GALLERY VS SPORTS CARS
Friday, April 24th, 2009
The jury is still out. Is Fluge an artist or a race car driver? …Or neither?
We Could Only Get This Shot After the Crowding Subsided
The eagerly anticipated “Gallery and Pie Diner” premier showing of “Monroe in Paradise” by Moran and “Parachutes” by Fluge was greeted by a sizable Friday night, April crowd. The question is did the art draw them into the industrial district or was it the venue’s scotch and chocolate tasting? People happily gathered ‘to go’ posters and promised to come back for pie and paintings – but questions about Fluge’s future impact on the art world remained unanswered - hovering somewhere near his interpretations of life, love, and mortality in his works. Fluge’s December stint in the south of France brought passion to his work – but did it leave an enduring talent? Only time will tell.
Fluge Discusses Ceramics and Oil With Pro Driver Todd Harris
The remainder of the weekend saw Fluge trying to take command of the Derhaag Corvette in Round Two of the Regional SCCA road racing Championships. Practice Friday took Fluge to new quick times but by Saturday his gear box was beginning to show some issues. Sunday’s two races were engaging to say the least. Monte Shelton, sports car racing legend, in his classic Porsche proved he remains “The Man” as he battled Fluge with numerous exchanges of lead in the morning sprint race. Fluge found an opportunity to move through traffic and ended up winning the (AM) first race of the day.
Dave Cormier from Canada and hard charging Andrew Foley kept it close for 3rd and 4th spots.
Fluge, Attacked by Nature, Drives On
The afternoon main race featured Fluge on the pole with Shelton on outside pole. Fluge jumped to a quick lead but lost 2nd and 3rd gear after four laps. Shelton took home another of his countless victories in his commanding and classy fashion. Rumors of Fluge and Shelton putting together a 911 for a Rolex run rose and fell to cries for Fluge to run in the “24 Hours of Lemons” a special race in California designed after LeMans but intended only for cars with a face value of less than something south of $1000! Fluge’s efforts have been bolstered by the outstanding jobs of Crew Chief Steve Gatrell, Motorsports Ambassador Todd Harris, Team Manager Matt Crandall, Sport Advisor and Vigneron Bill Lowblad, as well as others – but he still seems a bit out of step from the 07 and 08 ITE Championships that seemed to come much easier than this GT1 class stuff!