Business

Toyota’s Boss Aims at Porsche’s Nurburgring Record

Published

5 years ago

August 20, 2019

Rob Leupen, who is the Toyota’s LMP1 Team’s boss, said that he is interested in Porsche’s Nurburgring Nordschleife record. He took a dig at Porsche when he said that he thinks the Toyota’s FIA world endurance Championship challenger is way quicker than Porsche’s 9191 Evo.

Porsche developed a faster version of the car in 2017. It made an upgrade to the Porsche 919 Hybrid. And it did so, to bid on Nordschleife track record. In the track, Porsche 919 Evo is a dream. It works its magic with its agile features.

It has more power, more downforce and reduced weight. Timo Bernhard made history when he clocked a time of 5 min 19.546 secs on the historic 20.832 km course. Leupen thinks his team can do better.

He says that his Toyota team, which is not far from Nurburgring in Cologne can do it better. And he vouches for the uprated TS050 Hybrid to do the job. He said, “I would like to try that, that would be fun! I think his car would be quicker on the Nordschleife than the Porsche.”

But even though he thinks that Toyota can do a better job, it is not on Toyota’s plans now. He reported that such a thing needs planning, time and money. It needs budget and strategy. But now Toyota has too much on its plate already.

Leupen’s hopes with Toyotas cars, is high. He also believes that the outgoing TS050 Hybrid that has been revised for its farewell season can outplay many.

He thinks that it can improve the lap record at Circuit de la Sarthe in its last Le Mans 24 hours appearance. Just before the slower hyper cars come to play.

Leupen said- “The new cars are a bit less complex, but we had to reduce costs. This year is the end of a beautiful era in which we witnessed the quickest and most efficient cars ever at Le Mans. That doesn’t just include our car but also Porsche and Audi.”

Hope this season has a great championship. Even with slower cars there is still much to experience.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.