Chester Clinic

Untitled

ANCE & ROM
Subtitle: The infamous ‘Thunderboat Row' of Miami's NE 188th Street no longer exists, its valuable real estate now occupied by high-rise waterfront condos, but the legacy of a brand that turned this narrow peninsular into the epicenter of performance offshore boating endures. Under the paternal stewardship of Skip Braver, the Cigarette Racing Team brand maintains its quintessential allure, while now building Cigarettes of unsurpassed quality. From bullets to billet, embezzlement to embroidery, murder to merchandising, this is the story of the development of one of the USA's leading brands.
Images: Courtesy of Cigarette Racing

The Christensen Shipyards facility in
Vancouver, Washington State, were
purpose built by Dave Christensen
and inaugurated in 1983.
Cigarette is known as the icon of powerboating – one of few world-
famous quintessential brands whose name embodies an industry, like
Xerox, Kleenex and Coke. The book, Quintessence: The Quality of
Having ‘It' had a place on the desk of former Cigarette Racing Team's
president Bob Gowens. It includes pictures and descriptions of iconic
brands, including Don Aronow's 38' Cigarette Hawk race boat. Per-
haps that title communicates the magic that has kept the brand at
the top of the performance boat food chain for over four decades. Sev-
eral custodians may have steered different courses for the Cigarette
Racing Team since the 1940's, but why has the name has remained
synonymous with fast offshore powerboats since the 1970's? We
dusted off the record books, bought beers for ex-racers, spoke to past
presidents and visited the splendid modern facility on the outskirts
of Miami, FL to discover the making of a legend.
POWERBOATING TAKES A HIT
A shooting was not unusual in North Miami in 1987, a time in South
Florida's raucous history when drugs and criminals ran freely and
9mm shells on roadsides were as common as sea shells on beaches.
On 3rd February 1987 however, on Thunderboat Row – the notorious
188th Street where legends like Formula, Donzi, Magnum, Cigarette
and US Racing Team were born – Don Aronow, the legendary creator
of these leading powerboat companies, sat in a pool of blood, shot in
his Mercedes in front of his office. Though Aronow died suddenly
and unexpectedly, the Cigarette brand lived on, built around the man
who personified power. While most refer to any "go-fast" boat as a
"Cigarette," connoisseurs know it as THE brand, one that possesses
its own mystique. But how does a boat brand achieve and maintain
international dominance? In simplest terms: by being a step ahead
and a world apart.
QUINTESSENCE: NOUN. 1.
THE FIFTH ESSENCE OR ULTIMATE SUBSTANCE OF
WHICH HEAVENLY BODIES WERE THOUGHT TO BE
COMPOSED. 2. THE PURE CONCENTRATED ESSENCE
OF ANYTHING; 3. THE MOST PERFECT MANIFESTATION
OR EMBODIMENT OF A QUALITY OR THING.
WEBSTER'S NEW WORLD DICTIONARY.

Despite years of rotating door-ownership, mismanagement and al- eled his quest for the perfect boat and engine that would win. He em- leged embezzling, the Cigarette name has not just survived, but barked on a new 25-year career in powerboat racing, proving his skill thrived. Rising above any other in the genre and maintaining its and expertise on the water by winning over 350 international races, value, gravitas and machismo. An aspirational brand – one that 11 world championships, 25 US championships and numerous speed makes testosterone soar – the company's story is as enigmatic as its records. He also proved himself as the man who defined the brand – product, customers, founder and those who have propelled the brand top-quality, sexy and loaded with brash performance – still Cigarette's forward, leaving other boat companies in its wake. namesake qualities. And while Aronow's other boat brands have sur-vived ups and downs in the economy and enjoyed success, Cigarette A LITTLE HISTORY…
remains the pinnacle and his most fitting legacy. For Cigarette is Known for his athletic ability, rugged, handsome looks, and hard-dri- more than a boat, it's a legend that's aura started with Aronow and ving strength, founder Don Aronow was both a man's man… and a outlived him.
ladies' man. His handshake deals and sexual prowess were the pillarsof his reputation. He was always making deals, either closing a sale or closing in on the wife of a customer, secretary or other willing fe- In the early 60's, Aronow used racing as the proving ground for each male. A construction magnate from New Jersey who retired early to of the boat brands he built and won races with: Formula, Donzi and South Florida, Aronow grew restless. While enjoying sport fishing, Magnum. As each company established its reputation, he then sold he connected with boaters who shared tales of the 184-mile Miami- its and cunningly maneuvered his way out of non-compete clauses, Nassau powerboat race. In the five years since its inception, the while all the time constantly working to create the ultimate perform- Miami-Nassau had become the Mecca for international thrill seekers, ance boat. The first Cigarette race boat, named after a rum smuggler's and the Muse for Aronow's competitive nature. boat that Aronow admired as the renegade owner continually out-ran He connected with the best in the business, built a 28' semi-V-bottom the law, came far before Cigarette Racing Team was formed. He even boat with specially-designed racing engines and, though a faulty built the first ‘Cigarette' under Cary Marine's name, in order to evade clutch caused him to lose his first race, the adrenaline addiction fu- the non-compete caveats from his sale of Magnum. So while "The Around the production halls color-coded schedules are mounted near the yachts in build:
green indicates on time, yellow means deadlines are at risk and red means the department is delayed.

IN 2009 CHRISTENSEN
IMPLEMENTED THE LEAN
OF KAIZEN, PRACTICING
THE ELIMINATION OF
WASTE AND FOLLOWING A
PATH OF CONTINUOUS
Monaco, business moguls like Bernie Little, Rocky Aoki, RogerPenske and then-US Ambassador to China, President George Bush,Sr., that elevated the brand and business. Aronow didn't just sellboats; he built relationships. Customers were equally as fascinatedwith him as with his high-performance boats. With model names like"Awesome" and "Mistress"—described by Aronow to "Perform like amistress should," Cigarette's aura grew and attracted those whocraved a wild and daring image. Aronow was reportedly asked "Whatmakes a boat sexy?" and he responded, "A line that never grows old.
The 540-K Mercedes has it. The Ferrari has it. When you look atwomen, some just look sexy. They have universal appeal, like Eliza-beth Taylor." As the line and its reputation grew throughout the US, Cigarettereached abroad. St. Tropez businessman, Marcel Biales, met Aronowand the immediate bond formed wrote Sportmer Marina's name inthe Cigarette history books. Sportmer remains the longest-standingand most successful offshore dealer to date. A Riva dealer with 50slips in the Euro-chic town's center harbor, Biales recognized a nichefor Cigarette amongst the wealthy, image-conscious European boater.
His valuable dock space made the perfect deal-closer and became ashowcase for rows of Cigarettes on the French Riviera. Europeans andracers from around the world added to the allure, buying Cigarettesof all sizes, winning races and hearts. Noted racing personalities likeVincenzo Balestrieri and Carlo Bonomi competed against AmericansBob Magoon, Billy Martin, Bob Nordskog and scores of others includ-ing Betty Cook, the first woman to win the prestigious British Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race in her 36' Cigarette. Dealers were added, speed and racing titles sold more boats and theSouth and Central American market began to grow as races were heldin Panama, Argentina and Uruguay. Though drugs were not known Cigarette" carried Aronow to eight international victories and speed to be smuggled in Cigarettes as is commonly believed – the boats records, the fact that Cigarette Racing Team did not yet exist is irrel- were too valuable to be shot-up in a chase or left behind in a deal- evant. The name of the manufacturing company still baffles people gone-wrong – they were coveted and became the trophies for those unfamiliar with boating, it is not a ‘Racing Team' and has not raced who made hoards of money from the trade. It was still the glamour of corporately in years, but Aronow thrived on racing. He surrounded offshore racing that drew a new breed of sportsman. According to himself with the best and most loyal throttle jockeys, including his Aronow's son, Michael, in his book, The King of Thunderboat Row, riding mechanic, "Knocky" House and Carl Kiekhaefer whose en- friend Billy Wishnick proclaimed; "I was a married, out-of-shape, mid- gines helped cement the success of Cigarettes and competitors from dle aged businessman. Then, I attended a New York boat show where around the world who bought Cigarettes to win races.
I met Don Aronow. Now, I'm divorced, an ocean racer and a swinger." Though racers built the allure of Cigarette, it was the attention of Wishnick was just one of the many infamous Thunderboat Row race Kings, Shahs, Sheikhs, celebrities, royalty like Princess Grace of boat jockeys.

Around the production halls color-coded schedules are mounted near the yachts in build:
green indicates on time, yellow means deadlines are at risk and red means the department is delayed.
THE END AND NEW BEGINNING
boat when his non-compete with Cigarette expired. Sadly those plans After winning it all in American and international powerboat racing, ended on February 3, 1987. The resolution of the murder is still de- Aronow sold Cigarette in 1979, acquired it back and years later, re- bated and while the convicted shooter died in a Florida prison several sold it. The yard's craft continued to win races, sell and build on its years ago, Ben Kramer remains in solitary confinement in an Indiana reputation, but Aronow, who liked tight control over small companies, prison, never having admitted to ordering the hit. He pleaded no con- constantly formed new yards and brands. These included Squadron test to manslaughter in 1996 and agreed to a 19-year sentence, run- and USA Racing Team, he built catamarans, designed the Blue Thun- ning concurrent to a life term in federal prison for marijuana der boat that earned a large US Customs order and pursued his race smuggling. As Aronow had contributed his last pages to Cigarette's horse business. Life was good while he was building, creating and history however, the death of a legend gave birth to a new chapter. making deals. In 1984 when Ben Kramer, a young aspiring racer and reputed-drug FROM BAD BOY TO SOPHISTICATION
dealer, asked Aronow to design a boat in a factory that he and his fa- When Cigarette's ownership transitioned in the early eighties, Ohio ther were about to build on Thunderboat Row, next door to Cigarette, real estate mogul, Jeff Friedman, hired business consultant and savvy the fiercely competitive Aronow could not resist. They created corporate turn-around specialist, Bob Gowens, to perform due dili- Apache and Kramer won the 1986 World Open Class Championship gence on the purchase of Cigarette and its waterfront 188th Street in the original 41' deep-V boat. Aronow sold his USA Racing Team property. The company had fallen into disrepair and Gowens cau- to the Kramers who struggled with the business – somewhat pre- tioned against the purchase, but Friedman was stoic on the buy and dictably the US Customs refused to honor an Aronow-made deal for then hired Gowens as CEO. While he admittedly knew nothing about the Blue Thunder boats with businessmen involved in illegal trades.
boats, Gowens knew business and started to put "the best team on Buying the company back at a tidy profit, Aronow reinstated and ex- the field" to turn the company around. "There wasn't even a proce- panded the US Customs order and was preparing to launch a new dure for delivering mail!" Gowens recalls, "No one knew the cost of Around the production halls color-coded schedules are mounted near the yachts in build:
green indicates on time, yellow means deadlines are at risk and red means the department is delayed.
The Christensen Shipyards facility in
"We were all trying to turn Don Aronow's hobby shop into a real busi- Vancouver, Washington State, were
ness. We went from a Corvette to a Lexus" says Jenkins, comparing purpose built by Dave Christensen
the rather primitive Mistress which Gowens described as "fiberglass and inaugurated in 1983.
wrapped around horsepower," to the 35' Café Racer launched in 1985.
An evolved powerboat with an aerodynamic deck, the Café Racer fea-tured recessed cleats and a seamless, patented hatch replacing the"barn doors" that used to cover the powerful Mercury Marine engines.
This Euro-sport-styled boat gave the Cigarette brand new appeal, es-pecially as it added a covered head to please female guests. As the er-gonomic design for seating, placement of controls, steering andaircraft-inspired gauge panels were all designed to please the driver, building a boat, poor resins had been used, there were no labor stan- the Café Racer enjoyed market dominance for two years before being dards, most of the staff were Cuban criminals and gang fights on the deposed by the Top Gun in 1987. 26-years later the Top Gun continues grounds were common. There were distribution problems, sales or- today as the most popular Cigarette model ever built. ders were volumes long, written in poor English, and there was no The racy name and styling of the Top Gun gave Cigarette even more space to build. It was a nightmare." momentum and was followed by other hot models, including the 42 Gowens hired highly recommended mechanic and marine specialist, Revolution, a line of center consoles, the 42 Tiger and the 46 Rough Val Jenkins, as the VP of Manufacturing, and he brought in a Rider. In the offices there was constant internal cognitive gear-grind- renowned racer and engineer, Allan Brown, to create new designs.
ing however. "What can we do next," asked Barrie? "Like couture fash- Craig Barrie, an avid boater and racer whose family owned and sold ion, it was not really what was marketable to the masses but it set the Faberge fragrances, met Gowens via his ownership interest in Hawk tone of who we were." Colorful paint jobs gave the boats fashion flair, Engines and was tagged to handle marketing. This core team of vastly as did the advertising, guided by Barrie's international marketing ex- different personalities became Gowen's "MASH Unit" as they refo- perience in the fragrance market. Publicity material focused on speed cused Cigarette. In the ensuing years they made the rugged, crude, and technology gave way to controversially sexy images, where beau- yet durable Cigarette boats into a more refined machine, with more tiful women in seductive poses coyly remarked, "And he has a Ciga- upscale design, style and elegance. The challenge however was always rette!" or "Does this mean I get a ride in your Cigarette?" The ads to achieve that goal without losing the cache of the Cigarette name.
fed the "Bad Boy" image which the company purportedly tried to min- imize, despite its sensuality selling boats and capturing imaginations. The image worked for Cigarette. It could be brash, yet elegant andremain admired. "We got dirty looks at the yacht clubs, but applausewhen we pulled into Sundays on the Bay!" said Phil Lipschutz, a boat delivery vendor who became the Miami dealer in the late 80's andcreates special "Lipship Edition" Cigarettes for his customers. He THE POSITION OF
spent most of his time on the water testing, delivering boats andbeing stunt driver for movie makers. Lipschutz also put in significant PRESIDENT IN 2001
time as a Miami ambassador, working with the Convention and Tourist Bureau who used Cigarette rides on Biscayne Bay to lure busi-nesses to the area. Lipschutz also recalls the successful "snob appeal" of Cigarette at boat shows where the company always had the most IN-HOUSE. "A LOT OF
beautiful boats, sexy models and strict security. "When I was the Cig-arette truck driver they'd let me in for a little while, but then I had to OTHER BUILDERS USE
leave. You had to BE somebody to get into the Cigarette booth! Every-one wanted to be there, but they kept it reserved for ‘club' cool!" Miami Vice also played a major role in the growth of Cigarette, with SO QUALITY CHANGES
the TV show's Don Johnson brandishing a sexy swagger while flaunt-ing his "Cigarette"… which was never in fact a real Cigarette as nei- FROM BOAT TO BOAT."
ther Aronow nor Gowens would agree a deal with the producers.
Aronow disliked their smug attitudes and Gowens did not want to af-filiate with the drug dealing and violence associated with the show.
So while the producers used other brands of powerboats, the iconicCigarette still reigned, maintaining the "cool" factor associated with production demands and the unwillingness of the company to take the success of the show. The celluloid version of 80's Miami was lucrative offers to move to more business-friendly states. Jeff Fried- based on some truth however, with the pulsating music, beautiful man was focused on real estate and decided to sell the company to a women, boat chases and slick cars all a part of the ‘Sobe scene'. "Peo- new ownership group, headed by Jack Cabasso. ple used to blast Phil Collins music from their boats as they ran be- Fashioning himself in the Aronow mold, the new owner wanted to tween Turnberry, The Jockey Club and Shooters," recalls Lipschutz, race again as the new step-bottom, 1999-2000 models were designed "There were rows of Cigarettes and we sold more boats during that and built. "Cigarette was about speed, but more about the heritage time than ever. But everything was growing in Miami then – people and the ride – in rough water, nothing could touch it!" said Barrie.
wanted to come here to buy their boats and visit the factory. It might Cigarette solidified that point in the highly competitive twin-engine have been a dump back then, but we sure closed a lot of deals there!" Factory series in the 1999 Superboat International (SBI) Racing sea- Success brought recognition to Cigarette from Money Magazine son. With Lipschutz on throttles and Cabasso at the wheel, Cigarette which named the Café Racer among its Top 10 Best Designs as well ran its newly designed twin-step 38 Top Gun to the National and as Gowens as one of its Top 10 CEOs. Fortune Magazine also in- World Championship – the first company racing team since Aronow cluded Cigarette in its Top 100 Companies in its Made in America retired from the sport. "We put the #1 back in the Cigarette logo!" issue, which led to an invitation by President Ronald Reagan to this proudly proclaims Lipschutz.
group of CEOs to take a marketing trip to Japan. That experience ex- As time went on, the company faltered and while the name main- panded Cigarette's distribution to Japan, extending its reach beyond tained, the quality diminished. Barrie disagreed with the marketing Europe, the Middle East and into Asia. But economic and business and planned licensing ventures, and the A-team dissolved. Yet an- factors prevailed and a new luxury tax adversely impacted the boat other ownership group with "delusions of grandeur" materialized, and business. Gowens was frustrated by the inability to expand to meet while the company went into a downward spiral, a custodian wasnamed to keep the pieces together. Law suits and jail terms were ne-gotiated for Cigarette's "top guns." During this upheaval, Neil Her-nandez, who started at Cigarette as a teenager and electrician'sapprentice, was promoted to head production and his relationshipwith Skip Braver began the next chapter for Cigarette.
A NEW THUNDERBOAT ROW
Braver, a Chicago businessman with a wealth of marketing experi-
ence ranging from electronics licensing and exotic car and GM deal-
erships, to elite custom home building and day trading, was enjoying
early retirement, boating with his family on Lake Michigan. A big
man who lives large with very specific upscale tastes, Braver became
dissatisfied with his Fountain Powerboat and sought to personalize
a new one. When the factory did not accommodate customization, he
went to Cigarette and became friends with Hernandez, who while
customizing Braver's 42' Tiger, confided the company's financial dif-
ficulties. Braver pondered the value of Cigarette's name, did extensive
research into the branding and relied on his marketing and licensing
expertise in his decision to buy the near-bankrupt company. In 2002, date Aronow's frequent liaisons. During this period a zoning changed when Braver bought a boat and then the business, he was often on 188th Street dictated the waterfront real estate became too valu- quoted as saying, "I didn't buy a boat company, I bought a legend." able for factories to resist relocating. So high-rise condos and a wa- Braver then upped the ante, adding his personal signature to the terfront Charter School soon replaced rows of boat building factories brand that continues its evolution in the luxury marketplace.
and thunderous Fort Apache Bar. Braver faced many of the same challenges as the prior ownership: an Braver was weighed down by many decisions with his new purchase, antiquated, run-down 30,000sqft factory where boat molds were but moving the factory was the most pressing. The shrewd negotiator stacked outdoors and ravaged by the elements. Boats were being made a deal for a new building in Hialeah, but was confronted by sanded alongside lamination, spilt resins stretched like bubble gum South Florida politics as underhanded as those in Chicago. He walked from your shoe to the floor, and sweat poured like the Cuban coffee from that debacle into the old Mako Fish Boat factory near the Opa- that fueled the plant. The only air conditioning was in Aronow's old Locka Airport, and after millions of dollars in total renovation and second level office – the one lined with racing trophies and flags and many long nights later, the new 150,000sqft Cigarette factory opened rumored to have a false wall that opened into a boudoir to accommo- its doors. The new space offered contiguous progress of the building "ANY OWNER CAN WALK IN HERE, ANY
SURVEYOR CAN WALK IN HERE, AND
UNDERSTAND IT. THERE'S NOTHING TO
HIDE."T. THERE'S NOTHING TO HIDE."T.
THERE'S NOTHING TO HIDE." JOE FOGGIA
and finishing lines, including a state-of-the-art embroidery machine, sary overtime. Workers now punch-in on a biometric fingerprint scan- commissioned to make digital embroidery for the large sun pads and ner, not to register their presence, but also to calculate the hours spent customized in-house upholstery. A metal shop was added and even- on each boat. Supplies and parts were organized and bar-coded, tually, a large paint booth. No effort or investment was spared to bring while systems were developed for timely build progression. On va- as much of the construction as possible under Cigarette's roof in an cation breaks, the factory was pressure cleaned to maintain its exotic effort to optimize efficiencies in cost, time and quality control. car garage appearance, while advertising and boat show artwork were The space, painted white with red accents, has a glossy painted floor hung to add color and appeal. Overhead, large windows from the that is cleaned daily. Workers are given uniform shirts and the pris- upper level executive offices meant The Boss could be watching at tine new premises instill pride in their role on the Team. When a any time, so efficiency was enhanced by regular hours with regular worker threw paper on the floor, he was sent home, docked the rest breaks in the OSHA-approved factory.
of the day's pay and received a stark warning: "Next time, you're Customers visiting the shop were amazed at the radical difference, but gone." The example worked – trashing the new Cigarette factory appreciated the dramatic upgrade in the boats' quality. New molds would not be tolerated – nor would pilferage of supplies or unneces- and tooling were created, finishing was perfected and details became The Christensen Shipyards facility in
he doesn't care for personal approval, as long as he gets what he Vancouver, Washington State, were
wants out of each deal and each staff member and the boats are as purpose built by Dave Christensen
perfect as humanly – or even inhumanly – possible. Braver's first and inaugurated in 1983.
Miami International Boat Show set the stage for the focus on tech-nology and excellence. New models were introduced, including the46' Stealth concept boat, featuring an ethereal paint job of a stealthbomber pilot seen through the plane's window, thermal imaging, aglass cockpit, new interior and a classy image. The 600th Top Gunbuilt was also featured and with each boat show, more new models, paramount. Rigging was artistic and scrupulously neat, hatch and increased technology and design excellence were noted. parts were finished inside and out, painting when done outside the BusinessWeek Magazine has acknowledged the value of the brand, factory was tightly scheduled and when done in-house, sharply super- as have segments on CNBC Squawk Box, History and Discovery vised. The factory ran like clockwork though often on "Latino time," Channels, A&E Network and Wealth TV. Cigarette has got its groove much to the frustration of Braver's micromanaging check lists. Braver back and Braver is the force. While lacking Aronow's charisma, Braver and Hernandez were polar opposites yet with the same goal in mind has proved he has the strength, business acumen and is recognized – building the best boat. Hernandez rattled off Spanish at 100mph with as the first owner to ever put money into Cigarette. In return, he has factory staff, some of them relatives, most Hispanic and all of them in rebuilt an empire on NE 128th street in Opa-Locka. Recent renova- awe of the man who achieved the American Dream – from apprentice tions have included a custom Design Center where clients can select to minority partner in the Cigarette business. He ran on caffeine and materials, finishes and see a 3D animation of their custom boat. "The nicotine, but had suave, Latino appeal. In fashionable jeans, shoes and Alley May Be Gone, But the Thunder Remains" a T-shirt stated, com- sunglasses, and with a real Cigarette hanging provocatively from his memorating the achievement.
lip, Hernandez possessed the Cigarette mystique.
As well as creating a new facility and global representation network, In contrast, Braver's sarcastically abrasive style is part of his persona.
Cigarette also began new tooling new models, including the 42' If he isn't busting your chops, you are in trouble… or don't matter. He Huntress, capitalizing on the popularity of the center console trend, sees everything with a cost-accounting and liability eye. Anything which Braver spearheaded in 2006 with the introduction of the 39' that could save a penny or avoid a law suit is noticed and addressed, Top Fish. "A ‘fish' boat that evolved into the performance center con- before someone is held accountable. A" love him or hate him" guy, sole that featured cup holders, not rod holders." The Christensen Shipyards facility in Vancouver,
Washington State, were purpose built by Dave
Christensen and inaugurated in 1983.
"Strategic partnerships" also became a priority for Braver, initiallywith Mercury Racing to ensure reliable engine delivery and serviceon all Cigarettes worldwide, then with Garmin and JL Audio. Each isdesigned to bring the top technology, innovation and customizationto each Cigarette model. Hernandez and Braver eventually partedways amicably, presumably due to differing management styles. Hec-tor Rodriguez, who came to Cigarette as a computer consultant,proved his business and sales abilities in the overall running of thefactory and Middle Eastern sales. As Braver's right hand man, hiscalm and easy-going nature has proved to be the perfect foil forBraver's volatility.
DRIVING FORWARD…
Over the past four years, a marketing alliance with Mercedes AMG
has given Cigarette increased clout in the automotive market, an
enigma to some but a clear strategy for Braver whose roots in the per-
formance auto industry created the partnership. The two companies
share a mutual respect and admiration as well as a customer base
that relishes the luxury and performance of the ideologically aligned
brands. Cigarette took inspiration from AMG in upholstery, acces-
sory and paint details, a fact portrayed at the Miami Boat Show when
they debuted models that wore the "Inspired by AMG" moniker.
Braver takes special pride in the affiliation, especially in the use of
the AMG brand name on "his" boats. "It is the first time that AMG
ever loaned its name to another brand's product and we are very
proud that this world automotive leader thinks that much of a small
company like Cigarette," Braver told us.
At the 2013 Miami International Boat Show, Braver stood smiling
next to Mario Spitzner, AMG's Director of Branding, Marketing and
Sales as the matching Electric-Drive AMG SLS Supercar and Ciga-
rette Top Gun made their joint US debut. The car was on display be-
fore going on the European market for the 2013 summer season, while
the boat was a concept prototype. The joint unveiling cemented the
partnership and demonstrated for the first time possibility of sharing
technology—the Mercedes innovation could theoretically be trans-
ferred from land to a Cigarette Top Gun on water. The striking metal-
lic green duo was the talk of the show, heavily photographed, reported
and commented upon. Practical? No, but topical yes – true to Ciga-
rette's persona. "He is the master of pizzazz," says Allan Brown, who
has seen all the Cigarette leaders come and go. But Braver has out-
lasted them all in his 11-year tenure.
"The quality of Cigarette is better now than ever and the image is still
extremely high," says Lipschutz, "People from all around the world
call for Cigarettes and wouldn't consider anything else. The recession
weeded out a lot of pretenders and now, only the strong survive. Any-
one who knows anything about boats knows Cigarette – it is still the
essence of ‘cool'." Concurring with Lipschutz, we recall the book on
Bob Gowen's desk: Quintessence: The Quality of having ‘It'. Flicking
through a recently acquired copy we discover a quote that encapsu-
lates the ephemeral charisma that the Cigarette Racing Team brand
possesses and thought it a fitting way to conclude. "The power of
quintessential things – however simple or sophisticated, however
carefully designed or accidentally apt – is imponderable but undeni-
able… For while we may use quintessential things for commonplace
purposes, they serve as talismans and guideposts, touching our souls
with the souls of their own."

Source: http://prpower.biz/articles/rec_articles/20_INVICTUS_magazine_-_Performance_and_Romance_Cigarette_Racing_Team.pdf