Thank you, please come again….Falgoon Patel returns home and becomes a Juice ED
Killing two birds with one stone is an expression I quite like, another is work smarter not harder, so I was fairly stoked to be able to tick off both an “ED Series” and an “OG” article in one go with the one and only CNDYMN of Welly, the legend that is Prince Falgoon Patel. Since back in the days when harlequin wheels were cool (ok…so maybe they never were) and Kent Terrace was a playground, Mr Patel and I have been chasing automotive dreams in one way or another. We also both know what fire does to cars, although the outcome was much worse in Falgs case.
So here we go, time for a choc and sugar fix….its the candyman!!
Please introduce yourself, who are you and what is your publication. How long have you been writing for a living?
Hey guys, my name is Falgoon Patel and I am addicted to cars. The first signs of my addiction surfaced after going for a short blast in a cousin’s tweaked Ford Laser a few decades ago. From then on the addiction grew, I became obsessed with the shapes that they came in, why they all sounded so different, and being Indian, naturally drawn towards shiny bits and luxury features.
I’m just like any of you; there is some part of our DNA that is just genuinely interested in personal road transportation. I am the new editor for Juiced – custom automotive magazine, I’ve only been on the job for just over a week so this will be an interesting interview. But it’s been an event filled week already, with lots of late nights and early mornings, talking to hundreds of people, a lingerie/bikini model shoot, three car shoots, three feature shoots, setting up office, organising content and writing articles and I have spent the last two days proofing articles. So it’s safe to say the next six months are going to be very full on.
I have been writing for a living (so this is someone actually paying me on a consistent basis right Mr Ninja Man?) Since last April when I was lucky enough to get a job working alongside Peter Kelly at NZPC as the assistant editor. Prior to this I was on the daily hustle wholesaling chocolate to service stations, New Worlds, Pak ‘n’ save’s and dairy owners (Indians trying to sell stuff to other Indians, now that would make great reality TV). So the NZPC job was a massive lifestyle change for me. I don’t consider myself a writer yet as compared to others in the industry I have a lot to learn, it’s a massive learning process, but I have always loved a good challenge.
How long have you been involved in automotive journalism?
I had written a few articles over the years, from memory it was 2005 when I started writing, and that was for Ignition Magazine online with Ben Silcock.
Tell me about your first story, what was it about?
It was actually on my own car a 2000 Subaru V6 STI sedan, I just read over it recently, as I stumbled across it in the depths of the interweb and I’m pretty happy with it, it has all the newbie 101 mistakes in it but everyone has to start somewhere.
Have you had a favourite story that you have written?
I wrote an article on JDMSTI a 1997 V4 Subaru STI Wagon for the 2006 NZPC Yearbook, I knew the owner very well which made it easier and I had heaps of fun with it as I knew that he would appreciate it. The article was also very well received by readers (from the feedback I received), as it was quite a different style, to what they were usually accustomed to.
What’s the worst thing a car owner can do when you’re trying to get their story? I’ve heard of a few nightmare owners?
For me it’s not giving enough information, or making it real hard to get hold of and the worst is both combined. Most cars have hundreds of hours spent on them, otherwise they wouldn’t be feature worthy. But if you don’t tell us what you did or how long it took you or how hard it was too do, of course it wont be in the article when you read it, and then it becomes our fault for writing a shallow story.
How do you find angle for a story? Does it just happen or do you try and use certain themes? Do you approach cars with a plan in mind?
I find talking to the owner for an extended period of time gives me an insight into why they built their car and how they went about it. This usually gives me an idea of the angle that id like to give the story. At the end of the day my articles are quite straightforward as I try to tell it like it is.
Car journos are a bit like mechanics, and often have unfinished project cars, what’s in your garage?
I have a 2002 Subaru WRX that has lots of tasty JDM parts. It’s boned, so I’m currently learning how to fibreglass as I keep smashing up my front bumper, being hellaflush is hard work, but I just cant bring myself to raise the car again as it just doesn’t look right so I thought I would learn to save myself some cash, I am an Indian after all.
My other little project on the side is the ‘Mothership’, my trusty R31 Skyline wagon. My brother and I are throwing round re-power options at the moment so that will end up being a bit of a street monster in the near future.
You live a life surrounded by cars; do you rate yourself as a driver?
No, although I can handle myself behind the wheel and there was a long time that I thought that I did have some skills. I went for a blast over a favourite stretch of road in a friend’s (National level rally driver Nathan Thomas) car years ago, and two minutes into that ride I knew that there were some people that could really drive, he was on another level. I still enjoy finding a good stretch of twisty open road; if I lost that passion to drive then I feel I am no longer fit to do my current job.
Whats the hardest part of your job?
Time management is pretty tough to stay on top of, I’m always battling the clock. But so much of this job is relying on other people to come through with work on deadline, and the longer it takes them the longer the whole process takes, it’s a snowball effect. So much to do and so little time to do it in, as life waits for nobody. But the hardest part is trying to tell a car owner their car is not good enough to feature, as many owners have spent hundreds of hours building their car, this is always really hard and my least favourite part of the job, as I know it feels to be on the receiving end.
How do you deal with “bro…giz a feature” when a car just can’t justify it?
Suggest things that might help them to get featured in the future, or try and explain why a similar car might have been featured, and point out differences in the nicest way possible.
What have you seen change in the industry? What do you like/dislike?
The New Zealand scene is always changing; we have the know how, the DIY attitude and access to the Internet. And because the world has become a smaller place via technology, we can see more scenes from around the world and pick and choose what we like and use that on our own cars. Combine that with the awesome style we already have, it just makes for a vibrant local scene. I love pretty much everything about the scene besides the angry people that are out boozing and out for trouble on cruising nights, I severely dislike. And people that are really one eyed about how their make of car is far superior, no stats or reasons just the product of marketing men that have succeeded in doing their jobs and brainwashing these poor souls.
Journos often dabble in photography, any favourites you want to share? and the story that goes with them?
I am not a lens-man at all, I can see a vision of how I would like something to look and the angle, but I need a good photographer (usually my brother Chim@photomassive.net) to take the pictures. I own a little Canon G12 that goes everywhere with me in my man-bag and I love taking behind the scene shots, but I haven’t taken anything worth bragging about yet.
What do you do to get away from the “automotive scene”
I play cricket [MGN- slightly stereo typed but doesn't every Indian?:P]so this takes up some of my time in summer. My girlfriend and some of my closest mates don’t have anything to do with cars, and aren’t really interested so its always refreshing to hang with them and see from the outside how immersed in this world we really are. But at the end of the day I never want to really want to get away from it, as I love it.
Lastly, What would be your dream feature? Car?Venue?Team? anything.
If I could get the Sultan of Brunei and Jay Leno to somehow have a car show while having a BBQ and invite me with a handful of my car-obsessed friends that would be a great feature. Tokyo Autosalon is on my bucket list, but I am scared to go, as the sheer awesomeness of the event might be too much for me to handle. I have always wanted a Pagani Zonda R but with a way better wheel/tyre combo. But my newest obsession would be having the R31 wagon powered by a stroked RB30 bottom end, some super lumpy cams in a RB26 head gulping air via 6x individual throttle bodies with massive polished trumpets hanging of them. An intricate spaghetti exhaust manifold. And this engine would be housed in a fully detailed and smoothed engine bay. The exterior would have a kick ass front lip, rivet on guards housing some wickedly step lipped 16×10.5-inch rims all round. I’d be piloting this beast holding a suede 3-spoke steering wheel while sitting on some late model Audi RS4 Recaro seats an the rest of the interior would be re-trimmed in leather to match. And I would be listening to some crisp and clear sounds as I cruise along as I can just hear the throaty exhaust note from my custom ‘Optimus Prime gun’ exhaust. And the car would have lots of stickers as Indians love stickers oh and some nitrous too.
And as far as teams go, we are starting to band together an amazing one at Juiced so watch this space. And in my personal life I am surrounded by my dream family, an amazing and supportive partner who is my dream girl personified and some of the most loyal friends that I know will walk next to me through whatever life throws at me.
Thank you for the opportunity Ninja Guy person.
Falgoon ‘the Goon’ Patel, Keeping it real since ages ago
Thanks Goon, now…about the next article…It’s gonna be late bro….I was busy ummmm….ummmm…..writing this :p
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