Fluge Global Adventures

Another Fluge Global Adventures year is now in the ‘books’. The FGA team was able to experience many new (and some old) adventures and even participate with some charities along the way. 2009 was quite a year.

Following such exciting adventures in 2007 and 2008 that included a trek to Everest Base Camp, triathlon and biking athletic tests, a Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Sports Car Club of America Championship racing, a Gumball Rally race across America and even the hunting of the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland, 2009 was equally testing.

The year started out in the spring when Nick Fluge and Bill Lowblad entered the World Poker Challenge. It was a change from the previous three consecutive years at the World Series of Poker but a new and challenging venue existed to be conquered. Bill performed up to his usual high standards and Nick was even able to crack the “Final Top Four Tables” while playing against some of the best ‘hold-em’ players the world had to offer.

Regular Zine subscribers might remember that Fluge spent the winter in the south of France learning oil painting, ceramic painting and glass blowing. Well, while his talent might have been a bit thin, it didn’t stop him from opening an art gallery which has included many of his personal works as well as some by other well known artists. While the Gallery adventure is only a ‘temporary’ project – it has allowed Nick to share both art and Scotch with friends and other interested guests.

Things quickly turned to youth – as FGA was honored to sponsor the Concord Elementary School Outdoor School which included a writing contest for the kids; “One World Infinite Adventures”. Outdoor school was an opportunity for elementary school students to learn more about themselves and the environment around them through hands-on activities and projects in an outdoor environment.

In addition to sponsoring the week long Outdoor School trip, we asked the students to share with us their ultimate adventure, or life dream, in an essay for the first ever Fluge Global Adventures “One Word…Infinite Adventures” writing contest.

Among the essays were career aspirations, dreams of meeting heroes, hopes of world travel, and of course, becoming the next American Idol! The common thread was that they all have faith in their goal and a passion for achieving it. These are the traits that make for a true Adventurer.

Nick Fluge returned to the World Series of Poker for one event at mid-year and while he played strong – he was eliminated early. Given his high standing in his 2006 WSOP “Main Event” this was disappointing but his thoughts were focused on his first Professional Sports Car Race.

Certainly, the training and strength of team, has paid dividends in sports car racing circles. Not only did Nick win a 3rd consecutive class championship (GT1), but he now owns 4 track records at PIR (the most of any individual driver). He also moved into the professional ranks by driving against some of the world’s best sports car drivers in the summers’ Trans-Am Championship race. Fluge’s qualifying position of 6th put him in the thick of things throughout the event.

With help from Matt at Speed Sports and Todd at ProDrive, Fluge is always prepared with gear and with driving acumen. However, great thanks go to Steve Gatrell and his entire ProFab team (Spence, Patrick, Leo, and others) for keeping the Derhaag running in world class condition. A special thanks to Aimee who often creates the greatest parties and BBQ’s for many of SCCA’s participants.

Fluge worked with Youths at Risk and the Regional area Santos youth soccer teams/league by assisting Ruma Perez (group organizer) with a check but more importantly inviting the kids to his pro race and proudly running the Santos banner along with that of FGA.

August heat led to one of the zanier of FGA’s adventures. Nick Fluge and Bill Lowblad entered John Deere’s in farm country’s “Combine Demolition Derby”. Local farm competitors viewed them as city slickers – but were still orderly – until the combines started moving. Fluge was quickly taken out by a variety of machinery and while Bill continued admirably – he was also prevented an overall win due to losing much of his rear tire/wheel/suspension combination which is so critical.

Not a win – but a wild experience!

While finishing behind 1000’s of competitors, Nick Fluge, a late entry, was strong enough to finish the event and still have a number of entrants behind him. While he hadn’t trained for this specific event and chose to enter only the day before the race – he credits his trainers, Yelena King and Troy Carter with always keeping him in shape to do such a thing – even without much preparation.

The final event of the year continues periodically and will through early 2010. It’s the Fluge Poker Championships – named after the Poker Man himself. Here, local friends and acquaintances meet to play Hold-em often throughout a year period with the winner taking home a special FGA Award. As of this writing, Bill Lowblad is holding the lead position but is being threatened by the likes of James (IceMan) Marlow who has won or finished very highly in the last several events. Fluge is holding his own in the middle of the pack – but is being challenged by the up and coming Poker Star, Troy Carter.

Rumors suggest the Amazon may be the next hurdle for Team FGA. Kayaking, battling deadly snakes and other regional flora and fauna could be a part of such an adventure – but as we say each year – only the future will tell the final story.