ASI’s Widebody Disaster

This was on Ben’s blog. I think they totally lost focus of what a Bentley is. This appeals more to the young car guy fan boys. In this case, a stock Bentley looks beautiful compared to this. I don’t even understand the intention behind this car. What Bentley owner in their right mind would do this to their car. It’s awful!

The Sad State of Greddy/Trust

I’m sure everyone has had time to learn about Greddy/ Trust (depending on which side of the pond you’re on) filing for chapter 11 bankrupcy both in Japan and now recently released in the United States.

Source:http://www.greddy.com/news/?id=61

Honestly, does Greddy/ Trust believe they will be able to restructure the company into something that was once making money over 10 years ago? I wouldn’t count on it. Greddy, whose ineffectiveness I blame for the lack of innovation and sales over the 10 years, will definitely be rolling into oblivion. The chapter 11 bankruptcy, though not the end of the rope as many optimists point out, actually appears to be the final straw of the sufficiently screwed company for effing up their once proud company so bad over the years. Imagine all the Trust workers in Japan that may lose their job during the restructure. Remember, restructuring a company revolves around MONEY, employees are a companies most expensive asset. Have any of the news articles regarding Greddy ever pointed to cutting jobs? The answer is: no. I bet all the Greddyites and Trustites are saying ‘thanks for nothing’ right now.

I did make this post a while ago after learning about Trust in Japan filing for what is similar to chapter 11 in Japan.

I think many will know where I stand on the issue of real companies that do real R&D. It’s good news that Greddy plans to restructure, and hopefully it works. Greddy has played a huge role in making the tuner market what it is today with their innovative electronics, reliable turbo kits, and overall good quality products. But in the recent years they really haven’t done much in comparison to other companies. Greddy posted their greatest year back in 1998 with US $80M. You can’t go off yesterday’s success forever. It pathetic that ten years have passed with sales declining ever since their best year in 1998 and nothing has been done. That is a weak business model and weak management. The knock-off companies may be partially to blame, but I wouldn’t blame them completely for Greddy’s 10 year decline in sales.
If any other corporation in the US were facing a 10-year decline in sales, the board of directors or even the shareholders would be looking for blood. They would be cleaning house and restructuring long before the 10 year mark.
It sucks what’s happening to Greddy, especially after all the good they have given us.

Genoa Update: 4-9-08

We have just added our new animated in-car video of the West Track. This runs both clockwise and counter clockwise (link here). The animation was painstakingly created by using close to 600 land and sky photos, digitizing the aerial photos and land survey, and collecting the longitude, latitude and altitude coordinates for the track itself to accurately replicate the lay of the land and of the track. The East Track is being created next. We have one animation displayed below. You can view both animations here…

New Advan A050

To be replacing the Advan A048…

Genoa Update: 3-6-08

We have made several changes though out the website with one of our latest announcements we made at our Open House event. We have revised our brochure (linked here) and our track maps (linked here) to reflect the new construction phasing of the East Track and the West Track. The East Track will be the first circuit built and will follow the existing design at a length of 2.7 miles. The East circuit will be scheduled for unlimited track time for Members on some weekends and rental groups on others. Weekdays will still be predominately available to our Members. Once the West Track is completed, then Members will have unlimited track access to one circuit while rental groups will have access to the other circuit.Our Membership pricing has been lowered for pre-construction and we will be offering a limited number of Preferred and Individual Memberships at this new pricing. Check it out at (link here).

We have also added our new animated in-car video of the West Track. This runs both clockwise and counter clockwise (link here). The animation was painstakingly created by using close to 600 land and sky photos, digitizing the aerial photos and land survey, and collecting the longitude, latitude and altitude coordinates for the track itself to accurately replicate the lay of the land and of the track. The East Track is being created next.

New for 2008: Stack Auxillary Gauges

Not like Stack already makes some of the best stuff!

These precision auxiliary instruments combine digital microprocessor accuracy with a high-precision stepper motor needle movement, to provide a new level of accuracy and reliability in 52mm gauges. They combine the durability and readability of 270° mechanical gauges with the easy installation and safe operation of conventional electric gauges.

The 270° dialface together with the new white LED backlighting and illuminated needle ensure excellent readability day or night.

Link HERE

Cyber Evo Wind Tunnel Testing

Unlike many of the other aero-performance manufacturers on the market, Voltex privately tunes, and tests all of their products to the fullest extent.

With their new in-house wind-tunnel facility, they are able to ensure that all of their products will live up the the Voltex name. With Voltex, you wont just get a bumper, wing, or wide-fenders. With this company, you will months of R&D testing, hand-crafted quality, and perfect fit-and-finish.

Brembo Acquires Sabelt

Stezzano, 19 February 2008 – Brembo Spa and Sabelt Spa signed today a joint-venture agreement with a view to integrating and developing their business operations in the area of tuning components and special accessories for motor vehicles and motorcycles.
Sabelt is one of the leading makers of seats belts for both standard production and racing cars, carbon seats, fireproof racing suits and apparel worn by top rally and F1 drivers around the world.
The new company will operate out of Sabelt production sites, at Moncalieri (Turin) and Zilina in Slovakia, as well as Brembo factories and commercial subsidiaries in USA and Japan.
Press Release PDF

New Volk RE30 Special?

My friend Beau sent me this picture. Looks like Rays Engineering is releasing a special edition Volk RE30? Sweet center cap too!

TiAL 50mm Q Blowoff Valve

TiAL Sport announced this the other day and I placed my order the same day. I’m excited to see how it performs and looks. I already run a TiAL Sport wastegate, and I think that TiAL makes a superior product on the market. It’s nothing that is made in Japan or is a rare item, but no one can deny their quality and I love quality parts.

New for 2008 is the first revision of the nine year old original TiAL BOV. The Q bolts right up to any standard TiAL flange so you can upgrade without having to re-weld. Through countless hours of R&D we were able to make the same size valve flow a staggering 60% more than the original design – that means 60% more air is blown off per cycle! This is the highest flowing BOV on the market. The Q will be offered in all of the current colors.

LINK