August 2015 Issue of Driven World Magazine by Driven World Magazine- The official magazine of Supercar Sunday

D RIVENWORLD

Aug 2015

The Official Magazine of Supercar Sunday

After all... It’s a driven world!

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From the Editor The aroma of gasoline filled the garage. The car just wouldn’t start. It cranked and cranked...wouldn’t start. I was putting the engine back into my ’68 Camaro and had it all in, back together and everything hooked up. This is probably about ten years ago. The garage around the car was packed with stuff, not the optimum working environment, but sometimes you do the best with what you have. There was spark, there was crank, but there was no combustion. What was going on? I had sprayed some starter fluid, but the Camaro would not start. It just cranked. I racked my brain as to what the problem could be....I am not a mechanic by any stretch, but with the help of friends I knew I was close to getting this thing started. The first time you take an engine out or apart and then get it back together and in the car....that first time it fires up, it is like magic. It is such an accomplishment that you feel so very capable as a person. Well, for me, every time you get an engine started for the first time, it is awesome. A huge sigh of relief, a little more self-confidence and a job well done. It is very exciting. So there I was and this damn engine would not start. So a good friend stopped by and looked it over. He asked if I tried starter fluid and I said yes. He said, “How much did you spray?” “Enough I think....” So, took the can and must of emptied half of it down the carburetor. As it cranked, “boom” the engine roared to life and then the carburetor started on fire. Down the side of the carb the flames went onto the intake. It just seemed to keep spreading! The garage was more then cramped with space. My friend is not necessarily the smallest guy on the planet and neither am I. We were packed like sardines, car parts and boxes all over the garage, surfboards hanging a few feet from the roof of the car, combustibles everywhere. The flames shot up and we looked at each other with sheer panic realizing this could go real bad, real fast. We looked around and there was no extinguisher, no water hose, no.....nothing! Just as the flames reached the highest point, another friend’s wife pulled up to see the car on fire in the garage! Well, not the car per se, but from her vantage point I think she was ready to dial 911. So there we were, two big guys, trapped by an over stuffed garage, with a rusty ’68 Camaro which just started in all her glory, carburetor and intake in flames, two panic stricken idiots who knew better and had nothing

to put the fire out. So, I did the only thing I could think of before the entire house went up...I pulled my shirt off and beat that fire out! Once it was out, we looked at each other with a sigh of relief, a “you know better than that look”, an “it’s your fault look” and peering down the driveway I see my buddy’s wife picking up her phone to call her husband to tell him that we almost burned down he house. Great, a witness. I still haven’t lived that one down. Experience is a funny thing. I suppose it is those “growing” moments that give us confidence and we can learn from them, right? I know that we were not the only guys who have ever been a bit too ambitious with “starter fluid.” Some of you are probably laughing as it happened to you. I bet you might have pulled off a shirt too before your baby went up in flames. So, we learned our lesson....safety first. Some years later, probably a decade I went to look at a car I was interested in buying. The car had been sitting for about 8 years, garaged and covered. It was a ’56 Bel Air. The owner who was in his ‘70s said the car just wouldn’t start... it would crank, but not start. I thought back to that fateful day when we almost burned down the house. I said, no problem, let me take a look at it. Over the years, I had become a bit more handy with cars. Along with working on cars comes the confidence and experience to not only problem solve but to take that first step and try to fix something. An understanding that if you do more damage, it can be fixed... So, the car had power, it would crank but it was afflicted with the same problem as my ’68 Camaro, it just wouldn’t start. The owner did not have any starter fluid, but hey, I’ll just pour a bit of gas down the carburetor, right? Good as gold, that will get her started. So, I cut up a water bottle, poured some gas in it and as he cranks the engine, I started pouring some gas in it. You could hear the engine try and try to start. Over and over she wanted to kick. So, naturally I pour more gas in! This ’56 Bel Air hadn’t moved in about ten years. It was set up as a hot rod with a 383 stroker, tubbed in the back and an aggressive stance. A real good looking car. It had sat covered for almost a decade, but looked great. There were no leaks, all the fluids were there, a brand new interior. It looked good to me. It sat in a garage behind a little house that was probably built in 1920 in Culver City. A little two bedroom and a detached garage that in todays market was worth a fortune. The owner was retiring out of state and was getting rid of his car. He loved the car, but had been working so much that, like it happens to so many cars, it

just sat. The garage itself was empty. Old wood, old rafters and barely any shingles on the roof. It was hot and dry and dusty in that garage. Old license plates from 1936 from one of his mothers cars were nailed to the walls. It was a time capsule. So there we were trying to get the car started, we were so close. Crank, crank, crank. The motor was begging to come alive, to breath like the fiery dragon she was built to be. Crank, crank, crank. But she just wouldn’t bite. So... we both kind of shrugged and decided to pour more gas into the carb. There is something truly intoxicating about an engine that is close to starting. All logic, reasoning and safety goes out the window. You can hear it, like a siren singing to you... come closer, come closer, so attractive is the sound that you just need to make it start, at all costs! So, there we were in that old garage. Me and the 73 year old owner both so excited to hear it come to life. Pouring more gas down the carburetor, like a shot of adrenaline to the heart. If I just give it enough, she will start. When all of the sudden, he turns the ignition and the beast is alive! A huge roar comes over the garage. You could hear the big cam, “she is alive, she is alive”, and then....the backfire through the carb. Naturally, I had my face almost directly over the carb as I was feeding in the gas to keep her alive, when that backfire hit. I jumped back just in time as excess fuel sprayed out of the carb and....and....you guessed it, the carb and manifold were on fire. So there I was ten years later, another Chevy, another old garage, no fire extinguisher and a carb and manifold on fire and it looked like the fire was going to spread. The old man was looking at me and I was looking at him.... (did I mention the house was for sale and the last thing he needed was a garage fire?). What to do, what to do? So, like all those years earlier, I pulled my shirt off and beat the fire out. And then we both laughed. Inside I had a sigh of relief. We both chuckled and I ended up with the car. The moral of the story? If you are trying to start a car, push it outside, have a fire extinguisher ready and don’t burn the damn thing down. But, there is nothing better than the sound of a car starting for the first time when it was your effort, knowledge and experience that got her going. So, if you ever get a chance to get an engine together...start her for the first time, You better go for it.....it is awesome. -Dustin

Contents

D RIVENWORLD ISSUE 68, Aug 2015

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Dustin Troyan

ART DIRECTOR Connected Media Group LLC COPY EDITOR Heather Troyan DESIGN Connected Media Group WEB DESIGN

Jeff Balbien

STORIES BY Dustin Troyan Mark Llewellyn Brooks Smith Tommy Mansuwan Jim Hunter Eric Roehm Ken Latka K. Britt

PHOTOGRAPHY Art Machines JIm Hunter Jim Gianatsts Eric Rohem Duane Steiner Tommy Mansuwan

Richard Morey Stephen Russo Steve Valline Larry Weiner Ken Latka

Advertising / Marketing Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com (818) 516-5053 www.drivenworld.com www.connectedmediagroup.com www.supercarsunday.com Driven World Magazine is published twelve times per year by Connected Media Group LLC. It is distributed at upscale locations and events all over California. It is also available online and distributed electronically to high-net-worth individuals as well as members of the car community at large. All rights reserved. Driven World and Supercar Sunday are registered trademarks of Connected Media Group LLC. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or any other materials or advertisements herein may be reproduced without permission of copyright owner. Driven World Magazine and Connected Media Group LLC, do not take responsibility for the claims provided herein. Connected Media Group LLC, Driven World Magazine, and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors, and publisher accept no responsibility for the errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. Connected Media Group LLC does not assume liability for any products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers or editorial information.

On the Cover: Mr. Gary L. Wales Photo: Art Machines

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Story // Photos // Jim Hunter

The 66th British Grand Prix: Keep Calm & Carry On Silverstone, a former RAF WWII Bomber base, is one of the last true power circuits where two thirds of the lap are attacked at full throttle. A typical English summer welcomed the FIA F1 World Championship to the historic venue situated just south of Northampton for the 49th time. Forecasts leading into the weekend looked iffy at best. Rain was expected, but Wednesday proved one of the hottest days on record for the region, leaving many to rethink complaints about normally frigid “Old Blighty.” Weather wasn’t the only “if” under discussion. The tipping point had finally been reached regarding questions of F1’s immediate future, converting talk into action. Increased restriction on driver coaching, particularly on race starts, will be implemented as early as this year’s Belgian Grand Prix. Press releases and conferences confirmed that, yet again, technical change across the entire formula was on the way. F1 will be a very different, and hopefully improved, animal in 2017.

Another question was Kimi Räikkönen’s F1 future following his bizarre first lap accident on Austria’s Spielberg circuit. There’s been a lot of chatter on Räikkönen’s fate since his podium in Bahrain.

“Obviously, they (Ferrari) will make the decision.” Kimi casually responded in Thursday’s FIA press conference. Ferrari principal Maurizio Arrivabene, as reported in Autosport, later offered some defense of his

beleaguered driver; “Everybody has talked about this since Bahrain, then you have to jump in a the car to drive at more than 300 kmh–are you in a good mood? No.” Identified by the GPDA poll as F1’s most popular driver, Räikkönen is a true character at a time when F1 has become corporate and devoid of personality. It’s no wonder he dominates the rumor mill. Regarding current events, intrigue centered on suggestion that the title momentum had shifted. With victory in Austria, Rosberg had now taken the top step in three of the four prior grands prix, bringing him within 10 points of home favorite Hamilton. It would be interesting to see if Hamilton’s “home field” advantage would stem this tide. Silverstone calls for high downforce setups to accommodate Copse, Maggots, Becketts, Stowe, all legendary corners, all high speed on entry. Downforce would prove a key strategic factor in the rather surprising race that was to unfold, perhaps the best grand prix we’ve seen this season. FP1 kicked off the pursuit of setup under welcomed cooler temperatures. Williams Development Driver Susie Wolff took the wheel

of Valtteri Bottas’ car for her second and final test run of the season. She did quite well, managing to come within 8/10ths of Felipe Massa’s best time in the session. To no one’s surprise, Rosberg and Hamilton topped the time sheets, but Max Verstappen just edged Räikkönen for the session’s third quickest time. Showing no intention of going away quietly, Kimi later challenged Rosberg for the top of the afternoon’s FP2 timetable, just 3/1000’s shy of the Mercedes. He also again proved to be the fastest non-Mercedes in Saturday’s FP3 and set the fastest time in Q1. The Finn looked set to fight for the front. However, Ferrari wound up behind Mercedes, and surprisingly, on the third row behind both Williams. Williams’ performance in quali was stunning based upon their prior midfield pace. Struggling to break the pack in practice, both cars wound up on the 2nd row ahead of Ferrari. Was it merely a shift in the wind as Bottas suggested? Did Williams instead take a gamble stripping downforce from the car? England is F1’s home. The spirit of Grand Prix racing flows fiercely through the teams based within a stone’s throw of Silverstone, a fact not lost on the 140,000+ who turned out for Round Nine of the 2015 Championship. It was inspiring to see the enormous support and pride England displayed for their own, and most notably for Lewis Hamilton who once again demonstrated his ability to work a crowd with a pre-race jog before his countrymen on the run down Vale to Club. Unfortunately, Hamilton’s warm-up trot paid little benefit at the start, and Felipe Massa shot past splitting both Mercedes as if they were standing still. Massa’s brilliant start had given him the lead but teammate Bottas was displaying incredible pace. Hamilton initially fought for 2nd but could not hold the position. His Mercedes would close under braking, but the Martini liveried cars simply drew away on the straights. Williams made an arguable strategic

error discouraging Bottas from taking the fight to his teammate. With Bottas relegated behind Massa, both Mercedes were able to keep in close touch. Ultimately, Williams’ decision to hold station opened the door for Mercedes and Hamilton in the first round of pit stops, and when the latter stopping Bottas emerged from pit lane, Hamilton was already through into the lead. The fight among the top four remained close, but rain was clearly visible on the horizon. How soon and how much? The first answer came on lap 35, when drops arrived from the SW. Bottas first radioed for intermediates, but it was Räikkönen who took to the pits completing lap 38, a call that proved to be much too early. Conversely, Williams arguably pitted both drivers too late, ultimately costing the team a podium. But was it merely timing? Strikingly, neither Williams could maintain pace in the damp conditions. Bottas was left griping to the team that his tires weren’t working in the wet conditions. Was it really just the tires? Perhaps this shed light on the technique Williams found to pay enormous

dividends in Q3 and dry race pace? Was it a lack of downforce that proved to haunt them once the rain came? Exiting parc ferme, Massa looked befuddled. “It is a frustrating result because the race was amazing. I had a fantastic start and we

were fighting with Mercedes the whole time, it could even have been possible to win the race if it had stayed dry.” Kimi’s “hero or zero” call tempted the weather gods with no favor in return and he floundered. It was nice to see Vettel back on the podium, but the weekend prior suggested Kimi might be there instead. Räikkönen took responsibility for the risky call, “it changed quite a lot from lap to lap. I guess for me it got quite slippery and looked like it was raining more and more and ultimately I decided to come in and I thought it was to keep raining but it turned the call was much too early. I understand it wasn’t a good choice but we gave it a try.” By contrast, Vettel fared much better, “We did a great call to pit just in the perfect lap. The rain helped us today!” Despite the exciting race, Mercedes took another 1-2 finish. Hamilton patiently pitted at the perfect moment, and was rewarded with his third British Grand Prix victory to great acclaim. The podium

ceremony overlooked a circuit awash in a sea of Union Jacks, a scene similar to that one would expect of a Ferrari victory at Monza. Hamilton later tried to put his emotions into words, “I thought I’d seen it all last year but the fans have just been unbelievable. I could never have imagined this level of support - this one is for them. I have to admit, as I came round that last lap I was welling up seeing all those people on their feet.” Indeed, this chapter in the 2015 campaign was for the fans. The British Grand Prix at Silverstone recalled better days and demonstrated that F1’s potential to captivate the imagination remains strong. Those who love the sport took home a little taste of victory, one which Lewis will be sharing for a long time to come.

Everyday Exotic Story // Photos // Eric Rohem

It’s a problem that comes with the territory when you are a true gear-head: you live for the weekend. It’s not because you don’t have to work, or that you can spend time with your family… or even that you can have a couple beers and not worry about forming coherent sentences the next day. It’s because you get to drive the “weekend car”. You love your daily car, but the sensible and spacious four door Chrysler 300 or Toyota Avalon just doesn’t make you feel the same way that your pride and joy does, and this makes the work commute feel like your already there as soon as you leave, and not gone until you’ve been home for ten minutes. The full size car market is full of great cars for nearly any budget, but to get something you WANT to drive you’re going to have to look near the top of the food chain. Of course this means $100,000 plus, and that’s just not the kind of money you want to take away from your project car. So the answer is finding a used Mercedes S-Class, Porsche Panamera, Audi A8 or BMW 7 Series. But none of these cars can pull your gear-head strings like the oldest name in the segment: the Maserati Quattroporte. First introduced

in 1963, Quattroporte was Maseratis first fourdoor vehicle, and got its name from a literal translation of its description. It was powered by Maseratis first V8 motor, an all aluminum, quad cam, 4.1 Litre milestone for the company. The Quattroporte was an amazing performer for the time despite its door count, but in 1968 Maserati grew the hearty V8 to 4.7 litres, and nearly 290 horsepower. This gave the big Maserati a claimed top speed of 158 Miles per hour, and cemented it as the fastest four-door sedan in the world. Maserati ownership changed hands several times over the coming years and the marque suffered a few doldrum years, espe-

cially in the big saloon market. Under new Ferrari ownership, Maserati started crawling back in the late nineties, and was nearly full stride when they returned to the U.S. market with the Spyder and the Coupe’. The only thing missing from the re-birth was with an all-new Quattroporte. The 5th generation Quattroporte was produced from 2003 to 2012 and is more satisfying than any other four-door car I have driven. The majority are powered by a 4.2 litre V8 developed with parent company Ferrari. Although the chassis is a clean sheet design, a masterpiece, and is still being used underneath current Maserati vehicles, it’s the 400 horsepower, naturally aspirated orchestra that makes this car what we all need: an everyday exotic. In 2008 Maserati paid homage to the original Quattroporte and came out with a 4.7 litre “S” model with 425 horsepower. You will find yourself getting ready for work early just to hear the Italian V8 start up with a sharp bark in the morning. Who needs coffee? Of course, Italian motor means Italian performance, and with getting up early and no traffic this ultimately means arriving to work very early. The only, and logical, solution is foregoing the

highways and taking the long mountain pass to work. This is where the Quattroporte shines. Often called the “four-door Ferrari”, it changes direction on par with vehicles much smaller and, it has to be said, much less comfortable. Since this is a luxury car it’s rather heavy, however the motor being mounted behind the front axle makes the handling very balanced and predictable. It’s very easy to find yourself corning at very un-sedan-like speeds. But again, that magical V8 is the cornerstone of the experience. The sound of acceleration is intoxicating, and most gratifying over 6000 RPM. You may need to find a longer way to work. So we know why we all want one, but will your wife like it as well? In short, yes. The Quattroporte is a very comfortable and agreeable place to be. All the interior surfaces are trimmed in extremely high quality leather, and there is a lot of room to stretch out. Controls on the dash are a bit convoluted, but after one or two trips it all makes perfect “Italian” sense. The back seat easily accommodates normal sized human beings for a night out, or all the kids for a weekend away. A family of 4 could easy pack their weekend accoutrements into the large truck, but you will ask them to keep it to a minimum to preserve the weight distribution. Driving around town the big Maserati is extremely tactile. It is easy to maneuver, park, and see out of. Without lashing it, the (have I mentioned how good?) V8 only hints at the breeding… just enough to make you smile. Further, the Quattroporte is not ostentatious, or garish to look at. Its beautifully styled by Pininfarina to be a businessman’s express, and pulls it off the role wonderfully. With all this goodness, there have to be some downsides, and alas, there are. First and foremost, we are still talking about a used

Maserati. Although the reliability is vastly improved over older generations, there is still a reasonable chance you will have some issues. Charging problems are common, so you need to drive it, and if not properly maintained, that motor will end up frustrating you. All this means that you need to stay on top of this car. Regular check ups, and oil changes are necessary, and parts will cost you more than your Toyota. But lets be honest, if you didn’t enjoy this type of thing, you wouldn’t have that “weekend car” sitting next to it in the garage. Tires wear quickly on the Quattroporte, rather dependant on your right foot, and are also not items that can be found at your local tire shop too readily. The early cars were fitted with a ‘DuoSelect’, electronically controlled manual transaxle. This system works great at full chat, but around town it gets confused easily. Any problems with this transmission and you may need a second mortgage. However mid-year 2007 Maserati switched to a conventional (torque converter) automatic transmission mounted directly to the motor and a new, also more common, rear differential. Not only is this faster, and easier to live with daily, it has also proven to be the more reliable of the two. All this being said, the Quattroporte you should be looking for is a 2007.5 or newer with an au-

tomatic transmission, full service history, and preferably not too low of mileage, as these cars need to be driven regularly to be any good. Since the current Quattroporte has been on sale for a few years now, the 5th generation has taken its major hit of depreciation. There may be a bit more to go, but with the quality of all parts, this car is unlikely to hit the frankly embarrassing low points of some of its predecessors. The current market shows that you can get a good, well-maintained automatic for $27,000 - $35,000 if you shop around a bit. Be careful as you can also get a not-so-good one for around $20,000 that will make you wish you spent the extra $10,000 at the gate. The “S” models will, and have held their value better. These will likely be the ones collectors will be looking for in 10 years time, but may not worth the extra $15,000 in today’s market if you plan on daily driving it. The “S” will get you cool points if you manage to pull up to another Quattroporte at a set of lights, but this is unlikely as total 2003 – 2012 Quattroporte production is a shade over twenty five thousand, or ten thousand less than all 2014 Maseratis. So its Monday evening, and you are walking out of the office with four more days of co-workers gossiping and complaining until you can take your prized possession out for a spin. You reach into your pocket and find a blue key with a small trident. You sift through the sea of beige, and I don’t mean in color, sedans in the car park to find your Maserati, slide in, and twist the key. With a spit and crackle the V8 comes to life. You take a breath, leave work behind, and head for the hills.

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Story // Photos // Jim Hunter

The Goodwood Festival of Speed Motorsport is too often casually distilled to a single endeavor, but it’s varied and unique forms require highly specialized singular focus from competitors and rarely allow for crossover. If there is a trait that the competitors and enthusiasts of these diverse motorsports share, however, it is reverence for the history that has defined the mythic nature of their passion. Legendary names, their machines and achievements, rare in commitment and ingenuity, inspire imaginations across the spectrum of these unique pursuits. The Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England captures this imagination like no other event in the world. The annual hill climb is held on the picturesque Goodwood Estate, the home of Lord March (Charles

March, The Earl of March and Kinrara). The hill climb literally runs right past his front door, opened to enthusiasts of all forms of motorsport from all over the world. Lord March is the grandson of Freddie March, The 9th Duke of Richmond, who was a renowned amateur racer and engineer. Freddie March notably won at England’s fabled Brooklands Racing Circuit and later went on to design both March sports cars and aircraft. Sadly, Brooklands was closed in 1939 due to WWII. Following the war, England pined for Brooklands replacement, and on the advice of a friend The Duke opened a racing circuit around the perimeter of the decommissioned WWII airbase on his West Sussex property. His Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit gave motorsport a new home in England, one which ran strong for nearly two decades before falling silent in 1966. Decades later, Lord March set about preserving his grandfather’s efforts and quietly undertook the considerable task of

re-commissioning the old motor racing circuit. Knowing that done properly the effort would require some time, March took a bold step introducing a companion event, a hill climb through his yard and right past his front door! Rekindling his grandfather’s gentlemanly challenge to sprint friends up the hill in their Lancias during a 1936 picnic, the Festival of Speed was born. The Festival of Speed attracted immediate popularity while Lord March’s longterm efforts with the circuit came to fruition. In 1998, 50 years from the day his grandfather first opened the circuit, The Goodwood Revival brought motorsport back to the former airfield. The Revival serves to preserve not only the motorsport icons of the era but the time itself with period dress required.

the MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix, was on hand to celebrate Yamaha’s 60th Anniversary in his Goodwood debut. Big Daddy Don Garlits also made his first trip to the Festival and brought his rubber emasculating Swamp Rat dragster. 60 years on from his incredible victory for Mercedes in the Mille Miglia, Stirling Moss headlined the first public appearance seven of eight 300 SLRs ever built have ever made together. Damon Hill took the wheel of his father’s classic Lotus 49 for a run up the hill, as Richard Petty, making a third FOS appearance in his newly restored 1970 Plymouth Superbird, also impressed . . . while current F1 drivers Nico Rosberg, Kimi Räikkönen, Jenson Button, and Felipe Massa all made appearances on demo runs up the hill. Kenny Roberts, Jackie Stewart, John Surtees, Robbie Gordon, Jochen Mass, The Festival of Speed is an extraordinary place where one can roam the paddock and stride right up to a race chassis that captivated their imagination in youth, and then moments later watch the latest rare breeds in automotive technology attack the hill with spirit. This year’s FOS hosted the marvel rebirth and first public running of a century old, 28.5-liter land speed car, the Fiat s76 “Beast of Turin,” (also known as the Fiat 300 HP). This remarkable achievement was contrasted on the hill by the competition version of the flagship LaFerrari, the technically astounding and sensational sounding Ferrari FXX K. Of particular interest to long time F1 fans, Clay Reggazoni’s Ferrari 312-T, chassis # 024, was on hand with a selection of other significant Ferrari F1 cars. Of special note to SoCal petrol heads, Reggazoni drove this chassis

to victory in the first Long Beach Grand Prix in 1976. Directly across from Reggazoni’s Ferrari sat the famous JPS Lotus 97T, chassis # 02, in which Ayrton Senna won his very first grand prix in the rain at Estoril, Portugal. These were but two significant chassis in a long list of notable F1 cars from years past. At Goodwood, one can practically rub elbows with the drivers who made these machines legendary. This year the FOS celebrated the “Flat out and Fearless” and a formidable roster of these competitors was on hand to take a run up the hill. Valentino Rossi, fresh from victory in

Casey Stoner, Derek Bell . . .the list goes on and on. Ken Block inaugurated Goodwood’s new “Drifting” category and thrilled the masses in his awesome 845-hp “Hoonicorn” Mustang from Gymkhana 7 fame. Block burned a lot of rubber over the entire weekend making numerous sideways, donut punctuated runs up the estate. Robby Gordon brought out a couple of Stadium Trucks to further diversify the field. Beyond the headlining hill climb, Lord March’s property allows for a fantastic array of tandem events, not the least of which being the rally stage, which cuts through the dense forest near the top of the hill climb run. The rally segments are fascinating to witness in person. Every major manufacturer has a presence, and beyond their numerous displays and demonstrations, one can also enjoy the Cartier “Style et Luxe” concours on the lawn behind the Lord’s home. If so inclined and adequately funded, guests registered to bid in the adjacent Bonhams Collector Motorcar auction. There is literally something for everyone, but perhaps one of the most enjoyable aspects of the festival can be found in the paddock. It is the old and new, where we have been–where we are headed, that combine to make the Festival of Speed a truly kinetic, dynamic, and organic enthusiast experience.

Car Culture

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ by Mark Llewellyn ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let’s Split Man! Car design continues to evolve over time. Styles and designs come and go, just like the fashion world. Some are never to be seen again, while others make a stylish, retro comeback. Originating in the 1930’s, the split rear window is due for a revisit. Art Deco automobiles like the 1934 Chrysler Airflow were a natural to adopt this classic design. Offering a sweet, swept-back look, some considered the design “privacy enhancing”, while others criticized it for the lack of visibility. Just like clothing and other designer merchandise, its artistic effect was very “individual”. The 1940’s saw the demise of the split rear window, the exception being the Volkswagen Beetle which carried the design to 1953. Italian designer Franco Scaglione introduced the design back in the mid-fifties for Alfa Romeo. The most famous domestic appearance of the split rear window was on the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette ‘Stingray’. Designed by Bill Mitchell, many loved the design due to the bulge on the hood that followed a line on the roof to the rear window. But the Vette’s window fell prey to some of the criticisms of its predecessors. Although many enjoyed the rear window style, they found the limited visibility outweighed the aesthetics. Bill Mitchell did not give up and worked with General Motors designers and in 1971 came up with the Buick Rivera. This time the split was a clear ridge in the glass, rather than a panel separating 2 windows. It clearly delineated the window without visual obstruction. The automotive industry has not seen the return of the split rear window since. Many would say good riddance, while others are quietly, and anxiously, awaiting its return to the automotive fashion highway.

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gary Wales...La Bestioni Story //Dustin Troyan Photos // Art Machines

Gary- Why? The number one question is why? Why do you build these amazing vehicles? Because I can and it’s wonderful to be able to create your own dream and be 100% responsible for the results, sink or swim. Fire trucks…. what prompted you to chose an old fire truck for your La Bestionis? They are wonderful platforms to work from as they were built at a time when America was the number one place in the world that could do anything and do it the best! Where does the passion and energy come from to keep creating and raising the bar…. You never look back, you always improve or you might as well water your lawn. As you reflect on your builds, what was your very first? When did you start customizing cars and why? The Great American Race Car Boat-tail Speedster that I won the 1984 Race/rally from Universal City to Indianapolis for the 500. Designed and built from a total wreck that had been in a mud slide, totally buried and written off. I took her from scrap to a dream.

To say that you are a "car guy" is an understatement. What got you into the cars and what has kept you there? My wife Marilynn was the real car guy and always backed me to the fullest. She allowed me to do it my way. You always need a good woman to stand by you and she did! As you have many accomplishments, what is, in your opinion your single greatest automotive achievement? Restoring and building the 1947 Bentley Paris show car B 20 BH. It won over 50 major awards around the world and when sold at the Barrett-

Jackson auction in Palm Beach on April Fools Day, it brought the world record price for any Rolls Royce/Bentley post-war car ever and still holds the record after nine years! I understand you are building La Bestioni #7, can you tell us about that project? La Bestioni #7 will be the best so far (I hope). The power plant is a 1013 cu in”,6 cylinder,24 plug motor with a separate block for each piston and with the help of my genius friend and mechanic ( Andres Aranda) I will create a work of rolling art that will be memorable and even exceed my own inflated ego, HA-HA-HA-HA! If you could give one piece of advice to a “car guy” what would it be and why? Do what you love and love what you do. Gary, you are a man that truly marches to his own beat… tell us about that beat…. Beat the drum whilst the skin is still tight and march to your own beat. Let no one stop you from doing what you know is right. If you could share one thing with us, anything….what would it be…. what is the essence of Gary Wales? Be the absolute best you can be!

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Fast Toys Club

Story // K. Britt Photos // Fast Toys Club Fast Toys Club...The Supercar Lifestyle. Fast Toys Club, based in Los Angeles, California is the answer to the car lovers dream. For many enthusiasts, we simply cannot buy all the cars we want. Whether it is a budget or space issue...”one of each” is simply out of reach. Chris Carel the founder of Fast Toys Club was afflicted with that same problem when he had an epiphany and decided to combine his passion for exotic cars and love for people and start...Fast Toys Club. When you join the club, you have instant access to just about any exotic and luxury car you have ever wanted, without the expense, maintenance, and storage associated with owning one. What car would you like to drive today if money was no obstacle? Fast Toys offers its members quite the stable to choose from. Be it the rarest Italian offering like a Lamborghini Huracan or Enzo Ferrari, or perhaps an Aston Martin, Rolls Royce or a McLaren SLR, Fast Toys offers the variety that will keep your friends and clients guessing what you will be driving next! The many different club membership levels appeal to just about any car enthusiast, whether you just want a few weekends in an exotic or you wish to drive a different car each

day of the year, Fast Toys has a package for you. The idea here is to get you the car you want when you want it. Heck, they’ll even deliver it to your house to save you the hassle. Centrally located in Southern California, Fast Toys offers its members the experience of enjoying a variety of exotic and luxury cars without the expense of ownership and the hassles of crowded,documentheavy rental agencies. As a club member, you no longer have to count your steps worrying about the depreciation associated

with mileage, or call around all across town to find a car to drive for the weekend. Instead you simply place a call to Fast Toys asking them to deliver your Lamborghini by 6AM so that you can be in Santa Barbara for breakfast and San Francisco by noon…drive the cars, that’s what they were made for! The team at Fast Toys knows that you are busy and that is why they offer complimentary delivery and pick-up within a thirty mile radius. If you are further out, they can have the exotic car of your choice delivered for a nominal fee. In other words, you are ready to drive! The cars come detailed, filled with gas, tire pressure checked and ready do drive, there are no longer any excuses! Drive, Drive, Drive! Now let’s talk car variety. The Fast

Toys boys are noted for their Ferrari Enzo which made many heads turn all over Southern California. They say variety is the spice of life and the cars in the club live up to this saying; Lamborghini Huracan, Ferrari California T, Aston Marin DBS Volante, Dodge Viper GTS, BMW i8, Lamborhigni Aventador Roadster and on and on. For a full inventory listing, please

visit: www.fasttoysclub.com. Fast Toys Club also quickly became noted for their Exotic Car Track Days. With a participant limit of no more than forty cars per track day, the events are exclusive and tend to attract the very finest of automobiles and a who’s-who list of VIP owners and enthusiasts. Understanding that experience is everything, Fast Toys provides the personal driving instructors, top-notch catering, professional photographers and even beautiful models for a complementary photoshoot! And, don’t forget the complimentary once-in-a-lifetime ridealong in a Pescarolo Le Mans Prototype! And if you wanted to pilot a real race car around the track you might consider renting their Ferrari 360 Challenge or Ford Mustang Boss 302S! How is that for a track experience! The next Fast Toys track day is in September. You can book your spot by visiting www. fasttoysclub. com - but hurry, track space is limited. F a s t Toys Club also offers”Daily Rentals.” Whether it is a birthday,

anniversary, graduation, wedding or “why not”, anyone can rent any vehicle by the day. So...if you are looking to make an impression, surprise a loved one or client, or simply pamper yourself, Fast Toys Club has you covered...by the day, the week, the month and the year! Another amazing offering from the club is their “Driving Tours.” These tours allow the driver to experience six exotic cars in one day as you tour the beautiful Santa Monica Mountain Range from West Los Angeles through Beverly Hills, Hollywood and Malibu. Talk about some amazing corporate team building or sharing an awesome day with a group of friends and loved ones...in exotic cars! Why Not! As Fasts Toys Club has many relationships and partnerships, they also provide you with the “Exotic Car Lifestyle.” Being invited to “VIP” car events and unveilings, when you are a member, you get full access to being an exotic car owner, all at a fraction of the price. And that indeed is the value! In August, they even offer, not one, but two all-inclusive VIP experiences for the Monterey Car Week. The package includes running either a Ferrari or a Lamborghini up the coast to Monterey in the Italian Stampede, full accommodations, VIP parties, event tickets and much, much, more. For more information on Fast Toys Club please visit: Fasttoysclub.com

JOn and Dustinâ€™s Exotic Summer Run Story // Dustin Troyan Photos // Scott Killeen

Every now and then you have got to do a drive. Sure, itâ€™s fun to drive with one or two of your friends, but there is nothing better then getting twenty-five or so of your friends together for an exotic car run. Jon Johnson and I have been putting these little outings together for over a decade. What started as a couple friends going to lunch all those years ago has turned into a semi-annual event with our friends. Over the years, destinations have been anything from receptions at The Auto Gallery Calabasas location to restaurants in Malibu and even weekends in Las Vegas. Any excuse to have a good time, right? The past couple of years we have chosen the Biltmore Four Seasons in Santa Barbara as the lunch destination. Why? First and foremost the drive there. We take a few secret back roads the whole way up and the drive is magical. The curvy hills and scenery lend you to believing that you are not in California but some romantic part of Italy or

France. Que Bella! The second reason for choosing the Biltmore Four Seasons is...well it is the Biltmore Four Seasons. We have a private brunch area with staff assisting our needs. As to be expected, it is five star all the way! This particular drive was for exotics only, which was a bit of a challenge for me as I do not have an exotic (yet). So...what do I do? Without an exotic...I cannot go on the run that we planned! Well, I am sure we could

make an exception and I could drive my 2008 STI, but, it is just not the same. And more than anything I wanted to have a great time with my wife next to me in an exotic. As luck would have it, The Auto Gallery and McLaren were able to assist and I was to drive a 2015 McLaren 650s. YES! Our meeting location for the drive was Lavaggio-the art of auto detailing in Agoura Hills who, beyond their hospitality, provided a

lovely breakfast and the staff was incredible. The cars. Oh the cars! From Porsche Carrera Gts, to Ford Gts, McLarens, Ferraris, Lamborhginis...it was quite the line up. After a quick drivers meeting, we were off! The goal of the drive is to have a good drive with friends. Simple. We casually toured the back roads of Ojai and Santa Barbara. There is nothing better than twenty-five exotic cars, with your friends driving them, to a wonderful lunch destination. Along the way, cameras were clicking from just about anybody we came across. It was awesome. The McLaren 650s, in one word; Incredible. Go out and buy one today. The car is so balanced, refined, raw, all at the same time it is incredible. Look for the full review in the next issue. As the brunch winded down, we were all pleased. Another successful drive and lunch with friends and fun cars. What more could we ask for. Until the next....

Story // Dustin Troyan Photos // Duane Steiner

Pasadena Ferrari Concorso 2015

Concorso Ferrari 2015, also known as Ferraris on Colorado, celebrated itâ€™s 8th year and has quickly become one of the premier Ferrari Events in California. The Ferrari Club of America (FCA) Southwest Region, once again organized and executed a world class event! For those of you who are familiar with the FCA, you know that the club members and the board are some of the most enthusiastic Ferrari owners and car enthusiasts around! A very active club indeed, they are always organizing drives, events, and Ferraris on Colorado. I would also like to add that they are very supportive of other events in the community and all of us who appreciate Ferrraris are truly grateful for them sharing

their cars and passion with us! On the day of the event, it was picture perfect! Skies were clear, the temperature was classic Southern California and the ambience was that of excitement. The entire car community was abuzz with the idea of 140 plus notable Ferraris on display and not behind ropes! Who could ask for more? Also worth noting is that this event is free to the public! Thatâ€™s right, there are no entry fees to spectators and with more then 10,000 people showing up, that was over 10,000 grateful attendees. Thank you FCA! Old Town Pasadena has also embraced the event and offers tremendous support to the event. With over 10,000 spectators attending

the event, the local retailers and eateries are offered an incredible opportunity to share their products and services with an entirely new demographic. It is a very successful day for Old Town. And considering the 140 plus Ferraris and sponsor displays stretched over three full blocks, it is quite the captive audience for the local businesses. Back to the Concorso...yes, this is a judged event. Any Ferrari manufactured before 2004 is eligible to participate in the judging and may take an award. The judging was that of the traditional FCA guidelines and included ten classes for the awards. The judges are an esteemed group of not only auto enthusiasts, but Ferrari experts.

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Ferrari Continued

With over 140 Ferraris on display, is was almost an historical representation of almost every model. The visual evolution of Ferrari on the streets of Old Town. It was breath taking. Some of the examples of earlier models included: 250s, 330s, 365s, 512s and the ever collectible Dino. And for the Supercar lovers, lookout! From the latest, greatest and ultra-rare La Ferrari to the venerable F40, F50, and 288 GTO it was

nothing short of Ferrari awesomeness! Top awards went to Peter McCoy for the Best in Show for his 1952 212 Export Vignale. The â€œBest Car on the Streetâ€? went to Ken Roath for his 2015 La Ferrari. What more could be said about the event? Everybody won. It was a first class event, put on by a first class club which did such a fine job of capturing the passion and energy of Ferrari. Adding that it is complementary to spectators is just unbelievable. The Ferrari Club of America Southwest Region, HATS OFF TO YOU! My one suggestion to the reader is to put this event in your calendar because it is only getting better! See you there next year! For more information on the event please visit: www.fca-sw.org

Book Review: Ferrari Hypercars It was Honda’s fault, really.Had their NSX not delivered such a crushing blow to the supercars of its day, and thus earned the appellation for itself, the term might never have been watered down to the point where it was necessary to develop a new one. Develop it we did, however, and whether they should be or not, “hypercars” are now an established suborder. So it has become necessary as well to backdate the term, and decide which cars are worthy of this lofty title. This is the apparent aim behind veteran journalist and author Winston Goodfellow’s new tome “Ferrari Hypercars: The Inside Story Of Maranello’s Fastest, Rarest Road Cars.” And quite a tome it is; the book is large, and comprehensive beyond the point most would expect for the subject, going back to the very beginnings of Ferrari itself. Goodfellow uses this trip through Ferrari’s back catalog, not only to illustrate that the concept of Very Fast Cars in fact

/E TypeUK

predates the 1980s, but also to celebrate the lives and careers of the engineers, designers, and even executives, who worked their lives away to create these cars, driven by the same passions that inspire the enthusiasts who enjoy the finished product. As such, it works out to be far more interesting, and far less a coffee table ornament than its title and largesse perhaps suggest. Goodfellow has spent his career developing personal relationships with many of these people, and his writing mixes this knowledge with illustrative interview citations to produce a very personal narrative of Ferrari - the man, the company, and the cars. All of this punctuated with miniature bios for key players. The hypercars themselves form the backbone of the story. This being Ferrari, there are many of them, and they are exhaustively covered both narratively and photographically, which is as it should be. The photos themselves deserve special mention. Many, many journalists and photographers have shot pictures of Ferrari road and race cars, as well as press launches, and the factory, and the book makes full use of that fact. A near endless supply of beauty shots is backed up by a wealth of period candid photos. Goodfellow weaves his broader story around the cars, but

Review // Brooks Smith

clearly understands why we all picked up the book in the first place. He’s an established marque expert, and understands its appeal. Here also, we’re given more than we might expect. The usual, modern suspects are all present and accounted for, but the book’s net is wide, casting back to he 375 MM, and beyond. Extreme performance, rarity, and outlandish style are the only prerequisites. My personal favorites are the 250 LM Stradale, the 410 Sport, and the F50 GT, but if the book manages not to hit at least two of your favorite Ferraris, you have distinctive taste indeed. The last chapter asks some tough questions about the future of the hyper car as a market segment, and as a note of personal concern. It’s worth reading. As is the whole book, and that’s what I did, with enthusiasm. As informative as it is, and as interesting as its concept may be, the book is, at its core, pure gearhead indulgence. It’s pretty, it’s enjoyable, and it’s worth the modest $75.00 asking price. I’m still not entirely sure that hypercars are a real idea, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

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The Television Motion Picture Car Club Annual Car Show

Story // Ken Latka Photos // K. Latka, J. Gianatsis, R. Morey, S. Russo, S. Valine

On July 4, 2015, The Television Motion Picture Car Club (TMPCC) hosted their sixth Annual Car Show in conjunction with the Fireworks Festival at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, California. This is a wonderful event for the entire family, with live musical entertainment, world class magician’s from Las Vegas and the Magic Castle, food, drink, activities for the children, the TMPCC Car Show, and to top it all off, one of the best fireworks displays in Los Angeles. This year’s proceeds benefitted the Special Olympics Host Town Program. TMPCC is not your average car club. Ninety percent of their members work in or are affiliated with the television, motion picture, music, radio, sports and motorsports industries. Some of the members who work in front of the camera are very well known. Others who work behind the scenes are not, but they have worked on dozens upon dozens of hit television series and blockbuster motion pictures, with some members having won Oscar’s® and Emmy® Awards confirming that they are the best at their craft. TMPCC also has several motorsports legends that have participated in almost every form of motorsport, from the Trans Am Series, to Can Am, the 24 Hours of

LeMans, NASCAR, NHRA Drag Racing, etc. They even have a good number of custom car personalities and legends that you have seen on such television shows as Car Chasers, Car Warriors, Hot Rod TV, Lords of the Car Hoards, Overhaulin’, Rides, and many more. As you can see, this is definitely NOT your ordinary run of the mill car club. So when the Television Motion Picture Car Club hosts their Annual Car Show, do they hold it in a non-descript parking lot or some random city park? Heck NO, they host it at a legendary motion picture studio that dates back to the 1920’s. Here is a brief history of the studio where the show is held. In 1928, silent movie producer Mack Sennett founded the Mack Sennett Studios at Radford and Ventura, giving Studio City, California its name. Sennett produced films featuring The Keystone Cops, Charlie Chapin, W.C. Fields, Fatty Arbuckle and many others. Due in part to the Great Depression, Sennett was forced to sell his studio to Mascot Pic-

tures in 1933. Two years later, another film company, Monogram Pictures, along with Mascot Pictures and the Consolidated Film Corporation merged to form Republic Pictures. Republic was famous for their westerns, and many stars like Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and John Wayne got their first breaks at Republic. In 1963, CBS Television signed a lease with Republic to become the primary lessee of the studio, and they moved their network produced shows like Gunsmoke, Rawhide and others into production there. CBS purchased the studio in April of 1967 and renamed the lot CBS Studio Center. It is fitting that the TMPCC Annual

Car Show is held on CBS property, because the club was founded back in 2009 by employees at CBS Television City in Hollywood, a mere six miles south of Studio Center. In just six short years, the club has become one of the most publicized car clubs in the world, with appearances on numerous television shows and radio programs around the world, not to mention features in more than a dozen magazines and newspapers. The club is almost 200 strong, with members from nearly every television network and motion picture studio. Once the 200 member quota is reached, that is where they plan to cap the total membership, keeping it a very exclusive family. The TMPCC Annual Car Show also has a limit, with fewer than 100 vehicles allowed on display each year. This is to give the show a “small town neighborhood feel”, and it accomplishes just that. Unlike many other shows, the club does not charge their members or invited guests a registration fee. All the expenses for the car show portion of the event, including the awards, come out of the club’s general fund. Each year TMPCC members get first dibs to register their vehicles for the event. However, since this is an entertainment industry car club, there are always members out of town or out of county working on various television and motion picture productions, not to mention others who might have family obligations on Independence Day. Because of this, if there is room, the club allows a small number of non-members to display their vehicles and join in the fun each year. This year all the vehicles that were on display (except for a mere eight or nine) were all TMPCC members’ rides. What makes this show so much fun is not only the location, but every year roughly half the vehicles on display have never been seen at a TMPCC show before. That keeps the show fresh, with plenty of new iron to see each and every year. The vehicles run the gamut from super clean daily drivers to one off customs, classic and modern muscle cars, hot rods, motorcycles,

trucks, race cars, exotics and more. Since the club has members at several of the major picture car companies, the show also features vehicles you have seen on television and in motion pictures. To get an idea of some of the picture cars at this year’s show, member Ken Fritz (President of Studio Picture Vehicles) brought one of the Special Response Vans from the hit CBS Drama “NCIS”. Member Ted Moser (President of Picture Car Warehouse) along with fellow member Al Kruger (Assets Manager at PCW) brought the radical Gladius Jet Bike from the motion picture “Priest”. Member Phil Fiori (President of Next! Pictures) invited a few of his clients, including actor Michael Spellman, who displayed his 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback and Zach Hothorn who had his 1968 Dodge Charger parked right next to it. Even though the two cars are clones, for car guys and movie buffs everywhere, this display was instantly recognizable as a pairing from the Steve McQueen film “Bullitt”. Speaking of McQueen, the King of Cool’s personal 1971 Husqvarna 400 motorcycle was on display, thanks to its current owner, member Steve Bonner. Another member, Robert Henry Ratinoff (President of Classic Auto Rental Services) brought a beautifully restored 1965 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III that once belonged to his father. Robert also supplies vehicles to the television, motion

picture and print advertising world, and his Rolls Royce has appeared in numerous films and magazines. Even the automobile manufacturers get into the act. Every year the TMPCC

show displays one of the latest creations from a major automotive company. Over the years they have displayed vehicles from Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Fisker, Maserati, Nissan and Subaru. Many of the cars are arranged by member BJ Killeen, an automotive writer and radio personality. This year BMW North America gave her permission to display one of the new BMW i8 supercars at the TMPCC show and the car was a huge hit with the spectators and participants. And yes, even the aftermarket attends, with Mr. Norm’s Performance on hand for the second year in a row. This year, Larry Weiner (the designer of the Mr. Norm’s special edition vehicles) displayed a 2015 Mr. Norm’s Hurst Edition Dodge Challenger, along with a red and black 2015 Mr. Norm’s Hall of Fame Edition Challenger show car

that was recently purchased by the President of the TMPCC. Other vehicles were on display from vendors like AAA Automobile Club of Southern California, Coastline Motorsport, Damsel in Defense, Ghost Shield, Granatelli Motorsports and Vista Ford Racing. Even the number of awards is kept in check, making them rare and desirable. These are not the usual trophies handed out at most car shows, the TMPCC Awards are framed certificates with the clubs hot rod motion picture camera logo and the CBS Studio Center logo at the top. There is no other car show on the planet where you can win an award with the logo of a major television network and motion picture studio on it. Not to mention that the TMPCC hot rod motion picture camera logo is pretty darn cool all on its own. This year there were 15 awards in total, starting with the “Top Ten Best of Show” winners, an overall “Best of Show” winner, “The President’s Award” that is presented to the owner of the vehicle that is chosen by the President of the CBS Studio Center (also a TMPCC member) and the President of the TMPCC as their choice for the most outstanding vehicle on display. There were also two Special Recognition Awards and the first ever Bob Gurr Award. For those of you unfamiliar with the name Bob Gurr, if you have been to any Disney Theme Park on the planet, you have probably ridden on one of the rides he designed. That’s because Bob is a legendary Disney Imagineer who designed many of the rides at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, including Autotopia, the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Monorails to name just a few. Bob also designed the inner workings of the audio animatronic Abraham Lincoln. After leaving Disney to start his own company, Bob found himself working with legendary creature effects master Stan Winston and director Steven Spielberg on the animatronic T-Rex for the blockbuster motion picture Jurassic Park. He also helped design the King Kong and Conan’s Serpent rides at Universal Studios Hollywood, but Bob is first and foremost a car guy. He was an automotive designer for the Ford Motor Com-

pany back in the day, and he was very careful in choosing the winner of the inaugural award named in his honor at the TMPCC Show. With the number of awards presented, and being that several members display their vehicles for the pure joy of it (meaning they do not wish to have their vehicles judged) in the end, the participants still have a better than one in five chance of taking something home. Shortly after the awards were presented, a thirty minute fireworks display lit up the sky. It was the perfect end to a perfect day. So if you are in the Los Angeles area next summer, or you need an excuse to take a trip to Southern California, why not plan a vacation for July 4, 2016 at CBS Studio

Center and take in the Television Motion Picture Car Club’s Annual Car Show. To learn more about the Television Motion Picture Car Club, go to WWW.TMPCC.ORG. You can also find them on Facebook under

“TMPCC: The Television Motion Picture Car Club”. If you work in the television, motion picture, music, radio, sports or motorsports industries and would like to join, go to the JOIN area of their website. If you would like to become a sponsor of the club write them at TMPCC@TMPCC.ORG.

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The Gearhead Diaries

What else could I buy with the money? It’s a question that’s been gnawing at me recently, as I’m forced into using my little Alfa Spider more and more, while simultaneously watching its value increase. More and more I’m scared to leave it unattended. The idea of scratching it, or getting it wet terrifies me. I’ve never owned an appreciating asset before, and it’s driving me bonkers. I think about selling it, a lot. Friends tell me to sell it, a lot. And yet, what else could I buy with the money? There are very few things I can think of which offer the kind of pleasure I get from that car. Most of those things are also classic cars, and most of them are increasing in value at least as fast as mine. So I’m perpetually 20% behind the value of the next car up on my list. I’ve thought about selling, and waiting for the market to come down, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen soon. Meanwhile, I’m still enjoying using the car. We took it to Palm Springs recently, and aside from lacking air conditioning, the car did just fine. It’s still usable, and enjoyable. It’s just causing me stress because I can’t really afford to have it go down in value. I used to be firmly in the camp that stated that cars were meant to be driven, and that classic cars should be used regularly. I still feel that way, but I’m also faced with the cost of ownership, and I’ve come to understand the fear owners feel when exposing their cars to the

Brooks Smith

world. It’s not just financial. Cars like this come with a sense of responsibility. You’re never really the owner, just the caretaker, with the privilege of using the car, and there’s always the desire to keep the car in a condition at least as good as that in which you received it. At the point where that becomes a problem, letting go starts to make sense. And yet. What else could I buy with the money? Not an Elan, that’s pretty much for sure. Maybe a Fiat 124, or a Europa. A Matra Djet is probably out of the question, even if I could find one. Same goes for a Citroen DS. A Citroen Traction Avant might be a possibility, but at the risk of absolute heresy, I’m not really a fan. A Norton Dominator, or Velocette has crossed my mind, but buying an even less practical vehicle somehow misses the point. That’s the loop in which I’m stuck, because I really have come to like owning a classic. I get a lot of joy from simply opening the garage. Other people love the car too, and I’ve come to value the positive vibe that comes from watching it brighten the days of random strangers. Very little that I could do with the money from the car would have that effect, while preserving my investment in any way. That stress illustrates the problems

that arise when one’s hobby becomes, on some level, a business. The more the value of the car becomes a factor, the harder it is to simply enjoy the car for what it is, which is after all why I bought it in the first place. If it get’s to the point where using it starts to feel irresponsible, I really will have reached the point where moving it on becomes the only option. And yet…

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Golf Tips with Tommy Mansuwan Spending the last few years playing golf across Asia, I encountered an element of the game I was never exposed to growing up in Southern California. Golfers in the Los Angeles area deal mostly with poa annua greens, which usually get bumpier in the late afternoons. However, the majority of greens in Asia are grainy Bermuda grass that forces a golfer to consider more than just the visual slope when reading putts. The direction of the grain, as well as the time of day, has a tremendous influence on each putt a golfer hits on these greens. Unless you typically play in the southern United States or Asia, you won’t be experiencing much of this. Just in case you will be making a trip soon to grainy greens, here are a few pointers on how to deal with them. There are three factors one must consider when reading grainy greens; direction of grain, time of day, and the slope of the green. The difference between putting down grain or into the grain can be a few feet in speed judgment, while side grain can influence break by a few inches. Grain influence during the day will also be different as the early morning won’t make much of a difference as opposed to putting in the afternoon when the grass is longer. However, knowing the direction of the grain is essential when putting uphill and downhill as

Reading The Grain

the putt could easily drift away if you misjudge it. One of the quickest ways to determine the direction of grass is the shade of the green. When you step foot on a Bermuda green, take a walk around while looking at the turf. You will notice that some areas appear darker while others may be a bit shinier, or lighter in color. The darker areas would be considered “into

the grain” as the blades of grass are growing towards you, effectively making the putt a bit slower than normal. Conversely, the grass you see that are lighter in color will be “down grain” since the grass grows away from you, which will

naturally add some speed on the putt. As mentioned before, this is very important to know on uphill and downhill putts. You might have a straight downhill putt but into the grain that you leave short thinking the slope will produce the necessary speed. In reality, this situation might play more like a flat putt when the grain is considered. Pay attention and you’ll have more consistent speed on the greens. Another sure way to determine the grain is to look around the edge of the hole. You will notice one particular area that is more brown (or “burnt”) than others. That brown area is the direction that the grain is growing towards around the cup. Keep that in mind as this could affect the direction of the ball as it slows down around the cup. If you have a 20-foot putt, be aware that the grain within the five feet around the hole will be more of a factor than the grain around the ball at the start of the putt. One useful tip I have received was in regards to putting inside five feet on grainy greens. An instructor once told me, “Unless there is significant slope, play it straight and hit it firm”. If you hit it hard enough, the grain won’t have a chance to influence the putt thus eliminating that additional factor.

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