I am proud to announce the debut of my second major sculpture "Ascension" at the Cavallino Classic in Palm Beach, FL.
This half scale tribute of the legendary Ferrari 500 F2 was an extremely challenging piece for me to see to fruition. My intention was to capture the essence of the car and pay homage to the craftsmanship techniques of the great coachbuilders by using the same materials and processes. Much like my previous sculpture "Heritage of Speed", I focused on a deconstruction technique that would allow me to convey an abstract representation of the car at speed and illustrate it in a way that went from polished perfection to rough, hand shaped metal complete with visible gas welds and hammer marks.
The final pice weighs over 700 lbs. and stands just under eight feet tall. It's completion took nearly 1,000 hours of meticulous labor and is a unique "one off" that I will never duplicate or rerelease in any way. The oak buck and aluminum car "drives" on a real concrete base that is supported by a wood beam and plank structure representative of the old banking at Monza. There are several intricate details incorporated within such as twin carbs with velocity stacks, aluminum suspension, hand made Borrani wheels, gas welded exhaust, replica engine complete with gas welded headers, rear differential, and a hand crafted wood rimmed steering wheel mounted to an engine turned aluminum dash complete with gauges.
The 500 F2 chassis #5 is a significant part of the Ferrari mystique and is arguably the most winning chassis in all of Grand Prix Racing. Driven by the legendary Ascari, it led to Ferrari's first Grand Prix Racing Championship and began their dominance in Grand Prix Racing. It single handedly secures their place in the history of racing. I chose to have the piece symbolically rising from the ground to represent Ferrari's "Ascension" to the pinnacle of automotive perfection.
Check back soon for more detailed info and photos here and in my portfolio.
I am proud to announce that my Ferrari 250 Testarossa sculpture "Heritage of Speed" is featured in this month's issue of Cavallino magazine on pages 72-74.
I'm a long time fan of the magazine and have been reading Cavallino since I was a senior in high school back in 1989. I am honored and humbled to be featured in such an esteemed publication. I can't thank John and Alicia Barnes enough for their generosity and gracious exposure. Hopefully I can repay them in kind at this year's Cavallino Classic by unveiling an even better sculpture for everyone's enjoyment.
Be sure to check it out for yourself if you are a subscriber or stop by Barnes and Noble and grab one of the rack. Better yet, give them a call and subscribe! I promise you'll be happy you did.
If you haven't yet seen my sculpture and don't have access to the magazine just check out my sculpture gallery for more images or head to the sculpture shop for pricing.
Ferrari put to rest all the rumors and speculation regarding the F430 replacement today by officially announcing the 458 Italia. The 458 Italia will debut this September at the Frankfurt Motor Show but Ferrari decided to release the official press details early today as seen below.
Personally I reserve my final judgement on new designs until I see them in person. Ferrari tends to over retouch their studio shots for my tastes and I think a lot of the car's subtleties get lost in the process. I would much rather they use shots of the car in a more natural, outdoor environment.
Regardless, my first impression is that the 458 is an excellent new direction for Ferrari that manages to infuse some of the strengths of the California without the awkward proportions. I have to admit that after the California debut I was concerned about what direction Ferrari would take with this car. Afterall, I consider myself a purist and the California is not at all what I correlate with the soul of Ferrari.
Let's just hope one can still order their Italia with the traditional gated shifter and a radio delete option. That beautiful high-revving motor just over your shoulder is all the music I would ever need. I can't wait to see it in person at Cavallino 2010!
Here's the details:
ITALIA - Ferrari's innovative new V8
The 458 Italia is the latest incarnation of the mid-rear engined berlinetta and will be unveiled at the next Frankfurt Motor Show
Maranello, July 28th 2009 – While it's true that every Ferrari is innovative by definition, it's equally true that in the course of the Prancing Horse's history, certain cars have marked a genuine departure from the current range. This is very much the case with the Ferrari 458 Italia, which is a massive leap forward from the company's previous mid-rear engined sports cars.
The new model is a synthesis of style, creative flair, passion and cutting-edge technology, characteristics for which Italy as a nation is well-known. For this reason Ferrari chose to add the name of its homeland to the traditional figure representing the displacement and number of cylinders.
The Ferrari 458 Italia is a completely new car from every point of view: engine, design, aerodynamics, handling, instrumentation and ergonomics, just to name a few.
A two-seater berlinetta, the Ferrari 458 Italia, as is now traditional for all Ferrari's road-going cars, benefits hugely from the company's Formula 1 experience. This is particularly evident in the speed and precision with which the car responds to driver inputs and in the attention focused on reducing internal friction in the engine for lower fuel consumption than the F430, despite the fact that both overall displacement and power have increased. However, Ferrari's track experience makes its presence felt in the 458 Italia not only in terms of pure technological transfer but also on a more emotional level, because of the strong emphasis on creating an almost symbiotic relationship between driver and car. The 458 Italia features an innovative driving environment with a new kind of steering wheel and dashboard that is the direct result of racing practice. Once again input from Michael Schumacher - who was involved from the very start of the 458 Italia project - played an invaluable part.
The Ferrari 458 Italia's Pininfarina design provides further evidence of the complete departure from the past that this new car hails. The Ferrari 458 Italia has a compact, aerodynamic shape, underscoring the concepts of simplicity, efficiency and lightness that inspired the project. As with every Ferrari, the car's styling has been very heavily influenced by the requirements for aerodynamic efficiency, as can be seen from the downforce of 140 kg at 200km/h generated by the new model. The front features a single opening for the front grille and side air intakes, with aerodynamic sections and profiles designed to direct air to the coolant radiators and the new flat underbody. The nose also sports small aeroelastic winglets which generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets and cut drag.
The new 4499 cc V8 is the first Ferrari direct injection engine to be mid-rear mounted. It has a very low piston compression height typical of racing engines which contributed to achieving its compression ratio of 12.5:1. Equipped with the traditional flat-plane crankshaft, the engine delivers 570 CV at 9000 rpm and, with an outstanding power output of 127 CV/litre, sets a new benchmark not only for the whole Ferrari range and the history of company, but also for the entire market segment. Maximum torque is 540 Nm at 6000 rpm, over 80 per cent of which is available from 3250 rpm. Specific torque is a record 120 Nm/litre. However, what is truly extraordinary is the amount of torque available while still maintaining high levels of power at low revs.
The car's soundtrack is also typical Ferrari, with an exciting, powerful growl emerging from the engine before it channels through to the exhaust's three rear tailpipes.
The 458 Italia is equipped with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission which increases performance whilst providing very smooth shifts even at full throttle. The engineers have developed specific, sportier gear ratios to match the power and torque curves of the new V8, guaranteeing high torque even at lower engine speeds and allowing the car to reach its maximum speed in top gear.
This new Ferrari is also a major leap forward when it comes to cutting emissions. Despite the fact that the new engine is significantly more powerful than the V8s that preceded it, the Ferrari 458 Italia produces just 320 g/km of CO2 and fuel consumption is 13.7 l/100 km (combined cycle), the best in the entire segment.
The engineers also focused on weight reduction during the design phase for similar reasons. Consequently, the Ferrari 458 Italia has a dry weight of 1380 kg with a power-to-weight ratio of 2.42 kg/CV. Weight distribution is also optimal with 58 per cent over the rear axle. The result of the engineers' endeavours can be summed up in to two simple statistics which together perfectly encapsulate the Ferrari 458 Italia's exceptional performance: 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 3.4 seconds and a maximum speed in excess of 325 km/h.
For the new chassis, once more in aluminium, Maranello's engineers incorporated various types of advanced alloys along with aerospace industry-derived manufacturing and bonding techniques.
With regard to vehicle dynamics, the Ferrari 458 Italia's suspension features twin wishbones at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear tuned for maximum roadholding and superlative handling. Along with a more direct steering ratio, the 458 Italia thus offers extremely rapid turn-in and body control whilst maintaining superior ride comfort.
The integration of the E-Diff and F1-Trac (now controlled by the same ECU) and their respective mappings is even greater, resulting in a 32 per cent increase in longitudinal acceleration out of corners compared to previous models. The evolution of the control logic, with even faster and more accurate calculation of levels of grip, ensures even greater roadholding, better handling and ease of control on the limit.
The same ECU also governs the high-performance ABS, providing even more precise control over the logic threshold and greater efficiency. The brakes also feature a prefill function whereby the pistons in the callipers move the pads into contact with the discs on lift off to minimise delay in the brakes being applied. This combined with the ABS has cut the 100-0 km/h braking distance to a mere 32.5 metres.
The Ferrari 458 Italia's interior is another area of the car that exalts its sporty personality. The driver is welcomed by a new layout and a revolutionary ergonomic interface where the main controls are all clustered on the steering wheel.
With the Ferrari 458 Italia, Maranello has brought a highly distinctive new car to its 8-cylinder range. The company now offers two models that share a common, race-derived DNA, both exceptionally sporty and fun to drive in true Ferrari tradition, but aimed at two very different kinds of client. While the Ferrari California was created for owners requiring a more versatile sports car with a practical edge, the 458 Italia is designed for owners for whom the priority is uncompromising on-road performance with occasional track day capability, but who still demand a car that is useable in day-to-day driving like all Ferrari's recent models.
Early Monday morning normally calls for a few cups of joe to get that day started and the blood pumping. Lucky for me I got this link in my email and didn't need to brew a pot. Why bother when you can have Maranello's finest?
I can't afford it and I'm not skilled enough to really drive it the way you see here but I still want one. That's Schumacher behind the wheel as a "guest" stig by the way. What a lucky bastard!
I believe there are very few objects in this world that are pure poetry in motion. A Ferrari V12 is surely among them. The soulful wail of all twelve cylinders near redline substantiates the existence of man made perfection. This video elegantly portrays the inherit art of the process that defines the very soul of Ferrari. It stirred my soul as I'm sure it will yours.
Have a few million laying around and can't find the perfect gift? Don't feel safe leaving your hard earned money in Wall Street? No need to worry, the RM Maranello auction is just around the corner.
Browse through their stunning list of lots for sale and find the Ferrari of your dreams for you or your favorite (hint, hint) artist. Even for the majority of us who can only dream of owning such priceless works of art it's fun to look through and put together the ultimate collection.
Put me down for lot #204, #209, #213, #216 for starters.
I recently discovered that Ferrari updated their web presence. The Scuderia's new updated web site dramatically improves all of the graphics and visuals as well as a plethora of new content.
The best new feature of the Ferrari.com site is an unbelievably cool car configurator that lets you create your own personalized dream machine. Now all of the world's tifosi can pass countless hours each day configuring our fantasy Ferrari. Productivity be damned!
The harsh reality that I can't buy my prancing online creations at this point in time is no deterrent. This new tool is so much fun I don't care if I don't have enough green to buy today's Nero Daytona 430 Scuderia! Configuring a different car each time is so much fun I can't stop doing it. The allure here is the dream of owning such an incredible work of art and the temptation of how much fun it would be to sit down and order it exactly the way you'd like. I think I'll put together a 599 during lunch and then another 430 before dinner.
Here we go race fans! It's mid March and the new 2009 season is finally upon us. God, I love this time of year!
The 12 Hours of Sebring and Homestead Ferrari Challenge are just a few days away and I'm amped up and waiting to enjoy the smell of race fuel and burnt rubber. What better way to kick off the events this weekend than watching this new feature called "Truth in 24"?
The show will air on ESPN March 20th at 8:00 PM EST and has already generated a strong buzz within the racing community. Be sure to check it out because it looks like it's going to be a winner.
Although I never had the opportunity to meet him in person, Phil Hill has always been one of my favorite drivers. No matter what he was associated with he always seemed to portray a sense of class and charisma that is a rarity in today's age. I always enjoyed reading any magazine or article that he was a part of. I only wish I could have had the opportunity to speak with him in person. Imagine the stories he could tell!
Here's the official news:
Born in Miami, Florida, Hill was raised in Santa Monica, California, where he lived until his death. He studied business administration at the University of Southern California in 1945-47 but left early to pursue auto racing, working as a mechanic on other drivers' cars. Hill began racing cars at an early age, going to England as a Jaguar trainee in 1949 and signing with Enzo Ferrari’s team in 1956. He made his debut in the French Grand Prix at Reims France in 1958 driving a Maserati. That same year, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Belgian team mate Olivier Gendebien, driving for most of the night in horrific rainy conditions. He and Gendebien would go on to win the famous endurance race two more times.
In 1961, Hill won the 24 Hours of Le Mans again and the Formula One driving championship for the Ferrari team. He secured the championship when he won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza that year. His closest rival, teammate Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips, crashed and died in the same race. Earlier that year, during a practice session at the German Grand Prix, Hill became the first man to lap the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring in less than nine minutes. Unlike Mario Andretti, Hill was born in the USA, and is still the only US-born F1 champion.
After leaving Ferrari at the end of 1962 in the great walkout of engineers, he and fellow driver Giancarlo Baghetti started for their new team ATS. Hill continued in Formula One for a few more years until he switched to sports car racing with Ford Motor Company and the Chaparral Cars of Jim Hall.
Phil Hill has the distinction of having won the first (a 3 lap event at Carrell Speedway in a MG TC on July 24 1949) and last races of his driving career, the final victory driving for Chaparral in the BOAC 500 at Brands Hatch in England in 1967.
Following his retirement, Hill built up an award winning classic car restoration business in the 1970s called Hill & Vaughn with business partner Ken Vaughn, until they sold the partnership to Jordanian Raja Gargour and Vaughn went on run a separate business on his own in 1984. Phil remained with Gargour at Hill & Vaughn until the sale of the business again in 1995. Hill also worked as a television commentator for ABC's Wide World of Sports.
Hill had a long and distinguished association with Road & Track magazine. He wrote several articles for them, including road tests and retrospective articles on historic cars and races. He shared his "grand old man" status at R&T with '60s racing rival Paul Frere, who also died in 2008.
Hill, in his last years, devoted his time to his vintage car collection and judged at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance more often than any other individual; 2006 was the 38th time he had judged the event.
Hill was married to Alma, and had three children: Derek, Vanessa and Jennifer. Derek raced in International Formula 3000 in 2001, 2002 and 2003, but was forced to retire when Hill became ill with Parkinson's Disease.
After traveling to the Monterey Historic Automobile Races in August of 2008, Hill was taken to a hospital, where he died after a short illness from complications of Parkinson's Disease in Salinas, California on August 28th.
How can you not love this new Shell ad? I can't think of anything that sounds as beautiful as an F1 car.
Imagine how complicated and costly something like this was to film. When you take into consideration the logistics and red tape of shooting in so many different international locations you can't help but appreciate the ad even more.
For an even higher quality version click the image below and turn up your speakers.
What an incredible weekend! Sebring holds a special place in my heart and this year was no different. The heart thumping finish of the GT2 class above says it all.
I was also on hand to proudly witness my brother-in-law Pierre Kleinubing battle his way to a third place finish in the World Challenge Touring Car season opener in his RTR Acura TSX. Congratulations Pierre! Here's to a repeat championship performance of last year.
The victory champagne also flowed for my friend Charlie Scardina who not only nailed the pole position for the IMSA GT3 Cup race but kept the field at bay to finish first. Best of luck to Charlie for the rest of the series. He may be as rookie but I know he'll do well.
This time of year is nirvana for racing fans here in Florida. We have world class concours seemingly every weekend and the racing season gets underway.
I was fortunate enough this past Saturday to catch the Ferrari Challenge down at our local track in Homestead. In addition to the Challenge race there was an incredible sea of Ferraris basking under the 80 degree sunshine with nary a cloud to be seen.
The highlight of the day was watching the F1 cars with my son. If you've never experienced F1 in person you need to add it to the short list of things to do before you die. It's guaranteed to send chills down your spine.
Another F1 season is finally upon us! Sadly Michael Schumacher will no longer dumbfound us with his brilliance but I look forward to see who will try to fill his nomex shoes.
The video above is from my favorite circuit Spa, which will be returning to the schedule this year.
There is an epidemic raging that inflicts the hearts and minds of car enthusiasts. It is a volatile and easily transmitted sickness that has no cure. Those who are stricken suffer from a euphoric state and demonstrate a passionate aversion to being cured.
This disease is known among Tifosi as the "red mist". The red mist is that uncontrollable feeling that strikes you deep down in your core whenever a Ferrari is near. It's the same stirring that ignited your soul the first time you kissed a beautiful girl. It's that same shot of adrenaline you felt the first time you deftly balanced speed, momentum, and traction into a four wheel drift.
Your pulse begins to race and your hands tremble. You are inexplicably overcome by the urge to write blank checks and sing Puccini. You are completely entranced and oblivious to the world around you. You are possessed.
There is hope.
For those of us who suffer from the red mist there is relief in the form of the Cavallino Classic. The Cavallino Classic is the premier Ferrari only event held every January in Palm Beach, Florida at the elegant Breakers Hotel and Resort.
It is here that myself and other proclaimed red mist addicts can gather in the the Florida sunshine and get our "fix" among endless rows of Maranello's finest creations. This year featured an incredible group of 166 Barchettas as well as several pontoon fendered Testarossas. It was, as it always is, simply breathtaking.
The event begins at the local track where you can see Ferraris driven as they were meant to be. Over the course of two full days you'll view every manner of vintage and modern Ferrari at speed. You name it, it's there. There is even a rally on the local scenic streets of Palm Beach that results in a sea of red meandering through palm lined avenues.
The highlight of the week is the magnificent concours that takes place Saturday on the lawn of the Breakers. The collection of Ferraris that are displayed here every year is unquestionably one of the greatest in the country and possibly even the world. I've had the fortune of attending both Pebble Beach and the Concorso Italiano and I can honestly say that there is no greater Ferrari focused event. The breadth and amount of vintage and modern Ferraris on hand is simply mind numbing.
If you suffer from the red mist like myself and so many others, you should seriously consider making the time to attend the next Cavallino Classic. Not only do you get to enjoy an incredible venue, you are guaranteed to get that rush that keeps us addicted to speed and cars for life.
