Driven World March/April 2022

FROM THE EDITOR A

L E T T E R

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

I

just spoke with a friend who many years ago was flat broke but is now doing very well. I always enjoy conversations with him because he is always so positive and upbeat. He said something to the effect that he always does things 100%. Not 80% or 90% but 100%. He said that when he goes to bed at night, he sleeps well knowing that he did his very best. Otherwise, he said he could not sleep at night. I like that. He is a really cool guy.

Having conversations with him and other people, I find inspiration and I find it to be contagious. People like him are magnets that pull you towards them with their positive energy and their “get it done” attitude. I would like to believe that I have some of that in me as well, but at times I know that I do everything 100%. I have in the past, but it got me thinking, am I doing that now?

Our conversation was about cars, life, and talking about people who create things like craftsman, builders, and artists. For him, he said it was about the journey. The journey that lead him to his first supercar and then his second. It was not about the price or actually having it, but his journey to get to a place where he afford and enjoy them. He did it, he really did. Two of the most desirable supercars in his garage, well done sir.

I wonder, do we all live at 100% and what exactly does it mean. I remember one day when I was cycling with a friend, we were racing each other up a section of Mulholland Hwy. We were going so damn hard, racing to the top of a hill and neither of us would back off. I beat him over the top and then almost passed out!

It was the hardest I had ever gone in a sprint and I remember it well. I am proud of that moment, but in retrospect, I wonder if that is the hardest I have ever gone.

I have dropped in on big waves, and passed on others, but, did I drop in the biggest waves I could have? I know there were times where I thought I was going to possibly drown if a huge wave broke on me, and yes, I have kissed the sand after getting out of the water during a huge swell, so happy to be alive. And yes, you do feel alive.

There is something about being all in and doing things at 100%, when you just can’t stop what you are doing. For me I have always given my all in sporting activities. I remember surfing at one of the islands off of Tahiti. I was surfing out at the reef which was about 400 yards out which is a long way out. If you had to paddle to the reef, it would be about 45 minutes. I would pay a local guy to give me a ride on his boat and then have him pick me up 5 hours later. I was surfing with this British guy when he saw a 15ft shark, then paddle to his sailboat and left me there all alone. Shark bait! I was all in that day for sure. I had four more hours of surfing and a shark swimming back and forth. That day was 100%. There was another time as well, circled by sharks in the South Pacific, boy you really feel alive and hope you live.

I can recall conquering fear, riding down a hill on my mountain bike or road bike, being 100% in. That if you crash, you are going to the hospital or...even worse.

To make that commitment and go for it. Go for it!

Being alive, that is when I felt most alive. When I had skin in the game. Knowing that if you crash there will be serious consequences. Or if you drop in on that huge wave....man, what could happen? To drown or break a neck, that would suck.

And surfing big Zuma or surfing a reef, can have serious consequences.

The journey, my friend likes the journey. It is funny, I have another friend that talks about the journey. He too is very successful, works very hard and I can say is always 100%. The Journey, let’s think about that. The first guy I am mentioning said, 25 years ago I was broke, now I have two of the rarest supercars in my garage at home. What a journey!

The Journey: Do you think about the steps you have taken to get where you have gotten or the road that you are on? Do you enjoy the journey? I don’t often think about the journey. Oddly, I had another friend that I ran into the same day within the same couple of hours. He is a car collector and is friends with guys like Jay Leno. I was telling him how I was present when Jay Leno took delivery of his McLaren P1. That I had no idea how I was invited there, but it was such an honor.

And that at one point Jay walked over and knew my name and asked how my family was. I never knew he knew my name...just figured he thought I was the guy in the orange hat at the car show. Jay then asked if I wanted to be a “double” sitting in the car while they set up the shot. I was stoked! What an honor! Sure, to some it might just be sitting in a car, but to me, I thought, how did I get here? Jay Leno knows my name and I am sitting in the 1st McLaren P1 delivered, and it is Jay Leno’s car. I had no idea how I got there, how this moment in time worked out, but, it was a journey indeed.

The Journey: I have never really given much thought to life being a journey. I

do reflect quite a bit and I know that our experiences and people in our lives shape us. I think about what I could have done better or differently. But most of the time I seem to be running around in the “now” concerned about the “today” and not the journey. I don’t know if I am driving the journey or if it is driving me. Or if that is just life, you are on a ride and you better hold on.

Who is driving your journey and are you running at 100%? I think that I need to reflect on that a bit more. What has my journey been about? Where is my journey going? Am I running at full speed or am I at half-mast missing opportunity, experience, and fun. Am I accomplishing my dreams, or am I just dreaming? It is not a success thing, these guys say, it is a life thing.

The journey of life. I am always trying to figure out what I am meant to be doing. While I am trying to figure that out, I am doing what I know. I do try to do my best, but am I at 100% daily? The honest answer is no. I could pour more effort into everything that I do. I think that I am a good husband, father, community member, business man, but I do feel that I am lacking in different areas. I suppose I could make any amount of reasonable excuses, being tired, being busy, not having enough free time, but, I do remember getting up at 4:30am to ride my bicycle, something now that seems unfathomable. Unfathomable, because with two kids, we don’t sleep a lot. And my work schedule. But, there are tons of athletes that do get up that early to train and earlier. I could turn off the TV and go to bed an hour earlier, but, I don’t.

I suppose I could plan better, with business, with vacations rarely taken. There are so many things that I could do better. I would say that I am about 75%, perhaps 80. Higher for father and husband, but, I could still do better there.

The other thing these guys talk about is detail. They love detail and they love craftsmanship. They love the time and energy that goes into a product or service.

They are willing to pay any amount of money for something if they feel that someone poured their heart and soul into it. They love being at the cutting edge, redefining trends and thinking outside of the box. You may say that it is easier to do with money, but these guys didn’t always have money. What they had was a ton of heart, motivation and a belief in themselves. And they never gave up. They kept going and going until they became successful and their own success offered greater opportunities and they had the ability to jump on them, the experience to know that it was a great opportunity and the courage to go for it. Maybe that is the journey part.

I wonder where I would rate on a journey level. The other day I was with a potential client and Laird Hamilton walked by. If you know surfing, you know that he is arguably the best “waterman” in the world. He has surfed the biggest waves, has defined and redefined surfing trends, has defied death many times and the guy is all out awesome. Now that guy has a journey. Traveled the world following his passion, doing things in the water that are deemed impossible and providing inspiration for millions. For many he is a living legend. The only other times I have seen him were surfing in Malibu and riding his bike on Kanan. I wanted to walk up to him, shake his hand and say “thank you.” Why? Because the guy is awesome. That guy is in charge of his journey for sure and he is definitely 100%, 100% of the time. He has to be to operate at his level and to stay alive. I bet he makes a conscious decision every day to do the best in everything he does. Again, his life depends on it.

Your life depends on it... I wonder if it is possible to be 100% all of the time.

It seems that the people that are at the forefront of what they do, the people that really excel and grow are pushing that hard, maybe harder. They are always looking for something else to do, a different approach, a different direction, a better way, more efficiency and more fun. Somehow they have found a way to take what they do and make it fun. And the fun drives their passion to excel and succeed. I think it becomes natural for those that chose to run at 100%. Maybe it is actually harder for them to run less than 100% that it is to run full bore all the time. 100% becomes like breathing for them, it is what defines them, motivates them and sets them apart from those who decide just enough is enough. I suppose mediocrity is the acceptance of average and average doesn’t inspire. Average is easy, too easy. I guess at the end of the day, when you are laying on your deathbed, did you get 100% out of your journey, out of your life?

Be inspirational!

drivenworld ISSUE 139 MAR/APR 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 Ken Latka Richard Morey Richard Kratz

ADVERTISING / MARKETING dustin@connectedmediagroup.com (818) 516-5053

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On the Cover: Vette Steve Geldman @imagephotomotorsports

Springfest Car Show 2018

Past Events: STORY & PHOTOS BY JAMES STANLEY

STILL SAVING LIVES LAPD ‘s 14th Annual Still Saving Lives Car Show And Safety Fair - Best Car Show in The Valley

hat would you expect when you mix high powered muscle, sports, tuners, and classic cars with a number of officers from the Los Angeles Police Department? Mass ticketing? A line of tow trucks taking away cars to the impound lot? If that’s what you thought, then this event would surprise you. The LAPD hosted their 14th annual Still Saving Lives Car show Saturday, June 3, 2017 in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Suepercars from Lamborghini, turners from Nissan, Classics from DeTomaso, and even muscle cars from the ‘Big Three’ filled the parking lot of the Westfield mall. An LAPD helicopter was also on display surrounded by the Vista Ford Lincoln booths. Live music of various genres acted as the soundtrack to the event as spectators and participants’ alike perused aisle after aisle of exquisite vehicles.

The LAPD Motorcycle Drill Team performed an entertaining display of vehicle control on a closed off section of road while the spectators looked on from the sidewalk. On the opposite side of the event, several food trucks were open for business featuring cuisines of varied flavor including cold ice cream, to Brazilian BBQ. This was the first time that this event was held at the mall. In previous years, the show was held in the cool shade of the grass covered park just a few blocks down. For an unknown reason, the park council passed on the show in lieu of a dog adoption event. The heat was a bit much and I’m sure it touched the triple digits, but that didn’t seem to deter anyone from staying till the end.

We all hope that future events return to the park and under the relief of some shade.

The event went without incident and the charity auction and the event itself raised several thousand dollars for the Valley Traffic Authority as well as non=profits in support of the LAPD. We look forward to next year’s event!

THE BENEDICT CASTLE CONCOURS 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

Story + Photos // Scott Martin

family members 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 showgoers 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 ve-

hicles 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

by Mark Llewellyn

And The Hits Just Keep Coming…..

The modernization of the automobile has brought great pleasure in using a car as a mode of transportation. Many creature comforts have made the automobile the first chosen mode of travel.

Improved ride, heating and air conditioning were great advancements, but the most appreciated achievement was the car radio!

The Galvin Manufacturing Company (today known as Motorola) introduced a commercial car radio in the 1920’s. They weren’t inexpensive, about $130.00 back then, but they sold like hot cakes.

1952 saw the FM radio birth, but AM kept the high profile with top 40 stations like 93 KHJ and “Hit Radio 11, KRLA”! FM made its break thru with album rock in the 1970’s, and then surpassed AM radio in popularity.

1953 saw the creation of the “Search Function”.

This was the beginning of the “luxury” options in automobiles. You could press a button on the radio or on the floor by the dimmer switch, and the radio would advance to the next station.

To boost the popularity of car radios the aftermarket and the manufactures introduced 8 track and cassette players.

The 1980’s saw the demise of tape players, and the introduction of the CD player by Sony.

Today the radio is in competition with downloaded music and internet information. The radio can entertain with music, educate on PBS stations, and inform us on traffic and news, all in the comfort of our automobile.

What’s next, televisions when we have driverless cars?

The future’s so bright, we gotta wear shades!

www.LeonsTransmission.com

Story + Photos by Ted Lighthizer Being an owner and enthusiast of Porsche cars for over 22 years I couldn’t wait to see my first Luftgekuhlt event. So with much anticipation I headed out with three likeminded friends and my cameras to experience the celebration of Porsche’s air cooled engine cars

and the people who own them. This year’s event was held Sunday April 10, 2016 at furniture maker Modernica in Los Angeles, CA. Luftgekuhlt is the brainchild of two-time Le Mans winner Patrick Long and noted Southern California creative director Howie Idelson.

Once inside I was overwhelmed by the venue and Porsche cars seemingly everywhere I looked. Porsche’s air cooled cars were manufactured in the early 1950’s up until 1998. From 1999 to date ALL Porsche cars are water cooled thus the divide in the ownership

ranks between “Old School” air cooled and the “New Generation” water cooled Porsche’s. I would estimate there were over 300 Porsches on display and some were actual race cars from IMSA and the Camel GT days of the 70’s and 80’s. Most of the cars on display were owned by local Porsche enthusiasts and varied from the early Porsche 356 A, B and C models, 912, 914, 911, 930 and 935.

There was even a 70’s Porsche 908 race car fully restored ready for this year’s Rolex Historic races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in August. The rarest Porsche on display I believe was the cream colored 50’s Porsche 356 Gmund-built coupe.

Also on display were (4) Singer custom Porsche 911’s all over the top redo’s of this classic Porsche car, but alas we live in America and anything is possible when it involves money. The price of a new one of a kind Singer 911 Porsche starts at $350,000.00 Besides all the cool Porsches to check out, a charity auction was held by Sotheby’s raising $275,000.00 for the Autumn Leaves Project a charity dedicated to pancreatic cancer research from the folks in attendance. The item auctioned off was a white rally-style Porsche 911 designed for both serious off road and daily driving. Numerous local Porsche fabricators donated their time and efforts to make the rallystyle Porsche 911 a one of a kind and state of the

art off road vehicle.

Numerous Porsche fan celebs spotted at the event, Jerry Seinfeld, Patrick Dempsey and Magnus Walker. Personally I’ve never seen so many friends at such an event and that includes

Porsche Rennsport Reunions IV and V. Great Show! Thanks, Modernica, Patrick Long, Howie Idelson and all the others at Luftgekuhlt who made the show possible. To learn more please visit www.luftgekuhlt.net

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

PHOTOS BY STEVE GELDMAN & TOMMY HUTH

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

SUPERCAR SEASON STARTS EARLY IN LONDON

Story + Photo // Jeroen de Boer

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

problem 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 Aventa-

dor 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!!

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.

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Paint Correction at Lavaggio For the discerning auto enthusiasts, it is sometimes necessary to have your paint "corrected." What does this mean? True "paint correction" is a labor intensive process whereby the paint on your vehicle is restored (as best as possible) to a new condition. This is done by removing any and all surface contamination, all imperfections, blemishes, tree sap, environmental fallout. This also includes removing oxidation, swirl marks, haze and holograms (spider-webs). The paint is then clean and the process of rejuvenating the paint and shine via polishing, waxing and then sealing the paint takes place.

Often times, if done correctly, this process can make "old and tired" paint look new. Or, if you are the type of car owner who demands excellence, paint corrections is a service you might use yearly or as needed to ensure your paint is always at its optimum and your vehicle is looking its best.

Lavaggio - The Art of Auto Detailing in Agoura Hills specializes in this process and are considered to be experts. If you are the type of car owner who wants your car looking it's best or if you paint is lacking the luster it once had, you may want to stop by Lavaggio and see what they can do to your ve-

hicle. The Lavaggio Paint Corrections Service is listed below: Lavaggio Paint Correction This service is designed to correct blemishes and imperfections on the paint providing a deep shine.

~Starts with our Signature Wash. ~Thoroughly remove surface contamination from all exterior painted panels, glass, and lenses using detailer’s clay; leaves these surfaces feeling silky smooth. ~All exterior painted panels are polish with a slow speed orbital and our Paint Correction polish, using microf iber pads.

~ All exterior painted panels are polish a second time with our f inishing polish for a deep, glossy, “wet-look” f inish ~Application of Polymer Paint Sealant, for the ultimate in paint protection against the elements, providing better protection than wax, it acts as a barrier against environmental hazards including UV rays. *Depending on the condition of the paint, vehicles with severe scratches and/or hard water spots for example, might require a high speed buff for an additional service fee.

For more info: wwww.lavaggio.net

Home Theaters - Rooms with a "view" Cinephiles everywhere are creating an immersive movie experience at home. Family nights have become more satisfying when they include popcorn and a big screen equipped with a surround sound system. A home theater can not only add lifestyle enjoyment, but also increase the value of your home. Theater design experts emphasize that the most significant factors to consider are light and sound. A space where these elements can be controlled is essential. Areas to consider are basements, family rooms, garages...or even that Airstream parked in your backyard.

The most common mistake in configuration is choosing a TV that is the incorrect size for the space.

Seating arrangements and screen placement must go hand-in-hand.

Seating will depend on taste, budget, and the average amount of guests you plan to accommodate. A room that is at least 15’ wide x 20’ long is a good basis for planning. The Theater Seat Store suggests this formula to calculate minimum distance from

the screen: 2x the horizontal width of the screen multiplied by 2. The last row of seats should be no farther than about 29.2 ft from the screen.

The second most prevalent planning error involves spaces with too much ambient light, which affects the TV and video projector viewing experience. Wall, ceiling, and flooring materials will have a great effect on sound as well. Cinema Systems

and Royal Theater Design are two of many home theater designers who can guide you in these areas. When considering the technical factors, you may wish to consult an expert who can help you determine what will best suit your needs. Whether you elect to go with a mounted screen or a large flat screen TV, couches or theater seating, you will save a lot of money if you do it right the first time. Happy viewing!

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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

Past Events:

Le Mans

Movie Night at CBS Article by: Richard Kratz | Photos By: Richard Kratz, Ken Latka, Jason Mordoh, Dave Wolin No one knows how many car clubs there are in the world, but there are probably close to one thousand just in Southern California alone. One of the most unique has to be the Television Motion Picture Car Club (TMPCC).

If I asked you to name all of the people you can think of who work in the television and motion picture industry in just ten seconds, I’d bet that the names you come up with will be mostly famous actors, producers and directors. Well, some of the people on your list might very well be members of the TMPCC. All that’s required for membership is that you either work in, or have worked in the entertainment industry and have a passion for cars… and there are a lot of celebrities and others in the biz who meet those requirements.

Have you ever watched the credits roll at the end of a movie? For the handful of actors and directors that you could name for any given film, there are a vast number of people behind the scenes who make those movies possible. Writers, producers, prop masters, gaffers, stuntmen, editors, visual and sound effects personnel, administrators and so on. All of these good folks meet the standard for membership in the TMPCC, making for a rich, eclectic base of members.

Every car club has a theme, whether it is a muscle car club, a lowrider club, owners of a particular brand of vehicle, or perhaps cars from a certain country or era. There are countless bonds that tie a car club together. The same is true for the TMPCC, however, their bond is their connection to the entertainment industry, and since the entire membership has a deep passion for cars, trucks and even motorcycles, there are no limitations placed on the types of vehicles allowed. So when you attend a

TMPCC event, you’ll see everything from rare, vintage classics to modern muscle cars and everything in-between. I am privileged to be a member of the TMPCC, due to a misspent childhood working in front of both television and motion picture cameras. I joined the club in 2016 and thus I was able to attend one of the most special private events that this most special of clubs hosts every year, their Annual Movie Night.

My wife and I used to host an annual movie night at our house in the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Clarita. We’d set up a home theater projector in the backyard, a large 120 inch screen and some big loudspeakers. We would have 20 or 30 friends over, throw a party and once it got dark watch a movie together. Each year there was a theme, one year was Harry Potter, another it was Princess Bride. We’d have a trivia game with prizes, the adults would enjoy various libations and we’d share the experience together.

The audio-visual quality was fair, but we had a lot of fun.

This year was our first TMPCC Movie Night and we had no idea what to expect other than that it was probably going to be one or two million notches higher on the experience scale than our old backyard movie nights.

Our first clue was where the event was held, at CBS Studio Center, inside the private screening room of Studio President and fellow TMPCC member Michael Klausman. This is a studio steeped in history, founded by the king of silent comedies Mack Sennett in 1928. In 1935 it became Republic Pictures, where John Wayne got his start in motion pictures, and then in 1967, CBS purchased the studio from Republic. So there is a lot of history at this studio, including a connection to the movie Le Mans that was being honored at this year’s TMPCC event... more on that in a bit.

Our next clue as to how special this night was going to be awaited us as we approached the building where the screening room is located. Since the theme for this year’s TMPCC Movie Night was Le Mans, the club paid tribute to both the annual 24hour endurance race in France and Steve McQueen’s motion picture by the same name.

So in keeping with just how well thought out and special the events for this club are, outside the screening room building were three outrageous Le Mans race cars from the time period the film was made.

Tom and Sharon Malloy of Trench Shoring and Ed Pink Racing Engines displayed two very special race cars; a 1969 Lola T-70 MK-3B coupe and a 1967 Ford GT40. The Ford just happened to be the actual backup or sister car to the GT40 that won Le Mans in ’67. Also on display was another 1969 Lola T-70 MK-3B owned by members John and Shirley Coombs. This particular vehicle is a painstakingly accurate reproduction of the car actor James Garner owned as part of his American International Racers Team.

What better way to set the theme for this very special evening than with these three drool worthy, curvaceous, downright lascivious race cars on display out front.

But that wasn’t all that was on display. Since Steve McQueen was a fan of Porsche’s, and since he drove one in the movie, it was awesome to have two very special Porsche’s

restored by Singer Vehicle Design on display as well. This added even more to what was already becoming an event with massive sensory overload, and we were still outside the building.

Next up was our very first Red Carpet experience. All the members received a “swag” or gift bag and a full color printed program while walking a literal red carpet into the building. As we entered the building, we paused to get our picture taken by one of the club’s professional photographers on the red carpet inside the lobby. So on a scale of one to ten, our old backyard movie nights were already somewhere south of zero and we had only just entered the building.

Once we walked inside the screening room, the movie screen was filled with behind the scenes images from the movie Le Mans, but before the lights came down and the movies began, two very special guest speakers, who just happen to be members of the TMPCC spoke to the attendees.

First up was Justin Bell, 1997 FIA GT2 World Champion and 1998 winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Justin spoke about his father Derek, who was one of the race car drivers in McQueen’s film and he reminisced about living with his father and family in Le Mans during the filming of the movie. His father went on to win Le Mans no less than five times, so maybe all this Bell family racing talent comes down to DNA. Justin spoke movingly about racing at Le Mans in 1995 as a teammate with his father. Their team managed a third place finish, and Justin and his dad got to stand on the podium in front of (as Justin put it) 70,000 screaming English racing fans who stormed the track to cheer them.

The second speaker was Tommy Kendall, a four-time SCCA Trans-Am Series Champion and two-time IMSA GT Champion. Tommy raced twice at Le Mans, including 2013 when he raced an SRT Viper GTS-R. Tommy knows the highs and lows of racing. With some of the highs being his six world championships and one of the lows being his horrific and crippling accident at Watkins Glen in 1991. Tommy gave one of the most honest and open talks about the fear that goes hand-in-hand with the thrill of racing. He talked about the kind of things that all racers experience, but rarely talk about. He said that at Le Mans, every corner is faster than anywhere else in the world; the slow corners are 20 MPH faster than slow corners at other tracks, as are the medium corners. Tommy went on to say that the fast corners are “crazy fast” at Le Mans.

He also stated that every race car driver is afraid at Le Mans, which makes what they do at that track even more special.

After the speakers were finished, we watched the first film of the evening, the 2015 documentary “Steve McQueen: The Man and Le Mans”. This is a remarkable film, depicting the trials and tribulations of what McQueen went through to make his movie. Since Cinema Center Films was the financial backer of the film, and CCF just happened to be the CBS Films Division of the network located at CBS Studio

Center (where we screened the films) much of the behind the scenes footage used in the documentary is never before seen film that is still stored in the vault at the studio, just a few feet from where this very special event was held. The documentary is a great film in its own right and we had no idea of the huge sacrifice McQueen made to deliver the movie to us. It is a fascinating and moving film and I highly recommend that you stream it or buy it on DVD or Blu-Ray. After the documentary, it was time for Intermission, and in keeping with the Le Mans theme, the TMPCC had French food catered for the event. A Le Mans themed raffle was also held with some awesome prizes, including a limited edition 1/18th scaled die cast of the #20 Porsche 917 McQueen drove in the movie. The Ford Motor Company also supplied several items, including a Ford GT Chip Ganassi Racing Team Jacket from their 2016 win at Le Mans. Other prizes included wine from Morey Cellars, pinstripe art from John Martinez of Wicked Lines and car care products from Liquid Glow. The club even raffled off a one of a kind banner signed by fellow TMPCC member, James Bond stunt driver, Le Mans competitor and the former Stig from “Top Gear” Ben Collins.

Other companies who were a big part of the evening included three Platinum Sponsors who helped with the massive expense of hosting such an event. These included fellow member Barry Meguiar of Meguiar’s Car Care Products, Rob Dickinson of Singer Vehicle Designs and Tony Fiori of Vista Ford Lincoln with locations in Oxnard and Woodland Hills, California. After intermission, the TMPCC screened a digitally remastered version of the full length feature film Le Mans. Being old school, I must say that the film was lovingly remastered. Meaning that I appreciated the restored colors, contrast and vibrancy of the original film, but I was thrilled to see that the “film experience” was preserved right down to the film grain and jitter in this remastering.

So in closing, if you’re a car guy or gal, or a fan of Steve McQueen, you should do what we got to do (thanks to the TMPCC) and host a movie night by watching the documentary on the making of Le Mans, then follow it up by watching the King of Cool, Steve McQueen, in the digitally remastered motion picture Le Mans, the most authentic racing movie ever made.

For more information or to join the Television Motion Picture Car Club, visit their website at www.tmpcc.org

Real Estate Kitchen Sizzle

Article by: Gweb Banta & Tory Herald Sotheby’s International Realty One improvement to a home that will maximize your investment dollars is a minor kitchen remodel. There are ways to improve your kitchen that do not require selling the golf clubs or renting out the kids. Remember, light and cleanliness help sell a home, so new kitchen paint is the best place to start. Re-facing cabinets is always an excellent alternative to replacing them, but you can always consider painting and relining the drawers and shelves if your budget is limited. New cabinet fixtures will make a kitchen feel modernized.

Even if you cannot afford to replace the cabinets, new countertops provide a perfect kitchen facelift, and of course new appliances change the look of your kitchen instantly.

You do not need the highest-end appliances if your investment dollars are limited.

Many good brands make excellent middle grade products​. A ​ nd perhaps now is the time to get that kitchen window you’ve been considering. A garden window with flowers can add charm and life to a dull space.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so even if your idea of cooking involves frozen food and a microwave, an inviting kitchen will always add value to your home and your lifestyle.

Gwen Banta

Tory Herald

Gwen Banta and Tory Herald Connecting the Worlds of Real Estate 323-252-1700 * 310-985-2719 EastWestRealEstateSpecialists.com

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.

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

A SUBMISSION FROM IAN DEMROFF 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 and always stands out from the rest. From the For-

mula 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 because 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 all-day 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.

P

r o f e s s i o n a l automotive fine artist Nicolas Hunziker comes by his work honestly: He derives his eye for detail from his great-grandfather and grandfather who were both classically trained painters and his father who is an excellent artist as well. This makes Nicolas Hunziker the 4th generation to pick up the family trade.

Nicolas trained at Pasadena CA. Art Center College of Design and he believes in keeping his work simple.

He incorporates many elements of Art Deco advertising posters into his paintings and he calls his style “Period Correct”. I especially like the “bigger than life” look of Nicolas’s artwork and the fact that there’s normally always a driver in the car he’s portraying.

Nicolas has created artwork for Porsche Cars North America A.G. and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Nicolas has also had is artwork featured at Porsche Club of America PCA, example the 2014 PCA Porsche WERKS event poster was a Nicolas Hunziker creation.

Many of Hunziker’s paintings have been given the official stamp of approval from the ACO/24h Le Mans and Gulf Oil L.P. McLaren A.G. most recently commissioned

Hunziker to create eleven acrylic on canvas paintings each featuring one of McLaren’s winning race cars from their illustrious racing history.

Besides offering some of the finest motorsport paintings available you can also find many of his most popular paintings available on T-shirts for a fraction of the price you’d pay for the acrylic on canvas painting. In 2016 Hunziker apparel became an official apparel supplier to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Hunziker’s latest creation is the Hunziker BRM Art Watch: featuring a series of commissioned one-off, hand painted dials that are encompassed in custom BRM watch cases. To complete the apparel line Hunziker has added performance inspired casual driving shoes with Gulf Oil and Steve McQueen era themes and styling.

Nicolas fuels his passion for life by race car driving just like his granduncle the motor racing Prince Bira of Siam. Nicolas owns and drives a 1969 Lotus 51 race car in “An attempt at honoring Bira’s Legacy in the fastest way possible.”

Nicolas Hunziker’s art studio and gallery is located in Torrance, CA and to learn more please visit www. nicolashunziker.com