The Lead Adventurer of FGA, Nick Fluge, turned a bumpy spring and early summer filled with mechanical failures into a 45 plus second victory in the August Sports Car Club of America Championships. Starting from the pole alongside one of the best Porsche drivers and cars in North America, Dave Cormier, Fluge could only wonder if the car would withstand the high temperatures and humidity to finally win one for the Fluge team.

With team-mate and Rose Cup Champion Matt Crandall off on vacation, Fluge realized the race was his to lose with arguably the best Car Management Team and Crew – Steve Gatrell and Pro Fab of North America. Friend and race mentor, Todd Harris, (owner of Pro Drive and one of the world’s best professional drivers) also added his advice to Fluge to further encourage the win which was so commonplace in 2007-2009 but has been illusive this year. Other strong competitors filled out the field and were chomping at their bits to jump over team FGA with the slightest of whines from an injured car – as they’ve seen all year long. But it was not to happen.

FLUGE and FGA / Pro Fab Team on Pre Grid

Fluge jumped into the lead immediately at the green flag and never relinquished it – adding several seconds to his victory with each passing lap. Lapping car after car, the blue #7 took an easy victory from the summer weekend. The win was welcome after a challenging mid-summer that included a brief stay in the (now closed) but infamous Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia followed a week later by a Fluge performance at “Gallery Night” featuring his play on a 5 string guitar, harmonica styling and singling…accompanied by his buddies, Marianna, Reece, Craig, Kevin, the Vamps and the rest of the band known to many as “Band FGA.” Other summer events have featured FGA standouts, from Troy, Yelena, Tony and Allen competing in ‘off-road, mountain and stream runs where they gained strong finishes. The “Face” of FGA, Tiffany has been playing extremely well in top regional softball action. In recent Soap Box Derby action, Leo proved his engineer skills, Mimi her driving talent, and Patrick his strength and running ability as push off man as excellent as expected. Finally, Spence Gatrell, returned to motorsports in the Canadian / American ICSCC Challenge race along with the Pro Fab crew (now featuring Fluge as the ‘tire pressure/umbrella man). Quite a mid-summer for the cast of characters who one often sees at FGA events indeed.

Fluge, Marianna, Reece, Craig and the Band

The remainder of the summer and upcoming fall remains uncertain. However, for those of you planning on attending the “Warrior Dash” in mid-September, Fluge, Carter, King, Rudolph and others are already entered in the “Craziest Freakin Day of Your Life.” (Fluge privately hopes he’ll be painting in France by then – so as to avoid the flames, mud, and beer contests of the Warrior Dash but without any set reservations – he remains a ‘possible’ along with the great FGA team).

Fluge Lapping Top Contender

Nick Fluge and members of the FGA team traveled to the peaceful but strange town of Weston, West Virginia to visit the famed Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum and determine for themselves if the paranormal is more than just a word in a dictionary. Opened in 1864, the asylum was originally intended to treat mental illness, and did that for more than 100 years, but with the additional help of ‘ice pick’ induced lobotomy’s, electric shock, and even chaining and quarantining ‘challenging’ patients the facility remained open until some years ago. The history extends from civil war veterans to 20th century patients who lived as normally as one could in such a unique facility.

The team flew into Pittsburgh from Portland and immediately began their driving journey into West Virginia hoping not to make any ‘Wrong Turns.’ Hours later they arrived in the pleasant and yet somewhat off-putting town of Weston. People in the small town were quite personable until FGA members announced the reason for their visit: “An overnight stay at the lunatic asylum.” Eyes grew, voices became silent, whispers abounded and a sense of dread and quiet filled every gas station, restaurant and hotel within 20 miles of the place. We later learned that things like double suicides, stabbings, and other violent behavior were more the norm than the rare in Weston.

ENTRANCE

The initial drive to the asylum was fine, although it was daytime, a lifetime away from the possible horrors of nightfall. We all were overwhelmed by the sense of calm that one experienced at the front gate of the 2nd largest concrete structure in the world (next to the Kremlin in Russia). Fluge and team joked about everything and played a strong hand during the day. Little did we know what we were about to experience a few short hours later.

IN STRETCHER ROOM

We were officially “committed” into the facility at 9:30 pm sharp. The only people permitted in the facility overnight, the team was nervous with electricity only lighting staircases and the main floor – but never the wards. We proceeded to tour all four floors, each containing special wards for children, women, men, veterans, violently criminal inmates, and even murderers. FGA’s Queen of Hearts, Tiffany, posed like a trooper in the ”stretcher room” until she learned that the stretchers were designed to keep the violently emotional from any type of movement until the chains bound their flesh.

TIFFANY FLASHING HER SMILE BEFORE THE GHOSTS ARRIVED

Elysia quickly found that once she happened upon one of the few pieces of furniture in the massive building with miles of tunnels and halls, that something persuaded her to keep rocking in a curled up pose with an odd look on her face. With courage she managed to continue the journey throughout the rambling wards and halls of the building that fails to disappoint.

ELYSIA ROCKING UNCONTROLLABLY IN AN ALTERED STATE

Paranormal activity began the minute we arrived on the top floor and shut down our flashlights as we all sat silent in Ward E. We summoned those who might still exist there by asking for their permission to let us stay, or to let us know if they recognized us. Three times, without doubt, we heard loud (very loud) footsteps moving towards us. The weaker among us asked the stronger (me) to hold their hands – I did, being the gentleman I am. We felt the footsteps were within feet of us when they stopped as abruptly as they had begun.

Later, a ball appeared out of nowhere on the second children’s floor and when we kicked it – it simply made a curve directly into a wards’ room and then miraculously returned to the hall. We quickly made our way to the first floor break room.

A final and most strange experience was when we visited ‘Lilly’s room’ which is where a 9 year old supposedly died. Lilly is known to ‘play’ with her guests at times. Our first visit before midnight only gave witness to the same strange ball movement that we had seen earlier. However a later experience back in the room at 3pm had our flashlights turning on and off without interference or touch by our team – Strange indeed.

We were allowed to leave the asylum at 5:00 am the next morning. We were happy to be gone, another journey in the many that FGA has had, and certainly one of the most strange.

Some of the Fluge Global team have arrived in West Virginia on their way for an overnighter at the famed and historic Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, West Virginia. They will be officially ‘committed’ to the asylum and locked in overnight with no exit possible until 5am on Sunday. The Asylum was built in 1854 and closed many years ago and today remnants of haunting and other phenomena remain.

To learn a little about their adventure go to You Tube and type in “GA-Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum”, or click here GA – Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum [1 of 4], and prepare to read about the adventure in late July when the team (hopefully returns)!

By Bill Lowblad

I thought this was going to be the year as I pulled into the PDX garage and “Lucky Man” by the Verve came on the radio. What better sign to start a trip to Vegas on?

Fluge and Lowblad Prepare to Begin World Series of Poker Play as Early Favorites

We were on the early – real early flight and I arrived at the gate just as the Fluge was leaving the Alaska Board Room where he had been taking advantage of the time zones talking with his peeps in Russia, France and Tasmania working on future Adventures. Does he ever sleep?

A few hours later we arrived at the Rio – home to the WSOP. We dropped off our luggage and with a few hours to kill we headed over to the Venetian our customary lucky starting point. I went straight to the poker room where last trip I took a first and a third place in their Deep Stack tournaments and sat in at a no-limit Texas hold-em game to warm up while Nick went to the high stakes black jack tables to win some cash and play enough to afford us our customary comped lunch. Valentino’s is a Great lunch spot – especially if there’s extra cash in your pockets and when the check comes the waiter says “There’s no charge Mr. Fluge – I hope you enjoyed your meal on the house.” That’s rollin Fluge style again!

Getting back to the Rio we grabbed our bags and checked into our suites – Comped suites that is. Nice to travel with a high roller. Next we wandered back to the WSOP hall to register and pick up our table assignments for Monday’s Event #49 of the 2010 World Series of Poker. We see Jesus (Ferguson that is), Mike Sexton, Phil Ivey and other famous pros. I give a wave to the Unibomber who amazingly remembers us from the two celebrity events he played with us in Portland and I head across the hall to say hello and see if Jennifer Tilley’s playing this year. As soon as I get a couple of steps in I almost get taken out by a scooter . Doyle Brunson flies by, says “Sorry, it’s a rental and I’m not used to it” and keeps on going. With this close call Nick and the Unibomber’s best friend Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari crack up. Maybe staying in one piece is where I used up my luck.

I hung out in the poker area while Nick went to the Rio’s black jack tables. After a few hours I get a call letting me know Nick’s VIP host has made dinner reservations at the Voodoo Lounge on the 50th floor. Sweet!

We meet up at the elevators and I can hear the magical “clinking” sound emanating from Nick’s pockets that only can be made by a large quantity of $1000.00 dollar yellow chips. It has been a short but sweet trip to the tables and dinner is “on the house.” We ride up the glass elevator to the 50th floor at the top of the Rio and there’s our table with a great view of all Las Vegas. Before we can sit down there’s Don Cheadle and Annie Duke at the bar and Cheadle yells out to Nick– “Hey are you playing in the charity event this year?” Nick has to tell him not this year as it conflicts with his next sportscar race – but count him in for 2011. We had an incredible meal and I had the wine honours and matched a great Heitz Marthas Vineyard cab with our prime steaks. Awesome.

This was an early night as we wanted to be sharp for the WSOP tomorrow so our only gambling the rest of the evening was $100.00 each in the Megabucks slots. No luck there but you have to go for it when in Vegas. One of Nick’s fellow high stakes black jack players tries to lure him back to the tables and bring his luck with him but the WSOP is priority and we’re done for the day.

Monday starts with a team breakfast – we have one more of the FGA poker series regulars with us for the first time – Jon “OSU Playboy All American Football player” Sandstrom. I pass out the black FGA – WSOP 2010 team polo shirts (Great Job Randy) and we go over the rules while we eat our pre game breakfast.

We meet back in the Amazon room for team photos and get to our tables for the 12:00 start. Nick draws table 6, Jon table 41 and I’m at 203 which means I’m going to move around a lot as they break the higher tables first when people drop out. There are over 2600 entrants for today tournament and pros are being followed by the press as they sit in with the amateurs. I’ve got a Dane and a Swede at my table and press is standing around ready to record great plays. We stand for the national anthem and then it’s shuffle up and deal. I’m up a little at the first break after 2 hours and look around for the rest of team FGA. Jon’s up a little but Nick is nowhere to be found until you see Shannon Elizabeth talking to him in the corner. I wander up to hear how she hardly recognized him with the facial hair but she “loves it.” Nick has been hit hard in the chip stacks when a lucky player catches an inside straight and Shannon is telling him to put it all on the line. If you’re out early you gave it a great shot but if you double up a few times you’re right back on target. When we get back to playing I see the big man walk by as he’s done (how can you not listen to Shannon Elizabeth?) But that’s OK – his black jack friends need his luck back in the high stakes area.

I’m still doing well when they break our table and send me to table 197. That stinks as now I’ve got to learn each new players ability but since it’s still a high number I’ll move again real soon. Yes a few minutes later this table breaks and I’m sent to another new table 26. If I do well here I can stay for awhile. No big hands but I do add to my stack and make it to the next break. Jon’s doing well and has a little more than me. We talk about our hands and text the Fluge to see how he’s doing. Killing them for cash at black jack as usual.

The next hour and 55 minutes are uneventful. I make a few plays but nothing exciting and it’s 5 minutes to the dinner break. I think I’ll play it cautious and only play a great hand and of course I get a great hand (KJ suited on the button) I’ll be happy with the antes and blinds and raise. I get a call from the big blind and we see the flop. KJ and a rag. I LOVE it. The big blind checks and I make a big bet. He calls. Now I’m wondering what he has? The turn brings a 7 of clubs with the rag being a 4 of clubs puts 2 clubs on the board and I get a little nervous of a big blind special. He checks and I go all in. He thinks for a moment and calls and turns over AQ but not clubs. His only way to beat me is with a 10 for a straight. Single digit odds but that’s how things go and a 10 hits the river and my tournament is OVER just as we break for dinner. There are only around 800 left so I at least beat 1800 others.

I find Jon and he’s doing well as our last hope. We call the Fluge and meet him for a quick dinner as Jon has 45 minutes until the next round. We have a quick meal and discuss our hands and listen to some great stories of black jack until it’s time for Jon to head back to the WSOP. Nick heads back to his spot in the high stakes area where his new “Entourage” is waiting for him. It’s simply amazing how he builds a following. I grab a quick shower and head back down to catch the action with the Fluge and can hear the roars from across the crowded casino and know immediately where to go. Blackjacks are flying out of the deck and Fluge is collecting more and more big chips to add to his stack. Of course the dealers and cocktail waitresses are getting huge tips and everyone is Happy. I watch for awhile, play a little cash game poker then call it a night.

I get the call that Jon is out at 11:30 after 11 and a half hours of play with the field down to 400 players. Great Job! He gives me the update that Nick is still rollin hot and Jon’s off to the dice table.

Next a.m. Nick is at my door with a goodie bag of WSOP gear. How nice. It’s amazing how cool he looks after what I’m sure is a long night. He’s a big winner at black jack and gave it a great shot at poker but he’s catching the next flight back to Portland as there’s some new Adventure waiting.

Jon and I catch later flights and this year’s WSOP is over. We’ve had a blast even though we’re not wearing a bracelet. We had great meals, met up with friends from the poker world and in Nick’s case met a whole new following of FGA fans.

Next year could be our year! I’m already excited to return. I’m sure Don Cheadle is looking forward to next year’s Ante up for Africa event and Shannon Elizabeth can catch up on Fluges adventures.

By Yelena King

The roar of the crowd echoed through the redwood trees of Eureka, CA as over 1100 running enthusiasts (aka “crazies”) positioned themselves at the starting line of the 39th annual Avenue of the Giants half-marathon. As a long-time member of the FGA crew, and Nick Fluge’s core-specialist commandante, I had been inspired by his epic (and admittedly spontaneous) finish at the 2009 Portland Marathon. This was my chance to prove to Nick, and the rest of the FGA nation, that I deserved to climb mountains, do crunches, and sip cocktails next to a champion.

FGA VO2max specialist Troy Carter had been dispatched to assure my triumphant finish. He stood beside me poised, strong and silent, staring at the course ahead like a tiger ready to pounce. I believe he was channeling Mr. Fluge from his Kilimanjaro days; alpha-male, ready to lead the pack without reservation.

The starting gun rang out like a backfiring GT1 racer, and we made our way across the starting line. Troy and I ran hard, weaving through the crowd of participants, all of whom looked at us with envy. After all, we represented the FGA team, Troy sporting a limited-edition Tarzan tech shirt, myself in a brand-new FGA racing team hat… we may as well have painted targets on our backs. The competition was fierce, and holding our lead was not easy. Between labored breaths we heard them talk amongst themselves, “What’s Tarzan?”, “Who are these Olympic-worthy athletes sporting this fancy gear?”, “Why didn’t the Fluge make a celebrity appearance this year?”

To avoid an angry mob at the finish line, we graciously allowed some participants to pass us, strategically slowing up at water stations and chatting with the locals. We even managed to elude an FGA heckler at the finish line, who claimed we were not “race official” in our gear.

“Fluge Global Adventures?” she snarled, “I’ve never heard of that brand!”

“Lady,” Troy quipped without missing a beat, “This is FGA. It’s not just a brand, it’s a lifestyle.”