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Racing Beyond Limits: Torsten Gross's Journey with Hand Controls and Adaptive Technology
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July 4, 2024

Racing Beyond Limits: Torsten Gross's Journey with Hand Controls and Adaptive Technology

Racing Beyond Limits: Torsten Gross's Journey with Hand Controls and Adaptive Technology
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In Wheel Time Car Talk

If you hear something you like, text your friends, if you don't hear something you like, text us here!

What does it take to race cars at top speeds when you can't use your legs? Meet Torsten Gross, a C6 quadriplegic who has shattered barriers and mastered the art of racing using hand controls. Join us as Torsten shares his remarkable journey, from collaborating with Pennzoil for National Mobility Awareness Month to teaching NASCAR champion Joey Logano how to drive using hand controls. Discover how motorsports provide an equal playing field for everyone and learn about Torsten's foundation, Just Hands, which empowers wheelchair users to feel the exhilaration of racing.

But that's not all—this episode delves into the fascinating intersection of adaptive technology and racing formats, exploring how hand controls are making a mark in everything from road racing to ATVs. We also shine a spotlight on Houston's vibrant auto enthusiast community, featuring local businesses like ProAm Auto Accessories and events like Caffeine and Chrome, Family Cruise-In, and All-Houston Corvette Day Rally. Plus, get the scoop on the upcoming Freedom Fest car show in Richmond, Texas. Whether you're a racing aficionado or simply inspired by stories of overcoming adversity, this episode promises a ride you won't forget!

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Chapters

00:01 - Racing With Hand Controls

13:01 - Expanding Hand Controls in Racing

17:27 - Houston Auto Enthusiasts and Events

Transcript
WEBVTT

00:00:01.762 --> 00:00:10.516
Welcome to another In Wheel Time podcast, a 30-minute mini version of the In Wheel Time Car Show that airs live every Saturday morning 8 to 11 am Central.

00:00:10.516 --> 00:00:22.117
I'm going to use this intro again because it was so good and so appropriate.

00:00:22.117 --> 00:00:23.785
Help yourself, if that's okay with you guys.

00:00:23.785 --> 00:00:26.086
You wrote it, I know and I want to do it again.

00:00:26.086 --> 00:00:51.715
Windstream and Kinetic didn't have a flatulence episode this morning and you get to see, hear and be a part of the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show today, coming to you from the Sugar Shack Studios just outside Houston, coming up, we talk to well, we talk to a guy by the name of Torsten Gross and we're going to get involved in the National Mobility Awareness Month video sponsored by.

00:00:51.715 --> 00:01:09.908
Well, I'll tell you about all that coming up here in just a minute and we're going to talk to him about that, and later on we're going to have the cruise-in calendar and we're also going to talk about a couple of the stories making automotive news headlines Howdy, and we're also going to talk about a couple of the stories making automotive news headlines Howdy, along with Mike out of this world, mars.

00:01:09.908 --> 00:01:10.528
We always need Jeff Zekin.

00:01:10.528 --> 00:01:19.376
I'm Don Armstrong, glad that you could join us on the last half hour of our live show 1030 here in the Houston Texas area Central Time Zone.

00:01:19.376 --> 00:01:27.257
So wherever you're listening or watching us, we thank you very much for doing that.

00:01:30.968 --> 00:01:35.143
I wonder what time it is right now in Brazil, what time is it in Copenhagen?

00:01:35.143 --> 00:01:36.424
What time is it in Moscow?

00:01:36.424 --> 00:01:47.745
We've got viewers, listeners and followers in all those cities, and so it's like I don't even know how to say hey, it's in the morning here.

00:01:47.745 --> 00:01:48.447
Yeah, that's you.

00:01:48.447 --> 00:01:50.691
Know it's in the morning here.

00:01:50.691 --> 00:01:51.153
Yeah, that's it.

00:01:51.153 --> 00:01:52.155
It's in the morning here, that's it.

00:01:52.155 --> 00:01:52.575
Okay.

00:01:52.575 --> 00:02:02.444
Joining us now is torsten gross, and he joins us because we're going to talk about national mobility awareness month and, obviously, us being a car talk show.

00:02:02.444 --> 00:02:05.873
We're're mobile, but not everybody is.

00:02:05.873 --> 00:02:08.747
Those are those folks that have handicaps.

00:02:08.747 --> 00:02:10.391
Torsten, good morning.

00:02:10.391 --> 00:02:12.247
I'm not going to try to get into all of that.

00:02:12.247 --> 00:02:14.204
I'm going to let you lead the discussion here.

00:02:14.204 --> 00:02:15.225
It's great to have you with us.

00:02:15.225 --> 00:02:15.987
Thank you very much.

00:02:16.710 --> 00:02:17.711
Thank you guys for having me.

00:02:17.711 --> 00:02:18.372
I appreciate it.

00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:28.014
Okay, so tell us what Pennzoil is doing and the universal joy of driving and National Mobility Awareness Month.

00:02:28.014 --> 00:02:29.866
Tell me a little bit about you first.

00:02:31.320 --> 00:02:35.288
Yes, I'm a C6 quadriplegic in a wheelchair.

00:02:35.288 --> 00:02:37.151
What is?

00:02:37.192 --> 00:02:37.233
it.

00:02:37.233 --> 00:02:43.913
Wait a minute, because see to me a C6 is a Corvette with a certain number of years C6.

00:02:43.913 --> 00:02:46.628
So tell me what a C6 quadriplegic is.

00:02:47.180 --> 00:03:06.740
All right, a C6 means that I broke my sixth vertebrae down in my neck, so we've got eight vertebrae in our neck and then we've got, I think, 12 in our back, and so that means I have four limbs compromised, so meaning my hands right, so one, two, and then both my legs three, four, wow.

00:03:07.121 --> 00:03:07.461
Wow.

00:03:07.461 --> 00:03:15.008
Well, I'm glad that you're here with us and talking to us today, and I see that your shirt is just hands.

00:03:15.008 --> 00:03:17.394
I like that.

00:03:17.394 --> 00:03:22.485
So tell us how you got involved in this organization and tell me about it.

00:03:23.328 --> 00:03:26.615
Yeah, so I, uh, I, I race cars.

00:03:26.615 --> 00:03:31.526
Uh, I race a 981 porsche cayman and I track at lime rock.

00:03:31.526 --> 00:03:36.201
Uh, well, I track all around the country but lime rock park is my, my home track.

00:03:36.201 --> 00:03:57.770
And, uh, you know, I I got introduced to penswell and, um, you know, my first job with penswell was I was in a couple commercials with with them about a year or year and a half ago, and the bigger our relationship became, you know, they really believe in what I'm doing and what my foundation is doing, which we can talk about in a moment.

00:03:57.770 --> 00:04:07.913
They then got me together with Joey Logano and the joke always, how do you teach the two-time NASCAR champion how to drive?

00:04:07.913 --> 00:04:09.945
Well, don't let him use his legs.

00:04:09.945 --> 00:04:12.168
So we actually taught.

00:04:12.168 --> 00:04:16.899
I taught him how to use hand controls at Charlotte Motor Speedway and that's what we recorded.

00:04:17.281 --> 00:04:20.509
Oh my gosh, I cannot even imagine such a thing.

00:04:20.509 --> 00:04:25.050
I mean, that would be like having me use hand controls in my Corvette.

00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:32.500
Yeah, yeah, it's a.

00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:41.427
What's interesting, though, is that your your hand eye coordination is faster than your eye foot coordination, so I actually can teach anybody how to drive with hand controls faster than you would actually think.

00:04:41.427 --> 00:04:42.951
It's more more intuitive than one would actually think.

00:04:42.951 --> 00:04:45.360
It's more intuitive than one would actually believe.

00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:52.709
So, yeah, it's fun, and you know you would assume Joey Logano would.

00:04:52.709 --> 00:04:54.305
Well, you wouldn't assume anything.

00:04:54.305 --> 00:04:55.958
Most people take it slow.

00:04:55.958 --> 00:04:57.865
Most people take it slow.

00:04:57.865 --> 00:05:01.019
On the second lap, joey's going full throttle with hand controls.

00:05:01.019 --> 00:05:01.802
I'm just going.

00:05:01.802 --> 00:05:05.610
Yeah, I guess he is two-time nascar champion.

00:05:05.610 --> 00:05:08.990
He knows how to drive, so it was a great experience no kidding.

00:05:09.031 --> 00:05:16.449
So tell me now about the organization and what you're trying to uh promote here yeah, I appreciate that.

00:05:16.490 --> 00:05:20.644
So, uh, you know, driving with hands is actually the uh and and.

00:05:20.644 --> 00:05:28.024
Racing cars is the only thing for disabled people, the only sport that exists that makes us equal to able-bodied people.

00:05:28.024 --> 00:05:31.035
You and I will never do a marathon in the same division.

00:05:31.035 --> 00:05:32.803
You and I will never ski in the same division.

00:05:32.803 --> 00:05:34.949
You and I will never play basketball in the same division.

00:05:34.949 --> 00:05:40.127
However, race car driving the car doesn't care that I'm in a chair.

00:05:40.127 --> 00:05:44.744
You don't know that I'm in a chair unless you saw me in the paddock before I got in the car.

00:05:44.744 --> 00:05:49.613
Right, so it makes us 100 equal and to me, that is something.

00:05:49.613 --> 00:06:02.547
Once I experienced that, once I found that I had to share that with other people, so I started the just hands foundation and that it gets people who are in chairs, who use hand controls, behind the wheel of track cars.

00:06:03.629 --> 00:06:04.550
How exciting.

00:06:04.550 --> 00:06:07.845
I mean, what a great idea, what a great thing.

00:06:07.845 --> 00:06:29.129
I had a good friend, rodney Rodriguez, who's a track announcer for lots of small racetracks around Houston and San Antonio, austin, that sort of thing, and he was talking about a new event that they've got out on our 3-8 mile asphalt circle track here and that's the Everyday Guys Car Race.

00:06:29.129 --> 00:06:39.288
So you can bring whatever car you drive every day and put it out on the racetrack with you know a dozen of your friends and get out there and go for it.

00:06:39.288 --> 00:06:45.968
I'm thinking you you could be out there and nobody would ever know, but you're racing with hand controls.

00:06:47.091 --> 00:06:47.370
Yeah.

00:06:47.471 --> 00:06:47.952
And whooping them.

00:06:49.423 --> 00:06:53.031
I won my division in SCCA Regionals a couple weeks ago.

00:06:53.091 --> 00:06:58.327
Congratulations I think it surprised everybody at the Lime Rock race.

00:06:58.327 --> 00:07:03.442
Because it surprised everybody when they saw me get out in my wheelchair going, Huh, didn't see that coming.

00:07:03.442 --> 00:07:04.831
They saw me get out in my wheelchair going, huh, didn't see that coming.

00:07:04.831 --> 00:07:05.095
But you know what?

00:07:05.095 --> 00:07:10.309
At the end of the day, people always ask well, are you going to do a wheelchair league or something like that?

00:07:10.309 --> 00:07:19.649
I'm like no, the whole point is that I'm just as competitive to anybody, it doesn't matter who they are, and so I'm not going to start my own league.

00:07:19.649 --> 00:07:21.382
I'm going to go make people feel bad about themselves.

00:07:21.382 --> 00:07:25.725
Whether I'm going to go make people feel bad about themselves, whether they can use their legs or not, you know, by beating them.

00:07:26.107 --> 00:07:29.730
Were you into racing before you lost the ability to use your legs.

00:07:30.430 --> 00:07:35.435
No, so this is my 30th year in a chair and I've only been on track for three years.

00:07:35.435 --> 00:07:39.810
Oh wow, and for some reason I guess I'm good at it.

00:07:39.810 --> 00:07:46.310
I mean, I don't know if you know anything about Lime Rock, but I'm doing a 57.7 around Lime Rock, so I'm hauling butt.

00:07:46.651 --> 00:07:47.072
No fear.

00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:52.930
It's good and it's just something that I picked up quickly and I love it.

00:07:52.930 --> 00:07:56.110
So I'm at the track at least once or twice a week.

00:07:56.110 --> 00:08:00.130
I live seven miles away from Lime Rock, so I'm there a lot.

00:08:00.130 --> 00:08:02.927
But for you guys, I've done COTA as well.

00:08:02.927 --> 00:08:06.331
I did an endurance race at Koda.

00:08:06.331 --> 00:08:07.060
That was a thrill.

00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:11.779
So, yeah, I'm getting around go ahead.

00:08:12.100 --> 00:08:14.882
I'm trying to visualize how you would do that on track.

00:08:14.882 --> 00:08:29.612
My father's van has hand controls in it and I drive it every once in a while and you know the braking and everything by hand and I'm trying to imagine on a track trying to do the steering, braking, accelerating all of it.

00:08:29.612 --> 00:08:36.153
I mean, you said earlier your hands are a lot quicker, but just in my mind I'm trying to visualize you doing that.

00:08:36.940 --> 00:08:45.171
Yeah, so with my left hand I'm steering and with my right hand it's turn for gas and push for brake.

00:08:45.171 --> 00:08:52.908
Now I chose specifically a Porsche or you can choose a BMW too because they've got dual clutch transmissions right.

00:08:52.908 --> 00:09:03.465
So Porsche has a PDK and a BMW has a DCT, so that actually makes you as fast as somebody that shifts manually right, because of how smart they are.

00:09:03.465 --> 00:09:09.528
However, there are still two parts at Lime Rock and different places where I want to be able to shift.

00:09:09.528 --> 00:09:13.466
So I'm working with a hand control company called Mobility Innovations.

00:09:13.466 --> 00:09:15.326
They design everyday hand controllers.

00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:21.847
These hand controllers have been around for 30 years Little innovations here and there, but generally speaking, about 30 years Right.

00:09:21.847 --> 00:09:26.349
I have now worked with them to be able to shift with my fingers.

00:09:26.349 --> 00:09:34.052
So we have an upshift and a downshift, so I've moved the paddles from behind the wheel to my hand controls.

00:09:34.052 --> 00:09:44.625
Now they also work behind the wheel too, so that when I'm doing a team race, an able-bodied person can hop in the car and still use paddles behind the wheel, but I'm able to shift just with my fingers.

00:09:45.147 --> 00:09:47.552
Wow, Pretty cool, right, Very cool.

00:09:47.552 --> 00:10:01.173
I mean I would be really proud and really motivated to further this whole thing and let everybody else that has a disability to take part in all of this.

00:10:01.173 --> 00:10:04.006
I mean what a great thing that you're doing.

00:10:04.850 --> 00:10:05.572
I appreciate that.

00:10:05.572 --> 00:10:29.683
We have a car at Spa, we have a car in Nürburgring, we have a car at Charlotte Motor Speedway and one at Lime Rock, and we are looking now, this year, because of Pennzoil's support of us, we now have the ability to grow this and we're looking for arrive looking for arrived drives all around the country to bring in control singers.

00:10:29.683 --> 00:10:40.355
I think what would surprise you is that it uh, it takes an hour to put one in and once it's been put in, it only takes one minute to put it in and take it out.

00:10:40.355 --> 00:10:54.513
So what I mean by that is we're not making a car, just a handicapped car right for disabled drivers, but rather you guys can drive the car and then, if I want to hop in, it takes one minute to put it in.

00:10:56.566 --> 00:11:09.299
After the initial installation the initial installation takes about a couple hours, kind of like a seat right A seat takes a couple hours to put in for the first time, but then you can swap out seats fairly easily because they've been put in for the first time.

00:11:10.261 --> 00:11:20.289
Right, you won't be able to see this, but we're going to show our video followers this video that Joey Logano has done on your behalf, and I'm sure that you were involved in it.

00:11:20.289 --> 00:11:24.466
So we're going to play that and you're more than welcome to use it.

00:11:24.466 --> 00:11:26.072
You've seen it a dozen times.

00:11:26.072 --> 00:11:35.668
You know what the video is going to be like, so you just go ahead and continue talking and tell us how all of this works and the importance of this video for everybody.

00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:48.860
Yeah, I think you know the idea of mobility awareness is not just for disabled people, is not just for disabled people.

00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:51.567
I see my role and I see car racing and track driving as an exercise in creativity anyway.

00:11:51.567 --> 00:12:04.691
So you might be fat, short, skinny, tall, right, like there's the configurations of one's body, how strong you are, right, all that kind of stuff it what type of driver you are.

00:12:04.691 --> 00:12:17.311
It lends itself to different setups and, as you guys know very well, like it's about creativity, you don't just kind of say, well, this is what a car should be and and stop, right, it's what kind of driver are you.

00:12:17.311 --> 00:12:19.624
And that's what I loved working with joey.

00:12:19.904 --> 00:12:23.860
You know, we we talked about how different setups are different.

00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:25.123
Like, let's think about nascar.

00:12:25.123 --> 00:12:34.472
You look at a, a NASCAR and it looks like a regular car, but the physicality of driving that is fundamentally different than driving any type of regular car.

00:12:34.472 --> 00:12:44.261
Right, it's really strenuous, and so the video you guys are watching is me showing him how I do it right, specifically in how I turn for gas and push for brake.

00:12:44.261 --> 00:12:45.962
I do it right, specifically in how I turn for gas and push for brake.

00:12:45.962 --> 00:12:54.009
And you know, I just want to encourage and motivate anybody, disabled or not, to just say what does my drive look like, right?

00:12:54.009 --> 00:12:58.091
How do I make it work for me and get creative with it, right?

00:12:58.091 --> 00:12:59.332
There's no right or wrong answer.

00:12:59.332 --> 00:13:00.594
That's what I love about all this.

00:13:01.274 --> 00:13:02.796
Have you done any drag racing?

00:13:03.976 --> 00:13:06.761
I have not, I have not, I have not.

00:13:06.761 --> 00:13:12.206
My wife has kind of said you know we get to have one race car, let's stick with one hobby.

00:13:12.206 --> 00:13:14.767
Drag racing becomes a second hobby.

00:13:14.767 --> 00:13:18.168
Right, it becomes very expensive, very fast.

00:13:18.408 --> 00:13:18.589
Yeah.

00:13:18.589 --> 00:13:33.994
Reason that I say that is because I'm sure that there are lots of folks in your condition that go to the drag race that would love to learn about this technology, all forms of racing.

00:13:35.341 --> 00:13:36.203
All forms of racing.

00:13:36.203 --> 00:13:48.421
That's what's really great about the hand controls they can be transferable into an ATV, they can be put into a drag car, they can be put into an off-road car and, for me, a road race car right.

00:13:48.421 --> 00:13:50.004
So there, it's transferable.

00:13:50.004 --> 00:13:57.466
So anything with two pedals, you're right, or even three pedals, to a degree um, can be used by us.

00:13:57.466 --> 00:13:58.727
Right.

00:13:58.727 --> 00:14:05.543
And so just hands is starting on the road tracks, right, like coda, like sebring, know those types of tracks.

00:14:05.543 --> 00:14:12.408
But the goal is to expand and get into any place where you just use your hands.

00:14:13.168 --> 00:14:21.235
I did want to mention to everybody that if you want to see and hear the actual video, you can go to Pennzoil's YouTube channel.

00:14:21.235 --> 00:14:22.976
It's on there.

00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:30.024
Is there another place that we can go and see the video?

00:14:30.024 --> 00:14:30.787
I think that's the main place to go.

00:14:30.826 --> 00:14:36.289
It's pretty easy to find because once you get into the Pennzoil YouTube channel then you can put your name in.

00:14:36.289 --> 00:14:38.966
That's how we found it and, boom, it went straight to it.

00:14:39.648 --> 00:14:41.822
Yeah it's great and it's a lot of fun.

00:14:41.822 --> 00:14:43.629
It actually shows our characters as well.

00:14:43.629 --> 00:14:47.009
Right, we had a good time doing it.

00:14:47.048 --> 00:14:47.850
Yeah, I can tell.

00:14:47.850 --> 00:14:54.072
I could tell by the video that they edited into this piece that you look like you're really having a good time.

00:14:54.960 --> 00:15:01.854
I mean, I get to track with the two-time NASCAR champion, and how great is that right?

00:15:01.854 --> 00:15:02.965
There's nothing better.

00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:06.691
Yeah, how is Joey Logano as a person?

00:15:06.691 --> 00:15:14.984
You know one of the things that I was on the drag racing tour for a while, the pro drag racing tour, and let me tell you something it's a different level.

00:15:14.984 --> 00:15:31.625
When you get to a professional, anything the competitor inside of a human being becomes over, over achieving, shall we say, and it it's a different thing that if you've never been exposed to it, you're going.

00:15:31.625 --> 00:15:37.264
Wait a minute, that's not just an ego thing, it's get out of my way, let me do this and I'll.

00:15:37.264 --> 00:15:40.451
I will kick everybody's butt it.

00:15:40.691 --> 00:15:50.741
Yes, I'm going to end that and say and they're, uh, willing to, and they want to listen and they want to learn what I was really.

00:15:50.741 --> 00:16:03.559
You know, what was interesting about Joey is that he, he wanted to try new things, he wanted to experience something different, and I think that just makes somebody a better driver, right?

00:16:03.559 --> 00:16:04.761
I think that just makes somebody a better driver, right.

00:16:04.761 --> 00:16:13.595
Whether you're learning something that is 100% applicable to what you do or tangential to what you do, it's still giving you a different perspective of something.

00:16:13.595 --> 00:16:24.731
Right Now, yes, on lap two, he's already full throttle with hand controls where I went, because I was in the car with him and I'm going okay, I don't know the brake pressures yet.

00:16:24.772 --> 00:16:28.436
But whatever, let's go and do it.

00:16:28.436 --> 00:16:41.759
But at the same time I could hear him taking in what I was saying and applying that as well, and I think that just makes somebody a better driver, a better person, a better, you know, overall rounded person.

00:16:42.649 --> 00:16:46.000
Well, listen, it is great and an honor to have you on the show with us this morning.

00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:46.441
We sure do.

00:16:46.441 --> 00:16:47.995
Thank you very much for joining us.

00:16:47.995 --> 00:16:49.219
We appreciate it.

00:16:49.219 --> 00:16:57.636
All the great information, national Mobility Awareness Month Pennzoil, very much involved in this, torsten, we appreciate it.

00:16:57.636 --> 00:17:00.176
Again, thank you and best of luck to you.

00:17:00.176 --> 00:17:02.634
Stay in touch with us, especially if you come into Texas.

00:17:02.634 --> 00:17:03.096
Let us know.

00:17:03.897 --> 00:17:04.439
I Best of luck to you.

00:17:04.439 --> 00:17:05.780
Stay in touch with us, especially if you come into Texas.

00:17:05.780 --> 00:17:08.205
Let us know I certainly will Thank you guys for the time, and I hope you have a wonderful day you too.

00:17:08.205 --> 00:17:09.288
We certainly will Thank you, sir, you bet.

00:17:09.608 --> 00:17:09.869
All right.

00:17:09.869 --> 00:17:15.256
The In Real Time Car Talk Show is available 24-7 through the iHeartRadio app Just look for In Real Time Car Talk.

00:17:15.256 --> 00:17:18.473
Grab a podcast anytime from your favorite podcast provider.

00:17:18.473 --> 00:17:23.861
Stream our live three-hour weekly show on Facebook, youtube and InWheelTimecom.

00:17:23.861 --> 00:17:27.625
The In Wheel Time Car Talk Show will continue right after this quick break.

00:17:27.890 --> 00:17:37.162
Pro-am Auto Accessories has been serving Houston's auto enthusiasts since 1984, providing world-class products for sports cars, european sedans and American muscle.

00:17:37.162 --> 00:17:42.114
Pro-am is known as the place to go to find exclusive and hard-to-find parts and accessories.

00:17:42.114 --> 00:17:48.439
Pro-am is one of the very first distributors in the USA for brands such as Recaro, redline, momo Corbo and Simpson.

00:17:48.439 --> 00:17:58.406
Located in the heart of Houston's premier retail and service corridor, the Galleria area, pro-am's walk-in storefront includes an 8,000-square-foot warehouse, showroom and installation bays.

00:17:58.406 --> 00:18:04.740
Pro-am not only sells parts and accessories, but also offers installation and service.

00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:08.939
Pro-am is now reaching a worldwide audience through Pro-Amcom, taking its local reputation to the rest of the world.

00:18:08.939 --> 00:18:14.739
At Pro-Am Auto, you'll be dealing with a small group of professionals who truly want to help you with your automotive needs.

00:18:14.739 --> 00:18:18.978
If you don't see what you're looking for on the website, call and Pro-Am will lend you a hand.

00:18:18.978 --> 00:18:23.618
Pro-am Auto, 6125 Richmond at Greenridge in Houston's Galleria area.

00:18:23.618 --> 00:18:27.205
Call them at 713-781-7755.

00:18:27.490 --> 00:18:32.634
Want to feel good about something special you did for someone special In Real Time?

00:18:32.634 --> 00:18:42.641
And the original Loopy Tortilla group of Tex-Mex restaurants have joined together to help a very worthy cause God's Garage, a Christian-based 501c3 charity.

00:18:42.641 --> 00:18:54.315
We know there are lots of places and organizations out there where you can donate a car, truck or SUV, but we're asking you, our car enthusiast family, to consider donating to God's Garage.

00:18:54.315 --> 00:19:03.603
Visit godsgarageorg and learn about its mission, the women that have been helped, how each one is screened and about their Restore you program.

00:19:03.603 --> 00:19:07.759
A car donation is an easy way to make a difference in the lives of others.

00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:14.140
God's Garage needs good operating vehicles but will take all types in working and non-working condition.

00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:25.682
Make your heart and soul feel good by donating your gently used vehicle and help support single mothers, widows and wives of deployed military at godsgarageorg.

00:19:25.682 --> 00:19:33.483
By the way, I did want to remind you that the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show is available via email.

00:19:33.483 --> 00:19:38.000
You can always email us at info at inwheeltimecom.

00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:41.327
All right time now for the cruise-in calendar.

00:19:41.368 --> 00:19:41.549
Jeffrey.

00:19:41.549 --> 00:19:42.977
Well, today is Saturday.

00:19:42.977 --> 00:19:45.317
You've got one going on right now as we speak.

00:19:45.317 --> 00:19:52.181
It's Caffeine and Chrome at Gateway Classic Cars of Houston, that is, in Houston at their facility, if you know where it's at.

00:19:52.181 --> 00:19:55.740
And then tonight, from 5 pm to 9 pm, you've got the family cruise-in.

00:19:55.740 --> 00:20:02.555
That's the Three Acres Food Truck Park in Santa Fe, texas, not far from here, texas.

00:20:02.555 --> 00:20:04.298
And then 6 pm to 9 pm.

00:20:04.317 --> 00:20:09.105
It's like having all of your favorite fast food restaurants within.

00:20:09.125 --> 00:20:09.806
Coming to you.

00:20:10.671 --> 00:20:13.579
No, but they're right there in a big circle, big circle.

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:17.073
There's Jack in the Box, there's McDonald's, there's Chick-fil-A.

00:20:17.073 --> 00:20:17.732
Well, I'm thinking.

00:20:17.732 --> 00:20:19.134
Not, it's probably.

00:20:19.134 --> 00:20:20.195
I said fast food.

00:20:20.416 --> 00:20:21.157
Oh, yeah, yeah, Okay.

00:20:21.157 --> 00:20:26.924
And then from 6 to 9 pm tonight the weekly cruise in Montgomery In Montgomery Cruise Inn In.

00:20:27.806 --> 00:20:30.309
Montgomery, in Montgomery, in Montgomery Texas.

00:20:31.151 --> 00:20:33.117
And then 7 pm tonight, riggs and Tuners.

00:20:33.117 --> 00:20:37.638
By night it's at the Red Circle Ice Cream Parlor in Pearland Texas.

00:20:37.719 --> 00:20:38.401
So, that's tonight.

00:20:38.601 --> 00:20:39.261
What's that called?

00:20:40.971 --> 00:20:41.972
Riggs and Tuners.

00:20:41.972 --> 00:20:43.355
Riggs and tuners, rigs and tuners.

00:20:43.355 --> 00:20:44.518
So it's trucks and tuners.

00:20:44.518 --> 00:20:47.423
Pick up trucks, call them a rig, that kind of thing.

00:20:48.069 --> 00:20:48.530
You never do that.

00:20:48.530 --> 00:21:00.306
I believe that there's a big classic truck show going on in Conroe this weekend by Todd and the Lone Star Throwdown guys.

00:21:00.306 --> 00:21:02.576
Yep God what's the name of that?

00:21:02.576 --> 00:21:03.239
Todd and Lonnie?

00:21:03.239 --> 00:21:05.391
Well, I'll let you look for that.

00:21:05.391 --> 00:21:05.830
Yep, yeah, god don't get me.

00:21:05.830 --> 00:21:06.104
What's the name of that?

00:21:06.104 --> 00:21:06.282
Todd and Lonnie?

00:21:06.282 --> 00:21:06.691
Well, I'll let you look for that.

00:21:06.636 --> 00:21:10.981
There, okay, but tomorrow 10 am to 2 pm you've got the All-Houston Corvette Day Rally.

00:21:10.981 --> 00:21:22.040
That's in Frensley, texas, 2 to 5 pm tomorrow.

00:21:22.040 --> 00:21:24.443
You've got Savage next week On July 3rd.

00:21:24.443 --> 00:21:27.105
I know it's a weekend here, but July 3rd 6 pm.

00:21:27.125 --> 00:21:27.326
That's.

00:21:27.406 --> 00:21:27.866
Wednesday.

00:21:27.866 --> 00:21:30.917
Wednesday the fourth annual hot dog eating contest.

00:21:30.917 --> 00:21:32.501
Freedom Fest car show.

00:21:32.501 --> 00:21:34.135
It's in Richmond, texas.

00:21:34.135 --> 00:21:38.648
So that's 1125 FM 359 in Richmond.

00:21:38.689 --> 00:21:38.869
Texas.

00:21:38.869 --> 00:21:40.715
You're kind of a hot dog kind of guy, aren't you?

00:21:40.715 --> 00:21:41.196
Yeah, he is.

00:21:41.598 --> 00:21:42.000
I am.

00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:43.980
I'll tell you about that in a minute.

00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:51.505
Fourth of july at 5 30 pm, the freedom celebration and car show 25 130 aldine, westfield in spring texas.

00:21:51.545 --> 00:22:04.292
So the story is is that, uh, I've been talking, I don't, I, I have n't, I don't eat hot dogs, but I'm thinking, man, I got a hankering I got a hankering for a hot dog.

00:22:04.313 --> 00:22:10.615
So I was talking to my pilot buddy, tommy Noto, and Tommy Noto says oh, I got the ones for you.

00:22:10.615 --> 00:22:16.238
He said I don't want the ballpark, I don't want any of those, I don't want Oscar Myers, I don't want any of those.

00:22:16.238 --> 00:22:24.800
Go to the grocery store and get boar's head that are in the natural casing and they're all strung together like they had in the cartoons.

00:22:24.800 --> 00:22:26.301
You got to cut them apart.

00:22:26.301 --> 00:22:27.843
He says those are the ones.

00:22:27.843 --> 00:22:32.825
So my grocery store run tomorrow is going to be Boar's Head hot dogs.

00:22:32.825 --> 00:22:33.825
I'm going to get those.

00:22:33.825 --> 00:22:38.906
And I want to get some really nice buns and not, you know, little Miss Sunbeam or something like that.

00:22:38.906 --> 00:22:39.748
I don't like those.

00:22:39.748 --> 00:22:41.567
And a nice bun.

00:22:41.567 --> 00:22:48.955
Give me some chopped onions, some relish and some a nice bun.

00:22:48.955 --> 00:22:49.881
Give me some chopped onions, some relish and some mustard.

00:22:49.881 --> 00:22:50.786
And somebody said, well, well, wait a minute, what about?

00:22:50.786 --> 00:22:51.728
I could put some sprinkle, some cheese on there.

00:22:51.728 --> 00:22:57.669
I'm good with that, but I don't want sauerkraut and I don't want chili on there no, no, this is not a brat.

00:22:57.868 --> 00:23:02.459
We're not putting sauerkraut on a on a dang houston texas sacrilegious.

00:23:02.459 --> 00:23:04.742
No, it's not.

00:23:04.742 --> 00:23:08.215
No, no, no, mr Michigan, I'm from Wisconsin.

00:23:08.215 --> 00:23:10.809
I got the edge on the setup.

00:23:11.090 --> 00:23:12.436
You got the brat up on me.

00:23:13.116 --> 00:23:14.029
I got brat up on you.

00:23:14.130 --> 00:23:23.479
When we lived in San Antonio, the minor league AAA team would have dollar dog, dollar beer night kind of like what Rodney was talking about, and we'd get together and go out there.

00:23:23.479 --> 00:23:27.845
We didn't care what kind of dogs they had After about $20 worth of dollar beers.

00:23:27.845 --> 00:23:28.769
You know you don't care.

00:23:29.050 --> 00:23:30.256
He just gave me something, anything.

00:23:30.256 --> 00:23:51.680
And, by the way, I want to give a shout out to George Skelton, our dear friend and my high school well, grade school, junior high and high school friend who he and his wife were celebrating their 90th wedding anniversary 91st, I think, 91st yeah and he's also been doing some posting for us and we appreciate that.

00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.781
George, thank you very much.

00:23:52.781 --> 00:23:56.402
It's great to have you as a friend and we love you very much and give Twyla our best.

00:23:56.402 --> 00:23:58.429
Happy wedding anniversary, yeah happy wedding anniversary.

00:23:59.594 --> 00:24:00.597
I think it's not 91.

00:24:00.597 --> 00:24:02.313
Yeah, it's only 89.

00:24:02.333 --> 00:24:02.994
No, it's 89.

00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:07.190
He'll tell us, I'm sure there's no doubt, or Twyla will.

00:24:07.250 --> 00:24:09.878
I can only imagine what they're posting right now.

00:24:09.878 --> 00:24:14.901
Oh no, A couple of stories that I wanted to get in before we call it a day.

00:24:14.901 --> 00:24:17.759
Cost of vehicle repair is rising Duh.

00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:22.336
Therefore, so is the chance of customers getting hit with hefty service department bills.

00:24:22.336 --> 00:24:31.682
To ensure they don't decline the work and help them afford the repair, More dealerships are offering ready Drool rum Drool rum, I know I got it.

00:24:31.682 --> 00:24:35.641
Offering buy now, pay later service lane financing.

00:24:35.641 --> 00:24:43.394
Not only does it give customers more flexibility, the financing option also boosts customer satisfaction, according to some dealerships.

00:24:43.394 --> 00:24:44.479
Of course it did.

00:24:44.479 --> 00:24:56.026
According to JD Power, the average amount spent on premium dealership service rose from $314 in 2023 to $380 this year, a 21% increase.

00:24:56.026 --> 00:25:03.130
For mass market brands, amount rose 11% from $125 in 2023 to $140 in 2024.

00:25:03.130 --> 00:25:05.960
So now you can finance your vehicle repairs.

00:25:06.170 --> 00:25:10.557
Well, it's buy now, pay later, but that still doesn't get you in the shop any quicker.

00:25:10.557 --> 00:25:13.656
Maybe, maybe not, I don't know.

00:25:13.656 --> 00:25:14.393
I doubt it.

00:25:14.634 --> 00:25:20.020
I doubt it If you bring your car to us today, we'll give you Next Thursday.

00:25:20.020 --> 00:25:33.648
Next Thursday, ram grabbed the top spot on the JD Power US initial quality survey for the second time in four years, while Stellantis stablemate Dodge dropped to last place after leading the industry in 2023.

00:25:33.648 --> 00:25:38.796
Well, do they make anything in Dodge anymore Other than the EV?

00:25:38.796 --> 00:25:40.834
I think that's about it now.

00:25:40.834 --> 00:25:41.698
That's about it right now.

00:25:41.698 --> 00:25:51.118
Porsche ascended to the number one ranking among premium brands after being the runner-up last year to Stellantis' own Alfa Romeo, which fell to the bottom tier in 2024.

00:25:51.118 --> 00:25:52.797
Porsche was seventh overall.

00:25:52.797 --> 00:25:57.500
Chevrolet ranked second, moving up three spots from last year.

00:25:57.500 --> 00:26:00.500
Hyundai jumped to third place, up from 17.

00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:04.557
Kia was fourth and Buick rounded out the top five.

00:26:04.557 --> 00:26:07.584
Gmc and Cadillac fell out of the top 10.

00:26:07.584 --> 00:26:12.675
Ford moved up from below average in 2023 to ninth place this year.

00:26:12.675 --> 00:26:18.824
Owners reported an average of 195 problems per 100 vehicles.

00:26:18.824 --> 00:26:25.501
Three more than a year ago, ram had 149 problems per 100 vehicles and Porsche had 172.

00:26:25.910 --> 00:26:40.362
Ram did very well in numerous areas, including their infotainment system, according to Frank Hanley, senior Director of Auto Benchmarking at JD Power, and this story from Automotive News Study now in its 38th year, based on responses from 99,000 people.

00:26:40.362 --> 00:26:41.714
So it's legit.

00:26:41.714 --> 00:26:50.623
Yeah, and Chinese automotive brands are expected to achieve 33% market share across the globe by 2030.

00:26:50.623 --> 00:26:51.103
What?

00:26:51.103 --> 00:26:58.814
That's a lot, including a 20% market share in Mexico, according to a report by the consulting firm Alex Partners.

00:26:58.814 --> 00:27:01.556
Wow For Western automakers.

00:27:01.556 --> 00:27:07.298
It's not just competing in the Chinese market, it's competing with the Chinese automakers around the globe.

00:27:07.298 --> 00:27:17.644
The Biden administration raised tariffs on Chinese EVs in May to 102.5% from a previous 27.5%.

00:27:17.644 --> 00:27:21.988
Still, chinese manufacturers could take advantage of the US-Mexico-Canada agreement.

00:27:21.988 --> 00:27:34.921
That policy may allow vehicles to enter the US from Mexico duty-free if 75% of the vehicle and parts come from North America and 40% come from places where wages are $16 or more per hour.

00:27:34.942 --> 00:27:35.943
I don't have time.

00:27:36.044 --> 00:27:37.026
Read those percentages again.

00:27:37.026 --> 00:27:37.548
Yeah, I can't.

00:27:37.548 --> 00:27:43.200
All right, so thank you for playing, but we're going to be back here on In Wheel Time right after this quick break.

00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:51.404
The original group of Loopy Tortilla restaurants will have you telling your family and friends just what the original recipe means when it comes to the best fajitas in Southeast Texas.

00:27:51.404 --> 00:27:56.115
Founder Stan Holt invites you to visit the first Loopy Tortilla near I-10 and Highway 6.

00:27:56.115 --> 00:28:04.413
Here is the original house that inspired the design of all the rest and the original charm that helped make Loopy Tortilla the go-to destination for Houston Tex-Mex.

00:28:04.413 --> 00:28:07.227
Nothing can compete with the original lime pepper marinade.

00:28:07.227 --> 00:28:11.605
That everyone will agree makes Loopy Tortilla award-winning beef fajitas the best anywhere.

00:28:11.605 --> 00:28:17.397
Loopy Tortilla Katie's another location that gives you the same quality and service Houstonians have come to expect at Loopy's.

00:28:17.397 --> 00:28:21.105
It's located on 99 the Grand Parkway at Kingsland Boulevard in Katy.

00:28:21.105 --> 00:28:31.122
Find yourself in Aggieland Head to the Loopy Tortilla in College Station, located just around the corner from Kyle Field, it's a great place to enjoy those famous frozen margaritas before or after the game.

00:28:31.122 --> 00:28:35.915
Going to Louisiana, the Loopy Tortilla in Beaumont is on I-10, so you can't miss it.

00:28:35.915 --> 00:28:41.643
The original group of Loopy Tortilla restaurants has the best Tex-Mex anywhere and you're invited anytime.

00:28:42.183 --> 00:28:48.025
Your car is a direct reflection of you, so don't be satisfied with color fade or a dingy, dull appearance.

00:28:48.025 --> 00:28:50.795
Get rid of those terrible automated car wash scratches.

00:28:50.795 --> 00:28:54.366
Gulf Coast Auto Shield is your save-the-paint company.

00:28:54.366 --> 00:28:59.058
John Gray and his team of detailing experts can help your car cars finish without a full repaint.

00:28:59.058 --> 00:29:02.788
Searching for the real experts in window tint or windshield protection?

00:29:02.788 --> 00:29:07.584
Gulf Coast Auto Shield, dash cams, radar detectors Gulf Coast Auto Shield.

00:29:07.584 --> 00:29:08.586
Got a new car?

00:29:08.586 --> 00:29:11.278
Get that thing protected as soon as you take delivery.

00:29:11.278 --> 00:29:19.358
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 or can't afford.

00:29:19.358 --> 00:29:22.845
John will help you understand the many options and pricing right on the spot.

00:29:22.845 --> 00:29:26.739
He's your guy to have your ride looking its best and protected too.

00:29:26.739 --> 00:29:28.750
See the state-of-the-art shop yourself.

00:29:28.750 --> 00:29:29.894
Free tours anytime.

00:29:29.894 --> 00:29:35.273
Gulf Coast Auto Shield is easy to get to, located just south of the Southwest Freeway on the Sam Houston Parkway.

00:29:35.273 --> 00:29:42.094
Gulf Coast Auto Shield full service, luxury car care today and online at gcautoshieldcom.

00:29:42.094 --> 00:29:46.300
Oh stop, you're crying.

00:29:46.942 --> 00:29:49.953
Yes, that's all for this week's In-Wheel Time Car Talk Show.

00:29:49.953 --> 00:29:51.898
Here's my hanky.

00:29:51.898 --> 00:29:55.288
Be sure to check out our website inwheeltimecom.

00:29:55.288 --> 00:29:58.925
Follow us on Facebook, give us a like, tell your car friends about us and share our stuff.

00:29:58.925 --> 00:30:02.078
We'll keep you connected to the automotive world all week long.

00:30:02.078 --> 00:30:09.176
Love letters, suggestions and hate mail can be sent to Mars at inwheeltimecom.

00:30:10.290 --> 00:30:20.221
When you're looking for award-winning car talk, you can find the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show 24-7 on the iHeartRadio app Daily 30-minute podcasts available from your favorite podcast provider.

00:30:20.221 --> 00:30:26.096
We post a new episode every day and, don't forget, we live stream this show on Facebook, youtube and InWheelTimecom.

00:30:26.096 --> 00:30:30.759
Every Saturday from 8 am to 11 am Central Time.

00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:42.737
The InWheelTime video technical director and wise guy is we Need More Jeff Zekin For Booking Agent, video editor, people finder Mike out of this world, mars and chief engineer David Ainsley.

00:30:43.018 --> 00:30:43.880
I'm Don Armstrong.

00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:47.621
We hope you'll join us next week here on the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show.

00:30:47.621 --> 00:30:55.279
It's coming your way Saturday, july the 6th, from 8 to 11 am on all of our In Wheel Time Car Talk outlets.

00:30:55.279 --> 00:31:01.055
Have a great weekend, have a great 4th of July, be safe out there and we'll see you next week.

00:31:01.055 --> 00:31:16.311
That's it for this podcast episode of the In Wheel Time Car Show.

00:31:16.311 --> 00:31:16.672
I'm Don Armstrong.

00:31:16.672 --> 00:31:18.012
That's it for this podcast episode of the In Wheel Time Car Show.

00:31:18.012 --> 00:31:23.116
I'm Don Armstrong, inviting you to join us for our live show every Saturday morning 8 to 11 am.

00:31:23.116 --> 00:31:28.480
Central on Facebook, youtube, twitch and our InWheelTimecom website.

00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:37.067
Podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, spotify, stitcher, iheart Podcast, podcast Addict TuneIn, pandora and Amazon Music.

00:31:37.067 --> 00:31:41.326
Keep listening and we'll see you soon.