The Smoking Tire

What was Vaughn Gittin Jr's first car? How about his favorite Mustang ever? His thoughts on EVs? The answers will surprise you as much as they did us.

 

Vaughn Gittin Jr has climbed the automotive ranks to impressive heights. From humble beginnings, drifting for fun led to sponsors, wins, championships, and eventually partnering with one of the biggest OEMs on Earth: Ford. 

On this episode we learn about: his RTR Mustangs (available to order now); his first car (you aren't ready); his favorite Mustang; cars he loves outside those wearing the blue oval; the challenges of building cars at scale; what he said no to; his secret to winning; and so much more.

Recorded April 8, 2026

 

His new book, "Ready to Rock" is available for pre-order now. https://www.rtrvehicles.com/blogs/news/ready-to-rock-book

 

https://www.instagram.com/vaughngittinjr

https://www.rtrvehicles.com/

 

Mac tools

Go to https://mactools.org/tire to learn more and see if there’s an open route near you 

 

Butcherbox

New listeners can get their choice between chicken breast or top sirloin for a year OR ground beef for life, PLUS $20 off when you go to https://ButcherBox.com/tire

 

DeleteMe

Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/tire/and use promo code TIRE at checkout. 

 

TrueWerk

Upgrade to the T2 WerkPant and stay comfortable no matter what the day brings. Get 15% off your first order at https://TRUEWERK.com with code tire. 

 

Drive Season 4

Listen to Drive with Jim Farley Season 4 at https://lnk.to/drivewithjimfarleyPS!thesmokingtire

 

 

Enter to WIN a 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S!

Podcast Link: https://www.dreamgiveaway.com/tickets/porsche?promo=SMOKINGTIRE

Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities. Use Podcast Promo Code: SMOKINGTIRE

 

Promo Code Offer: Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities.

 

Want your question answered? To listen to the episode the day it's recorded? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

 

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST

 

#cars #comedy #podcast

 

Instagram:

https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire

https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

 

Click here for the most honest car reviews out there: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST.

Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Tweet at us!
https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman


Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Matt Farah and Zack Klapman review the 2026 BMW M2 CS; Matt has updates on both of his exotic projects; there's a wrinkle with on an E500 Cabriolet build; and Patreon questions include:

What BAD car changed the world?

Lotus vs Supra vs Boxster vs GT350

Will Jaguar survive?

Is this 4,000 trip a crazy idea in a BRZ?

Perfect environment for each of our cars

Do people buy "appliance watches" like they do cars?

Quietest compact commuter

What will be the next Nissan Altima?

Performance EV or naw?

Why restoring performance cars doesn't fill the hole

My tires squeal a LOT

When will the Cybertruck be an ironic purchase?

Freaky Friday garage edition

Trading in: fix the small things?

 

Recorded April 6, 2026

 

Fitbod

Join Fitbod today to get your personalized workout plan. Get 25% off your subscription or try the app FREE for seven days at https://fitbod.me/TIRE

 

BlueChew

Right now, when you buy two months of BlueChew Gold, you get the third for FREE with promo code TIRE.  Visit https://BlueChew.com for more details and important safety information

 

Listen to Drive with Jim Farley Season 4 at

https://lnk.to/drivewithjimfarleyPS!thesmokingtire

 

Enter to WIN a 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S!

Podcast Link: https://www.dreamgiveaway.com/tickets/porsche?promo=SMOKINGTIRE

Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities. Use Podcast Promo Code: SMOKINGTIRE

 

Promo Code Offer: Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities.

 

Want your question answered? To listen to the episode the day it's recorded? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

 

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST

 

#cars #comedy #podcast

 

Instagram:

https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire

https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

 

Click here for the most honest car reviews out there: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST.

Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Tweet at us!
https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman


Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Matt Farah and Zack Klapman review the new Aston Martin Vantage S; would a rear collision avoidance system work; listing every hypercar Matt has driven; a special Ford GT just set a blistering Nurburgring record; why they're spending car week in Detroit this year; try to sort out the best car for the Woodward Dream Cruise; and answer Patreon questions including:

Will a Golf R replace my Audi S4 sadness?

What cars are better when they're worse?

How to sell a project car

Need a commuter for quarterly track days

Is $40k "worth it" for a 996?

Are hypercars serviced by mileage or time?

The 2026 Lexus IS refresh

Our thoughts on Rivian dating Uber

Dream show at the Vegas Sphere?

Where to test a car

General advice for people in their 20s

Do you need a car in Tuscany?

And more!

Recorded April 2, 2026

 

Fitbod

Join Fitbod today to get your personalized workout plan. Get 25% off your subscription or try the app FREE for seven days at https://fitbod.me/TIRE

 

BlueChew

Right now, when you buy two months of BlueChew Gold, you get the third for FREE with promo code TIRE.  Visit https://BlueChew.com for more details and important safety information.

 

Drive Season 4

Listen to Drive with Jim Farley Season 4 at

https://lnk.to/drivewithjimfarleyPS!thesmokingtire

 

 

Enter to WIN a 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S!

Podcast Link: https://www.dreamgiveaway.com/tickets/porsche?promo=SMOKINGTIRE

Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities. Use Podcast Promo Code: SMOKINGTIRE

 

Promo Code Offer: Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities.

 

Want your question answered? To listen to the episode the day it's recorded? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

 

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST

 

#cars #comedy #podcast

 

Instagram:

https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire

https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

 

Click here for the most honest car reviews out there: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST.

Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Tweet at us!
https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman


Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Matt Farah and Zack Klapman review the new Aston Martin Vantage S; would a rear collision avoidance system work; listing every hypercar Matt has driven; a special Ford GT just set a blistering Nurburgring record; why they're spending car week in Detroit this year; try to sort out the best car for the Woodward Dream Cruise; and answer Patreon questions including:

 

Will a Golf R replace my Audi S4 sadness?

What cars are better when they're worse?

How to sell a project car

Need a commuter for quarterly track days

Is $40k "worth it" for a 996?

Are hypercars serviced by mileage or time?

The 2026 Lexus IS refresh

Our thoughts on Rivian dating Uber

Dream show at the Vegas Sphere?

Where to test a car

General advice for people in their 20s

Do you need a car in Tuscany?

And more!

 

Recorded April 2, 2026

 

Fitbod

Join Fitbod today to get your personalized workout plan. Get 25% off your subscription or try the app FREE for seven days at https://fitbod.me/TIRE

 

BlueChew

 

Right now, when you buy two months of BlueChew Gold, you get the third for FREE with promo code TIRE.  Visit https://BlueChew.com for more details and important safety information

 

Listen to Drive with Jim Farley Season 4 at

 

https://lnk.to/drivewithjimfarleyPS!thesmokingtire

 

Enter to WIN a 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S!

Podcast Link: https://www.dreamgiveaway.com/tickets/porsche?promo=SMOKINGTIRE

Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities. Use Podcast Promo Code: SMOKINGTIRE

 

Promo Code Offer: Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities.

 

Want your question answered? To listen to the episode the day it's recorded? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

 

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST

 

#cars #comedy #podcast

 

Instagram:

https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire

https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

 

Click here for the most honest car reviews out there: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST.

Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Tweet at us!
https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman


Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Brett Berk might be the busiest freelance journalist we know. He has the incredible power to drive one car and extract 3 interesting, unique stories from the experience. That's why he's driven Jaguar's new EV, a very special Bentley, driven cars on boats (yes, that's a thing), and toured factories.

 

Patreon questions include:

Best used AMG car for under $40k?

Can we fix bad drivers?

Will Aston make an entry-level mid-engine car?

Cameras vs lidar

Toddlers vs supercar owners

Best bang-for-buck car

EPA's move to 15% ethanol

Do Alpina's last longer than BMWs?

Are convertibles always worth more than coupes?

Is car-themed luggage gauche?

BRZ: best chassis you can buy under $100k?

And more!

Recorded March 31, 2026

 

Find links to all Brett's work here:

https://muckrack.com/brett_berk

http://brettberk.com/

 

DeleteMe

Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/TIRE and use promo code TIRE at checkout.

 

Hello Fresh

Go to https://HelloFresh.com/smokingtire10fm to Get 10 free meals + a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box. Offer valid while supplies last. Free meals applied as discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan.

 

Drive Season 4

Listen to Drive with Jim Farley Season 4 at https://lnk.to/drivewithjimfarleyPS!thesmokingtire

 

Avants: Enter code “TST” to get 10% off your Avants membership

https://www.avants.com/tst

 

Enter to WIN a 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S!

Podcast Link: https://www.dreamgiveaway.com/tickets/porsche?promo=SMOKINGTIRE

Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities. Use Podcast Promo Code: SMOKINGTIRE

 

Promo Code Offer: Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities.

 

New merch! Grab a shirt or hoodie and support us! https://thesmokingtireshop.com/

 

Want your question answered? To listen to the episode the day it's recorded? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

 

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST

 

#cars #comedy #podcast

Instagram:

https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire

https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

 

Click here for the most honest car reviews out there: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST.

Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Tweet at us!
https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman


Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman