nostalgia role as we hit a big milestone, Episode 100! Nick also turns 40 today, so make sure you reach out and wish him happy birthday! We have a lot of people to thank for being here, but most of all our listeners as we are always grateful you allow us to do this. In a world of podcasts coming and going by the thousands every month, we are beyond grateful to have sponsors we actually believe in; a true luxury in the entertainment world. This show is, and will always be, a labor of love, but without...2019-10-1150 min
The Avants PodcastA Totally Rad Rain City Supercars EpisodeArt Cervantes joins us to discuss all things Radwood! Radwood is coming to the PNW this year and being hosted at LeMay - Americas Car Museum in partnership with our sponsors Avants and Hagerty so you know it’s going to be good! Art shares with us his story, the history of Radwood, and his deep love for all cars 80s and 90s. Tune in for some serious nostalgia!
Get your tickets at Radwood.co and remember, Avants members get a discount! We’ll see you all there on July 20th!
2019-06-211h 08
The Avants PodcastRoad Tripping All Summer LongWhile Summer in the PNW is beautiful, it also means packed roads and construction. DansDrives.com does have some great short drives, this is the perfect time to go on a drive for a weekend or even a few weeks. We recap some of our favorite getaways in this episode and Dan has laid out the routes in detail below. We hope we inspire you to get away and enjoy the drive!
Whistler, BC
That crazy long gravel road that goes up past Harrison Lake that Dan was talking about
To Neah Bay...2019-06-1453 min
The Avants PodcastSNOWPOCALYPSE!SNOWPOCALYPSE STRIKES SEATTLE! Actually, that’s not too far off. The city
shutdown for most of us for about a week. We brought back Branden Ben
Powell with Avants Off Road and King County Search and Rescue to give us
some stories and talk about the work S&R has been doing, which isn’t
necessarily what you might think.2019-02-1552 min
The Avants PodcastDAS MULE!We’ve got Joe and Dana, the founders of one of our favorite shops, MULE
Expedition Outfitters. Mule is who we turn everyone to if they need advice
on how to do a build right. We are huge offroad fans and Mule is a game
changer for the PNW offering more than just fancy parts for sale. We first
found out about Mule when they were offering free tech sessions on
everything to do with offroad. We love a company that earns their customers
and Mule is the standard for customer service in the off road/overlanding
world. To top it...2018-11-091h 13
The Avants PodcastThe Advancement of Avants with Adam CramerWe welcome our friend Adam Cramer with Avants back to talk about the
massive growth of Avants since way back in Episode 12 and to talk about all
the amazing upcoming stuff including his partnership with Blipshift on a
PNW tee shirt design, some winter offroading you can do, some rainy weather
driving, and more! We talk about Avants often on our show with good reason.
If you’re an enthusiast it makes almost no sense why you wouldn’t be a
member!2018-09-2852 min
Neekology101Episode #30 Fan Fiction: Can We have Order? (The Justice League's First Meeting)Here is our third fan-fiction piece dedicated to the Justice League. This was our biggest cast yet as we saw Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, Aquaman, and even Green Lantern sitting down to get the Justice League in business.
With the voice talents of:
Jarod Moore as Superman
John Pepe as Batman
Jessica Salazar as Wonder Woman
Aaron DeHaan as Flash
Ralph Sarmiento as Cyborg
Gary Avants as Aquaman
Ron Avants as Green Lantern
2018-07-1210 min
The Avants PodcastAn Englishman on the Avants Podcast - Karl NoakesWe were lucky enough to have one of very favorite photographers on the show
this week - An Englishman in Seattle known as Karl Noakes. We see Karl
pretty much everywhere and chances are you do too and might not know it.
Karl photographs car events because he loves the community cars brings
which really sets his photos apart. See our gallery for some his amazing
photos and listen to his story on episode 30! 2018-06-011h 09
The Avants PodcastHow To Mod Your Car The Right WayNick and Dan talk about modding your car the right way in the right order
and why! Special shout out to our friends at Avants, APC in Woodinville,
Metropolitan Detail, MULE Outfitters, and HID Kit Pros who we've talked to
on several occasions for professional advice. 2018-02-2352 min
The Avants PodcastAdam Cramer with AvantsIn this episode we get to know Adam Cramer with Avants, a rapidly growing car club you need to know about!
2018-01-1646 min