More than 600 quick and livid automobiles will descend in West Palm Beach, FL for “FuelFest” on Feb. 25, and few are extra excited than one of many occasions’ pioneers, Cody Walker.
FuelFest has been a labor of affection for Cody, who is constant his late brother Paul’s legacy of elevating cash for charity whereas sharing a ardour for vehicles.
M&F sat down with the youngest Walker brother to search out out why a ardour for automobiles runs in his blood, and why driving has given him a invaluable psychological and bodily outlet.
The Walker household is extensively recognized for much-missed Paul’s star turns within the Fast & Furious franchise. After his premature dying in 2013, Cody helped to finish Paul’s character Brian O’Conner’s remaining touching scenes however a love of automobiles, nonetheless, goes again generations on this sporty bloodline.
Cody’s grandfather was the Pacific middleweight champion within the Navy, throughout World War II, and even fought in Madison Square Garden. Cody’s father was additionally a boxer, and a two-time Golden Gloves champion. His grandfather, on the mom’s facet, labored on and raced with automobiles for Ford within the 60s. A aggressive spirit and keenness for automobiles is plain for the Walkers.
“He had some records back in the day,” says Cody of his grandfather.. “He worked and built transmissions, and my dad loves cars too, so we always had something cool around the house.” It was inevitable then, that the Walker youngsters would develop up desirous to understand how issues labored underneath the hood. Still, FuelFest isn’t only for the technically minded. Anyone who appreciates the fantastic thing about a well-designed automobile or the noise of a robust engine can get on board. “I wanted to create something that was very inclusive of everybody,” says Cody. “We’re not genre specific. Whether you’re a gearhead, or not, even if you just have the slightest interest in cars, we wanted to create a cool, fun, environment for people.”
FuelFest Continues the Legacy of the Reach Out Worldwide Charity
Automotive followers can count on an epic expertise stuffed with appearances by Fast & Furious stars like Cody and Tyrese Gibson, together with the standard shock movie star sightings and a stacked program of leisure and drifting; that includes skilled Formula Drift Driver Chelsea Denofa. There’s every little thing from American muscle automobiles to unique automobiles and the day is an opportunity to take pleasure in some unbelievable machines with a backdrop of music and pleasure. “We always want to make every show bigger and better,” says Cody.
FuelFest can also be an effective way to honor Paul’s legacy of elevating cash for catastrophe aid, one thing which means every little thing to Cody, since a portion of the proceeds from these occasions go to the charity that his older brother began. “We often say that ‘Reach Out Worldwide’ (ROWW) was a piece of Paul that he left behind,” says Cody. “It was something that he created, it was something that he funded all on his own, and obviously he was the beating heart and soul of the whole thing, so losing him was devastating for a thousand reasons, but we really cherish ROWW and the work he started there, so it’s been an honor and a huge responsibility to help continue that organization. They say, ‘Figure out a way to do what you love.’ We’ve donated about $300,000 to ROWW, through FuelFest. So, to be able to create an event that is so much fun, that I know Paul would very much approve of because of his love of cars, with a special meaning behind it, is a win-win scenario, and I’m so grateful to have the support of everyone, from all over.”
There’s little question that Paul continues to be very a lot with Cody in every little thing that he does. “This November will mark 10 years since he left us, and it really doesn’t feel like ten years has gone by,” says Cody. “Here we are 10 years on and people still care, and people still support and honor his memory and the incredible person that he was, and the work that he did.”
In addition to entertaining 1000’s of revelers world wide, with stops in Japan, Germany, and Abu Dhabi already on the calendar and a return to the UK within the works, Cody additionally derives quite a lot of optimistic psychological and bodily profit from getting behind the wheel.
Driving offers Cody Walker a bodily and psychological increase
“It’s therapy,” says Cody. “It’s therapy for a lot of people, I think. There’s just something about getting in the car, and I’m not saying driving spiritedly or fast, it’s just going on a cruise, on your favorite road. Whether that includes listening to music or not, often for me there isn’t even any music playing, I’m just listening to the car and enjoying the drive. The same could be said for washing the car. I like washing my own cars. We get caught up on the physical aspect all the time, but mental health is so important.”
When it involves staying in form, Cody loves useful coaching. “I work on flexibility. I don’t do a lot of heavy weights,” he says. “I like HIIT training. My body responds really well to that.” Cody devotes quite a lot of time to working his core, one thing that is useful when he’s stored busy with two youngsters. The notion that Cody would acquire pleasure from serving to others is not any shock. He was a paramedic in his youth and not too long ago fronted “Fast: Home Rescue” along with his spouse Felicia on The Weather Channel. In conjunction with the ROWW charity, they travelled 1000’s of miles to assist these with storm broken houses. “We renovated one home per week, for 12 weeks,” he beams.
Cody shouldn’t be knowledgeable racer, however he loves to remain bodily match, and appreciates the dedication that it takes to show professional. “I follow motorsports, the drivers are in incredible shape,” he says. “Think about the G-forces that they have to withstand—the muscles, even in their neck, their coordination and reflexes. If you watch Formula 1, what are they doing? They’re doing reflex workouts with the light machine, and they are smacking the lights. I think it was Schumacher, who back in the day was really ahead of his time with fitness being such a pivotal part of motorsport.”
To see among the world’s main drivers and most gorgeous automobiles, try the FuelFest web site for and areas and tickets.
