BREAK/FIX the Motorsports & Vehicle Enthusiast Variety Show

Formula Fanatics is Break/Fix Podcast’s fast F1 news format, recapping a chaotic Canadian GP weekend with a lively sprint, shifting weather, strategy misfires (notably tires), formation-lap delays, multiple retirements and penalties, and a podium of Antonelli, Hamilton and Verstappen, plus commentary on team struggles. Monaco is framed as a “funeral procession” but delivers drama: Verstappen stalls, widespread pit-lane speeding penalties tied to pit-lane measurement/entry issues, Russell’s penalty controversy, late red flag and standing restart, and an Antonelli win. The Spanish GP features more DNFs, Stroll’s gearbox failure, Alonso reaching lap 40, Hülkenberg retiring after a rock triggers the kill switch, McLaren track-limits complaints, and Hamilton winning with a clean Ferrari strategy. The hosts debate Hamilton’s longevity, championship chances, contracts, and upcoming races leading into “silly season.”

Drive Thru News Episode #69 marks Break/Fix’s six-year anniversary and recaps June’s automotive news, led by a 24 Hours of Le Mans discussion: Toyota’s comeback win, a generally ”meh” race, more LMP2 coverage, Corvette’s GT3 win, and a surprising Lexus run amid BOP and marketing criticisms, plus a Simeone Museum viewing-party report with lower attendance due to the race not falling on Father’s Day. The hosts then explain why their Lemons effort never reached the starting line after their Ford Focus entered limp mode, leading to extensive troubleshooting, ECU replacement/programming issues, and plans to replace the engine wiring harness and relocate the ECU. Other topics include rumored Audi TT revival on a Boxster platform, possible US return of the base Golf via Mexico, unusual Audi tech, VW sales via Costco, harsh reactions to Ferrari’s new Luce EV design, Chrysler-Fiat rebadges, Chinese-ownership restrictions affecting Polestar/Volvo, defense-industry tie-ins, Subaru manual rumors, the Slate truck, Toyota’s EV ”stall” patent, California tire regulation, book and event plugs, and quirky crime stories.

Break/Fix Podcast interviews author Jesse Fresco about his pulpy, fast-paced novella Drive Like Hell and the expanding Autumn Frost series, including upcoming sequels Black and Blue (set in Baltimore) and Funland Fury. Fresco discusses his background in the film industry and stagehand work, how writing became his escape, and his inspirations for characters, pacing, and car-centric action while keeping rules like having Autumn drive most of the time and never fire a gun. The conversation also covers his longer, more personal sci-fi novel Skyhawk, inspired by the NES game Captain Skyhawk, his choice of relatable “used future” worldbuilding, and plans for a seven-book arc, plus his self-publishing experience via Ingram-Spark, audiobook plans, and a new AI-themed sci-fi project.

Break/Fix Podcast’s mission is to preserve automotive living history and welcomes returning co-host Don Weberg from Garage Style Magazine alongside guest Wallace “Wally” Wyss, a longtime automotive writer turned fine artist. Wally recounts how early exposure to GM design chief Bill Mitchell and a British magazine feature on the Iso Grifo shifted him from poetry and art studies into advertising and then automotive journalism, including stints at Car Life and MotorTrend with vivid Sunset Strip stories. He explains how a chance ride in a 427 Cobra led to meeting Carroll Shelby, and launching a best-selling Cobra book and deep Shelby insights about Shelby’s deal-driven approach. Wyss describes becoming a “barn find” hunter and author, then “accidentally” transitioning into painting exotic and classic cars after selling a Shelby portrait, outlining his process, commissions, design critiques, and ongoing radio show, while reflecting on creativity, reinvention, and concerns about AI’s impact on writing.

In this “Evening With a Legend” episode, we interview Mark Raffauf, IMSA’s Senior Director of Competition, tracing how IMSA’s early relationship with the ACO grew from the 1970s through the creation of GTP, the split from FIA Group C’s fuel-formula approach, and the IMSA-driven development that helped shape cars like the Porsche 962. Mark recounts 1980s GTP’s manufacturer battles and behind-the-scenes antics, then explains the 1990s shift to World Sports Car, Ferrari’s 333 SP, and how rule changes at Le Mans affected competitiveness. He details IMSA’s organizational split that led to ALMS and Grand-Am, the rise of Daytona Prototypes, and today’s cost-control challenges. The conversation culminates in a deep discussion of Balance of Performance, LMDh vs hypercar sustainability, lift-and-coast strategy, and the need for a common future platform beyond 2030, while emphasizing Le Mans as a global mega-event.