I Really Freaking Miss You Guys
Longing for live car culture and its eventual return.
A weekly newsletter by Ryan K. ZumMallen | @zoomy575m
Happy Race Day, especially to our friends at OilstainLab who were finally able to unveil their incredible Half-11 project in the flesh! It is as stunning as stunning can be.
The other day, we passed the one-year mark from my initial book launch, live reading and car show at Liberation Brewing right here in Long Beach.
That day was a bucket list item for me. Surrounded by so many people who showed up because they’re passionate about car culture. People who were thrilled to get a copy and a signature and a selfie.
We had Goodwood on the TVs, safari cars and JDM stars in the parking lot. I still can’t believe you all came, but I’m so glad you did.
When I get down now, when I miss people or feel isolated, that day is what I think about. And as I reflect, I’m just glad it happened. I think that’s what I’ve learned more than anything through all this. After the book came out I tried to live in the moment and enjoy things as they happened. But it’s hard. And I took at least some of it for granted. But nothing makes you appreciate something like having it taken away.
This year has been a wild ride. And it’s made me grateful for the memories we’ve already shared. But it’s also making me hungry for new events to come. So while it’s hard to see people breaking rules or ignoring advisories to attend car meets, I understand. I can’t join you yet. But I get it. I hope we get to share smiles soon.
Culture
There’s a new artist-driven automotive zine called Road Party Mag starting up. It is already very creative. You should follow them.
Another week, another gut-wrenching tale of women being mistreated while trying to do their jobs in the automotive industry. This time, names were named.
Stop worrying about peoples’ reputations and start protecting women:
Shout out to our friend Kevin McCauley for organizing automotive-themed masks you can purchase here.
Post-COVID car culture will be less about speed and more about personality. These photos of a rare Honda Accord, shot by our friend Toni Scott, are basically the blueprint.
Aftermarket giant BBS Wheels has filed for bankruptcy for the third time in its history. But it’s not interrupting production much.
How did this person read my mind:
Quick! Guess which actor looks like a mostly-forgotten Volvo station wagon.
Get lost in this incredible thread of talented Formula One artists bringing their passion to the page.
Non-binary auto enthusiasm:
Hagerty writer Sam Smith, for my money the best automotive writer working, penned a touching tribute to his late mother. And her beloved Volvo. And his father and his van.
R.I.P. Alice Smith.
Video Reel
Forza Motorsport 8 is gearing up for a launch on the new XBOX platform in early 2021. Not much to go on here, but it looks amazing, obviously.
Race Results
Part of fighting for racial justice means tearing down the old guard, even if it includes your heroes. Anyway, Lewis Hamilton ripped into Mario Andretti and Jackie Stewart.
A thought-provoking essay on whether we’re prepared to reckon with the greatness of Lewis Hamilton.
I’m starting a new section called Adorable Things Lando Norris Did This Week. Here he is helping his team break down his McLaren and here he is wearing a 6-year old’s helmet design in a race.
That awkward moment when you forget a Canadian’s native language is English:
IndyCar’s new equality program is paying dividends as film student Myles Rowe impressed insiders and higher-ups during a test at Indy. It’s an interesting choice — Rowe is clearly talented, but he’s out of practice and his career trajectory is unclear. Looking forward to following where this leads.
Listen, you can whine about not being allowed inside your local motorsports event or you can rent a friggin’ scissor lift and watch it anyway:
I really enjoyed this podcast getting to know W Series champion and Williams F1 development driver Jamie Chadwick. It also turned me on to the Racing Lives podcast which is all about the different paths women have taken to careers in motorsport!
F1 driver Sergio Perez tested positive for the coronavirus and was ruled out of the last race, claiming he followed all the rules. Well, there was that trip home to Mexico. And there was that Italian vacation. So… not exactly by the book.
Auction Block
LOL I wrote a book arguing that $100,000 for an E30 M3 was probably undervaluing it and now they’re selling for a QUARTER-MILL:
An online-only auction hosted by RM Sotheby’s is coming up in September, called the Mitosinka Collection, and it’s filled with joyous wonders.
Speaking of wonders, here’s some Millennial Bait up for sale: a rare 1980 BMW M1 Procar and a decorated 2001 Ferrari 550 GT1.
And Finally…
How did the Initial D film and manga series influence a global audience in such a short amount of time? Well, a full-model Toyota AE86 arcade game helped.
Drive hard and be safe. Black Lives Matter.
Want your event included? Shoot me a note with subject line “Race Day” at ryan@carrarabooks.com.
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