Today I met Mexico's most Famous Automotive Journalist. It was Epic

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve) 05/07/2014 at 18:57 • Filed to: None

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Now, we all know very famous Automotive Journalists from around the world: Clarkson, Harris, and many others. Mexico also has its own very important figure to the automotive world, and his name is Alfonso Chiquini. He is a 38-40 ish year old men that goes around the world, has a radio show, a TV show, and visits to a lot of places to eat free food and drive cars nice cars. Or in any Opponauts mind, heaven. He is the most famous, and well known journalist of the country, and today I had the fortune to meet him. He is absolutely awesome.

Yesterday, the Missed Opportunity:

It all started yesterday when I discovered that Alfonso was in town. My town. A town that anyone could cross on a bike in an afternoon, and not feel tired. It all happened when I was coming back from school. My father had gone for me since my car was at the mechanic to fix its handbrake (Update: Oliver can now hoon). It was around 3:20 and I reached the mechanic who had my car ready to go. I was feeling pretty good because I Oliver was finally getting that vital piece it needed. My father paid, and we were off our separate ways. I was heading home when I decided to put the Car Radio Show that goes on from 3:30 to 4 P.M. I turned it on and started hearing his voice saying info. about Focuses and some other Fords.

Then, as he said he was going to commercials, I heard these words: "Presenting Live at Ford Superservicio Tampico Avenida Hidalgo, for everyone living in Tampico Madero and Altamira. Visit us today at Ford." My mouth opened and I just could not believe it. I floored the damn 2 point slow and tried to get to that Ford dealership as quickly as I could. I got to the dealership and immediately started looking for a desk with 2 men behind some fuzzy microphones waiting for commercials to end. I saw nothing.

In the town where I live there is a second Ford dealership in the same street about 4 miles away, and just hypothesised in my brain that he would be on the other one. I accelerated again into traffic, hoping those 4 and a bit miles would be covered in less than 10 minutes. But these were 4 Mexican miles. Which means public transport, locals, and pedestrians don't want anyone getting to their destination on time. I screeched to a halt at the outer parking as the clock ticked 4:01. I heard through the Monsoon speakers at Alfonsos voice wrapping up the show but I didn't saw anyone inside. I was at the wrong Ford.

The ride home was quite sad, but all my regrets went away when I heard Alfonso say this wasn't the final goodbye to Tampico. He would be here one more day.

Today, I made a new Friend:

I knew Alfonso was going to be here, today, broadcasting from someplace in the city. Issue was, that place was unknown to me, and I kept thinking about it all through school since I was not going to loose another opportunity to meet him. I returned home from school at 3 P.M. and finished eating at 3:20. Same time I entered Oliver, tuned the radio, and went Journalist Hunting. I started leaving my closed neighbourhood as he said his location. What do you say? He was at the same Ford dealership I left so sadly from just the day before.

I accelerated, and wrung out some revs from the archaic 4 Cylinder, which brought adequate power to do some overtaking and delivered me at the same parking space I had gone from yesterday. I climbed out of the car and into the dealership feeling psyched, only to find the same scenario as yesterday. Absence. There wasn't a desk, or a Journalist, or even a damn client. To put it into perspective, the employees saw me come in as if I was entering a wedding dressed as a Ferret. I was just as confused as them.

I returned to my car turning on the radio to hear an explanation of what was going on. I stayed in the car the last 5 Minutes of the show where he did the same wrap up and gratitude to the Ford Dealership of Tampico who received him so kindly. As I heard the last words, I say the only 2 moving objects of the dealership returning to their car. Fortunately, of those 2 objects, there was the one I was most interested in. Alfonso Chiquini.

I got nervous, like seriously. I came out of my car too silently, which is bad since I didn't want him to think I was going to stab him or come up to scare him. "Alfonso!" I said as I was nearing him, "Can I take a Picture with you? I am a fan"

"Absolutley man, come on!" He said in a very reassuring friendly tone, and gave my phone to the man who was with him. He took 3 pictures, and Alfonso made absolutely sure that they were taken properly.

" Take a look at them, if they are bad, well take another photo."

I was starting to like him. Then, I told him:

"I am a big fan of the show, I just heard that you were in Tampico and I came here as fast as I could"

"Why didn't you come in before?" He responded

"I couldn't arrive on time, sorry, but I really wanted to." Damn was it hard to come up with that without mumbling.

"Well, I am very happy you came. I am going to return to your town for a Tennis tournament around October. Give yourself a look, and come meet me." He said.

"Absolutley, thank you a lot." I told him, really smiling by now.

"Hey, whats your name boy?"

"Vicente Esteve"

"Thats great, Ill see you later then."

"Thank you a lot, I will see you later"

And that was it. I returned to Oliver with my heart pounding, and merged into the street. I couldn't stop smiling, and I was amazed at how cool he actually was. He treated me, not as a boy, but as someone who he cares about. Then, all of a sudden, I was going my way on my lane when turn around my head to the right to see a 2007 Black Mercury Milan with a man grinning and making the "peace and love" gesture with his hands and waving good-bye. It was him. As he stormed off north I concluded that he was heading for the airport. And that last time we saw each other, was the Icing on the Epic Cake.

Brian Silvestro > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 18:58

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SOON

jkm7680 > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 18:58

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That's awesome! Glad you got to meet him.

Vicente Esteve > Brian Silvestro 05/07/2014 at 18:59

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Hahaha I didnt see that coming, Oh, and I got to see the FieSTa today. Man is it a cool car. Great Choice.

Vicente Esteve > jkm7680 05/07/2014 at 19:00

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Thanks! It really was great. I have met Enrique Iglesias before, but I was just as nervous this time.

Brian Silvestro > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 19:01

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Thanks!

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 19:02

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Awesome, I hope I can meet Jerry Seinfeld tomorrow. PS how is your name pronounced?

jkm7680 > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 19:02

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Haha, Nice.

Come to think of it, I haven't met that many famous folks.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 19:05

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YOU MET ENRIQUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO FREAKING JEALOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vicente Esteve > Brian Silvestro 05/07/2014 at 19:13

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You thought I forgot didn't you...

Brian Silvestro > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 19:14

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YOU WIN THIS ROUND

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/07/2014 at 19:17

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Really? Thats very cool!

It is pronounces Vi (Vee) cen (like cent) te (teh) Es (ehs) te (teh) ve (e)

Vicente Esteve > jkm7680 05/07/2014 at 19:21

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My parents have the best luck. My parents hves sen Dwayne Johnson "Rock", Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, and guitarist slash at pretty much high giving distance. These are just the most known, there are like 4 other Mexican artists you probably don't know about.

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/07/2014 at 19:28

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He and his wife, the tennis player whom I don't remember the name. It was so funny, we were waiting for him to finish his meal since we were on the same restaurant in Miami, and when we ask him for a picture he said "NO!" in the most Assholey way. Then he returns giggling saying, "gotcha!"

I was left speechless. My sister took the picture which is blurry as hell, and doesn't really look like him. Then His wife seemed to be pissed we didn't recognise her, so when Enrique was coming to pose for the photo she said: "Can you give me the keys?" Enrique tosses her the keys of the black Escalade from like 6 feet, and she didnt catch them. As she kneeled for them she moaned and left.

It was an amazing experience.

Afterwards, I got my hand stuck in the closed door of a cab. But I didn't feel pain.

Your boy, BJR > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 19:30

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Oh my god that is so fucking cool. Seriously man, It's great that you got to meet one of your idols, and he was absolutely as awesome as you imagined.

Vicente Esteve > Your boy, BJR 05/07/2014 at 19:36

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It was too good, really cool guy. Hope to see him in October.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 19:44

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Awesome.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 19:49

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So it is like the Spanish version of my name. (me llamo Vincent)

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/07/2014 at 20:07

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Exactly!

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 20:24

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Ok then how many hand brake turns have you done so far?

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/07/2014 at 20:30

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It is a really weak Hand break. I don't know if changing the pads will make it stronger, but It is just adequate. I have to go like 25 mph and pull it hard to make the wheels squeal. But not much else. Any recommendations?

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 20:34

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Maybe new brakes........or get a Scirocco.

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/07/2014 at 20:39

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Uhh....

Im struggling with the choice.

EL_ULY > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 20:41

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chidooo! Awesome dude!

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 20:41

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the Us only gets the 1980s sciroccos and I want one.

Vicente Esteve > EL_ULY 05/07/2014 at 20:42

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Thanks man. Estuvo con Mambo

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/07/2014 at 20:44

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Temptation is a cruel mistress

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve 05/07/2014 at 20:46

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Right now I am looking for a fiat spider. But after that I might get a Scirocco.

Fenderaddict2 > Vicente Esteve 05/13/2014 at 10:57

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Alfonso Chiquini sounds like a decent chap. Glad you caught up with him.

Vicente Esteve > Fenderaddict2 05/13/2014 at 11:06

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He is amazing, much cooler than I thought

Alex > Vicente Esteve 05/27/2014 at 21:34

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Hi there, this is Alex from Mexico. I found this post in the Internet and I need to say that you are absolutelly wrong. The most famous, charismatic and friendly of all the automotive journalists in México is Franky Mostro (Hector de Losada): @frankymostro , I recomend you to follow him. You can vistit his website also: www.frankymostro.com and you will have fun. See you soon and please, do not compare 4k followers against 103k.
Enjoy!

Vicente Esteve > Alex 05/27/2014 at 21:41

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Had NO idea about him actually. I just said he was the most popular because I hear him in his radio show, on TV, and probably all the places Franky is as well. Thanks for the suggestion.

Ricardo > Vicente Esteve 01/30/2016 at 11:17

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Congratulations in this post Vicente! I just stumbled upon your chronicle by chance and I thought it was really well done, especially how you describe all of the excitement and rush that you felt before meeting Alfonso. I don’t know if you plan on becoming an automotive journalist, but if so, you are well on your way.

Best regards and keep up that good work.