How Indy Went From 150 To Nearly 200 MPH!

Indy didn’t just get faster in the 1960s, it transformed. We’re joined by racing author and veteran journalist Rick Saffer to unpack the Indianapolis 500 era from 1962 to 1972, when track records fell at a shocking pace and the Speedway became a live laboratory for IndyCar engineering. We talk about the people who shaped it, the cars that redefined it, and why that decade still explains so much about modern American open-wheel racing.

Rick takes us through the biggest technology shifts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: the move from front-engine roadsters to rear-engine machines, the turbocharged horsepower surge, the growing influence of aerodynamics, and the arrival of slick tires. We also dig into the human side of racing history, from unforgettable team identities like STP to what it’s really like interviewing icons such as A J Foyt, and why a well-timed approach matters when drivers are under pressure.

Then we pivot to today’s road cars with a clear, practical breakdown of four-wheel steering (all-wheel steering): how rear wheels can steer opposite the fronts for tight maneuvers, then steer in parallel for high-speed stability, plus the real-world downsides like complexity and repair cost. To round it out, we share go-karting driving destinations around Houston, from old-school outdoor tracks to more advanced facilities with league racing, coaching, and serious lap-time focus.

If you love Indy 500 history, IndyCar technology, car culture, and hands-on driving fun, hit subscribe, share this with a racing friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.

The Lupe' Tortilla Restaurants
Lupe Tortilla in Katy, Texas

Gulf Coast Auto Shield
Paint protection, tint, and more!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

----  ----- 
Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?
     
In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!  

Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.
-----   -----
Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.

In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.

Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTime

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/

https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltime

https://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTime

For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at 

info@inwheeltime.com

Transcript

Welcome And What’s Ahead

Don Armstrong 0:06

And a pleasant Saturday morning to you, and welcome to the Inwheel Time Car Talk Show. We are so glad to have you with us and welcome. Just ahead, author Rick Schaefer and his book, An Incredible Decade of Speed at Indy. It's a new track record. It's a great book. We just had a little conversation with him before we went on the air, and great guy. You're going to really enjoy this interview. Jeff has uh car culture. His feature this week is going to be on four-wheel steering. Yep. Do they even make it anymore? Mars has off the beaten path, carting around the Houston area. That's K-A-R-T-I-N-G, not carding. Howdy, along with Mike out of this world, Mars. We always need more Jeff Zeken. I'm Don Armstrong. So glad that you could join us for our live version of the In Real Time Car Talk Show. All right. Jeffrey, how have you been?

Jeff Dziekan 0:58

Good, good. We're like the uh the uh black shirt gang this week. Uh I had a uh wardrobe malfunction. My blue shirt was interfering with the internet, so we all went black. So there you go. But good, it's been a good week.

Don Armstrong 1:14

That's what I heard.

Jeff Dziekan 1:15

Yep. Hey, went to uh uh Space Center Houston this past week, and it was awesome. If you if you're in Houston or if you're coming to Houston, you need to go see it. It is incredible. Yeah, it really is.

Don Armstrong 1:26

Mr. Marnes, uh you survived the rains over there?

Mike Marrs 1:28

Yes, we did. We're starting to dry out a little bit.

Jeff Dziekan 1:31

Well, that's gonna change again here. So is it is it is it the whole county's going dry or just your city?

Mike Marrs 1:37

No, just this this block area county.

Jeff Dziekan 1:41

The world's going dry over here.

Don Armstrong 1:42

Well, let's

Rick Schaefer Joins The Show

Don Armstrong 1:43

get to our guest, shall we? He's been uh sitting around doing nothing, waiting for us to start the show, and let's just get right to it. His name is Rick Schaefer, and uh the book is it's a new track record, decade of speed, indie 62 to 72. What a great decade. I don't know how you came up with that, but talk about a decade of speed. Let's talk about a decade of change. You go from front engine to rear engine, and uh my God, everything really changed in that decade, Rick.

SPEAKER_03 2:11

Well, actually, there's a story behind how I came up with this idea. It isn't my idea. Uh there were when I my first book came out in 1999 on the first 20 years of the CART IndyCar series. And um after I came out, a photographer friend of mine named Steve Stony said, Hey, if you think you want to do another book, I got a great idea for you. And I said, Well, what's that? And he said, Well, think of the years 62 to 72 and all the interesting cars, drivers, and teams that came through during that era. And I thought, that's a great idea. Well, unfortunately, Steve passed away in 2009, but I thought if I get this book uh written and get it published, I'm gonna dedicate it to Steve. That's exactly what I've done.

Don Armstrong 2:50

Well, you know one of the first thing that comes to my mind when it comes to that decade, Andy Granatelli, the STP team.

SPEAKER_03 2:56

Remember that? Yeah. He was, you know, he was actually in 62, he brought the Novi back for the first time since the 50s. And uh they didn't make the race that year, but uh that's where you start out with no eyes, and then he brings the you know, he had the first successful tournament cars, and uh of course that Dagua orange color they painted their cars. That was you know, they stood out. It was just he was an incredible showman, and it was it was neat that you know he was a major part of this era.

Don Armstrong 3:22

So well, I'll never forget the team, the team colors, those white kind of jumpsuit things with STP stickers all over them.

Mike Marrs 3:30

Yeah, yeah, everybody had the SPD STP stickers on your toolbox and on your notebooks and binders everywhere. They looked like this was wearable.

Jeff Dziekan 3:39

They look like gas station attendants.

SPEAKER_03 3:42

They based them on actually that was the kind of short-sleeve coverall that the European teams were wearing, but they just put their logo all over it. Andy himself, he had a regular suit made with entirely covered yes.

Don Armstrong 3:53

Sure did. So um what what so okay? So we understand how how you got to write the book, but this isn't your first book from what I understand.

unknown 4:03

Right.

SPEAKER_03 4:03

This is my fourth book on racing. So I I after the current book, I got to co-author the autocorse history of the 500 with Donald Davidson, and then my most recent book was uh I always thought it'd be neat to do a story, a book just with nothing but nondescript stories that weren't widely known because so many of the 500 books had the same stories over and over again, same photos. So then I I uh had an outfit called uh Coastal 181, published uh uh 500 on the Indy 500. And then uh, of course, this is this new book is is from these people from England, wonderful people named Everrow Publishing Limited, and uh it was my first uh effort with them, so I've been very happy. They put out a beautiful product. They I've had some of their books before. I have a racing book collection of about 500 copies. So wow.

Don Armstrong 4:49

500 copies. So, in other words, we'll all get one.

SPEAKER_03 4:52

And uh well, this there's been 500 different titles, actually.

Don Armstrong 4:56

So oh, I see 500 different books. Yeah, I guess.

SPEAKER_03 4:59

That's my library, that's my research center.

Don Armstrong 5:01

So well, hey, we're always looking for a freebie. Hey, you're a media guy, you know about that.

SPEAKER_03 5:05

Oh, yeah.

Don Armstrong 5:07

As a matter of fact, a little bit of background on Rick. Um, he used to work for a uh very well-known newspaper there in Indianapolis, and he was also part of an indie team. Tell us about that, Rick.

SPEAKER_03 5:19

Well, uh, when I decided it was time to leave my newspaper career, I had a chance to be the public relations director for uh team called Bettenhausen Motorsports, and this was run by Tony Bentonhausen. He was the youngest son of the uh same-name driver who was you know such a standout in the late 40s and 50s. And uh uh I I worked uh six years with him, and uh for the years my driver was uh an ex 401 driver named Stefan Johansson, who's now gone to be the manager of uh people like Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenquist. And uh we had a year with a French Canadian driver named Patrick Carponte, and then my last year with the team, we had this uh wonderful Brazilian rookie named Castro Mavis. And I always ask people you heard of this guy. But he we we formed a nice friendship from that, and and when I my previous book, he actually did the forward. So so naturally when I did this next book, I had to give another full-time lawyer. So I I uh was very blessed to have AJ Foyt do that. And uh, his publicist, I said, you know, he's the only driver still living. It was in all those races that I covered that book. So that kind of put the deal over the top, I think.

Don Armstrong 6:26

Well, you know, I'll tell you, I had the opportunity to actually have lunch with him one time several years ago. And uh, you know, once you take off the anger and the competitive thing that he's got going on, the aura around him, he's really a nice guy.

SPEAKER_03 6:42

Yeah, I you know, the the thing about Mr. Foyt is is how you approach him. And uh I being a rather shy person, uh I decided the best way was to go through the pubble system. That seems to always work. Anytime I've dealt with him, he's just been you know extremely you know cordial and accommodating. And uh actually I'll tell you a little story. Uh I was doing a I used to write for a now defunct magazine called uh Vintage Motorsport. And uh I was doing a story on the 64500, and so naturally I had to talk to him because he won the race. And uh we were at the Houston IndyCar race, and so uh he was finishing up breakfast, so I go on to his coach and I said, sure, you you have come on back, and he said, Do I know you? And I said, Well, yeah, AJ. I used to work for the star with Robin Miller. He goes, Well, we've been friends for 30 years in Hamlet. That just broke the ice, had a wonderful interview with him.

Don Armstrong 7:33

So well, uh I was I was quite surprised, pleasantly surprised. Uh really a nice guy, and um I I thoroughly enjoyed the interview. So let's talk to your talk to you about your book. Um so 62

How Indy Got Fast So Quickly

Don Armstrong 7:47

to 72, 10 years at the ND500. And uh what what really surprised you that you would point out to anybody that reads your book, hey, be sure and check this section out.

SPEAKER_03 7:59

Well, actually, overall, is if you look at 1962, there were still skeptics that thought it was impossible to go to 150 mile an hour until Pinelli Jones goes out and breaks the track record. And two years later, Bobby Marsman had a practice lap at 160, so they jumped 10 miles over what was supposedly impossible. By the end of my era 72, they're nudging the 200 mile-an-hour market. I mean, it's just the thing was it was just uh in those 11 races, you had the track record broken nine times. So, Tom Carney, of course, the track announcer got to utter that famous it's a new track record. And uh, you know, it was just really quite an era for technology. Uh, you went from all front engine to rear engine cars uh by 1969. Uh by 1970, every engine was turbocharged, and there were no limits. Uh they were getting more than a thousand horsepower, you know, by the early 70s, and then uh the aerodynamics came into play, and of course, with that, we also had slick tires for the first time. So, you know, things like that. That's what really made this so special the different things that happened and uh the people who you know came and wet.

Don Armstrong 9:05

So the it it makes me think of the question what do you think of today's cars and today's

Safety Advances As Speeds Climb

Don Armstrong 9:12

technology? I mean uh uh 240 miles an hour? Seriously, somebody's gonna get killed.

SPEAKER_03 9:19

Well, interestingly, they've gotten safer as they've gotten faster. Uh I know it doesn't sound like that'd be right, but uh, you know, they've they've come up with a lot of ways. Probably the main thing that helped them safety-wise was when they went to the ground effects, they put the fuel tank behind the driver, so suddenly fire's no longer an issue that it had once been. You know, you see a fire in a car, it's usually the oil reserve tanks uh ignited. And uh, you know, the the materials, the carbon fiber is much better than the aluminum or than the honeycomb aluminum they use for the tubs. Uh you know, the helmets are better, the fire suits are better. And of course, uh, you know, they the Speedway was the first to use this, what they call the safer barrier, which is a really, you know, you wouldn't think that it would it would it's cushioning the the effects of their when they're hitting the wall, as long as they're hitting solid concrete, not you know, no give anyway. So um, but um they've had a knock on wood uh since 1982, they've had uh three fatalities of indie car drivers at the speedway. So we're going on like a 23-year-old. The last guy that was was uh killed was uh in a test, uh uh promising looking Tony Rana had finished seventh the previous May. This was the fall of 2003, and they haven't had a fatality for indicator drivers since in Indianapolis anyway. And this is this tractor, you know, totaled like 43 drivers lost their lives there over the years.

Don Armstrong 10:46

So who was the grumpiest driver that you ever interviewed?

SPEAKER_03 10:51

Oh boy, that's a good question. I I I think I was pretty lucky. I didn't really run into you know a lot of you know, the question is, you know, when you talk to this person, I mean, um uh my first autograph was Al Ancer. He was a rookie man. I was a little 12-year-old kid, and he talked to my brother and I like we were bored. And uh when I went to the star and ready to do my first Al Ancer feature, I was warning now, listen, you know, he doesn't see you as a fan like he did when you were a kid. So, you know, he he doesn't he didn't like reporters. I I think he got burned by a couple of people, so uh, you know, it was not the fun interview I thought it was gonna be. But uh really I've been really lucky that I haven't had any, you know, tattoos with drivers. I I think I tried to be careful about when to approach them, and uh, you know, in the case of AJ Foyt, you know, you're you're best served on some of them are better when you go through the public system in their face and uh bothering so right.

Drivers Stories And Media Life

Don Armstrong 11:55

Well, I I I find it fascinating. Well tell me about uh the changes at the speedway uh now that uh the boss has taken over that speedway, and and uh there have been quite a few changes.

SPEAKER_03 12:07

Yeah, you know, we're still in the early part of this. Uh he was really kind of hampered because when he bought the track, then COVID came on. So I'm not really sure all the things he's gonna do. Uh now I I'm 73 years old, and I I last five years I've I've gone to the race, not as a journalist, but as a fan again. And my brother and I, we sit on the top row of what they call the VISPA stands and turn four. So that's 44 rows up. And this year they put handrails on the aisles. And boy, for for us, that was a you know a wonderful little thing. You wouldn't think would be a big deal. It's a big deal to your average fan. But uh, you know, Roger Penske, of course, he's noted for his uh immaculate-looking cars and and uh crew guides and transporters. So uh, you know, the speedway wasn't really decrepit

Penske’s Indy Upgrades And Track Origins

SPEAKER_03 12:55

when he bought it, but you know, you can just see he's really making extra strides to make it even more professional-looking facility. And I'm biased, I think it's the greatest racing track in the world.

Don Armstrong 13:05

So I've been there a couple of times, and I have to tell you that uh thoroughly impressed. And I've been to a lot of racetracks around, but there's something extra special about Indy, and uh, you know, it's a great big huge long track. And if you're gonna go pick a seat, well, good luck because you're not going to see the entire track like so many are today, and that's the way that they're built. But uh when this thing was built, they didn't have all of the in-field stuff going on like they do today to block the view.

SPEAKER_03 13:33

Well, actually they had a lot more trees in the ability, you think.

Don Armstrong 13:37

Oh, really?

SPEAKER_03 13:38

Yeah, and and the other thing was the grandstands were just single level, so it wasn't until after the war they put the the you know the double level grandstands on uh the front straightaway, and then of course the business stand I referred to, they're in all the turns now. They're very they're a lot higher than the other ones ever had been. So uh, you know, my top row is 44, and then they some of them have an overhang with two more rows of seats.

Mike Marrs 14:00

Yeah, so the track had to grow around the track, if you will, because the the track, the race surface, is pretty much like it was, other than you know, being fixed up and maintained. But it sounds like the track itself grew around that.

SPEAKER_03 14:14

Well, what happened actually was when they were planning the track, uh they wanted to build a five-mile-long circle. And so the property they bought after they they they hired the engineer after they bought the property and and they get in together and they show him a map that's got their property, and it was 328 acres of uh farmland, so it was flat. And uh uh they went in, they told him this is what they want. Well, the problem was the the configuration of the property was a mile long going north to south, half mile wide, east to west. So it's like you do the math, can you put a five-mile circle inside a half mile rectangle? Of course you can't. So this engineer seized the moment because he can see these guys are ready to sell this property and start looking elsewhere. And uh he laid out a three-mile rectangle. That's the thing, it's not an oval, it's a rectangle of nine-degree rounded corners. And uh it was a three-mile track that took up all the room, but then he realized he had not left any room for uh uh uh grandstands. And he said, You did say you're gonna have races, right? And they said, Yeah, he said, Okay, I need to shorten the track by a half a mile because we need to put the grandstands on the outside of what would be the front straightaway, and that half mile will give me enough room to do that, and uh so that's why the track is shaped like it is, and of course, you know, the grandstands that I don't think they envisioned having them all almost all the way around the entire track now. Now the golf course came around in the late 20s, and uh what was funny was they originally were going to build an infill road course, but Carl Fisher, the the main driving force among the founders, decided let's make this an aviation automotive facility. So for a while, you actually had a running uh runway that went diagonal between turns one and three, and a large building inside of turn two, which we call a hangar today, they call it an aerodrome, it's the biggest in the world at the time. So, and all that got demolished, and the great aviator Rick Eddie Rickenbacker bought the track and puts it in a golf course.

Don Armstrong 16:05

So well, a fascinating story. And listen, we could we could sit and talk to you for at least a day and pick in your brain about Indy and uh the Indy 500 and uh the cars, the drivers, all of that. But the new book, it's it's a new track record, 1962 to 72, an incredible decade of speed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The author, Rick Schaefer, uh, and we certainly appreciate the time that you've spent with us today, Rick. And and we wish you the best of luck. And hey, uh, call us anytime, because we we can talk to you about the book all we want, but you know, we we also like a fellow journalist, and uh and uh I know that you've got tons of stories to tell.

Jeff Dziekan 16:45

We could meet him at Indy next year.

Don Armstrong 16:47

Yeah, that's right. So we'll meet you there. You can buy us a hot book. Okay, we'll we'll we'll we'll look forward to that. Rick, thanks so much again. Before you leave, I did want to mention to you, this is a tabletop book. Father's Day is coming up, and as you mentioned off the air, Rick, that uh go to uh any just Google uh the the book or Rick's name, and uh I'm sure that there are probably a dozen different places that you can get the book, and it would be a great one to have uh to give away to dad.

SPEAKER_03 17:17

Well, thank you for the kind words. And and can I say one quick thing before we leave?

Don Armstrong 17:21

Please, please do, yes.

SPEAKER_03 17:22

Okay, uh, you were mentioning a four-wheel steering car. Yes. Well, Mickey Thompson brought one to the speedway in 1967, and there's a picture of it on page 153 of the book. So well, there's my segment. Thanks.

Don Armstrong 17:39

All right, Rick. Well, thank you. Thanks again. We really appreciate you, and best uh best of luck to you in the future, and we'll talk to you talk to you down the road.

unknown 17:46

Thank you.

Mike Marrs 17:46

Thanks, sir.

Don Armstrong 17:47

Thank you.

Book Wrap-Up And Where To Buy

Don Armstrong 17:48

Hey, just ahead, Jeff's car culture, four-wheel steering, as we just mentioned. Mars has go-kart tracks around Houston and his driving destinations feature. All that more coming up right after this break on the In-Wheel Time Car Talk Show. The Texas Max dining experience is defined by Loopy Tortilla, your destination for Texas's best beef fajitas and frozen margaritas. Since 1983, Loopy Tortilla has served authentic and time-tested recipes made with the freshest ingredients. Atmosphere is part of the award-winning experience of Loopy Tortilla, all developed in a little house near Highway 6 and I 10 in Houston. Visit any of the Loopy Tortillas and you'll see the same attention to detail in each and every location. Start your loopy experience with queso flamingato and guacamole, along with a classic frozen margarita. Done on famous loopy beef and chicken tomatoes or pepper shrimp brochette, or a fruit or vegetarian entree, and finish with a scrumptious vlog for dessert. Find loopy tortilla in Houston, College Station, Beaumont, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas Fort Worth. There's a Texas location near you. The recipes are authentic and time-tested. The ingredients always fresh. Loopy tortilla. He's pretty good. Apple or Android In Wheel Time Podcasts can be found everywhere, on the stream and through downloads. Whether you're on the road or at home and searching for a fun car talk show, give In Wheel Time a try. Honest new car reviews, fun, informative interviews with real car people, weekly automotive news, features like Jeff's car culture, mic's driving destinations, all on In Wheel Time. Check us out on Sirius XM Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or while you're shopping on Amazon through Amazon Music. Inwheeltime.com has a list, so check us out. Join us 10 to noon Central Time every Saturday for our live show about all things automotive. We hope you'll we hope that you'll get a whiff of it and to tell everybody. And then we thank you for being with us today. And with that in mind, I want to say that in two weeks we're going to be in Granbury for the Lone Star Street Broad Association. Actually, it is called the State Run. And there's a history behind that, and we'll talk to somebody about that in a little bit. But uh it's a it's a great show, so um it's actually worth a day trip up there.

Jeff Dziekan 20:03

I'm getting a new suitcase for all of my hair care products, specifically for that. All right.

Don Armstrong 20:07

Time now

Four-Wheel Steering Explained Simply

Don Armstrong 20:08

for Jeff's Car Culture. Four-wheel steering.

Jeff Dziekan 20:10

Yeah, uh we we've heard of it, we've seen it somewhere demonstrated, but uh it was first popularized in the 80s. Uh four-wheel steering or four WS is all-wheel steering, uh AWS is all-wheel steering, relatively common, but all-wheel steering uh does have uh certain benefits and also has certain things that you really don't want to get involved in. So rear-wheel steering vehicles utilize a system where rear wheels can turn in conjunction or with opposite to the front wheels, enhancing maneuverability and stability. The system allows the rear wheels to turn in either direction or in the same direction as the wheels called parallel for stability at high speeds. Why four-wheel steering you might ask? Mike was asking this, uh car manufacturers fit four-wheel steering in various reasons. High speeds, rear steering, uh rear wheels normal to turn in the same direction as the front wheels, as whereas at low speeds they would turn in an opposite direction. These drive-by-wire systems usually have no physical linkage between the steering wheel and the rear wheels, unlike earlier mechanical. That's comforting to know. Yeah. Uh is it the same? Well, since all cars front wheels are steered in the front wheel, uh and some are referred to as rear steering vehicles, that would be like a forklift or a rear skid turning uh device, uh, but not strictly correct. It refers to a vehicle that has fixed front wheels and steered by the rear wheels only, such as a forklift truck, as just stated. Now, four-wheel steering is used most popular uh to handle on the best sports cars and maneuverability of some of the biggest SUVs and truck models. It's a great way to aid the handling of a large heavy-duty truck or a large heavy-duty SUV, and appears to be more nimble and agile as they would otherwise be. It's usually found in more expensive vehicles and not regarded to be worth the complexity, weight, and extra cost of the year. Your everyday small vehicles like your Hondas, your Toyotas, and things. Well, how does it work? Well, we just talked a little bit about that, but mainly the front wheel steering uh steers it while the rear wheels provide the motivative force in that direction. So uh you're saying, well, uh what kind of cars do we usually get them on? Well, the engine and the drivetrain do matter on this. Uh it's a report that the uh different speeds and different uh turning radiuses, which uh are very limited on some of these as well. Some of the disadvantages you're looking at the cost. Now, if you have the system, if you were to buy it on a car nowadays, you're looking at about a five grand option for this. If it was to go out of warranty and it breaks, you're looking anywhere between a $1,800 minimum repair per corner or just a replacement of $3,500 per corner.

Don Armstrong 22:49

When the mechanic sees one coming in the door, this does he goes how does that work?

Jeff Dziekan 22:54

Yeah. And of course, uh one of the other parts is the malfunction. If one part of it goes down, then then they all go down. So it's it's pretty much uh it's a it's a risky thing to do. Various Audis, various BMWs, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsche models, and you can still get it to today. You can get a lot of them through Mercedes. Mercedes do offer it as an option when you go in there and look at those cars. And Mike just clicked on it. My favorite, which is the uh bonus pick. There's a rear-wheel drive vehicle right there. That was actually uh a four-wheel drive vehicle. A rear-wheel drive, still-wheel steering. Uh so the tires on this lunar rover were uh a wire mesh uh composite uh for durability to add to the temperatures so that they didn't sink in the sand and the and the moon dust and all that good stuff. But that vehicle was on Apollo 15, 16, and 17, and they're still up there. So I think, Mike, what we need to do is send you up there to bring them back on a flatbed and we'll check them out.

Don Armstrong 23:51

Oh yeah. That would be fun. Okay, good. Well, that what a great that's a great feature.

Jeff Dziekan 23:56

I took that uh at uh Johnson Space Center. That was a display.

Don Armstrong 23:59

Oh, really?

Jeff Dziekan 24:00

Yeah, that's a good last picture. So that's why I've sent it to Mike Lake.

Go-Kart Tracks Around Houston

Don Armstrong 24:03

Let's get over to driving destinations. Mr. Mars has that. We're talking about go-karting.

Mike Marrs 24:08

Yeah, so we're gonna stay along the same lines of something that's fun to drive. So if you're looking for something that goes beyond the big indoor uh chains, you know, like around Houston, there's a couple of places, big multi-story buildings that uh take up several blocks. And it's so if you're looking for something that gets a little more personality, a little bit more host or history, or some old school Texas vibes, then we've got a few of those that we can look at. So we're gonna start with uh the go-kart raceway, great name off of West Mount Houston Road in Houston. But for decades, it's been kind of a quiet, but it's been one of Houston's best old school outdoor cart tracks. Survived after all the similar family entertainment centers have all disappeared. Now they've all got some sort of arcade system and everything built in with it, but it's all part of trying to make that family experience to go along with it. But now this facility includes the arcade games, laser tag, and the 1960s vibe, just an old school vibe that uh families can go to, particularly the younger riders, because they've got four different levels of carts. You got regular carts, you got two seaters so that you can take and ride with the kids. They've also got what they call the supercarts, which you've got to be 15, at least 15 years old to drive, or they've got an F1 cart that you've got to be 16 with a driver's license to be able to drive. So they've got a lot of variety there out there on their tracks. Then uh the second one would be Speedy's Fast Track up off Hempstead Road. Now, it's really been a neighborhood type entertainment center because that's what they've built and that's what they've kept. Now it's alongside Hempstead Road, so there's a lot of attractions there with go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, and some arcade games. It's kind of a compact place, but it's all uh something you can get to, and it's a little more personal than you find with a national polish change with a lot of the neon lights and flashing indoor racing type things. It's not a big track, but it's got a lot of tight turns that might think you about the old school when you were a kid and used to go and drive on them. And because it all keeps all the racing close. It's lively and it's very competitive because it's all such like a short track. Now, you can make it for a great casual date night destination because it balances fun. You got a little bit of atmosphere, you've got lots of different things you can do at Speedy's to get because of the quirky personality that keeps people coming back year after year. This made this a really great place to go do. Now, the other ones a little more upscale is Speed Sports Racing Park. We've talked to these spies before. And I brought them in because they are out of the way. They're up in New Caney, so they're up in Southeast Texas, if you will, and they've got a lot of arcades, of course. And you know, they do a lot of birthday parties and they got a big venue there. But it's all into motorsport culture. The outdoor track is fast, it's very technical, and it's designed for drivers who want to improve lap times because they do have league racing here that you can get involved with. They also have driver coaching that you can get involved with. So whether you're a beginner or you get into the competitive cart racing, uh, you can see different levels of driving on this track that'll reach that everybody can participate on. And uh they also actually do have a racing academy that you can sign up for if you really want to get into it and get serious. Then the next one, I was surprised to find this one, MSR in Houston. We talk about MSR in Houston a lot because of the road course on it, uh, but did not know about the carting. Wow. They actually have carting. Now, this is down in Angleton. Uh they've got uh where they along with all their track for their road track for their cars and stuff, it is a track that's set up for golf carts. Now it's part of that like larger complex, it's a shorter track. Uh it's a three-quarter mile part of the track, and you've got to be at least thirteen years old to get on this course and get on this track because it is a little skillful. I mean, it takes some skill and you've got to be able to drive it. And because the track itself is long, it's smooth, and it's quick enough that you're gonna get some speed up, and I think they can get up to like 45 miles an hour in this course, and so you've got with the turns and stuff, you've got concrete walls. It's a racetrack for cars that you're gonna get into in a golf in a go-kart. So you gotta be uh I gotta have some skills, you gotta pay a little bit of attention. The the last one I found that uh I thought was really interesting. Now, this is down in Galveston. So it's still, I consider that still part of the Houston area, but it's down on Seawall Boulevard in Galveston. It's the Galveston Go-Kart and Fun Center. Now, this is Beachtown. We're talking resort, Beachtown Energy. It's got a lot of uh charm to it because of the retro family amusement park setting it's in. Along the seawall, it's very easy to be part of that beach atmosphere. A lot of people on vacations going down here, but they've also got the outdoor cart track, and it's not really ultra competitive, but it's great for going out just to go for a ride that you want to get quick on and maybe have a little family racing setup or just something to do on vacation, like a lot of towns across the country. They do have arcade games and they've got uh a lot of other things like pool tables. Uh, they do have some axe throwing that Don found real popular one time. We were talking about that. Then we also have a uh virtual reality roller coaster that I thought was rather I was trying to understand.

Don Armstrong 29:31

Don't even talk to me about roller coasters, okay?

Mike Marrs 29:34

But it's a virtual one. You just put on the headset and go, man. Okay. Well, thank you very much.

Don Armstrong 29:40

Yeah, we appreciate that. Driving destinations go-karting around the Houston area. Thank you, Mr. Mars. In real time car talk show continues right after this quick break. Stay with us. Your car is a direct reflection of you, so don't be satisfied with color fade or a dingy dull appearance. Get rid of those terrible automated car wash scratches. Gulf Coast Auto Shield is your save the paint company. John Gray and his team of detailing experts can help your cars finish without a full repaint. Searching for real experts in window tent or windshield protection, Gulf Coast Auto Shield. Dash cams, radar detectors, Gulf Coast Auto Shield. Got a new car? Get it protected as soon as you take delivery. If you don't know which of the multitude of protection products to go with, John Gray will give you an honest opinion and won't sell you something you don't need. John will help you understand the many options and pricing right on the spot. He's your guy to have your ride looking its best and protected too. See the state-of-the-art shop yourself, free tours anytime. Gulf Coast Auto Shield is easy to get to, located just south of the Southwest Freeway on the Sam Houston Parkway. Gulf Coast Auto Shield, full service luxury car care today and online at gcautoshield.com. Gift giving should be meaningful, and we have an idea. A hand-painted custom illustration of your car from one of the nation's leading artists. Now you can get one or a car show poster customized for you, a friend, or a loved one. Bill Sites will be happy to guide you through the process. No matter what the day, birthday, anniversary, or any day, an autographics custom illustration adds an extra touch of class to any home. Call Bill today, 832-922-0963. That's 832-922-0963.

Where To Watch And Listen

Don Armstrong 31:20

That's it for this podcast episode of the In Wheel Time Car Show. I'm Don Armstrong, inviting you to join us for our live show every Saturday morning on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and our InWheelTime.com website. Podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartPodcast, Podcast Addict, TuneIn, Pandora, and Amazon Music. Keep listening, and we'll see you soon.