This week on Shifted Opinions, we sit down with designer, Radwood co-founder, and Driving While Awesome host Lane Skelton for a raw, unfiltered conversation on car culture—past, present, and where it’s actually going.

We break down the real story behind Air|Water—from underwhelming show layouts to why it might be better understood as a trade show for Porsche enthusiasts. Plus, what most people completely missed.

Then we go deep into:

• The origin story of Radwood (and how it accidentally became a global brand)
• What it actually takes to turn passion into a business
• The behind-the-scenes reality of selling to Hagerty
• Why most car events fail creatively

And finally—Lane takes us inside one of the most insane automotive experiences on the planet: 👉 A $1 billion private racetrack in Japan that feels like Jurassic Park

This is part car talk, part industry reality check—and all operator-level perspective.

📍 In this episode:

• Air|Water vs Luftgekühlt — what’s missing
• Why car shows are really about people (not cars)
• The truth about automotive “taste vs money”
• Japan’s craziest track: Magarigawa Circuit
• Radwood’s accidental rise to success
• How Driving While Awesome stayed passion-first

🎙️ About Shifted Opinions: “We’re not sure, but cars are involved.” Hosted by Paul Kramer (AutoKennel), Dave Van Epps (Sonderwerks), and Casey Parkin (Group C Curation).

📩 Stay Connected: 👉 https://shiftedopinions.com

Dave Van Epps is days away from putting his brand-new 1,200-mile 2025 GT3RS on track at VIR for GT Smokies — and the nerves are real. Paul Kramer talks him off the ledge with hard-earned track wisdom, while Casey Parkin quietly reveals he's managing 14 auction cars, including a landmark 8-car RS collection drop on Bring a Trailer featuring multiple 991 RSes, a Ford GT Heritage Edition, a Ferrari Pista, and a Ferrari Speciale.

Also in this episode: the Malibu GT3RS rental that rolled down a cliff (and why traction control on modern Porsches is not optional), the hidden danger of full-leather dashes on Macans and 997s, Paul's long-running saga to rehab a 1971 911T Targa "El Fuego," the G50 vs. 915 transmission debate, whether mid-year 911s have already had their moment, and the best way to upgrade a Luxor beige interior without touching eBay.

Topics covered:

• GT Smokies rally — VIR track day, Asheville, charity fundraising
• Rented GT3RS rolls off Mulholland — what went wrong
• Casey's 8-car BaT RS collection listing (991.1, 991.2, 992 RS variants + exotics)
• Paul makes an offer on a 2024 Macan S
• Full leather dash peeling: causes, costs & prevention
• 71 911T Targa rehab budget breakdown
• G50 vs. 915: is the price premium worth it?
• Mid-year 911 market outlook (74–75 Carreras)
• Luxor beige interior upgrade guide
• Ideal Porsche owner traits & vintage car patience
• How to track maintenance on a multi-car fleet

🎽 SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE: Casey and the GCC crew have a charity shirt benefiting Pets With Disabilities — 100% of profits go directly to the rescue. Shipping included in the lower 48. Order in batches, be patient, and donate more by ordering more. 👉 https://www.groupccuration.com/charityshirt Questions? Email casey@groupccuration.com

Connect with the hosts: 📧 paul@autokennel.com | dave@sonderwerks.com | casey@groupccuration.com 📸 Instagram: @autokennel | @sonderwerks | @groupccuration

Are we overvaluing “perfect” cars?

In this episode, we break down the growing obsession with condition, Carfax reports, and collector mentality—and why it might be taking away from what makes car ownership special.

From GT4 ownership stories to real rally experiences, this conversation gets honest about:

• Why imperfections shouldn’t scare you
• The truth behind Carfax “damage”
• What real enthusiasts actually value
• And why driving always beats preserving

Plus, we highlight a cause worth supporting: 👉 https://www.groupccuration.com/charityshirt

All profits support Pets With Disabilities.

Casey: https://www.groupccuration.com Paul: https://www.autokennel.com Dave: https://www.sonderwerks.com

“We’re not sure, but cars are involved.”

We open this episode recognizing our rally friend Phil Bazell (@crocgt4) and the impact he’s had on the driving community.

👉 Watch this special video shared in his honor: https://youtu.be/5YviK-vcGAY?si=Zdpbwby9IxcP-LF7

We start with a simple but powerful question: If you had one last drive… what road would you choose?

Then the episode shifts into one of the wildest real-world stories we’ve covered.

A routine car sale uncovers a vehicle stolen in 1977—with mismatched VINs, duplicate titles, and a resolution nearly 50 years in the making.

Inside this episode:

• The emotional connection behind the roads we never forget
• How a stolen car resurfaced decades later
• What VIN mismatches actually mean for ownership and value
• Why due diligence matters more than ever with vintage cars

Plus real stories from inside the industry:

• A repo story that proves why dealers shouldn’t act like banks
• A transporter chase that turned into an action-movie moment
• The hidden risks in shipping and title transfers

Listener questions include:

• Does fixing a VIN issue hurt value?
• Is restoring a complicated car still worth it?
• Porsche pricing vs real driving experience
• Montana LLC purchases—what actually works

Paul Kramer (AutoKennel): https://autokennel.com Casey Parkin (Group C Curation): https://www.groupccuration.com Dave Van Epps (Sonderwerks): https://www.groupccuration.com/charityshirt

In this episode of Shifted Opinions, we’re joined by Shannon Harper, owner of Harper Porsche and creator of the Plática event.

This conversation looks at how Porsche culture is evolving—through dealerships, builds, and community-driven experiences. Using Harper Porsche as a case study, we explore what separates a standard dealership from one that creates real enthusiast engagement.

From restoration philosophy to the rise of Plática, this episode highlights the growing importance of storytelling, creativity, and connection in today’s Porsche world.

Explore more from the hosts and their work:

• AutoKennel — https://autokennel.com
• Sonderwerks — https://sonderwerks.com
• Group C Curation — https://groupccuration.com

Every car tells a story—and the most meaningful ones come from experience.

In this episode of Shifted Opinions, the discussion focuses on the lessons that come from driving, owning, and truly engaging with enthusiast cars over time.

From memorable moments behind the wheel to insights into today’s market, the conversation highlights what really defines a great car experience.

It’s not about perfection—it’s about perspective, passion, and understanding what makes cars meaningful in the first place.

On this episode of Shifted Opinions, Casey Parkin, Paul Kramer, and Dave Van Epps break down two of the most important experiences in enthusiast car culture: the Hill Country Rally and Amelia Island.

From 1,900-mile vintage Porsche drives across Texas to the collector car world at Amelia Island, this episode explores what makes these events so significant—and why drivers continue to come back year after year.

In this episode: • Hill Country Rally: long-distance vintage driving, preparation, and real-world challenges • Amelia Island vs Pebble Beach: what sets each event apart • Radwood, Works Reunion, and the evolution of modern car culture • Auction insights, rare cars, and collector trends • Driving etiquette, rally strategy, and mechanical realities

This is a deeper look at what connects drivers, collectors, and enthusiasts beyond the cars themselves.

📩 Contact the hosts: https://shiftedopinions.com

In this episode of Shifted Opinions, the conversation moves through several corners of enthusiast car culture — from frozen racetracks to classic Porsche collecting.

Paul Kramer, Dave Van Epps, and Casey Parkin start with the growing buzz around modern ice racing events, where wildly different machines — vintage Porsches, Lamborghinis, rally builds, and everything in between — end up sliding across frozen courses in one of the most unusual automotive gatherings of the year.

Paul shares what it was actually like attending the event while recovering from surgery, navigating the ice, the crowds, and the chaotic logistics behind the scenes.

From there, the discussion shifts to a topic that has captured the attention of Porsche enthusiasts everywhere:

Magnus Walker is selling part of his collection.

The hosts take a closer look at several of the cars headed to auction and debate which one they would personally keep. Along the way, they explore the mindset behind collecting — why certain cars resonate with enthusiasts far beyond their market value.

Later in the episode, the conversation turns toward the kind of detail only true car nerds obsess over.

Steering wheels. Road wheels. The design choices that completely change how a car feels and looks.

The group digs into the subtle elements that define great builds — from iconic Porsche wheel designs to the small decisions that can elevate or completely ruin the character of a car.

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about enthusiast cars, collecting, and the details that shape automotive culture, this episode of Shifted Opinions delivers exactly that.