Fare Ye Well, Dicken Wear

A likely pair. Tom Stahler and Dicken Wear on one of many a lively meal. Image Credit: Tom Stahler

Fare Ye Well, Dicken Wear
A tearful goodbye to a close friend 
By: Tom Stahler, Managing Editor of the ClassicCars.com Journal - Republished with permission - published originally on July 1, 2020

When I would introduce Dicken Wear to people, I would say, “You know ‘the most interesting man in the world’ (from the Dos Equis commercials)? He’s got nothing on this man. Meet Dicken.”

Dicken may have been one of the most influential characters in motorsports and the automobile business that you never heard of. Some of racing’s biggest stars in the last 30 years were part of his karting programs; his grandfather, J.S. Inskip was the American coachbuilder for Rolls Royce – and one of the founders of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA); he took a group of Pixar animators on a trip on old Route 66 to inspire the backdrop for the Disney movie Cars.

Dicken - In Monterey, (from left) Dicken Wear, Johnny O’Connell, Tom Stahler. Image Credit: Tom Stahler

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Anywhere you went with him, the insiders knew him and respected him. Dicken passed away on Father’s Day morning after an 18-month battle with prostate cancer. Many of us will miss him greatly. For those of you who didn’t know him, you probably would be attracted to his magnetic humor and outgoing nature.

His entire life was spent in the automotive and motorsports industry. For many years, he worked for his grandfather’s dealership which was the importer/distributor of many English makes — MG, Rolls-Royce, Aston-Martin, Austin-Healy, Iso-Rivolta and Iso-Griffith — in just about every position imaginable. When the family sold the dealership in 1977, he took over the family’s Motorsports Division and Racing Team: “The Original Competition Engineering Since 1954”

A night out during the Long Beach Grand Prix (LtoR) James Groth, an unknown gal, Dicken Wear, Tom Stahler. Image Credit: Tom Stahler

He has been a race team manager, race driver and mentor to many “stars to be” in karting. He was also a journalist. He founded the Motorsports Report, which will now continue under the leadership of veteran IndyCar and car culture editor, Edmund Jenks.

With Craig Breedlove, Mr. World Land Speed Record. Image Credit: Tom Stahler

So many great times. So many great stories. So many late-night drives. So many on-track experiences.

Once the last engine was switched off at Laguna Seca at the end of Monterey Car week, the tradition became to make the 20-mile trip north to Watsonville to the Fish House. Come for the fish, stay for the bananas foster (video above - Dicken Wear, Tom Stahler, Charlie Vogelheim, Edmund Jenks ... from a "head's up" message by Josh Farmer).

Tom Stahler, Dicken Wear, John Kraman. Image Credit: Tom Stahler

What I will remember most is a guy who always had time to talk, help and just be a friend.

I’m missing you already, Dicken.

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: ClassicCars.com Journal, Dicken Wear, JS Inskip, The Motorsports Report, The Original Competition-Engineering, The EDJE

Dicken Wear . . . Gettin'​ His Kicks On Route 66

How does one define a Dicken Wear? Neither easily nor shortly. A recognition of a friend and colleague who passed from this life a bit too quickly on Father's Day 2020. Image Credit: John Dinkel (2017)

Dicken Wear . . . Gettin'​ His Kicks On Route 66
By: John Dinkel, Contributor to the SAE's Automotive Engineering magazine - Republished with permission - published originally on June 24, 2020

So . . . how to define a Dicken Wear.  That’s the third thought that hit me after learning from friends back in the north country (the One that is North of Australia) that Dicken had passed away.

My first thought was that Dicken was in a far better place, free of the cancer that had wracked his body for the past two years, and, secondly, great sadness at the loss of a dear friend.

Dicken behind the wheel of a Kidracer at the 2017 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Image Credit: John Dinkel (2017)

Dicken was amazing.  I don’t know another person who had the knowledge and connections in motorsport that Dicken had.  And seemingly in every area and at every level of motorsport.  And these were not just casual acquaintances from chance meetings.  He literally knew and was friends with motorsports connections from go-karting to Formula 1.

Dicken hauled my Meyers Manx all the way from Arizona when I bought it. And yes, that is "Competition-Engineering.com" lettered on the engine-protection bumper. Image Credit: John Dinkel (2017)

But Dicken was much more than a storehouse of motorsports knowledge.  He was a genuinely nice guy.  You got a problem?  Dicken was there to help. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I called Dicken, or he called me, when he wasn’t behind the wheel of a truck or a car . . . typically a BMW.  Someone needed a car or something hauled somewhere.

Question: Did Dicken ever NOT wear a car shirt? Image Credit: John Dinkel (2017)

About 10 years ago [2010], I posted the following words on Dicken’s Linkedin page that are as true today as they were then:

How do you define a Dicken Wear? 

Neither easily nor shortly. An East Coaster, from Road [sic] Island, with deep roots in the auto industry. His grandfather was a Duesey of an enthusiast who built Rolls-Royces and imported, distributed, or sold almost all English sports cars from the 1940s through the mid 1960s. Aston-Martin, Morris, MG, etc. In other words he Triumph-ed over adversity to live a live of Riley, but it was not an Austin-tacious lifestyle. 

Ditto his father. Dealerships, racing, fabrication . . . that’s a small microcosm of a Dicken Wear. 

Wanna design and build a go-kart track? That’s Dicken. Name a dozen top currents racers and more than a few probably attribute their success to Dicken. Formula Atlantic, IMSA, Grand-Am? Dicken has had his hands wrapped around all of them. SEMA, LBGP, PRI? Dicken will be hanging out. LA Auto Show, Grand National roadster Show? Yup, he’ll be there too. Ditto car museums. 

Write him a big enough check and he’ll design and build you a sports racer/track car/hot rod. And that’s not a complete fabrication! Right now he’s got a hot SEMA Dodge Challenger connected to his name. Dicken loves anything dealing with cars and car people. 

He owns more BMWs than most car dealers . . . and most of them need a little work. But they are fast and they handle. He also loves writing and shooting cars, following in the foot steps of one of his heros, Pete Lyons. 

I can’t think of anyone more fun to hang out with than Dicken Wear. Okay, Paris Hilton would probably get me “access” to a few more places than Dicken. Oh, and we have one other thing in common: We’re both pizza snobs! 

You owe it to yourself to know a bit more about this unique human being called Dicken Wear.  I suggest the following links as a start.

http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/i/inskip/inskip.htm

http://www.competition-engineering.com/albums.html

http://www.the-motorsports-report.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dicken-wear-1b3a878/
ENDS

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: Dicken Wear, Inskip, Competition-Engineering, Go-Karts, Rolls Royce, Motor Press Guild, SEMA, PAPA, AARWBA, ASRA, The Motorsports Report, The EDJE

MPG March Meeting - How To Survive As A Freelance Automotive Journalist - Panel Discussion

Second luncheon meeting of 2018 and it brought forward an interesting group of panelists who primarily focused on Freelance Automotive journalism surrounding the driving and review of automobiles. Other subjects not covered were issues based upon deadline freelance coverage of  motorsporting events and specialized car shows. Also, the presentation would have allowed a greater impact if time were factored in for a Question & Answer session, post panel discussion. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2018) 

MPG March 2018 Meeting - How To Survive As A Freelance Automotive Journalist - Panel Discussion

Overall, it is always great to get together with like-minded, like-focused folks on a consistent and repetitive basis. Such is the best of experiences shared at the luncheons put on by the Motor Press Guild (MPG).

One of the elements that seemed to be missing from the order of things, that were tradition in previous year's meetings, was the logo'd tradeshow type pop-up. When placed properly, adds to everyone's photo album and let's most everyone know the meaning and context of the images taken by all who attended - great for instant Social Media postings.

After ample time for everyone to gather around and meet, lunch was served and the room was filled with its usual joyous and involved banter.

The Motor Press Guild began in 1984 as IMPA West, an affiliate of the New York-based International Motor Press Association. It is an association that has room, and meets monthly, by tradition, for all. To better serve “specialty” writers and photographers in the Motor Press Guild, The Motorsports and Car Culture Committee has been formed in 2018 ... chaired by Tom Stahler, pictured here third in from the right. Image Credit: Myles Regan (2018)

Then, promptly at 1:00pm, the panel discussion was enjoined. If there were new members, or folks who were invited guests, a time for this kind of Motor Press Guild tradition of introduction and announcements concerning MPG business wasn't placed into the calculation and management of the meeting.

That observed, the planned educational panel to discuss “How To Survive As A Freelance Automotive Journalist”, was a great success. Much was shared from issues that included transitioning from staff positions with publications, what an average work load/project base would look like, to the breadth of what editors look for in a successful Freelance relationship at high level publishing portals and print outlets.

The discussion was moderated by Manuel Carrillo III, Motor Press Guild Secretary for 2018.

Discussion included the following panelists (L to R):

•Elana Sherr - Freelancer, formerly Roadkill magazine (freelancing for Hagerty, Dodge, and Hot Rod)

•Bradley Iger - Freelancer (Hot Rod, Autoblog, Motor1, Autoweek, and Digital Trends)

•Christian Wardlaw - Freelancer, (Car Gurus, J.D. Power, and manages Freelance team at  New York Daily News)

•Basem Wasef - Freelancer (Autoblog, Men’s Journal, Robb Report, and Wired)

•Karl Brauer - Executive Publisher at Kelley Blue Book, has 10+ Freelancers on his team

Introductions:

Manuel Carrillo III: A Porsche 911 S brought Manuel Carrillo III home from the hospital after he was born, so it's no surprise his lifelong trajectory has centered on cars, leading him to a robust career creating rich automotive media for publications such as Robb Report, Luxury Life and DUB Magazine. Manuel got his start writing about cars for Autofiends.com, and that led him to four years as the Automotive Content Editor at Internet Brands where he helped manage a team of 31 freelancers contributing across 25 websites.

Elana Scherr: Over the past six years, Elana Scherr has been an editor for HOT ROD and during a good chunk of that time, Editor-in-Chief of Roadkill Magazine. Recently she’s become a freelancer. When MPG President Michael Harley asked her to be on this panel, she joked with him that she hardly felt she should speak as an expert freelancer when (at the time he reached out to her) she had been doing it for only two weeks. “Are you paying your bills?” he asked. She said yes. He said, “You’re qualified.” Elana currently works with Hagerty, HOT ROD, Sports Car Market, Dodge, Driving Line, and Fuel Curve.

Bradley Iger: From stealing his brother's Hot Wheels as a toddler to wrenching on his own vintage daily drivers as a teen, Bradley Iger has always had a passion for cars. Over the years he has contributed to publications like Hot Rod, Autoblog, Motor1, Autoweek, and Digital Trends, providing car reviews, technical features and event coverage with a specialized focus on high performance and motorsport. He currently resides in Eagle Rock, placing him just a few minutes away from the twisting tarmac of the Angeles National Forest.

Christian Wardlaw: Writing professionally about cars since 1994, Christian Wardlaw started at Edmunds before the company had a website, and ended at J.D. Power before launching Speedy Daddy Media and freelancing his writing, editing, photography, video, copywriting, and consulting services. Currently, he is the editor and business manager for New York Daily News Autos, and his company also provides content to J.D. Power and CarGurus. Family affair: Christian’s wife, Liz Kim, is also a freelance automotive journalist and automotive copywriter.

Basem Wasef: Basem Wasef been afflicted with the car and motorcycle bug since he was a tyke, but didn't fall into automotive journalism until long after he realized it could be a viable career. He got his start contributing to a now-defunct LA-based lifestyle magazine, and now counts Automobile, Autoblog, Men's Journal and Robb Report as clients. He's also currently finishing up his third book for Quarto Publishing.

Karl Brauer: Karl Brauer is the Executive Publisher at Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book and Dealer.com. He’s been in the industry since 1994, starting as the editorial assistant at Hot Rod Magazine, and he’s held multiple editorial and publishing roles at Petersen Publishing, Edmunds.com and Autotrader’s parent company, Cox Automotive. Between you and me, his secret pet title for himself is “Master of the Universe.”
(ht: Motor Press Guild)

At this moment, there is not a planned MPG Luncheon for April, but what is confirmed is the DROPTOPS & DIRT event - on Tuesday, May 15th, 2018.

Once again, the MPG will return to the rugged trails and twisty roads surrounding beautiful Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, California.

Combining competitive comparisons on challenging roads and trails in off-road vehicles as well as drives through scenic, twisty canyon roads on the road in convertibles, the day will feature lots of driving with excellent photo locations and a tasty lunch.

This event is open to all current MPG members, however only Journalist and Analyst members may drive. All other active members, photographers and guests may ride along and join us for lunch.

Here's to a great start to the 2018 MPG Luncheon & Event Meeting season.

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: Scott Martin, Fatt Al, Elana Scherr, John Grafman, Stephen Harvey, Dicken Wear, Manuel Carrillo III, Basem Wasef, Brandy A. Schaffels, Scott Martin, Dave Wolin, Bradley Iger, Dicken Wear, Christian Wardlaw, Karl Brauer, Stefan Pagnani, Tom Stahler, The EDJE

Surprise Swift Tour Yields A Look At "Concept 66" Platform

Swift Engineering's 2012 IZOD IndyCar design concept 66 CAD image with California Speedway background. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

Surprise Swift Tour Yields A Look At "Concept 66" Platform

If the folks at the IZOD IndyCar Series are thinking with a level head, given what we, at The EDJE, were exposed to at a surprise tour of the Swift Engineering facility in San Clemente, they will soon be singing "We get our kicks settling on Concept 66" as their way of the future of open-wheel racing.

Swift Engineering's 2012 IZOD IndyCar design concept 66 artist rendering. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

We were invited by the Publisher of The Motorsports Report, Dicken Wear, as an impromptu field trip after checking in at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Credentials area to pick up our Photo Vests for this weekends event. What a bonus since the major motorsports events of the day would be background shots taken while the IRL, ALMS, World Cup Challenge, and Firestone IndyPro Series cars practiced so the teams could dial in for the races ahead.

Swift Engineering's 2012 IZOD IndyCar design concept 66 CAD image without background. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

A group of about 20 people (writers, drivers, engineers, and photographers) gathered and were treated to a tour of the facilities at Swift that included a look and demonstration of their on-premises 140 mph wind tunnel, driving simulator, and composite fabrication areas. We were led on the tour by Program Director, Casper Van Der Schoot originally from Holland by way of Hogan Racing.

Casper enlightened the eager crowd with the concept of designing to reduce the effects of the vortex "dirty air" so that the platforms could race nose to tail with greater safety and, of course, greater competitiveness. The design concept of how to do this came in the development of a rear wing and forward rear wheel pod shapes that turn the Concept 66 into a "Mushroom Buster"!

One can not totally eliminate the shroom effect, but by shrinking the width of the shroom plume, and raising the "cap" of the shroom so that it is moved away from the following platform ... the mushroom is effectively busted.

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: 2012, 66, Casper Van Der Schoot, Concept, Design, IZOD IndyCar, Swift Engineering, The EDJE