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Archive for June, 2008

While taking pictures at the Porsche Parade I came face to face with greatness. Through rather dumb luck and apparently knowing the right people, I had the chance, even if very briefly to meet Peter Porsche, the head man of the Porsche Company.

Since Harvey is the chairman for this year’s Parade and Peter was in town to check out the festivities I had the very good fortune to be in the right place at the right time and actually got a chance to say hello. And even though I only met him for a moment (although I did spend another 10-15 minutes taking pictures of him at the event) he certainly presented himself as a man of distinction. He was a sprightly, unassuming man who took a genuine interest in the Parade and the participants. He walked around with his camera (Canon Rebel I believe) and took the care to make sure he wasn’t pushing someone out of the way to get a picture and to make sure he wasn’t in there way.

As I was taking photos of him taking photos of some of the classic cars, he inadvertently stepped in-frame of someone next to him. He jumped back and gave a wave of apology.

He won’t remember me, but it was still a privilege to shake the hand of the man whose cars I have admired for decades.

It’s hard to say if the Carrera is indeed better than sex, but there is no doubt that looking at it causes lust and envy. The GT is a beautiful machine and video games don’t do it justice. It looks powerful, dangerous and fast just sitting there. On display at the Porsche Parade was perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity to see this wondrous machine and the smooth, sleek lines it has to offer.

The crowd of people gathered around to take pictures, point, stare and of course ponder what they would give to possess it, was a spectacle unto itself. Kids jumped to pose in front of it, men undressed it with their eyes, and we all waited our turn to grab a picture with this seductive creature.

I doubt I’ll ever get to see it or another one again, but it was a real thrill to take its photo. If you didn’t make it out to the Parade today, you missed a magic moment.

Check out the rest of the pictures of this lovely lady at:
Porsche Carrera GT

It’s almost here; next weekend marks the start of the 2008 Porsche Parade here in Charlotte. Planning has been going on for months and now we are just about set to set it all into motion.

I will be one of several photographers covering the event over the course of the week. My main events will be Saturday and Sunday of the opening weekend and whenever I can find time during the week. I am very excited about this event since I have never been part of the Parade before, nor have I covered an event this big before. The turnout should be tremendous and the display of cars will be impressive to say the least.

The culmination of the event will be Driver’s Ed at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. I attended last year as a normal event and it was a fantastic experience. Since this comes on the heels of the Porsche event, I full expect a much bigger turnout and a complete lineup of cars on the track.

It’s going to be an exciting week and certainly an experience to remember.