Smoking Tire Podcast: George Notaras (MotoMan TV)

Date: September 30, 2025
Guests: George Notaras (MotoMan TV)
Hosts: Matt Farah, Zack Klapman

Overview

In this episode, Matt and Zack welcome George Notaras (MotoMan TV)—an old friend, fellow YouTuber, and passionate car enthusiast—back to the studio to discuss relaunching his YouTube channels and the behind-the-scenes mechanics of automotive content creation. The conversation ranges from the intricacies of YouTube algorithms and channel management, to favorite cars, airplane adventures, cigar rituals, and plenty of advice for aspiring automotive journalists.

The tone is lively, honest, self-deprecating, and full of inside-baseball details about both the car world and digital content creation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. MotoMan TV’s Channel Relaunch & YouTube Strategy

Timestamps: 29:59–39:50, 43:01–55:00

• New Structure: MotoMan TV split its content into dedicated YouTube channels (MMTV Cars for reviews/features and MMTV Podcast for conversations) in response to YouTube algorithm changes that penalize mixed-content channels.
  • “I ended up moving all the disparate show types onto their own channels … and it’s working.” (30:34)
• Channel "Nerfing": Both George and Matt have experienced significant drops in reach due to algorithm changes—especially after the infamous Adpocalypse of 2016—where older, diversified channels get classified as “boat anchors.”
  • “The channel is a boat anchor.” (34:37)
  • “Subscribers... literally means nothing.” (37:49)
• Results of the Split: Rapid monetization and growth on new channels. Relocating content and focusing on consistency in format have yielded better engagement and analytics.
  • “Our numbers are way better than they were on the old channel.” (33:36)
  • “90,000 views in a week … never would have done that on my old channel.” (46:18)
• Advice for Content Creators:
  • Futureproof by keeping content types separate.
  • "You’re not making videos for subscribers—you’re tricking a computer."
  • Back up old content and consider re-uploading with new intros/thumbnails to boost performance (“Trick the algorithm into not knowing the difference.” (51:13))
  • Prioritize the title, thumbnail, and the first 30 seconds of each video—these drive algorithm push and retention.

Notable Quote:

“We are not in the business anymore of making content our subscribers are interested in. Our job is to trick a computer into shoving our shit in front of people.”
—Matt Farah, 37:00

2. The Realities of Automotive YouTube & Algorithmic Survival

Timestamps: 34:41–39:55, 47:23–55:00

• Algorithm Over Audience: YouTube values engagement over subscriber count. Major rewards are front-loaded for new channels (“a huge adrenaline shot of showing that video to new people that don’t recognize the channel and don’t really care” 35:11).
• Platform Evolution:
  • “In 2016 it went from subscribers meaning you had a straight pipe to your subscribers, to now it’s an algorithm…” (49:57)
• Burnout and Rediscovery: George discusses how working alone led to creative burnout and how hiring a team and focusing on higher production quality reinvigorated his passion for content.

3. Aviation Adventures & Crossover with Car Culture

Timestamps: 4:45–8:34

• Flying Across the Country: George details his trip flying with the Tiger Squadron from L.A. to Oshkosh in a Nanjang CJ6A warbird—buzzing the Kansas City International tower by request, and how these experiences don’t always translate to YouTube views (“Did this amazing video … it got nothing. But a Toyota Corolla gets 250,000 views.” 8:34).
• Insight: Audience expectations and organic reach are hard to disrupt; “If you break a car, you'll go viral. If you fly warbirds, the video flops.”

Notable Moment:

“The tower at Kansas City International caught wind of these six warbirds and … ‘We would like you to buzz the tower. Like, please, have sex with my girlfriend kind of thing.’”
—George Notaras, 7:26

4. Car Nerdery: Cadillac Eldorado, Infiniti G35/G37, and Guilty Pleasures

Timestamps: 11:25–27:31

• G35/G37 Memories: Fond reminiscence about the original Infiniti G35's impact and “guido culture” in Westchester (10:42–11:25). George: “I was smitten with a G37. I really liked the way it looked; I love the way it drove…” (12:38)
• Guilty Pleasures: George’s search for a 1979–85 Cadillac Eldorado, specifically a rare, non-landau, Astro sunroof model—both hosts discuss the impracticalities of collector car mileage (“There’s low and then there’s low miles. You can’t pay that kind of money and drive it,” 28:48).
• Collecting Realities: Collector-market quirks, flipping, and the emotional costs of chasing nostalgia.

Notable Quote:

“The 1979-85 Eldorado was the last car under Bill Mitchell’s design at GM… That’s Fat Elvis.”
—George Notaras, 21:21

5. Restoration, Value, and Philosophy on Classic Cars

Timestamps: 76:34–78:54

• On Preserving Classics: Advice for a listener with an aging Austin Healey: keep it original, don’t overbuild, and avoid altering the car’s spirit with large increases in power or excessive restomod work.
  • “You are managing a fund... The idea is you want to level up, and the best way to do that with a Healey is to keep it as original as possible.” (76:34)

6. Audience Q&A (Patreon/Listener Questions)

Timestamps: 60:10–93:24

• Selling vs. Servicing a Car:
  • “Never service a car just to trade it in.” (62:56)
  • “If it’s older, with low miles, do all the maintenance and good pics for auction. If it’s newer and high miles, just dump it.” (63:25)
• GT3 vs. New GTD:
  • George would try a GTD for two years, then likely return to a GT3. Matt highlights the GTD’s unique, track-focused front-engine/rear-drive layout and road practicality.
  • “The GTD takes curbs much better than a GT3 RS in my opinion.” (71:22)
• Cigar Rituals: Includes advice on hand-rolling cigars and favorite cigar picks—right down to a small "gift exchange" of cigars in-studio.
• Automotive Writing Advice:
  • Treat freelancing like a business; pitch to 30+ outlets, build your own brand. “Most people can tell you what they don’t want to do. Be the 5% who can tell you what you want to do.” (92:29)
  • Be honest in reviews but learn the art of the "shit sandwich."

Notable Quotes:

“You need to be honest and learn how to do something called the shit sandwich.”
—George Notaras, 94:53

“It’s like being in a band... You have to reinvent yourself and not break up. Just stick around long enough and you end up with the keys to the kingdom.”
—Matt Farah, 93:24

7. Personal Rituals: Cigar & Car Community

Timestamps: 5:00–5:04, 55:48–56:47

• Cigars as a Connector: George and Matt talk about their friendship built as much around cigars as cars, with anecdotes of cigar lounges and the annual Greek festival.
• Audience Loyalty: Stories of long-time listeners who bring cigars to events show the importance of community outside the algorithms.

Memorable Moments

• Buzzing the Kansas City airport tower on invitation (7:26)
• The “Merlot Broham” story and Great White Hype reference (23:22–25:38)
• Deep dive into YouTube algorithm struggles and relaunching content channels (from 29:59 on)
• George’s candid admission about burnout and rediscovering fun with a team (55:34–55:48)
• On Foundational Advice for Young Writers (92:22–94:57)
• Cigar exchange and pro-tips (83:34–84:49, 95:42–96:49)

Notable Quotes With Timestamps

• “We are not in the business anymore of making content our subscribers are interested in. Our job is to trick a computer into shoving our shit in front of people.” (37:00 – Matt Farah)
• “The channel is a boat anchor.” (34:37 – George Notaras’ YouTube insider)
• “You gotta dance for dinner... I have to think about thumbnails first.” (53:39 – Matt Farah, on algorithm obsession)
• “Treat it like a business. You’re managing a fund. The idea is, you want to level up.” (76:34 – George Notaras, on car collecting and careers)
• “You need to be honest and learn the art of the shit sandwich.” (94:53 – George Notaras, on reviewing ethics)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–03:12: Show open, guest intro & reminiscence
• 04:45–08:34: George’s warbird cross-country flight story
• 10:20–12:55: G35/G37 memories, impact on car culture
• 29:59–39:50: YouTube channel relaunch, algorithm impact
• 43:01–55:00: Deeper dive: strategies, burnout, what works
• 60:10–93:24: Listener Q&A: car selling tips, restoring vs. restomodding, GT3 vs. GTD, career advice, and more
• 95:42–96:49: On-air cigar exchange; closing rituals

Where to Find MotoMan TV Now

• YouTube:
  • MMTV Cars (car reviews & stories)
  • MMTV Podcast (interviews & discussions)
• Socials: @MotoManTV (IG, X, Facebook); all channels now distinct for better engagement and clarity

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how the automotive content sausage gets made in 2025, the shifting ground beneath digital creators’ feet, and the enduring passion for cars, community, and candor. George and Matt’s banter and real talk are packed with both laughter and practical lessons—an entertaining roadmap for both fans and up-and-comers.

Like, subscribe, and leave a comment—because, as always, now more than ever, it’s the algorithm, not the subscribers, that decides what you see next...

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