McCall's 25th Motorworks Revival Party rocked the Monterey Car Week kickoff

Gordon and Molly McCall celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the Motorworks Revival at the Monterey Jet Center on Wednesday, August 17^th with a proper party that continues to evolve. It had all the requisite aircraft, cars, appetizers, and ambiance. This year a live DJ at 9pm was joined by a live drummer and violinist for a modern dance party. Needless to say, this party rocked.

Non-Red Carpet parking was well organized with comfortable shuttles delivering guests to the Monterey Jet Center. The caliber of cars in the remote lot and the number of helpful attendants made it hassle free. The complimentary professional photography at the entrance is always a treat.

Once past the entry its always, “Mind blown” with photography and ogle time. Modern and classic aircraft, specialty vehicles and stunning examples from various manufacturers. In the hanger itself, Koenigsegg had the Regera, Agera S and CCX there. Pagani had several models, McLaren, Alpha Romeo including the upcoming Giulia, Acura with the NSX, and Toyota had the Kyle Busch 2015 Sprint Cup Camry along with other Toyota racing standouts. Vintage motorcycles and war planes, executive jets, fine jewelry and more offered an incredible variety of visual treats.

Interestingly the second hanger wasn’t open this year without any detriment and kept the crowd from thinning out too much. One complaint was that there needed to be more places to sit, either to take a break, enjoy the wine, or rest some weary feet especially for the ladies in heels. There was no goody bag this year but the event lifestyle program is excellent and the branded wineglasses were favorite keepsakes so the bags weren’t necessary.

Food and drink seemed endless with four top chefs and six wineries kept the crowd well fed and in a party mood.  Tickets are available far in advance every year, this year for $395 and the excellent CHP 11-99 foundation continues to be the beneficiary of the raffle. Every year Gordon and Molly McCall continue to evolve the party with world class vehicles, food, drink and entertainment. It’s the Monterey car week kickoff party that should not be missed.

Photo album: Album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.868755033229209.1073741874.378354382269279&type=1&l=c5246730dc

Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster

The answer is V-12. The question is what is rare, powerful, makes extraordinary noises and in this case sits all by itself? All alone as in no turbos, no hybrid assist and of course, no supercharger. It is a 6.5 liter, 740hp, 12 cylinder, 48 valve wonder in the 2016 Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce.. An amazing, outrageous V-12 monster!

It features a carbon fiber 2-piece removable top, a carbon fiber passenger tub, scissor lift doors and
much more. This yellow example stands out like nothing else, it might be the least subtle car on the road. Deep rear diffusers, a carbon fiber wing, and the breakup of the lines with the roof removed is striking. A large, wide hood finishes off the front and the headlights feature an outline of LED running lights. This car is more transformer than anything else on the road.

A wide button on the door under the character line opens the swing-up scissor door by itself with an excellent damping motion, no worry about it swinging open too hard. Getting in is easier than some other cars with a particularly wide sill (McLaren P1), although it was still butt first. A yellow pull strap is used to bring it back down and the mechanical tolerance to close it is absolutely perfect, not even the slightest hint of slack.

Surprisingly roomy, it has good outward visibility with a very small triangular window at the base of the A-pillar that gives peeks of speed. Legroom is easily sufficient for a 6-footer and the carbon fiber backed seats were extremely comfortable, not even noticing any adjustment was needed in seat back or bottom, a very rare occurrence. Remember the Honda Del Sol? No? Well no matter, the Roadster has a small rear window that retracts downward. The gloss coat carbon fiber interior door panel isn’t for watches and bracelets though.

Turbos will muffle, electric vehicles may eventually kill it, but the V-12 is both a symphony and rock concert with volume control by the right foot and eagerly feeding the ears. Sound is such a necessary ingredient to the enthusiast’s driving experience and this monster has it in spades. Buffeting is minimal at speed and during start-up a whirring from the starter then a whoomph as the engine engages. Other sound bits include shrieking at full throttle, a zing during a rev matched downshift, rumbling at part throttle, a faint humming while driving during the cylinder deactivation, fans heard on the side from the huge intake at stoplights. Someone could write code for an EV’s sound
system to recreate this, but it would be really fake and really cheesy. Bystanders enjoy the concert from this marvel, but an intentionally fake-sound transmitting EV just begs for regulation and posers in skinny jeans.

When Lamborghini added magnetic shocks and revised the shifting of the single clutch automated transmission, and the stiff monocoque carbon fiber passenger tub, and improved steering it became a more attractive option to the owner, especially relatively uncompromised in terms of weight and stiffness as a roadster. And now, it’s a surprisingly good GT car. It’s a bit heavy and doesn’t flick in
transitions as easily like a lighter car, but it sure talks to you. In the Strada mode the ride is excellent, thanks to the inboard magnetic shocks, its firm but not punishingly so. The owner likes the Sport mode, right in between.

It isn’t without faults. The stereo is reported as terrible by any production car standards (I was busy listening to the other concert), and it needs an annoying manual re-shift to first gear when sitting at light for about five seconds. In the quest for higher horsepower, some low end torque is missing, if you can consider 509 lb-ft at 5500rpm a sacrifice, and the hit occurs at about 3500rpm. The stock exhaust sounds amazing and doesn't need modifying. The YouTube videos of exhaust revving mishaps are not from stock exhaust cars...

The owner weighed it at 3950lbs but it does have carbon ceramic rotors as standard to reel it all in. Despite the weight, the coupe still clocked a 6:59.73 at the Nurburgring. Essentially the record among all cars still in production. And one of the leading magazines ran a 10.6 second, 135mph quarter mile, it’s in a particularly rare field of performance especially among unboosted and non-hybrid vehicles.

Normally aspirated performance cars are becoming rare, and some are already commanding a premium new and on the used market. V-12s in particular are a dying breed. Hopefully they won’t be totally obsoleted, after all these rolling pieces of craftsmanship and engineering may stay around in the digital age the way analog watches have. The Aventador leads the way right now in purity and
outrageousness.

Link to pics: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.977403555697689.1073741896.378354382269279&type=1&l=d94af3b346

Oil change interval advice from Ask Rob About Cars

The shop where I have my car serviced has been urging me to change my oil in my 2013 Mustang GT California Special more often. I've owned this vehicle since May 2012 and have 11K miles on it. Since I don't have time to drive it much I change the oil once a year since Ford recommends every 10K. The question is should I change it more often or is once a year with synthetic oil okay? Thank you, Russell in San Jose

Answer: Russell, modern engine oils and engine technology allow for the 10,000 mile oil change intervals. Keep in mind the manufacturer also offers a powertrain warranty for up to 100,000 miles so a 10k oil change interval is not harmful under “normal” conditions.

If your trips allow the engine to fully warm up and the oil temperature to get over 200 degrees regularly to evaporate moisture, you’re probably just fine. Keep in mind the manual says to start the engine every 15 days and allow it to reach normal operating temperature.

Ford puts particular emphasis on their oil life monitor stating a the oil change must be done within two weeks or 500 miles of the ENGINE OIL CHANGE DUE or OIL CHANGE message. Should the monitor be accidentally reset or inoperative, Ford states to change the oil at six months or 5000 miles and never exceed one year or 10,000 miles between oil changes. More extreme use as described in your manual will require more frequent changes and the readout should reflect this.

If you want laboratory data to compare, I highly recommend Blackstone Labs for a $28 oil analysis www.blackstone-labs.com. What would be interesting is how the oil life display readout correlates to the vehicle miles and the lab analysis.

The Ford Mustang GT350 and GT350R review

It’s the exhaust system. It’s an eye widening, amazing mechanical roar, both exotic and muscular at the same time. And that is in the Sport mode. In the standard mode, it’s a quiet cruiser and an excellent grand tourer. Comparisons to the BMW M4 are immediate and inevitable, it is that dialed in. Ford took the already very good Mustang platform and enhanced the suspension and drivetrain, and based on past drives of the current the model, the some interior bits as well.

The 2016 Ford Mustang GT350 is Ford’s flat plane crankshaft V-8 answer to the Camaro Z/28 but is absolutely street friendly and less expensive. The non-R version has a starting MSRP $47,995. It features a 5.2 liter V-8 rated at 524hp at 7500 rpm and a healthy 429 lb-ft. torque at 4,750 rpm. The 8000rpm redline makes for a long, hard pull to redline. With the exhaust in the quiet mode, and 80mph cruise is as silent as the BMW 3-series.

Styling takes the great lines of the current GT and adds more aggressive touches without overtly showing off, besides the stripes, of course. Two sets of twin exhaust tips are on either side of the rear fascia. The rear spoiler highlights the rear fascia and which had brilliant styling already. The front end slopes downward more than the standard GT. It’s subtle and very well done.

This particular one is owned by an avid collector and track day enthusiast, who also happens to have a GT350R as well. The R is reportedly the most track focused of the street legal factory track oriented versions of various cars he has experienced. The exhaust is louder (if you can believe it!) due to the lack of an intermediate resonator.  His opinion is that the GT350R was an
extreme choice for daily driving, and offered a quite different driving experience than the wonderful non-R GT350 changed when it was discovered the shipping blocks in the springs weren't removed.  However the Pilot Sport Cup 2s are temperature sensitive in case you want immediate fun. He knows what he’s talking about, with plenty of wheel time in nonstreet legal factory race cars.

There are no complaints about the car. It noticeably comes into the power band at 3500rpm, even to a passenger and is fully exploitable. The GT350 and R have been clocked running low 12s in the high teens in the quarter mile. A very similar trap speed to the BMW M4 and Corvette C7 manual.

The seats are excellent and the available features and amenities include a navigation system, rearview back-up camera and heated and air conditioned seats with the Technology package. MagneRide magnetic shocks are included in both the Technology and Track packages make for a firm, not harsh and nearly perfect for a performance car on the roads that were driven. A standard feature, and unheard of in street legal production cars until now, Electronic Line-Lock. It keeps the front brakes engaged while power can be applied to the rear wheels to spin the tires and warm them up for an ideal launch at the dragstrip.

Fortuitously the opportunity to hot lap a GT350R and quite a few others at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca presented itself shortly after the GT350 ride. And the R was simply fantastic. Everything about it was dialed in and despite a somewhat high hood line (not as bad as a Camaro SS), the only other two vehicles that have made such an immediately impression were the Audi R8 and Ferrari 458 despite having radically different layouts. It’s that good. The new Camaro SS, far better than the Gen. 5 from last year has the potential in Z/28 form but still will have detrimental sight lines. The ATS-V with its odd gearing, severe turbo lag and terrible Cue system isn’t even a contender. The BMW M4 is close, but the soundtrack isn't engaging and the limits aren't as brutal. Considering it further, it is reminiscent of the CLK63 and C63 Black Series cars on the track. Simply brilliant considering the weight and front engine layout.

Although dynamically different than the mid-engine exotics, the GT350R is supremely driver oriented with supportive seats, an excellent shifter, great turn-in, and a confidence inspiring level grip with no body roll and extreme traction that made one feel like a hero on the track. The engine sound with the windows open was awesome and the engine revs so high, one instinctively shifts early at 7,000 rpm. It is at that high rpm can the vibration from the engine can be felt in the shifter but that was only at full throttle. Makes one wonder how much vibration can be felt in other cars at high rpm when hiding vibration isn't a priority.

Torque was abundant on the track, following in a supercharged Cadillac CTS-V, the R would accelerate out of the turns quite nicely. Its performance level limits are seemingly immediately obtainable and not as intimidating as the Viper ACR. In a head-to-head comparison versus the amazingly capable Camaro Z/28, both driven by pro driver Randy Pobst, the R
was over a second quicker on the track. The only thing missing is a rev-match feature for downshifting. Note to Ford if ever offered: Don't put redundant buttons behind the steering wheel, the worst possible location.

Factoring in price, it truly deserved the Road & Track Performance Car of the Year. It doesn’t compromise, it is practical, has a quality feel, it's engaging and an excellent choice for a do-anything performance car. If you can give up the rear seats and plan on tracking it, get the R. It is simply a supreme track monster.

Update: Randy Pobst clocked a stunning 1:36.11 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in the GT350R. An absolutely amazing time!

Photos here:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.917600731677972.1073741881.378354382269279&type=1&l=b3ef041c3b

Ferrari 488 GTB owner interview

Over three years ago I published a comparison article of the Ferrari 458 Italia versus the McLaren MP4-12C. Now the same owner has a Ferrari 488 GTB and was gracious enough to share his insights. Tony Gaples, owner of the Blackdog Speedshop and driver of the #11 Blackdog Speedshop Chevrolet Z/28.R Camaro in the Pirelli World Challenge GTS series broadcast on CBS sports is the very happy owner of the black model pictured here.

First some background on the Ferrari 488 GTB which is the replacement for the 458 Italia, considered by many to be the best sports car in the world. Dropping the normally aspirated 4.5 liter V8 engine that peaked at 597 horsepower in the Speciale model, the engine is now a 3.9 liter twin turbo V8 producing 661 horsepower and 561 lbs ft of torque at 3,000rpm. By all accounts it is an improvement over the 458 except in one area. Read on.

Q: How would you sum up the Ferrari 488 GTB?
Everything is amazing except the exhaust sound which is exactly the same as my M5. You can't feel the turbos, I think Ferraris should always be naturally aspirated.

Q: What is your overall impression of the 488 GTB?
My overall impression of the car is Ferrari makes some of the best cars in the world. The 488 is a quarter step past the 458. I would still say the 458 is the second best manufacturer built performance car you can buy. This after its replacement, the 488. It is fast, with physics defying handling and amazing brakes all wrapped in a user friendly package with some of the best looks, which were carved in the wind tunnel.

Q: What do you like the most about it?
What I like the most can also be said about all the mid-engine Ferraris. They are like a motorcycle on four wheels. Frantic acceleration with an incredible suspension, stop-now brakes and great ergonomics.

Q: Is there anything you don’t like about it?
There isn't much to not like with the 488. Even though the turbo power comes on as if they weren't there, I feel Ferraris should be naturally aspirated. The exhaust note still has a Ferrari sound to it but not as intense as prior models without turbos. I'm not sure if I have an electrical glitch, but under heavy braking it turns on the hazard lights. This I don't like at all. I don't want to advertise how fast I'm scrubbing off speed.

Q: Any surprises with the car?
No real surprises, but I'm glad Ferrari has finally adopted a keyless ignition since you had to hit a start button anyway. Also it’s neat to have a speedometer and tachometer for the passenger. The exhaust note is reminiscent of a BMW M5, yet louder and more bravado but still definitely a Ferrari.

Q: Ferrari purposely tuned the power delivery to mimic a naturally aspirated engine. What is your feedback having experienced this?
The power and torque curve has a very naturally aspirated feeling. There's always a kick in your back with any press of the go pedal in any gear. Hard not to like, but again I prefer naturally aspirated.

Q: What differences and improvements that you noticed versus the 458 Italia?
If you had a 458 it's a natural progression sitting in the cabin if the 488, not much has changed and what has is for the better. I'm not missing a thing. The improvements are all small. More power and better usability over the 458.

Q: What about a 458 Speciale, the last normally aspirated, non-hybrid assist, mid-engine Ferrari?
I also own a 458 Speciale and will probably keep that car forever. The pinnacle of the 458's.

Q: Any plans to track the car, especially given your level of experience and knowledge?
Even though the 488 GTB comes out of the box ready for race track, I suspect I'll never take on there because if I'm at a race track I'm generally working on my #11 Blackdog Speedshop Chevrolet Z/28.R Camaro or trying to squeeze out better times from my 2014 COPO Camaro depending on the track. Note: Tony’s Copo Camaro is a deep 9-second, 140+mph dedicated drag car.

Q: Turbo cars are easy to modify with increasing boost, would you ever consider it or have you looked into it?
I don't anticipate playing with the turbos on the 488 for more power, but we may see some Blackdog turbo packages for Camaros and Corvettes in the future.

Q: Assuming McLaren has made improvements to their cars over the years, would you consider a 650S or 675LT?
After the McLaren MP4-12C I've been soured on buying another McLaren. They may be much better cars now, but I'm not going to take the risk to find out.

Q: Any final words?
It’s fast as (insert favorite expletive here)! In any gear.

Update: A the Ferrari Finali Mondiali, I had a guess ride in a stock 488 GTB at Daytona International Speedway on December 4th . Driven by Toni Vilander, factory AF Corse Ferrari driver. It sounds great but the exhaust note is definitely muted as Tony stated. Blazingly fast, we hit 182mph on the back half of the track! It's an absolutely outstanding car.

The 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 might be the optimal sports car

What more can be said about the Porsche Cayman GT4 that hasn’t been said already about the Cayman S and GTS? Take the best sports car under $100k, give it more power, grip and aero, keep it under $100k still, and it keeps the title. And of course, one of the best overall sports cars period. Mid-engine, light weight, powerful and Porsche quality adds up to a near perfect package.

This 2016 GT4 is a gorgeous Sapphire Blue on 20” thin spoke wheels showing lots of big brakes and red calipers. The 20” wheels allow and dictate great body curves with an aggressive but not overly obtrusive wing. Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes, also known as PCCBs were not chosen due to the cost of the option and replacement cost if the car is tracked regularly.

This GT4 will likely be tracked at least once, and always driven with passion. The owner knows Porsches and previous cars he’s owned being a 996 GT3 and 997 GT3 RS 3.8 with lap times at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca of 1:37.7 and 1:36.369 respectively on Hoosier R6 DOTs. So rest assured this car will be driven as designed, and represented very well. Tidbit: The GT4’s front axle from the 911 GT3.

Typical Porsche quality and workmanship is featured throughout the cabin, even the pull straps in lieu of door handles are designed and installed with care and a smooth, bolt-action precision feel when opening the door from within; from a pull strap mechanism, no less! The deep, one-piece carbon fiber backed lightweight sport buckets from the 918 Spyder are very comfortable once you get used to the
fixed, upright backrest angle. However, they have an extremely wide range of height adjustment and plenty of leg room. One interior complaint is the parking brake switch, never knowing which direction activates it versus release, and the sound is noticeable. Sometimes leaving an intrusive manual lever is best.

The GT4 3.8 liter boxer 6 cylinder engine is from the Porsche 911, supposedly filling up the available space so that the PDK dual-clutch won’t fit, leaving only a manual, albeit with very tall gearing, one of the few complaints about the car. Rated at 385hp, Car & Driver magazine tested it in the ¼ mile in 12.3 seconds at 117mph; roughly the same as the new Corvette manual. This is easily a high 11-second car if it had the PDK transmission, especially with more aggressive ratios. The EPA rating isn’t exceptional at 18 city and 23 highway. Do you care about that in a high performance car? The curb weight is only 3,050 pounds!

The owner reports the brakes are extreme, the massive rotors along with the 245-front, 295-rear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s mounted on 8.5” and 11” wheels had a 70mph-0 braking distance of 151 feet which is exceptional. Understeer has been reported by the magazines but keyboard warriors probably don’t know an aggressive, track-oriented alignment could change that. From a lapping perspective, Randy Pobst, clocked a 1:37.43 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. This is quicker than the new Corvette and any other sub-500hp car. except of course, a 997 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 3.8 liter. Motor Trend used to have a summary of their excellent "Laguna Lap" reference, but now Fastestlaps.com is keeping track for therm.

The sport exhaust has a great tone, very sporty yet not overly obtrusive nor obnoxious. It fits its size, power and intent. Especially with the auto rev-match downshifting which makes anyone sound like a pro. The Cayman GT4 is easily a daily driver or a track star with a purity that is quickly going away: Normally aspirated, light weight, rear wheel drive, no hybrid assist, manual transmission yet still livable and practical enough despite the mid-engine layout with impressive performance. Does it really get any better?

Album pics: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.983478208423557.1073741898.378354382269279&type=1&l=b0c30677b1

Pirelli World Challenge is the best racing you have never seen

On Sunday, September 13th of this year, the best racing in the western hemisphere concluded its season at nearby Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca but few actually witnessed it. Why is it so good? Because the Pirelli World Challenge GT cars are closely related to what is sold to the public, it is a 50 minute sprint, and the action is fierce. The short race duration means it is easy to follow without a
scoreboard, there is no pit stop, driver change or fueling strategy. It is intense and spectator friendly.

The problem is awareness, competition from another series, lack of a timely broadcasts on a major network and overall malaise regarding auto racing in the US. Imagine seeing your favorite exotic and performance cars racing neck and neck in a big group of twists and turns. These are not overweight, under-tired, under-braked special construction cars that go around in circles with no relation
whatsoever to what is on the street.

This series features raced prepped models such as: Ferrari 458, Porsche GT3, McLaren 650S, Mercedes SLS, Audi R8, Bentley Continental, Nissan GT-R, Aston Martin Vantage, Dodge Viper, Lamborghini Gallardo, BMW Z4, Cadillac ATS-V* and Acura TLX*. The last two are notable because of the extreme modifications to allow them to participate and be competitive. The ATS-V is essentially a purpose-built race car with the engine relocated much further back in the chassis. Same with the Acura but all wheel drive is added. So neither translates well at all to the street version, but manufacturer involvement is always good and the racing is close.

For some reason there are no privateers racing Corvettes unlike past years. The base LT1 engine would need modifying and the Z06 LT4 engine is unsuitable for motorsport circuit racing because it is supercharged. Next year will likely see the Lamborghini Huracan making an appearance. And soon the Ferrari 488 GTB will show up as well, but detuned like the McLaren, down to roughly 550hp to
keep parity. Parity is always a topic of debate, the desire to keep the racing close yet still let the cars do the talking. Since the Viper,  McLaren, Ferrari are all over 600hp stock now, and Porsche has had 600hp-plus production engines, it would be a good time to let the cars run at stock power levels instead of de-tuned.

The series had multiple support races occurring over the weekend as well as some vendor booths for the fans that always have some really cool clothes, memorabilia, artwork and more. The Maserati Trofeo race sounds and looks great, but isn’t the fastest. Unfortunately the Pirelli World Challenge (PWC) series is diluted with multiple, slower classes that make tracking and caring about the results too complicated. GTS, GTA, TC, TCA, TCB etc. is just too much. Granted amateurs should be recognized as well as the pros, but this many classes just makes for a big, “Who cares?” Most fans just want to know the finish order, not what classes did what. It was purer when it was just GT and Touring Car only.

The final race was an exciting one, with hard charger Olivier Beretta moving up from 12th in his Ferrari 458 GT3 challenging Johnny O’Connell in the factory Cadillac ATS-VR GT3 for 3rd place with 10 laps to go. A bad pass attempt by Beretta spun them both, and a drive-through penalty still had Beretta ahead of O’Connell for the series championship but unfortunately contact with the wall 4 laps before the finish gave the championship O’Connell and Cadillac, their 4th consecutive one. Just shows what a great race car Cadillac built and what a great race car driver Johnny O’Connell is. Even if you scoff at a factory effort, special construction car competing against the exotics, it is still a notable accomplishment.

Next year Nissan will be involved with the GT-R (one of the taller race cars), the aforementioned Ferrari and Lamborghini will appear as well as the Mercedes AMG GT. The Pirelli World Challenge series will be in the Bay Area twice in 2016. First at Sonoma Raceway the weekend of September 17th & 18th and back at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca October 8th & 9th. Don’t miss it this time!

Album pics: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.983483338423044.1073741899.378354382269279&type=1&l=b3d71b5fec

The 2015 San Francisco International Auto Show review

The 58th annual San Francisco International Auto Show is being held Saturday, November 21st through Sunday, November 29th at the Moscone Center featuring thirty-eight of the major manufacturers in in the world. Skipping Thanksgiving, the show hours go until 9pm except Friday and Saturdays until 10pm. Tickets are a bargain at only $10, and children under 12 are free. Just make sure they respect the cars…

Numerous special attractions are always part of the show such as special interest vehicles and driving simulators. Test drives are available, and although downtown San Francisco is hardly ideal, bumpy city streets and a short stint on the highway can reveal a lot. Ford, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Smart and Toyota all offer test drives, including some electric models. If you're attending or a shopper, be sure to stop by the Myhopscotch.com car buying service booth and enter to win a $1000 cash prize. Changing the car buying experience, they claim a $4480 average savings for their clients.

The Academy of Art Classic Car Collection is always impressive, with excellent examples on display. Be sure to find the Auto Salon, it can be easily missed in the Esplanade Ballroom. Race cars from past and present in Gasoline Alley can have some highlights as well as real duds. The Ferrari Club of America is gracious enough to have cars on display, always an open question of what will be there, past and present models. The classic car collection is a must see for aficionados this year but the Ferrari display is by owners and has no new models.

Some of the featured cars from each make are roped off. The Corvette Z06, the Hellcat Charger, Cadillac CTS-V, Lexus GS-F, Porsche 918 Spyder, Audi R8, and Ford GT350 could not be accessed. There is no Viper or Viper ACR, no Acura NSX, no Ford GT, no Porsche GT3, or any new Ferrari. Bentley and Maserati have limited access areas for good reason because their cars look amazing.

How they manage the crowds and sticky hands from children must be a sight to see. The Japanese automakers seem to all be moving towards taillights that sweep forward into the side body of the car, a trend they really need to move away from, and quickly.

Surprises included a Pagani Huayra, Bugatti Veyron, and the Porsche 918. The race car display should be relocated to the esplanade where the Auto Salon cars are located since they are harder to find and far more interesting. However since many are roped off with hoods closed, repetitive four door sedans and few if any fact sheets, it was rather boring along with limited photo opportunities because of being parked so close together and roped off. The “stance” cars all look like they have broken axles and as for the modified ones, an enthusiast in California would ask how many have actually seen a track or a passing smog certificate? In theory, with 40 awards to be handed out, just nearly every car there can win one. It is a must see, regardless of your opinion of them.

The show is excellent, providing variety for everyone and the $10 entry fee a bargain considering parking will cost more than the entry fee. The spokespersons in attendance are knowledgeable about the cars for the average shopper and if they don’t know an answer, are able to obtain answers when asked. The show appeals to enthusiasts, shoppers and the curious looking for something to do. Be sure to attend the best new car auto show in Northern California.

Picture album, 60 pics! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.732614963509884.1073741869.378354382269279&type=1&l=01c2f43ddc

The Quail Motorsports Gathering expands in 2015

Not much can be said about The Quail automotive event that hasn’t been already. Held on Friday, August 14th at The Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel-By-The Sea. It was the must-attend event on that day. When one stays at a “car show” from 8:30am to 4pm as an attendee, you know it is something very special. I was barely able to wrap my head around its awesomeness, I finally set out to experience a variety of cuisines and they were amazing. This year the show expanded across the street at the expense of very close parking to include additional displays, vendors and food tents.

Ferrari was prominently on display this year, whether it was the spectacular custom coachbuilt Ferraris that seemed underappreciated, a gaggle of F50s which is almost unheard of in the US or a couple of LaFerraris with stunning paintwork.

Other categories were the Long Tail Cars of Le Mans, Iconic Pre-1965 Porsches, Pre-War Sports & Racing, Post-War Sports, Supercars, and Sports & Racing Motorcycles. The manufacturer displays were amazing as always. BMW in the center with their colorful 3.0 CSL Hommage R, Bentley had their stunning 1/1 EXP 10 Speed 6, Lamborghini President Stephan Winkelmann presented the world debut of the Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster, Pagani had a large display with a bunch of cars cleverly spread out for lots of photo opportunities. Porsche had the 911 GT3 RS and the previous generation RS 4.0. Also, Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Koenigsegg, Lincoln, Maserati, Rolls Royce (that Wraith!) and others all had the latest or amazing on their stages. The stunning Speedback GT, a rebodied, reimagined Jaguar XKR by David Brown Automotive harkened back to the days of custom coachwork sports cars.

Speaking of custom, the Coachbuilt Ferraris were extra special. Based on the blazing fast F12 grand tourer, the elegance of the Touring Superleggera Berlinetta Luso matched the name beautifully. Another highlight was the visit by the Ford GT350s who were racing and hotlapping at nearby Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. And several of those GT350s were brand new if you catch my drift…

The food pavilions featuring the cuisines from Bangkok, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Hong Kong, New York and Paris were absolutely delicious, representing locations of the Peninsula Hotels. Spending the entire day from media preview to close meant sampling nearly everything. Unfortunately, this meant missing the nearby Bonhams Auction although the walk there was like attending an exotic car show in itself. In the other direction, the Porsche Zentrum building featured the Porsche Cayman GT4.

Always entertaining, the Fireside Chat with German Formula One Champion Jochen Mass delighted the crowd with accounts of his 114 Formula One World Championship Grand Prix races while interviewed by Alain de Cadenet. British Sports Car Racing Champion DerekBell and his son, Justin Bell, British race car driver and renowned U.S.-based media personality traded stories from their combined decades-long careers on the main stage .

In the morning, The Honorable Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, joined by William E. Connor and Christian Philippsen opened the day by detailing plans for a new international automotive award, The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best. Starting in 2016, the new award will bring together the best of show winners from six of the top concourse events from around the globe to The Quail stage, to compete for the title of the most exceptional car in the world. Truly a destination event in itself.

This year, the Best of Show went to the 1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale seen in the slideshow. Exclusive, and expensive, The Quail is a unique and splendid experience that every enthusiast should include on their bucket list.

Album here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.695515513886496.1073741863.378354382269279&type=1&l=741e8d23f3

The McCall Motorworks Revival party of magical machines with tires

Kicking off the Monterey Car Week, Gordon McCall’s Motorworks Revival celebrated its 24th anniversary on Wednesday, August 12th, 2015. Held at the Monterey Jet Center in two hangers, the party once again thoroughly entertained all who attended. Starting at 5pm with a photo opportunity and being greeted with a flute of Champagne, it was a red carpet experience.

Seemingly more aviation themed than the past few years, automotive and motorcyclist enthusiasts were not disappointed. There are not many other events where you can speak with Horace Pagani in front of his artful supercars or with Christian von Koenigsegg at his One:1 display. There were many other notable displays. Honda brought their new NSX as well as the HondaJet aircraft, Maserati, Singer Porsche, McLaren with a 650S Spider and 570S and seeing the new Ford GT in person was a real treat. Mecum brought in vehicles to preview before their auction at the Hyatt as well which was another photo opportunity.

Tickets started at $350 or $425 the day of the event, but besides the airplanes, helicopters, and all types of wonderful automobiles, guests enjoyed complimentary champagne and wines from Bernardus and Roederer Estate along with delicious hors d'oeuvre and lite bites, an oyster bar and various desserts. It was quite divine from a culinary perspective besides a visual perspective.
Benefitting the California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation for spouses and children of fallen officers, an auction was held featuring a 1956 356 Porsche replica, a Baume Mercier Capeland chronograph timepiece, a four-day driving experience at the Bondurant High Performance School of Driving, a vintage styled electric bike with CHP motif and a collection of products donated by CosBar of Carmel.

And of course well known attendees included Keanu Reeves, Wayne Carini, Adam Carollla and Reggie Jackson. Other notables from the motorsports arena included last names such as Bondurant, Brock, Sullivan, Rainey and Lawson. The only minor negative was not enough seating for the ladies in their glamorous attire with corresponding shoes. The thoughtful gift bag included a very nice color program, bottled water, a McCall hat and some little snacks. Truly a kickoff, it’s a sneak peak of all the awesome cars that are seen or spotted throughout the week with access like none other. It’s an opportunity to feel like a VIP, to truly attend and experience something magical among works of art and science that happen to have tires.

Album link:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.694743150630399.1073741860.378354382269279&type=1&l=e12bfbc80f