COMP Cams®, RHS® & FASTTM Add $12,000 In Contingency To The 2009 Engine Masters Challenge EFI technology innovator FASTTM sees first visit to annual challenge while the cylinder head-valve train duo look to repeat success for the COMP Performance GroupTM After a successful year in 2008, the COMP Performance GroupTM will once again add excitement to the JEGS Engine Masters Challenge presented by Popular Hot Rodding magazine. In 2009 CPG companies will offer up to $12,000 in contingency awards to the top six finishers of the event. New to this year's event will be the inclusion of fuel injected engines, giving EFI technology leader FASTTM its first chance to enter the competition as the company hopes to enjoy the same success as its fellow CPG members have in years past. For 2009, COMP Cams® will offer contingency awards to those competitors running their camshafts, while those running RHS® cylinder heads will receive an additional payout. As the first year that EFI engines are allowed to compete, the 2009 competition will also feature contingency payouts for those equipped with FASTTM XFITM systems. In addition to contingency awards, scholarships to working...

When it comes down to it, there's one universal truth. You can't fight the man.   Oh go ahead and fight, my weary and simple minded friends, but you're gonna lose. That's why I've decided to stop fighting and get with America's Program. Like most American's, I don't want a stylish car with features that make me feel good after a long day's work... and I don't need to tow my boat with a truck big enough to haul my family. No. I want a fuel efficient car and I don't care what it looks like or what it costs.   That's why nobody wants to get the American economy running on green jobs more than MyRideisMe.com. I've decide to do my part to contribute to the new 27.3 mpg standard for new cars by making a change to my hobby and reduce my carbon footprint.   If you didn't know, I'm building a 1963 Falcon wagon. I've always loved wagons for their sleek design and roomy interiors. I can take all my 2 stroke lawn maintenance equipment (my blower, mower and wacker too) in for service all at...

I'm proud to be a member of SEMA for the excellent work they do to educate hot rodders and custom car folks of all kinds about legislation that's counter productive or just plain wrong for our hobby. I received this notice that the "Cash for Clunkers" part of the economic stimulus package did not make it to the final draft of the package. Congratulations to SEMA and everyone who wrote their local politicians. The idea of paying people to get rid of their older, less gas efficient rigs is just plain dumb. Did anyone else see the movie, "Bruce Almighty"? What was the one thing God could not control? Free Will. The same is true for car/truck buyers! People buy what they like and always will, especially when it comes to their ride. My Ride is ME! Whenever you can go down the the dealership and pick out a 18mpg+ rig that can tow the boat and race car your hard work has provided for you and your family to enjoy, then go for it. But until then, politicians, STAY OUT OF MY GARAGE! I'll do a better job...

Don Garlits' Bad Drag Pack Challenger Story Submitted by John C. Hill or MoparMagic Don Garlits to compete in 2009! Don Garlits has planned a comeback to drag racing for 2009, his 60th anniversary competing on the nation's drag strips. Is he going to run a new Top Fuel car? The answer is no. Neither his doctor nor his wife will ever let him run an NHRA competitive Top Fuel car again. After countless thousands of parachute stops at the end of 300mph runs, the retinas in Don's eyes had become detached. Further racing of this type could have caused permanent blindness. So, what is Don going to run this year? Well, as a long time Mopar representative, Mopar stepped up and has allowed Don to purchase the first Dodge Challenger equipped with the Drag Pak. For those of you thinking a factory backed "Drag Pak" was a dream, it ain't! Based on the 6.1L equipped hot rod SRT8, the drag pak Challenger will be eligible to run in NHRA's Super Stock, Stock, and Comp Eliminator. Garlits will run his Drag Pak Challenger in NHRA Division 2, but right...

The first-ever SEMA Pinewood Drag Race sponsored by Fellers and DUB Publishing, was held July 25 during the SEMA Installation Banquet and Gala Fundraiser in Irvine, Calif. The benefactors are kids! SEMA combined a fun way to get SEMA members doing something they love, racing, and at the same time, give back to some important charities. All proceeds from the first SEMA Pinewood Drag Race are to be generously donated to Childhelp, a charity home for abused and at-risk kids (click here to donate); and the Victory Junction Gang, a camp developed by NASCAR racer Kyle Petty for kids with health-care needs (click here to donate). As you know, Pinewood derby racing has long been a part, for me a critical part of the Cub Scouts. I remember building a car with my dad and racing against what seemed like a million cars... when I was just a kid. We had that car flying with, probably illegal, anti-seize compound used to lubricate my highly modified wheels. Through the first couple rounds, we did great. Then, when it really mattered, a volunteer, trying to help (I think) soaked my wheels...

You're in trouble when you invite Brian Stupski from Problem Child Kustoms Studio to dinner. Brian's used to designing super high-end custom hot rods and concept cars for SEMA, which is all great, but when you ask him for help with your own projects, he doesn't know when to throttle back. "Brian, I don't have an extra $200k!" It's great to dream though! Look what he does when I cut him loose on something near and dear to me. The Nissan Armada. Brian also helped with a blog I wrote for Nissan. I was trying to win a trip to the Lake Tahoe, NV press event for the GTR. You might have read about it in EVERY magazine! I could have driven the GTR on a track. Too bad, my story didn't win, even with this AMAZING illustration. Here's a snippet of the Nissan Blog I wrote. I was trying to describe what I do for Nissan: It's tough to focus; I've had something on my mind since this morning. Then it hit me; I can see it now: Grocery shopping, trips to the mall, the neighbor kid’s hair...

CHARITY AUCTION ON EBAY FOR FRANK WASHINGTON Brenda Priddy Organizing Donations Announcing an ongoing EBay auction of Automobilia (Automotive Memorabilia) donated to raise funds for severely injured veteran journalist Frank Washington. Washington was hospitalized after being mugged while walking near his Detroit home. His injuries required several hours of surgery to repair and he is unable to work while recuperating at home. The entire automotive community has gotten together to raise funds to help with Frank’s medical bills. The auction was started by photo/journalist Brenda Priddy. You can see all of the auction items by clicking the Ebay link below:   http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZbrendapriddycharityauctions. Among the items donated so far are, from left to right: A series of 5 DODGE CHALLENGER PROTOTYPE PISTOL GRIP SHIFTERS from the Dodge Design Studio! Two ORIGINAL framed mid-engine CORVETTE sketches from the CORVETTE DESIGN STUDIO, circa 1973. RARE BMW 'sculpture' / model (circa 1981) donated by Jim Dunne. And a 5-hour BOB BONDURANT High Performance driving class! A $1200 MICHELIN gift certificate. Brenda says she hopes to add auction items daily for the next week or two with all proceeds going directly to the Frank...

…has sadly passed on today at the age of 63.Suffice to say, he was a true giant in the industry, and the first builder to truly inspire me to throw my hat in the ring, and do what I love. His approach and design sense changed forever the direction of the modern street rod and custom car, and will be viewed forever as the benchmark of his era. Cars like CadZZilla are world-famous, and his face was easily one of the most recognizable in the industry. (CadZZilla and the Hirohata Merc at the Oakland Museum of California… sorry for cruddy pic.) (…and speaking of CadZZilla, how ’bout a cool peek at a gathering of great talent during what just may have been the birth of that car? Can you name these guys? –that is a young Larry Erickson on the right… only hint I’ll give) Thanks to a guy who, no matter how hectic his schedule, took time to spend a few moments with me at a show, and review what I was working on at the time. Sadly, as large a page in hot rodding history as he...

Here’s more information from our new friends at Ford Media. I’m thinking low production hot rods like this new Shelby will strike a cord with the MyRideisMe.com faithful. If this isn’t your cup of tea, let us know… (Click on any picture to see it full size) Celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the original Shelby Cobra GT500KR, Ford and Shelby collaborate on a new ‘King of the Road’ Mustang with the 2008 Shelby GT500KR. Shelby GT500KR features an estimated 540-hp 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 with a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack, 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, short-throw shifter, and unique suspension tuning. Exterior design draws inspiration from the classic Shelby KR Mustangs and features unique carbon composite hood, wheels, and special 40th Anniversary badging and unique striping. Shelby GT500KR arrives in spring 2008 in an exclusive run of only 1000 units. DEARBORN, Mich., March 30 - Ford and Shelby Automobiles are at it again, this time in celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the 1968 Shelby Cobra GT500KR. To be unveiled at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, the 2008 Shelby GT500KR—the most powerful Mustang to date—will once again mark...

What started as a few Off road drivers posting concerns about service on their Donahoe Racing products allegedly is a much bigger story! A friend of mine showed me this post from Dezertrangers.com: POST LINK A forum member named DJSSniper posted the Riverside, California District Court notes from Monday, 12/17/2007 for the Honorable Stephen G. Larzon. Here's that link: Link to court notes If you scroll down to item #20 you'll see the notes for: USA vs. William Kreag Donahoe for two counts: 1) Distribution of Child Pornography and 2) Possession of Child Pornography W-W-W-What? Child Porn? Speculation at the forums then indicated that Donahoe Racing had closed it doors, however, I found a few posts that appear to be from current Donahoe Employees that say they are only restructuring. Here's the post from http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/ from DRDylan who is shown as Dylan Evans, an R&D Engineer at Donahoe Racing: POST DRDylan then posts again and a reply is made by a person who is shown as Mike Crosby, the National Sales Manager for Donahoe Racing. That post was found at http://www.ttora.com : POST Is it him? Nobody wants to...

Robbie Maddison set a new world record by jumping his motorcycle 322 feet at the Rio in Las Vegas last night. Apparently, he did a 350 foot jump in practice. To put this in perspective, Evel Knievel crashed jumping the short way across the Caesar's Palace fountain with his heavy old Harley. Exactly 40 years later, Maddison probably would have cleared that same fountain going the long way!!! Check out the video at ESPN:...

I can't stand it... had to share this story from Edmunds.com with everyone!! Here's the letter I wrote to the editor to go with it: Hello, Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the GTR article: Godzilla Takes on the 480-hp Yardstick I already have a biased enthusiasm since I work at Nissan as a Powertrain performance Engineer (trucks, not rockets) but your article had my ass gripping the seat flying down the autobahn at 150+. NICE! Thanks for the great ride/read! Godzilla Takes on the 480-hp Yardstick By Bill Thomas, Contributor Email Date posted:...