Still the Best!

22 years and counting. Steve Lewis and the staff at Performance Racing Industry still have, and put on the Best Motorsports Industry Trade Show in the US if not the World. For the few of you old enough to remember the SEMA Show from 40 years ago, it started as a Racing Trade Show. SEMA used to stand for Speed Equipment Manufacturer Association, now it is Specialty Equipment (neon, chrome wheels, car covers, and other automotive "Bling" .

While there is a new Racing Trade Show in the world (and there are many), the PRI Show is still the one you must go to if you are a Motorsports Retailer. And if you are a company that makes parts or has services for serious Racing Teams, (NASCAR, NHRA, Grand-Am, ALMS, SCCA-Pro Racing) you must attend this show. The PRI Show is not just for the Circle Track crowd that likes the cold weather in Indy in December. While it is a nice thing when you can go to and be an exhibitor at your local "Home Town" Race Show, if you are a member of a Professional Race Team, a Driver for a Professional Race Team, (or want to be), you must be at the PRI Show wherever it is held. And lets just hope it stays in a nice town that knows how to treat "out-of-town" guests, has great resturants, lots of hotels, and lots of great things to do after a long day of working at a trade show (as an exhibitor or attendee). While I wish I didn't have to fly to the other side of the country for a show, (Las Vegas or Anaheim would be better for me), not going, is not an option. We in Motorsports Media have to go to certain events every year. When it is in our back yard, that just means we can sleep in our own beds at night. But when you are in this Industry, you learn to travel well, and live in Hotels. If you can't do that, you're in the wrong business. So if you have to go out of town for Races, Trades Shows, and Awards Banquets, they should at least be in cities that have good weather (much of the time). After all, why do you think the Racing Season is set up for each regions weather?

(We don't Race in Phoenix in July and The Indy 500 is held at the end of May, not the end of November).

That means Las Vegas, Orlando, and Anaheim. These cities know how to deal with large numbers of out of town guests, keep them safe, keep them moving, and treat them nicely. The cities that haven't learned how to do that (or can't for various reasons) should not be in the convention business. Now remember a few things about this process. We in Motorsports can't really take time off during the season for a Car Show or Trade Show when the weather in some of the other cities in the US that can host really great Trade Shows or Conventions . Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Dallas, and many other great cities can offer wonderful places for a Trade Show. But not during the time of year when we could attend them. Also, as our Industry Grows we need to have a venue that can shrink or expand with our needs. SEMA needs to learn that Las Vegas doesn't actually have the best venue for the SEMA Show. But Las Vegas is the Capitol of Grand Excess, and Gratuitous Bling, so the SEMA Show may never move back to where it belongs in Anaheim, CA. And while the City of Anaheim might like the money that came into town during the SEMA years. Anaheim is an "Anti Car- Anti Motorsports" town now, and may not want the silliness that comes with the purveyors of "Bling".

The Orange County (Florida) Convention Center in Orlando, FL does seem to like having us there, tries to be helpful, and if it didn't rip us off for parking, would be perfect. Note to the OCCC in Orlando, FL "Stop Ripping us off for parking at your venue. We bring enough money into town, (I'm sure you got paid plenty for the building rent) must you also hold us up for parking in a building where we come to "Work"? Do your employees have to pay to park when they come to work?

So if there has to be one really important, must go to, Motorsports Trade Show in the US (and there does have to be), then I'm glad Steve Lewis picked Orlando. Las Vegas has more parking problems, a disjointed/bad flowing building, and Anaheim has found a way to kick almost every Motorsports/Automotive Manufacturer out of town.

I've been going to the PRI Trade Show since Day One, and this new show, is the best one of it's kind anywhere. We even get to Race at this show. Steve Lewis, John Kilroy, Pete Evanow, Alan Jones, Susana Furlong, and all the Great Staff at PRI, year after year put on the best Motorsports/Racing/Performance Trade Show in the World. Keep up the great work, thanks for moving to Orlando, and lets make it bigger next year and work on the minor details that make an otherwise perfect show, just Great.

Note to Grand-Am: We have to go to las Vegas and Orlando, plan your awards banquets accordingly. And why didn't you have a booth at the Show?

Dicken Wear, Editor-in-Chief, "The Motorsports Report"

(qualified 8th finished, 7th in the Media Race)

Motorsports Director

of the Original Competiton Engineering.

How many lanes are enough?

Seems the Highway and Transportation departments of various states think the way to reduce traffic congestion is to add more lanes. This is like selling cars below cost, and hoping to make it back on volume. California is the worst offender in this type of thinking. Until states understand that lane discipline, and driver education is the way to solve some of the traffic problems we deal with across the country, the problem will go on, and continue to get worse. I asked a police officer once what was the difference between two signs seen on California roads, when one said, "Slower Traffic Keep Right" and "Keep Right Except To Pass"? And the officer said, "nothing". There lies our problem in California and any other state that post the different signs. It's the mind set that causes the problem. We can fix many of this Country's traffic problems with signage, education, training, and enforcement. (Wishful thinking in a perfect world).

But the future doesn't look very good. A couple of years ago the city of Anaheim, CA and CalTrans allowed the building of a "New" Mercedes-Benz dealership on the shoulder of Route 91 East bound between Imperial and Weir Canyon Rd. Some of the worst traffic slow downs in Orange County, CA happen every afternoon on this stretch of highway, now it will never get better. Because some group of State Highway officials and politicians couldn't see past their noses. When I first saw the "Coming Soon" sign I thought it was joke to get the State or County off their butts to buy this property from the Dealership in the hope they could widen the highway there someday. Imagine my shock when they actually broke ground and then built the new business next to the breakdown lane on the 91 East??? New Yorkers and drivers in Boston, LA, Chicago and others are used to businesses and buildings just a few feet from the travel lanes. But why make it that way, when you don't have to, worse still when you shouldn't. Forty years ago when I first came to drive in California from the Northeast Corridor, I thought I had found Heaven on Earth. Beautiful roads, great weather, traffic flowed, cars were loved, honored and taken care of. What made it go so bad, so soon. (Thanks Jerry Brown). The trouble with California is it forgot the "CAR" made it great. Cars and the Automotive Industry came to California and both grew in harmony with each other. Then some group of Tree Huggers deemed the Automobile the "Big Bad Wolf", and ordered it killed off, and all the Industries that came with it, the jobs, and the money pumped into the economy of the state would all soon be gone. Imagine for a minute if the Mayor of Las Vegas, the Honorable Oscar Goodman said Gambling was bad for the city, then the city council and the voters outlawed Gambling. How long do you think any business would last in that city? How long would there be jobs, schools, new construction, cheap buffets? There would be no reason for SEMA to stay in Las Vegas, and it could move back to Anaheim, CA (the Anti Car City of California).

This is not to say you can't change things for the better, but it really does need to be for the better. The Mayor of Los Angeles, CA a couple of years ago after the Media breakfast of the LA Auto Show asked the former head of GM to build an automobile plant in his city. There was an awkward moment of silence, then a few hundred of the worlds most respected automotive journalist broke into laughter and applause thinking the Mayor was making a joke. After a few seconds when we all realized the Mayor was serious, then the joke was someone on the Mayor's staff didn't give him the memo about how California doesn't want Automobile Industries in California. Except for neat, clean and green design studios. Thank goodness not all California cites are anti automobile like Anaheim is, and there is a problem with the automobile population and the State of California for sure. But can't we all just get along? It didn't help in Monterey, CA at Pebble Beach last August when the Govenator said how much he liked the new "Greener" Bentley, and that everyone in CA should buy one. He completely overlooked the Fisker and Tesla that are more US and California born than the German owned, British built Bentley. Cars and related industries need to be in California if it is to ever become profitable again and be a place where people can come have a job, drive to work, raise a family. Newport Rhode Island managed to survive and rebuild itself after if chased away everything near and dear. The US Navy's Atlantic Fleet, the Folk and Jazz Festivals. Then the State went through one of the longest union labor strikes in US History, the bankruptcy of the Credit Unions Insurer, (and the forced closing of said Credit Unions). The "Worlds"longest building construction project maybe in the last three hundred years. But Rhode Island isn't as Big as Orange County, CA which makes recovery much easier. But take the Disney Parks from Anaheim, and Orlando, take NASCAR from North Carolina, and Seafood out of Boston and see how long the economy of those locations survive. When you have something that isn't broke, don't fix it. The answer to the traffic problem in California is not more lanes of travel. Less cars, better driver training, education, and properly designed and maintained streets and highways is. Lead, Follow, or Get out of the Way California. To all the politicians in California that can't seem to get out of the left lane, "Keep Right, Except To Pass".

SEMA Group 5 Challenger

Group 5 Challenger at this years SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV. This Challenger was built by the same first class specialty shop in Mesa, AZ that built the Mega Low Mega Cab Dodge Truck, and last year along with the Original Competition Engineering, and Sam Posey came out with the Official "Sam Posey Edition" Dodge Challenger.

Many sponsors and friends of Group 5 helped bring this beautiful car to life in about six weeks time. The next time the Automotive Public gets to see this great car will be at the LA Auto Show starting December 4th in California.

SEMA Lite Editorial

It seems the economy has had a drastic affect on the Automotive Aftermarket as witnessed by this years SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Exhibitor counts were way down, Toyo Tire and others were noticeable by their absence. The parking lot in front of the Las Vegas Convention was actually used for parking this year. In years past, large Vendor displays of tractor trailers and product out for all to see were there, but gone this year. Also missing were the large tents full of vendors that could not fit inside the Las Vegas Convention Center. Also noticeable was the fact is was easy to walk around the Convention Center without having to bump into to other people or push through a crowd to get to see a booth or display. While there was plenty to do and see (and I'll add these later), there was a sense that maybe all wasn't "fine and dandy" with the state of the Automotive Aftermarket. Another observation I made was the gap between the "Haves and Have Nots" grows wider. The "Heavy Hitters" were there showing off endless amount of Automotive "Bling", but I also noticed more tire kickers than serious members of the Industry there to buy product.

The SEMA Show is still one of the very best (I'm a SEMA Member) and what this show does if nothing else, is show us there is hope, or a light at the end of the tunnel. Now if SEMA would just do a smart thing like Steve Lewis and the Performance Racing Industry Group did, and move to a venue that is easier to navigate, and not so chopped up and disjointed as the Las Vegas Convention Center is. And/or perhaps SEMA could work with the City of Las Vegas to streamline the parking and transportation in and out of the show, but maybe a move to a better location would solve that problem from the start. Las Vegas has this great Monorail system in place, with a great station at the Convention Center. But if you are not staying at one of the various Hotels connected to the Monorail, there does not seem to be any good way to take advantage of this fine example of Mass Transit. The large, open, and free parking lot at the corner of Sahara and Paradise went unused and empty the entire week.

I hope next year the Automotive OEs will come back in strength and numbers, and support the show that makes some of the lame offerings from GM and Chrysler shine and look more appealing. And if the economy is not back in full swing by mid 2010, SEMA needs to rethink some of their pricing for booth spaces. This is a good time for a "Wal-Mart" type of Price Roll Back. Note to Toyo and others who bailed: "Out of Sight, Out of Mind".

Dicken Wear, Editor

"The Motorsports Report"

Oppsy

• 
  

AP – In this Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 photo, wrecker driver Gilbert Harrison, with MCH Towing, attaches a …

Almost as bad as cutting your Enzo in half on PCH in OC.

LA MARQUE, Texas – A man blamed a low-flying pelican and a dropped cell phone for his veering his million-dollar sports car off a road and into a salt marsh near Galveston. The accident happened about 3 p.m. Wednesday on the frontage road of Interstate 45northbound in La Marque, about 35 miles southeast of Houston.

The Lufkin, Texas, man told of driving his luxury, French-built Bugatti Veyron when the bird distracted him, said La Marque police Lt. Greg Gilchrist. The motorist dropped his cell phone, reached to pick it up and veered off the road and into the salt marsh. The car was half-submerged in the brine about 20 feet from the road when police arrived.

Gilchrist said he doesn't know if the car was salvageable, but in his words, "Salt water isn't good for anything." He says the man, whose identity hasn't been released, was not injured.

A 2006 Bugatti Veyron was recently offered for sale in Jonesboro, Ark., for $1.25 million.

First World Challenge Race equals First Win

From Dan Gardner, posted by Dicken Wear of "The Motorsports Report" asra_media@yahoo.com

Scion Wins First Professional Road Race at World Challenge Season Finale
Scott Webb, Driving for Team JD, Wins Touring Car 2 Class at Laguna Seca

MONTEREY, Calif. — This past weekend, at one of the best road racing venues in the world, Jackson-Dawson and Scion came away with the win in the newly-established Touring Car 2 (TC2) class. The pro win makes for another world-first for Scion. Even more impressive is the fact that this is just the third pro event the team has entered, after dabbling in Grand-Am’s KONI Challenge series.

Veteran racer Scott Webb , one of two drivers for the JD team, took the win during the 50-minute Touring Car race. His TRD supercharged and intercooled Scion tC put on a great show for tens of thousands of fans, as he not only won the class, but actually mixed it up with the TC cars.

Said Webb, “This was a tremendous experience, and it’s super cool to come away with the win. The crew did a great job taking care of the car and perfecting the chassis setup for me on the practice day. As they say, ‘Scion For The Win!’”

For Laguna Seca, team manager and two-time NASA national champion driver, Dan Gardner , had decided that Webb’s experience at the track made him the best fit to pedal the car in the SPEED World Challenge debut for Scion.

“I knew Scott was the better choice due to his experience here, and the win proves it,” said Gardner . “It was great to see him hustling the Scion out there, mixing it up with the big boys. I think we surprised a lot of people, and I’m thrilled to bring Scion home their first pro win.”

On Thursday, during promoter test day, Webb got settled in, coming into the pits several times, as the team made setup changes to try to get the car to work even better. Webb radioed in after each change was made, giving feedback. By the end of the day he was getting more and more comfortable, but the team still was trying to get some push out of the car.

Gardner and crewmen Sean Morris and Jeff Lew made even more drastic changes that evening, based on driver feedback throughout the day. The team was determined to figure out a way to get the car to rotate in the slower sections without making the car undrivable in the fast bits.

Friday’s morning practice would prove that the team’s changes had helped make the car turn in better. In Turn 6 Webb was caught a bit off guard, as the car dove quickly down to the apex. As it did he managed to drop the inside wheel, hooking it on a deep sharp curb. The tire instantly flattened, and Webb went into the team’s pit to see if there was time to fix the car and get him back out again.

The crew got to work quickly. In addition to the tire being flat, the left front wheel was mangled beyond repair. The car was put up in the air, and the wheel was removed. The team checked for anything else bent and couldn’t find anything. There was, however, a bit of fluid on the front control arm. It didn’t appear to be anything severe, but extra time was taken to make sure.

After the crew was satisfied that the car was safe to drive, another wheel was put on the car, and there still was a decent amount of time left in the session to send Webb back out. Once back on track, Webb reported that the car felt better than it did the previous day.

Because of the incident the team had grabbed a different type of wheel, but apparently the hubcentric ring was not a perfect fit. After the first practice session the wheel was slightly loose. The crew tracked the issue down, and elected to go back to their Enkei RPF1 wheel.

As the car was being looked over, the team noticed even more fluid on the left front control arm. Based on the location, they began to believe that it was coming from the shock. Luckily Lex Carson and Kent McCray from sponsor Moton were on site to lend a hand.

Moton did a quick check of the reservoir before the team took the suspension apart. Indeed they found that the canister was completely empty. The crew then hustled to remove the shock, and Carson and McCray got to work refilling the reservoir. They then pressurized the shock to see if they could locate the leak.

A small leak was seen on the bottom of the shock by one of the welds. It perhaps had been broken by the curb contact earlier, or was potentially a combination of that and a hit Gardner had taken just weeks ago at NASA’s Nationals.

Again the team was fortunate, as the Bimmerworld guys were ready and able to get a small tack weld in place. Bimmerworld also was gracious enough to let the Scion team pit in one of their four bays, making everything easier for the JD team during the entire time at Laguna.

With everything now reinstalled, the team thought they had their troubles licked for the afternoon practice session. And things started off great, with Webb saying that the car felt good. His 1:41.8 lap time showed improvement as well.

About two-thirds of the way into the session, Webb came on the radio to say that something in the front end of the car had let go. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he wasn’t confident that he should try to limp the car back into the pits. Webb found a safe spot and parked it until a wrecker could pull him off.

Upon arriving back in the team’s pit, the crew saw that all but one of the front left studs had completely sheared off. Fortunately one lug nut remained, holding the wheel in place…barely.

There was significant damage to the corner, and the team didn’t want to take any chances. The started the hustle to replace the wheel and tire, knuckle, hub, bearing, studs, brake caliper, and front rotor and hat. It was a grind, but once done the team did a full brake bleed, front-end alignment, and then headed back to the hotel to get a few hours of sleep.

On Saturday, the team had only one task, get through a 20-minute qualifying session. Webb took to the track and reported that everything felt great. The team knew that if he didn’t get his fast lap early in the session, it probably wasn’t going to happen later, as the tires had a tendency to go away.

Indeed, in his second lap, Webb posted a 1:41.3, a nice half second faster than the day before. Gardner got on the radio to advise him that if the tires went away it might be better to come in early and save the car for the race. Webb agreed and came off just a few laps in.

The time was enough to secure Scion their first-ever professional pole position. The car seemed rock-solid again, and the team now had plenty of time to look everything over before leaving the track. The goal was to give Webb a flawless car for the big race.

On Sunday’s race day, the morning would prove to be quite chilly, perhaps not optimal for track grip, but perfect for the TRD supercharged and intercooled Scion tC to make good power.

“We all know the benefits of forced induction, especially when it gets cold,” said Gary Boler, TRD business operations manager. “I’m sure our blower was thriving in the cool morning air for the race, making for quite a rocket ship.”

For the first time this season, the team would be performing a standing start, a longtime tradition in World Challenge. Webb had done a couple practice starts during the days prior, so he had an idea about the launch. Still, the team is used to flying starts, so the standing start would be yet another x-factor.

As the lights on the light boxes went out, Webb and the Scion propelled forward, but cars were everywhere going into Turn 1, and Webb didn’t want to get in the middle of a battle for the season championship between the faster TC class cars. In backing off a bit he let a couple of cars by.

A few laps in, he would take positions back, and gain another due to a mistake made by one of the Acuras. He was running his qualifying pace and was keeping it consistent, turning times only three seconds off the TC cars. The second place TC2 car was quite a ways back by now, and Webb was starting to mix it up with the TC class cars.

On lap 8, a car went off-track and got stuck deep in a gravel trap. The full course yellow came out, and the pace car picked up the leader. The restart would be a flying, single-file type, something the team was well acquainted with.

Gardner went over to the starter’s stand, and got ready to call out the green to Webb. It would be four laps before the pace car’s lights would go out and racing would resume, but the team was ready. Webb said the car felt good, and he was getting into a rhythm.

As the green came out Gardner shouted over the radio, and Webb rocketed the Scion forward, getting very aggressive in Turn 1 as he took two more positions, getting further into the back of the Touring Car field.

On lap 15, Webb was trying to give Touring Car driver Eric Curran some room and so he moved over to the right in Turn 10. As Curran went by, the number 23 Ford Focus didn’t give the Scion any room. He slid into Webb and the Scion, forcing him off-track. The Scion spun to the inside, came across the track, and settled in the dirt.

Webb quickly got back on track, but not before losing two positions. Karma came back to bite the Focus though, as he was forced to pit shortly thereafter due to axle troubles. The Scion kept going, and appeared to be only a bit banged up, with the door and fender pushed in and the driver’s side mirror broken.

Webb kept banging off consistent laps after getting back on track. No one else would catch him, including the TC2 RX-8. On lap 26 the white flag came out, as Webb concentrated on turning one last clean lap. He crossed the checker at the 50-minute mark, bringing Scion home their first professional road race victory.

“A national title followed two weeks later by our first pro win in road racing,” said Steve Hatanaka, Scion auto shows and special events manager. “The highlights keep coming. I can’t help but be proud of what this team has accomplished for Scion this season. I know the fans at Laguna got to see an awesome race, proving yet again what Scion is made of!”

The Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca race is set to be nationally broadcast on SPEED on Tuesday, November 3 at 2 p.m. EST. The team now readies for the next round of the WERC endurance series, as Webb and Gardner take on Infineon Racway in Sonoma, Calif. on October 25, for a three-hour enduro. The talented group at Toyota ’s Motorsports Technical Center , headed by Chuck Wade, will again be an invaluable technical asset as they help the team prepare the car for the next battle.

The JD Scion tC team uses:

• Scion-supplied OE parts
• TRD-supplied supercharger and intercooler, front big brake kit
• Pilot Automotive HID driving lamps
• Nitto 235/40R17 NT-01 tires
• Enkei RPF1 17x8 wheels
• OS Giken Super Lock Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
• Dezod-supplied AEM standalone engine management, plug-and-play harness, injectors, end links, and stainless clutch line
• Church Automotive Testing dyno tuning
• Moton Suspension remote reservoir coilover shocks
• Vogtland springs
• Progress Technology rear swaybar and camber kits
• Motul brake fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid, and super coolant
• Racepak IQ3 logger dash
• AEM sensors, EMS , and dry flow air filter
• Kaminari carbon-fiber roof and composite headlights
• Royalty Auto Body body work
• America ’s Tire Co. tire mounting and balancing
• Racetech Viper head-restraint race seat and 6-point harnesses
• Centerforce clutch and low-inertia steel flywheel
• AIT carbon-fiber hood and hatch
• Wild Pony Motorsports-supplied camber/caster plates
• Goodridge fittings and lines
• Carbotech XP10 and XP8 brake pads
• G-Force racing suit, gloves, helmet, shoes
• DC Sports header
• Energy Suspension bushings and motor mounts
• HoseTechniques silicone hoses
• Tri-Mountain Racewear team gear
• NST supercharger pulley, alternator pulley, and shifter bushings



Dan Gardner
310-489-3094
dgardner@jdcomm.com

Jackson-Dawson ScionTC Race Team

Jackson-Dawson and Scion

Watch this space for more news about this Team after the Speed World Challenge races this weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca,

(Copied and Posted by Dicken Wear of "The Motorsports Report")

Jackson-Dawson and Scion Up the Ante to Race in SPEED World Challenge Series

Scion tC Racecar to Make Debut This Weekend at Laguna Seca

TORRANCE, Calif. — JD and Scion will again push the envelope by entering what is perhaps the most visible professional road racing series for production cars in North America. SPEED World Challenge has become synonymous with fierce competition, wicked cars, and some of the best drivers in the world. The team will have the distinction of becoming the first Scion ever to enter the series.

The JD Scion tC road race car will be entered this coming weekend during the season finale at historic Laguna Seca in Monterey , Calif. The team plunges into the newly-createdTouring Car 2 (TC2) class, designed for race cars that are extremely similar to any car you can buy off the showroom floor.

The class was a perfect fit for the team and their car, and in fact very few modifications were required to become compliant with the new rule set. Indeed, in the future, TC2 looks to grow even bigger, as almost every automotive manufacturer has a car that could potentially run in the series.

In a surprise strategic move, team manager and two-time NASA national champion driver Dan Gardner has elected to put Western Endurance Racing Championship (WERC) series co-driver Scott Webb in the seat for the debut. Webb has logged many hours at Laguna Seca in both racecars and motorcycles, making him the perfect fit.

“We didn’t want to spill the beans too quickly, but putting Scott in the car just makes sense,” said Gardner . “There’s a great advantage right out of the gate to having lots of seat time at a particular track. Scott has that covered in droves at Laguna, and I can’t think of anyone better to be driving for the team at this event.”

Gardner and Webb are currently leading the championship points race in the WERC endurance series in the E1 class, and have made a potent combination.

Said Webb, “It’s been great driving the Scion in the enduros. The car is just so well-developed, and I gelled great with the entire team. Opportunities like this are rare, and anyone who knows anything about pro road racing knows that World Challenge is the place to be. Thanks to Dan for making it happen. We’re proving what Scion’s made of every time we take to the track, and I’m excited to do it again on this all-new playground.”

TV viewers can later catch the race on SPEED on Tuesday, November 3 at 2 p.m. EST.

Details for the event are as follows:

What: SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Season Finale

2009 Monterey Sports Car Championships

Where: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey , California

When: Qualifying- Saturday, October 10: 11:05 a.m.

Race- Sunday, October 11: 9:30 a.m.

“We’re never resting at Scion,” said Steve Hatanaka, Scion auto shows and special events manager. “Winning the national championship in one series is certainly a season highlight, but we’re ready to make another mark still yet this season. World Challenge is a great stage for us to continue to take our game to the next level. I wish Dan, Scott and the entire team the best of luck.”

The team again will be running decals for Technosquare’s Richey Watanabe, who recently became ill. Richey and Technosquare have been a vital resource for the team over the last several years, building the cage, the engine, and other various trick fabricated bits and pieces. The team will proudly display decals at the event in honor of Richey and the shop.

The JD Scion tC team uses:

• Scion-supplied OE parts

• TRD-supplied supercharger and intercooler, front big brake kit

• Pilot Automotive HID driving lamps

• Nitto 235/40R17 NT-01 tires

• Enkei RPF1 17x8 wheels

• OS Giken Super Lock Limited Slip Differential (LSD)

• Dezod-supplied AEM standalone engine management, plug-and-play harness, injectors, end links, and stainless clutch line

• Church Automotive Testing dyno tuning

• Moton Suspension remote reservoir coilover shocks

• Vogtland springs

• Progress Technology rear swaybar and camber kits

• Motul brake fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid, and super coolant

• Racepak IQ3 logger dash

• AEM sensors, EMS , and dry flow air filter

• Kaminari carbon-fiber roof and composite headlights

• Royalty Auto Body body work

• America ’s Tire Co. tire mounting and balancing

• Racetech Viper head-restraint race seat and 6-point harnesses

• Centerforce clutch and low-inertia steel flywheel

• AIT carbon-fiber hood and hatch

• Wild Pony Motorsports-supplied camber/caster plates

• Goodridge fittings and lines

• Carbotech XP10 and XP8 brake pads

• G-Force racing suit, gloves, helmet, shoes

• DC Sports header

• Energy Suspension bushings and motor mounts

• HoseTechniques silicone hoses

• Tri-Mountain Racewear team gear

• NST supercharger pulley, alternator pulley, and shifter bushings

Jackson-Dawson Communications (JD) is a 28-year-old privately held company that provides creative and strategic services to a range of national clients. Core competencies include retail training, event marketing, marketing services, business theater, video and media production services, meeting planning, print graphic and design services, staging service and vehicle management.

With corporate offices in Detroit , MI , Jackson-Dawson also maintains offices in Torrance , CA , Nashville , TN and Manhattan , NY . Jackson-Dawson owns and operates several divisions: Peloton Creative Group, BenMar Communications, Drivers Talk Radio and Drivers Talk Testing.

My Friend Dean

I can't believe my friend Dean left me out in the cold.