If you haven’t noticed yet, I am filling the monstrous shoes of our fearless leader Mechberg this week, but to quote him properly and keep the tradition going. “Now, on to the rest of the Week in Review!”

First, a little blatant self-serving promotion. Hopefully, you all read this week’s Rear View Mirror, our look back at the previous week in racing in the real world and the world of Forza Motorsport. In said awesome racing column written by yours truly, I asked for help to build the RVM thread to at least five pages by talking about why you love Porsche. I hoped for five pages, I dreamed of ten pages, I offered a few unicorns for your comments. Holy shiznit, did you folks respond! “I created a monster cuz nobody wants to see Marshall no more they want Shady, I’m chopped liver.” The thread is an amazing 71 pages and still growing. Thank you all, some serious global love of Porsche’s has been shown, and believe it or not I think 100 pages are possible.  I will be hitting the RVM thread again and giving away a few more unicorns in an effort to reach this goal. I am a glutton for punishment I know, but hey, 71 pages not bad, if I do say so myself.

This week’s Heavy Metal Affliction, our weekly series on cool rides, awesome projects and barn finds, featured a super sweet 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo contributed by The Weener King, gotta love that Gamertag, reminds me of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Abe Froman Sausage King of Chicago. Love that movie. Awesome car movie too, just because of the Ferrari. Oh yeah, Heavy Metal Affliction, well the car is super cool and your response to compliments about it has been excellent too, so thanks again. Or do I mean you’re welcome? Whatever. Read the article, post a compliment, I’ll be hitting that thread to give away a couple more unicorns while the boss is away too.

Turn 10 Track Day Tomorrow 

If you can’t make it to the American Le Mans Monterey Presented by Patrón race at Mazda’s Laguna Seca race track like most of us, the next best thing is to enjoy the race with others that appreciate your passion for racing. So Fred, Javier and I will be hanging out on the Turn 10 Track Days Facebook page.  The race is six hours long and we will be there the whole race, giving away free stuff, chatting and basically kickin’ it. The race will be on ESPN 3 and the ESPN app on Xbox LIVE. The race starts at 1:15 p.m. Pacific.  See ya there!

Planking, Winning a Free Car and More with ARMIPOTENT ADAM 

Back in November of 2011, we held the Hyundai THR Secret Car Design Contest. The challenge was, to create an awesome design for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe using the Forza 4 in-game livery editor tool. After thousands of submissions, five finalists were chosen by the Forza Community Team, leaving the winner to be chosen by Xbox Live users. The winner was ARMIPOTENT ADAM. After taking delivery of his prize, a 2012 Hyundai Veloster, we wanted ask him a few questions to gain some insight into what it’s like to win such a radical prize and what it took to design the winning livery.

FM:  So Adam, how do you like your Hyundai Veloster?
Adam:  The Veloster is a very cool car. At first I was considering the option of taking the cash rather than the car, but after checking out some Velosters at a local Hyundai dealership, I decided that I had to get one. Although, I simply had to upgrade to the "Style Package" as the panoramic roof and red/black interior were a must. Speaking of upgrading, I would like to thank Buddy K. (the sales manager at Dean Patterson Hyundai) and his Hyundai regional contact for getting me the exact Veloster that I wanted. Those guys were awesome and Jim S. (salesman) treated me like royalty when I went to take delivery of the car.  Shout out to Jim and Buddy. 

 

FM:  What did you drive before winning the Veloster?
Adam:  A 2001 Mitsubishi Diamante LS.  It was gray with two-tone gray leather interior and an effervescent style that has been unmatched by other car manufacturers.  You will be missed, my dear Diamante. 

 

FM:  Those were some funny pics you sent us, why exactly did you do that? Do those positions have any significance? Can you send us some more of you” Tebow”ing your turbo?
Adam:  Those pics were spontaneous, semi-planned and premeditated.  I had the idea of writing a short review of the Veloster and took those pictures with that in mind.  Not only that, but I am a fan of planking and anti-planking.  My friends and I do not judge planking on form (much like the majority of trend-following plankers), but rather, on the audacity involved.  I'll be happy to include some extra photos.  This chair is uncomfortable.  Do you mind if I stand for the remainder of this interview?

 

 

FM:  When you were working on the winning livery, what was the driving force behind your design?
Adam:  Winning.  I knew that I had just as good of a chance as anyone, so I really spent a lot of time making sure that everything was as perfect as I could possibly get it.  I knew that I had to go with shades of blue after perusing Hyundai's website.  This, however, was a tough design because none of us were 100% sure in regards to how crazy we could get with our liveries due to the rules.  I was really worried that mine was going to be too conservative, but I guess it worked out in the end.  

 

FM:  What is the biggest influence on your designs?

Adam:  Being different from everyone and satisfied with my creation.  Ultimately, my satisfaction is my measure of success.  If others enjoy a design that I've done, that is just icing on the cake.  I would be lying if I said I was not influenced/pushed by some of the other great designers that participate on the forums.  I'm friends with a lot of them and I think that we (although we never really talk about it) have a bit of a friendly rivalry.  I think it's great and makes a lot of us to try for something better than "good".  John, I gotta ask... you haven't blinked once during this entire interview.  Is everything OK?

 

FM:….  

Adam: John, I would like to thank you for taking the time to ask me some great questions and giving me the opportunity to answer them.  You've been wonderful.  Last, but not least, I would also like to thank T10 for organizing such a great competition and especially Hyundai for putting forth such a great prize. 

Hello to all of my friends at FM.net and greetings to all!

 

Thank you Adam, enjoy the car. I’ll be checking your storefront for cool designs. In fact I already picked up a couple, uh, as you know from our interview conversation. Keep up the great work!

Oh, hey Adam is also running another Forza Idol race series, take a look at his thread and sign up or contribute. These have a reputation for being a good time!

Community Bounty warcryFIN 

Next week’s Community Bounty will be warcryFIN.  This Finn has been around the Forza Community for a long time and his bounty time has now come. His event will be announced Monday. Look for his thread and show him what you got!

Favoritism? Yes Absolutely! 

Without apology I offer up another DomesticMango drift video. If you think you have got the stuff to compete with this guy for the spotlight then by all means post a link to your work in the WIR thread. What this guy does with music, design and drift comes together as art in motion. I have to cover my mouth when I watch because it generates such a silly-looking, monstrous, jaw-dropping smile on my face. Thanks Mango!

Check out the latest installment in his Audi Dubstep series:

End of an Era, Carroll Shelby 1923-2012 

One of the most recognized names in the automotive world passed away today at the ripe old age of 89. Shelby was an automotive legend whose influence on car design and performance has been formidable and has stood the test of time. His iconic influence and robust personality will be sorely missed.

Watch this short YouTube video of him test driving a Shelby GT500 (Forza 4 unicorn) from a couple years ago. The smile on his face speaks to his genuine appreciation of muscle cars. The grinding gears and rev limiter speak to his venerable years.