The Magic (and Horror) of SEMA
The biggest car culture convention is underway and a "slow car fast" wins a prestigious award.
A weekly newsletter by Ryan K. ZumMallen | @zoomy575m
Happy Race Day, especially to the host of Wheeler Dealers who got pulled over for driving a motorized recliner in Beverly Hills:
It’s been quite a year, with the public launch of Carrara Media and my first book, Slow Car Fast. We’ve sold hundreds of copies, held several events and recently printed up a new round of paperbacks. And they’re available now! Just in time for the holidays.
If you prefer eBooks, we’ve got digital copies too. Choose from your preferred platform and dive in right away:
(Amazon Kindle | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble Nook | Google Play | Kobo)
Myself with friend and fellow author Mike Guardabascio after we bought each other’s books. Support Mike!
I hope to have more exciting announcements soon — can’t wait to show you all some of the things we’ve been working on. Stay tuned for news and events, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep in the loop.
Most of all, thank you. For reading the book, following on social media or reading this right now. It’s been incredible to see the response. In fact, I’d like to share one with you now. Here’s a letter I received from a Slow Car Fast customer named Tom:
I just finished Slow Car Fast and I have to say that I not only enjoyed it, but learned a lot as well. At 69 years old and a life-long car guy, I thought I had a pretty good handle on car culture. My view, I came to learn, was fairly narrow and your book opened my eyes to a number of new facets of the culture to explore and enjoy.
A personal philosophy of mine is that whatever enriches your life is a plus. Your book enriched mine and I thank you for that.
No, thank you! Letters like this are the whole reason I did all of this. I can’t wait to keep sharing with you.
Culture
It’s SEMA week! Which means the most outrageous aftermarket parts and companies descend on Las Vegas. An event with everything from overlanding mini-pickups to extreme downforce race cars and insane exhaust BMW E30s.
Oh, and stanced everything. When I say everything, that includes Ford Rangers and Mercedes G-Wagens.
But most of all, SEMA this year means the new Toyota GR Supra in all shapes and sizes. We knew this would be catnip to customizers, and they didn’t disappoint. I already love all the styles on display. There’s even a manual-swap.
SEMA is great because it brings people’s craziest dreams to life, and because it’s driven by what people are really spending their money on. It’s a showcase for companies to show off their handiwork and show how in-style and trendy they are, thereby appealing to more consumers.
It’s a window into the business behind automotive enthusiasm, and I think we should treat it as such. I went into a mini-thread on Twitter about the disappointing attitude some journalists bring to the show. I hope we collectively find another perspective and enjoy the craftsmanship and passion that goes into every vehicle.
Well, almost every vehicle:
Police in Toronto are looking for suspects who shut down public streets to do donuts and other stunts.
Also, “It’s just downright disappointing” is the most Canadian quote ever.
Road & Track released its annual Performance Car of the Year results. The competition included a Supra, a Corvette, a 911, a Lamborghini and a McLaren and a Lotus. They picked a Hyundai. (*cough* SLOW CAR FAST *cough*)
I spotted a BMW dressed up as Lightning McQueen in a mall parking lot.
This is an incredible write-up of the ongoing Forza Motorsports e-racing series. It’s really cool to see online gaming evolve into its own community and a truly unique form of motorsport.
Fascinating thread about homophobia in motorsports. The all-women’s W Series has two out drivers in the field next year, and will head to some countries where gay and lesbian people are routinely persecuted. Racing has its share of troublesome partnerships. Here’s hoping changes are made.
BMW has been under fire for its “BIGGEST GRILLE POSSIBLE” design philosophy and Mercedes landed a stunning blow about it on Halloween.
If you ever wondered what a base, base base base Porsche 911 with steel wheels might look like, wonder no more.
Weed smokers are more cautious drivers than non-smokers.
NASCAR driver Carl Long has apparently been running a Dodge Challenger with the yellow splitter guards that are actively dividing the enthusiast community. Red ones too!
The Prince of Wales drives an Aston Martin that “runs on bioethanol made from wine wastage and a by-product of cheese-making,” as one does.
Video Reel
Drifting radio-controlled delivery vans rule.
I legitimately don’t know how I got stuck watching an F1-themed rendition of “Mambo No. 5,” or why I enjoyed it so much. But here we are.
More splitter guard content! The NBCSN show Proving Grounds made an important PSA regarding this dangerous gateway drug.
Here’s what it looks like when a land speed record car blasts by at 500 mph.
E-racing Culture is Car Culture, Exhibit A: This guy has a YouTube show that’s just five cool paint jobs created in Forza Motorsport each week. The attention to detail in each one is staggering.
Vintage rally racing continues to rule. Here’s a minute of legendary driver Colin McRae beating a dirt course into submission.
Race Results
Formula One made its sole stop in the U.S. this weekend, holding a thrilling race at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas. Lewis Hamilton finished well enough to earn an incredible sixth F1 world championship. Highlights here.
Many people started to loudly wonder why hasn’t Hamilton already been knighted? As someone with zero expertise in British customs, I strongly agree!
Don’t let anybody tell you racing crowds are down across the board. COTA estimated a total weekend attendance of 230,000 fans.
It sure looked like a big deal:
F1 drivers complained profusely about bumps on the track, which prompted lots of responses showing more drastic situations in other series over the years.
One driver pointed out that Champ Car used to race while crossing a railroad track.
Really cool graphic showing the Top 10 starting positions for each F1 race this season.
The tire manufacturer Bridgestone promoted Cara Adams, a leading figure in the women in motorsport movement, to a new role as director of race tire engineering. She was predictably gracious.
Pretty cool look at the differences between today’s F1 cars and the next-generation versions scheduled for 2021.
Others noticed some… uh… less flattering similarities.
Mazda announced the contestants for its annual Road to 24 Shootout, which will take place in early December and includes four women competitors. The event is designed to showcase amateur racers looking to build professional careers and the winner earns a $100,000 scholarship to enter the 2020 Global MX-5 Cup series. Will definitely keep an eye on this next month.
At the same time, Mazda also increased the total prize money on the line in the Global MX-5 Cup to $500,000.
Auction Block
Who says the classics aren’t holding their value? A 1970 Mustang Boss 429 was the top earner at Mecum Chicago at $275,000.
RM Sotheby’s is offering a Jaguar C-X75, which I maintain is the prettiest modern concept car never produced. It starred as the villain car in the James Bond movie Spectre. Think they take Venmo?
And Finally…
Friend of Carrara Media and prolific auto journalist Blake Z. Rong has a new book out called “Beautiful Machines” and it looks fantastic. Go support Blake!
Drive hard and be safe.
Want your event included? Shoot me a note with subject line “Race Day” at ryan@carrarabooks.com.
Don’t forget to follow Carrara Media on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and visit our store to order your copy of Slow Car Fast in paperback or eBook.