How I channeled my inner Caswell for the NYIAS

"KylesPerGallon" (gentlemandriver)
04/18/2014 at 10:21 • Filed to: caswell, drive, jalopnik, nyias, nyas, koenigsegg, blipshift

Life is honestly too short to sit back and wait for things to happen.

I like to think this is what Sir William of Caswell was thinking when he decided to leave his previous life behind to wrench on a Bimmer tearing through a rally stage on nothing but adrenaline, booze, and booze mixed with energy drinks. I imagine when Bill isn't out lapping the Nürburgring or getting into bar fights he's a pretty normal guy. One who just happens to be living out his dream. There's no reason you can't also.

The trick to getting a press pass in a closely regarded industry secret and divulging such information is strictly verboten.

This story starts just over a month ago, a friend of mine told me I could piggyback off of him and get into the car show during the press days. He said it was an experience unlike any you have ever had at the New York International Auto Show. I was intrigued to say the least. The prospect of talking to actual company reps, seeing cars with their shift knobs still in place, and being able to spend more than 30 seconds behind the wheel of a Mini Paceman without a young pacific island child smudging his face into the driver side window seemed like a dream. But was it attainable?

It's been a day now since I attended my first press event at the NYAS. I sat down at the end of the night, knees aching from being on my feet for 14 hours straight, and dumped out the contents of my pockets. I felt pretty damn pleased with how the day had gone and how I had made it happen.

Truth be told I didn't really deserve to be at this press event, not yet anyways (This may or may not have sparked a creative interest for me). The trick to getting a press pass is a closely regarded industry secret and divulging such information is strictly verboten. I am currently a Mechanical Engineering student at Binghamton University in upstate New York. I don't write for MotorTrend nor am I a videographer for NBC. What I am is an automotive enthusiast. Armed only with my wits, a desire to park my ass in exotic bolstered leather seats, and a Canon DSLR, I set out to "Carpe Caswell". Hopped on a train into Penn Station, walked to the Javits center, followed the signs for the press check in desk. I got approved too late to have my press badge mailed to me so I was told I needed to pick it up when I checked in. Walk up to the counter with a smile, "Hi my name is..." followed by a swift kick in the nuts. "I'm sorry sir, we don't seem to have you in the system." This crap never happens to Chris Harris. I imagine when he shows up to the Geneva auto show they trip over themselves to throw keys at him. That kind of hospitality doesn't happen to us Caswells. We're still trudging through the booby-trapped rally stage at this point.

I watched a small humanoid robot dance to pop music as my first press event at an auto show.

Surely there's been a mistake, but it would take another 20 minutes of confident smiles and knowledge to con my way into a press badge. I had been told I was admitted a week prior. I came all the way into the city with my camera in hand, I'll be damned before I go home empty handed (Protip:Toyota has cool custom rubik's cubes). The automotive gods parted the seas and the head press officer okay'd my pass. I couldn't get in touch with my friends who were already there at this point. No sooner do I turn around and a horde of journalists come pouring out of the Dodge Press Conference. They moved together like sheep shuffling along to the next area. I slipped into the pack like the protagonist in Assassins Creed. Up escalators and stairs they marched, directed by the sheepdogs in yellow Auto Show shirts holding signs with arrows saying "Next Press Conference this way". Everyone is gathering in front of the Honda booth. It appears as if something will happen there. All eyes faced forward trained on the rehearsed speech from a high up from Honda. Except it wasn't really rehearsed. I was the only one who looked back and saw this teleprompter scrolling away. Maybe they all noticed it at some point and didn't care anymore. They next brought up ASIMO on stage to show off his balance features. I watched a small humanoid robot dance to pop music as my first press event at an auto show.

I was impressed, but what was most impressive is that they fed me afterwords, they thanked me for watching a 20 minute presentation that involved the HUGE BUILDUP that was the HR-V (not the vehicle itself just the name). I actually ate salmon and was reasonable satisfied. Had I ordered the same meal downstairs in the food court it would have cost me just shy of ticking the PCCB option box on a new 911. Moving on we checked out a few things at Scion looking at the new Series 1.0 FR-S. It was decked out with all the TRD options and the first thing I noticed was the look at me yellow paint job quad exhaust tips that obviously meant that nothing substantial had been done to the power plant.

Koenigsegg. Everything changed here. The next press conference was across the hall at the Manhattan Motorcars booth. I had expected another marketing professional to be reading another rote speech. As I approached the booth I see a familiar looking sight.

Its him, its actually Christian Von Koenigsegg. Founder of Koenigsegg, owner of the FlexFuel patent (to which he receives the majority of his money and what gives him the freedom to make truly amazing cars). What is he doing here? I start snapping away pictures as he delivers his speech. *My friend nudges me* , "Look...thats Leo Parente. And there's Mike Spinelli." I've got a weird feeling now. Its not starstruck, but they're like the baseball cards I'd collect if being in the automotive industry was a sport.

"I'll trade you a Raphael Orlove and two Spinelli's for your Chris Harris"

I had just watched the /Drive video just days prior of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! where Christian talked about 3D printing parts. As an Engineer who is actively working with 3D printers and an automotive enthusiast this is huge for me. It was like my brain shorted and I had a single purpose for the time being. I had to enter WRC Mexico talk to Christian about 3D printing and aero and all sorts of nerdy stuff. After all we both have an engineering background. He gave his speech off the cuff and at the end they fired up the Agera R quickly and revved it a bit. Our colleges from across the pond like to use the word "rorty" If rorty means 1200 hp vibrating your chest then it was certainly applicable in this situation. I patiently waited as Mr. Koenigsegg talked with various large media for interviews and smooth talked prospective clients. I finally had my opportunity to talk to the man himself.

"Hi, Mr. Koenigsegg"

"Please, Christian."

"I don't really belong here, I'm an engineering student...(deep breath)...but I saw the most recent video you did for /Drive talking about rapid prototyping using 3D printers..."

...I nailed my forehead getting out of the damn Agera R

For the next 10 minutes Christian Von Koenigsegg entertained all of my questions, walking me, a student through the car showing off all the technical prowess he has accumulated in the 20 years he's been making hypercars. We talked about meeting German safety standards for carbon fiber wheels, potential US regulations allowing Agera's to be sold stateside, US DOT crash test requirements, carbon monocoques, the operation of the triplex suspension. I have never met a more down to earth guy in my life. Then I asked him if I could sit in the car. No one else had done so apart from the BBC reporter who conducted an interview with the big man inside the car. He said yes as long as my jeans didn't have any rivets that could damage the interior (they didn't). I gingerly lowered myself into the soft subtle heavily bolstered leather seat and tightened my grip on the steering wheel. I am sitting behind the wheel of a $1.6 MILLION FUCKING DOLLAR HYPEROMG. My heart starts beating so fast I struggle to hold my cell phone still enough to instagram this moment which my friends would never believe if I didn't have photographic evidence. Not wanting to overextend my stay I want to get out of the car quickly so it doesn't look like I'm about to do something mischievous, the key was in the ignition after all. As I begin pulling myself out of the carbon monocoque I nailed my forehead getting out of the damn Agera R! I have a bruise on my head today because of it. But it wouldn't dampen my spirits at all.

It honestly felt great, I walked away from our technical talk with a renewed confidence. Then I spotted JF Musial and made a b-line for him. I've been wanting to get into reviewing cars as a hobby and have been trying to position myself in the right place to do so for a while. I also really enjoy filming as well so I talked to JF for a little while and offered my services and he told me to e-mail him and show him what I had. Fucking killing it right now.

I spent the next 4 hours canvasing the pavilion is peace hopping inside most vehicles. 90% of which would probably be locked tomorrow. There was a point where I could have screwed off a shift knob and kept it as a trophy, surely whatever isn't nailed down will by gone by tomorrow night. It felt so petty, "thats a public day thing, you've made it to the big leagues" I thought to myself. Before the end I sat in the one car I could realistically see myself buying in the near future. A Ford Fiesta ST. I want this car so badly but the ex-girlfriend Jetta will have to suffice for now.''

I left the show, spent an hour decompressing and recharging my dead cell phone in Starbucks reflecting on the day's events. I had to high tail it back almost to the Javits center to make it over to the BlipShift/Jalopnik afterparty that I RSVP'd to. I was desperately hoping I wouldn't have to talk to 8 different people to get in. Walk in, say my name, get a wristband. That was easy. I walk in and realize, I'm a damn commenter on an automotive blog. I know no one here. I mean I see JF, Mike Spinelli, Travis Okluski, and various other names that I'm struggling to match faces with. I can't just walk in and start talking to these guys about that great article they wrote last week. Plus some of them are chatting up girls, it is a party after all and I highly doubt that they'd like to be interrupted by some kid asking about the power-to-weight ratio of the new Z28 and if I should just buy a Miata. Headlights go up, headlights go down . Bought an awesome shirt from the BlipShift people. Honestly if you haven't checked them out yet !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is a really awesome company. Then I found someone who looked a bit lost in all the commotion like me. Introduced myself and just started talking cars. Its a BlipShift/Jalopnik party you can't fail just talking about turbo's and flat sixes.

Mike Spinelli is so much more than awesome hair. Got to talking about how we want more Mike on the show, how the only person who could possibly replace him is Alex Roy, and how damn good the Z28 is (there were no girls around at this point). Honestly can't wait for the review. I am so unbelievably jealous that this guy drove a 918 around COTA chasing down Patrick Long in a 991 Turbo. The after party was filled with really awesome people from all different backgrounds. I just wish I had a business card, everyone was asking me for one. I'm just a mechanical engineering student right now. What do I put on it?

Mechanical & Social Engineer

I think I can get used to this press thing...

This article has be reposted on my new website. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (60)

mazdaspeed2 > KylesPerGallon
04/18/2014 at 10:33

Awesome write up! I am insanely jealous (and also an engineering student). What was your favorite part?

KylesPerGallon > mazdaspeed2
04/18/2014 at 10:38

Of the whole day? Definitely my chat with Christian. He is such an incredibly smart guy. The FlexFuel thing was huge for him so he makes cars because he wants to, not nessisarily for profit so theres passion there. A sense that things are done for design and function over cost. And the fact that he's gonna have a lock on the next major tech that is hydraulic valves.

mazdaspeed2 > KylesPerGallon
04/18/2014 at 10:42

I am definitely most jealous of that. He sounds like one of the coolest people to talk to, and his series on drive has been my favorite thing to watch. Working for him looks like heaven haha.

William Byrd > KylesPerGallon
04/18/2014 at 11:25

That's outstanding! I have gotten press passes for DC for a couple years, but NY would be such a great experience. Maybe next year.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > KylesPerGallon
04/18/2014 at 12:46

This needs to be on the front page!

Great stuff, man. I got into SEMA a few years back, with this guy's pass:

Kinja'd!!!

He was doing promotion for my little brother's company on Saturday, but I got it on Sunday. Was fantastic, but your story destroys mine!

Over-the-River > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 13:52

Great article about a dream come true. No matter how important you become as an automotive designer please leave a little time for the men and women just starting their dream.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 13:54

I just wish I had a business card, everyone was asking me for one. I'm just a mechanical engineering student right now. What do I put on it?

You could put together your own site on Kinja and brand your business card that way. It would give people an easy way to view your work and you now have something to go on your business card.

ssidd47 > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 14:06

Sir, you are a massive baller. Props to you for being able to do this. Loved the story!

TerraTech > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 14:08

He doesnt really say how he got in... "it would take another 20 minutes of confident smiles and knowledge to con my way into a press badge." . Its pretty vague

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 14:15

This is awesome. I always hoped to get in before the riff raft trashes half the cars and the others get all lock up.

johnstone32 > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 14:50

Good for you bro.... good for you

olason > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 14:53

That is awesome that you got in on a Press Day, and I can't say I have done that myself. If you are looking for aftermarket shows, check out the SEMA Scholarship (it is closed for this year). Seriously though, they invite the winners, and they love enthusiastic students. I went in 2012 and 2013, and I know your love for cars would have had you smiling behind the wheel of the LFA the Lexus booth was letting people dyno run.

Roge > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 15:00

This was a great article, right up until you started fellating mike spinelli.

VeeR > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 15:08

Kinja'd!!!

This is as close as I got to the man himself....

Great story!

ro51092 > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 15:24

glad to see some gearheads at BU. what year are you?

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 15:44

Amazing article. I'd love to feature some of your writing on my site. What's your email?

Singhjr96 > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 15:46

You lucky lucky mother.... ERGGGHH*sounds of anger and jealously*. But that is seriously awesome. I would have died if I had a chance to do something like this.

LTA > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 15:51

My god... I would kill to have a chat with that man.. i mean CARGOD himself!

Also wanting to be an engineering student but I screwed up my high school grades and all because of stuff I didn't have control over, so I can't get into an university...

Oh well, I just wanna be kewl like you "official" engineering students.

LamboBro > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 15:59

Great article! I have had a couple similar experience which I honestly should just write about; maybe somebody will find them interesting. I use to intern for Lamborghini Palm Beach and met Mr. Balboni and Winkelman at a aventador unveiling event in Miami a few years back. I am so jealous you met Mr. Koenigsegg and spoke with him for a while! I am marketing student graduating this semester so I know the feeling of not having a business card or feeling "out of place," but once you put the smile on and act like you are supposed to be there nobody ever questions you. Honestly, you probably had the same experience with this, once someone knows you are a student and just genuinely interested in something they spend forever talking to you! Again great article and best of luck to you in school!

Aaron Brown > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 16:03

Great write up. Kyle?

Dave Averill > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 16:05

Oh how envious you've made me. I felt high and mighty because I managed to talk mine, my Dad and my friend's way in to a leading team garage at the BTCC yesterday, but meeting Christian tops everything. Very entertaining to read, I hope I get to read more from you.

Also a Engineering Student (Mechanical)

KylesPerGallon > Aaron Brown
04/20/2014 at 16:37

Haha, yea whats up A- Aron

KylesPerGallon > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez
04/20/2014 at 16:39

gentleman.driver14@gmail.com

KylesPerGallon > ssidd47
04/20/2014 at 16:40

Thank you, I had always wanted to do a write up like this and I'm glad I finally got the chance to do so.

KylesPerGallon > LTA
04/20/2014 at 16:42

I wouldn't give up man, theres a decent amount you can teach yourself and you could find a niche to make some things yourself. The market is ripe for entrepreneurs to enter and kickstart their ideas.

KylesPerGallon > LamboBro
04/20/2014 at 16:44

Thank you. Honestly I'm hugely jealous of meeting Valentino Balboni. He is like the rockstar of the automotive industry where Koenigsegg is like the Stephen Hawking (before ALS)

KylesPerGallon > TerraTech
04/20/2014 at 16:47

I don't want to announce it everywhere but I emailed the press office and told them I was writing and article for my University's paper about the automotive industry. They gave me a lot of shit when I got there because I did it late and they said I wasn't in the system. Then they decided to grill me about it for 30 minutes before they let me in. I had to know my stuff and con my way in.

KylesPerGallon > ro51092
04/20/2014 at 17:03

Sophomore for another month

*edit: we have a very active car club actually

KylesPerGallon > Roge
04/20/2014 at 17:09

I would have rather Richard Meaden but he doesn't come out for these low brow events.

LTA > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 17:10

I'm not as much worried about the knowledge I'd lose by not attending uni, but I am worried about the future... what if my company fails, if i had a degree i could get a job faster.

Aurune > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 17:18

Christian is really a class act. He was really nice to me despite me not having the ability to buy anything he makes. Even let me snap a picture with him. Just one more reason to want to buy something from him.

Amir Hakim Malik > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 17:32

Jealousy ensues...CVK and Horacio Pagani are two people I think I would honestly crap myself if i got the chance to talk shop with...

R W > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 17:49

Yawn. Yes, connections get you places.

TurboSloth > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 18:05

wait, I'm confused. So did you really sign up to get a press badge, or did you just show up, and acted like you were press, in which the guy at the desk eventually just gave you a badge?

Because if it's the latter, then I'm coming with you next year during press only days to NYIAS.

KylesPerGallon > Amir Hakim Malik
04/20/2014 at 18:15

I still think that's my favorite video on drive was the Driven episode with Horacio Pagani.

KylesPerGallon > TurboSloth
04/20/2014 at 18:20

No I actually had registered online and had been approved and registered. When I showered up they told me that I wasn't in the system. So I had even approved first and I wasn't in the system for some reason when I got there

UglyDuckCar > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 18:25

Man, and I thought it was impressive that I got into Aston Martin and Rolls Royce. Damn good show there GD.

JF Musial > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 19:00

Still waiting for that e-mail :)

dogisbadob > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 20:01

Awesome writeup! You're so lucky!

GFFFFF > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 20:43

Next time, kick Spinelli in the balls and run for the door. Kidding, we all love the spinmeister.

Sean > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 22:14

missed your big chance there with koenigsegggggggg to give him your business card or a small flyer with your (potential, You are after all only a student) qualifications and personal details on it. Even better would have been to ask him for a contact address that you could send your stuff to later. Even if he just gave you a generic koenigsegggggggg contact email, you have a slight advantage in that he's met you and (may...) remember you.

You could potentially use this contact for at least some work experience or an internship, if not not an outright job (remote possibility but worth hoping for) Lesson is, never miss a networking opportunity.

You can face palm yourself now.

Leo Tauer > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 22:17

I loved reading your story, it reminded me of my experience at the 2007 NAIAS!

I was a first year auto tech student at Indiana State, and barely spoke English at the time (since then I got a BS in mechanical engineering). I too conned my way into the auto show with a press pass after driving 6 hours through the cold January night before the first press day in my 1993 Mazda Protege I had bought for $700. I drove there on the day the show opened, because money was tight, and I could only afford two nights at the cheapest motel in the Detroit area — I can honestly say it wasn't in a nice neighborhood.

I too liked the food and the souvenirs, especially the djembe I took home from the Jeep press conference; now that I think of it they must've known what they were doing, since I'm a proud owner of a Wrangler JK today.

At the time I wasn't an engineering student yet, and was still believing I could become an automotive designer (since then I realized I can't draw), so my von Koenigsegg was Chris Bangle with whom I talked about a variety of things from car design to life philosophy. He must've influenced me somehow too, because my other car is a BMW... Anyway, it was a great experience overall, and I'm glad I could attend that show as a (fake) reporter based on what you said about the public days. If anyone's interested here are two galleries of the pictures I took there; it's interesting to see what was brand new 7 (OMG) years ago:

http://index.hu/gal/?dir=total…

And here's my nervous self while trying to hide my excitement beside the Man himself:

Kinja'd!!!

PICKLEBOY > KylesPerGallon
04/20/2014 at 23:44

I am extremely jealous of you, I too am currently in school for mechanical engineering and felt the same way when you mentioned the 3D printing episode of inside Koienisegg. Sounds like you had a great experience.

Chris Nuggets > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 00:24

I didn't know Koenigsegg invented the FlexFuel tech. I can't find any info to support that, is it just a little known fact? Does he get royalties from companies that use the tech like GM or did he just sell the tech for a lump sum?

KylesPerGallon > Leo Tauer
04/21/2014 at 00:35

Awesome story man, happy to hear that this is a recurring theme sneaking into press events and meeting industry contacts.

KylesPerGallon > Chris Nuggets
04/21/2014 at 00:47

I'm struggling now to find where I read that. I could be wrong but I remember reading that it supplemented his income to free up cash-flow for the supercar works.

shanepj13 > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 01:06

As a fellow ME student and auto enthusiast (also in upstate NY!!), I can say I am massively jealous. Christian is pretty much the person I look up to most in this industry. I would go crazy just being able to see him from across the display, let alone meet him and get his permission to sit in the Agera. I am jealous beyond belief, you're lucky! I'm stuck going to a public day this coming weekend, which as cool as it is, I wish I could be there during the press week. It's just something weird about being an auto enthusiast and nerd.

TheRickster > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 03:58

Right on man, I got into the 2013 NAIAS press days and it was everything I dreamed it would be. My fiancee worked her ass off to try to get me a gift that I said was impossible and she did it. Only one car company really entertained her, only 3 were making semi attempts to sound caring. But needless to say a quick phone call from that awesome person for a company I now hold on such a higher pedestal than before, thanks to her we were in and a childhood dream was filled and a bucket list check box checked.

Sadly, my fiancee was diagnosed with MS literally 2 days before we were leaving. She refused to not go, however. So with her having random moments of not being able to move her arm to having to deal with the new feature called double vision (this lead to her diagnosis) I still had a blast. I'll forever remember the day the lead c7 designer was waiting for me to get out of a LFA Nuremberg edition, my dream car. I really wanted to spend time networking as I was still really wanting to get into automotive marketing but I was just so busy taking everything in.

I really wish I would have written the company rep a thank you email but last year was just crazy busy and I kept putting it off. I did thank her in person, but I really don't think she knows she made one of the best weeks of my life so far. I feel like it'd be way to late to send that email now and I'd just feel awkward, but if she sees this she'll know who she is and to her I say, Thank You.

Kingen2 > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 05:00

The corporate culture in Sweden is one of very "high ceilings". This means that it's usually no biggie to get CEO's of multi billion dollar companies on the phone, most of them will even call you back if you leave a message. In short, honchos in Sweden are very accessible and for the most part nice:-)

ruquik > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 05:22

"As an Engineer who is actively working with 3D printers and an automotive enthusiast this is huge for me."

Yeah, until you get that degree, you aren't and engineer.

xhch780528 > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 08:31

Fu nny: http://www.119rcw.com/tp/class.asp?i…

Beaut y: http://www.119rcw.com/tp/class.asp?i…

Sexy beauty : http://www.119rcw.com/tp/class.asp?i…

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 10:25

Very cool, and good writeup. I got an invite to last year's C7 reveal in NYC. I got to talk at length with Tadge Juechter and Tom Peters about the car's engineering and design. Both were great guys, and gave an amazing insight into what went into that car.

macanamera > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 10:52

Where did you get this info? Can you elaborate?

KroK13 > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 12:05

I'm sure everyone has told you how jealous they are, but as a Mechanical Engineering student who changed his major to Creative Writing and Business.... Honestly, Christian is the only one who makes me question my switch. Congrats on sneaking into the press day.

Big Block I-4 > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 12:35

A Business card with your name, number and email along with "mechanical Engineer" and school/ graduation date is actually a great idea, especially in this kind of setting. Something that I wish I had done when I was in college. Possibly even including "aspiring automotive engineer". Great way to get your name and information out to a lot of people quickly.

Dr_Watson > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 12:36

He comes from money. The company logo is his family crest. ;)

Brilliant guy, but the company was started the old fashioned way: wealthy relatives and loans. The startup story is no secret.

http://www.autozine.org/Manufacturer/S…

homebrewED > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 14:35

Wait I'm confused... what the hell is a Mechanical & Social Engineer? You design some gears/sprockets/widgets and then you analyze how they fit into society?

wwheee > homebrewED
04/21/2014 at 16:03

Mechanical Engineer = school-age

Social Engineer = walk up to car CEO and carry on intelligent conversation!

-wwheee

Oh Look A T-Rex > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 16:09

If I could envy you more, I'd have to turn into a reptile to achieve that level of green. I've always wanted to talk cars with the guys from Jalopnik. Speaking to Mr. Christian von Koenigsegg is something I could only dream of doing. He is absolutely my greatest idol in the car manufacturing business. You think you can hook me up with your friend who helped you get in? Haha kidding... but seriously.

TractionControlOff > KylesPerGallon
04/21/2014 at 18:37

Congrats!!! I had almost the exact same experience. I was granted a press pass, they told me I wasn't in the system, ended up getting in anyway and got to meet and chat with
"Christian." I referenced "Inside Koenigsegg" as well. The man is incredible; both as an automotive genius and his personality. That he took time out of his busy day to chat with you and me shows what kind of a person he is. Great writeup!