It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by motorsport journalist and author Gary Watkins to explore the remarkable rise of GT3 racing and how it became one of the most successful categories in international motorsport.

Gary's latest book charts the first twenty years of GT3, and together we look back at how Stéphane Ratel helped create a formula that transformed sports car racing. By combining production-based machinery, Balance of Performance regulations, and driver grading, GT3 offered manufacturers, private teams, and amateur drivers a chance to compete on a more level playing field.

We explore how GT3 emerged from the lessons of earlier GT1 and GT2 championships, and why allowing specialist tuners to develop and homologate cars opened the door to a remarkable variety of machinery. From the Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari to the growing involvement of major manufacturers, GT3 quickly established itself as an attractive alternative to increasingly expensive forms of racing.

Gary explains how the category's flexibility helped it spread around the world, becoming equally successful in sprint racing and major endurance events. We discuss the role of the SRO, the importance of privateer teams and how GT3 has provided opportunities for countless drivers to establish careers in professional motorsport.

But has GT3 become a victim of its own success? With increasingly sophisticated cars, rising costs and manufacturers developing machinery specifically for competition, we ask whether the category risks losing the accessibility and production-car connection that made it so successful.

It's a fascinating look at the evolution of modern sports car racing, the people and decisions that shaped GT3, and the challenges it faces as it enters its third decade.

Gary's book provides a comprehensive account of the category's first twenty years and is essential reading for anyone interested in how GT3 changed the landscape of international motorsport.

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It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined once again by Ruben Verdes, an authority on Rolls-Royce and Bentley, as we turn our attention to the fascinating world of classic car concours, judging and the preservation of automotive history.

In the second part of our conversation, Ruben shares his extensive experience as a concours judge and vehicle valuer, explaining what really happens behind the scenes at some of America's most prestigious classic car events. We discuss the differences between British and American car culture, why the United States has such a thriving concours scene and what makes these gatherings so important to collectors and enthusiasts.

Ruben takes me through the judging process, from the initial practical checks to the detailed examination of originality, authenticity, condition and presentation. We explore how judges reach their decisions, why accurate provenance matters and the lengths organisers go to in ensuring that cars are genuinely what their owners claim them to be.

We also discuss the considerable influence that winning a major concours can have on a car's reputation and value, alongside some of the remarkable vehicles and personalities Ruben has encountered over the years.

Beyond the prestigious competitions, Ruben reflects on the wider American classic car scene, from major national events to local cars-and-coffee gatherings, and explains why both have an important role in keeping enthusiasm for historic vehicles alive.

Above all, this is a conversation about the responsibility that comes with owning and preserving significant cars. Ruben believes these machines should be seen, enjoyed and appreciated rather than hidden away in private collections, ensuring future generations have the opportunity to experience motoring history for themselves.

It's another fascinating insight into the world of Rolls-Royce, Bentley and classic car collecting, and a reminder that preserving automotive heritage is about much more than simply keeping old cars in immaculate condition.

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Hamish Robertson from the Watch Collectors Club to explore the fascinating relationship between motorsport and watches, and how the two have become almost inseparable over more than a century.

With the practical role of timekeeping in early motoring, when dashboard clocks and specialist watches could be found in cars from manufacturers including Bugatti, Peugeot and Mercedes. From there, we trace the rise of the chronograph and its transformation into the watch most closely associated with racing drivers and motorsport enthusiasts.

Hamish takes me through some of the watches that helped define that relationship, including Heuer’s Autavia, Carrera and Monaco. We discuss Jack Heuer’s clever approach to motorsport sponsorship, his relationships with individual racing drivers and how Steve McQueen helped turn the distinctive square-cased Monaco into a cultural icon.

We also explore the extraordinary story of the Rolex Daytona, a watch that was not always particularly desirable but eventually became one of the most recognisable and sought-after watches in the world. Hamish explains how changing movements, dealers, marketing and celebrity ownership all contributed to creating the Daytona mythology we know today.

But motorsport watches are certainly not confined to expensive Swiss mechanical pieces. We discuss quartz and digital watches, including the remarkable durability of Casio’s G-Shock, and why accuracy and resilience can matter considerably more than mechanical tradition when a watch is actually being used in demanding conditions.

From affordable microbrands and heritage reissues to some of the finest examples of haute horlogerie, we look at the enormous choice available to enthusiasts today and why motorsport continues to inspire watchmakers at every price point.

We also discuss the growing community around watch collecting, the role of clubs, exhibitions and specialist shows, and how organisations such as the Watch Collectors Club are helping enthusiasts understand and enjoy the stories behind the watches on their wrists.

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