Carfreax

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Spa Francorhcamps Six Hours Classic. A CFX blast from the past, but not without a reason. Back in 2004 a bunch of Dutch Carfreax decided to top of an exciting season and put some icing on the cake in Belgium. It was the year we crossed the channel to Goodwood. Dressed to impress with our own tees and cars in full flavor with home made ralley tags. During late summer we headed south to visit to the wonderful circuit near Spa as an one day event, waffles included.

 

Those were the days. Compact cameras from the early hours of digital photography, equipped with low resolution, but highly motivated Carfreax on the trigger, hungry for vrooops and vroaarrs in Flanders. A long but satisfying hike around one of the last natural circuits of the world. The legendary slopes and curves, classic cars chasing each other into the night. Up close with the action on the track and in the paddock. An experience.

And now, five years later, this historic circuit seems in danger. And yes, racing is not politically correct, but closing the Spa circuit would be a nightmare for every petrol head among us. Our memories are sweet and we want to return in 2010. If you share this feeling, please sign the petition here.

 

PIMA AIR MUSEUM

 

After living for almost two years in California there were still unticked boxes on my to-do list. Unseen places and events. Just a couple of months after my return to Germany I decided to go back to the States for unfinished business. This time as a tourist, packed with a new camera, fresh out of the box.

Prepping up for the big trip. Hovering over Arizona on Google Earth. Patterns of abandoned planes in the dessert . The Aircraft Boneyard near Tucson is set as one of the many milestones during our three week long trip through the States. The expectations are high and reality has a hard time living up to it as we found out.

The Pima Air museum has its ups and downs. The light is fantastic. Baking aluminium sculptures in a dusty environment. Cliche reflection studies in reality. And yes, this museum proudly presents an original SR71. Childhood poster in the flesh, what a piece of art! Outside the planes are carefully protected against climatic influences. Canopies are covered with paint, air intakes closed with wood. The contrast with the Gatow Museum near Berlin could not be bigger. Ivo and I decide to leave the touristic tour around the boneyard for what it is: a too comfortable ride in an air-conditioned bus with tinted windows. Ten points for content, a few less for the experience. Nevertheless a quick and inspiring visit.

 

FLASH OF GENIUS

"It's just a windshield wiper". 

CFX and movies. Normally we think about squeaking tyres and high revving engines. Today, heading home on a rainy monday night, I stubbled onto a movie that tells the story about a man and his invention. Back in the sixties, in a flash of genius, Dr. Kearns came up with the idea of the intermittent windshield wiper. A feature that soon would be a standard spec on many Ford  automobiles.

Flash of Genius is a movie about justice and persistence. One man versus the big automotive industry, David against Goliath. Shot in beautiful colors, the right props and settled in the late sixties Michigan landscape. In one of the key scenes, two Mach One Mustangs roll into view with growling V8's, a rainy night in Detroit. Tucker (a man and his dream) meets JFK. A must see for all car enthusiasts and those who believe in the power of ideas.

Dutch Design Week 'part 2'

After the 'part 1' posting on the DDW, I cannot do anything else than complete the picture. It wasn't just about the 'artier' kind of design. There were also quite some B2B incentives and, it has to be said, at least three of the CFX community were 'active' on that stage!