As a Canadian rally fan, journalist and past competitor, I obviously have an affinity for the sport here in this country. For many years, rally in Canada has been a very small niche sport, largely because many events are held in very rural settings. With the advent of modern media though, perhaps driven by the success of series like the X-Games and Global RallyCross, the scene has become much more vibrant in recent years as potential fans can see just how exciting the sport is from home.
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It’s fast out there! ACP at the 2008 Olympus Rally
The latest in a series of videos from the Andrew Comrie-Picard camp is this stunning piece covering Team ACP at the 2008 Olympus Rally. If you are a regular reader, you’ll recognize the shooting style of Warwick Patterson and the rest of the team at Flat Over Crest.
After the break of course
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2008 Canadian Rally Championship kicks off at Perce Neige
If there is one Canadian rally that I’ve regretted not running, it’s Perce Neige. Held in the dead of winter in snowy Quebec, PN is truly a test of man and machine. Way back in the early Nineties, my team owner, John Heintzman campaigned the little Suzuki and learned the hard way that stock alternators are not designed to power a full light pod, high beams, front and rear defrosters all at once.
The 2008 season is under way today and the boys at Flat Over Crest are there in full force. Andrew Harvey is shooting stills, while Warwick Patterson gets more of that incredible video that he’s so well known for. Another member of the FOC team is Erik Ockwell, who is manning a microphone for the newly launched FOC Rally Radio, where fans can get daily updates, live from the snowy forests of Northern Quebec.
Video review: flatovercrest.com 2007 video magazine
I went to pick up mail today and it’s like Christmas all over again! My copy of the flatovercrest.com 2007 rally video magazine had arrived. Of course as soon as I got home from shooting photos of the Taurus X, I had to plant myself in front of the new lcd tv to get my fill. Oh my!
Way back in the early Eighties, there was a video put together about the glory days of Audi and the Group B. That video pretty much set the standard for rally video and has withstood the test of time, even today it is plastered all over the gootoobz. Nothing else has really come close to capturing the passion and excitement that is performance rally. Until now. Canadian film maker Warwick Patterson has produced, filmed and edited what may be the best rally video ever created!
The dvd holds the video magazine, which is a 30 minute movie and a bunch of extras, including in car footage and raw footage from the 2006 WRC Mexico. The feature is so stunning that an old school TV would be a waste. With a modern hd tv, the filming has an almost surreal quality that allows the cars to jump off the screen, while the dust is still hanging in the air. The well chosen sound track keeps things pumping as we travel from New Zealand to Mexico, then back up to Ontario and Quebec. The in car footage from Sylvain Erickson’s car in the snow is downright frightening.
If you have even the faintest interest in performance rally then you absolutely MUST get yourself a copy of the video!
A new standard has been set!
Holiday Gift Giving Guide: 2008 Flatovercrest.com rally video magazine dvd
Every gearhead loves car videos. When those videos include stunning filmography, fire breathing rally cars and flying rocks, it approaches auto-erotica.
Canadian film maker Warwick Patterson and the team at Flatovercrest.com have assembled what promises to be one of the best rally videos of all time. Best of all, you can get your hands on a copy for the paltry sum of $24.95 plus shipping from the FOC store.
Catch a teaser video of Ken Block after the break
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The Road To Targa
As we’ve pointed out many times here in The Garage (maybe too many) the car hobby is about more than just cars. It’s about people. We’ve had some incredibly cool people hanging out in The Garage, and maybe the coolest thing is when those people inspire each other. Last week, one of our creative friends, Warwick Patterson from Formula Photographic, Flat Over Crest, MTB Films and God knows what else launched yet another blog.
Inspired by watching Gary Faules chronical the build of Lucky, the GT-350 clone on their way to La Carrera Panamerica, Warwick and friends have decided to launch their own rally timeline blog. With the 2007 running of Targa Newfoundland only just in the record books, Warwick and partner in crime Dave Hord have announced their intention to enter the 2008 Targa. The cool thing here is that we’re going to watch a pair of talented, money strapped young guys from start to finish. That includes sponsor hunting, car choice & build right on up to the actual event. Somehow I suspect that we’ll be treated to some pretty incredible photography and maybe a video or two along the way.
Be sure to bookmark Road to Targa Newfoundland. If we’re lucky, Warwick will shoot the odd tidbit towards The Garage too!
Flat Over Crest launches video #2
The Flat Over Crest team has killed it yet again with the launch of video magazine #2, where Warwick Patterson follows Ken Block (above at the X Games) to New Zealand for the Rally of Whangarei. Block details the recce process and how it can make or break a driver’s rally. The film quality and soundtrack are stunning.
Warwick Patterson is definitely the Warren Miller of Rallysport!
Once you’ve watched the video, be sure to stop by the new FOC message board and say hi.
Flat Over Crest Launches Video Magazine Edition #1
Regular readers here in The Garage know that I’m a sucker for killer car videos. When they are assembled by Canadians I’m just stoked & even a bit proud. The team at Flat Over Crest, have been talking the last few months about their upcoming video magazine. The fruits of their labour, produced and directed by Warwick Patterson are now available to us, the internet viewers.
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Flatovercrest Video Magazine
Attention all you rally video lovers: Have you had enough of those grainy, poor quality rally videos you find on the gootubes? If so, get ready for Flatovercrest Video Magazine. Warwick Patterson and friends at Formula Photographic and Flatovercrest.com have put their considerable talents together to create a new video series just for you. These 7-10 minute video podcasts will be presented in widescreen, hi def format, ensuring your viewing pleasure, beginning in February. Later in the year, the series will be available on a special DVD.
Welcome back from vacation – a news explosion
Here we are, back in The Garage after a few days of R & R and the virtual newspapers have certainly piled up at the door. I’ve got close to a thousand posts to sift through to see what has been going on. As we left, PT had just beaten the crap outta Tag. Silly little French Canadian thought he could rough up the hockey player wannabe. Tie Domi has nothing on our boy Paul. I hear there is some other Canadian racer has pissed off his boss and may never see the inside of an F1 car again. Poor Jacques… Will he ever learn to keep his mouth shut?
Until I get some more reading done, let’s chat about the X-Games. Moto-Cross superstar Travis Pastrana has won overall, after Colin McRae had a roll that Nicky Grist figures cost them a second and a half. Must have been a hell of a quick roller. Word has it that Travis & Colin are heading to Vegas to have a Cary Hart do a commemorative tatty.
Thanks to Flat Over Crest for the killer shot above from the X-Games practice sessions. Be sure to visit them for all the news and tons more great shots by lensman Andrew Harvey.