Westmont Magazine An Intern in the Driver's Seat

While his friends were trading baseball cards, Pete Stout ’97 was reading car magazines. The English/communication studies major began freelancing as an automotive journalist last year and is working as a summer intern for Ross Periodicals, owner of “Sports Car International” and other specialty car magazines. He writes,

“I expected my job would be assisting the editors, but it’s turned out to involve a lot more. I attended the Northern California Automotive Journalist Association’s Ride-and-Drive/Press Days where I established contacts with representatives from different car companies. I also met Hurley Haywood, one of the winningest Porsche racers of all time. He invited me to join him during dinner, where I was considered the luckiest guy in the room—but I think luck is the wrong word. The next day, I reported to Sears Point International Raceway, and I was set free to drive the cars of my choice for two laps around the track: everything from Mercedes luxury sedans to exotic sports cars and race cars.

“I have also been writing a lot more than I thought I would, completing 20 pieces so far, such as reports on the all-new Lotus Twin-turbo V8 engine, a variety of vintage races, and two obituaries for Zora Arkus-Duntov, the ‘father of the Corvette.’ I was able to speak to Duntov’s widow, Elfi, who was charming.

“I never would have dreamed of being involved in the automotive world in this way, and the internship has given me so many more opportunities than I expected.

“I will also be traveling to Rhode Island for a new Pontiac press preview, all expenses paid. I need to pinch myself!”