So, as I continue this new quest of blogging, I thought I would share a little more about me. My real passion in life is exotic sports cars. Yes, Ferraris, Porsches, and Mercedes, oh my! I am not really sure when this obsession started, but I do know that it grew rapidly in the late ’90s.
I was living in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts, not very far from the Connecticut countryside. I found out about a racetrack called Lime Rock in Lakeville, CT. I had been a car lover previously, but this put me over the top. I remember going to the track with my camera and not knowing what to shoot first. Some of the rarest cars in the world would be there. Cars I never knew were in the States. Bikes that you had heard of, but never thought you would see in your lifetime. It was my Mecca. I was hooked.
There were usually four or five main events throughout the year that were open to the public. My favorite was the Ferrari Challenge. I remember as a child I had a Ferrari Testarossa radio controlled car. Maybe that’s where it came from. I can see it like it was yesterday. Ferraris in many colors, engines screaming around the track at high speeds. Brand new Ferraris as well as vintage works of art.
Other weekends brought out different events and cars. I can remember the weekend they introduced the Bugatti Veyron to the public at Lime Rock. What a beautiful machine. Quad turbo, 16 cylinder engine producing 1,001 horsepower. I think top speed is around 253 mph. Insane! That same weekend, I got to hang out in a Rolls Royce Phantom, as they were introducing it to the public as well. I love that place.
Mercedes has always been a car I loved as well. I especially love the lines of these cars. The Germans sure can shape a car. I have always wanted to own an S-Class. Such a big, beautiful car. The SL and the CL are also works of art. Especially when you put the AMG package on them and toss that huge motor in. Gorgeous!
Porsche has a great quality as well as design. I was fortunate enough to be at Lime Rock one Summer when a huge Porsche event was going on. I was fortunate enough to see the Porsche 959, a very special Porsche that I never dreamed I would see in person. What an honor that was.
As I grow in my photography, one of my goals is to do some exotic shoots. I really would like to find people with high end sports cars that would let me shoot them, fulfilling both my passion for photography and the cars as well. So, if you know someone with a great car, that will let me take some pictures of it, please let me know. This is something I must do, and I hope this year is the year.
I will do some digging on some old hard drives and see if I can find some of these cars from my early days of shooting and show you what I have seen. Thank you Lime Rock for fueling my passion. And thank you for reading my blog! Here’s a pic I took at Lime Rock a few years ago.
Ferrari Enzo and Challenge Stradale
Getting to photograph luxury sports cars–that would be quite a gig. Best wishes with your dream.
Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate the kind words. It would be a dream come true. I will keep trying to fulfill this goal. One day it shall be mine!
So cool! I like cars too, but more of the vintage kind.
If I may make a recommendation? Start hanging out at the Car Museum and their events in Saratoga, there are some really nice people up there who LOVE cars and might be able to point you in the right direction…and see if there’s a Meet Up locally for Car Enthusiasts. I used to have an in with some pretty awesome cars, but I lost it when my ex and I split up.
Thanks! I will definitely check it out. The meetup idea is great too! I also love vintage cars, but prefer the newer more aerodynamic models. Did I ever mention that I saw a 1930s Bentley drophead coupe at one of the SAM’s lawn shows? Absolutely gorgeous! We will have to talk cars someday.
Exotic, fast cars? Ferrari? Porsche? This had my name written all over it!
I could talk cars for days…especially cars meant for going over 80.
I agree with Cute~Ella’s suggestions. Definitely check out the Saratoga Auto Museum and see if they have any events or groups meeting there that you could get in touch with. While you’re there, check out the museum…some of my Grandpa’s racing memorabilia is in there.
Very cool! I so want to sit down with you someday and pick your brain about racing. I can imagine that you have some pretty amazing stories. I will definitely check out the SAM. I got to shoot the Ferraris on the Lawn there a few years ago, one of which is now my Twitter thumbnail.
Where did you live in the Berkshires? My mom and stepdad lived in Great Barrington. He still teaches at Simon’s Rock.
Nice blog, Michael.
What a small world! I lived in Lee for about 14 years. It’s probably ten or fifteen minutes from Barrington. Simon’s Rock is a great school with some incredibly brilliant students. Thanks for stopping by, it means a lot to see you here!
Keep up the good work, Mike.
Thanks Chun! Happy Birthday buddy! Got any big plans?
Good read Mike. I still enjoy the ultra-crazy and rare cars of the modern age and some of the older sort too. I should show you some Ferrari shots from New Zealand I took this year.
Still yet I prefer the pure and functional Japanese cars to include the Honda NSX, S2000, Nissan Silvia series and the Skylines just to name a few. And by saying this means that they are fairly easier to attain compared to the higher priced pasta rockets and German cars. But thats just me.
When the warm weather gets here again we will have to meet up and get some photo of the S2 and Shawns car too. That would be sweet!
-Westy
Hey Westy! Thanks for the input. I do have a special place in my heart for the Skyline R34 in Electric Blue. Been seeing it on the web and in mags for years, but never in person until 2004 at a car show at Lime Rock. Someone had imported it and had it conformed to meet the EPA standards of this country, which, I am sure choked it down a bit. I like the new Skyline that finally came here, but to me it’s not quite the same. The NSX has always been one of my faves as well. It’s funny how we get the Acura version here and the Honda version overseas. Kind of like the old Integra Type-Rs. Loved watching the Speed World Challenge race at Lime Rock before they made the switch to the RSX.
I am really looking forward to the shoot in the warmed weather. I am going to be scouting out good locations for the shoot over the next few months. It will be awesome!