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John D. Kerley Leadership Award Jesse Got Married Carshowaholic Queen’s English Car Show Bella Italia

The Official Magazine of Supercar Sunday

June 2014

MORE LOCATIONS SPOKE, TO SERVE YOU YOU WE LISTENED At The Auto Gallery, we like to listen to our customers. Our 2013 Customer Satisfaction Survey results told us that the number one complaint amongst our owners was the lack of convenience of our service locations.

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Calabasas

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Santa Monica

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To make sure we remain your first choice in servicing and maintaining your vehicle, we’d like to let you know that you can now drop your car off at any one of our sales or service locations, regardless of the brand, and we’ll do the running around so you don’t have to.

CHOOSE THE LOCATION THAT’S CONVENIENT FOR YOU With sites in Calabasas, Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, you now have a choice of location to use.

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY To make your next service appointment and arrange a drop off point that best suits you. Call Irene Velazquez at (818) 932-1707 or email irenev@theautogallery.com. FACTORY AUTHORIZED | 888.557.0366 | THEAUTOGALLERY.COM

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Contents

D RIVENWORLD ISSUE 54, June 2014

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Dustin Troyan

ART DIRECTOR

Connected Media Group LLC

COPY EDITOR Heather Troyan DESIGN Connected Media Group WEB DESIGN

Jeff Balbien

STORIES BY Dustin Troyan Mark Llewlyn Scott Martin Brooks Smith Tommy Mansuwan Vincent Cachot Jim Hunter

Page 10

PHOTOGRAPHY Greg Grudt Scott Martin Duane Steinter Tommy Mansuwan Christan Welch Dustin Troyan Jim Hunter Jamison Martin Christan Welch

Advertising/Marketing: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com

818-516-5053 www.drivenworld.com www.connectedmediagroup.com www.supercarsunday.com Page 16

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

On the Cover: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Successâ&#x20AC;? Photo: Duane Steiner www.speedandmotion.com Page 7

Many people have no idea what I do for a living. I guess I am known as the “car show guy”. Or at least that is what people tell me sometimes when they are referred to me for some type of automotive question or needs. “The car show guy.” I wear a lot of different hats. Yes, they are all orange, but it kind of all revolves around the car world, consulting, marketing this magazine. I suppose I dabble in this and that. I put forth a lot of effort and love doing what I do, which is sometimes hard to explain, but I am building a business, a Brand. I have taken my sweet time in building my brand. I guess I want to build a strong foundation. Without a foundation, nothing lasts. In my opinion, you must have a foundation. I once had a guy tell me the reason I am not more successful or a millionaire is because I am “too honest.” Strange huh, “too honest.” I told him that my wife likes who I am and so does my mother, so… I guess I won’t be a millionaire. I really don’t believe in short cuts and God knows I am in this for the long haul. I’ll take it. I love the car community…and the cars too. So as a consultant, I have had the opportunity to work with some fun businesses, most of which are automotive related. Some big, some small. I think there is always room for improvement, in any situation and sometimesfresh eyes are helpful. Part of being honest is that I tell it how it is. Sometimes, I fear that I will get fired because people sometimes don’t want to recognize certain truths but I am there to help. So I do what I have got to do. The other fun part is that you get to learn about others quickly. Learn some very intimate things about a business owner, how they got their start, what they stand for and so many intimate details. If they are honest, it is kind of like looking into their soul. Examining how they got where they are, how they are stuck and how to move them forward. You come to find that most people have an interesting story, many challenges, but if they are a business owner, there is a spark inside of them that pushes them on and forward. They are trying to capture some treasure at the end of a rainbow and then keep recapturing it. Some might say it is all about income and retirement, but entrepreneurs have something else inside of them. Perhaps they are obsessive compulsive, or they can’t stand to have someone telling them what to do, or perhaps they just march to their own beat. Needless to say, everyone has a story. What is also interesting about these business owners is that if they are calling me it is because they need help with something. Perhaps it is awareness or input on a new product or service, or a marketing plan or an event, but they are in a spot where they must make a change. They need or want more success. And in between the day to day operation of their shops and their family lives, it is almost as if their creativity or hope is gone. No, that doesn’t sound right, it is just that they are worn down from the long struggle of always running a business and tending to their

clients needs, employee needs and their home life. Most guys I know that have a business work much longer that 40-hour weeks and if you own or run a business, you never really turn off. You are always working. So…you get a little burnt out and need a nudge. Often times, I will walk into a business and the thoughts and ideas I might offer have been previously considered in one form or another. It is a function of implementing or following though with action. And for the worn out business owner, they have struggled and worked so hard for so long, that their well of energy is running a little dry. Exhausted. I was doing a bit of consulting with a very talented man and his shop. I will purposely be vague. In any event, this guy is talented off the charts. The service he provides is pretty stellar. He went on to tell me of certain business woes and struggles. Directions that he wanted to go and how he wanted to grow. I listened and listened. I spent some time with him and his business. It was a small business, but a very well respected business. He has done work with famous people in the automotive industry, celebrities and many wealthy clients. He started from scratch like many of us have and just kind of hit a point. Some time later, I was at another automotive organization. Again, it was the same story. Self made guy, working very hard. Great team, well respected. Extremely talented. Kind of hit same spot as the other guy. Many big dollar clients, awesome work, globally recognized for what he does and well, wanted to chat about how he could make things better. I had been watching this organization for a while through their online presence. I found them to be pretty innovative in what they do. So, when we got together and I heard his story, I was not shocked, but found it interesting that he seemed to be stuck. Now, as one who consults, does a magazine, and all the other wacky automotive stuff I do, I know what it is like to run around like a crazy person. I know hard work and know how a business owner must stay motivated and have endless energy. I know the toll it can take on family and friends. I too know frustration. But, it is just one of those things that you shrug off and find a way to move forward. Right? So, there I was at another business. Another smart business owner. Built his business from scratch. Hard work, long hours, lots of smiling and glad-handing and paying dues. If you have a business, you get it. I got the call and go over. I have known this guy for years. Another stellar reputation. Just like the other two. Most people would look at this guy or the other two and from the outside looking in see only success. Maybe acknowledge a little bit of the hard work, but nobody really knows what it takes to build your business, but you. So it was the same story once again. Business is doing well, but not well enough. Now of course that is all subjective, but we all know when you run a business, things can be great one month and next slow and the next better and then something big breaks and then you want to

From the Editor

move to a bigger location and on and on and on. So, you must always be growing and find cost savings. Efficiency. It was so interesting to hear the stories of these men. All self-starters, all “went for it”, all made a name for themselves, put in their blood, sweat and tears. All had awesome businesses with heavy investments in inventory and/or equipment. And they all felt stuck. Status quo. They needed to shift gears and they just had no idea how to do it. So, there I was with the first guy. I listened to his story. Knew him and his reputation for some years. I took a big deep breath and smiled. I knew what he was talking about. If you own a business, you know what they are all talking about. I started in on him…I told him, “Turn around, look at what you are doing…” “Don’t you have celebrity clients?” He answered “yes.” “This business and everything in it, you did this right?” He answered “yes.” “ Those long days, that sacrifice, that determination, it is all you right?” He answered “yes”. And then I began to laugh out loud. Not at him, but at knowing his frustration. I told all three of the guys the same thing. Stop and turn around. “LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!” “LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE CREATED”. I told them, that it sounds like they are throwing in the towel when they are there…they made it. I told them, it is like climbing Mt. Everest. You trained and sacrificed for years. You put your life at risk, you risked everything. You started climbing, step-by-step, inch-by-inch. You are about 100 feet from the summit, you can see it, it is right there for the taking, right there…YOU ARE RIGHT THERE and now you lost faith and think you can’t make it to the top. Stop and turn around. Look at how far you have come. Look at all those steps, look at the sacrifice. You are right there. Another 100 feet. Right there. You can see it, touch it, smell it, take it. It is yours. The hard work has been done. These guys had come so far, but had been so battered by the day-to-day operation that they had lost sight of the summit, as they were so close. So damn close. They were pressing on, yes, they were, but they needed some focus. It is right there. So damn close. I know that we all get frustrated. But for heaven sake, stop and look back every now and then and remember how far you have come. Odds are that first step of that journey was much harder than the last 100 to the summit. You are right there. Endeavor to persevere. Well, I guess there were four guys that I consulted, put me in that mix. We shared our stories and laugh and laugh and laugh. We all have a story, we all have suffered and sacrificed, some more than others. Someone has always suffered more or worked harder and some are just lucky. But, there is nothing so great as creating. Creating your name, your brand, and your reputation. Build that foundation strong. Hey, if all those other people are millionaires, well, why can’t you be too? -Dustin

Driven World Magazine Leadership Award Recipient John D. Kerley

Story by Dustin Troyan Photos By Christan Welch

In Recognition of your Leadership within The Auto Gallery Organization, striving to elevate those around you and letting your actions speak for your words. The Dedication to your team and organization, have been recognized and appreciated. Thank you for Leading by Example.

A True Leader inspires by words, but more importantly... by action!

Driven World Magazine is very proud to announce that Mr. John D. Kerely is the recipient of the first ever Driven World Leadership Award. The genesis of the Driven World Leadership Award is that in our community, we need to recognize and acknowledge those that are raising the bar and inspiring others. Those that are making a positive impact for no other reason than to do it. John D. Kerley is such a man. I have had the pleasure of knowing John D. Kerley for a number of years. John, who is the Director of Fixed Operations at The Auto Gallery, is the kind of man who is all business, all the time. But, he also somehow balances a great sense of humor and the human element into his work. I don’t know how he does it, but he does. Why did John receive the

award? How was he qualified? Leadership. John exudes the qualities of a loved General. Honest, strong, passionate, motivating and understanding. I have observed the lengths he will go to support not only the organization he represents, but to also lead his team to a higher understanding of their abilities as a team and as individuals. Year after year I have watched how he takes the time to inspire those around him and to help them have a greater understanding of their roles and responsibilities, but also taking the time to give them opportunities and to open their eyes to the potential they have as individuals. Many a time I have been witness to him “building” his team members for no other reason then to “build them.” John is an exceedingly fair man whose

handshake is a bond. Who will do his best to support a cause, a friend, a team worker and an organization. Another little secret about John is that he is a car guy from the word go. He shares the same passion as all of us and lives and breathes cars. Sharing his passion with this family, team members and his organization, John has incorporated his love for cars and our community into what he does. When all else fails, John D. Kerley has a very old-fashioned American “Can Do” work ethic. Any job, any task, any deadline, he and the team he leads gets it done. With honor, dignity, respect and good old fashioned effort. John, you deserve it and it is truly an honor to know you.

Queen’s English Car Show Photos by Duane Steiner If you have been in the car world for any amount of time, you know about the Queen’s English Car Show. An annual treasure, the show is organized by Tina Van Curen and Chuck Forward of Autobooks-Aerobooks in Burbank. Tina, Chuck and the crack team of car experts and enthusiasts have carried on the tradition executing another spectacular event. Kudos to the Queen’s Team. At the Queen’s English show, you never know what might pull in... vintage Triumphs and Aston Martins to the latest McLaren, the infamous P1. It was truly a kaleidoscope of models from across the pond. Minis and Lotus alike littered Woodley Park as the British Marques came in by the dozens. If you are an English car enthusiast or

fan, this is the show for you. Tina and Chuck, considered experts have the relationships to pull together an amazing show. Their volunteers who are equally as British Car Crazy know everyone they don’t and the equation makes for the premier British event on the West Coast. For more information on this show or attending next year, don’t hesitate to call Tina at Autobook-Aerobooks in Burbank. Truly an amazing woman in the car world and as passionate as they come. AutoBooks-Aerobooks 2900 W. Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505 818845-0707 www.autobooks-aerobooks.com

Greystone Mansion Concours d’ Elegance 2014

My son Greg and I recently attended the 5th Annual Greystone Mansion Concours d’ Elegance in Beverly Hills. This was our third visit and as always we enjoyed viewing the classic autos and motorcycles from the past century. This is one of the premier local car events and this year the show coincided with the City’s 100th birthday. The show had an abundance of Porsche Speedsters to mark the 60th Anniversary of this iconic vehicle. As per usual Jay Leno arrived in a unique old Bentley and Bruce Meyer brought his 1962 Shelby Cobra. As I viewed the motorcycles on display I commented to Greg that a 1973 Triumph was owned by Sonny Nutter. Sonny was a top tier speedway motorcycle racer that I often watched race at Ascot in the 70’s. He was sitting next to the bike and even though I never met him before we talked like long lost friends. He is a great guy and he seemed to know everyone including referring to Bruce Meyer as “cowboy” since he was wearing a cowboy hat. Anyway, back to the event. There were numerous unique vehicles including a purple early 1973 Porsche RS touring model and an amazing light blue Shelby Cobra. One of my favorite cars was an extremely rare Bugatti finished in bare aluminum that had the looks of an airplane with the rivets and alu-

minum pieces. There were so many old Ferraris and of course endless examples of the Porsche Speedster. One of the unique aspects of this event is the opportunity to tour the Greystone Mansion that was built by the Doheny family in the 30’s. I have toured this mansion three times and saw something different during each visit. There are so many rooms and the city views out of the numerous windows were just beyond belief. In the basement there is a two lane bowling alley and adjacent to this area there is a billiard room with a hidden bar from the prohibition era. The woodwork and the brickwork is so old school and unlike anything found today. There were a few high-end vendors of products and services and the Auto Gallery brought a yellow McLaren Spider and a new McLaren 650s Spider in a bright orange color that resembles a “baby” McLaren P1. Gourmet food was available for all and the Stella Artois beer flowed freely. All in all this was a great event that we enjoyed on a warm May Sunday afternoon. Please enjoy Greg’s accompanying photos and visit his website: www.exoticcarfotos.com.

Story by Mike Grudt Photos By Greg Grudt

Ciao Bella, San Diego

Spanish Landing Park traces the north shore of San Diego Bay, bordered by Harbor Drive linking San Diego to Point Loma and the Cabrillo National Monument. Once the meeting place of 18th Century Spanish expeditions, the park serves today as the meeting place for Bella Italia, an annual celebration of Italian automotive artistry. Bella Italia returned on a dramatically breezy but beautiful 26th of April to Spanish Landing Park for its 14th year along the bay. A gathering of passionate owners and their prized Italian thoroughbreds, Bella Italia is the signature event for the Ferrari Owner’s Club of San Diego, who this year partnered with the Ronald McDonald House at Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego as the event’s charitable benefactor. President of the FOC/SD in 1999, current Event co-Chair Jim Hyldahl asked “Why don’t we have a spring event that gets the member’s cars out of the garage after the winter?” Thus, with the help of FOC/SD members Mickey

Story & Photos By Jim Hunter

and Linda Miller who volunteered to head up the event, Bella Italia was born. The event has grown to become a labor of love for many San Diego FOC members and could not happen without their hard work. Although Bella Italia began as a Ferrari club event, it has since grown to include other Italian marques and this year’s Bella Italia welcomed members of the Alfa Romeo Owner’s Club for the very first time. Next year’s Bella Italia should include as many as 25 Alfa’s on display. Lamborghini and Maserati are always well represented and there have been at times over 100 cars in total, including those provided for display by event sponsors. This year’s show included more classic Ferrari’s than in years past and included a stunning line up of limited production cars including an F40, F50, and an Enzo. The Circle of Excellence, set aside to highlight special models, included a Ferrari 275 GTB, a 275 GTB/4, a Maserati Ghibli Coupe, and two Lamborghini’s, a 350 GT and a 400 GT. Another Ferrari F50 was also on display at the park’s entrance. Saturday’s gusty morning accompanied by

sporadic, scattered rain drops threatened to recall memories of the very first Bella Italia, when as Hyldahl states, “(there) was a windy spring rain. We’d gather under the few canopies we had rented and wait for the squall to pass. Everyone would then rush out to wipe down their Ferraris only to have another rain cell arrive. We were cold, hungry, frustrated but we had a ball!” Fortunately, this year’s rain was very spare, rarely blocked the sun, and inconsequential to the day’s events. Sadly, FOC/SD lost Mickey Miller to cancer. To honor his memory and contribution to Bella Italia, the Mickey Miller Memorial Award is now presented each year to the FOC/SD member who has made the most significant contribution to the membership. This year’s recipient was

Ron Tinkham. Given the allure of Italian machinery spread across a green waterfront lawn under deep blue springtime skies, its no surprise that Bella Italia is very special. The Ferrari Ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club of San Diego has provided SoCal enthusiasts a fantastic springtime automotive celebration to portend the concours year ahead.

Socalcarshowaholic Story and photos by Scott Martin

We are so lucky in Southern California to be able to ski and surf in the same day. The schedule, of course, is to get up early and

hit the slopes by 8 am, then leave the mountain before the traffic build-up heading down the hill. That way, you can get to the beach for the “glassoff” one or two hours before sunset. But there are other perks to our terrain and great weather (sorry to everyone who had to dig out last winter in the Midwest and East)… we have multiple Car Shows every weekend! The ski or boarding trip would normally take about eight hours before you get back to the waves. On a recent Sunday I was able to photograph four, count ‘em four car shows in different parts of L.A. within eight hours and still get to a friend’s pizza party by four o’clock in the afternoon! My day started, as it does most Sundays, early morning at the Westfield Topanga parking lot in Woodland Hills for Supercar Sunday. Since the first Sunday of the month is always a special Marque day, I was in for a treat with the spotlight on all-things Porsche. As usual, the diversity was amazing, with classic Speedsters including Jerry Seinfeld’s immaculate 1958, two new Carrera GT’s, several perfect 911’s, special racing models and GTR’s including a Cup model, GT2RS and a purple (yes purple) RSR. Forcing myself to leave early, the next stop was straight down Topanga Canyon Boulevard on the way to the 101 Freeway. Every year, the Mustang Owners Club of California sponsors Mustangs in the Park at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills. All Fords are welcome, but the majority of vehicles are Mustangs. Everyone

seemed to be having a great time while I was there. The event featured a Pony Corral, an auction, raffles and special awards. Onward to Chatsworth for the 32nd anniversary Classic Chevys of Southern California Car Show to benefit the Rancho San Antonio Boys Town. The club itself is dedicated to 1955, ’56 and ’57 Chevrolet autos and trucks, but the Car Show featured almost every type of vehicle including new and old, modified customs and stock originals. Attendees to the charitable event were able to eat and drink, buy raffle tickets and bid on silent auction items to support the “Boys Town West”. My last show of the day was the 5th Annual Greystone Concours D’Elegance in Beverly Hills. This event has become one of the preeminent car shows in the Western United States. Produced by The City of Beverly Hills with the support of Friends of Greystone, the Concours is limited to 3,000 attendees who purchase all-inclusive tickets

that provide admission along with gourmet food and drinks. The historic Greystone is not normally open to the public, so it’s also a treat to see the beautiful grounds and amazing structure. The Auto Gallery and other sponsors, vendors and advertisers had vehicles and displays placed around the exterior of the house and its various motor courts and garages. This year’s event honored the 60th anniversary of the Porsche Speedster and 50th anniversary of the Mustang. A special Centennial Class was added that featured a halfdozen cars built 1914 or earlier to honor Beverly Hills’ 100th anniversary. The Concours field featured 175 automobiles and motorcycles, focusing on 16 classes of vintage, classic cars from recognized marques manufactured before 1975. The food is always phenomenal at the Concours but I tried to eat just small samples of

everything because I was saving my appetite for the last stop of the day… my friend was breaking in the new Pizza oven he had just built. After driving from Greystone to the top of the Hills of Beverly, they were cooking the last of 30 pizzas, so at least I got one delicious slice as my reward for a truly amazing car-day in L.A. Scott Martin is a Calabasas resident, photojournalist, auto broker and frequent contributor to Driven World Magazine. He can be reached at autobrokerscott@gmail.com or 818 430-7266

Car Culture

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

High Octane 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

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murphyautomuseum.org (805) 487-4333

TUDOR MONTEREY GRAND PRIX KICKS OFF A BUSY YEAR FOR MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA Story and Photos by Jim Hunter

“Impressive!” Giancarlo Fisichella’s eyes light up when asked about Laguna Seca. The Ferrari factory GT pilot, driving for Risi Competizione in the GTLM (GT-Le Mans) class of the Tudor USCC, has over 200 Grand Prix starts, a handful of Grand Prix victories, a GT class win at Le Mans, and has played a significant role in three WEC titles. Yet despite this impressive resume, The Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix (round four of the inaugural Tudor USCC season), marks his first appearance on California’s fabled Central Coast circuit.

“It is a small circuit, but very challenging. The shape of the corners are really as I like; it is quite technical. There are lots of nice, medium high speed corners. Just the last corner is a bit tricky especially at the exit with the traction, the power oversteering, but it’s nice.” Conversely, California native Jeff Westphal, driving for Los Angeles’ based Scuderia Corsa in the GTD (GT-Daytona) class, took his first green flag start at Laguna Seca. “Laguna Seca is historically a favorite. Everyone loves it because the corkscrew’s unique and there’s a lot

of things that are really only at this facility, this part of the world. It’s one of my favorite tracks.” Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has a storied history in North American road racing. Considered a premier venue in the United States, drivers from all over the world have pushed their memorable machines to the limit across this dry lakebed for decades. The climate is dynamic. Brilliant sunshine often chases morning fog while the sea tempers the sun-drenched coast with moderate temperatures. The circuit’s racing lines and change of elevation make it a favorite of drivers

and teams alike. A merger of the former American Le Mans Series with IMSA’s Grand-Am, The Tudor United Sports Car Championship will be contested upon thirteen rounds on North America’s best road courses. As with any new venture there have been growing pains, but after a slightly bumpy start the series has arrived at Monterey in timely fashion. The history, unique personality, and sporting challenge of Laguna Seca inspires achievement and reminds us that motor racing is a grand endeavor.

Fisichella, recounting his first laps, “Great circuit . . . really enjoyed it especially after 15 minutes. I was trying at the beginning to find the right braking points and to learn the circuit, obviously, but once I was comfortable in the car and with the circuit, I was competitive, second quickest. Considering my first time here it was very encouraging. I’m looking forward for next session and especially toward qualifying.” Sports car racing is very demanding. The drivers must be in excellent physical condition and completely focused on their craft. “I train like a triathlete,” says Westphal, who describes an intense preparation regimen, “I find that to be the best way to get my mind and my body in the right place. The big thing about motorsports is the heat you have to deal with when in the car for hours at a time. So I would do, actually, a Bikram yoga class in a sauna, because the car can get up to 140 degrees inside and when you’re driving as hard and as fast as you can. Wearing full nomex and a helmet and gloves, you’re gonna sweat a lot and we typically lose between 3 to 5 pounds every hour or two. I do lots of endurance stuff, not a lot of strength training cause the heavier and bulkier you are the more energy you need to expel to move around. So flexibility’s big. “ Giancarlo adds, “You always need concentration, obviously, the car, the race itself, it’s tough physically and mentally, you need lots of concentration but sometimes if you get a mechanical problem or an accident, you get a chance to recover and that’s very good. Our races are really exciting because even after, you know, a race six hours, twelve hours, even 24 hours long

sometimes, until the end of the race we are close to each other so it’s good to follow it.” Jeff and Giancarlo cannot understate the importance of fitness because competition in the Tudor GT remains on par to what fans came to expect from the ALMS. BMW Team RLL, Porsche North America, Corvette Racing, Falken Porsche, SRT Viper, Risi Ferrari, and Krohn Racing (Ferrari) make up the GTLM class, while Audi Sport enters GTD with customer Flying Lizard against the full field of marques in which Scuderia Corsa competes. California based TRG has also further diversified the GTD field with their pair of V12 Vantages and partnership with Aston Martin Racing. Divided into two separate and closely fought two hour heats, fans at Laguna Seca were treated to four hours of the “close to the end” Prototype and GT racing that Fisichella describes. Giancarlo and Risi teammate Pierre Kaffer enjoyed their first podium result of the season in the tightly contested GTLM class. Westphal, competing with teammate Alessandro Balzan in one of two Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 458 GT’s, rose to as high as fourth before ultimately finishing seventh in their earlier GTD contest. The inaugural Monterey Grand Prix thus proved to be a fantastic round for the Tudor USCC. With the return of the Ferrari Challenge, FIM World Superbike Championship, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, plus the very first appearance of the SCCA National Championship Runoffs, 2014 is sure to provide another memorable chapter in the rich history of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

2014 Chrysler SRT 300

Story by Dustin Troyan Photos By Scott Martin, Jamison Martin

The 2014 Chrysler SRT8 300C offers a stunning amount of luxury in a performance machine. The SRT is the quintessential American Touring Sedan. Offering 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft torque, this rocket ship will get from standing to sixty in 4.7 seconds. Where American cars have traditionally suffered, the fit and finish of the SRT is clearly European inspired. If you were blind folded and placed into the Chrysler, you might think you were in a Mercedes, BMW or Audi. From the stitching to the heated seats to the navigation and sound system, Chrysler nailed it on this interior. From a performance perspective you may say that the SRT is a bit big and heavy, well

so are its contemporaries. Big and heavy compared to a proper sports car, this four-door luxury sedan was right at home on the 101 freeway and equally at home on Mulholland Highway. The handling. With a flip of a switch you can put the 300 SRT into a few different driving modes. Auto, Sport and Track modes all allow the driver more inputs and quicker shifting, touring your business coupe into a...business coupe. The 6.4L, 392-Cubic inch engine will compensate for the larger stance of the SRT and pull out of the corners with blissful glee. If you are not ready for it, you might just scare yourself. I was not prepared for the technology in the Chrysler. From the performance modes,

which are now coming standard, the adaptive handling, racing metrics, and a pretty awesome adaptive cruise control and warning system, the 300 SRT is extremely innovative. Previous to driving the 300 SRT, I would never have considered one simply because, I had never considered one. Having driven one, I would say that Chrysler hit it out of the ballpark. If you are looking for a performance package to rival a Mercedes, Audi or BMW this might just be your car. Fast, agile, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing both inside and out, it is a well-done package. So much so, I found myself looking at pricing and considering a new car. DW Approved!

Recipe of the Month with Vincent Cachot Roasted Chicken / Eggplant Puree / Rainbow Baby Carrot / Spring Onion Green Olives / Chicken Jus Ingredients (for 4): For the chicken 4 X 8 oz airline chicken breast 1 fl. oz. olive oil 1 oz fresh butter 2 fl. oz. chicken jus Salt and pepper to taste For the Eggplant Puree 1 large eggplant 1 oz thin paste PROCESS: 1 lemon juice - Cut eggplant in half and cook in the oven at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 1 clove garlic minutes. Salt and pepper - Peel off and mixed in a food processor with tahini paste, lemon juice, To taste garlic, salt and pepper. Reserve on the side of the stove - Cut olives in thin julienne and reserve in refrigerator For the Vegetables 12 each baby rainbow - Cut spring onion in half and seared in a pan at medium heat in a nonstick pan with butter for 2 minutes on each side carrots - In a small saucepan, cover carrots with water (thin layer of water), sugar, 8 each spring onions butter and salt at medium heat until water totally evaporate 1 oz Castelvetrano - Seared chicken in a pan for 2 minutes skin first, then place in pre-heated Green olives 0.5 oz granulated sugar oven at 375 degrees and cook for 15 to 18 minutes. - When chicken is cooked, start placing your warm eggplant puree on the 1 oz butter Salt and Pepper to taste bottom of the plate. Add carrots and spring onions around the plate. - Place chicken on top of the eggplant puree. Add chicken jus around the plate and on top of the chicken. Garnish - Display olives and micro herbs around for presentation. Ready to serve. Micro herbs

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 dinning restaurant in France (in Paris with Joel Robuchon / La Palme Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 secret and techniques by sharing some of his recipes here. You can contact him at anytime for any meal ideas or cooking class that he might be able to handle for you. Bon Appetit, Vincent. vincent.cachot@gmail.com

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Golf Tips with Tommy Mansuwan In the modern era of golf, everyone seems to be in search of hitting those 300-plus yard drives. While the majority may never get near that 300-yard mark, there are things a player can do to gain a few yards. I have written in the past on how to gain speed with various swing drills but never talked about the greatest source of power…the ground. As a kid growing up, instructors were always focused on teaching me the plane of the swing and the position of my arms/ hands. Recently, I have begun to hear instructions changing a bit as power and distance is becoming a primary factor. The most important thing I have heard is use “ground force”, or in other words, push off the ground to gain speed. Bubba Watson and Gary Woodland are two golfers you may recognize on the PGA Tour. They also happen to be two of the longest hitters on the circuit as well. Coincidentally, they could also be the best at using the ground as leverage to turn their bodies. Watch clips of their swing and notice how their legs move as they go through impact. Bubba, more noticeably than any other, looks as if he jumps off the ground through the ball. So how would one practice this? Let’s start with the right foot. Take your normal setup over the ball but move your left foot a step back behind your right foot before you make the swing. As you hit balls in this position, you should really feel that right foot dig into the

Feel the Ground

ground in Left foot behind right foot drill order to maintain any sort of stability. Hit full shots while in this stance so that you can really focus on where you put the pressure of that right foot. It should feel firmly planted throughout the back swing only to feel as if you are pushing against the ground on the downswing. Give it about 20 balls in this position and then switch back to your normal stance for 20 balls. When you hit shots in your normal setup, really focus on what your feet are doing. The drill for your left foot might require a little flexibility and ease with the golf swing. Get in your normal stance as if you are going to hit a shot but turn your left foot counter clockwise as close as you can to 9 o’clock. However, if you feel any pain, stop and reduce your foot turn. As this may also strain your knee and hip on the

backswing, go easy with a few swings to see where your threshold is. This position should really make you focus on the feeling of your feet with the ground. Disregarding how you hit the balls, you should never lose contact with the ground throughout the entire swing. You could say you would want to feel flat footed during the swing. Hit plenty of balls in this foot position and naturally, you will begin to push off the ground. This motion will translate into faster moving hips and torso through impact. For more consistency, work from the ground up and you will have more success. Stay grounded for easier power as well as better balance throughout Left foot at 9 o’clock drill your swing. Just like a powerful sports car with hundreds of horsepower, it’s no use unless it can be put to the ground.

www.drivenworld.com

“Here, Finally, is a Supercar That Really Can be Used Everyday.” By Brooks Smith

So goes the refrain from the luckiest school of automotive journalist. How many times have you heard that chestnut? It seems almost every new super/hyper/mega/ubercar down the pike, is setting some new standard for usability. Just this month, I’ve heard it said about the McLaren P1, LaFerrari, and Lamborghini’s Huracan. I’m sure I also recently heard similar statements about Porsche’s 918, and Ferrari’s 458 Speciale. The follow-up is usually a philosophical question about whether or not a car of that order should be so usable. As if the simple fact that the car is easy to drive, and somewhat livable, will make it somehow less special. I’m not sure that’s really a valid notion. I’m even less sure why any of this is news. As far as I can tell, these cars have been relatively usable for decades. I’m not a journalist. I don’t have their experience. But I’ve been in more than a few supercars, ranging from a 365 GTB/4, to a Gallardo, and going through a Countach and an F1. Out of all of them, only two stand out as being troublesome for everyday use. One is the McLaren F1, which, with its central driving position, is annoying to enter and exit. The other is De Tomaso’s Manguesta, which is annoying and dangerous to enter, exit or sit in, and downright scary to drive. That’s it. Those are the two. The Testarossa, the R8, even the Countach; all of them are more usable than say, a Lotus Europa. Sure, the air conditioning systems are terrible even if they

exist, but that kind of thing can be retrofitted at this point, with aftermarket systems that integrate and work far better than anything available in their period. So what’s to stop you using one to get to work? Keeping them on the road, of course. And it’s at this point that you may want to forget were you left the keys, and take your bicycle. That bit certainly hasn’t changed. The cars have gotten more reliable, but no less expensive when it comes to servicing. Some of them are getting much better fuel economy, but that’s really the least of the financial worries that come with ownership. But if you had the cash, you could use even an Afla Romeo 8C 2900 (A supercar if ever there was one!) to get to work. But you wouldn’t. I wouldn’t. And I’m crazy. The truth of the matter is, it’s because the cars are so special, that they don’t get used. The real questions are: What compromises have been made in order to make a supercar into an everyday car, and if it’s even important for it to be that usable? From my point of view, it depends a lot on where the car fits in the market. Audi’s R8 sits at a point where it’s almost certain to be used a lot. It’s expensive, but isn’t intended for the incredibly rich, who can afford to use it as a plaything. It’s a modern interpretation of the Honda NSX. As such, comfort and convenience are important. At the other end of the spectrum, I end up wondering why LaFerrari and the P1 make any

concessions to the day-to-day. Sure, you can use a P1 to get around, and a couple people probably will. But the McLaren and the Ferrari are so rare, so special, and so extreme in their ambitions, that it’s unlikely, and illogical, to expect them to do more than take a kid to school, on the way to the track. As such, one wonders how much lighter, quicker, and more involving they could have been, had they shed the pretense of mundanity. What would have happened if Ferrari had produced something just a bit more like the Millechili concept, or had McLaren gone down the path of Caparo’s T1? There isn’t much room at that end of the market, and the Caparo was a notable failure, but with the production numbers of both cars put together adding up to less than one thousand, I can’t see brands this strong having trouble finding buyers. I’m not criticizing what the builders of these cars have achieved. Take a couple minutes to pour over a P1, and it’s obvious how special the car is to those who worked so hard to imbue it with profound performance, and orient it precisely toward its driver. It reminds me of a Europa, finished to quality levels Lotus never imagined, then given more power than anyone could ever need. I struggle to think of a higher compliment to pay a supercar. It is a jewel. And the fact that it can be used every day is an insane accomplishment. I’m just not sure why McLaren bothered...

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