TPRM is on site at the Shelby American factory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where the Shelby GT350 and Super Snake pace cars emerged this morning for an early photo shoot. Led by the GT350, the cars will pace the 2010 Shelby American Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday. The legend himself Carroll Shelby will serve as the grand marshal of the race.  Click here for the press release.

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of a photo shoot? While it’s certainly hard work, the effort pays dividends if done professionally.

The photo shoot, with veteran photojournalist Jerry Heasley, started at the crack of dawn to take advantage early morning light. TPRM team helped design the shots, line up the cars, determine the lighting and even control security. It’s amazing how many people show up with cameras today whenever a Shelby photo shoot happens.

The key to a successful shoot is determining the use of the images. That determines the background, composition, lighting and use of action. In this case, the photos were all going to be used for books, magazines and factory documentation, so action shots were not critical.

But shooting in the desert at a racetrack on a NASCAR weekend presented its own set of challenges. Cordoning off an area to keep vehicles out of the shot background, restraining over enthusiastic fans with their own cameras and completing the job before the “sweet light” went away were a few of the issues that we faced. However, the shots will be spectacular and memorialize this historic weekend forever.

Results are in from Barrett-Jackson’s 39th annual Scottsdale auction.  The company recorded more than $68 million in total sales, an 11 percent increase from Scottsdale 2009.  Top sellers included a 1929 Hamilton Metalplane H-47 for $671,000 and a 1964 Shelby Cobra that brought $478,500.

The top 10 cars sold in Scottsdale include:

• 1929 HAMILTON METALPLANE H47 SERIAL #65 AIRPLANE – $671,000 (Lot #1307)
• 1964 SHELBY COBRA ROADSTER – $478,500 (Lot #1317)
• 1963 SHELBY COBRA ROADSTER – $401,500 (Lot #1303)
• 1935 CADILLAC SERIES 40 FLEETWOOD IMPERIAL CONVERTIBLE – $302,500 (Lot #1265)
• 2011 FORD MUSTANG GT GLASS ROOF COUPE – $300,000 (Lot #1295.1)
• 1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI SUPERBIRD 2 DOOR HARDTOP – $286,000 (Lot #1289)
• 1952 WATSON ROADSTER CUSTOM BY BLASTOLENE – $280,500 (Lot #1292)
• 2008 FORD MUSTANG FR500S FASTBACK RACECAR – $275,000 (Lot #1027)
• 1970 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 429 FASTBACK – $275,000 (Lot #1283.1)
• 1967 FORD MUSTANG CUSTOM FASTBACK – $253,000 (Lot #1287)

Barrett-Jackson also saw no damage as a result of the wild rain and wind that passed through Arizona last week, which wasn’t the case for all auctions in the Phoenix area.  More than 180,000 people braved the elements to attend the automotive lifestyle event.

For a full press release on the results, CLICK HERE.  Next up, the 8th annual Palm Beach auction April 1-3, 2010.

A beautiful 1964 Shelby Cobra (CSX2281) just cross the block at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale and fetched $478,500, making it the top selling car so far at the 39th annual event.  The leader overall is a 1929 Hamilton Metalplane that went for $671,000.

The sale ends tomorrow afternoon, marking the largest Barrett-Jackson docket in history with over 1,200 vehicles.  Stay tuned for results and comments from auction officials.

Tonight’s Barrett-Jackson Opening Night Gala was an evening to remember as Carroll Shelby and his team at Shelby American unveiled the new 2011 Shelby GT350 before thousands gathered at WestWorld of Scottsdale.

The concept behind the GT350 was to build a car that is light, nimble and powerful. Beginning with the “small block” 5.0 liter Ford Mustang GT as its base, Shelby American worked with experts from Ford Racing, Goodyear, Borla, Cragar and Baer to create a car that is fast and has razor sharp handling. Every segment of the car is enhanced or replaced to create the ultimate balanced performance pony car that is true to the spirit of the 1965-1970 MY Shelby GT350.

The legendary Carroll Shelby was on hand to announce the new pony car and had the following to say about his team’s latest creation, “Our Shelby GT350 ruled its class at the track and was feared by GM and Chrysler owners on the street. Enthusiasts have anticipated the GT350’s return since it went out of production in 1970. Now my band of hot rodders has created a car worthy of the name.”

CLICK HERE for the full press release and stay tuned for more images of the unveiling.

There are followers and then there are devoted Shelby disciples. Shelby fans have been eating, sleeping, breathing and dreaming all things Shelby since the 1950s and ‘60s, when the lanky Texan transitioned from winning races to building some of the most iconic cars in history.

Today, the Shelby world includes a charitable foundation, engine group, a food company and much, much more, giving Shelby followers plenty to read about. In an attempt to harness all of the news, updates, events and photos being generated by the Shelby machine, Carroll and his team at the Carroll Shelby Foundation have launched “Shelby Nation.”

Shelby Nation (ShelbyNation.com) is a virtual community for like-minded fans to meet and access all of the Shelby organizations in one fun, easy to use spot and celebrate Mr. Shelby’s high-octane lifestyle and philanthropic vision. It will even share Mr. Shelby’s personal thoughts, as well as push those comments out to his Facebook and Twitter accounts.

TPRM helped launch Shelby Nation and will be the gate keeper for all updates and information pumped through the new portal. Foundation director Jenni Shreeves is excited about what the new venture could bring both Shelby followers and all of the Shelby companies.

“Shelby Nation provides a platform for those who want to celebrate Carroll’s achievements and help solidify his place as an American icon,” said Shreeves. “That platform also allows us to communicate directly with all who support Carroll’s philanthropic vision. To sum it up, Shelby Nation is a passionate celebration by those who fearlessly seek the ultimate in speed, adventure, innovation and charity. A lifestyle epitomized for decades by Carroll Shelby.”

Click HERE to read the full press release.

Well, if you didn’t think putting some of the fastest (and best looking) Mustangs on the road (and track) was enough for Carroll Shelby, then how about some premium Carroll Shelby branded olive oil on the grocery store shelf?

That’s right, Carroll Shelby, through his new food company, Shelby Signature Foods, is introducing its first product with IDEA Foods Inc. The companies will offer a premium extra virgin olive oil to consumers in select retail stores under the “Shelby Signature Foods” brand within the next two months. A portion of sales will benefit charity.

TPRM was responsible for designing the bottle’s label, which features a photo of Carroll Shelby as well as his signature 289 Shelby Cobra.

If you’d like to:

1. Sell Carroll’s new olive oil you should call Jan Suessenguth at (215) 345-7696

2. Buy some of Carroll’s new olive oil visit www.ideafoodsinc.com for a list of retail stores carrying the olive oil

3. Have TRPM help you design your new product’s label call Aaron at (214) 520-3430

The full news release about the olive oil can be found here or here or even here. Check it out!