Podcast Summary: The Smoking Tire – "Maserati MC20 GT2 Stradale Review; Toxic Brake Pads; Forum Drama; Q&A" Release Date: February 20, 2025

1. Maserati MC20 GT2 Stradale Review

Zach Klapman returns from the Ascari track in Spain to provide an in-depth review of the Maserati MC20 GT2 Stradale. Meanwhile, Matt Farah shares his experiences driving a GR Corolla automatic in Austin, Texas, exploring some of the region's finest driving roads.

• Design and Aesthetics: The MC20 GT2 Stradale boasts a striking design reminiscent of Pagani, featuring a unique color palette and aggressive aerodynamics.

  • Zach: "It looks very Pagani ish... The front, everything's more strange than Pagani, for sure." [06:47]

• Performance Enhancements: The Stradale variant includes significant aerodynamic work, increased carbon fiber usage, and a larger Brembo carbon ceramic brake system aimed at improving track performance.

  • Zach: "Downforce is tripled, but not till 184 miles per hour, of course." [07:00]

• Brake Performance Issues: Despite upgrades, both hosts noted that the brake performance didn’t meet expectations, especially during repeated hard stops on the track.

  • Zach: "It still feels like it slows down too slowly." [08:38]
  • Matt: "You have to go really deep into the pedal... It feels like a more 80,000 better." [13:46]

• Driving Dynamics: The Stradale maintains a good ride quality and neutral handling, though some inconsistencies were observed in brake responsiveness.

  • Zach: "The chassis is super stiff, the ride is good. The handling feels neutral." [18:02]

2. Toxic Brake Pads and Environmental Impact

The conversation shifts to the environmental implications of brake pad and tire dust, highlighting concerns about carcinogenic copper particles and the broader impact of automotive components on air quality.

• Brake Pad Dust Concerns: A study is discussed, pointing out that copper in brake pads is highly carcinogenic. The hosts debate the effectiveness of electric vehicles (EVs) in mitigating this issue.

  • Matt: "Brake pads and tire particles are really bad... regenerative braking could reduce brake usage." [37:09]

• Regenerative Braking: The benefits of regenerative braking in EVs are weighed against traditional braking systems, considering the potential reduction in brake dust.

  • Zach: "Much of the braking in EVs is done regenerative... unless you're driving really fast." [37:12]

• Industry Responses: Manufacturers like Akebono are advancing copper-free brake pads, aligning with stricter environmental regulations.

  • Zach: "Going forward all Akebono brake pads will meet two leaf level B requirements... the new requirements contain less than 0.5%." [44:02]

• Policy and Regulation: California’s stringent laws limiting copper content in brake pads are highlighted as a driving force for industry changes.

  • Matt: "A law passed in 2017 to limit copper content... applies to all cars sold in California." [42:19]

3. Forum Drama and Online Communities

The hosts delve into the dynamics of online car forums, sharing anecdotes about the often toxic interactions and conflicts that arise within these communities.

• Ferrari Chat Drama: A significant incident involving John Hennessy getting involved in heated forum discussions, exacerbating tensions.

  • Matt: "John Hennessy getting involved in the forums when people are calling him a thief." [49:04]

• General Forum Conflicts: Examples include users blaming car manufacturers for mechanical failures without understanding the underlying issues.

  • Zach: "There's a guy who posted a video... and everyone's like, you happened. You did this." [48:21]

• Impact on Manufacturers: The negative interactions on forums can influence public perception and brand reputation.

  • Matt: "The most memorable online forum drama... it's beyond out of hand." [49:15]

4. Q&A Session

Listeners submitted a variety of questions, ranging from technical automotive queries to personal anecdotes related to car ownership and maintenance.

• Car Maintenance and Storage:

  • Matt: "We keep the cars on battery tenders... start the cars up once a month." [65:30]

• Electric Vehicles and Market Trends:

  • Matt and Zach discuss the affordability and practicality of EVs in the American market, emphasizing the need for models like MG’s under $20k EV to make a significant impact.
    • Matt: "Most people who buy Model 3s... it's because it's the cheapest electric car." [67:50]
    • Zach: "If the US had an electric car here that was $20,000 and something... That would change the market." [67:40]

• Optional Features and Car Reviews:

  • The hosts critique the prevalence of high-trim reviews and the lack of base model evaluations, highlighting potential biases.
    • Matt: "Most car reviews nowadays are only for top trim models... it's very rare that we can say I want an AMG GT but I want a stripper one with no options." [108:09]

• Favorite Historical Roles and Useless Car Options:

  • Questions about ideal liveries for cars and the most absurd optional features encountered.
    • Matt: "The livery doesn't mean anything... the flowers on old Beetles were pretty silly." [85:27]
    • Zach: "The openometer in Mini Coopers was adorable but pointless." [85:01]

5. Concluding Remarks

The episode wraps up with listeners' thoughts on the future of automotive trends, the role of government incentives, and the evolving landscape of car ownership in the face of environmental and technological challenges.

• Government Incentives and Market Influence:

  • Matt: "Manufacturers want to push trucks because they're more profitable and demonize EVs to maintain higher margins." [112:20]
  • Zach: "Who benefits from the story that's out there? The root of the answer is always who benefits." [112:13]

• Future of Driving and Car Culture:

  • Discussions on how driving styles may change more than the cars themselves, especially with advancements in autonomous vehicles.
    • Matt: "If someone wants to drive to an AV route... it's just gonna change the way we interact with cars." [66:08]

• Listener Engagement and Support:

  • The hosts encourage listeners to support the show via Patreon for exclusive content and ad-free episodes.
    • Matt: "Support the show directly@patreon.com thesmokingtirepodcast... you can also get the show without advertising." [47:53]

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah: "Brake pads and tire particles could potentially be worse for the environment than gasoline or potentially diesel." [02:34]
• Zach Klapman: "It still feels like it slows down too slowly." [08:38]
• Matt Farah: "If money is no object, you like the cars enough where you would want to have them regardless of power." [75:28]
• Zach Klapman: "The root of the answer is always who benefits from the story that's out there." [112:13]

This episode provided a comprehensive look into the Maserati MC20 GT2 Stradale, the environmental concerns surrounding brake pads, the often tumultuous nature of online car forums, and engaged directly with listener questions to offer actionable insights and personal anecdotes from the hosts.