Last time he rose to infamy in front of a traffic speed camera but this time his high-speed skate was filmed on a high-tech drone camera along a steep pass in Franschhoek.
Twenty-four-year-old Decio Lourenco’s daring downhill skateboarding once led to his setting off a traffic speed camera while roaring down Kloof Nek Road. His feat went viral on YouTube - much to the ire of local traffic authorities.
This time, Lourenco features in a three-minute video with a new Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG.
The black and white “Silver Slipstream” video, which took three months to plan and three days to shoot, was produced for Mblife, a Mercedes-Benz lifestyle portal and one of the group’s media channels.
HIGH-SPEED TANGO
It shows Lourenco on his skateboard in a high-speed tango with the Mercedes, which is being driven by seasoned precision race car driver Robbie Smith.
Lourenco zig-zags and slipstreams behind the car before they meet at the bottom of the pass. It was shot with aerial views of the Franschhoek Valley and special cameras were used to create a slow-motion effect.
And this time, Lourenco’s downhill adventure was given the thumbs up by traffic authorities, who had closed the pass for the shoot. Paramedics were also on hand as a precaution.
“It’s one of those projects that took a long time to get the budget for the cameras and road closures - but I’m definitely very happy with the team,” he said.
“We pulled it off with almost all the shots spot on.”
Lourenco is a graphic design student, but has won local downhill skate competitions, including Houteq HDX, Peg Street Kings 2013 and the King of the Fort Downhill Challenge. Smith has been a professional precision and stunt car driver for 20 years.
The video was produced in conjunction with production company Bring Back Choirboy, while the concept originated in collaboration between Mercedes-Benz SA and New Media Publishing.
Mblife editor at New Media Publishing, Dylan Culhane, said that Franschhoek had been chosen for the shoot because of its spectacular scenery, hairpin bends and smooth surface.
Claudia Walters, the marketing manager at Mercedes-Benz SA, said that by using a speed skateboarder - not something one would traditionally associate with the motor car manufacturer - they were “pushing the envelope” and finding ways to connect with the Mercedes-Benz audience across all ages. - Cape Argus