Part 2 of my reasons for not being around the studio much of late.

Peter Hall, the Podmaster, helps me excuse myself for recent absences. Part 1 of two.

Noel Ebdon, fellow muttering rotter, went on a mad 'holiday' to Argentina with Land Rover, and gets a new Maserati to play with in Dubai.

Shahzad Sheikh, as Editor of CAR Middle East, flexed the editorial prerogative and had a day in an F1 Renault. And I didn't.

With apologies for the lateness, Mr. Autodrone provides an excuse!

Part 2 of the reminiscences with Richard Butterfield.

In the first of a two-parter, old friend and Dubai-based photographer Richard Butterfield and I, discuss photo shoots we've done together and cars we used to have.

Mr Autodrone reminisces on the first family Mini and reports on the latest offering from BMW's MINI Division. And finishes with a chilling thought...

Praveen and Pramod Chandran were amongst the winners of the competition in Show 55 to win a TT Experience at Dubai Autodrome. This is how they got on and what the bug has done to them!

I haveve taken delivery of a new Jeep Wrangler JK $-door and take you on a guided tour of the modifications. And I have to go back to school

Fahad Javaid, our new sound engineer at podme.org, is my first guest in the continuation of the second series of Autodrone. We discuss horrible modifications on his otherwise quite nice car and what's coming up in future programmes.

Autodrone tests the new Maserati in Italy and to balance things out, has to polish a car before a summer break.

Damien Reid, editor of Autocar Middle East and still out of breath from the Audi R8, previews his racing programme for next season, a trip to the Bentley works and the upcoming Autocar Awards.

Audi launched the new R8 at the Dubai Autodrome and it would have been churlish to refuse a drive. Plus; the winners of the 0055 Competition to drive the TTs.

Sean Stevens drops in to the studio to update us on new activities coming up at the Dubai Autodrome

At 26, you'd think Hradyesh Namdeo a bit young for a mid-life crisis, but this Dubai-based banker is building a Hot Rod in India, from a Morris 8 which will be 61 years old today.

Wrangler Roadshow roundup, Ford and Landrover - 'Captain' Peter Gladstone has been as busy as ever despite crippling summer temperatures. But there's a break - in the mud - before the next season.

Jehanbaz Ali Khan, at over 70, is still setting off road events in diabolical conditions, including one of the toughest events in the world: the Dubai Desert Challenge.

There's been some improvement in the used car business in the year since Michael Brightmore was last on the show, but some people still make the same mistakes.

A few of the usual suspects from Dubai were invited to officiate at the Thailand Grand Invitation Challenge, held over the week of 19th to 23rd of May by old friend of the show, Jehanbaz Ali Khan.

I chat to Richard Turnbull of Trading Enterprises about the differences between working at a Mazda dealership in Stirling and running a Jeep showroom in Dubai. Translations to English are available!

Chris Norman from the Autodrome and I were invited to cover a Motor Sports programme on the local radio after the Spanish Grand Prix, so he does most of the talking. Grand Prix?

Ahmed Al Shihhi loves organizing but hates go-karts. So whilst I am helping to run his motor sports activities around the region, he’s usually in Starbucks planning the next event.

It’s a mad time of the year for me and that’s the only excuse I have for a short programme in a busy week.

Gautam Sharma of Autocar Magazine and I traveled to Verona to drive the cracking new Audi A5s - great car, brilliant trip and an excellent opportunity to catch up.

Almost a year since we first discussed it, the problem of spurious spare parts is still around. But as we discover, with Calvyn Hamman of Al Futtaim Motors Toyota, the big boys are still chipping away, and winning the battle bit by bit.

From the sublime to the ridiculous and maybe back again, at least in the number of wheels, Autodrone tries a couple of new trucks, an old venue and catches up with Tausif Agha’s news from Pakistan.

Motor sports marketeer Arafat Ali Khan discusses Autocross and driving in general here in Dubai, and we have a return message from Andrew McPhee in Australia.

Tarek El Gammal will be mixing it with the sainted ones at the Bahrain F1 GP this weekend, where there is a championship with his name on it waiting to be won.

Something of an established event now, the Jeep Jamboree is a great day out. Here’s a report – with help from a familiar voice.

In a realignment of the Auld Alliance, David Terrien from France chats to Mr Autodrone from Scotland, about the Karting scene in Dubai.

Time out on the Qatar SUV event with Peter Gladstone, Trackbuilder in Chief and James West, Desert Challenge competitor and quad bike aficionado.

Mr Autodrone just manages to keep up, with a report on what he's been up to of late, and what's on the horizon.

Chris Norman returns to update us on what’s what at the Dubai Autodrome – and we have another competition to win a chance to experience the Race School for yourself and a friend!

Life in one of Dubai's oldest private garages is not just an oil change and a service, as Gordon Ferguson of AAA Garage reveals.

Andy Gawthorpe of Land Rover Middle East accounts for the Range Rover's popularity as the Autodrone Briefcase car, and what's on the horizon for the first real SUV.

Podmaster Peter Hall and I have a bit of a chat about podcasting now that Autodrone is a year old, and he catches me out - again. But there is a car on the picture board.

An Autodrone solo in which I have a bit of a rant and describe what I'll be up to over the next few weeks. And a fellow-podcaster joins in, from the US.

White lines, kerbs, rain: Sean Stevens discusses various ways to get off line. We also touch on the new Abu Dhabi circuit and the need for Defensive Driving Training.

The Toyo Tires 24 Hours of Dubai was held last weekend. Here are some interviews with a few of our local drivers, and a cracking sponsorship opportunity!

Alix Capper Murdoch, one of my first guests, returns for an update and reveals the shocking state that driver training is in, here in Dubai.

Michael Prophet, as you first hear this, will be hounding round the Autodrome in the Dubai 24 Hours. This is how he'll manage it.

If a lost key is as bad as it can get, Rana Jones from BMW Middle East must be getting it right. And so, it would seem, are BMW.

Keith Greenhalgh discusses the early days, car choices and exposes a fellow-podcaster's driving style. And we have the electricity meter read!

Mercedes Benz Press manager, Julian Millward-Hopkins, neatly avoids my attempts to get invited to the Detroit Show whilst we discuss the McLaren 722s and some other less costly stuff.

Jehanbaz Ali Khan reports on the Dubai Desert Challenge and we reminisce a bit on recent and not so recent events.

Autodrone takes a well-earned, five day break in Kerala for a bit of peace and quiet. Well, that was the plan…

Editor of Car Express, Gordon Torbet, wins the Podme Mug for knowing how to say Qvale, and tries a driving challenge.

At 18, Rami Azzam has yet to get his driving licence but the boy can drive: you don't get to do International Karting if you can't...

Alex Reidl has done the rounds with Volvo and discusses the philosophy of why his products now represent more than just the safe option.

We continue with Allan Nimmo and cover some more cars, a bit more racing and a few things that don't have wheels.

There isn't actually much Allan Nimmo hasn't done but we concentrate on racing car stuff in this, the first of two recordings.

A crap Alfa, a treasure in Angola and no surprise in the briefcase: Gavin Lindsell-Stewart, Editor of Wheels & Gears covers a few highlights from his 30-odd years as a journalist.

To the Paris Motor Show by Cadillac and a reminder of what car shows are really about. Some prophetic words from Bob Lutz and a competition!

Sandy Norman outlines the plans for the "Women's Auto and Race Club" here in Dubai, and why she's doing it. Plus a good word for the Hummer H3.

Levelling the playing field on the National Race Series, Keith Wake reveals the tweaks that will make the VW GTI Cup races a good bit closer.

Mike Duckworth explains the difference between a scooter and a motorbike, and in the process, convinces me to get one. Traffic problems? What traffic problems?

Eight days, seven hotels and shocking tea. Holiday? Not much, as Autodrone pieces together a report from the AXCR from Dubai, Thailand and Laos.

Motor racing - where's it going in the Middle East? Chris Norman from Dubai Autodrome reveals his thinking.

Synopsis: An insider view of how the factory guys work, with Craig Hardie of DaimlerChrysler Middle East. We also discuss retro and lots of new toys...

I couldn’t tell the story of Hussain Abass’s trip to the Himalayas by motorcycle any better, so I haven’t tried. Here it is, from the horse’s mouth.

Despite being refused a holiday, I manage to get one as Peter presents this compilation of highlights from the half-year of Autodrone, and a few out-takes I didn’t know were recorded.

Mr Autodrone, Fraser Martin and Peter Hall, review the Autodrone shows at the half way point – and wonder how they got themselves into this in the first place.

Peter Gladstone returns to share our latest Saudi escapades and cover what else he’s been up to before going on holiday.

With no history of motor sport in Saudi Arabia, Tausif Agha has something of an uphill task on his hands. To say nothing of the uphill task in Pakistan...

"Got a car that needs restoring? Hussain Abbas can look after you, but don't give him your bike!"

Damien Reid, Editor of F1 Magazine, relates a few great experiences, a few scary moments and shares a mad car with Autodrone at the Bahrain Raceway.

Mr Autodrone plays catch up on some recent activities and highlights a few interesting new sites worth a visit.

The 20th show with a 20-year friend, Jum Ali Khan. Despite having been stuck in more varied conditions than I thought possible, Jum is an Intrepid Explorer of the First Water.

Autodrone talks to a legal eagle who represents one of the leading anti-counterfieting agencies in the Middle East. Alyson Coady tells all. This will make your toes curl.

Shahzad Sheikh relates his full circle journey from Motoring Columnist to Editor of CAR Middle East and discusses some of the interesting people and cars he experienced along the way.

An Ambassador at 13? Well, driving in India can be a bit different! Pankaj Dev illustrates why 'might is right' on the roads of India.

Probably the only honest Trader in Dubai, Mike Brightmore reveals what a "Monkey" actually is - unless you know better. A few tales, some horror stories and some wise words of warning for anyone looking at a used car.

James Burnett, Race School Manager at Dubai Autodrome, gives a very modest review of his life at the sharp end. But there are a few people he'd rather not have to work with again....

The Hummer that the army should have had, and why, apart from the noise. Sporting exploits and supercars, team spirit and a nice day out with his Dad - Andrew Greenhalgh reminisces from temporary retirement.

Mr Autodrone experiences the Life of the Lonely Prisoner - "I'm in my cell" - as the first solo podcast gets off the ground. Lots of cars, a gripe or two and the preparation for the first Outside Broadcast. And letters!

Part 2 of Assad Masoud's exploits, where he tells us about his sales experience and how nothing much happened, really.

You think driving is bad where you are? Try Nigeria. Travel writer Maan Hamzi, who isn't really that interested in cars, talks about cars, a guitar...and the moon. Weird.

The 10th programme (phew!), and an extended timeslot with Brian McGinlay. Brian covers his time in the Middle East and very short spells in Africa as well as a world of motor sport experience.

Born in Bahrain, and having been brought up with sand in his toes, Peter Gladstone is an off-roader through and through. He won't do tarmac but he does build a mean off road test track.

Sean Stevens, recently returned to these fair shores from the wilds of Saudi Arabia and a Middle East Tour with a manufacturer who cannot be named, reveals all. Driving standards? What driving standards?

The first in a two-parter with Assad Masoud, ex-Safari driver, ex-Land Rover employee and ex-2CV owner - well almost! The first grown-up to guest on the show, really... though it's a pity about the Porker.

This week, we discuss a busy motorsports weekend and despite the title, politics and how to get away with a broken windscreen, with Umair Khan. We don't talk about traffic or F1.

John Spiller is not so much an old rallying hero as a rallying hero of old. His take on where motor sport is in the Gulf and where it is going makes sense. This could be my most serious programme yet...

Silly car games and a "military" bird. The Bahrain Circuit and its amazing architecture. Name dropping and motorsport. First car and a second explosion, other presenters and whether they are any good. Autodrone, with Alix Capper Murdoch.

Mid life crises? Why would a normal guy buy a Corvette, and will his wife let him drive it? Where can you go off-roading anymore? And how to give an old Rover a Viking Sendoff.

Fraser's first guest is Sean Stevens, a fellow Instructor at the Autodrome (with an "m") and a man with no imagination whatsoever when it comes to owning cars.

Cars, buses, lawn mowers, and culinary arts? We explore traffic congestion, the new A1 series, driving licenses and walk into a glass door! Enjoy our first venture into Autodrone in 2 parts.