I’m pleased to announce that a photograph I shot back in 1971 will be gracing bottles of Racing Spirit Gin, described by its maker as “a traditionally crafted London dry Gin…enhanced with citrus botanicals and delicate warming spices.”What, exactly, is the connection between New Zealand motorcyclist Burt Munro and dry gin? As far as I know, the man wasn’t much of a drinker; however, if he were, I imagine his cocktail of choice would include petrol, a splash of nitro and a twist of urine-infused lemon peel. (If you’ve seen “The World’s Fastest Indian,” then you’d pick up on the references.)
Fact is, Burt had no sponsorship and collected nothing by way of endorsements. That STP sticker on his bike? Those were being handed out free at Bonneville in 1971, along with T-shirts bearing the logo of Isky racing cams. Nowadays, of course, Munro’s bike would be a fixture in commercials for petroleum additives, same as tattoo artist Mark Machado is heralded by Modelo for “his fighting spirit and passion to push forward with his art. Without the fighting spirit, he would’ve never made the transition from chrome to canvas. Faced with a lack of tools, a homemade tattoo machine helped Machado refine and develop his own style. And if Machado listened to others about needing an art degree to go further, he would’ve never perfected the style which made him the street legend he is today.”
In a similar vein, whoever writes ad copy for Modelo needn’t have a basic grasp of English grammar–because, let’s face it, what is the connection between proper grammar and tattoo art? Or, for that matter, tattoo art and beer?
Speaking for myself, the more alcohol I consume, the worse I perform, and I’d never have been able to take that iconic picture of Burt Munro had I been blitzed. I mean, there was no such thing as auto-focus in the day, nor did my primitive camera have a light meter. So I had to be able to think, and see straight. Same goes for Burt; his was a hands-on machine, and it would be crazy to attempt to set a land-speed record while intoxicated.
Had old Burt been racing under the influence, I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have returned to the pit area in one piece. Most likely, he’d have crashed and been horrible mutilated, same as this image I recently pulled off the Internet. It’s what happens when an artist lacks the fighting and racing spirit, not to mention talent.
