The Shell Pioneering “Live on Stage” Experience had a wealth of automotive knowledge crossing the stage at the 2017 SEMA Show. The aftermarket industry is changing rapidly and the OEMs…
John Hennessey talks about his speed record-breaking 270.4 mph Venom GT at Kennedy Space Center, and candidly talks about how JFK inspired him to shoot for the moon, an admiration…
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #354
The action from the Shell Pioneering Performance Stage is back for our final episode of coverage from SEMA 2018. Among those affected by the string of hurricanes these past few years was legendary designer and CEO of Hennessey Performance, John Hennessey. That’s why he’s very appreciative of Nissan’s Paws One Titan XD, as well as his Shell and Pennzoil extended family that helped him through the crisis of Hurricane Harvey. We also learn more about the Hennessey Venom F5, which is set to break the 300 mph production car barrier. Next up, Brembo North America President and CEO, Dan Sandberg, shares how they’re using the power of artificial intelligence (A.I.) to design the toughest brakes in the industry. Then, Dan is joined by Automotive Journalists, Nik Miles, and Automotive/Motorcycle Industry Insider Mike Caudill, from Our Auto Expert to discuss the Nissan Paws One Titan XD and Nexen Tire’s ‘American Muscle for American Heroes’ initiative. Changing lanes, eBay Motors Parts and Accessories Senior Director, Jordan Hettinga, gives us some astounding stats about the presence of eBay motors, including a catalog of 80 million car parts. Shifting gears, Owner of the 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback (Bullitt – ‘559), Sean Kiernan, Historic Vehicle Association (HVA) President, Mark Gessler, and “Barn Find Hunter” Host, Tom Cotter, chronicle the unique history of Steve McQueen’s legendary film-car. Tom also issues a warning: rust never sleeps, so keep your vehicles out of the weather! Then, “Big Chris” Smith and Dennis Collins of Black Mountain Jeep, and Restore A Muscle Car and Operator, Dave Hall, trade wild car stories, pay their respects to industry icon Chip Foose, and talk about their favorite classics. Closing out the show, Koester Racing Driver, Larry Koester, Tjin Edition Roadshow Automotive Designer, Neil Tjin, and his son, Collin Tjin, talk about the therapeutic properties of getting behind the wheel and going for a drive. We also learn about Tjin family projects, including a Ford Mustang design-off between father and son, in conjunction with Vaughn Gittin, Jr. Don’t miss the final episode of SEMA 2018 coverage.
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #317
It’s a new year, and Alan is gearing up for a month of some of the big trade shows; CES, North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), and Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale are just around the corner. We chat with some of our favorite guests about what this year has in store. We begin the show with automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, who discusses the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year Awards (NACTOY), and rides that are about to make their debut at NAIAS. Next, Brian Moody of Autotrader talks CES, auto apps, and life-saving autonomous technology. Changing lanes, John Hennessey of Hennessey Performance shares the story of why he created THE EXORCIST, a 1000-HP Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Last but not least, Karl Brauer of Kelley Blue Book sounds off about his new monster, the Dodge Demon SRT. Tune in for an episode packed full of trade shows, technology, and horsepower.
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #309
A wealth of automotive knowledge is very present at the SEMA show every year. The Shell Pioneering Performance “Live on Stage” Experience played host to some of the greats in the industry. We begin the hour with Gale Banks of Banks Power, who has played a large role in military engines for 41 years, and he gives us an inside look on what his company is working on now. Changing lanes, NHRA Top Fuel World Champion, Larry Dixon, tells us that they will be awarding one lucky winner the opportunity to ride in the passenger seat in a recently designed two-seater Top Fuel car. Then, John Hennessey, President of Hennessey Performance, touches on the sweet rides he brought to SEMA, such as the 6×6 VelociRaptor, and the unveiling of the highly anticipated Venom F5. Nancy Bruner, Chief Digital Officer for Shell Lubricants, and Tony Frassetto, Senior Account Manager for Universal Technical Institute (UTI), then jump on stage. They talk with us about their partnership, and Tony shares a little about the school. Then, Barry Meguiar of Meguiar’s, discusses the car hobby history and his busy schedule of jet-setting to car shows all over. J Haynes of Haynes Publishing is up next to share the story of how their company began. After that Rutledge Wood, NASCAR Personality, shares about a project he built with eBay Motors. We end the show with a special announcement from Colin Abraham, President of Shell, Steve Ledbetter, President of Jiffy Lube, Chris Powell, President of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Patty Lanning, Vice President of North American Marketing for Shell Oil. Tune in now.
Time flies when you're having fun and after a long year of test drives, auto shows, and summer vacations, we have come full circle all the way back to the…
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #285
The next generation of car lovers has arrived and it’s in the hands of the industry experts to help them tame their passion. We begin the first hour with Tony Bowie, who shares the mission of the Southwest Research Institute and their involvement with the Shell Eco-marathon. Then, Alan introduces freelance automotive journalist, George Kennedy III, to talk about their shared test drive of the Volvo V90 XC, and George’s 24 Hours to LeMons race. In the second hour, we jump back a couple months to a great show from February; we hear from the king of horsepower, John Hennessey, as well as BJ Killeen, KBB’s Karl Brauer, and owner of Workshop 5001, Marlon Goldberg. Join us to fuel your passion for cars.
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #279
Designers, engineers, and aftermarket customizers must constantly reimagine how we think of cars. Some of our favorite experts, Kelley Blue Book’s Karl Brauer and BJ Killeen, sound off on recent late model test drives. Then, we get a preview of two exciting events on the horizon; the Shell Eco-Marathon in Detroit, and the oh-so-glamorous Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. We prepare for a life of adventure with the head of GoRVing.com and find out the best way to get started in the RV lifestyle. Also, aftermarket geniuses from Hennessey Performance and LA Workshop 5001 share how they’re achieving unprecedented horsepower and overall quality.
https://youtu.be/DumG4S5evEo?list=PL88Uu0Ag6VXAzrb6wQDwdxrhGSxDLRbbB
We sit down with John Hennessey to catch up on Hennessey Performance’s new builds to commemorate their 25th Anniversary, including an 804 horsepower Mustang, Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat with HPE1000 Twin Turbo/Supercharged Engine Upgrade proudly painted in Shell yellow, and VelociRaptor 6X6. We also hear about Hennessey’s new Tuner School, a 14-week program for the young who have the dream and passion to learn a variety of modifications.
https://youtu.be/8G-h95VvWdU?list=PL88Uu0Ag6VXAzrb6wQDwdxrhGSxDLRbbB
The global automotive celebration and collector car auction, Barrett-Jackson, returns to Scottsdale this January! From notable charity cars like Steven Tyler’s Hennessey Venom GT, to Charlie Thomas’ 150 car collection, and loads of cool memorabilia, we cover some of the event highlights with Barrett-Jackson CEO, Craig Jackson.