Driven World July/Aug 2022

drivenworld July/Aug 2022

FROM THE EDITOR A

L E T T E R

B Y D U S T I N T R OYA N

I was talking to a friend this morning. He is a businessman within the automotive industry. He has pulled himself up by his “bootstraps.” This guy, like most entrepreneurs, works his fingers to the bone. Six to seven days a week chasing the American dream. I mean working hard. Really hard. He continues to grow and tries to become more innovative, efficient, creative and all the while, staying passionate about his business.

We will often chat about challenges within the business world and how social media is incorporated into the fold. In the good old days people would actually talk. A reputation was important. A handshake. I recently interviewed a young man for a client and when he departed, he “shook my hand like a man.” I actually commented to him about it. He said that he took interview classes and it was explained that a handshake is important.

I have told you before that I was lucky. My dad is a man’s man. And my mother is a strong woman. If my dad shook someone’s hand it meant something. I knew from a young age that there was “honor” in a handshake.

A man’s word is his bond. It had to be. I can remember discussions as a child when adults would be taking about some person that said they were going to do something and then flaked. It was as if that person was off some magical list. That they were no longer of value, that they could not be trusted and that they had no honor. Again, it was an understanding that men had. Women too. This is not a man or woman thing, it is a “right” thing. Right.

I can recall men looking each other in the eye and it was the same as a handshake. This connection of sorts, this bond it was stronger than stone.

It was not to be broken. Period. I can remember when my parents would drop me off at a friend’s house. There was a “look.” The look was, “if anything happens to my kid...” That was serious business. Serious business.

Integrity in business. It used to be if you had a problem with a friend, a neighbor or an employee, you would talk about it. That “man to man” conversation would kind of call each other out and get down to the truth. We all know what the truth is and at the end of the day, you cannot hide from the truth.

In all the years I have been in business, I think I have only been stiffed twice. I knew it was going to happen. My gut is pretty dead on. So, I got burned. It happens. But it also closes a door. The way that I am, is if you do that to me, you will do that to anyone and I want nothing to do with you.

Ever! In my Marlon Brando voice, “you are dead to me.”

The funny thing was years later, these same people that burned me reached out to me about a project. I didn’t return their call. Burn me once, shame on you, twice, shame on me. So, they reached out to an associate to put in a good word. He politely reminded them of what they had done. Never heard from them again. Good bye and best wishes. Such is life.

I am very careful with whom I do business with. I once had an unfavorable experience at a business. A few months later a friend called me and said he had someone who wanted to advertise in the magazine. I asked who and when he told me, I said “no thank you.” Perhaps I am a bad business man, but if that business treated me poorly, why would I want that for you. I want the best for you and everyone. Why not, right?

It is interesting these days, people don’t even shake hands anymore.

Maybe a fist bump, but a handshake, it sends a message. I am not sure the evolution of the handshake, but, in my book, it shows courtesy and respect.

It is a message that yes, I am a man of honor. Yes, you can trust me. Now, I know that we have all shaken hands with someone and then wanted to wash our hands right after, but, you also know a good firm handshake.

In the business world as things go digital, as people no longer meet, but text and Skype, there is very little opportunity to get to know your client, business associate or even a friend. That personal touch has all been removed.

I suppose to some degree people see opportunities as disposable, like a new smart phone. Always moving on to the next. If it doesn’t work, oh well, get rid of it. Because we do not have that “face to face,” that “bond,” some feel that it is “ok” to not do the right thing. That integrity is something that you can turn on and off like a hose. I am here to tell you that that is not the case.

If this is applied to the automotive world, I assure you, everyone talks. You may think you are getting away with something, but I assert that is hugely short-sided. Everyone knows who the good guys are, the bad guys, the ok guys. We all know who has the talent, who may not have the talent but who puts in so much effort that you cannot ignore them, or the guys who think they are talented and have no talent. We all know what businesses do great work, decent work and the businesses who take advantage of others.

In this digital world where some say integrity is being lost, I am here to tell you that you cannot hide from your past. That taking advantage of a client or business is not only unfair, but entirely wrong. That you may think you are getting by with something by leaving them a bad review or hammering them on Facebook, but for those of us who are in business, we look at that and all come to the same conclusion...that is not someone we want to do business with. In fact you are harming yourself more that the business or organization.

The Fairness Doctrine. This was a policy of the United States Federal Communications Commission. It no longer is in existence, but in a nutshell, it says that a broadcaster has to be: honest, equitable and balanced.

As more and more TV and Cable channels became available, it went away.

But the premise of being honest, equitable and balanced. That is the basis of integrity. There is fairness in business and we all know when one party is trying to take advantage of another party.

As I have been around many successful people, many business owners, the question often comes down to what is fair. Most people believe in “fairness.” By agreeing to pay for a product or service, a reasonable expectation is being made by both the seller and the buyer. Now, in the course of providing the product or service, if there is some sort of challenge, what is reasonable?

This is where it gets sticky and you really get to see what people are made of.

Integrity, doing the right thing when nobody is watching. The people that I do business with time and time again do the right thing. Even when they are backed into a corner, they try to find a way to make it right.

However, if someone is not being honest, well, then sometimes you get both barrels. And I think that is right too. After all, if you are dealing with a person of integrity and you start to attack that integrity you are messing with a man’s soul. And if you work as hard as myself and my friends, clients...we will go way out of our way for you but if you cross into the hinterlands, well...in my best Brando voice....

I don’t know if you are following me here, but in this digital age you might feel empowered to utilize social media to try to tilt the scales and benefit from something that was not agreed upon, something that is not fair or to entirely take advantage of a business. In essence, you are stealing. If we are all being honest, you are.

If you are leaving a bad comment or review without talking to the business, I also think you should reconsider. You have the opportunity to create a much more positive, much stronger and lasting relationship by communicating with integrity and by being fair if an expectation was not met.

And, in a much larger picture you may be costing a business a lot of money for something that was a simple misunderstanding or something that could be corrected or compensated for.

Many of us who work so hard to provide incredible service know that there is a human element and that nobody is perfect. If we do mess up, communicate and let’s create a lasting relationship and grow together. Years ago, people would talk it out. They would not try to cost somebody their job or career over something trivial. And yes, if it is something trivial, that is indeed unfair.

In this digital world, you may think that you are empowered over a business, but I assure you that every employer and potential business parter is reading your reviews, and seeing your true colors. You cannot hide from what you are putting out on social media. It will always be there. You want my advice, embrace your integrity. If you do, you will have no problems, only opportunities.

drivenworld ISSUE 141 JULY/AUG 2022 EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dustin Troyan ART DIRECTOR Staff COPY EDITOR Heather Troyan DESIGN Connected Media Group CONTRIBUTORS Dustin Troyan Mark Llewellyn Gwen Banta Tory Herald Steve Valline Steve Geldman Tommy Huth Hot Rod Jay Santos Doug Cambell Scott Martin

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 highnet-worth individuals as well as members of the car community at large.

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“Imagine the perfect drinking water found in nature, tumbling down rocky mountain streams and rivers, flowing through pristine subterranean aquifers, chilled, pure and delicious.”

On the Cover: Porsche vs Ferrari at Lavaggio

Springfest Car Show 2018

SUPERCAR SEASON STARTS EARLY IN LONDON What is SuperCar Season? The term ‘Supercar Season’ began in London and became synonymous with wealthy Middle Eastern visitors showcasing their supercars in affluent London neighborhoods, while car enthusiasts (of which I am one!) collect footage to upload to social media applications, such as Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.

Typically the supercar owners visit London during the summer months of June, July and August to escape the heat from the Gulf States and they transport their supercars with them, which is why so many Middle Eastern registration plates can be seen on the streets of London during summer months. The Supercar Season now attracts UK registered supercar owners to cruise, as is evident in

video captured by car spotters uploading their clips to YouTube.

Supercar Season is worth millions to the United Kingdom, Supercar Season therefore brings wealth to the UK and supercar owners and car spotters alike suggest more consideration should be taken regarding the wealth the Supercar Season brings to the UK. SuperCar season attracts many car spotters, but the increased interest and growing number of supercars on London streets has caused concern for many local residents complaining about engine noise levels.

In July 2015, Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council launched a consultation to introduce new measures to tackle what it calls “the prob-

lem of supercars” in and around the Knightsbridge area as residents were complaining about excessive noise levels and anti-social behavior. As part of its consultation, the council says it will be looking to address “the issue of high-performance cars speeding in the streets, drivers revving engines and vehicles causing obstructions.” Most car spotters agree the real noise levels are actually being caused by UK residents in cheaper modified vehicles. Other supporters point to the wealth being brought to the UK during the supercar season.

Since last Easter break SuperCars have been arriving in London coming from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Some Russian, American and cars from other countries were spotted in various locations including Kensington, Mayfair & Knightsbridge. The arrival of the cars signals the (early!!) start of the supercar season. Wealthy Arabs flee the scorching hot temperatures of the Middle East and cruise around the British capital in their ostentatious vehicles.

The arrival of the supercars has become a regular event in recent years, with rich Ku

waitis, Saudis and Emiratis seeking to out-do each with their souped-up vehicles. They are often spotted waiting in gridlocked traffic in some of central London’s most popular areas or parked up outside designer shops and luxury boutiques, including Harrods.

One of the flashiest tourists in London is a Saudi billionaire (businessman Turki Bin Abdullah) who flies his £1m-plus fleet of GOLD supercars to London so he can get about while on holiday.

The fleet of impressive vehicles includes a Mercedes G63 AMG 6x6, Lamborghini Aventador Roadster

SV, a Bentley Flying Spur by Mansory and a Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe, which are wrapped in gold.

But for one man desperate to maintain his reputation, a holiday in London means just another place he can show off his impressive vehicles.

It is thought owners pay in excess of $30,000.00 to fly their vehicles around 3,000 miles to London. Qatar Airways is one of the operators that facilitate the transportation, with airport staff securing vehicles to the floor of the relevant aircraft before flight.

I cannot wait for more cars to arrive; it seems that the trending color is gold for the summer, follow #goldcrew for updates on golden cars!

Golden cars are the aforementioned, plus a Ferrari 458 Italia, California T, Mini Cooper, BMW X6, Porsche Cayman, Lamborghini Huracan….how many more will follow? Enjoy the photographs!!

Story + Photos // Scott Martin

The Benedict Castle Concours was one of the best kinds of car shows, one that came straight from the heart. Show founders and organizers Nicole Meguiar-Northcote and Donovan Northcote

of Crossroads Car Shows had their lives changed by the charitable organization which the show supports, Teen Challenge. As part of the 86% success rate, Nicole, Donovan and their family mem-

bers are committed to giving back in whatever ways they can. Through the 3rd Annual Benedict Castle Concours they were able to generate over $250,000 to support efforts to overcome drug and alcohol addiction.

Although the venue is a long drive from Los Angeles in Riverside, the Concours was extremely well attended with award-winning vehicles of National prominence as well as many of the most well-known car designers and builders, automotive and TV car show personalities. Wheeler Dealers’ Edd China and Mike Brewer, Wayne Carini, Overhaulin’s Chip Foose, master builders Rick Dore and John D’Agostino joined Von Hotrod Valdez, Barry Meguiar and Mike Phillips to honor automotive preservation icon Bruce Meyer as Grand Marshal and “Enthusiast of the Year”. ABC TV’s Dave Kunz kept things moving as Emcee at the Gala and throughout the day during the Concours portion of the weekend.

Due to on-going relationships and Mr. Meyer’s involvement, Petersen Automotive Museum was well represented. Executive Director Terry Karges and many other Petersen executives showed their support at the celebration Gala, and two Museum vehicles were exhibited at the entrance of the Petersen VIP Pavilion. Nethercutt Museum presented a High Tea and Fashion Show.

Meguiar’s, Hagerty, Auto Geek, O’Reilly, Coker Tire, Chariotz, Von Hot Rod, Clyne’s Classic Cars, Barris Kustoms and many others helped support the charity and show with their participation.

Besides the amazing selection of cars, the real stand-outs of the show were the Castle itself, originally built in the 1920’s and the location for over 100 films, and the residents of the facility. Everywhere you looked, there were young men and women in bright red T-shirts ready to help with anything that needed to be done. But you could tell most of them already had jobs assigned, and they were all extremely conscientious and full of positive and contagious enthusiasm. The whole

weekend, Barry Meguiar, Donovan and Nicole Meguiar Northcote encouraged show-goers to ask any of them about their story. And they all had tragic, sad, funny and uplifting stories to tell, usually with an attitude of humor, humility and gratitude for all that they were accomplishing with the support of the Teen Challenge program.

Although the event is labeled as a Concours, there were so many different types of vehicles, not just the Packard’s, Delahayes and Duesenberg’s you would expect. Hot Rods, Classics, Antiques, Exotics and even race cars were featured including Dan Gurney’s Race Cars, Salt Flats Race Cars. Nationally recognized custom vehicles

from Chip Foose, John D’Agostino and Rick Dore including “The Imposter”, “The Pantheon” and “Aquarius” were displayed prominently in and around the Meguiar’s Corral of Excellence along with dozens of other one-off customs.

Aside from the star-studded Gala, all of the car celebrities participated in a panel discussion on Sunday moderated by Dave Kunz, and there was a once-in-a-lifetime “selfie and signing session” featuring every one of the special guest designers, builders and TV car-show personalities. Silent and live auctions preceded the awards presentations that included over a hundred beautiful glass trophies and 1st, second and third place ribbons. One vehicle was brought forward at the end… Best in Show was a 1930 Cadillac from the collection of Aaron Weiss, co-founder of the upcoming San Marino Motor Classic.

We’re really looking forward to the 4th Annual Benedict Castle Concours to benefit Teen Challenge on March 26th, 2017. Judging by the outpouring of positive comments during and after the event, you can tell that everyone is truly excited to be involved again and many are becoming regular contributors to the charitable organization as a result.

For information on Benedict Castle, visit www.benedictcastle.com For information on Teen Challenge, go to www.teenchallengeusa.com Information for the Concours event can be found at www.crossroadscarshows.com

STORY BY PETER BROCK

CARS & CONNECTIONS have been seriously active in the car community now for about twelve years and am amazed at the people and connections I have made over that time. The car community never ceases to amaze me with the quality of people who make it up.

When I first ordered my Cobra Daytona Coupe from Superformance, I had no idea how to go about things so I joined an online forum to get advice.

As things progressed, one guy was incredibly helpful and offered some seriously valuable and credible insights to help me get the car just right. On these forums you went by a moniker. Mine was “CoupedUp” and the person who was helping me went by “Badger.” He advised me on everything from side mirrors, paint and engines to registering the car in California. He even knew the process of importing the cars from the factory in South Africa. Eventually, Badger started to Private Message me through the forum and then, one day, he emailed me. When he sent the email through the forum it came up under his actual name – Peter Brock. I will never forget opening that email and seeing his name. I am pretty sure I went numb for about ten minutes…

For those of you not so familiar with Peter Brock, allow me to provide my perspective on his background. As a young man, Peter wanted to be a racing driver and car designer. He attended the LA Art Center studying automotive design for two years until he ran out of money for school and had to get a job. He ended up getting a job at General Motors through a friend as a designer in 1958 and at age 19 became one of the youngest designers ever hired by GM. One of the first projects he did for Bill Mitchell at GM was the 1958 XP87, also known as the Stingray Racer concept car which eventually morphed into the 1963 Corvette Stingray. Many have seen the Stingray Racer in the “Precious Metals” exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum.

Peter was still pursuing his dream of being a race car driver and left GM to become Carroll Shelby’s first paid employee

in 1961. He was hired to run both his driving school and Goodyear Racing Tire distributorship for the 11 Western States. Peter thought this would be a great way to get his foot in the door and show Carroll what he could do behind the wheel of a car. As the Cobra began to obliterate the Corvettes and other competitors on the US circuit, Carroll set his sights to take on Enzo Ferrari and beat him in his own back yard on the tracks in Europe. One of the hurdles Carroll faced was the longer tracks in Europe.

The Cobra was not as aerodynamic as the Ferraris and about 20 MPH slower on tracks like Le Mans with the three mile long Mulsanne straight where Ferraris were running 180 MPH. Peter shared with Carroll that he could design a more aerodynamic body for the Cobra that would allow them to beat Ferrari. Here is the story of the development of the Cobra Daytona Coupe in Peter’s own words: “My suggestion to build the coupe was based on the aero studies done in Germany in the late ‘30s. Because of WWII no one over here had ever seen anything that looked like what the Germans had figured out. This “Kamm tailed” shape was far more efficient that the long existing belief that a “raindrop” shape with a long tail was the most efficient shape for an automobile. Since no one had ever seen such an “ugly shape” on an automobile almost everybody in Shelby American was against my concept….including Phil Remington, who I had the utmost respect for and was hoping he’d back the project! When he told Carroll he wouldn’t work on this stupid idea Carroll was really undecided as to whether to continue. Only Ken Miles, who had almost as much stature within Shelby as Rem’ believed in the project because he was from England and had seen what the Germans were doing prior to WWII. Ford also refused to back the idea, as they had their own project, the Eric Broadley Lola MK 6, which they had bought to redesign into the Ford GT. So with no money Carroll had nothing...no options! It cost almost nothing to draw up the design and with a couple of quick sketches I’d done he went to Goodyear and they put up the money! With still continuing opposition from Remington almost everyone in the shop refused to work on the

project, so...just Ken, myself and John Ohlsen built the buck on which the first panels were formed. Once those were back in the shop a couple of the good guys like Donn Allen and Jack Lane offered to help. Even when we went to Riverside to test there was still little interest, as they knew it would fail. Ken broke the Cobra roadster’s lap record by 3.5 seconds and pushed the speed up to 180 …this on a standard Cobra race chassis as required by FIA rules. That test changed everything! You know the story at Daytona…lap record and fire, so it wasn’t until Sebring, where MacDonald and Holbert won that Ford finally agreed to back us for Europe.

(The GT40 was way behind schedule.) CSX 2299, the second Daytona had its body built in Modena and it won Le Mans, which put us in the lead for FIA points.”

“The rest of the story” is that the Daytona won the GT class at Le Mans its first year out in 1964 (despite an oil cooler failure while leading the overall race) and became the only American car to ever beat Ferrrari for a world GT Title in 1965. While at Shelby American, Peter also designed the now famous Cobra logo, Cobra stripes and other design elements and liveries of the cars.

Peter went on to build his own race team after the Shelby days, Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE). BRE became the west coast Datsun factory race team and competed in 1969 in the SCCA DP class with Datsun 2000 roadsters, in 1970 and 1971 in the CP class with the 240Zs (SCCA National Champions ‘70-’71) and in 1971-72 the 2.5 Trans-Am Series races with the Datsun 510s (National Champions ‘71-’72).

Peter’s design skills were not limited to the racetrack. In the early 1970s, Peter founded Ultralite Products which he built into the largest hang gliding company in the world and even developed the sport of competitive long distance hang gliding.

Fast forward to the early 2000s… Superformance decides to manufacture and sell

a continuation version of the Cobra Daytona Coupe to compliment their existing line of 289 and 427 Cobra Replicas. They consulted with Peter who also brought Bob Negstad (chassis designer of the original Daytona Coupe) on board to design the car, giving it some of the original coupe’s DNA. Peter and Bob get to design the car they would have done in 1964 if they weren’t limited to the existing 289 Cobra chassis and a 90 day design deadline. Superformance has now produced almost 200 of these Shelby CSX9000 series continuation Daytona Coupes.

Peter is also a photographer, author, and just about anything else you can imagine. He is a true renaissance man and an incredible talent. And he’s still going! One of his latest projects is design and manufacturing of the most beautiful car hauler ever (to call it a trailer seems like an insult) called the “Aerovault.” Peter manufactures Aerovaults in Henderson, Nevada right next to his Brock Racing Enterprises facility. Peter is now also officially a jewelry designer! Baume et Mercier just launched a limited edition Shelby Daytona Coupe watch for which Peter did the design.

Those who know me know I love my Daytona Coupe. I always will. But it is much more than the feel of the car, the sound of the exhaust from the side pipes, or the feel of the car at speed on a track day. It’s also about the fact that it connected me to Peter Brock, a very special man with a rich history who means a lot to me. It’s a hard thing to explain, but the car connecting me with Peter really led to me connecting back to my true self - someone who is passionate about life and driven to make the most of every day. Just like Peter has and continues to do today.

W W W. S U P E R C A R S U N D AY. C O M

W W W. S U P E R C A R S U N D AY. C O M

Golf Tips with Tommy Mansuwan Often times when players have a lack of distance or struggle with ball striking, the cause may be in the feet. It’s the popular method to take a simple video, check the swing plane of the club coming down, and correct the issue from there.

However, some of the best ball strikers in the game have focused on footwork and weight transfer to become better. One of the more famous players to have done this is a player by the name of Tiger Woods.

Take a look at a video from early in his career compared to a swing from early 2000 or even a few years ago. You’ll notice his feet work differently as his club approaches the ball. Here are two drills you can try at the range to improve your footwork.

In order for you to gen-

Load and Transfer

erate maximum clubhead speed, you need to use ground force in order to transfer your weight properly. To work on loading the trail leg (right leg for right handers), take your setup position but drop your left foot back. When you complete your backswing, you should feel pressure on your right foot.

That is the same pressure you need to feel in your normal swing as you swing back. For the purpose of the drill, make a backswing and hold the position at the top briefly. To start the downswing, push off the ground with your right foot while holding the club up. This is the proper sequencing for the swing while also teaching the body the correct way to transfer weight. Hit 10 shots doing this drill then hit five normal shots while trying to get the same feel in your right foot. Keep switching back and forth until you feel confident that you got the feel down.

As for the lead foot, you want to make sure it gets planted firmly into the ground so that you can push off the right foot into a firm left side. To do

this, take your normal setup over the ball. However, before you take the club back, lift your left heel off the ground and stand on your toes. Take your backswing and to initiate the downswing, “stomp” down on your left foot. Feel the pressure down on the ground with a stable left foot and leg.

The rest of your body should rotate around this point. And likewise with the other drill, make 10 of these swings then switch to normal shots until you get the feeling in your normal swing.

By doing this, your right side will learn to push while the left side braces the energy transfer. You should see improve ball contact, as well as, a few extra yards through the bag.

by Mark Llewellyn

Many young people today do not realize that there was a time in this county when alcoholic beverages were illegal.

The 18th amendment to the constitution took force in 1920, banning alcoholic drinks in the United States. The days of “prohibition” caused a rise in organized crime. It was also the time in which “Nascar” was born! As times changed, so did the country’s tolerances. By 1933, the 21st amendment was ratified, repealing the 18th amendment. As booze became legal, beverages and the distilleries producing them became mainstream. Their association with big corporate America was inevitable.

From beer steins to neon lights, distilleries have devised ways to promote their business while still making a buck. Decanters emerged as a way to sell a product. It was kind of like “selling the sizzle and not the steak”. What better way to the heart of a gear-head was there than to offer their favorite alcoholic beverage in an automotive-designed container?

Decanters can offer tremendous collection potential. One might “collect them all,” collect a specific “genre” such as racecars or antique automobiles, or a specific distillery. The collector will be pleasantly surprised to find that procuring these fun collectibles won’t put them in the poorhouse. As with all collectibles, cost consideration should be made by condition, original packaging, and whether or not the decanters have been left unopened.

Another thing to consider in collecting decanters is where to put them. Most are large, and displaying them in a protected environment is wise. This will both protect the exterior of the decanter from dust or being chipped, and protect the internal contents from children and young teens. Additionally, always remember – never put the contents of one of these decanters in your gas tank.

Coupon good for discounted entry cost of just $5.00.

Beautiful vintage automobiles and Americana.

2230 Statham Blvd., Oxnard, California 93033

murphyautomuseum.org (805) 487-4333

www.LeonsTransmission.com

The 2022 Corvette Stingray

By Dustin Troyan Photography by Chevrolet

To say that Chevrolet hit a grand slam home run with the C8 Corvette is an understatement. The mid-engine Corvette is truly the embodiment of the best that Chevrolet and General Motors has ever offered. Demand for the C8 Corvette is through the roof and will most likely stay that way. In every way the C8 Corvette is a winner.

The 2022 Corvette Stingray will be offered in both coupe and convertibles. The powerplant is the tried and true 6.2-liter V-8, making 490 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Corvette Stingray will get to sixty miles per hour in just under three seconds. Incredible.

For the 2022 model year, Chevrolet is offering the Corvette in three new colors, a new low-profile rear spoiler and the stunning new IMSA GTLM Championship C8.R Edition which will be instantly collectible.

Chevrolet will produce only 1000 of the C8.R Edition Corvettes and the package adds $6595 to the base price of the 3LT trim. The C8.R styling balances your choice of Accelerate Yellow or Hypersonic Gray exterior paint with Carbon Flash-painted exterior mirrors, and rear spoiler. The Corvette racing logo is utilized throughout the C8.R and the cabin combines an exciting yellow and gray scheme to match. There are many other subtle touches to distinguish the C8.R model from the rest of the Corvette line-up including specially painted calipers, GT2 seats and of course the Corvette Racing logos strategically placed on the car.

The 2022 Corvette Stingray is a winner, all day long. The C8. R limited edition would be the way to go, rare and collectible out of the box. Chevrolet nailed it again.

For more information: www.chevrolet.com

Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series

By Dustin Troyan Photographed by Mercedes-Benz-AMG

The Black Series, wow! Well done Mercedes Benz-AMG. An instant icon and rumored to be fetching $300k over sticker (that lovely market adjustment), this is another one of those cars that if you can....go get it. As gasoline goes away and electric takes over the manufacturers are pumping out some of the most amazing combustion sports cars the planet has ever seen and the Black Series is truly incredible.

The Black Series is the pinnacle of a model range, whereby MercedesAMG pushes the car to the limits in every way. Horsepower, handling, aero, aesthetics, if you wanted the very best of the best in the Mercedes Benz offerings, this would be it. The orange and black pictured here was the “launch color,” and if you have seen it in person, it is beautiful , aggressive and mean all at the same time.

AMG redesigned the GT’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 for the Black Series, adopting a flat-plane crankshaft which produces an earth shattering 720 hp, and 590 pound-feet of torque. With a top speed of over 202 mph, there is not much that can keep up with it. Putting all the power to the rear tires, the AMG’s Speedshift seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, will get you from standing to sixty in 3.1 seconds.

The liberal use of carbon fiber not only lessens the overall weight of the Black Series, but to see it in person, it proves to be a work of art.

Form and function as an expression of Mercedes-AMG ingenuity and vision is on display for all to see. It is truly a mechanical work of art that performs with the finest supercars in the world.

With less than 400 for the US Market...all have been allocated, but if you really want one...bring a blank check.

For more info: www. www.mercedes-amg.com

Tips

For Maintaining & Protecting Your Ferrari From the Mattioli Automotive Group

DETAILING In addition to keeping a car looking its best, consistent detailing is an important step in protecting a vehicle’s finish. Contaminants such as dirt, pollen, tree sap, and bird droppings can scratch and deteriorate painted surfaces if left over long periods. Given the value of a Ferrari, It is important to ensure that “best practices” are followed when performing a car wash; here are just a few from Mattioli Automotive Group’s (MAG) very own detailing specialists.

• Use the proper products: Ensure that the soap and other cleaning products being used have been formulated specifically for automotive use. Excessively strong chemicals and detergents will not only strip the wax off but can also dull the finish on paint and trim.

• All Towels are not equal: Microfiber towels offer low friction and can absorb more than seven times their weight in water, making them less abrasive and more effective than other towels.

It is best to use a separate towel for each function (i.e..washing, drying, applying chemicals, etc). Also, towels should never be used if they are contaminated or have fallen on the ground; washing your towels often will help ensure that they are free of debris.

• Two bucket Technique: To help prevent the re-introduction of dirt and contaminants It is best to employ the “two bucket technique” when washing your car. One bucket should contain the diluted soap and a second bucket should have clean water. After each pass with the soap, rinse contaminants off of the sponge in the clean water before re-introducing into the soap solution again.

• Nooks and Crannies: Dirt and water can gather in the seams of the doors, trunk, and hood. It is important to clean and dry these areas thoroughly to prevent dripping onto clean surfaces.

• Avoid Direct Sunlight: Water evaporates quickly in direct sunlight which can result in watermarks.

Is your Ferrari in need of a thorough and professional cleaning?

Feel free to reach out to one of the MAG’s four service centers to schedule a complete detailing service.

PROTECTIVE FILM Stones, road debris, chemical stains, and UV damage are all potential dangers when exposing your prized Ferrari to the road and the elements. But owners can save themselves from headaches and costly refinishing bills simply by installing protective film over their immaculate finish. This nearly invisible film can be applied just to the most vulnerable surfaces or the entire vehicle depending on your needs and driving habits.

Protect your Ferrari against road hazards and the harsh elements before it's too late. The Mattioli Automotive Group contracts several of the top protective film installers to perform the service in our facility and can guarantee timely turnaround and flawless results. To learn more about protective film options for your Ferrari, or to schedule an appointment please contact one of the MAG’s four service centers.

CERAMIC COATING Ceramic Coating is another popular option for protecting paint and other vehicle finishes. When compared to protective film, it can be a more comprehensive and economical alternative. Ceramic coating is a special chemical compound that is applied to various vehicle finishes to form a permanent bond with the surface. The result is a 9H+ hard coating that repels water and offers protection from UV rays, chemicals, oxidation, and corrosion. It can be applied to paint for protection against light scratches, wheels to prevent the build-up of brake dust, and glass for increased visibility in wet weather.

The MAG contracts several of the top ceramic coating specialists to perform the service in our

facility and we can guarantee timely turnaround and flawless results. To learn more about ceramic coating, or to schedule an appointment please contact one of the MAG’s four service centers.

Keep your Ferrari ready for your next drive.

SKID PLATES The most common dangers for Ferrari owners are steep driveways and parking curbs. Even with the optional lifter, which is available on newer models, there are still some obstacles that are too big to maneuver over unscathed. To add protection against marring the underside of the front bumper, many owners elect to install a skid plate.

This sacrificial piece of durable plastic polymer is precision cut to fit precisely on to the underside of the front bumper. The result is a nearly invisible layer of protection against costly paint and autobody repairs.

To learn more about skid plates for your Ferrari, or to schedule an appointment please contact one of the MAG’s four service centers. Each MAG location stocks an extensive inventory of skid plates for various models and can complete the installation in a matter of hours.

BATTERY MAINTINENCE The phrase “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it” has never been more accurate than with regards to automotive batteries. When a battery is in a discharged state for an extended period of time the lead sulfate crystals inside the battery begin to increase in size. The bigger the crystals get, the harder they are to dissolve which ultimately blocks the chemical reaction that allows the battery to charge, and eventually leads to battery failure.

For this reason, Genuine Ferrari offers Battery Re-conditioners which are designed to maintain a battery’s charge and combat the growth of sulfate crystals. A Battery Re-conditioner should be utilized any time a vehicle is parked for long periods of time. This is especially vital for new vehicles which contain more electrical components that put a drain the battery.

For specific questions regarding the use of the Ferrari Battery Re-conditioners or to order one for your vehicle, feel free to reach out to one of Mattioli Automotive Group’s four service centers.

"STICKY INTERIOR TRIM" Over time, environmental factors and harsh chemicals can take a toll on the interior components of a mature Ferrari resulting in sticky buttons, controls, and trim pieces. The only remedies to this condition are to replace the deteriorated components or have them re-finished.

Either way, the process is very involved. Thankfully, the Mattioli Automotive Group’s service centers are very experienced with this issue and can help advise owners of their options when restoring their interior to like-new condition. If your Ferrari is in need of interior trim restoration, we invite you to reach out to one of MAG’s four service centers to learn more or schedule a service appointment.

Mattioli Automotive Group’s service centers are happy to help with any inquiries about these and other services offered to help protect and maintain your Ferrari.

Ferrari South Bay Service 23305 Hawthorne Blvd Torrance, CA 90505 (877) 887-9183 service@ferrarisouthbay.com www.ferrarisouthbay.com M - F 8:00am - 5:00pm

Ferrari Beverly Hills Service 2110 Cotner Avenue.

Los Angeles, CA 90025 (888) 849-9726 service@ferraribeverlyhills.com www.ferraribeverlyhills.com M - F 7:30am - 5:00pm

Ferrari Los Angeles Service 7051 Hayvenhurst Ave. Van Nuys, Ca 91406 (888) 545-4385 service@ferrariwestlake.com www.ferrariwestlake.com M - F 8:00am - 5:00pm

Ferrari Silicon Valley Service 2750 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA (888) 875-8963 service@ferrarisiliconvalley.com www.ferrarisiliconvalley.com M - F 8:00am - 5:00pm

Recipe of the Month with Vincent Cachot 25 Degrees Spring Burger- Served with a side of truffle fries

Beef patty Weigh 80/20 ground beef at 8oz Gently shape mixture into burgers Cooking the patty Using olive oil, lightly oil the grill and cook burger to desire temperature seasoned with salt and pepper and finished with sliced gruyere before placing on bun

Ingredients: 1 Brioche Bun or Burger Bun, 8ozGround beef, 1oz 1000 island, 1/2 ripe Avocado 2oz Gruyere cheese, 2 pieces Applewood Smoked Bacon, 2 Sliced Ripe Roma Tomatoes, 0.25 oz Mixed Greens

The 1000 Island Dressing 1000 island recipe 2 oz of Mayo 1 oz of ketchup 1/2 tbl spoon sweet pickle relish 1 tea spoon minced shallots Truffle fries Kennebec potatoes cut then fried twice.

First fried at 300 degrees oil for 2 minutes to eliminate moisture, then second fried at 375 degrees to ensure crispness. Season with kosher salt and thyme leaves finishing with grated parmesan cheese, parsley and white truffle oil Finishing: When Burger is cooked to your liking (recommended medium rare) Displayed 1000 island sauce on bread, add burger topped with avocado, crispy bacon, tomato and mixed greens.

Driving up to the parking lots, the only thing audible is the roar of Indy Cars flying down the streets of Long Beach. I park and walk to the entrance of the Long Beach Grand Prix, my heart is in rhythm with the sound of the mighty V6 twin turbo engines revving to 12,200RPM’s. My name is Ian Demroff, and if you haven’t figured it out by now, I am a complete gear-head.

I have been religiously attending automotive events across the United States like Super Car Sunday, GoldRush Rally and Bimmerfest for about 4 years now and as of recent they have started to blend together. However, the Long Beach Grand Prix is one of my favorite events of the year

Vincent Cachot is the Executive Chef at the Roosevelt Hotel in West Hollywood.

Native of France, Vincent has worked in the culinary field for the past 25 years.

His extended experience allowed him to work in top restaurants and hotels all over the world from France, to Malaysia, Lebanon, Bahamas and United Stated.

Vincent strongly believes in using the freshest ingredients possible. He loves using everything he learned in his cultural traveling through the continents. From fine dining restaurant in France (in Paris with Joel Robuchon / La Palme D’Or in Cannes at the Martinez Hotel), to luxurious hotels (The Ocean Club and the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas) Vincent is willing to share his secrets and techniques by sharing some of his recipes here.

You can contact him at anytime for any meal ideas or cooking classes that he might be able to handle for you.

Bon Appetit,

Vincent.

vincent.cachot@gmail.com

and always stands out from the rest. From the Formula Drift cars that make 1000whp+ to the GTLM class race cars, Stadium SUPER Trucks, there is so much to see. Whether you are a gear-head like me or a family looking for a fun weekend adventure, there are machines for everyone to admire.

The best part, however, is seeing these cars at full throttle. If you have been to any kind of car event, more likely than not you have seen idiots who speed off in their exotics to impress the crowds. We “Oooo & Ahhh” at them; but there is no comparison to seeing full blown race cars being driven by professionals that go through corners at mind bending speeds. The atmosphere at the Long Beach Grand Prix is something you don’t get at any other car event. It is something special I look forward to every year.

At the Long Beach Grand Prix, everyone is out enjoying the California sun, listening to the symphony of high horsepower cars scream throughout the entire day. It’s unlike any other car event. In the middle of the day you get to go to the paddock where all of your favorite IMSA racing drivers sit down and sign autographs for all of their fans. If you head on over to the convention center, you can watch Pirelli World Challenge teams, and Formula Drift teams meticulously tune and work on their cars for either qualifying or their big race. It’s an awesome experience be-

cause you are literally standing 2-5 feet away from racecars that are worth anywhere from $100,000$1,000,000.

The Long Beach Grand Prix is an allday event, so if being in beautiful, So Cal weather whilst surrounded by racecars, friends and fellow car enthusiasts for upwards of 6 hours isn’t your thing – it is not the place for you. But if you are a gearheads like me, I look forward to seeing you there in 2017.

The Ram 1500 TRX

By Dustin Troyan Photographed by FCA US LLC.

The quest to build the ultimate truck has evolved into a battle of comfort, off road capabilities and performance. Ford hit the ground running years ago with the Raptor, a hugely successful truck model that reshaped what a truck should be. To many, the Ford Raptor was the ultimate daily driver and off road vehicle. Demand was so strong for this truck that often they went thousands over sticker. The segment Ford created or at least acknowledged was left wide open for other manufacturers to try to emulate or surpass. Enter the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX. The Ram 1500 TRX is excessive. But hey, we love excessive. Bigger, faster, meaner, more luxurious, a bigger price tag then just about any other truck in its segment, it is a winner! It is the ultimate performance truck. Like any other vehicle that is rare and in demand, if you want one, you are going to have to pay for and then some. It is worth it.

The Ram 1500 TRX boasts 702-horsepower and 650 fl-lps of torque which gets this beautiful monster from standing to sixty in 4.5 seconds. (some say faster.) As Ram understands their segment, the truck offers the same “Launch-control” as a high-performance sports car. It is a high-performance sports...truck.

Luxury and technology were thrown at this truck to make every truck enthusiast want one. From an offroad perspective, they had the right people in their focus groups because the Ram 1500 TRX is ready for the desert, the mountains or Baja. When the TRX was announced, it was basically sold out. You wanted to be the cool kid on the block with the ultimate truck...you got your order in early.

To say that this truck is incredibile, is an understatement. I want one!

For more info: www.Ramtrucks.com

The McLaren Elva

By Dustin Troyan Photography by McLaren

A car with no roof, windscreen and windows and a price tag of over $1.7 million dollars, it just makes sense.

Right?

The McLaren Elva is one of the latest and rarest offerings from McLaren. Witn only 249 global examples to be produced and what will be a multi-million dollar price tag all in, one has to understand that you can, so you do and that if you have to ask...well...

One may ask what the Elva is about....

The McLaren Elva is a true Ultimate roadster; it exists purely for the pleasure of driving, to deliver an enthralling and immersive experience born from the ultimate connection between the car, the driver and the elements. The lightest road car we’ve ever built at McLaren Automotive, the Elva is incredibly agile and ferociously fast, its 804bhp twin-turbocharged V8 engine providing breathtaking performance that heightens every sense. “ Andy Palmer, Vehicle Line Director – Ultimate Series, McLaren Automotive It is safe to say that Mclaren built this car simply because they could. Does it make sense, sure it does. If you are one of the lucky 249 owners of this ultra-hypercar, you have a true masterpiece that will appreciate faster than most other investments. If you own one, you are truly in a rarefied category. The Elva is a study of form and function, technology and art. The elements and emotions wrapped up into a Mclaren vision that only a few will ever appreciate. Some people hang their art on the wall, others drive theirs. Most of us will never see this car in person, on the road, it is already a legend. If you happen to pick one up, give me a call, I would love to see it in person.

Well done McLaren.

For more information: www.mclaren.com

ARTICLE BY SOTHEBYS

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By Dustin Troyan Photographed by Steve Geldman

T

he Supercar Sunday British Marque Day was a huge success. It was the last Supercar Sunday event prior to the weekly car show having to go on “hiatus” due to the Corona Virus Pandemic. As many of you know, Supercar Sunday began in the El Camino Shopping Center almost twenty years ago at the Village Coffee Roaster coffee shop.

As the event grew overtime, it became one of the preeminent weekly car shows in the United States if not the world. This was also before social media was driving event participation and event coverage. The event was, is and always will be something special and we can’t wait to resume the event.

The British Marque day brought British Cars of all types to Pierce College in Woodland Hills.

The event Sponsored by KeyesCars.com once again kept to its reputation of offering the most amazing cars and diversity of any event around.

Here are just a few examples of the British Cars in attendance.

For more information: www.supercarsunday.com

The Mustang Mach 1

By Dustin Troyan Photography by Ford

The iconic Mustang Mach 1 is back. After seventeen years, Ford has brought back one of the most iconic Mustang models...the Mach 1.

Mustang enthusiasts are very excited about the opportunity to own a Mach 1 or to add on to their collection and the 2021 Mustang Mach 1 is a package that is hard to beat.

Similar to the 1969 Mach 1, the 2021 Mach 1 model is placed above the GT line and just below the Shelby GT 350. Offering styling and performance unique to the Mach 1, this may just be the best value in a Mustang you can buy. Limited edition styling and high performance options, this is a daily driver track car that can compete with other sports cars much beyond the Mach 1 price point.

The Mach 1’s powerplant is a specially calibrated 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 480 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,600 rpm. Mach 1 will get you from standing to sixty miles per hour in a breath over four seconds. The Mach 1 comes standard with a Tremec™ 3160 6-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed SelectShift™ automatic transmission. The huge 15in front disc brakes will stop you on a dime.

Ford offers many different configurations for the Mach 1. Custom styling packages and performance packages...the Mach 1 will definitely become collectible just as the previous models have. Well done Ford!

For more info: www.ford.com

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

By Dustin Troyan Photography by Porsche

If you are a car enthusiast, you have heard all the buzz about the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. Every Porsche enthusiast wants one, every collector wants one and just about everybody else...wants one. If you are one of the lucky few who are going to be able to get your hands on it, you are going to pay a hefty premium, have something that everybody wants and own an instant classic.

What makes the 718 Cayman GT4RS so special? The writing is on the wall about electric cars and the goal of the car was to: “We want to party with this car, celebrate this engine, horsepower, RPMs before some distant day where it goes electric,” says Andreas Preuninger, head of Porsche GT Cars. What does that exactly mean?

Porsche decided to throw everything it could to model the GT4 after it’s big brother and Porsche flagship, the GT3. With the same motor as the GT3, the GT4 makes just nine horsepower less, producing 493 hp and 331 lb-ft.

All Porsche RS cars are fitted with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch and the GT4 continues the tradition. As the RS models are “track cars,” it is the ultimate in shifting gears, fast and precise.

The GT4 is track prepp’d. The aero updates produce about 25% more downforce compared to Cayman GT4.

More suspension adjustments are offered to provide the ultimate in track tuning, with stiffer springs, new faster-reacting Bilstein’s, wider tires in the front, you will go as fast as your talent allows you.

There is so much more to the 718 GT4 RS, there is simply not enough room on this page. In any event, if you can get one, do it. Even if you don’t drive it, it may be a better investment than...

For more information: www.Porsche.com