The Ultimate Road Trip Podcast James Whalley & Louise Irving

Singer Vehicle Design founder Rob Dickinson is the final guest on the Ultimate Road Trip Podcast for 2023! This year marked the 60th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Porsche 911 at The Frankfurt Motor Show and it’s fitting that we have the man behind one of the most celebrated automotive companies of recent years on the podcast, chatting about his childhood through to his time in 90’s band Catherine Wheel, to starting Singer. The company restores and reimagines 911’s -based on the 964 chassis- in the direction of each individual clients’ wishes, striving for ”a relentless pursuit of excellence” and it was a privilege to chat to Rob about Singer, as well as, of course, his Ultimate Road Trip!

Coronation Street actor Shelley King joins James on the Ultimate Road Trip Podcast this week! She’s played Yasmeen for almost 10 years, but in 2019 hit the headlines for her character’s gradual degradation at the hands of her thoroughly nasty husband, Geoff Metcalfe (played by Ian Bartholomew), throwing the real-life problem of coercive control in relationships into the spotlight. What many of her fans may not know, is that along with acting, one of her other passions is cars. Especially ones from Stuttgart....

I’m lucky to be joined by another legendary musician this week - who just happens to be a car and motorsport fanatic. John Oates has been making music his whole life, and along with his creative partner Daryl Hall, has released almost 30 studio and live album, had six #1 singles and also a flourishing solo career. He’s a self-confessed ’gearhead’ and in our chat reminisces about cars he’s owned, lost and rediscovered, before we cover his Ultimate Road Trip. The car he’s picked is a reinvention of one of the most famous sports cars of all time and his song choice is, not surprisingly, from another legendary soul man.

We’re back with Season 4 of the URT Podcast and on this latest episode, James is joined by a very special guest - 1992 Formula One World Champion, Nigel Mansell! Nigel was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last year driving a variety of cars including his Ferrari 640 from 1989 and the 1992 Championship winning Williams FW14B - celebrating 30 years since he claimed the F1 title. ’Our Nige’ drew huge crowds at the Festival, but spared a few minutes to speak to James about his thoughts on the incredible collection of cars that had been gathered from his career - and then his Ultimate Road Trip. The car he chose isn’t from Maranello, but the tune? Well, that’s by a musician who’s love of the prancing horse marque is no secret.

Chef Ben Robinson from the superyacht reality TV series ’Below Deck’ joins me this week on the podcast! Ben’s experience in Michelin starred kitchens and on yachts, along with his British sense of humour and outlook on life obviously ticked all the producer’s boxes, as he appeared in the first series of the show back in 2013. Six further Seasons later and after gaining a huge following, he decided to concentrate on his own international catering business, specialising in holistic nutrition. As well as the road trip we chatted about getting through the pandemic, his current projects and of course ’Below Deck’ - as you’ll hear, the cooking wasn’t an issue, but his first time in front of the camera was a different kettle of fish!

Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen driver Zhou Guanyu was one of the star drivers at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in June and I was very lucky to spend a few minutes with him on the Alfa stand in the middle of his packed schedule. After chatting about his move to the UK and rapid rise through the motorsport ranks to the heady heights of F1 and a successful start to his debut season, along with his thoughts on the Alfa Tonale, we then got onto his Ultimate Road Trip. As you’ll hear, I wished him all the best for the British Grand Prix the following weekend, but any luck for a successful result at Silverstone would be used up, walking away with just a few bruises after that terrifying crash at the start of the race.