Modified Magazine, January 2008
The "problem" is that there are no sponsors for Mazdas. The manufacturers have forsaken us and all that exists are "specialty" suppliers.
Guys like Eric, who are dedicated to this industry specifically, have the advantage in that they are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to exploit various manufacturers "overage". Since he is an RX-8 driver (at the moment - his love for the monsters from München might overtake him at any time, I fear), he is always pressuring his contacts to make stuff.
However, most manufacturers don't think we are a profitable market.
I've never considered a shop sponsor because I've never been philosophically aligned with any of the shops that have offered.
I've been bombarded (while I was in Maryland) by local shops, but I just didn't believe in their marketing plan or their plans for my car.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,643
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From: Waukesha Wisconsin
while we arent a huge market like civics or Z's, there are still a lot of us, and most of us like to mod our cars. i just wish they would realize that. yet we do have some great manufacturers like racing beat and Mazsport and soon to be BHR. but i think as more people join our community, they will see. the 8 is a formidible opponent whether its on the track, or drifting, or what ever. just more people need to see that.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,643
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From: Waukesha Wisconsin
seriously, if you ever need a good worker, that has similar views as you, i would be proud to work for you. im just looking for a reason to get out of wisconsin.
A good yardstick is the RX-7.
Quite possibly the greatest car ever made (for the common man) and Mazda's greatest achievement.
Yet, manufacturers didn't start supporting it until it was no longer on the market in this country and they did so begrudgingly.
Don't you find it interesting that magazines that do coverage of track events will fawn over the second place Mitsus and third place Nissans and actually ignore the winner if it is a Mazda?
I remember reading some track event coverage in SCC last year and the 1st and 3rd went to Mazdas, so the magazine decided to bury the actual standings. Instead, they covered the cars the broke!
I don't think this is an accident. What it results from is pressure from the advertisers to cover vehicles for which there are parts to sell.
Notice that in the "G-Masters" issue of SCC in August their benchmark was an RX-8? Yet, they spent more space in the article talking about the Caterpillar front-loader than the '8!
Quite possibly the greatest car ever made (for the common man) and Mazda's greatest achievement.
Yet, manufacturers didn't start supporting it until it was no longer on the market in this country and they did so begrudgingly.
Don't you find it interesting that magazines that do coverage of track events will fawn over the second place Mitsus and third place Nissans and actually ignore the winner if it is a Mazda?
I remember reading some track event coverage in SCC last year and the 1st and 3rd went to Mazdas, so the magazine decided to bury the actual standings. Instead, they covered the cars the broke!
I don't think this is an accident. What it results from is pressure from the advertisers to cover vehicles for which there are parts to sell.
Notice that in the "G-Masters" issue of SCC in August their benchmark was an RX-8? Yet, they spent more space in the article talking about the Caterpillar front-loader than the '8!
Last edited by MazdaManiac; Dec 12, 2007 at 12:20 PM.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 2
From: everywherez...
You want to work WITH people...not FOR them...
People who are willing to work WITH you and not FOR you are tremendously more valuable. Don't sell yourself short...
One last thing...dont squeeze the charmin...
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 2
From: everywherez...
Banned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,643
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From: Waukesha Wisconsin
thanks twink. ok, charles, if you need help at BHR, i want to work with you.
Man, We Ain't Found Sh*t!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 318
Likes: 2
From: Earth
i'm late to the party but i still wanted to say congrats to both you and photomonkey for getting our collective object of obsession in print.. i showed my wife and now she wants me to get lambo doors! hehehehe
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 670
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My last project vehicle, an 03 Mustang GT, was on the cover of Mustang Enthusiast Magazine, and was featured in no less than 7 tech-install stories. Currently my RX-8 is set up for three tech stories and one feature story. That's as both an OWNER and a writer/photographer.
Editors, and particularly Modified, want to see a well-equipped car which meet YOUR goals, and improves performance. Modified does NOT go in for the "big stereo" cars. There are magazines like Performance Auto and Sound for that (and if you've got one like that out here on the West Coast, please feel free to let me know). They like to see areas which are notoriously weak addressed, like wheels and tires, suspension and appearance. Not saying that the RX-8 has a weak appearance, but obviously a stock car isn't going to be featured anywhere. Sometimes they might pick one car because of a current trend, like VIP, but that's not a given.
On my own car I had a definite "look" I wanted, while concentrating on lowering the weight. Additional parts needed to be lighter than what they replace. I worked with some sponsors to get new parts developed like the hood rams and the body kit. Thanksfully Todd at TCE Performance came up with a similar brake package to what I was working towards with Mazdatrix. We would have got there eventually, but not in time for SEMA, which was one goal of mine. Finally, I want to take on a time attack or two in the "street stock" class, which is currently dominated by older E36 M3s. That's one big nut to crack as these cats have years of development into their cars. Even lighter wheels would help so at some point I might go back down to 18s. I'll just have to see.
Currently I'm below 3000 lbs without using carbon fiber. I still haven't replaced the battery with a spiral cell unit nor have I removed any interior panels. I have a better suspension and better tires, and lighter wheels, with better brakes, and will soon have a lightweight flywheel. I want to garner exposure for my sponsors, but first and foremost, my car must meet MY standards, which I'd like to think are quite high.
Does anyone want to put together a Top 5 list of the RX-8s I should shoot?
Editors, and particularly Modified, want to see a well-equipped car which meet YOUR goals, and improves performance. Modified does NOT go in for the "big stereo" cars. There are magazines like Performance Auto and Sound for that (and if you've got one like that out here on the West Coast, please feel free to let me know). They like to see areas which are notoriously weak addressed, like wheels and tires, suspension and appearance. Not saying that the RX-8 has a weak appearance, but obviously a stock car isn't going to be featured anywhere. Sometimes they might pick one car because of a current trend, like VIP, but that's not a given.
On my own car I had a definite "look" I wanted, while concentrating on lowering the weight. Additional parts needed to be lighter than what they replace. I worked with some sponsors to get new parts developed like the hood rams and the body kit. Thanksfully Todd at TCE Performance came up with a similar brake package to what I was working towards with Mazdatrix. We would have got there eventually, but not in time for SEMA, which was one goal of mine. Finally, I want to take on a time attack or two in the "street stock" class, which is currently dominated by older E36 M3s. That's one big nut to crack as these cats have years of development into their cars. Even lighter wheels would help so at some point I might go back down to 18s. I'll just have to see.
Currently I'm below 3000 lbs without using carbon fiber. I still haven't replaced the battery with a spiral cell unit nor have I removed any interior panels. I have a better suspension and better tires, and lighter wheels, with better brakes, and will soon have a lightweight flywheel. I want to garner exposure for my sponsors, but first and foremost, my car must meet MY standards, which I'd like to think are quite high.
Does anyone want to put together a Top 5 list of the RX-8s I should shoot?
Finally Boosted!!!!!!!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Central IL
I would love for you to use my car.
With help form some of the other forum members, I will be doing a turbo, radiator, water pump, fuel pump, injector, oil pan, coil/ignition install in January. Here is a link to my turbo install thread. https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-major-horsepower-upgrades-93/tdiddys-turbo-thread-132043/
To see my other mods check out the link in my signature.
With help form some of the other forum members, I will be doing a turbo, radiator, water pump, fuel pump, injector, oil pan, coil/ignition install in January. Here is a link to my turbo install thread. https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-major-horsepower-upgrades-93/tdiddys-turbo-thread-132043/
To see my other mods check out the link in my signature.