I once worked for an editor who just didn't understand the appeal of the smoky burnout. Let's call him Bob.
Bob once called me into his office, pointed to a beautiful burnout shot of an AMG Mercedes on his monitor screen and said, "Scott, burnouts are juvenile, lowbrow, stupid and just plain wrong."
"I know," I said. "Aren't they great?"
"I think you're missing my point," said Bob. "I don't like burnouts."
"Why?" I responded.
"Because they're juvenile, lowbrow, stupid and just plain wrong," Bob replied through clenched teeth. "Are you listening to me?"
"But Bob," I said in a soft, hopefully disarming tone, "burnouts are fun and our Web site is about fun with cars. Isn't it?"
"You can have fun with cars without looking like a high school kid with the keys to dad's car," said Bob. "No more burnout shots. Got it?"
"You're the boss," I said. "No more burnout shots."
Well, now I'm the boss. Says Editor in Chief right on my business card. And I say, let there be burnouts.
We call this photo gallery "The Art of the Burnout." It's 45 spectacular examples of smoky tire goodness. It's juvenile, lowbrow, stupid and just plain wrong. Fun, too.
Enjoy.
Add A Comment »
noburgers says:
09:27 AM, 11/26/2009
I love the Shelby photo where you see the driver in the side mirror--but why does this guy not sport a grin??!!! Maybe he owns the car--all the smiling photos are of you guys driving a car where someone else is buying the tires!!!
texduc says:
10:56 AM, 11/21/2009
Thanks Scott, you guys always find a way to put a bigger smile on my face. Long live the smoky burnout! Bonus---these shots make a nice background for my laptop.
chopperx says:
07:08 PM, 11/17/2009
sweet pics... love the Camaro burnouts...
the dude watching his own tire smokin' out the window of the G8 is awesome too
rocklah says:
05:48 PM, 11/17/2009
I will never forget that caption on the camaro comparo "which way to the tire store"
mrgold78 says:
08:55 AM, 11/17/2009
Horray for juvenile, lowbrow, stupid and just plain wrong Burnouts! If a car can't do burnouts I don't consider it a REAL sports or muscle car.
yankee831 says:
08:23 AM, 11/17/2009
Good at least we are kinda on the same page! yeah the new Jags are pretty sweet.... they need more burnout pics still haha
pjstrifas says:
08:19 AM, 11/17/2009
Funny how Mercedes-Benz GETS IT. Their TV commercial for the C63 is just one big burnout.
toomanyns says:
07:57 AM, 11/17/2009
For Yankee831 re:
"Who cares about Jag anymore anyways......deal with the smoldering tires and actually try to appeal to somebody that isn't 75 years old!!!"
My post was a joke, I'm not from Tata/Jag (punked Yankee!!!), but no doubt 510 HP appeals to some folks under 75....however, some recent online and print reviews of the newest 2010 Jags show they STILL won't always start, but at least with 510 HP, once they start, they can at least now smoke their tires....GREAT!!!
Exterior styling is still a strong "suit" of Jags.....
powell_jr says:
07:50 AM, 11/17/2009
Glory Glory Hallelujah, Glory Glory Hallelujah.
Keep up the good work!
yankee831 says:
07:34 AM, 11/17/2009
"This is Bill from Tata (aka Jaguar). Since we now know that this is how you treat our fleet vehicles that have been loaned out for review - and our tires (considerable evidence that this isn't your first time!!!) - we will no longer be entrusting our company owned vehicles to you.
Also, we much prefer VIDEOS in lieu of stills (what were you thinking), so really it's a double whammy of disrespect."
Who cares about Jag anymore anyways......deal with the smoldering tires and actually try to appeal to somebody that isn't 75 years old!!!