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The Mechanicians - Racing StoriesBob Perry, Makin' Somethin' Out Of Nuthin' For So longMechanicians_Bob Perry
00:00:00 Speaker: Hello and welcome to the Mechanicians Racing Stories, where we meet the men and women that do the work in motorsports. I'm your host, Rob Klyver The stories that follow are personal interviews with the people that you've probably never heard of mechanics, engineers, office people, really any of the folks that make racing happen. Occasionally we will visit with drivers too, many of whom started in support roles. Hello listeners, and thanks for tuning in again. I apologize, it's been several months since I've done a post and I regret that. Um...
2026-07-1506 min2026-04-0300 minThe Mechanicians - Racing Storieslive_SRO_at_Sears_Point_today_visiting_with_Cosmo_and_Tyler__20260328_110542Testing sound at the SRO event at Sears Point last week
2026-04-0300 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesMoving Mountains & Formula Cars: The Final Days of the US Jim Russell School with Bob ButteThe logistics of racing aren't always glamorous—sometimes they involve dinosaur ramps, sea containers, and a balancing act across time zones.
In this third and final installment with Bob Butte, host Rob Klyver dives into the high-stakes, low-budget reality of managing the world’s most famous racing schools. Bob recounts the "stupidity" and "youthful enthusiasm" of running four locations across the continent with only five people, including a fascinating look at the short-lived Skip Barber Hawaii and the technical "dumb luck" behind balancing a fleet of Mitsubishi school cars.
In this episode, you’ll hear about...
2026-02-191h 25The Mechanicians - Racing StoriesBob Butte: Dinosaurs, All-Nighters, and the Birth of Formula Mazda"In part two of our conversation with legendary mechanic Bob Butte, we dive into the high-stakes logistics of the Jim Russell Racing School in the early '80s. Bob shares the harrowing reality of loading cars onto 'dinosaur' ramps, the frantic debut of the Formula Russell at the 1984 Long Beach Grand Prix, and the sleepless 72-hour grinds required to keep the wheels turning. From the birth of Formula Mazda to the inner workings of Mont-Tremblant, this episode is a raw look at the grit behind the glamour of motorsports.
People: Bob Butte, Jim Russell, Jacques V...
2026-02-0622 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesBob Butte, Jim Russell, and the Birth of a Racing School (Part 1)Part 1 of this three-part series, The Mechanicians – Racing Stories features Bob Butte, the first mechanic student of the legendary Jim Russell Racing School.
Bob shares how a passion for racing led him from Midwest SCCA events to Mont-Tremblant, working alongside Jacques Couture during the school’s earliest days. From Formula Ford racing to wrenching for seat time, this episode explores the origins of professional racing schools and the mechanics who built them from the ground up.
A rare, first-hand look at the people behind the scenes—before racing schools became institutions.
motorsp...
2026-02-0532 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesBob Butte: The First Jim Russell Mechanic Student (Part 1)In Part 1 of this three-part conversation, The Mechanicians – Racing Stories sits down with Bob Butte, the very first mechanic student of the legendary Jim Russell Racing School.
Bob shares how a love of racing—sparked by the film Grand Prix—led him from SCCA autocrossing in the Midwest to Mont-Tremblant, where he became part of the core group that helped build the Jim Russell program from the ground up. Along the way, he recounts early Formula Ford racing, working for drive time instead of a paycheck, and life alongside Jacques Couture during the school’s formative years.
Th...
2026-01-2932 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesTy Cota-Robles, Part 5: Jim Russell Tuition Secrets, Race Car Costs, and The Value of Hands-On Learningy Cota-Robles concludes his five-part conversation by revealing the true financial value of the Jim Russell Mechanics Training Program. He breaks down how the cost of tuition effectively covered the expenses for the racing portion of the school, including multiple races and practice days that otherwise would have cost students thousands of dollars. Ty discusses the high expense of specialized racing tools and why top professional teams use custom solutions over popular brands. Finally, he underscores the irreplaceable value of the school's hands-on experience, where students could repair cars they wrecked and gain a deep, practical understanding of their...
2026-01-1814 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesTy Cota-Robles, Part 4: Racing Secrets, The Pitfalls of NDAs, and The Jim Russell Labor LawsuitTy Cota-Robles continues this five - part series by discussing the strict confidentiality that governs the motorsports industry, explaining why so many details and stories must be omitted due to Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)—a rule every serious professional lives by. He provides unique insight into a high-stakes moment at the Jim Russell School when students brought a labor lawsuit against the school, claiming they were overworked. Ty offers an insider's perspective on the trial and the irony of students complaining about the demanding work ethic that is essential to success in professional racing.
Music track: Synergy by Ayl...
2026-01-1121 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesBob Earl on Bob Bondurant (Part 2): Racing School Legends, Pranks, and Life Inside MotorsportsIn Part 2 of our conversation, Bob Earl shares unforgettable stories from inside the legendary Bob Bondurant Racing School — from pranks and rivalries to hard lessons about teaching, racing, and survival in motorsports.
Host Rob Klyver and Bob Earl dive deep into Bondurant’s personality, his business instincts, and the real culture behind one of the most influential racing schools in history. Earl recounts moments of humor, tension, and respect, including stories of rival schools, famous drivers, helicopters, firings (and re-hirings), and the realities of making a living in racing.
This episode pulls back the curtain on w...
2026-01-0635 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesTy Cota-Robles, Part 3: Building 800 HP Nissan Skylines, The Power of Classmates, and TRD's Clean Room CultureTy Cota-Robles continues his conversation with a look at some of the most unique side-projects of his career, including his time converting 800 horsepower Nissan Skylines from right-hand to left-hand drive. Ty emphasizes the lasting value of the Jim Russell Mechanics Training Program's network, sharing a story about how a classmate's call led him to assist a low-budget team at SEMA. Finally, he contrasts his early, gritty experience with the extreme precision and immaculate cleanliness of his work environment at Toyota Racing Development (TRD), describing it as a "laboratory in a machine shop" where one only gets dirty from assembly...
2026-01-0421 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesBob Earl on Bob Bondurant: Racing, Teaching, and Legacy (Part 1)In this episode of The Mechanicians Racing Stories, host Rob Klyver speaks with Bob Earl, longtime instructor and former lead instructor at the legendary Bob Bondurant Racing School.
Recorded shortly after Bob Bondurant’s passing, Bob Earl shares firsthand stories about working alongside one of motorsports’ most influential figures. From building the school in its early days to teaching advanced racecraft like trail braking and in-car instruction, this conversation offers a rare look inside the culture, business, and philosophy that made Bondurant’s program iconic.
Listeners will hear how Bondurant developed instructors, negotiated sponsorships that kept t...
2025-12-3034 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesTy Cota-Robles, Part 2: The Jim Russell Wrecking Spree, The Subassembly Job, and Life at TRDTy Cota-Robles continues his story, recounting a moment of near-disaster at the Jim Russell School when students totaled almost the entire fleet of race cars. This event unexpectedly led to a lucrative job offer for Ty: a temporary position as the school's subassembly technician to help rebuild the fleet. He shares the details of this critical role and how it expanded his experience beyond the usual mechanic duties. Ty then discusses his successful career transition to Toyota Racing Development (TRD), describing his daily responsibilities and giving listeners an inside look at the high-pressure, high-precision environment of one of motorsports...
2025-12-2826 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesTy Cota-Robles: From Jim Russell Student to the Pinnacle of TRD (Toyota Racing Development)This episode features Ty Cota-Robles, a former student and co-worker of the host from the Jim Russell Racing Driver School. Ty shares his inspiring journey from the hands-on Mechanics Training Program to securing a high-level position at the pinnacle of professional motorsports: Toyota Racing Development (TRD). Ty recounts his early days, including the unconventional ways he had to get race cars to the track, like driving a Spec Miata to Laguna Seca while sitting on the floor after removing the driver's seat. He explains how the foundational skills and connections he gained at the Russell School directly led to...
2025-12-2121 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesBrent Cusick, Part 2: Working with Danica Patrick, The HPD IndyCar Culture, and Race Team Travel LogisticsBrent Cusick concludes his interview by diving into the inner workings of an IndyCar team. He shares his experiences working with high-profile drivers like Danica Patrick early in her career and offers insight into the unique culture within Honda Performance Development (HPD) during their most successful years. Brent breaks down the complex logistics of an IndyCar season, detailing the incredible effort and organization required to get an entire race team's equipment and cars across the country and around the world on schedule. Finally, he looks ahead to his recent promotion and how his three decades of experience have prepared...
2025-12-1438 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesBrent Cusick (Aerodyne Composites): HPD's Two Indy 500 Wins and the Business of IndyCar Chassis RepairIn this follow-up interview, Brent Cusick of Aerodyne Advanced Composites (one of the only certified repair stations for the IndyCar series) details his critical role in carbon fiber chassis repair and quality control. Brent reflects on his tenure at Honda Performance Development (HPD), where he was a key part of two Indy 500 victories, including the historic 100th Running with Alexander Rossi and Takuma Sato’s first win. He explains the profound "get it done" work ethic required in racing, where crew members are expected to take on more work without complaint. Finally, Brent shares a raw account of the sp...
2025-12-0727 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesThe Business of Racing Schools: Analyzing the Failure of Emotive and the High Cost of Driver TrainingFormula Atlantic Champion Chris Smith continues his deep dive into the business side of motorsports. This episode examines the factors that led to the bankruptcy and closure of the renowned Jim Russell Racing Driver School, including the challenges faced by its original owners and the miscalculations made by subsequent venture capitalists who acquired the operation. Smith offers perspective on why the school's founders, Jacques Couture and Jim Russell, never reached the same public notoriety as contemporaries like Skip Barber and Bob Bondurant. He also provides an updated look at the financial reality of driver training, noting that top-tier three-day...
2025-11-3044 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesChris Smith: The Untold Ford v Ferrari Feud, Carroll Smith's Racing Legacy, and a Champion's 30-Year CareerMeet Chris Smith, the son of legendary motorsports engineer and author Carroll Smith, as he discusses his family's incredible "ripples in the pond" legacy in racing. Chris reveals the shocking, untold story of why his famous father was completely snubbed by the blockbuster.
Music track: Synergy by Aylex Source: https://freetouse.com/music Free Vlog Music Without Copyright Creative Commons__Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0 Music promoted by Vlog Music
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2025-11-2331 minThe Mechanicians - Racing Stories“Future Factory Driver? Meet Porsche Prodigy Danny DyszelskiSeventeen-year-old Porsche GT4 racer Danny Dyszelski has already lived more racing life than most drivers twice his age. From karting at just five years old to flipping open-wheelers at Mid-Ohio, surviving brutal hits, chasing podiums, and making the leap into GT racing, Danny’s path is a blend of raw talent, resilience, and a mindset far beyond his years.
In this episode of The Mechanicians – Racing Stories, Danny joins Rob Klyver for a deep, honest conversation about what it really takes to grow up in motorsport. They dig into everything:
• jumping from karts to open-wheel to GT4
2025-11-2052 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesJacques Couture, Part 2: Battling the SCCA, Losing Laguna Seca, and Winning Back His SchoolMotorsports legend Jacques Couture returns to discuss the dramatic expansion and near-collapse of his racing school empire. He shares the untold story of the legal battle over the Mechanics Training Program (MTP) and the initial meeting with famous engineer Carol Smith, who helped design the school's first race cars. Couture recounts the major conflict with the SCCA over a Long Beach support race, leading to a mass flagger walk-off by his school graduates. He details the strategic move from Riverside to Laguna Seca, the loss of the track to Skip Barber's bid , and the eventual relocation to Sears Point...
2025-11-161h 05The Mechanicians - Racing StoriesJacques Couture: Founding the Jim Russell School, Mechanics Training, and Dinner with Enzo Ferrari
Motorsports pioneer Jacques Couture shares his origin story: from racing his Morgan to driving a Formula 1 car and having dinner with Enzo Ferrari in Italy. He recounts bringing the Jim Russell Racing Driver School to North America and creating the essential Mechanics Training Program that launched the careers of drivers and crew alike, including legends like Gilles Villeneuve and Danny Sullivan.
Music track: Synergy by Aylex Source: https://freetouse.com/music Free Vlog Music Without Copyright Creative Commons__Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0 Music promoted by Vlog Music
ra...
2025-11-0927 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesNo Whining, Just Work: Racing Life, Career Moves, and the IndyCar GrindThe Mechanicians Racing Stories continues Season Two with a promised follow-up from Brent Cusick of Aerodyne Advanced Composites.
This is a deep dive into the true life of a motorsports professional, exploring the demanding transition from working at Honda Performance Development (HPD) to a leading role in the composites and IndyCar repair world. Brent shares what it was really like to be part of two Indy 500 wins—including the monumental 100th running with Alexander Rossi and a victory with Takuma Sato—and the bittersweet memories of working alongside IndyCar legend Justin Wilson.
Discover the unspoken, "get...
2025-11-0113 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesBrent Cusick, Part 2: From NASCAR Dreams to a Life-Changing Decision
Brent Cusick, Part 2: From NASCAR Dreams to a Life-Changing Decision
Brent Cusick, Part 2: Selling Everything and the Call from NASCAR Country
This is the second installment of a three-part interview with Brent Cusick, a series dedicated to the
mechanicians—the men and women behind the scenes in motorsports. This episode picks up with Brent's transition from racing his own Spec Truck at Irwindale Speedway to working for a large local race team as a fabricator and mechanic.
Driven by the ambition to become a professional race car mechanic, Brent and his new wife mad...
2025-10-2627 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesBrent Cusick, Part 1: From Family Garages to the Pinnacle of Motorsport
This is the first of a three-part interview with Brent Cusick, a Quality Engineer at Aerodyne Composites and former Honda Performance Development (HPD) colleague of the host. This installment of "The Mechanicians Racing Stories" focuses on the people behind the scenes, away from the drivers. Brent, who previously worked trackside as the parts specialist for Honda's IndyCar program, shares his deep family roots in racing, tracing his involvement from childhood.
He recounts his early journey through RC cars and BMX racing, the latter ending with a serious face injury. His passion for mechanics was cemented through his...
2025-10-1931 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesDefining a MechanicianWhat exactly is a Mechanician? It’s more than a mechanic, more than a driver—it’s the heartbeat of racing. In this special episode, we define what it means to be a Mechanician: the innovators, the tinkerers, the late-night problem solvers who keep the wheels of motorsport turning.
This Saturday Night Special captures the spirit of racing at its most authentic—when the garage lights burn late, the cars are patched together with grit and genius, and stories are swapped like parts. From legends of the big leagues to grassroots warriors, we shine a light on the peop...
2025-10-1806 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesDNL Components on Precision and PerformanceBehind the scenes of some of the fastest and most advanced machines on the planet, you’ll find DNL Components. In aerospace, their hardware helps ensure reliability under extreme conditions. In motorsports, their fasteners and precision parts withstand the relentless demands of competition—where fractions of a second, or fractions of a millimeter, make the difference between winning and losing.
DNL thrives in these high-stakes environments because they understand what’s required: absolute precision, total reliability, and the ability to deliver when it matters most. It’s why teams across both industries trust DNL to keep their programs secure...
2025-10-1423 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesEngineering Trust: How DNL Components Powers Speed and FlightFor DNL Components, success comes down to more than delivering hardware—it’s about partnerships. Donnie, Larry, and the team believe the best work starts with listening. They take the time to understand a project’s unique challenges, whether it’s a new aerospace application or a last-minute motorsports need, and then they engineer or source the exact solution required.
That philosophy—combining technical expertise with a personal, responsive approach—has earned them a reputation as problem-solvers who can be counted on when the stakes are highest. At DNL, customers aren’t just buying components, they’re gaining a partner in per...
2025-10-0732 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesSaturday Night SpecialThe Mechanicians – Racing Stories: Best Of Series
Sometimes the road forward means revisiting the roads that shaped us. During our move from Spotify to Podbean, a few of our favorite episodes went missing. Rather than let those stories fade, we’re bringing them back in a special Best Of collection.
The Mechanicians – Racing Stories isn’t just a podcast; it’s a living archive of motorsport history told by the people who lived it—drivers, builders, mechanics, and innovators who carried racing on their backs and in their hearts. These are the unfiltered stories from the garages...
2025-10-0502 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesInside DNL Components: Precision Fasteners for Aerospace and MotorsportsTucked away in Tustin, California, DNL Components has built its reputation on the kind of work most people never see—but every aerospace engineer and motorsports crew chief depends on. They’re specialists in high-performance fasteners and precision hardware, serving industries where nothing less than flawless execution will do.
What sets DNL apart isn’t just the quality of their components, it’s the philosophy behind the company. Donnie, Larry, and their team bring decades of combined experience to the table, blending old-school craftsmanship with modern engineering standards. Their focus has always been on providing solutions, not just par...
2025-09-2432 minThe Mechanicians - Racing StoriesBack on Track: The Mechanicians Racing Stories RelaunchThe Mechanicians – Racing Stories is back! Join host Rob Klyver as he relaunches the podcast with fresh racing stories from the paddock, untold motorsports history, and behind-the-scenes conversations with drivers, mechanics, and engineers and others who keep the world of racing moving.
Keywords: racing stories, motorsports podcast, racing history, behind the scenes motorsports, racing legends
2025-09-2401 min