Path to the Podium: Recent Episodes
Path to the Podium
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a professional in the motorsport industry? To find out what it takes to get to the top, Max Mason interviews motorsport greats from around the world.
Explore the inspiring journey of Kshitij "Bruce" Venketeshwar in the world of sim racing. Discover how his passion, challenges, and technological prowess have shaped his career, making him a beacon of success in the dynamic realm of sim racing.
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To learn more about motorsport head to https://www.tracktimenews.com/
This week on "Path to the Podium," host Max Mason is joined by Chris Tate, an aspiring NASCAR driver with a unique and inspiring backstory. Currently serving in the military, Chris shares how he balances his demanding service commitments with his passion for racing. He talks about his early fascination with cars, his first experiences on local tracks, and his dream of making it big in NASCAR. Chris's story is not just about speed and racing; it's about discipline, dedication, and the determination to pursue a dream against all odds. His journey, filled with personal and professional challenges, offers a compelling insight into the life of someone who's not just aiming for success in racing, but also serving his country with pride. Tune in to hear how Chris Tate is revving up to make his mark in the world of NASCAR while honoring his military commitments.
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To learn more about motorsport head to https://www.tracktimenews.com/
Advait has been obsessed with Motorsport from a very young age. However, he only started competing at the age of 22, after he graduated as an Automobile Designer from Turin - Italy.
He competed in India from 2012 - 2014 with success.
In 2015, Advait got a one-way ticket to London, to take his Motor-racing career forward.
In 2018 he joined the European NASCAR Championship and has been competing in the series ever since.
Advait's goal is to be the first-ever Indian NASCAR Champion in Europe and the United States!
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This week I speak to André Wiegold!
André's fascination with motor racing grew in his early childhood, as he regularly visited the oval race tracks in the Netherlands in the 1990s. After the race days in the neighboring country, he watched the NASCAR and IndyCar broadcasts in the evening on TV. In 2014, while studying economics, the Bochum native began writing about the happenings on race tracks as a hobby editor. Since 2016, André has been working as a freelance editor for Motorsport Network. Since 2017, he has also been commentating on live races and highlights for broadcaster Motorvision TV – including NASCAR, IMSA, GT sports, and rallies. Even today, the heart of the freelance editor from the Ruhrgebiet beats for stock car and oval racing, but he is also fond of other racing series on four wheels.
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This week on Path to the Podium it's Part 2 of the insightful interview with Dennis Hirtz and Ryan Vargas. We talk oval tracks, EuroNascar, and the most dangerous tracks we know.
Listen in to hear about Dennis and Ryan's unique path in Motorsport.
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This week on Path to the Podium, Max Mason speaks with Dennis Hirtz and Ryan Vargas. They talk oval driving, road tracks and so much more. This is part 1 of a 2 part podcast.
3F Racing was founded in 2022 by three friends becoming the first German owned NASCAR Cup Series team in sports history. In the future the team plans to run selected races in NASCAR‘s top level and building a Late Model development program to bring young talents to the sport. 3F Racing, a Chevrolet team, is based in North Carolina.
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Thomas Krasonis is a 22 year old highly competitive Greek racing driver who has already more than sixteen (16) years of experience in Kart and Saloon Car Racing, competing both at national & international level.
Following his dream he started racing for the first time at the age of five (5) showing great resourcefulness & familiarity with the motorsport kart world despite his young age.
In 2016 he made a successful transition from Kart Racing to Saloon Car Racing, participating in the JSCC (Junior Saloon Car Championship) competing against drivers of the same age in United Kingdom’s most famous circuits.
After two (2) adrenaline full years (2016 & 2017) racing in England, Thomas made an impact participating in the 2018 Mini John Cooper Works Italian Cup also known as MINI CHALLENGE 2018 Italy, finishing in 4th overall position through very intense fights and numerous podium positions. In 2019 he participated at the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Championship, leaving his mark again.
In 2019 he participated in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Championship, leaving his mark again with race results and strong ethos.
In 2020 Thomas competed in selective races at DMV BMW 318ti Cup and Peter Auto historic classic car events.
2021 found Krasonis racing at the NASCAR Euro Series Championship Elite 2 category, with the Alex Caffi Motorsport/Academy Motorsport, as a teammate of Jacques Villeneuve, F1 champion and all-around motorsport legend. He made it to P13 of the final standings, improving race by race, with a couple of P10 finishes during the championship
In 2022, it’s time to make it to the premier category, the EuroNASCAR Pro, with the team promoting him to the big stage with an all-new race car and lots of preparation to take on the challenge full speed!
For the 2023 racing season, Thomas plans on embarking on a new adventure, racing selectively in the US and the ARCA series, a part of the NASCAR USA championship, in oval circuits, in order to gain experience.
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Join Max as he delves into the heart-pounding experiences that have shaped Nick's career. Hear about the challenges he faced as he navigated the competitive landscape, the sacrifices he made to chase his dreams, and the relentless determination that fuels his desire to reach the podium.
Through Max's thought-provoking questions, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of Euronascar racing and the unique challenges faced by American drivers in the European circuit. Discover the strategies, skills, and mental fortitude required to compete at the highest level, as Nick shares valuable insights from his own experiences.
Beyond the racetrack, Max and Nick explore the human side of the sport, discussing the importance of teamwork, the camaraderie among drivers, and the support systems that keep them going during the ups and downs of their careers. Get to know the person behind the helmet as Nick opens up about his personal journey and the role of passion in overcoming obstacles.
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Crew Member of Marko Stipp Motorsport & writer for German NASCAR-Fanpage leftturnsonly.de
Alessandro is a passionate motorsport expert who loves to talk all things Nascar.
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In this episode of Path to the Podium, host Max Mason sits down with race car driver, Alberto Panebianco. Alberto has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of motorsports. In this candid conversation, Alberto shares insights into his journey to becoming a driver, the challenges he's faced along the way, and his plans for the future.
Max also asks Alberto about his plans for the future, both in terms of his racing career and his personal life. Alberto reveals that he has some exciting new projects in the works, including a potential move to a new racing team.
Throughout the episode, Alberto's passion for the sport is evident, as is his dedication to constantly pushing himself to improve. For anyone interested in motorsports or pursuing a career as a driver, this episode is a must-listen.
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In this episode of "Path to the Podium," host Max Mason sits down with up-and-coming F4 driver Noah Lisle, who currently drives for Carlin Motorsport. Mason and Lisle discuss Lisle's journey from being a rookie Karter to becoming a top contender in the F4 championship.
Lisle shares his early experiences in karting and how he fell in love with racing. He talks about the challenges he faced when he first started racing, including the steep learning curve and the physical demands of the sport. Lisle also reveals how he developed his racing skills over time and how he has continued to improve as a driver.
Throughout the episode, Mason and Lisle delve into the mental and physical aspects of racing and what it takes to become a driver. Lisle shares his tips for aspiring racers and how to stay motivated through setbacks and challenges.
Finally, Lisle talks about his goals for the future and what he hopes to achieve in his racing career. He shares his thoughts on moving up to higher levels of motorsport and what he believes it takes to succeed at the top level.
If you're a fan of racing or interested in the world of motorsport, this episode of "Path to the Podium" is a must-listen. Join Max Mason and Noah Lisle as they discuss the challenges and triumphs of becoming a top F4 driver with Carlin Motorsport.
Patrick Schober is set to return to the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, driving the #27 Ford Mustang for the Italian Double V Racing team. Despite being Austrian, Schober was born in Spain and currently resides in Slovakia. He made his debut in the EuroNASCAR 2 in 2022, showing great potential and being considered one of the most promising drivers in the NWES talent factory. Over the winter, he has been preparing and participating in tests at his home track in Slovakia to improve his skills. As he heads into the 2023 season, Schober is determined to make his mark and achieve podium finishes.
During his rookie season, Schober finished tenth in the standings and fifth in the Rookie Trophy, achieving five top-10 finishes in twelve races. He hopes to build on this experience and challenge for even better results in the upcoming season. Schober is particularly skilled in wet weather racing and hopes for some rainy races to showcase his talents as an all-round racing driver.
Alex Gardner is a 16 year old Queensland race car driver. After a successful career in junior go-karting, hr made my first step into circuit racing in 2022 in the Hyundai Excel series, as well as having his first exposure on the international stage. At 15, he was one of the youngest drivers selected by Motorsport Australia and the FDA for the 2022 Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) Asia Pacific Selection Program at Sepang International F1 Circuit in Malaysia, where he made the top 6 drivers. His aim is to be the best he can be - to make the most of everyday, learn through each training session, each experience and to apply those learnings. In 2023, he is driving for race team Volante Rosso in the Radical Cup Australia Championship, with a view to driving the LeMans 24 hour in the next few years. Alex is sponsored by Penrite Oil, Todd Gerhardt Realty, Next Level Racing, Foundations Performance and Rehab, Bob Jane T-marts Capalaba, Mr Men Barbers and Motiv8 Training. You can connect with him and follow his journey through his Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn accounts (Alex Gardner 94).
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Alina joins Euronascar Pro with RacingFuel and aims to make 2023 her podium year!
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Buttsy helped found the ProDrift Championship, now known as the Irish Drift Championship, Buttsy has travelled the world and carved himself out a serious pro career. Becoming a regular on the Gumball circuit only added to it; catapulting him into a world of supercars and huge parties. Never one to stand still, Buttsy is upping his game this season with an F1 demo car, and continues to crank out the donuts for the crowds at every opportunity.
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Simattack simulator designer and former rally driver talks all things racing and sims with Max Mason
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About Jamie -
I aim to represent India in the world of endurance racing. It is a dream of mine to drive my country and its people forward in this beautiful sport.
I always believed that motorsport had a place in my life. I later realised that it was my life that had its place in the world of motorsport.
My journey has only just begun. Hop on board and let's fuel this drive as far forward as we can!
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Max Mason speaks with his new Team Boss - Ferruccio!! What bets will they make about the season?
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My Life and my Mindset
My name is Nick Schneider and I am a half german half brazilian male currently based in Germany.
For the past 10 years of my life I have lived outside my country of origin, and have therefore been fortunate enough to experience a broad variety of culture and difference in my life. It all began when I was a mere 5 years old, my father had been given an opportunity to work for Volkswagen Group in Pune, India which he welcomed with open arms. I must admit though, as a rather young child the idea of leaving what had become home to me, for a country that was a pure unknown, was rather intimidating. In retrospect, I am truly grateful I moved, because it was the first time I stepped out of my comfort zone and discovered a new life. Soon I had made more memories and friends than in Germany, and I found myself feeling more at home than I would ever have expected.
After those 4 years, we returned to Germany. That one year back was truly the toughest year of my life so far. I got bullied in school, and in fact switched schools because of it, which ended up not really working. Not to mention the passing of my grandfather and great grandfather, two people that had a big positive impact on my life and my childhood. It was a painful year and one I remember vividly. Coming from a previous international school I was not accustomed to the idea of bullying. It was something that rarely occured in our school community and was punished heavily if it ever did. Something that starkly contrasted with the public schools of Europe, where this would often slip under the radar. This left me in shock when I eventually found myself almost completely friendless and lonely as a result of my different background, appearance, and way of thought. I also had lots of trouble in school as I had come from a different school system and wasn’t quite used to how things worked in Germany. As a result, I had lots of gaps in my knowledge and was often labelled as “stupid” “retarded” “disabled” and many other hurtful terms. It was living hell, yet this dark and gloomy time introduced me to the importance of resilience and mental strength in life.
After a year, a seemingly magical opportunity came up for my father to work in Guangdong, China. It was like a sigh of relief, like a long awaited light at the end of the tunnel. A way to leave everything behind and start a new life. So we packed our bags and went. As soon as I arrived I was again struck by how foreign things were: new languages, cuisinies, living conditions, schools etc. things being so foreign however didn’t scare me or make me miss home this time around, they made me feel free and detached from what I had previously gone through. I then ended up joining a well known school named the British School Of Guangzhou, where I ended up making a boatload of memories, as well as friends from similar backgrounds that I could actually count on.
After aproximately 4 whole years in Guangzhou we again moved, but this time not to a new country, yet to a city in the Sichuan Province named Chengdu. Here I attended The Leman International School which was very different from BSG, yet a refreshing change I welcomed. This year however, was the year I enjoyed the most, as it was the first time I had properly been accepted in a friend group. After this rather brief period in Chengdu however, we returned to Guangzhou where things were now different, many people I had previously known were gone and communities had changed. Again we had to adapt.
After 6 years in China, I must say it’s where I made the strongest friendships and have met the best people so far in my life, especially in the last 3 to 4 years. China is where I spent the biggest chunk of my life so far, and it’s a time of my life that has been laser etched into my mind, I will never forget how great life was there.
The travelling between countries and cities taught me important life lessons: It taught me that change is necessary for a good life. It taught me that one must be persistent and confident to succeed in the face of adversity. And most importantly, it taught me that in order to become a better and more succesful version of yourself, you must step out of your comfort zone. This is the mindset I live by every single day of my life. In my eyes “the comfort zone is where dreams die” and this way of thought is what makes me who I am, it’s the reason I am no longer afraid to take risks I would otherwise have been too scared to take. I am grateful for what I have experienced, learned, and discovered so far, and am more than excited to see what awaits me in the next chapter of life.
I will keep pushing as hard as I always have, keep fighting, keep learning and welcome the eventual success with open arms. I believe that Life is a gift, living and being alive is not a right. It is a gift, a pleasure. Most people fail to understand the concept that we are born with nothing and die with nothing, no matter what happens you never actually have anything at all, the only things that remain are the memories you create and the legacy that you leave behind. There is nothing to lose in life. From the moment you are born you are in the profit. One should not be afraid of making mistakes and errors, or be afraid of taking risks to accomplish goals. The true fear that should reside in us is the fear of wasting our god given lives. Be afraid of not making the mistakes, not taking the risks, not learning and not pushing to be greater.
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Zara Horn, Top Gun karting academy driver.
In this episode of Path to the Podium, Max Mason talks to Zara Horn, a rising star in the world of motor racing. Zara began her journey in karts and is now looking at what her future will bring when she moves into cars.
Max and Zara discuss the challenges and rewards of pursuing a career in motor racing, from managing the physical demands of driving at high speeds to navigating the competitive world of professional racing. Zara shares her experiences training and preparing for each race, as well as the discoveries she's made about herself through her passion for the sport.
Join Max and Zara for an inspiring conversation about the power of passion and perseverance, and the exhilarating world of motor racing.
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The younger brother of 2X NASCAR Whelen Euro Series champion Loris Hezemans, Liam Hezemans made his NWES debut in 2022 driving the #50 Hendriks Motorsport Mustang in EuroNASCAR 2.
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There’s more than one route to the finish line.
With a start in indoor karting & sim, Ellis Spiezia is a 17-year-old American electric racing driver paving an untraditional path. An ambassador for a new generation that will redefine education, the economy, and equity, Ellis has chosen to prioritize electric motorsport and aims to be the first native electric racing driver to win a world championship.
His family gave up everything to come to Europe in 2020 for electric karting and in 2023 he’ll race the NXT Gen electric Mini championship, ERA electric formula series and some combustion TCR.
He believes that the rewards of being the first far outweigh the risks.
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Simon Reynolds ASCC, MFHT, ACSM
Simon is an accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach and Sports Therapist, who has worked in the field of human performance for 25 years.
He worked for the prestigious Formula One Team McLaren for 14 years, as Driver Performance Manager. His responsibilities included managing the athletic development of over 20 professional racing drivers, in 14-series of racing and facilitated 16 championship wins.
He had notable success supporting three drivers from grassroots and entry formula, through to Formula One and Two, winning their respective championships in the process.
FORMULA TO PERFORM is a culmination of almost three decades of service to human performance; providing drivers with a proven preparation strategy and system to optimise their winning potential.
Racing is my Life!
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This week, Max speaks with fellow Ferrari Driver Academy hopeful, Jarrod Bottomley. Jarrod a keen karter takes Max through his race preparation, and what's next for his driving career.
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Simon talks with Max about the different paths a young driver can take to become a professional driver.
Simon Stoneham is a former national Kart Racer, turned driver manager, and motorsport consultant. After setting up his motorsport marketing company in 2022 off the back of a respectable junior career, Simon pushed and now works for the Kokoro Performance team. Big on changing the world of motorsport, Simon works 1 on 1 with a range of drivers from a range of racing disciplines, ensuring they have the best people and teams around them to best optimise careers.
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Today's guest is Ferruccio Finkbohner. He is the team boss of Euro nascar team, RacingFuel. Ferruccio runs and owns RacingFuel race wear, RacingFuel Academy and RacingFuel Motorsport. Ferruccio is dialling in from managing the Kuwait 12-hour race!