Do you know your crankshaft from your carburettor or your hillclimb from your drift racing? The Spark Inside is your new favourite podcast for all things automotive, whether you’re tinkering in the garage, working on your own pride and joy, or making a living in the trade. Hosts Becca Knight and Christian Hewgill chat with guests from every corner of the motoring world - professional drivers, engineers, custom builders, and industry experts to uncover what ignited their passion. Hear their inspiring stories, learn more about their craft and soak up real-world advice. New episodes every week!
Episode 10 - Charlie Martin
“When people believe in you, it helps you to believe in yourself.”In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight speak with Charlie Martin, an endurance racing driver, LGBTQ+ rights advocate, and trailblazer in motorsport. Charlie shares her inspiring journey from grassroots hill climbing to competing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series and chasing her ultimate dream: becoming the first transgender driver to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.Charlie opens
Episode 9 - Robert Stanger
"Engineering is in everything - even in nature."In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight welcome Robert Stanger, founder of Motolearn and a lecturer in automotive studies. Robert shares his lifelong passion for cars, starting from six weeks old at his first Speedway meet, to performing clutch repairs at age 13, to teaching the next generation of automotive engineers. He reflects on his unconventional journey, the influence of his father and his ongoi
Charlie Keable
“My maths teacher told me I’d always be ten steps behind. That just pushed me to prove him wrong.”In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight talk to Charlie Keable, two-time Niterra Salesperson of the Year, about his journey through the automotive world. Starting with aspirations of becoming a Formula 1 mechanic, Charlie took a different path, working his way up from valeting and warehouse roles to leading sales for one of the UK’s top automotive parts supplier
Episode 7 - Phil McGovern
“Get stuck in, because you can’t be part of it if you’re not involved.”In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight talk to Phil McGovern, founder of Caffeine & Machine, a thriving hub for automotive enthusiasts. Phil’s automotive journey began in Coventry, the heart of the UK’s motor industry, where a summer internship at Jaguar’s engineering facility ignited his lifelong passion for cars. From there, Phil ventured into the Middle East, soaking up m
Episode 6 - Chris Neville
“There’s no point in being ultra-fit if your machinery isn’t great.”In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight delve into the world of high-speed motorsport with Chris Neville, Performance Specialist for Team GB Speedway. Chris shares his unique journey, starting as a professional footballer, transitioning into a conditioning coach, and eventually moving into the thrilling world of Speedway. He talks about the science behind improving rider performance
Episode 5 - Louise Baker
"Do whatever makes you happy. The only thing holding you back is you."In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight sit down with Louise Baker, founder of Womanic, an all-female garage in Birmingham. Louise shares her story of leaving a retail job to pursue her passion for cars and establish a business designed to break down stereotypes and make auto repairs accessible for everyone. As a single mother, Louise built her garage to be flexible, approachable,
Episode 4 - Jahee Campbell-Brennan
“There was no other option. If I couldn’t do it the traditional way, I’d figure out my way of doing it.”In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight sit down with Jahee Campbell-Brennan, an experienced engineer and founder of Wavy Dynamics, as well as the COO of the non-profit organisation Driven By Us. Jahee shares his unique journey from being captivated by monster trucks as a child to founding his own motorsport engineering consultancy. He discusses h
Episode 3 - Max Coates
“The biggest thing is trust. If he tells me the car’s right, the car’s right.”In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight chat with Max Coates, a British racing driver who has carved out a successful career across various motorsport series, from his early days on two wheels to becoming a racing team manager. Max shares his early start in karting, the transition to car racing, and the vital role family has played in his journey - especially with his dad
Episode 2 - Jonny Smith
“The only people who have beaten me since are General Motors and Elon Musk.”In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight chat with Jonny Smith, a motoring journalist, TV presenter, and YouTube personality known for his work on Fifth Gear and his YouTube show The Late Brake Show. Jonny shares his journey from writing for car magazines to setting world records with his electric car, the Flux Capacitor. He discusses his passion for car modification, why he
Episode 1 - Charlie Broughton
“You’ve got to be joking. You’re a girl. They’ll never employ you.”In the debut episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight introduce listeners to the world of cars and motorsport, sharing personal stories and insights. This episode features an inspiring conversation with Charlie Broughton, the number one mechanic for Power Maxed Racing in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Charlie shares her unconventional journey from studying beauty to making her m
Introducing... The Spark Inside
Introducing The Spark Inside, where we chat with guests from all corners of automotive world to ask what ignited their spark, discover more about what they do, and share advice on how listeners could follow their own journey into automotive field.