China Touring Car Championship

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While watching Speed TV one day, I caught a glimpse of their segment from Mobil 1 The Grid and they featured the China Touring Car Championship (CTCC).

As a kid, I remember watching the short-lived North American Touring Car Championship on ESPN, with racers such as Randy Pobst and Peter Cunningham as contenders. The high strung 4 cylinder engines, super low ride heights, 19″ wheels, and subtle but quite functional body kits looked and sounded awesome.

There were also the cars of the Japanese Touring Car Championships! They looked even better!

Honda AccordWRXPrimeraOpel Vectra

Needless to say, the CTCC quickly drew my interests. And I know that TEIN supports a few vehicles in both of their categories (1600cc and 2000cc).

Check out this link from www.grid1.tv

As for cars we sponsor, the Ford Focus looks to be one of the most competitive platforms. But we also sponsor a Honda Accord and Hyundai i30 and KIA Forte.

 

Overall, this looks to be a very exciting series of motorsports. I’m actually a fan of Touring Cars as they best represent production vehicles available to the public. Some of these setups are quite unique. But again, since they bare a strong resemblance to what we drive, it’s much more interesting to me. Not that I don’t appreciate open wheel race cars and such. It’s just that the Touring Car series has a different appeal.

It may not have the following like Formula 1, WRC (also production car based, but with a super high budget), or even Nascar, but it sure has a special place for people like some of us who appreciate seeing production vehicles on the racetrack. Fortunately in North America, we still get to watch Touring Cars. Speed TV shows the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, and there’s still a U.S. Touring Car series.

Now, if only they can bring back Touring Estate race cars…

DAMPATTY Doll

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Many of you might have seen Dampachi’s girlfriend before, Dampatty.

And if you have a Dampachi Doll you might want to get a matching Dampatty Doll for your Girlfriend, daughter, sister, loved one, everyone and anyone.

NEW DAMPATTY DOLL. Yes, you read this correct. TEIN  released the NEW Dampatty Doll and she will arrive in the States late this September.

If you already have the Dampachi Doll now is the time to reunite him with his girlfriend.

You will see more of this happy couple in the next coming months.

Dampatty in Australia with, Tarzan Yamada, driver of the Cyber Evo and 2011 WTAC Champion. Maybe the new doll brought him luck as Tarzan faced stiff competition for Sierra Sierra and Revolution.

Cyber EVO-LUTION

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World Time Attack is on my mind. Excited to see if the Cyber Evo can retain the title of fastest time attack car in the world. Other blogs and online news sources have been posting images and information on some of the contenders and I have been reading it all. It looks like the competition will be fierce this year.

Personally I have to cheer for the Cyber EVO. Besides the fact that it runs TEIN coilovers it has so much history. I can remember watching Option video of Nomuken visiting Dr. Takizawa’s office to check out the car. At the time and still now, I think it is awesome that a privateer can compete against manufacturers, well-known tuners and race teams.

Here are some pics I found of the car over the years. You can see the EVOLUTION of the car especially in the aero department.

A visit to the dentist’s office.

 

2008 – From the C-West aero to full Voltex

2009 – More development

2010 – At WTAC

2011 – Testing at Fuji in preparation for WATC 2011.

In my book the Cyber EVO is still the best looking Time Attack EVO of all time.

However the technical advancements in the competitors is amazing. Sierra Sierra has made improvements throughout the car which Eric Hsu explains on MotoIQ. There are new cars from Australia with some CRAZY aero mods as well.

I look forward to seeing all the event coverage.

GO CYBER EVO !!!!!!!

Photos taken from various websites including: speedhunters, tomei’s blog, Super Street magazine, Voltex, Dino Carbonare,

Tein Overalls

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Just recently, over here in Southern California, the summer has begun showing it’s true face.

It may not be as hot as other summers have been in recent years *Knock on wood*.

However, it’s still hot enough to break a sweat doing the simplest of motions while working on cars.

Normally we here in the R&D and Warehouse section are wearing coveralls, but as you can imagine from the name coverALL it gets really hot wearing those.

 

That’s where the Tein Overalls come in.

On a warm summer day the Tein Overalls have a cool refreshing feel to them, much like a convertible.

But the usefulness of the overalls doesn’t stop at just keeping you cool and your clothes clean while working.

Another feature is the big pocket up in the front.

It can be loaded with small tools such as pens and rulers for easy access while working on cars.

Also, the knees have a padding sewn into the fabric that helps a lot when kneeling to work on your car’s suspension.

So if the heat is getting to you while working on your car, your friend’s car, or anyone else’s car at that, and you don’t want to get your clothes dirty, give us a call and inquire about the Tein Overalls.

Stephan Verdier at X Games 17

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This weekend Stephan Verdier will be driving his STi in X Games 17 in Rally and Rallycross competition.

Tune in to ESPN or ESPN3.com on Saturday from 1-3PM PST for Rally and 2-4PM PST on Sunday for RallyCross action.

Stephan’s car has undergone changes in preparation for X Games which includes a brand new Tarmac spec Gr.N damper. Our in-house engineer, Katsuma Nakai, has been on-hand to help setup and tune the suspension for the new X-Games street course. Stephan should be a force to be reckoned with. He has been  considered an underdog all year long as he is one of a few teams/ drivers which is not factory backed (big budget). Yet his Crawford powered STi can compete right alongside the factory Fords, Subarus and Hyundais. Stephan has been competing all year in the Global Rally Cross and currently sits 4th in the overall standings behind Foust, Gronholm and Jernberg.

Root for Stephan this weekend, we will be.

A little over a month ago Stephan drove the Zenkai Motorsports STi at Pikes Peak Hillclimb. He is featured in a video just released by Motul. The Zenkai STI is powered by a Crawford built motor and utilizes Super Racing coilovers.

Stephan unfortunately crashed about 2/3 rds up the hill. The heavy winds and road surface conditions change by the minute making Pikes Peak one of the most dangerous hill climbs in the world. We are glad Stephan walked away unscathed.

ALREADY HAVE CARBING ITEMS, CHECK THESE OUT!!!!

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ALREADY HAVE A SHIFT KNOB INSTALLED ON YOUR 5 OR 6 SPEED AND WANT A NEW CHANGE. IF YOUR A CUSTOMER LOOKING INTO GETTING A NEW SHIFT KNOB.

CHECK OUT THESE SHIFT KNOBS FIRST!

Aluminum or Duracon construction.

Knurled surface finish to prevent slip

Five color variations to best match your cockpit color

Size 30mm Dia 85mm high Colors: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Aqua Blue, Black

Different tread pitch for easy install, all you have to do is screw it in like an OEM shift knob.

M10x1.25

NISSAN/MITSUBISHI/MAZDA/ISUZU

M10x1.5

HONDA

M12x1.25

TOYOTA/DAIHATSU/SUBARU/SUZUKI/(NISSAN)

 

 

The calm before the storm

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:a quiet period just before a period of great activity or excitement.

The World Time Attack Challenge held at Eastern Creek, Sydney Australia is meeting in less than 11 days. This years event is making big noise with the Pro Class line up.


Prep’d Motorsports Lotus Exige

Pan Speeds Mazda RX-7

Garage Revolutions RX-7

Sierra Sierra Enterprises Evo (2010 2nd place winner) Recently broke the Buttonwillow time attack record

Cyber Evo (2010 1st place winner). With a new engine, lighter chassis and more aero, the Cyber Evo is returning to keep the title.

As much as we are cheering for the TEIN sponsored Cyber Evo, this year all Pro Class teams are stepping their game up including 2 R35 900+ horsepower GTR’s.

Check out the World Time Attack Challenge website for more information.

All photos from World Time Attack website.

FINAL ROUND of 2011 Rally America

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This past weekend was the final round (Rd. 6) of the 2011 Rally America series. TEIN sponsored Sparco Rally xD made the trip out to Maine for the New England Forest Rally. Andrew-Comrie Picard and Jeremy Wimpey returned as driver/ co-driver. The winning combo last drove the car at round 4 in Oregon to the 2WD class win.

At NEFR the newly improved xD faced a plethora of Ford Fiestas including 2010 2WD Chris Duplessis (who drove the xD last year), 2009 2WD Champion Dillon Van Way in another Fiesta and 2011 2WD Champion Wyatt Knox in a MazdaSpeed 3.

Since Oregon the xD has undergone major modifications mainly in the power department. Greddy tore down the motor and installed Carrillo forged rods and pistons to beef up the 1.8L. The fuel system was upgraded as well which netted a significant power gain. The 1.8L Scion xD now produces 200 WHP, up 35 WHP from the last outing. Not big by HP number but if you look at percentages that is a big difference.

Greddy engineers working on the 2ZR-FE.

Carrillo components help beef up the short block. Power is still left at a conservative 200WHP.

The HG suspension worked perfectly over the rough terrain and various sized jumps.

NEFR was a real test for the car and newly modified engine as it has some long stages, three 16 mile stages and one 19 mile stage. The crew tells me the motor ran flawlessly but there were other issues to deal with at every service. Loss of 3rd gear, a slipping clutch, damaged exhaust system, cracked wheel, punctured tires…

The crew working hard during service to inspect and repair the xD.

Some of the chassis modifications that Design Craft made prior to NEFR also paid off. This tubular brace was added to the underbelly of the car for added reinforcement against all the offroad abuse. Even with this, the oil pan took a hit. Without this who knows what would have happened to the oil pan.

At the end of the 2 day rally, the Rally xD finished second in class and sixth overall. OVERALL. Meaning against 4WD turbo STIs, EVOs and WRXs.

Left to Right – Kenji from Greddy, fabricators Gary, Len and Ben from Design Craft, Co-driver Jeremy W., Driver ACP, Team Manager Gordon, and Jason.

Look for a video soon.

Fujitsubo Exhaust SUPER SALE

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Looking for a high quality exhaust at a great price. Look no further. We are having a SUPER SALE on Fujitsubo exhausts. BIG SAVINGS. Prices include shipping. Visit the TEIN online shop for pricing and availability by clicking HERE.

All applications were developed and test fitted on US model vehicles. Fujitsubo exhausts feature full stainless steel construction, mandrel bent piping and are all made in Japan under strict quality control.

3D modeling in CAD

More 3D modeling in CAD helps ensure each product is kept to Fujitsubo’s high quality standards.

Part of the Fujitsubo development process. Fujitsubo is an exhaust specialist, therefore 100% of their time is spent developing, testing and manufacturing exhaust systems.

After the exhaust completes development on the in-house dyno, the car is put through real world testing and sound tests.

RM01A – round canister style muffler. You can see the high quality material (SUS304), welds and canister.

Thick SS flanges, beautiful weld and even a gusset for added rigidity.

Donut type flange and gasket. Press molded flanges and quality hardware.

LegalisR for 370Z. Exhaust layout is similar to stock providing optimal ground clearance.

Visit the Fujitsubo homepage for more information

Check out the videos to see the quality of construction, perfect fitment and quiet tone. Most applications have an average decibel reading in the high 80’s.

Ken Block’s Gymkhana World Tour

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By now many of you all know who Ken Block is. After all, Mr. Block’s Gymkhana videos (1,2, & 3) have all had more than 10,000,000 views each. And, why not? How much hooligan antics going on in those videos? Likewise, there’s quite a bit of talent that Mr. Block showcases. He truly knows how to handle those cars.

Now that his videos are globally known, he has just announced a Gymkhana World Tour, and one stop will be Dodger Stadium on July 23rd! Awesome! Two things I love- Dodgers stadium and wacky motorsports!

Below is the press release as posted on Autoblog

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/11/dates-for-ken-blocks-gymkhana-world-tour-announced/

We were very fortunate to have our own Super Racing coilovers grace the Gymkhana 1 (GDF-E STI) and 2 (GRF STI) vehicles. And ever since his Gymkhana Grid, a few of our sponsored drivers have joined in on the festivities. One such car was the Zenkai Motorsports/Crawford Performance built GRF Subaru STI. We are definitely glad to see how much of an impact Mr. Block has put into this motorsport. I hope to make this upcoming event, being that it is so close to home. Get ready for some fun, boys and girls!

GO KEN BLOCK!! AND GO DODGERS!!!!

P.S.- Does Ken Block get any sleep?! With him being involved in WRC, being a family man, and now promoting a gymkhana world tour, where the heck does he find the energy to do all of this?! Straight up hero status!

Go Dodgers.

In case you haven’t seen the vids, or have been living under a rock (JUST KIDDING!), here are his previous gymkhana videos.

Ken Block Gymkhana 1

Ken Block Gymkhana 2

Ken Block Gymkhana 3