Chris Harris Talks Cars With Jethro Bovingdon
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- Опубліковано 22 чер 2024
- Chris Harris sits down with motoring journalist and newly appointed Top Gear America presenter, Jethro Bovingdon.
The pair discuss how they got into motoring journalism, some of the great tales from the days of Evo magazine, the future of the car industry, and Jethro's Renault Clio Trophy. - Авто та транспорт
You guys , the original evo group are probably the last bastion of pure automotive journalism. I'm 21 and have been watching Chris, Jethro, Harry, Steve, Henry, Dicky anywhere I found you people reviewing cars and have enjoyed every minute of it over the past 6 years! Sadly I don't really see any newcomers as good as you guys
I wish it was Jethro and Henry on top gear with Chris 😁
the whole podcast i was thinking: why can't these two be on the same top gear together
Be great wouldn’t it 👍🏻
Let Henry be at Carfection
Oh man that would be something. Too many car nerds for that show to appeal to the masses though.
Exactly what I was thinking! Would be epic!
I'm at work crying of laughing so much because of that M3 CS crash history
Same here!! It is one of the best/craziest stories I've ever heard. Sounds like something in a Guy Ritchie movie...
I’m a certifiable car-nut, and blessed enough to have some cars in the garage.
Met up with some local “influencers” and they seemed like proper petrolheads (trick upgrades and photography), but the subject of “driving” just didn’t come up, and when I brought it up, there were zero takers...
Maybe I’m a dinosaur, but I could give a dam how a car looks and what the numbers are, it’s all about the drive and how it makes me feel!!!
Actually im the opposite. I dont car much how a car drives, i care how about how it looks, sounds and makes me feel emotionally!
I think it's partly a product of environment + conditioning. Most influencer types, no matter how much they love just driving cars, have to spend so many hours involved in prep work, camera shoots, deciding which car to buy to appeal to people who watch their channel, etc. that they have to be people who care about those things or they wouldn't be good at what they do.
As Jethro mentioned, even among magazine writers only some of them were held to high enough standards of driving capability when starting out that they really are worth listening to when it comes to dynamics, though. Hard to expect most influencers to stack up in that regard.
I would love to see more content of good drivers pushing cars to the limit and sharing experiences compared to trying to drum up excitement about the latest supercar, though. I would rather watch someone driving absolutely on the limit with 185 section all seasons than pulling 1.2 G with 305 section Cup 2s. Following someone working on developing their car's handling balance and tuning the suspension setup with datalogging and excellent camera work to demonstrate the how the setup changes are affecting the car would be mega.
I suppose this is just me speaking from what I'm personally interested in, though. Currently trying to build my (cheap, shitty) car into something that's fun to drive (e.g. controllable oversteer, communicates well with the driver and responds well to driver inputs) rather than chasing outright speed.
FlyHy - I enjoyed that perspective, thank you, I certainly see your point.
Good luck with the build, can’t argue with the objective.
@@user-qn6yt3zx3w Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for the well wishes!
@ufster81 Well said! If Steve Coogan was going to post a YT comment on a car video then I imagine he would have written something pretty much verbatim.
Henry Catchpole next please!
Two of my favourite car people. I too went through University reading Evo and Autocar , then signed up for Drivers Republic and Drive Tribe so loved the Audi A2 quote. When are we going to see more of Jethro in the UK? Chris - get him on Top Gear in UK!!!!!!
Trade him for paddy, I bet he's cheaper anyway ; )
26 minutes in and I’m literally crying about the M3cs story 😂😂😂
This is great. Two of my favourite car journos in one place. I'd love to hear Chris, Dickie and Jethro all together for one episode some time.
you guys are the best motoring jornalists in the world, together with meaden and catchpole, maybe you should do something together again
What Jethro says around 33 minutes, is bang on... 'nuff said.
Bang on might be, but a couple of minutes later they answered the question - modern cars are just so fast that driving at 10/10 on public roads is nuts these days, and the enjoyment of driving at sane(ish) speeds is gone because every cars feels the same and just too quick around the corners, too competent. And to be honest I am sort of tired of contemporary performance cars too,. IMHO one of the best videos of Chris was the one about the 2CV. The one about basics, managing momentum and stuff like that. I wish we had a jurno going out driving interesting, in their day perhaps common, but nowadays rare/special cars of the past decades that are still affordable. Collecting cars for everyone.
the only thing wrong about this podcast is that it only has 1 hour. You two are the best, great british sense of humor and amazing drivers, that's what separate you from the new car journalists, as Jethro says, I couldn't care less about the opinion of someone who doesn't know how to drive fast properly, that's why I rarely buy magazines nowadays, and I used to buy Evo every month 10-15 years ago. I also don't care about influencers who can't drive shit and don't know what they are talking about, you guys were the golden era of sports car journalism, that now everybody misses. I really hope you gather someday and try to do something new for us real fans and petrolheads/drivers.
I've been waiting since October... Easily my favorite podcast
Can't wait for the eventual DR podcast. DR was brilliant. It may have failed but it really was the FIRST quality motor video stuff on the net really from a Troy Queef type of angle. Such a dream team doing it. The DR trio plus Catchpole would have made such an epic Top Gear crew.
A lot of respect for Jethro. Great journo and driver.
Thanks Chris and CC... any chance these will be filmed in the future? Jethro speaks the truth re new car collectors and future mobility offerings.
Wishing they had
so good, just two great blokes who love having fun in cars, as we all here.
Really enjoyed this. My funniest EVO memory was when Jethro's dad appeared under a different name one issue to give an owners viewpoint on a car, then appeared under his real name a few months later, identical pic each time. Might be the other way round come to think of it. Think it was Skyline and E39 M5
Like the dude below I'm sitting in the study smashing with laughter about the M3 story. You both sound like my mates and I in our younger days, flat out everywhere, in a ditch, laughing our heads off...generally sensible but larking around ..none the less.
I can’t believe how good these podcasts are compared to how few they produce 🙄 it really is the audio equivalent of the 911R 😂
911, bland like an iphone
Granjacia you have obviously never drove one
Kung Tita you’re right I have never “drove” one no
A yer I thought as much
@@ianmitchell9102 sure, my m8 actually has a newish 997 and its almost as quick as my miata down the mountain. i literally mean the styling, ive never liked it since the 80s and theyve never made another good option, unless yer into SUV's ;)
Felt like you could talked for another hour easily.... love this podcast
Perfect start to the day! Great stuff!
The young people still love cars and your contents currently sat reading evo whilst listening to this podcast I'm 23 I have had 8 cars(abarth/bmws) all modified and amazing fun! I am currently driving a Megane R26 & e46 325ci and look forward to getting into track days you guys do inspire the younger generation keep it up 👍
Great to hear Jethros experience of Drivetribe - I was there for nearly 2 years and the content he was producing at the beginning was so great. Big loss when he went.
The truest thing said in this is that cars-and bikes-are now too dam fast, you just cannot use the performance, so you drive around using 10-15% of what you paid for and it’s no fun. I recently sold a 2006 Fiat Panda Sporting that I had owned for 7 years, 1250 diesel, thrashed it everywhere, hugely fun little car to drive and unlikely to lose me my licence. I am the same with bikes now, big sportbikes are wonderful things and fabulous to ride, but when you can do over 90mph in 1st gear and you have 6 gears you have to wonder at the relevance of it all in a road vehicle.
Great podcast. Best yet.
Two of my fav’s. Can listen all day. An American here who finds most American auto journalists a bore
There's another Jethro who's a petrol head as well. Jethro Bronner. He rebuilds Alfas in South Africa and has a YT channel. He rebuilt and then drove a '64 105 from South Africa to England, putting 20k miles on it.
Excellent podcast, by any measure.
Now get Henry on, and be quick about it!
Fantastic podcast. Always a pleasure listening.
Can't believe I'm only finding out about this podcast now. Hope you'll have Henry on some time!
This is awesome! Now I understand podcasts (still would’ve preferred to have video too) and will have to listen to all the others mentioned (catchpole, meaden, sutcliffe, etc). The story about the m3 crash is real quality! 😂
Chris, please do a video of the podcast like Joe Rogan does. It’s far better for UA-cam viewers to see the conversation happen. Great stuff man. Definitely the best motoring journalist in the world easily
Fantastic story, not surprised. I had the luck to enjoy such a kettle of talent once. You guys must have done the same, with Harry, Dickie, Henry. And all the good ideas you get late in the day. Great behind the scenes, not all for publication. Great job Chris!
The driving 'guilt' is a sad result of the 'speed kills' lie that keen drivers are now feeling guilty about enjoying some acceleration an open road and can go to prison for doing so, speed being equal to danger in many peoples eyes. I have the pleasure of knowing some very keen and able drivers and in the de-restricted sections they will stretch well into 3 figures. The same drivers will also drive well below the speed limit in town if conditions require it and will spot situations developing and take evasive action early, they have pride in their driving skill and excellent situational awareness. The drive to obey ever decreasing speed limits in all situations removes any excitement from driving, that leads to more and more dumbing down of driving skills with a reduction in safety. To be a safe fast driver you look a long way ahead and many zombies being 'safe' at the limit just don't, it is a sad situation and people just seem to accept it.
I enjoyed the old days of EVO, when the fun you were having came through the pages and it was a great read, I absorbed every page and bought every issue. I am a sporadic buyer now and don't always read it all the way through and Its not because I have moved onto watching 'influencers'. I think maybe because cars have reached a peak where they are too capable and detached, so they are a little boring. Getting the best out of something slow and not particularly good can be more rewarding than the lastest super machine. I think James Hunt was on to something with his A35 van, though I haven't gone that extreme!
While my kids (d13 and s7) do watch a lot of you tube and virtually no tele , my son especially is enjoying the current series of top gear so it is not all over for the future generations, assuming we don't let the governments ruin all driver involvement with 'safety systems'
Tony F well said, so true 👍🏻
M3 CS story had me in fits!
Please please please film these. I just cannot listen to podcasts, I have to watch them. Please.
same here, I did but it is always agony.
Cheers guys, really enjoying these. :)
Absolutely brilliant listening!
Harry, Harris and Jethro could make a show we have yet to see. My 3 favorite car guys out there and they already happen to have relationships. Listen Top Gear execs
Jethro needs to be on top gear with Chris for a successful show.
First! Woo! Been waiting for ages for my next Harris podcast fix
I’m actually looking forward to top gear USA or what ever they’re calling it this time.
Great stories 👍
Your truth talk about real driving is refreshingly honest...always thought I was good, watching Rohl or even you guys is a sharp dose of reality......though on a public road, sounds bad but, I'd run yu..hehe.
please give us some video to the audio. I really like to see peoples faces when they talk
I would love the opportunity to learn to drive like that. I mean I do track days and I've done caterham drift days and karting etc but there's nothing quite like just drifting your own car around. Nowhere to properly get to grips with it anymore really. Everyone gets a face on if you find a big enough car park haha.
Jethro suggesting the American car media takes itself too seriously is indicative of the country in general. I lived there for a few years and I spent most days thinking to myself, "just lighten up would ya?"
Two awesome drivers...
enjoyed listening on my drive to work, went the back roads - it's only right
Still waiting on the Drivers Republic Episode
I'm so glad Jethro got his own show on Motor Trend. His review of the blue bb Mclaren spyder got me! Since then I'm sold. By the way, Chris, I have subscribe a lot of your old stuff. You two should do something together it would be awesome! There's only way to find out!! 😜
Very entertaining !
Relieved after being a fan (sounds w*nk) that JB is sound, speaks sense and tells it like it is. Really enjoyed that gents 🏁.
This one made me subscribe. I’m a similar age to you chaps and started working and being able to buy cars as you started working. It’s ok to be nostalgic but I agree - I struggle to enjoy watching the influencer movement...
Same here. I'm not bitter about 'influencers' and enjoying there is good quality auto content on youtube as well as podcasts like these. Vloggers or influencers that are shallow (not talking about cars in depth or driving them, focusing on the luxury money side instead of driving) are best taken for what they are, advertisement. Just skip them :)
Dream team right here!
You know Harris rates the guest when he lets him talk!
I liked this even before I listened! Says it all.
Matt Jones how many women have you proposed to before the first date?
Peter Bett 😂😂 I think I know what he meant
I want more chat about influencers... you guys always hold back
Listening to this conversation and the one with Dickie has answered a few questions that have long bothered me. Chief among which was "how the f*** in today's Britain does one become a truly proficient driver while managing to pursue any kind of career?" (without going to prison, losing all of your money or growing up around some form of racing). The answer, possibly unsurprisingly, was: extensive time on an empty track accompanied by people who really know what they're doing. As someone who has always lived for cars, and driving, I find this a somewhat depressing thought. I'm not sure I can think of another hobby/interest that's so widely adopted, almost universally so, that has such high and for most of us entirely unbreachable barriers to entry. As Jethro mentioned, when recalling his thoughts on a young guy at a car launch after only 6 weeks on the job: what understanding can you possibly derive from driving this car and in what context are you even able to judge anything about it? He wasn't being rude and it's a legitimate question to ask.
Despite being able to pedal fairly well by ordinary standards, I fear this also applies to me and to 90+% of car enthusiasts out there. We never properly get to appreciate cars even if we're lucky enough to drive them. This is a hugely sad fact and one that I don't think I'll ever come to terms with.
But, interestingly, I think this puts a lot of pressure on motoring journalists to bridge the gap between where we stand as everyday road lemmings and the true experience and personality of any given car. Both Chris and Jethro have done such a stellar job of translating this over the years and is something to which I would attribute a lot of their success. So thank you very much, chaps, but please now find a way to impart your knowledge of driving onto all of us, too. I implore you. :)
👍🏻 keep it up!!!
i love Jethro. a proper driver too. i loved this podcast. i have modified Volvo 940 turbo with 330bhp and equivalent brakes and suspension,. LSD etc etc i would be honoured if the pair of you would review it....i would equate it to a E39 M5 round a track. would love your opinions...
just great
It's great to listen to Jethro background but I wish y'all talked more about great driver's cars
Whats the story around 20.30 Litchfield spanking Noble ?
Automotive journalist = Reviews car......... Motoring journalist = Reviews driving experience.
Loved that!
The micro machines game one of the characters was called Jethro
This is interesting about what you had to say about many writers.
I have done many product launches for motor manufactures and sat next to writers tell the reader about this car. Most couldn't drive their finger up their arse!
I stopped reading these magazines.
They should do the podcast going sideways
Oh man, I feel like you guys know me better than my closest friends.
Video!
When is the story about the lotus 340R in Wales going to come out? I was driving form Dorset to Angelsey and saw a 340R on the road near Birmingham headed South, Then later into my journey on the A5 just outside Betws y Coed I came across a second one well distributed across the road. I have never seen one on the road since so assume there were a few about with various magazines that day. I have seen references to it in EVO, I think Harry M used it as the reason for buying one. I skidded to a halt on a part of it in bright red 944, fortunately the police lady stood in the middle of the road was far enough away not to be concerned! Whoever was driving it had done a good job of dismantling it and I hope as the tub looked ok they were not seriously injured.
Tony F I had a guards red 2.7 lux 944, great little drivers car
@@ianmitchell9102, nice!, my 944 always felt to me like it could handle 100bhp more so I bought a late turbo which had close to another 100bhp, but, with its bigger brakes stiffer suspension etc. it also felt like it could handle another 100bhp! A journey started that ended with it having a further 100+BHP and I took it to nearly 200k Miles. I still own it and will get around to giving it a full refresh eventually. I have a 944 turbo cab as well now, but I only use that as a toy rather than daily transport.
Tony F if your ever in the Epsom Surrey area, I would love to see the turbo with the big horse power, I absolutely love them, I originally had a 220bhp turbo and regret selling it. Contact me on kungtita@gmail.com if your around, I’m a keen car detailer too, so will happily spend 4/5 hours making it look fresh !!
@@ianmitchell9102... I think you'd approve of my car. Late 944 Turbo with the bridge spoiler. It's taken me 10 years to get it just how I want it. 9xx chipset, dual port wastegate, Bailey dump valve, adjustable boost (currently 18psi), Janspeed exhaust, K&N, KW V3 suspension, big red brake conversion, Cup1's & sticky Yoko rubber and in the fastest colour red. Moved to Yorkshire from Kent last Summer but I think I might take it to Jon Mitchell's place in Christchurch (he's done all the mods) for its belt service this Summer. I've been looking for an enthusiastic detailer....
Simon Jones sounds stunning, are you on tipec ? Would love to see some pictures 👍🏻
My jaws are hurting laughing at the M3 CS story
I didn't know Will from The Inbetweeners was into cars.
Looks so severe in thumbnail. Is actually delightful.
Definitely bring on Henry Catchpole next! And I think Jethro would be a good fit for Carfection.
2 out of the 3 best to do jt
Well this was fantastic.
Regarding all this motoring content. I kinda wish there was again more technical stuff, not just people sideways and goofing around. I mean I enjoy burning rubber as much as next petrosexual, but I would like some actual details also.
This has become apparent also with MTOD. I mean there's very little serious car content (fe BDC used to be semi-intelligent take on the matter) and I like real wrenching stuff also, but most of it seems to be buchery and/or silly drama for dramas sake. And I'm not a twelve or idiot. And they cancelled the On Two Wheels which was a last draw for me.
Thankfully there's some quality content in the youtube, altough I wouldn't mind paying for quality content. Unfortunately there isn't any available. But perhaps it just me. Million flys cannot be wrong about shit either.
One down👍, the two Harry’s (Catchpole and the farmer😂) left to go; and also Neal of course👍
Robert Rishel Harry the farmer has already been on!
Henry.
Dan Martin exactly 😂...
love these podcasts. Was a huge fan of drivers republic and evo mag in the days I had a nurburgring year pass. Great to hear that driving skills ruled back then and shine through in the writing. Here's what i dont get. You keep bashing SUV's. But I just switched a Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake (more a work of art than an estate) for a Rav4 MY20. And for taking the family to spain its miles better, swallows all the missus throws at it and it drives like shit but I dont care. As long as there is a passion car next to it (now an Alfa 156 Busso V6). So stop shitting on cars that are for hauling and focus on keeping the drivers car alive. Big shout out to NA cars still being made like the LS500 or the americans V8 still not going the turbo route. Crapping on dynamicly shite cars by design (essentaly mpv on jacked up undercarraige) will not bring the sports car back.
Has anyone pointed out the utter travesty of Motor Trend? Jethro has for most of us gone into the ether because of them.
Nicholas Evennett what’s happened to motor trend ?
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If I just could get my old EVO magazines back. I sold my 1 to 250. :((((( BTW Chris I tried to watch top gear after remembering that it somewhat still existed. But your hosting mates do not speak english? Is it a treason, trying to forcefully kill a program that was once most watched all over the world, by having a hosts that cant even speak their own language.
Real content J? More people watch Shmee, Doug and Stradman than you lol a lot more people... Let’s see what kind of content you’d come up with with no money, no resources, 1 iPhone, no crew, no editor, no craft services, no agent to complain to. Let’s see what you’d come up with bro. Putting down hard working content creators is low tier and not refined mate. Get a clue of how youtube works before insulting a whole working sector of the population. I’ll make sure none of my client ever work with you J. Love you though Chris :)
Utter bilge!! Yes they get views, but they produce objectively poor content. Why anyone would want to watch some twat get the super car of the moment and gun it in a straight line I’ll never know. Don’t even get me started on the girly screams that they all seem to do. Influencers are truly the lowest common denominator appealing to the lowest common denominator.