Words About Things

Obviously that is a bit of a daft question, but really it is hard to have any conception of what that kind of speed actually means. Now imagine doing that kind of speed in a car.  If you are you are naughty you might have maybe done  120mph down the motorway in a hire car when you thought no-one was looking, but 1000mph is a speed only one car in the world can reach – the Bloodhound SSC.

To give some idea of quite how fast this thing is they made a video simulation thing of it racing a fighter jet. Here it is:

If you have any doubts after watching that whether the thing is actually real – here are some photos of it in London:

It was parked up outside Coutts bank in the Strand.  “The Queen’s’ bank” are more known for high-end investment services than jet powered rocket  cars – but look they even moved inside to stop it getting any more tickets!

The chances are you saw one of the videos created in support of Volkswagen’s The Fun Theory campaign posted online last year. Between them the videos, which were created by DDB Stockholm, notched up over 20 million Youtube views, going properly viral unlike most ‘viral’ videos. The most popular video asked the question can we make more people take the stairs by making it fun to do so? The answer seems to be yes, if you turn the stairs into a giant piano!

The Fun Theory was all about generating interest in Volkswagen’s Blue Motion technologies that deliver the same great car performance with reduced environmental impact, and to do this, they found an insight around how “fun” could change human behavior for the better, and this formed The Fun Theory, a campaign that spawned over 700 user generated Fun Theory initiatives. – Digital Buzz Blog

The campaign was created to draw attention to Volkswagen’s Bluemotion energy saving technology, hence the eco friendly theme. Bluemotion is about saving energy through innovation, for example the recuperation of energy normally lost when braking and efficient start – stop technology. VW are developing these techniques in order to include them in upcoming models including their range of vans.

As mentioned above the campaign inspired over 700 user submitted Fun Theory ideas. The best idea was judged to be ‘The Speed Camera Lottery‘ by Kevin Richardson who won €2500. Kevin wasn’t the only winner, DDB Stockholm won the Cyber Grand Prix award for the best digitally led integrated campaign at The Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.

You’ve probably heard of the Burning Man festival that is held each year in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. The event is famous for the giant statue that is built and burned each year and for being an entirely cash-free event with participants encouraged to give gifts in order to increase the community spirit.  It is also well known for the art cars which feature each year like the amazing example below:

Now there is a new festival/ party for those who like to go a little crazy in the desert: The Wasteland Weekend. This event has a post-apocalyptic, Mad Max theme and this year will feature three replica Mad Max cars as well as hundreds of other customized vehicles. It takes place in Soggy Dry Lake not far from Lucerne Valley in California.

Join the hundreds of fans coming from all over the the United States (and beyond) to gather in the Southern California desert. Set up camp at our wasteland compound, surrounded by specially-built sets. Costumes are required and post-apocalyptic campsites and vehicles are encouraged. Live for three days in a world pulled straight out of the Mad Max movies, beyond the grip of so-called civilization. Top DJs from all over will provide the soundtrack, fire dancers and bonfires will light up the night, and modified vehicles will shake the earth with their engines. Don’t miss it!

As the quote mentions costumes are required for all participants so you can’t just turn up in jeans. You’ll need a modified car in order to fit in also, no point turning up in your pristine hire car. For more information visit the Wasteland Weekend website.