Craftwerk & Berlin's Electric Motoring Festival with Max Funk

Philosopher Andrea Hiott talks with Maximilian Funk, a key figure in the motoring world who is the brains behind several significant events and places like the first electric motorcycle festival in Berlin, the Reload Land Festival, and the community garage and co-working space, Craftwerk. The interview touches upon Max's life, influences, his interest in cars and motorcycles, entrepreneurship with Craftwerk, his passion for motoring, and involvement with e-fuels
 
Instagram for Max

Chrome and Flames

Moto Raver

Craftwerk

Espresso GT Cars & Coffee

Craftwerk Instagram

Vice Magazine Berlin

Classic Remise Berlin

gestalten

The Ride

Fly Fishing Book

Reload Land Festival

Flat Track Racing

superplus Media

Craftwerk Berlin

E Fuel Today

Super Plus Media

Transcript

Andrea Hiott: [00:00:00] Hey everybody today, we have Maximillian funk. On the show and you might have heard of him he's actually sort of behind the scenes and a lot of. Really important events and places. That you might've heard of, for example, the first electric motorcycle festival. In Berlin reload. Land festival. He started last year. He's also a founder of Craftwerk 

and I don't mean the band with a K. I mean the community garage and coworking space. That has also become a place for events and filming and all kinds of stuff, because it's so beautiful. And has such a good vibe. Uh, that's also in Berlin. And it's [00:01:00] Craftwerk c R a F T w E R K. I'll put links to all this in the show notes, because it's some beautiful stuff. Uh, they have Epressive GT Cars and Coffee. But Max is also involved in a lot of, uh, issues like towards more sustainable fuels. And, um, More ecological forms of transportation. So I wanted to talk to him about that too, but we do talk about these issues in a bigger sense. Together and, um, mostly through this idea of community, because a lot of these projects.

Are really special for the community that they bring together. Uh, they're all around motoring, but it actually shows us how important motoring is and in our lives and that it actually connects to all these more. intimate and important things in our like fun and and creativity. So it's a, it's an easy, interesting, effortless. Kind of conversation. [00:02:00] And I hope you enjoy it.​ 

Andrea Hiott: Should I call you Max or Maximilian 

or? 

Maximilian Funk: Uh, you can call me Max. Maximilian only when I'm, uh, yeah. In trouble or something. When my mom screamed at me, you know, and you, you made something wrong. 

Okay. Oh, here we go then. Okay. Hi, Max. . Thank you for coming to, uh, Forever Motoring today.

Thank 

Andrea Hiott: you for the 

Maximilian Funk: invitation. It's nice to see you. 

Andrea Hiott: I heard it's very hot in Berlin 

where you are now. 

Maximilian Funk: Yeah, but, we won't complain because, uh, summer's, super nice in Berlin and yeah, the winters are very long, so I'm happy for some long sunny days. 

Andrea Hiott: That's true. Berlin is one of the best places to be in the summer.

Maximilian Funk: Yeah we do miss the ocean, so, if we 

could have that, that would be nice. Everyone's so happy and on the, out on, out in the parks and at the cafes and it has such a beautiful spirit in the parks, at the lakes. 

Yeah, it's a green city. [00:03:00] We're definitely, uh, happy that, uh, yes, there are so many trees in the city and, um, yeah, so, and as a native, I mean, uh, I've never lived somewhere else, uh, because I think it's a nice base to explore the world and living is quite affordable here. . 

Andrea Hiott: So you 

grew up in Berlin, you're born in Berlin. 

Maximilian Funk: Yes. I grew up in the Eastern part of Berlin, uh, in 1985 and, uh, yeah. And, um, stayed here. 

Andrea Hiott: Wow. Right before 

big changes came. 

Maximilian Funk: I mean, as a kid, you don't really recognize the big change, uh, I, uh, saw the change within the car scene.

So, uh, no more two stroke cars, so more cars from West Germany and, uh, uh, there I recognized as a kid, okay, something has changed here dramatically. Oh, wow. 

Andrea Hiott: You actually remember that? You must've been pretty small. 

Maximilian Funk: I do have 

some very, um, yeah, 

like a deep saved childhood memories. I [00:04:00] definitely do remember these times.

Andrea Hiott: Well, maybe we'll explore them a little bit, I usually ask, the guests to tell me about some moment in their life that they remember being moved from your childhood or from yesterday, it doesn't matter, but, uh, something related to motoring that, that moved you.

Maximilian Funk: Um, I think it was a family trip to the Baltic sea and, uh, I was probably like seven years old and my dad gave me, uh, five Deutsche Mark back then.

Andrea Hiott: And uh, he said, okay, now you can, uh, buy any magazine you want at the gas station. And I, I went for a, classic American car magazine called, uh, Chrome and Flames in Germany. Oh, wow. Great title. Yeah. And this is this was probably the moment where where the spark was set to rethink the whole, um, yeah, idea of mobility that you don't have to drive a regular station wagon and there are plenty of more different cars and, uh, car modding and whatsoever.

So this is [00:05:00] probably the moment which was the beginning for me personally. 

What sort of car were you in with your family back then? 

Maximilian Funk: Uh, we, our first car was a Wartburg, um, like a two stroke station wagon and frog green from, the eighties. And we got it right after the fall of the wall. And, then we had, uh, Opel record, uh, Volkswagen Passat station wagons, very, let's say, practical cars.

So, there's absolutely no passion for classic cars or motorcycles or whatsoever. Within my whole family. So, yeah, it's, so there was no kind of, um, how do you say inspiration from the family side of things? 

Was your dad surprised when he came back with the chrome and flame or whatever it was called the magazine?

Uh, not really. I mean, I think, we've all been into toys and hot wheels and stuff. So I think. He felt, okay, this is natural, but I also was reading, one or two years later, like heavy books on, uh, [00:06:00] Stalingrad and World War II history, which is like kind of unusual in that age. Um, but, I don't think that he was surprised.

Okay. You're interested in a lot of things. It sounds like. Curious. 

Andrea Hiott: Still curious. Absolutely. I mean,

Maximilian Funk: yeah, curiosity, it definitely, um, is a great thing to have. And I'm super grateful for a passion I found something that I'm into. But I could also every day switch it to something else.

So maybe if at some point in the future, no motorcycles, no cars whatsoever is allowed, uh, there are restrictions. I could also see myself as a carpenter or I don't know, um, setting little aquariums or whatsoever. And, yeah, I think that's, um, something that's, uh, it's nice to have so that you can adapt to, yeah what's ahead of us. 

Andrea Hiott: Adaptability, flexibility can go a long way in terms of, how you feel and how you experience your day in general. dId you have to learn that or was that something you didn't have [00:07:00] to learn. You just sort of knew.

Maximilian Funk: Um, I think the passion one I knew all the way, but, uh, creating a job universe around it is, um, kind of the.

biggest challenge. So if you want to make a living chasing a dream, building a network, dealing with setbacks. So I initially studied graphic design, uh, because I wanted to work. at a car magazine, which is called Motor Raver, that was founded in Hamburg, an independent car magazine.

And, uh, so there are my, um, maybe creative talents, uh, given from my mom. I could use and then mix it with, car culture. And, yeah, but the, the magazine wasn't continued, so I, had to adapt and, uh, you know, you have to change jobs from time to time. And, uh, but the bigger picture always.

Like send me in the right direction. And, yeah, basically the network today grew naturally out of that passion because you [00:08:00] meet like minded people, along the way, which is super nice. And, in the end it's, not only about cars and motorcycles and electrical mobility and whatsoever, but, about the people.

So it's the social aspect of it. 

Andrea Hiott: That's for sure. And that says a lot about what you're doing now with Craftwerk and Reload, which we'll get to. But what is, what was Motor Raver? Did you help start it? it's a great title for a magazine, but I'm not sure if people in the States will know what it is.

Maximilian Funk: So it was founded in 1999. So I was way too young back then. And they. I spent my teenage years, um, really, sucking it all in from the magazines. They were having, I think, quarterly issues and, yeah, they.

re rethought the whole idea of how to present car culture, in the first place. So they switched to completely different paper., they had new ideas in graphic design. Um, they had, uh, hilariously funny, um, The stories in it [00:09:00] and uh, it was inspired by the gearhead magazine and uh, yeah, and for me it was Amongst the german magazine, um scenery like a complete standout and it was on the Desk of all the creative directors in the early 2000s And yeah, it was super inspiring.

So they had topics with hot rods muscle cars, vintage German cars from the sixties and seventies, and they also model these cars. So basically it's a mix of punk rock and car culture. We're the first in Germany to paint the cars, matte black, uh, put flames on it. So a little bit of. hot rodding, um, but with cars in the 90s.

And, uh, yeah, they, um, rethought the whole idea. And Motor Ravers, I think a cool, cool name. And it all started, um, as a little club, um, because the guys who founded the magazine, all grew up, out of Hamburg. So [00:10:00] they had these, parking lot raves. And, they were just like, dozen of cars, uh, next to the club parked on the parking lot, all had the windows down, there was music playing, there were beer cans, uh, throwing around.

And, um, so this all started out of that. And then I said, okay, we are basically motor ravers. So, uh, yeah, that's, uh, and that was a super influential on my life, that magazine. And now I'm friends with the, um, editor in chief back then. Yeah, it's super interesting. Yeah, it's 

Andrea Hiott: really interesting.

Does Hamburg have a, does Hamburg have a certain culture of cars? Are there different cultures, car cultures, like in, in Germany? 

Maximilian Funk: I think, yes. Uh, so in Hamburg, uh, we call it, uh, Mopar cities. So because of the big port, um, they always had, uh, the coolest muscle cars even in the nineties. there were chargers, road runners, whatever in the city. So, um, this is definitely a muscle car, uh, [00:11:00] city. Then we also have the Western part at Ruhrpott, but which has also like a very, thriving car culture, which is basically based around the Opel Manta and of course the Volkswagen Golf.

So all the tuning stuff in the eighties that was super popular back then, the white bodies with airbrush and all that kind of stuff, um, D& W catalog was. Uh, the probably the most printed, car parts catalog, back then. And, uh, and Munich is a little bit more snobby, and Berlin, because of the, um, yeah, kind of special situations as an island in the form of, uh, uh, before the wall came down, there was.

Or there still is a growing car culture, but the city is so big. We don't have the only city center. So there are amazing cars here, but it's a, it's always a challenge to get like a community together in Berlin, which have luckily changed within the last three years, because at Craftwerk, we started the [00:12:00] espresso GT, which is a monthly cars and coffee during the summer.

And there all the different. Types of, classic cars and, collector cars meet. Yeah, but I definitely would say Hamburg more, American cars, um, for sure. 

Andrea Hiott: It's interesting about Craftwerk doing this. We talked to the Ace Cafe, the founder of the Ace Cafe, so it makes me think of that a little.

Maximilian Funk: Yeah. It's a basically, an adaption of the classic cars and coffee in California. So we start a little later. So, uh, getting Berliners off the couch on a Sunday morning is quite hard. So my co founder said I'm completely crazy.

Um, but I thought, Hey, let's give it a try. So from nine to 11 in the morning, we would just open the parking lot and we have great coffee and some fresh croissants and that's what people need. And, uh, yeah, they have great talks and the vibe is super friendly. And, uh, the, the variety in cars is amazing.

So there's a, uh, let's say a Tesserosa park next to a [00:13:00] Citroen Deux Chevaux and a muscle car Hot Rod. sO all kinds of styles, JDM cars and, bringing all these people together is, yeah, very, very, very nice feeling. Yeah, that's a wonderful 

Andrea Hiott: that's, that Berlin has a place like that now. Um, but how did you get to creating Craftwerk?

And so you had, obviously you were interested in automobiles when you were a child and how, where did the design part come? You mentioned your mom, was she a big influence in terms of art and thinking about how things are made? 

Maximilian Funk: Yes, I mean, she studied, textile pattern design, uh, in Weissensee, in a very, uh, well renowned, um, university.

And, but she never worked in a job, but she was always super talented, at drawing. She did, like, little theater, things, and, uh The school and stuff like that. So she was always, very good at it and very creative and my grandma as well. We were always like building things for birthdays and such and stuff.

And, the whole craft [00:14:00] work idea, I mean. Um, there are two hearts beating in my chest. So one is for motorcycles, one is for cars and it switches from time to time. So one year I'm more into the classic cars and the other year I'm more into the motorcycles. And the craft community garage started out of a smaller community garage.

I had to leave my old workshop where I was with two other guys, because of the contract. And, uh, yeah, basically got a shelter in the community garage in Berlin Kreuzberg and we had 200 square meters with 30 members and it was packed immediately and there I recognized for the first time, hey it's actually cool to share tools, share knowledge, have a good laugh and also you often need a hand when you work on your motorcycle.

And, yeah, from this, crowd, um, there was a small, group who thought, okay, maybe there is a, an idea to start a business around it. And, the [00:15:00] vision was always to have a workshop, um, a glass wall and, to have a nice coffee and to look into a workshop and now we've created that. And, yeah, it's a super interesting project.

Yeah, it's such 

Andrea Hiott: a beautiful space. It seems to be a really special vibe in that place. it seems like such a natural space. Um,

can you design that? Or is it more about letting the space sort of become what it wants to become. I guess I'm thinking about the tension between trying to design a space like that and letting that space just become what it is

Maximilian Funk: it is. It is definitely, um, a process.

 I mean, of course, we had an idea how the place could look like, but when you have like, an empty hall, an empty warehouse of 900 square meters, and then you think, okay, how are we ever going to be able to fill that? So that's thing number one. And then we had to just start step by step.

And the Most beautiful rooms right now. Um, they were the most ugly ones in the beginning. So they were, there was graffiti on the walls. We didn't [00:16:00] have a proper doors, no windows, no electricity, no heating system, no kitchen, nothing. And, uh, so I had, I brought a lot of like stuff from my old workshop and, uh, also, you know, collectible art and, uh, through the month, um, everyone brought a little bit.

So another guy was, joining us and, uh, his place, he had to leave it. And, uh, so he, he brought like, uh, some tools and, you know, some, some storage, like vintage, uh, storage shelves. And, uh, so it grew organically, but I think in the end, um, you can build the coolest place, um, you want, but it's the people that really fill it with life.

So Craftwerk wouldn't be a cool vibing place without the people. It sounds super cheesy, but, when you just walk through it and it's empty, it's just an empty warehouse basically with a lot of motorcycles. 

Andrea Hiott: I guess the people bring their own design there. So you sort of sense that too, you already probably knew all of these people or a lot of [00:17:00] them, but new people come in too, but there's already some kind of social atmosphere before you even build the place, I guess.

Maximilian Funk: Yeah. And, uh, funny it's, I think more than 80 percent of the people we, uh, didn't know in the first place.

So they are like new, newly recruited members. Um, right now I think we are, we have 105 members. It's from 18 different nations and that's, uh, yeah, again, a social project at its core and it's all glued together by the passion for motorcycles and scooters and mopeds and stuff. Um, yeah, but I was a little bit responsible for, the design of the rooms.

Um, but luckily in our team, we have, Michael. Who is an architect. So he planned, the whole place. Um, he knew, you know, where to put like toilets, why otherwise, which kind of rooms we need. And it took us almost three years to find that place because of course it's, not [00:18:00] easy to find an affordable space.

 And in the first place it was, we thought too big, but now we're happy that we have that space, in total. 

Andrea Hiott: Yeah, it's amazing. You said it's 900. Yeah, 900. Yeah, that's a huge space in Berlin. 

Maximilian Funk: Yeah, it's in the eastern part, uh, right, outside the, inner city circle.

So, It's actually like 10 minutes from the hip neighborhoods, uh, Friedrichshain, Prenzlauberg, Pankow. So it's really, accessible, um, let's say for the Eastern part of the city, for the Western, they have to drive a little longer, but we also have members who come all the way from Potsdam because they think, okay, the place is special and, they drive for an hour there, um, which is amazing.

Andrea Hiott: I really love that. And I love this. It seems like there's a mixing or coming together of a lot of different cultures and kinds of people. Berlin has a really particular spirit, and I've heard that sometimes there's a lot of love of cars, and then there can also be kind of [00:19:00] a hate of cars.

To, um, and also this kind of world of art and design and then like the garage culture, are those all the same people that have you found? Is it wrong to even think that those are separate groups? 

Maximilian Funk: I don't really think there are separate groups. I mean, of course, car people are definitely different than motorcycle people,, for sure.

 But I think since the place has such a positive vibe, there's not really a tension. What's critical is of course, keeping everything in order. So, you have, we have, a guy from let's say Tunisia, who is, like an airplane mechanic. And he has a different idea of, what's a good order for tools and, keeping everything in place.

And then they have the, let's say the German crowd who, you know, learned at, uh, Volkswagen and they had to leave the space much cleaner than they, found when they entered the garage. So this is like a , let's say tricky situation. like in a big, um, when you live together in a big group with people or you share an office [00:20:00] and, Um, it doesn't matter if supermodels work there in the kitchen there's always like a big, big note. Okay. Put your dirty dishes in the dishwasher and, stuff like that. So that's the, let's say the most tricky part, I think. And, also of course, expectation management, um, in the first month, we didn't have the money to, afford all the tools. So the whole, um, set of tools was just organically growing.

 But so far, it's basically a representation of society. So we have all kinds of people there. Not the typical biker, you know, with a leather vest and a long beard. But from, from vets to surgeons to pilots, it's, it's all there. Carpenters, every, everyone's there basically represented. I love that.

Andrea Hiott: It's such a nice thing that it works at all. What is this DIY? Kind of Culture like, is it, does everyone have to contribute tools or do you just come in and then you just get the free use of everyone's tools or are there certain rules about it? 

Maximilian Funk: We, we have the tools, so professional tools and everyone is allowed to use it.

And [00:21:00] if you need special tools for your bike, you just bring them. And uh, of course some, you know, some stuff that you always need, like cable ties and so on. Um, we have everything there. Um, and also for example, break cleaner was always an issue in the old workshop. So everyone was in the cans and then, uh, when you needed it yourself, they were all gone.

So we have like a, now a big one where everyone can serve themselves. And, uh, yeah, but basically we set up the room, we have the professional tools and then you pay a monthly fee. You can enter the workshop 24 seven, um, and, we recorded, with a, with an ID chip and, uh, yeah. And then you basically free to do basically what you want, um, except, spray painting your bike, on the inside.

So we don't have a spray booth there, which is unfortunately way too expensive. Yeah, 

Andrea Hiott: that would take a lot. Um, how did, we didn't [00:22:00] quite get into your design career, but you also worked for Gestalt, right? You had a different sort of career. But it was still connected to motorcycling and automobiles I guess that's going on from the motor raver.

Maximilian Funk: Yes, exactly. So motor raver was like the first, uh, spark. So I studied graphic design, um, didn't finish, the university. So I stopped after, and I think in the Third semester, quit there, started working for Vice Magazine in Berlin, with a very OG crew. We've been, I think, eight people, in the early 2000s.

That was right when it launched, right? Yes. So, and I think at the biggest stage they had like 200 people working there. But then I moved on to, um, working as a freelance graphic designer. But it wasn't really making me happy. Then I met, Flake from Ramstein, the keyboarder and, uh, at a classic, at a hot rod show.

And, uh, I asked him, Hey, you have a classic car rental. [00:23:00] Do you need someone to work there? And then I, and then he said, yeah, you should just. swing by and say hello. And I did. And then I worked there for two years, uh, being responsible for 96 classic cars at the age of 24 so that was the dream job.

Uh, it was of course, very much a season oriented. But I was able to, work on film sets, organize, road books and then the design road books for, uh, incentive, events. And we had all types of cars. So like Messerschmitt two stroke cabin scooters to, Russian state limousines to Ford Mustangs, Jaguar E types, and I was able to drive a lot of these cars, uh, learn a lot about them, how to drive them, what's special.

 And so I really got the practical part of the classic car thing. And then I, it's like a school within itself. 

Andrea Hiott: Absolutely. That's really a unique space. 

Maximilian Funk: Absolutely. And, the office was, at now it's called Classic Remise. 

Andrea Hiott: Ah, okay. 

Maximilian Funk: A very special place in Berlin for a classic car enthusiast but, [00:24:00] um, after two years, I recognized, okay, there is not, um, you can't develop yourself. So it's always the same work. So I had to quit there and started, the career as a graphic designer again, worked for, an online magazine, in fashion, that, that was really funny for a couple of years.

And then I quit there as well. And, uh, yeah. On a trip to Cape Town, I got a call from Gestalten. Um, I met the publisher before at, uh, Wheels and Waves, and I was also helping them, uh, to launch the first book, The Ride. And, yeah, then he asked me if I would be interested to join the company as an editor for The Ride, Second Gear.

And I said, uh, yeah, yeah. But it was like fully employed or not. And then I was like, okay, shit, I have to cancel or pause my freelance career and, worked, successfully at Gestalten for four years, made 10 books, was an amazing experience. And I also could. I mean, day in, [00:25:00] day out, I could, completely, work with my passion there and bring it all in and all the knowledge that I gained and, yeah, it was very, very, an interesting 

Andrea Hiott: time.

Did you work only on books that were of subjects that you cared about, like cars and the. Ride motorcycles or was it all, all kinds of things? 

Maximilian Funk: We've been four, very specific, editors back then. So one for architecture, one for graphic design and so on. And my part was the mobility, themes. So everything that's that moved basically, um, there were topics that I'm not an expert in at all, but, we had co editors for, surf books, for example. Or I had also to, work myself into the whole bicycle scene. But it's definitely doable. And, The medium book is always a nice door opener. So people, really seem to like the idea that they put content in a book, which, uh, stays a little bit longer than Instagram posts.

 So, yeah, it was really, a very positive thing to, to ring people up and say, okay, [00:26:00] Hey, we are working on this book. Do you want to participate? That was cool, but I also, I wasn't. working on car and motorcycle related books all the time. So we had a meeting with the publisher every six months.

And, I sat down with him and said, okay, I have three ideas, two for car and motorcycle books, and then there's a special one. And he said, okay, what's the special one? I said, fly fishing. And he said, okay, this is surprising, but I was so into it. And then he said, yeah, give it a try, give it a little first research.

And then I dived completely into, the world of crazy fly fishing people. And this was actually amongst the drive and the rise and fast forward, like probably my most popular, uh, book and the fly fishing one. Yeah. And the fly fisher. Yeah. Are you a 

Andrea Hiott: fly fisher? 

Maximilian Funk: Uh, no, I, I, You were just fascinated by it.

Absolutely. So I did fish when I was a kid. But, yeah, the art of fly fishing had something extremely, [00:27:00] um, satisfying and all the artworks around it. And, um, yeah, so, uh, I learned a lot and I still, we had two, very nerdy. Co editors and they said, yeah, uh, you definitely need to come to our place and, we teach you how to, swing a fly fishing rod.

So maybe I'll do that. But, in the end you always have to maybe decide for one hobby instead of going for 10 different ones. And, uh, yeah that's the main problem, time and resources. Yes. 

Andrea Hiott: It sounds like you do. Uh, you do move with your passion though, so it's really like your passion is motivating a lot of the work you do.

So I guess, is that why you, when you feel like you've explored something fully in that kind of form, you move on to the next thing? Is it still this curiosity theme? It's passion and curiosity, but then there's, there seems to be, yeah, you want to grow too or something. 

Maximilian Funk: Yes, and always, I think, I'm working on new, um, let's say skill sets.

So I [00:28:00] didn't know how to do books. So I, you know, let myself fall into the idea. Okay, now you create some books and then you work on that for, um, three, four years. And my rhythm is usually, three years. And then I try to switch something. And, and yeah, starting a place like Craftwerk that, that started just after I quit at the publishing house.

 And, uh, but in the end, I think, uh, within all the years you get some, you get used to the rollercoaster ride of being a freelancer. And, okay, there are times which are a little bit tougher, but then you also if you're still moving, even when it's kind of hard, there are always doors opening up and then new opportunities came up.

 So now I'm kind of really relaxed about everything. So I like to, have like two or three different, jobs I'm working on and, just, um, work two days here, three days there, sometimes on the weekends. And, so this gives a kind of [00:29:00] Yeah, a good feel, uh, that there is some kind of security, which is, of course, nowadays nowhere.

 But, um, if you think you, you're ready with a chapter, then I definitely move on. And, uh, sometimes it's. That's also a problem because I'm so, I'm very enthusiastic and energetic when it comes to a new topic, like creating a festival about reloads, uh reload land. Creating a festival about electric mobility and electric motorcycle and so on, that you miss out on maybe the jobs that pay the rent. So it's like sometimes you're too fast for, let's say the, grown up, side of things. 

Andrea Hiott: Yes, but it sounds like you're still really engaged and you probably wake up in the morning motivated in the right ways, even when it's challenging versus just Going the way that's supposedly safe, but like you said, you can't always count on that either.

Maximilian Funk: Yes, absolutely. But you also have to be very well aware that, um, a lot of energy, burns a lot of [00:30:00] energy and definitely have to, pause in between. So that's what I also had to learn. Even though you don't really recognize it, you definitely have to keep some time off in between. But that's. Also another challenge to really, set up holidays and all that kind of stuff.

And don't look into emails and just, be somewhere else and, uh, let the, let's say the creative minds rest for a couple of days and then start all over again. Yeah, 

Andrea Hiott: that's so true because when you are doing stuff out of passion, when it's really your passion, then you can put so much into it, 

and you realize how much you can get done, uh, when you put so much into it. So you feel like you can take on everything, but there really is such a thing as overdoing it. And also, yeah, getting these expectations where it's expected somehow, which can kind of change your motivation and passion. It's hard to find that balance.

I think that's kind of part of growing up too, is like figuring out how to, make sure that you're taking care of yourself and even your finances and all of that, while also still, flowing with this. Passion.

Maximilian Funk: Yeah. I'm [00:31:00] very, shitty with finances, so I can't save money. So that's why also by, uh, projects all the time and then, uh, building them up and then the time is running.

 But that's also, uh, probably, yeah, the creative mind that's, that hates, , order with, uh, taxation. 

Andrea Hiott: There's something motivating about that even in a way. It sounds like you're sort of in the present moment. You're not too worried. 

You're trying. Yeah. That's where you're trying to live. 

Maximilian Funk: Yes. And I just came back from, an amazing, uh, trip, motorcycle trip across the Iberian, what it's called peninsula, peninsula, and, I spent, seven days with the crew around El Solitario. I'm riding off road from Galicia down to the Atlantic ocean, Portugal and Spain.

And that was like a real, okay. Break. Uh, so I'm still, that's why I probably sound so positive because it was an amazing experience on the Amtrak boat. 

Andrea Hiott: You did that [00:32:00] after you had, we're going to talk about reload land, but. That was kind of, is that, did that come after you just needed after this huge kind of event?

And I'm sure it took a lot of energy. We'll talk about it in a second, but did you then need that trip? Was it like therapy or recovery? Yeah, 

Maximilian Funk: absolutely. So it was, uh, Very challenging for the body. So we, we made like, uh, I think between 1500 and 1700, uh, kilometers in seven days, all off road. What were you riding?

Sorry. I, uh, I bought a Honda XR250 Baja. Um, 97 and, uh, but the bike, uh, broke down on the third day and, uh, then I jumped on a couple of other bikes that were free. And, uh, yeah, I didn't have any, uh, enduro or off road experience so I was a little bit scared, but then on the other end, okay.

You just let yourself fall into the adventure and then go with the flow and day by day. And, uh, yeah, and it was, uh, an amazing crew, super helpful, super [00:33:00] friendly, uh, great organization, great food, uh, amazing scenery. Um, so it was very, very special and that, uh, kind of. Brought back the, um, passion to be on a motorcycle for more than, uh, just commuting in the city.

Andrea Hiott: Yeah. It sounds like a dream. What do you mean? There was a crew. Was it, what kind of trip was it?

Maximilian Funk: Um, it was organized by,, the El Solitario crew, which are based in Spain. Spain and Galicia, and, uh, we've been, I think 40 people in total. So we had a road crew, with, uh, I think 15 people on the road and, the other, crew members, um, road uh, all off road, um, 200 to 300 kilometers a day.

 and also international crowds, also motorcycle scene from 13 different nations, from California, from Tokyo. And, uh, yeah, so I don't know, the Vincent Pratt was also there, the co founder of wheels and waves. And so that's, that's kind of the old school, [00:34:00] um, crew there. 

Andrea Hiott: I see. Well, I want to talk about, uh, reload land a little bit.

 But first When did you become interested in electric or even the bigger themes around electric? Has that always been there? Or did that, was there a conversion moment of some kind?

Maximilian Funk: Um, I worked on the book, The Current, which was actually the last book I worked on at Gestalten.

So, um, that was kind of, uh, interesting during the research, okay, there is something going on there. So there are new companies coming up., I think a cake was. Probably from the outside, the most attractive one way on the cover. 

Andrea Hiott: Exactly. So beautiful. 

Maximilian Funk: And, um, yeah, and at Craftwerk, we've been the first dealer actually for, uh, cake bikes in Berlin. And, of course, I think the first time I sat on a, uh, electric two wheels vehicle was, uh, with the rental scooters in Berlin, actually.

 So the Skogoro scooters from Taiwan, um, I think they were the first, [00:35:00] first, uh, encounter with electric mobility on two wheels. And, yeah. And from that moment on, I thought, okay, this is interesting. And I kind of missed, cool motorcycle events and I thought, okay, maybe there's an idea to, to create something new.

So I was looking left and right and thought, okay, there's. No one doing a cool electric motorcycle festival. And then I thought, okay, maybe I need to do it. I just need to go for it. And since I had Craftwerk, as a platform and as a location and, the team there, I thought, okay, you're not alone.

So, you could, you could pull it off and then yeah, the work started. So, um, I think the idea is four years old and last year we had the first 

Andrea Hiott: edition. Was it the first one in Europe, the first electric motorcycle festival? 

Maximilian Funk: Yes. Um, yeah, for sure. I mean, there are of course, uh, classic trade shows out there. The big ones like Eichmann and so on, but they're all mixed and we had the idea to, um, mix this, whole [00:36:00] custom motorcycle scenes, uh, where our roots are with, um, yeah, the biggest variety possible, in. Um, electric motorcycles that you can ride today. So starting small from electric bicycles, all the way up, through mopeds, scooters, and then up to a thousand Newton meter verge, for example, last year from Finland.

So it was really 

Andrea Hiott: about electric 

Maximilian Funk: people. Yes, for sure. And, I think, um, what really. started the idea. I was kind of bored of all these, heritage festivals and people wearing red wings and you listening to rock and roll. And I personally like electronic music. So I thought, okay, that would be cool to have like electronic music played on a, on an electric motorcycle festival and, put your personal stamp, uh, on an event and then.

 Hopefully check that, uh, people like the vibe and, yes, also surprise people. So we even surprised a lot of members from the craftwork community, which, came to the festival and they were like, okay, [00:37:00] we didn't even know that there are so many brands and new manufacturers are out there that you can actually buy and test, right.

And, uh, after all, um, the idea is to really. create a movement and the lifestyle around it. Because I think, when you present electric mobility, you have to, you have the only chance to, uh, build a lifestyle around it because, you have the old discussion about sound and all that kind of stuff.

So you have to find different ways to, get people excited. 

Andrea Hiott: Yeah, I think that's a good point. It's funny how we don't know what's around us until someone near us introduces us to it. It's, I mean, that all these things are available already, but even people sort of close to that subject wouldn't really know about it unless you're looking for it. Those shifts can happen fast though. Once, once that starts spreading, 

Maximilian Funk: I mean, since we are talking about it now, uh, probably the algorithm will do its magic and you will get like a lot of ads for electric motorcycles 

Andrea Hiott: now. Yeah, exactly. I wonder if lifestyle [00:38:00] changes also work like that.

Maximilian Funk: Yeah. Who knows? 

Andrea Hiott: Yeah. But aren't you also doing something with an agency in Hamburg about? Different, e fuels or fossil free or . Yes. Yeah. What's that about? Is that connected at all to them? 

Maximilian Funk: Uh, it's not connected to the festival. So, the festival is a whole different company, but, yes, I'm also co founder at Super Plus Media it's called in Hamburg.

And, we are a content agency, working for mobility at the moment, the biggest second car, second hand car platform. And, yeah before that, in the first years we were working in the field of synthetic and fossil free fuels. And that was really interesting. So, we created the biggest news platform, in Germany. And, uh, yeah. also educated people on, okay, what's possible. If you speak to someone on the street, um, I think it was three years ago and you tell them, okay, there's the possibility to create fuel out of air and water. They just look at you and [00:39:00] think you're completely crazy. But then, um, if you explain the whole, the whole process around it and what's possible.

And, uh, yeah, so that was super interesting because, uh, all the people working at the agency are also very much passion driven. So all petrol hats, uh, our DOP is, uh, former, race engine, uh, engineer. And, um, so it's, very much, um, starting out of,, yeah, a personal interest. And we, we thought, okay, uh, e fuels, it's called in Germany.

Uh, we need to do something about this and, uh, we need to educate people and maybe, create some kind of pressure on politics that we. are, uh, hopefully be able to, uh, put it in our classic cars or, uh, ICE cars. And, and then we basically, um, found, a company that said, okay, yeah, we want to do that.

Um, it's like a collective of, different, uh, guests. Station companies and so on, middle sized ones and not the big ones. [00:40:00] And, but there are very much more, let's say movable. And, uh, so they said, yes, we're going to do that. And then we basically dive into the whole, scene. I interviewed some, uh, professors at university scientists.

 We've been to basically all refineries in Germany. And, uh, yeah, had a very, close look behind the scene, uh, what's going on with the whole energy transition in Germany. And, it's, it's very interesting. What's possible. What's not possible. What's scalable and, where are the, yeah, the different, um, let's say problems within politics and European union and whatsoever.

So it's probably a topic for another podcast. Yeah, actually 

Andrea Hiott: it's a huge thing. But it's so interesting and it seems that a lot changed in terms of policy and or even awareness probably. Was that connected to this news source that you're talking about? 

Maximilian Funk: I think it had a fair share for sure. Um, and, but it also had some kind of, um, [00:41:00] Uh, pressure because it all had to be on the agenda and the European Commission and Parliament.

Um, so, at some point we were happy and surprised that, uh, the term e fuel popped up at the news and on the national TV. Um, but of course the discussion also around is very hot. So you have the the hardcore electric mobility fans, and then you have the hardcore ISE fans and, uh, you know, everyone's, uh, throwing arguments, but, it's only the black and white discussion.

And I personally don't really like that because, I think you have to look into different technologies. And in the end it's about to save the planet and, uh, but that's we can, you know, talk about this probably for hours. Okay. What's, what's sustainable? Um, is it sustainable? Do I have to feel bad that I have a 66 Dodge station wagon, which I still drive in summer?

Um, or, is my neighbor much more eco friendly because he bought like a new Toyota hybrid. [00:42:00] And, uh, so, it's very interesting because, I think it's also. Um, classic cars, um,, driven with fossil free fuels is also, uh, kind of the, um, let's say the solution to, be sustainable and still maintain the hobby and the passion, uh, without feeling too bad about it.

 But in the end, we now know, um, that, the amount of, um, 100 percent synthetic fuels are needed, in big vessels, uh, in airplanes, and also, of course, the, uh, steel industry, for example, so green hydrogen is, extremely important there, and for individual cars, I think there's Not much left at the moment.

So, but we don't know where we are in like 20, 30 years. 

Andrea Hiott: Right. And there's so many billions of ICEs out there that, I mean, even just for transitioning or, something is needed, but it also seems like. As you were saying, it's a bit strange to think of either or 

Maximilian Funk: always. Yeah, absolutely. And it's also, [00:43:00] again, the big question, okay, what's affordable and, what keeps, uh, society together.

So of course, individual transport is, um, luxury of freedom. Um, but, in the end, the numbers there are billions of, uh, Um, regular, uh, I see you powered cars out there and for example, in Kazakhstan, I think they have three charging, points. So, even in Germany, we're still behind the pace that we would need.

Um, and, as a country itself, we always are dependent on, other, energy suppliers. So we always had to import energy. So it's a very complicated topic. Uh, we can dive into politics, society, um, and yeah. Yeah. 

Andrea Hiott: Maybe we'll save that for another time because there's so, there's so much there and I don't want to take you too long, but that would be really interesting to get into all the specifics there.

Maximilian Funk: Absolutely. what's super interesting that, for example, countries like Namibia who don't have, natural oil resources can [00:44:00] actually start to produce green hydrogen and, uh, sell it because they have a lot of, uh, renewable energies like wind and, sun power. So it can completely also change the economics, within,, countries that are not blessed with, yeah, oil or other, resources.

So very interesting topic. And I'm personally also, um, absolutely, uh, for both ways. So I like the electric mobility and urban environments, but I also like to go, in my classic car, for holidays. I drive the sixties wagon to Italy, and, uh, Yeah. It just works because it can repair it and all that kind of stuff.

So, um, whatever is best. And, of course in the end we, in the Western world, we need to consume less and buy less and, uh, use less, oil and all that kind of stuff. So, who are we to judge, you know? Yeah, 

Andrea Hiott: exactly. And I think opening up the space and trying to find more than just one solution is actually a good idea too, over time.

 We need electric, but it also has, is going to have [00:45:00] issues. So exploring the space of what's possible and like even thinking of things we don't think are possible yet. Sounds exciting. 

Maximilian Funk: Yeah. I mean, you just have to speak to, a farmer who is, starting his, corn harvester, um, two times a year and he will laugh at you and he says, yeah, my machine, uh, needs 200 liter diesel. An hour. So, you can't, uh, with an electric solution. Um, yeah. So, yeah. And we just 

Andrea Hiott: don't think about all those other alternatives. We don't understand how many different kinds of lives and uses already exist for these fuels. 

Maximilian Funk: Yeah, but, science is amazing. So there are so many passionate people, working in that field and, it has a lot of, pros, the synthetic fuels, but, yeah, it's a sad, it's a resource, issue,, you have to build these whole, big, uh, powerhouses and, um, yeah, it's,, in the end, the amount of, what's, what's needed worldwide is just not enough.

So even with the transformation. It will [00:46:00] still take, a couple of decades to, to get there. 

Andrea Hiott: What is this new source by the way? 

Maximilian Funk: I'll send you the link.

It's, it's called efueltoday. com. I think it should be online still. 

Andrea Hiott: Okay. Can put it 

Maximilian Funk: in the show notes. Yeah. Or, uh, E Fueled Alliance as well. So, that's another, another platform, but more, lobbyist and politic, uh, related, uh, where you can get like the latest news.

Andrea Hiott: Okay. Um, it sounds like you've had a lot of. interaction with different cultures and that that's part of your daily work too. I just wonder if you've thought much about that, the journey and going to new places. And is that important for you or did that just kind of happen as a result of all this or?

Maximilian Funk: Um, I think it kind of, happened naturally. So, in my early twenties, I thought, okay, I just keep my money together and just spend it on my car because I don't really need to go to other places or spend that much money on traveling. Uh, which changed, uh, dramatically with my first girlfriend who, often went to, Sydney and to New York and, she [00:47:00] took me to New York and, uh, yeah, after that, uh, trip, uh, it really opened my eyes, because you're just, um, yeah, you're investing in memories and, Yeah, that's, what you, what you can keep and, um, yeah. And I really enjoy traveling. But, yeah, in the end it's also, all a resource thing. Now we have an, an event space and then, and, uh, the community garage, so, um, you have to, uh, also be a little bit static here and there. Um, but traveling, um, it's, uh. It's just amazing to open your horizon.

And, uh, I think the, the biggest, uh,, step was traveling to Japan. So, uh, I never experienced such a positive cultural impact. Uh, of course, it's very special and it's also, yeah, uh, it has its, its issues, but, uh, it was, again, like, uh, you know, arriving as a little kid and, um, you know, um, Just observing every, every, daily situation [00:48:00] there, which is just so special, uh, for us.

Andrea Hiott: Yeah, it's definitely a very different way to move in general, the arrangement of everything and the, the feeling of the movement there.

There is more of this flow it reminds me of your work in a way, but I can't figure out why or what we've been talking about. Do you, have you thought about what it is about Japan that speaks to 

Maximilian Funk: you? Um, I think, I mean, I've been to mostly Tokyo and Yokohama.

So the, yeah, the big cities. Um, and, I think It's just, uh, it feels like you're travel to the future. So, Berlin is kind of flat and, we don't have high buildings here and, uh, there, everything is just so well organized. And even with the density of, uh, 37 million people living there.

It still feels kind of working and even a little bit in balance with nature and, the city is not even [00:49:00] loud. So, I was super surprised by that. And then of course, um, yeah, the way they really deal with the daily situation. So I don't know, uh, construct a construction worksites, for example, so that you have one guy, you know, waving with a little led.

beginning and then at the end, another guy waving and, uh, um, saying, sorry that we have to work here on the road. It's just these, these funny situations. And then of course, they have very special passion for, um, different, uh, cultures. So they are their own, but also when they adapt cultures, for example, low rider, cars or hot rodding or, uh, vintage Harley Davidson motorcycles, um, they just go in 120 percent and they don't stop until they reach that level of perfection.

And, uh, this is, uh, very, very, uh, fascinating. And, um, I don't know if, uh, I mean, it's also a cliche, but if it's maybe also a German thing to [00:50:00] thrive for perfection and engineering and all the kind of things, so that maybe that goes along the way, but I think, the Germans are much more lazy in comparison to the Japanese folks,

Andrea Hiott: it makes sense what you say though, this forward facing kind of future. Or present future oriented rather than like past, uh, 

Maximilian Funk: kind of fits. I mean, , they celebrate both. Right. I mean, they, they really save their, and then keep their,, traditions. But also like super techie, um, sometimes overdoing things.

Um, but, uh, since I had just been to Japan two times, I'm also not an expert. I 

Andrea Hiott: guess the 

Maximilian Funk: contrast is what's interesting. That's my personal impressions. I was really. I was pumped with energy and excitement and, I definitely want to go back to just, yeah, observe and also, um, uh, being kind of an, an introvert.

I think it's also nice that, it's not loud. People are polite. No one is bumping into you on the streets. If you leave a [00:51:00] camera somewhere and public, no one will, will steal it and stuff like that. So that's amazing. 

Andrea Hiott: Um, last, I do want to ask you about your flat track racing, you do, you do race too, right? Sometimes? Yes. Yes. And when did that start? 

Maximilian Funk: That started in, I think 2013 or 14 and, I've been to, uh, that fun race, Dirt Quake. Um, and.

The UK organized by the sideburn magazine and it's basically, um, yeah, and an event two days racing on a speedway track. And, it has had the,, inappropriate road bike class. So, um, you were, um, yeah, you could basically write. Uh, what you, what you brung. So, um, yeah, I just brought a CB200, you know, a small, small bike, not very powerful and, just joined in very spontaneously, uh, drove over.

And, uh I never [00:52:00] thought that, riding in circles, uh, you know, all the way to the left that, it would make so much fun. And, uh, yeah, then I, um, raised the little one a little longer. Um, but then I thought, okay, having the weakest bike, uh, in the pits is not an excuse for being, uh, in the middle field.

So I built a proper flat track bike and, um, you built it. Yeah, I, I built a, Honda SLR 650, a single cylinder bike, which is, um, specifically built for the Thunderbike class. So it's 500 CC and more. And, yeah, I always liked the look the most and I got the bike really cheap. And, uh, , so, I'm still riding that bike.

It's. It's way too heavy because it still has the original frame and, uh, yeah, so the engine is not tuned, um, just a different carburetor but it's a lot of fun. And in the end, it's also, let's say a family circus, uh, traveling around. So we have, uh, the cloud race [00:53:00] series in Germany. We have three to four races each year.

 And, uh, last year I stopped due to the festival because I. Didn't want to risk any injuries right before, getting the festival done. This year, all the races are now starting end of this month. Um, and then, yeah, I will dive into it again and then, um, meet all the friends again. It's a dirty hobby, but it's a lot of fun and, yeah, it's a cool crowd.

Andrea Hiott: That kind of brings up this idea of community again, and you definitely have a lot of really interesting communities, or groups of people. I don't know what kind of word you would say to describe it. Over your, your life, you've been part of really special kind of groups.

But, um, is motoring, is that like the, does that connect to community for you when you think about this word motoring or like rolling movement, we talked about journey a little bit too, Do you think of it as solitary or is it this community at the same time?

Both. Have you thought, I don't know. What does that, [00:54:00] what does that bring up for you as I mumble all these things?

Maximilian Funk: I think, yeah. First of all, I'm super grateful for, all the community that's basically is. built, um, around these projects and, uh, the friend circle. And, I think motoring brings, people together and, either you're moving or even if it's just static.

So, um, if it's, if you're you know, riding in a group or driving in a group or being on a track, um, it's a different kind of feel., but in the end, if you're a static again, so you're in the pits, you're in the parking lot, and then the social, um part starts again. So you talk, you share your experiences.

I think this is, uh, yeah. Even has the same value as, uh, moving with your vehicle. And, , I'm, I'm super grateful for, for the people I met. And I think it's a very let's say, um, yeah, you connect very fast. So it doesn't matter if you're a CEO of a big company [00:55:00] or, uh, you just, bought your first, um, classic car for a thousand euros and you repair it in the shed.

And, uh, I think this, very democratic approach is, what I like. Um, so, bringing all these people together, either. Meeting them at the events of friends or even being more fortunate to create events yourself where you can put a very personal stamp on it. And, yeah, and, in the end it's every month with every car meet and every show and, every race you meet someone new and, um, yeah, it's very exciting. It's never getting boring. So, uh, yeah, let's see. And we have to adapt and, with, um. electric bikes as I said it's it feels like, uh, you know, as a new thing again. So, for me being on an electric bike, it was, uh, felt like, okay, maybe being for the first time on the ocean or your first kiss or something like that.

So, um, yeah, so that keeps. Everything rolling and motoring, I think 

Andrea Hiott: that's a beautiful way to put it. And I [00:56:00] like that you bring that point up that it does motoring does connect people across these traditional lines, whether it's economic or cultural or, or what have you. And I guess if we put forever before motoring, what does that, what does that mean to you?

Is it really just about continuing this kind of community and, As you were just saying before or yeah, and do you think we can still do that in all these sustainable ways? 

Maximilian Funk: Yeah, I'm basically very optimistic. Um, I know that the planet is, yeah, at a, at a bad state. And we definitely have to do something and I don't know if it's too late. Um, but, I'm still optimistic that we will find ways to, , get together and,, enjoy, um, the hobby and, um, find ways to, um, stay in touch and not lose ourselves, uh, within, political, uh, issues and, and, sides and, Yeah, basically, let's all concentrate on the, on the bigger goal.

Um, and, yeah, find ways along the way, either through engineering or [00:57:00] social, projects to stick together.

Andrea Hiott: Yeah, I guess that's what it comes down to. Well, thanks for,, talking with us today. It's a lot of really interesting ideas in there and also for the reload land. That's thanks for putting that together.

It's really, I think that's a first beginning of something that's going to be. You know, get more and more interesting. I hope you're going to continue doing it, even though 

Maximilian Funk: it was a lot of work. I think it's, it has a bright future. And, um, yeah, maybe, maybe we will travel, across Europe with the festival.

Let's see. So I don't want to talk about it too much, but, uh, of course you are, invited, um, first weekend of June in 2024, uh, in Berlin again at Craftwerk. And, yeah, maybe we will even open up for some. Extremely cool electric cars. So that's 

Andrea Hiott: great. I look forward to it. And, uh, yeah, I look forward to talking to you again sometime about e fuels, but thanks for everything.

Thanks for your time.

Maximilian Funk: Thank you very much for your time, uh, for the interest, uh, for promoting, um, yeah, the whole project and, [00:58:00] 

Andrea Hiott: enjoy Greece. Bye. I will. Bye.