MARCH 2017 AUTOSTRADAFORUM.COM AUTOSTRADA LUXURY THE PASSION, HISTORY & JOURNEY THE MOMENT FORUM YOU ARRIVE THE PASSION, HISTORY & JOURNEY MARCH 2017 ROBERT IMAGINE THE PERFECT DAY. It is a day with a journey. You are surrounded by the warmth of the sun and a gentle breeze, all under a perfect blue sky. It is a day well-spent complete with total freedom that follows you home. You are greeted WICKENS with an embrace, that special welcome feeling that you have arrived. CANADA’S HIDDEN GEM MAR 15 8 INTO 1 PLEASE DISPLAY UNTIL JUNE 2017 HORST KROLL 03 ACROSS THE POND ARNO SCHMIDT’S ASTON MARTIN DB6 CABINETRY FLOORING ORGANIZERS GARAGE DOORS LIFTS $6.95 0 74470 71673 0 THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE HEAD OFFICE: 201 CHRISLEA ROAD, VAUGHAN, ONTARIO, L4L 8N6 | 1.877.850.8557 autostradaforum.com FAISAL HUDA’S ALFA ROMEO GT 1300 JUNIOR BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY DESIGN CONSULTATION AT GARAGELIVING.COM Photography by Digital Viking/Jordan Lenssen Champions. Again. Alegra Motorsports and Porsche Centre Oakville are celebrating another motorsport championship, winning the GTD class in the 2017 Rolex 24 at Daytona. The team of Carlos de Quesada, Michael de Quesada, Jesse Lazare, Michael Christensen and Porsche Centre Oakville motorsport ambassador and GT3 Cup champion Daniel Morad overcame early adversity to charge back in the final hours of the race to capture an amazing victory. N 40 7 DUNDA S ST. 40 3 QE QE W 40 W 3 TO RO NTO HA MILTO N B T T R H R O A I N R FA D T E L L R G I N D. A E R R D . LA KESHORE RD. LA KESHORE RD. porschecentreoakville.com Porsche Centre Oakville 2250 South Service Road West Oakville, Ontario L6L 5N1 Toll Free: 1.855.319.7534 Email: [email protected] WELCOME TO OUR WORLD At the heart of the most extreme missions you’ll find exceptional men prepared to entrust their security only to the most high-performing instruments. At the heart of exceptional missions you’ll find the Breitling Avenger. A concentrated blend of power, precision and functionality, Avenger models boast an ultra-sturdy construction and water resistance ranging from 100 to 3000 m (330 to 10,000 ft). These authentic instruments for professionals are equipped with selfwinding movements officially chronometer-certified by the COSC – the only benchmark SUPER AVENGER II of reliability and precision based on an international norm. Welcome to the world of extremes. Welcome to the Breitling world. Bandiera_SupAvII_Autostrada_Mag_DPS.indd All Pages 1/23/17 11:41 AM DAWN A striking, seductive encounter The new Dawn has arrived – a Rolls-Royce like no other. A striking true four-seater, it captures the exhilaration of open-top driving with an interior crafted in anticipation of unforgettable moments between friends. Anything is possible. Contact us to start your journey. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Toronto 740 Dupont Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M6G 1Z6 Tel: 1 877 975 9444 www.rolls-roycemotorcars-toronto.com © Copyright Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC 2017. The Rolls-Royce name and logo are registered trademarks. If driving a European vehicle is your passion, it’s time to visit GermanParts.ca - An online OEM part source supplier where drivers across Canada can feel secure knowing they are purchasing quality replacement parts, at affordable prices! Visit us online and save. Next Day, Flat Rate Shipping GermanParts.ca THE REAL MEASURE OF A SUIT IS WHAT’S “UNDER THE HOOD” Unparalleled performance, for all of life’s roads. Bentayga. Introducing the extraordinary SUV. For more information, call 416 530 1880 or visit BENTLEY TORONTO 740 Dupont Street, Toronto, ON M6G 1Z6, Canada. 87 Park Lawn Road | Toronto | ON | 416.201.9024 | sorencustom.com The name 'Bentley' and the 'B' in wings device are registered trademarks. © 2017 Bentley Motors Limited. Model shown: Bentayga. driving shoes High Performance. High Style. VISIT PILOTI.COM TO VIEW OUR COMPLETE COLLECTION OF PERFORMANCE, CASUAL, AND LUXURY FOOTWEAR. © 2017 Piloti Inc. The Piloti trademarks are owned and/or licensed by Piloti Inc. All rights reserved. 20 ROBERT WICKENS 37 ACROSS THE POND AUTOSTRADA FORUM March 2017 I Vol. 3 Issue 1 CONTENTS AUTOSTRADA FORUM Inc. Sean Patrick 416.819.2576 Lucas Scarfone 905.730.4359 30 BREITLING B55 SUPERSPORTS Fax 905.627.4112 autostradaforum.com 44 DRIVEN BARBER ADVERTISING INQUIRIES 84 THE COURSE Sean Patrick 416.819.2576 48 THE KID ON THE BIKE OF TRUE LOVE Purchase the digital version of 52 SHOOTING DAYTONA Autostrada Forum Magazine online at autostradaforum.com 62 GENERATIONS OF TALENT Canada Post International Publications Mail 70 BALANCING ACT (Canadian Distribution) Agreement Number 40784513 78 SOREN CUSTOM SUITS Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of published 92 HORST KROLL materials, the Autostrada Forum Inc. 80 PILOTI SHOES cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed, facts supplied by its authors and or errors of production of any sort. Copyright 2015 The Autostrada Forum 100 IF YOU AIN’T FIRST Inc., all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. 110 ALEX GABRIAN - ARTIST Proudly printed in Canada CONTRIBUTORS The all-new 2017 Audi SQ5. CHIEF EDITORIAL WRITER John Reynolds Sean Patrick and Lucas Scarfone with Robert Wickens CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Coleman Molnar FROM THE PUBLISHERS When our March issue is released we know we’re in the home stretch before “car season” begins. Soon many of our friends will be disconnecting their battery tenders to wake up their pride and joy from the long winter hibernation. DESIGN DIRECTOR Although the winter drives many of us to warmer destinations, we Helen Witkowski are excited to have a large presence at the Canadian International Auto Show this year. Our “Autostrada Canadian Collectors” booth will host five unique cars from friends’ local collections that have generously allowed us to have them on display. The name Robert Wickens may not be a household name in Canada, but head over to Europe and Rob is one of the most popular drivers CONTRIBUTING WRITER on the grid at the DTM or “Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters” races. Michael Buccioni Coming from humble beginnings in Guelph, Ontario Robert chose go-kart racing over hockey and never looked back. ©2017©2017 Porsche Porsche Cars Cars Canada, Canada, Ltd. Porsche Ltd. Porscherecommends recommends seatbelt usage seatbelt and observance usage of and all traffic observance laws at all oftimes. all traffic laws at all times. As the seasons change, stay tuned to our social media channels to receive updates on our upcoming events and activities. We are fortunate to be working with an incredible team of partners in the magazine and we look forward to crossing paths with everyone CONTRIBUTING WRITER during the year! Nika Rolczewski See you in June, Lucas & Sean CONTRIBUTING WRITER CONTRIBUTING WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER Kirsta Deverson John R. Walker he allne arga . o at onton Porsche. The all-new 911 Targa 4 GTS. Now at Downtown Porsche. CONTRIBUTING WRITER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Michael Riley & PHOTOGRAPHER Jordan Lenssen (416) 603-9988 | 68 Parliament St. Toronto, ON M5A 0B2 www.dfcporsche.com Right at the corner of Front & Parliament (416) 603-9988 | 68 Parliament St. Toronto, ON M5A 0B2 | www.dfcporsche.com | Right at the corner of Front & Parliament 18 AUTOSTRADA Autostrada_FP_Spring_2017.indd 1 2017-02-07 4:26 PM A BETTER WAY TO BUY YOUR NEXT CAR 647.668.1680 2290 Dixie Road, Mississauga e: [email protected] www.vehicle-direct.com AUTOSTRADA 89 FEATURE STORY FEATURE HIDDEN GEM ROBERT WICKENS’ MOTORSPORTS JOURNEY STORY BY MICHAEL BUCCIONI PHOTOS COURTESY ROBERT WICKENS & MERCEDES ur interview with Robert driver for Marussia Virgin. But instead, Wickens took place soon Wickens explained, he was perhaps Oafter Nico Rosberg made the the only driver not to throw his hat in surprise announcement that he was the ring. retiring from the Mercedes Formula One team, having just won the World Instead, he was home, in Guelph Championship. So, we could be Ontario, for the Christmas break forgiven for wondering out loud if in between test sessions for the he was about to drop an exclusive upcoming 2017 DTM championship bombshell on us and reveal that he had season where he will strive to become been named as Nico’s replacement. Canada’s second (first homegrown) DTM Champion. After all, as a former member of the Mercedes Junior Driver Program, The reason why Wickens is one and as the current number one of Canada’s most successful yet driver on the factory Mercedes HWA relatively unknown racing talents is Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters attributable to the fact that the series (DTM) Championship team, who, after that he competes in, DTM, receives being hand-picked by Totto Wolff, paltry coverage on virtually all North had come tantalizingly close to American media outlets, despite capturing the 2016 title, Mercedes F1 the fact that the series, which pits would be hard pressed to find someone Mercedes, BMW and Audi sports cars more qualified. against each other, is hugely popular in Europe and provides some of the most Not to mention his lifetime of success exciting racing anywhere. in open wheel racing, including being crowned the 2011 Formula Renault Fans are treated to the sight of 600 champion, with stints behind the horsepower versions of German sports wheels of the Lotus and Red Bull F1 cars that resemble the cars we the cars as an events driver and a reserve public can take home from our local 22 AUTOSTRADA showrooms, roar around the track, often banging into one another, “like fancy Nascar,” as Wickens puts it. Hockey’s loss was racing’s gain. As a six-year-old, Wickens accompanied his mother to work.