The Smoking Tire Podcast

Episode: What to tow with; Angeles Forest crash map; Why Auctions seem High
Hosts: Matt Farah, Zack Klapman
Date: February 5, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Matt and Zack dive into a trio of car enthusiast topics:

• Choosing the right tow vehicle for their new enclosed race trailer
• Exploring an incredibly detailed crash map for Angeles Crest/Forest to assess enthusiast vs. commuter accident blame
• Debating the reasons behind recent sky-high collector car auction prices and whether it’s market dynamics or shadier dealings

The conversation, as always, is laced with their humor, hands-on experiences, and input from listeners.

Key Discussion Points

1. Choosing a Tow Rig for the New Race Trailer

(03:07 – 11:17)

• The TST team is getting a high-end enclosed Brian James trailer, paid for “in trailer” as part of a sponsorship deal.
• Matt explains the trailer's features—tilt bed, side doors, awning, winch—and envisions hauling cars to the track as well as UTVs/side-by-sides for desert fun.
• Zack notes UK promo images show the trailer being towed with a Land Rover Discovery, prompting Matt to ask if a big truck is even necessary.
• Matt recounts a dinner conversation with “Sergio’s mom” (an experienced horse hauler), who swears by full-size diesel trucks (Dodge 3500, 5500) but admits that's likely overkill for their use-case.
• Matt debates practicality: “I’m not doing this [hauling heavy] today...I kind of want to buy something that can be used as a f**king car.” — Matt, (08:08)
• Zack on minimum viable vehicle: Ford Maverick's tow rating is only 4,000 lbs, probably not enough. So minimum viable is likely mid-size or full-size SUV/pickup.
• Future plans: Now that Matt has a Willow Springs membership, they’ll be regularly towing sketchy/non-street-legal cars to and from the track.
• Request for listener advice: “If anyone out there tows a single car enclosed with a more regular SUV or pickup and really likes it, let us know in the comments.” — Matt, (11:17)

Memorable Moment

• They get excited about the trailer’s awning and the doors: “The side door is the move.” — Matt (03:39)

2. Manufacturers Getting Used to Track Use & Upcoming Driving Events

(13:34 – 18:55)

• Matt and Zack are getting more aggressive with manufacturers about taking press cars to the track.
• Discussion of the Maserati MC20 and the MC20 GT2 Stradale: Zack says the “regular MC20 gets you 90% of the way” to the more expensive Stradale, and both agree limited test laps make a fair assessment tricky.
• Matt is excited about upcoming road trips—including a Dodge Charger Six Pack for a 1,400-mile event/possible Vanishing Point homage.
• Looking forward to joining Cletus (McFarland) for a Crown Vic race at Stafford Motor Speedway, but admit they have little idea what to expect.

Notable Quote

• “I'm excited to try that for 1400 miles... It’ll be smooth and quick—a good road trip vehicle.” — Matt, (16:18)

3. Car Modding, Interior Fabrics, and Personalization

(25:28 – 30:40)

• Matt's searching for new fabric for his convertible Mercedes, aiming for durable, UV-resistant, and fun, inspired by previous projects with patio furniture fabric.
• Both riff on the value of making the interior (seat inserts, fabrics) unique to spark joy daily.
• Zack credits Matt’s example as inspiration: “It just makes you happy, doesn’t it?” — Zack, (28:39)

4. Listener Letters: Car Stereotypes Among Queer Drivers

(30:52 – 32:40)

• “Queer Shifting Gears” reports on trends:
  • Lesbian: Subaru stereotype is true; also boxy/cute cars, Wranglers, Miatas
  • Gay men: Nice convertibles—Lexus, Mercedes, Miatas—with a focus on holistic experience, not speed
  • Trans women: Miata or Mini Coopers
  • Universal: “Mazda is always the answer,” especially Mazda 3 or CX-5

5. Angeles Forest Crash Data Map Deep-Dive

(33:07 – 43:49)

• A listener sent a custom, interactive map cataloging every crash on Angeles Crest and Forest highways, sortable by year and vehicle type.
• Zack and Matt explore the data, looking for trends:
  • Densest accident cluster is on the lower part of Hwy 2, likely due to a mix of commuters, tourists, and fast-drivers.
  • Angeles Forest Hwy segment is notorious for dangerous commuter passes.
  • Comparing pre-/post-Covid years: incidents oscillate between 100-150/year, with no clear spike due to car enthusiast events.
  • Data can't distinguish “shitbaggery” (reckless or enthusiast driving) from ordinary crashes, but they theorize high-profile incidents on the upper mountain get more attention than they statistically warrant.
• Zack: “I think social media is having more of an influence on driving accidents in the canyons than [events like] good vibes are.” — (38:45)

Memorable Exchange

• Matt: “There isn’t a tab for, like, ‘guy was being a complete shitbag’.” (33:46)
• Zack: “We need that category!” (43:12)

6. Collector Car Auction Prices: Market Dynamics or Shady Business?

(55:43 – 59:26)

• Listener Q: Are crazy auction prices due to money laundering/market manipulation or just massive wealth concentration?
• Matt argues it’s “the have lots having lots” — a handful of ultra-wealthy collectors for whom $5M or $11M is irrelevant, chasing unique cars.
• Zack agrees but notes potential for “market pumping,” i.e., dealers or sellers artificially bidding up prices, referencing suspicious opening bids.
• Money laundering is possible but unlikely to occur at very public auctions: “If you’re doing crimes, trying to hide those crimes by buying shit publicly at auction isn’t the best idea.” — Matt (59:05)

7. Car Buying & Towing Q&A

(45:23 – 48:36 and 90:04 – 94:49)

• Matt and Zack weigh modern vs. depreciated vehicles for daily drivers and tow rigs:
  • Plug-in hybrid Porsche Cayenne emerges as a dark horse candidate: “Now Cayenne hybrid, that could be…maybe I can make my dad an offer he can’t refuse.” — Matt (47:43)
• Potential downsides: flashy trailer wheels can attract thieves; they recommend hiding AirTags inside and warn against staying in sketchy hotels.
• On modifying a Corolla for light offroading/camping vs. buying a used Cayenne: “Buying out a lease only really makes sense if you’re going to keep this thing for a really long time... the Cayenne is made to do exactly what you’re trying to do.” — Zack (91:24)

8. The Ongoing Manual vs. Automatic Debate (and “Losing” Skills)

(91:58 – 93:03)

• Listener worries about losing manual skills after buying Lexus auto: “You’ll get rusty but it will come back very quickly...like riding a bike. But if you’re just looking for a way for us to justify you getting a track car, we can help with that.” — Matt (92:51)

9. Bonus Q&A — Fun & Quirky Listener Prompts

(94:11 – 98:00)

• Dream 4-driver Nurburgring 24 team? Picks: Chris Harris, Rob Holland, a pro like Yörg Bergmeister, and maybe Matt or Zack
• “Why not put rims on your Countach?” Matt: “Can you imagine any wheel in the f**king history of aftermarket wheels that would make a Countach look better than gold goddamn phone dials?…You do not improve on Gandini!” (76:10)
• Nissan future products optimism (manual Z, new Godzilla, Nismo Armada) — “Car companies will always keep trying until they can’t.” — Matt (82:16)
• Titanium watches vs. steel — Matt: “I think titanium watches feel cheap. They feel plasticky.” (83:47)
• And more: Silliest car mods, auction price analysis, and what car to bring to 1902 (Matt wants a Sherp!)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I kind of want to buy something that can be used as a f*cking car...not ‘what if I have to do 90 over the Grapevine?’” — Matt (08:08)
• “I sort of want to buy the most regular thing I can get!” — Matt (08:18)
• “Social media is having more of an influence on driving accidents in the canyons than Good Vibes is.” — Zack (38:45)
• On crash statistics: “Out of all those crashes…the section you zoomed in on is relatively safe…Crashes there get more attention only because social media loves sports cars hitting each other.” — Matt (42:04)
• On auction prices: “There’s a small number of people for whom there just isn’t a difference [between $5M and $11M].” — Matt (59:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trailer/Tow Rig Discussion: 03:07 – 11:17
• Track Use & Upcoming Events: 13:34 – 18:55
• Interior Fabrics/Personalization: 25:28 – 30:40
• Queer Car Stereotypes: 30:52 – 32:40
• Angeles Forest Crash Map: 33:07 – 43:49
• Auction Price Debate: 55:43 – 59:26
• Car Buying & Towing Q&A: 45:23 – 48:36, 90:04 – 94:49
• Manual Transmission Skills: 91:58 – 93:03
• Fun Listener Q&A: 94:11 – end

Tone & Style

Conversational, humorous, and knowledgeable; Matt and Zack mix car-nerd technical talk with engaging storytelling, personal anecdotes, listener interaction, and a fair share of banter.

For Listeners Who Didn’t Tune In

This episode is quintessential Smoking Tire: a breezy yet in-depth tour through real-world enthusiast advice (what to tow with? what to buy if you’re tall?), community inside jokes, and insightful analysis whether talking auction economics, statistics, or the joy of picking just the right seat fabric. If you like your car talk unfiltered (but thoughtful), this one’s for you.