Over the past several decades, “The Great Race” has become a vital part of the fabric of Australian motorsport, and by extension, Australian culture. How did the Bathurst 1000 change Australian motorsport? How has one event given the racing world everything from V8 Supercars to the R32 GT-R known as “Godzilla?” And what about it has made it a cultural icon? Today on Past Gas, it’s the history of the Bathurst 1000. Thanks to our sponsors: Need to hire? You need Indeed. https://Indeed.com/PASTGAS. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/  ..read more

Despite its affinity for front-wheel drive cars, especially in its legendary 99 and 900 badges, Swedish automaker Saab still managed to sell one of its properly cool cars as a wagon with all-wheel drive. The 9-2X Aero. But here’s the thing: It wasn’t a true Saab, but a mashup of GM DNA mixed with Subaru. And, it was entirely built by Subaru, too. But let’s take a step back and try to get an idea of where it all started. When did Saab start slipping away? What did platform sharing and badge engineering mean for its legacy and survival? What happened at the end? And finally, will we ever see som ..read more

The story of Saab is one of out-of-the-box thinking. This Swedish brand barely made it past its 70th birthday before it died, but the legacy it built throughout those decades made it something truly special. But what made Saab such a legend in all things detail-oriented and quirky? What were the most legendary and popular models, and what made them so fun-to-drive? And finally, why did the brand die out in the early 2010s? Today on Past Gas, part one of our two part story on Saab! Thanks to our sponsors: Grab your Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free in bulk nationwide at Cos ..read more

This week, the boys dive into the F1 Australian Grand Prix, Fiskers downfall and pay respects to Marcello Gandini. Plus, a Cybertruck update and why a Houston car meet is banning muscle cars. More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.  Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or using this link: https://bit.ly/TheBigThreePodcast. If you like the show, telling a fri ..read more

With hands blistered by a red-hot steering wheel and a head still reeling from a long night of sex and champagne, Hellé Nice won the first all-female Grand Prix at Montlhéry. The next day, Bugatti invited her to their showroom to convince Nice to compete under their name. She signed a sponsorship deal with Lucky Strike cigarettes, and with her immaculate profile, Nice bought herself a yacht. Now a household name, Hellé Nice was then invited to show her skills on the board tracks of the United States. How did the poor daughter of a postmaster become one of France's most dazzling stars in the fi ..read more

This week the boys chat about all the new (old) cars we're able to import in 2024, how Porsche's new hybrid drivetrain might piss some people off, and the exciting start to F1 Academy. Plus, after a 17 year run, could this be the last year Nissan is making the GTR? More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.  Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or using this li ..read more

Le Mans, 1991. The Mazdaspeed team has been chasing gold at the legendary endurance race for the better part of a decade, and the team can only watch on anxiously as the clock ticks past midnight. With a looming ban on rotary engines, they know that the rotary-powered 787b is their last chance at victory. And for now, roughly every 3 and a half minutes, the nervous silence is broken as the distinctive 4-rotor engine screams with a ferocity down the pit straight. How did one of the most legendary race cars of all time come to be? How did Takayoshi Ohashi lead Mazda to become the first Japanese ..read more

1974. For the past six years, Mazda Sports Corner have taken the rotary engine to task against the racing titans of Europe. And back in Japan, Mazda’s high-revving rotaries have captured the attention of the underground racing scene, and can be heard screaming at 9,000rpm down streets and expressways across the country. But how did two tuning companies come to shape Mazda’s image on the track and on the street? How did Isami Amemiya create a blueprint for Mazda tuner culture that has withstood the test of time? And how did Takayoshi Ohashi set Mazda on a path to motorsport immortality? Today o ..read more

INTRODUCING: The Big Three, Donut's new podcast that examines the latest car news, racing headlines, and anything noteworthy in the automotive landscape. A perfect weekly update for anyone even slightly interested in cars, The Big Three is an entertaining glimpse into an inclusive yet opinionated world.  Join hosts James Pumphrey, Nolan Sykes and Joe Weber as they provide their lighthearted perspective on the hottest and weirdest automotive trends. The only car podcast you’ll ever need, aside from our other podcast, Past Gas. New episodes every Wednesday. This week, th ..read more

In the world of engine tuning, two names (strange as they may be) are often at the top of the list. These companies upended the racing world with their attention to detail and refusal to accept anything but the best in terms of power, precision, and yes, speed. Today on Past Gas, we take a look at Spoon and Mugen. How did these companies start? How have they evolved over the years to stay on top? What are their plans for the future? And where did they get the name ‘Spoon’ from, anyway? Thanks to our sponsors: Stop wasting money on things you don’t use. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions –&nbs ..read more