This past Friday dealt yet another blow to the racing community with the passing of Paul Newman. Known not only for his incredible acting career, Paul Newman was also an accomplished driver and team owner. I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone who could say they didn't like Paul Newman. He was one of the few genuine, charismatic individuals who was loved and respected by all.

He has long been one of my personal all-time favorite celebrities. A real "man's man" in a sea of shallow, conceited actors and athletes. I was fortunate to have met Mr. Newman a few times at the Cleveland Grand Prix at Burke Lakefront Airport back in the glory days of Champ Car Racing. When I first met him I was struck by how sincere and affable he was. There was never a hint of ego or elitism despite his legendary status.

He was an icon who will be missed but never forgotten. Godspeed!

Labels: Editorial, Racing

Living down in South Florida keeps me isolated from the automotive epicenter of Motown and I am often out of the loop when it comes to current news and events. I try to stay up to speed with the industry but work and family obligations often get in the way and take priority. I recently took a moment to try and catch up on the news in the automotive world when I was saddened to learn about the passing of John Herlitz on March 24th.

I'm sure most of you have already heard or read many of the articles in the press about the legendary retired Chrysler designer's recent death. All the major news outlets have journaled his career and accomplishments upon his passing but none really spoke about the type of person he was more than what he did.

I was blessed to have met and studied under Mr. Herlitz while I was a student at CIA. Back in the early 90's Chrysler sponsored a semester project for our transportation class. Every Saturday two of Chrysler's designers would drive down to Cleveland from Detroit to teach us and review our work. Every project culminated with a final review in which Mr Herlitz would visit and critique our work.

In the course of our studies and experience we often met several "high-ranking" automotive executives. While each was very cordial and professional in their own way, none had the charisma and charm of John Herlitz. Mr Herlitz was the type of man who instantly made those around him feel comfortable. Despite his hefty corporate stature and legendary past experience he never once carried himself above those in his company. I always respected and admired the fact that one of Chrysler's best designers and VP of Design would joke and hang around with 19 to 20 year old students as though we were equals. He was a man of hard work and humility.

John always had a smile and a friendly word of encouragement. He was eager to offer his guidance and criticism to help us achieve our goals but did so in an almost big-brotherly way. He was quick to wit and joke too. I remember a particular critique where Mr Herlitz was reviewing my sketches and jokingly commented that one design looked as though a 800 pound gorilla had sat on it! I was always at ease when he reviewed our projects due to such good natured ribbing but I always had a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for anything he had to say. Mr Herlitz was always more of the friendly neighbor next door than a Big 3 top dog.

I always wanted to work under such an incredible man but I unfortunately never had the chance. Despite never having had the opportunity to design with him at Chrysler I will always fondly remember the times he mentored myself and our class. It saddens me to know that the world will no longer have him here smiling and inspiring the people he meets but I take solace in the knowledge that John had a lifetime of teaching and inspiring others to greatness. What better legacy to leave the world than being the shining example by which other designers strive to meet each day?

I can just imagine John doing burnouts in a Cuda with St. Peter riding shotgun in a cloud of burnt rubber and smoke. I hope heaven has no speed limits. Farewell my friend!

Labels: Design, Editorial, Freinds

My name is Anthony and I'm a curveaholic. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't unabashedly fantasize about long, sensuous curves.

I'm not lusting after the curves found dangling from brass poles in dimly lit gentleman's clubs. (Although those aren't too bad either). I'm addicted to the sweeping, onyx ribbons of pavement that meander on for miles and undulate with the Earth.

There is nothing I love more than the experience of driving on an incredible road.

The dilemma is that I live in south Florida. South Florida curveaholics can't get their fix any easier than an alcoholic in Mormon territory. This is a dry town.

The irony of living here is that we have all the ingredients that make it an enthusiast's paradise except that one magical spice. Curves. We are blessed with gorgeous tropical weather year round and pot-hole free, billiard table smooth roads but they are straighter than the EKG of a corpse and equally full of life.

Driving enthusiasts such as myself are forced to get a little creative for their fix. Aside from the local autocross events and track days, I've found a unique solution for my Sunday drive. Thanks to modern technology and Google Earth's eye in the sky I've found several local "test tracks" in the most mundane places.

Business parks.

The over-commercialization of our area has spawned a boom of enormous business parks. These areas are simply a massive track of land littered with large tilt-wall constructed buildings. Fortunately for me, these monstrous aberrations of industry are interconnected with curvy sub-roads punctuated with massive, open parking lots.

Translation, I've found four wheel drift nirvana right in my backyard!

Of course this is no drive through Big Sur or the Tail of the Dragon but it will have to suffice. I'd love to walk the Earth like an automotive Kwai Chang Caine in search of the perfect road but it will have to wait until I win the lotto or go to the Mugello in the sky. (God is a tifoso of course so heaven's home track is Mugello!)

My business park version of Spa does have some perks. If you get your lap time in on the weekends there isn't a soul around. The police aren't hiding around the next bend to decrease your bank account. Unless someone complains you'll have the area to yourself. Another added bonus is the safety of not having any other traffic or pedestrians to worry about. The last thing any of us want to do in our quest for driving thrills is to put any innocent people at risk. If the area isn't dead as Macaulay Culkin's career come back another time.

So you see there is hope for suffering curveaholics. I know it's not the most idealic solution but it's better than leaving it in one gear and using the cruise control. If you are a fellow enthusiast who is in the same painful geographical predicament you might want to fire up Google's satellite to see what possibilities might be going undriven.

Labels: Editorial, Fun