Broncos Jumping McLarens, Plus Career News!
Seriously funny supercar shenanigans and the rest of the best from Internet car culture.
A weekly newsletter by Ryan K. ZumMallen | @zoomy575m
Happy Race Day, especially to F1 legend Jackie Stewart who—in addition to winning three world titles and being an all-around badass—wore what appears to be hundreds of pounds of camera equipment strapped to his head during a race.
Here are more examples of drivers and motorcycle racers in similarly massive equipment.
Ridiculous? Or ridiculously awesome?
First things first: this newsletter is late. I sincerely apologize for missing last week. Hope you guys don’t mind. The truth is, I had something pretty big going on:
That’s right—I’m at the esteemed Edmunds.com now. I started in my new role as Reviews Editor last week. Thus far the experience has been everything I’ve been searching for my whole career.
I’m so honored to be part of this team and can’t wait to show you some of the awesome things that are coming up. Check out our recent videos on amazing cars like the Porsche Taycan, Land Rover Defender and mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette.
As a result, things may slow down at the newsletter. I’m still committed to bringing you the best from the world of car culture, including exclusive interviews with people who are defining this moment—like when Shoreshifters founder Kadi Erickson (picture from the first show above) shared her inspiration and love for cars.
And I’m still spreading the word of Slow Car Fast. Last month we shipped over 100 copies, plus eBooks, with orders for more. I’m ecstatic with the rollout and can’t wait for what lies ahead. I really hope to announce another reading soon so stay tuned.
In the meantime, if you enjoy Race Day, please forward this along to a friend and encourage them to subscribe. Or tag a car nut on our Instagram page. Or send someone to our eBook page, or buy a paperback for a birthday!
If you’re wondering what all this book talk is about, check out my podcast appearances explaining the project and the passion behind it:
The Smoking Tire | No Braking | 562.org | Cars Yeah!
The response to Slow Car Fast has really proven to me that there is interest in giving car culture the moment it deserves. And I want to meet readers where they are, wherever that is.
Like, say… an audiobook?
Culture
A while back, we told you about the “Porsche” that flopped at auction and caused an embarrassing ruckus in Monterey. It seems the drama hasn’t slowed. On his podcast, comedian and auction regular Spike Feresten stated that he believes the debacle was actually done on purpose to distract from a sale that had no buyer.
“I don’t think there was a single real bid in the auction for the car,” Feresten said. “And I think what happened and transpired before was an executed piece of comedy.”
“The auction houses were already in trouble in this world and I think it was just a real black eye, particularly to RM Sotheby’s,” said co-host Paul Zuckerman. “They’ve got no credibility.”
The whole episode, featuring noted Porsche nerd Jerry Seinfeld, is worth a listen.
Are these the raddest wheels of all time? Hard to argue with Radwood.
Hoonigan threw another one of their Burnyard Bash events earlier this month. Lots of smoke. Huge crowd. I know I keep saying this, but if you still think young people don’t like cars you’re ignoring reality on purpose.
Video Reel
The 21-year-old driver taking a new Toyota Supra to Gridlife races across the country put out another doozy of a video. I find his insight to the car and event really valuable.
Does a McLaren 720S need more horsepower? Nay. It does not. And yet there is this 720S mobbing around with 1,000 horsepower and blasting its tires to smithereens. And here I am, giggling.
Hoonigan promptly jumped a Bronco over it.
The Quail is probably the most brilliant event at Monterey Car Week each year. Here, courtesy of Carfection, is a near-perfect tour of it.
Race Results
Formula One: Ferrari wins at their home track, Monza, have been few and far between. But rising star Charles LeClerc delivered over the weekend after a nasty fight with Mercedes. He’ll never pay for a Campari again.
Spec Racing: Sarah Montgomery became the first woman to finish on the podium in the Mazda MX-5 Cup on Saturday. She liked it so much, she did it again Sunday!
Ask A Millennial! Emil Blanco, 30
One of my favorite things about Car Instagram is finding random people with an interesting perspective. I stumbled across Emil Blanco, designer and photographer, when his gorgeous shots from a track day caught my eye. Here is an edited version of our conversation.
Slow car fast, to me, is about maximizing the cars potential along with your skills as a driver, but it starts with having fun. Exciting and fun moments can happen well below the speed limit, and it reminds us why we fell in love with driving in the first place. My Miata and FR-S have proven to me that power isn't everything.
I usually have a critical eye for aesthetics, but I keep an open mind. Design trends come and go so it's important for brands to focus on their DNA and establish a strong design language, before throwing everything at it. Sometimes less is more.
I'm looking or authenticity, and people that share their experiences in car culture. Two photographers can be at the same event, but have different perspectives on what they found interesting. I use my feed as a source of inspiration for my own photography, design work and automotive projects.
This Weekend
The esteemed Goodwood Revival will be held in the UK. To passive followers, this is the one where everyone dresses like they were lost in a barn for 60 years along with the cars. Here are 10 jaw-dropping cars schedule to appear.
Follow us on Instagram to catch the action as it happens!
Bonham’s, the auction house that hasn’t piddled away its reputation of late, has a series of European lovelies and race cars going across the block. Collectors will be glued to see whether the market suffered a hiccup in Monterey or is really sliding into treacherous territory.
AutoWeek is hosting its annual Empire Hill Climb through the woods of northern Michigan. You should go. It’s rad.
The magazine also announced it will host a new event called the Festival of Motoring USA. Based on a similar show in South Africa, it jams together car shows and track time. Sounds like Gridlife on steroids.
And Finally…
Make time in your day for a beautiful ode to one of the best radio shows of all time, Car Talk.
Drive hard and be safe.
Want your event included? Shoot me a note with subject line “Race Day” at ryan@carrarabooks.com.