Randy Wells | Director of Photography | Writer | Automotive Filmmaker

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NIKI LAUDA R.I.P

Three-time Formula One world champion Niki Lauda of Austria has died at age 70.

He was the only driver in F1 history to have been champion for both Ferrari and McLaren. He survived a fiery crash in 1976 and went on to win two more world championships. The film “Rush” directed by Ron Howard depicted his racing life.

Article

(Photo: Nelson Antoine/AP)

R GRUPPE 20TH ANNIVERSARY TREFFEN

This weekend I attended the annual gathering of hot rod early 911 Porsches for the 20th time. Wow, did those years go by quick! So glad I could spend them following my passion and hanging out with my buds. I’ll be gathering footage and photos for a look back at this amazing two decade experience soon.

DEREK BELL BOOK REVIEW

Well, here’s another something I don’t do everyday. Randy Leffingwell of RS Magazine asked me to review racer Derek Bell’s latest book. Recommended!

You can read all about it here:
Road Scholars Magazine

LUFT 6 GOES HOLLYWOOD

Thanks to Patrick Long, Howie Idelson, and Jeff Zwart for accommodating me in covering the 2019 Porsche event of the year – Luftgekühlt at the back lot of Universal Studios.

Look for my air-cooled extravaganza article and photos this week in:

Road Scholars Magazine.

(Photo by Randy made on a Leica Q)

AUTOMOTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY WITH THE LEICA S SYSTEM

The Leica S3 is the latest development of the famous company’s medium format camera system. It’s the result of 10 years of close collaboration with professional photographers to produce exceptional picture quality and outstanding flexibility. I love using the Leica S 007, and this camera promises to be even better: 64-megapixel resolution, high sensor dynamic range and sensitivity up to ISO 50000, 4 fps, and 4K video. Available this fall.

Along with the new Q2, this is the ultimate modern digital Leica.

(Top Photo: Courtesy Leica AG, Bottom Photo: Randy Wells with MB and Leica S)

GRAY MAY

May is one of my favorite times to be in California. It’s not for the weather. Grey skies and fog enter the L.A. area for that month and the next, while Seattle’s climate is just starting to get clearer with warmer days. More

RALLY 4 KIDS

Tomorrow, there’s a car rally benefiting the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara, California. This promises to be a fantastic automotive event with lots of photo ops of amazing cars and their owners. I’ll be there to contribute and enjoy the fun.

More info here.

LUFT 6

Amazingly, my 1972 Porsche 911 has been chosen to be included in the storyline display at the annual Luftgekühlt event in May. This year it’s being held at the famous backlot of Universal Studios. It still hasn’t sunk in how really lucky I am to be included. More

TRAGEDY

My deepest symapathies to all those affected by the North Carolina explosion today. My thoughts are with the families of the injured and killed, the city of Durham, and my friends at the Ingram Collection and Road Scholars.

Read Cam Ingram’s reflections here.

UTAH VOTES $5 MILLION TO RESTORE BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS

Just in from SaveTheSalt.org:

“This marks the first public dollars appropriated to restore the depleted salt surface since the land speed racing community began its quest more than 30 year ago,” said Save the Salt Foundation Vice Chairman Tom Burkland. “This is a job well done. Land speed racers the world over say, ‘Thank You Utah!’”

Save the Salt aticle

More Bonnevile blogs

PARIS-DAKAR DESERT STORM

As you’ve probably noticed, I’ve been on the Porsche rally trail lately. With articles and films on the East African Safari and the Baja Mexican 1000, I just can’t seem to get enough.

Here’s my latest story that focuses on Porsche’s Paris-Dakar (West African) campaigns.

The star car is a 1985 PD 959 piloted by Jacky Ickx and recently restored by Gunnar Racing. Thanks to everyone involved for their contributions. See the March issue of PCA’s national magazine Panorama for the 13-page feature with historic photographs:

PCA Panorama Article

VINYL, LEICA, AND THE EARLY 911 – MY STORY

You’ve probably read enough analogies of sports cars, fine cameras, and luxury audio equipment in high-end lifestyle magazines to get the idea that journalists are passionate about these things in a big way. I’m not immune, and vinyl records, Leica rangefinders, and Porsche 911s have been a fascination of mine since 1964.

Thanks to fellow Porsche and Leica fan Randy Leffingwell for publishing this in RS Magazine:

Early 911, Film, and Vinyl Article

ICARUS from HOTRODFILMS.COM on Vimeo.

ICARUS FILM WINS BEST OF THE YEAR MPG AWARD

It is was an honor to receive the national 2018 Best Feature Video of the Year award from the Motor Press Guild on Sunday night at The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

Thank you to Cameron Healy, Jeff Gamroth and Rothsport Racing for your faith in me, and to the MPG board for your vote of confidence. Special thanks to my editor John Jeffcoat and drone pilot Matthew Psyllos. More

VINYL, LEICAS, AND THE EARLY 911

Coming soon…

I’ve been a record collector since I bought my first LP in 1964. Still have it. Leica film cameras and lenses followed in 1979. An early Porsche 911 was something I’ve wanted since I was 16. Had to wait until 1996 for that one. Now I have multiples of everything… Read about these passions in an upcoming on-line feature:

Early 911, Film, and Vinyl Article

MPG AWARD FINALIST

Motor Press Guild has announced the 2018 award finalists for excellence in automotive journalism. The winner will be announced on the 24th at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. I’ll be there.

Thanks to the judges for choosing my film ICARUS as a finalist in the Feature Video category.

See more here