Fluge Global Adventures

The 50th running of the oldest sports car race west of the Mississippi, the famed Rose Cups, was exciting to say the least. Matt Crandall, driving his #3 “Speed Sports / FGA” Ford Mustang looked good all weekend and qualified first for the pole. Nick Fluge, driving a similar #7 “FGA / Speed Sports” Ford Mustang, experienced some mechanical challenges over the weekend but still qualified 2nd due to many hours of hard and talented work by the Pro-Fab team of Steve Gatrell, Spence Gatrell, Leo Matthews, Troy Gilbertson, Patrick Hinkle, Jeff Hinkle, Dom Cicero and Wes Clark.

Crandall and Fluge in front row

With both cars sporting the teams’ bright orange ”www.flugeglobaladventures” window decals, they made up the front row for the start of the race.

When the green flag dropped, Fluge pulled Crandall on the front straight but Matt was able to take the lead going into and out of turn one. The cars were locked close together for a number of laps pulling away from the rest of the good field of entrants who were doing well in their own right. Todd Harris, Pro Drive, and long time driving coach of Nick Fluge, had strategized with Nick to hold his 2nd place until he saw the right opening to pass. That came less than 10 minutes into the race. Fluge passed Crandall on a tight corner and was just barely able to control the car out of the turn. The race was on.

Once again the cars were locked in a close dual, only this time with Nick in the lead, and Matt knocking on his door. Several more laps saw the pair continue to pull out a larger lead on the rest of the field while challenging each other at every turn. Then, in an instant, a large cloud of smoke signaled the end for the front runner. Fluge’s power steering hose had ruptured and he had to pull into the pits.

From that point Matt made a great run to the finish for a victory and proved the outstanding driver of the weekend. Brian Richards finished with a great 2nd place podium and good FGA Friend Rob Holden also made the podium and finished 3rd in strong fashion in his Corvette. All in all it was a great weekend, complete with BBQ and great entertainment coordinated by Aimee Crandall of Fly Me to the Moon Productions. There were even umbrella laden security girls guarding Nick and Matt from the sun who were assisted by Tiffany, whose likeness was the focus on the now famous “Queen of Hearts” painting that Nick completed as a send off to him, Mixologist and cousin, Bill Lowblad, and Jon Sandstrom (who are competing in the World Series of Poker on June 28). Also instrumental in the Speed Speeds / FGA event were Eric Bjonskaas, the great crew members of the Crandall team and Brian Lafavor who worked tirelessly keeping the Fluge girls in Chocolate and Champagne.

Fluge, Gatrell, Tiffany ‘Queen of Hearts’ and Security Team

pictures from Pre Grid

pictures from Pre Grid

pictures from Pre Grid

In their never ending quest to explore the world of art, the Fluge Global Team traveled to Argentina to find the best silversmiths in the world. Silver has been used by mankind since Pre-History, and its oldest reference to the element appears in the book of Genesis. It is also the only element after which a country – Argentina is named. FGA’s South America and silver expert James Marlow led the expedition (and Nick Fluge followed with an open mind and a hand notebook to learn as much as possible about silver creativity).

James Marlow, Mariano Draghi, legendary creative silversmith, and Nick Fluge

After landing in Buenos Aires, the team headed directly towards the Pampas and the beautiful town known as San Antonio de Areco home of the world renown silver family, the Draghi’s. The pampas of Argentina have a long and romantic history. Much of it revolves around an almost mythical character – the Gaucho. His freedom and bravado, celebrated in many poems and songs, once represented the spirit of Argentina’s open range. In the 18th and 19th centuries the grasslands of Argentina were dominated by vast estates. (Some still owned by the Draghi’s). The owners of those ranches were and are South America’s rural aristocracy. The Gauchos were the cowhands of those estates. Independant and proud, they rode (and still ride) the range herding cattle. With his wandering lifestyle and fierce code of honor the Gaucho was also the symbol of an earthly nobility. Today this is a remains a way of life although it is disappearing as the open range land turns favor to agricultural soy and corn.

Besides owning Estancia’s and producing various agricultural commodities, the Draghi family workshop is legendary in Argentina and around the world. Makers of superb jewelry, knives and equine finery such as bridles and other Gaucho gear, the family is visited by heads of state, hollywood, as well as average citizens of the world.

Fluge Learning the Craft From Valeria Draghi

Both Marlow and Fluge found themselves welcome with the very hospitable Draghi family in the museum, workshop and the family estancias and homes even amidst the public tours which seemed endless of people from all around the world wanting to visit the museum, workshop and store of the family. Team FGA was treated to Asado’s classic Argentine BBQ complete with attendance by many in the community, tours of the local art community which includes leather craftsmanship as well as silver creative art and design, and even the prestigious “Passion Play” on the banks of the Rio de Areco with soon to be family actress “Maria”.

After their visit Fluge returned to the U.S. to sort out his new race car and James Marlow traveled far south in Argentina to challenge the ice bergs and come as close as any human does to the Antarctic in April (very late season in the Southern Hemisphere).

Lucilla Draghi                                              James, Camila, and Nick

James Marlow’s Ice Berg Adventure                           James Marlow’s Ice Bergs near Antarctic

Actress and Adventurer              Valeria, Nick, Marta, and Lucilla               Mariano and Maria