Los Angeles, CA May 4, 2012 - The classic movie Le Mans starring Steve McQueen captures the drama and excitement of one of the world’s greatest motor sports events.  Le Mans is a fictional race and semi love story that is wrapped around real Le Mans footage and real race cars.  Dare I suggest that there is a new movie that may be its equal in drama and yet is a documentary.  This is the story of the Audi Team at La Mans in 2011.  They pulled together after some unimaginable race events and came out victorious.  The movie is Truth in 24 II “every second counts” and it will air on Speed TV this Saturday PST 1:00 pm.  Make the time or make your DVR capture it for you but try not to miss it.  The story includes the background and preparation needed for the Audi Team to ready for the worlds most challenging car race.  The winning drivers will travel the furthest distance in 24 hours by driving fast, taking chances and having a strong team to back them up.  Audi takes the fight to Peugeot where Audi’s young driving guns are relentless for 24 hours.  Non race fans and even my teenage daughter can enjoy this story.  Truth in 24 II “every second counts” airs for the first time on Speed TV, Saturday May 5th at 1:00 pm.  I certainly enjoyed it and I think you will as well.  This is Rick Herrick for Big Bear News.

Audi drivers: Andre Lotterer, Benoit Treluyer,Marcel Fassler, winners of the 2011 24 hours of LaMans

Dallara DW12

Long Beach, CA, April 15, 2012 – Every spring in Long Beach is what I consider the best street circuit race of the season and this year was no exception.  The Indy series drivers always have great things to say about the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.  The ocean views are world class, the race fans come from all over and number well into the hundreds of thousands and the city vibrates with excitement.  The new Dallara DW12 Indy race car for this year looks much better in person than on paper and although this year’s times seem slower no one was complaining.  In lap 22 when Marco Andretti popped over the rear tire of Graham Rahal and momentarily sent Marco airborne followed by a hard hit to the tire barrier it was apparent that this new chassis could take a beating, hold together and protect the driver.  Also new for this year is the use of several engine manufacturers which I feel adds a new dimension to the race.  Chevrolet Honda and Lotus are the players and so far Chevrolet seems to be more consistent finishing Long Beach with 7 of the top 10 positions.  Surprisingly Dario Franchitti had a poor showing after taking the poll.  On the first turn, of the first lap, Dario in my opinion, tapped the number 2 pole sitter Josef Newgarden ending his day before it got started.  Maybe it was karma from that moment on Franchitti could not put the wheels back on his wagon finishing 15th.

Bobby Rahal - Sato Pits

Simon Pagenaud with a three stop strategy held the lead for a number of laps but in the end it was British driver Will Power who started 12th finishing on top with less than a second margin over second place Pagenaud.  James Hinchcliffe finished third taking the last podium spot that Takuma Sato in the number 15 car seemed most destined to take.  But as racing goes it’s not over till you get the checkered flag Sato was taken out by Ryan Hunter Reay, Hunter was penalized 30 seconds and so dropped his position but that can’t replace the loss that Sato experienced being denied his first and only IRL podium spot.  You could feel see and almost hear the emotions overflowing from the Sato pit crew.  Former F1 driver Rubens Barrichello and Helio Castroneves made the last moments of the race even more chaotic as their crash in the hairpin blocked the track and forced Powers to climb from his car there and celebrate his victory alongside the wrecks.

Will Power

Later Powers went on to say that starting 12th and finishing on top seemed to be impossible goal but that seems to be what has recently worked for him.  The next stop is San Paulo Brazil.

Ernie Serfas (on left) and Rick Romans (on right) were the Big Bear Racers of the Year. Ken Myers, sponsor of the award is in the center with the Napa Cup.

Big Bear, Ca, January 12, 2012, 5:00pm -

The Big Bear Valley is home to motor sports racers in a variety of disciplines, from desert racing to short track, dirt and asphalt racing, motorcycles, junior dragsters, and even go kart racing.  This week motor sports racers were honored at the Napa Auto Parts Racer of the Year dinner and banquet. Over 50 people were in attendance to recognize   racers of the year Ernie Serfas, and Rick Romans who both took the championships in their respective classes.  Serfas races 1450 trucks, and Romans races class 1 unlimited, both with Mojave Off Road Racing Enthusiasts, down in the Johnson Valley area.  The youngest racer in attendance was seven year old Austin Edwards, who is following his father Tony’s footsteps into the racing arena.  Austin has been racing go karts since he was five years old, and next year Austin will be of age to start competing in Bandoleros, which is a vehicle with a high performance small engine, and helps transition youngsters from go kart to a full size car.  Other local race champions include Cliff and Jim Conklin, Johnny Russo, and Sean Walters.  The Mojave off-road racing will start up for 2012 on January 21^st, with other forms of racing to follow. 

Concorso Italiano displays the finest classic Italian cars including this gathering of the highly desirable Ferrari Dino

The Concourse Italiano was well attended and the presentation and setting at the Laguna Seca Golf Ranch was better than any previous year. 

Sam and Gianni Cabiglio at Concorso Italiano Centerpiece display their 1959 Fiat 750 Abarth

The cars were the best collection of Italian cars found anywhere perhaps outside Italy.  Besides such names as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati one of the brand marks that attracted a lot of attention was the Fiat Abarth of Sam Cabiglio of Big Bear City.   Sam, who is a renowned sports car collector, exotic car dealer and Porsche expert along with his son Gianni spent most of the day delightfully describing their small Italian gem.  

If the day was not long enough, later that afternoon Sam was called upon to help verify the authenticity of the serial number of a very rare and valuable 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS.  This perticular RS serial number was questioned in an on-line chat room prior to it’s possible sale at the RM auction.  High drama is created when hundreds of thousands of dollars are hanging on such verifications.  In a weird twist a very similar 911 RS was being auctioned the next night at Russo and Steele and then with several helpers in tow, Cabiglio was able to get access and compare the serial numbers appearances.  As the VIN chatter reached a high pitch more questions were raised than could be answered that night. With so much on the line for buyers and sellers, the Carrera RS was pulled from the RM auction line at the last possible moment.  Even reality TV is not as real as this episode, talk about drama. 

Sam Cabiglio was called in to help verify the authenticity of a serial number on the 1973 Carrera RS

Sports car racing in Pebble Beach is what originally ignited the Concours de Elegance 61 years ago.   The Rolex Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway offered but perhaps some of the greatest excitement over the weekend for Big Bear resident Tom Sakai driving his Sunbeam Tiger.  

Tom Sakai of Big Bear with his Sunbeam Tiger vintage race car at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

With great delight Tom described his classic Tiger overtaking the more powerful 427 Shelby Cobra in two races that day.  Tom’s ability to mix it up with more powerful cars in the leading group demonstrated his commitment to the sport of vintage auto racing.  What makes this type of racing so thrilling for race fans is that famous racecars and drivers are very approachable at this particular vintage race.  The cork screw and Laguna Seca’s natural setting makes this race track special for all sports car fans who are allowed to wander the race paddock and rub elbows with the people and machines who made history on the track.  

During all the excitement of the week many auto manufactures use the concentration of to auto enthusiasts to reveal new concept cars such as the Cadillac CELS a convertible with design elements from perhaps a classic Chris Craft.  Infinity’s 4-door concept had what could be best described as elements derived from a falcon bird of prey.  These and other concepts are all beautiful examples demonstrating the future of the auto industry. 

Almost as entertaining as any other auto event for the week are the auctions.  As mentioned earlier, the quality of the cars listed for auction brings millions of dollars every evening as rare and beautiful cars change hands.  For example, a car owned by car racer and actor Steve McQueen, a Porsche 911s made famous by it’s past owner as well as having a leading roll in the opening of the 1971 McQueen movie Le Mans was up for auction.  

Steve McQueen owned and drove this car in the 1971 movie Le Mans

The hammer price reached an astounding 1.3 million dollars.  A phone bidder topped several bidders in the room including Estonia Ruf of Ruf Porsche manufacturing fame.  Not to be out done, the Russo and Steele auction, which spills out into the streets of downtown Monterey, was in it’s entirety some of the best entertainment and was by far the most popular auction for downtown spectators.  The storybook growth of David Gooding and his auction at the equestrian center at Pebble Beach is legendary.  The quality and as such the prices seen at his auctions are without doubt exceptional.  David’s relationships in the classic car industry and his extensive knowledge combines for two nights of well attended auctions that need to be seen to be believed.  Friday’s record results for Gooding was highlighted with a Ferrari Testa Rosa 250 when spirited bidding climbed through the roof garnering over 16 million dollars as the hammer fell.  That one car sale produced in more money in a singular auction lot than many other classic car auctions sell in an entire day.  

16 Million dollar Ferrari Testa Rosa 250 sold at the Gooding Auction

The Gooding and Company auction also helped with the sale of rock singer Sheryl Crow’s  personal 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster to benefit the community of Joplin, following a devastating tornado that swept through this southwest Missouri city earlier this summer. It was an exciting opportunity for both car collectors and Sheryl Crow fans.  

Sheryl Crow with Jay Leno at Pebble Beach prior the auction of her 1959 Mercedes-Bens 190 SL

The auction followed an appearance by Sheryl Crow with Jay Leno at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.  The final price was a generous $143,000.00 and all going to a good cause. 

It is hard to put into words and harder to keep up with even a fraction of the happenings on the Monterey Peninsula during the week leading up to the Concours de Elegance on Sunday. 

Thousands flock from all corners of the earth to show and view the best cars on the planet.  Every year is special as it takes at least 10 years to have a car re-invited to be shown again.  If you love cars, art and the outdoor beauty of the 18^th green at Pebble Beach then every August you must make plans view these very special cars.   This year not only restored cars are winners but there is a very popular preservation class that shows off the cars in their original state with all the age spots in place.  The best of show went to the streamline and rarely seen 1934 Vosin C-25 owned by Peter and Merle Mullin of Los Angeles.  Vosin originally an aircraft manufacturer built cars after World War I and its aviation roots are easily recognized even to the untrained eye. 

1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne Best of Show winner 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

 This week in the Monterey Peninsula attracts the best and the most beautiful of the automotive world and without doubt should be experienced by anyone who appreciates the art of the automobile, a road trip on Highway 1 through Big Sur and the beauty of the California coast.

Sir Stirling Moss and John Surtees; top British racers from the 60's share stories of their many F1 victories

Sir Stirling Moss reunited with his 1955 Mille Miglia winning Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, #722 on the lawn of Pebble Beach

Over 5,000 people attended the Big Bear Lake Antique Car Club Fun Run Car Show in the Village

Big Bear, Ca, August 15, 2011 -

August has so far been an outstanding month for events in the Big Bear Valley with thousands of people attending signature events such as the Big Bear Air Fair, and the Big Bear Lake Antique Car Club Fun Run.  This past weekend the fun run attracted more than 5,000 people to the Village of Big Bear Lake to see nearly 500 antique cars from roadsters, hot rods, classics and antiques, line the streets of the village, and make their way around the lake.  Over 2,000 people ventured over to the Renaissance Faire in Fawnskin for Elizabethan era entertainment.  If you missed the Renaissance Faire last weekend, you are in luck as it will continue this weekend in Fawnskin, with a special sword fighting demonstration added to the list of entertianment for Sunday.  Over at the Big Bear City Airport 79 kids participated in the Young Eagles program, and all children were taken on plane rides in small 2 and 4 seater planes.  For the active crowd over 40 people participated in the Butler Peak hike, part of the Seven Summits hike series.  The August fun will continue this weekend with the Cowboy Gathering at the Performing Arts Center, and Art on the Lake at the Marina Resort.  For more information on upcoming events visit EventsInBigBear.com or BigBearNews.com and visit our event calendar. 

Over 40 people hiked up to Butler Peak with the Seven Summits of Big Bear Hike Series

Website: www.antiquecarclub.org