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History

Doing some cleaning around the house last night I discovered this lurking in a closet, of all places. It’s now back on display where it belongs. It’s huge – nearly 4 feet long!

Splash

For those readers not in the Northeast, you may not be aware of the hurricane currently en route to our area. Public transportation is closed as of this evening all throughout NY, and many areas are now under mandatory evacuation. We had a bad storm here last year too that knocked power out for several days; hopefully that won’t repeat itself this time around.

In the sprit of anticipating this awful storm we’re about to receive, my thoughts went immediately to rally cars, and the wide range of terrain they are asked to cover in a given event. They certainly are no stranger to water crossings!

If you’ve got any cool or interesting water crossing pics, send them along!

Leap Year

Braid Competition Wheels – When Good Enough isn’t Good Enough

For 2012 we are now offering the full range of Braid Competition wheels. Many of you familiar with the rally scene have probably heard of Braid. For those that haven’t, here is a brief introduction.

Braid was formed in Spain in 1978, with the sole purpose of making competition level wheels primarily for rally use. Their wheels have been used by amateurs and professionals alike. Because all the design, R&D and production is done in house, they have an amazing level of customization available. Wheels can be produced in a very wide range of offsets, bolt patterns, and colors, something you are hard pressed to find almost at any price point. Because they are designed primarily for competition use, this is a firm that embraces the ‘small stuff’, such as 15 and 16 inch sizes. Sure, they offer larger wheels, for touring car, etc. but the roots are in rally racing, and that remains their bread and butter. Since it’s original introduction, the factory has expanded numerous times and today produces wheels ranging from gravel and tarmac spec cast wheels, to mulipiece, even forged and magnesium wheels.

To reiterate, these are not some fly-by-night knock off brand churning wheels out of some random factory in the middle of the pacific rim. These are legit motorsport level wheels. The same wheels the various teams through Europe use on their car, are the exact same wheels you can purchase for your car. These aren’t wheels that will fall apart in a few years, or lose a tremendous amount of value, or fall ‘out of style’. Good stuff never does!

Now, onto the good stuff! While we have access to the full range, and custom orders are easily accomplished, the following represents wheels that are available straight away

Click the picture of each for additional information and specs

Winrace T Acropolis: This is a heavy duty, pure strength oriented gravel spec wheel. Offered in 15×6.5, +45 (21.2 lbs), hubcentric, dual drilled so it fits both 5-100 and 5-114 cars, and finished in your choice of white or gold. Also available in 15×7 (22.2lbs) in gold. Both clear Subaru 4 pots

15×6.5 – $980 shipped in the 48 states per set
15×7 – $1020 shipped in the 48 states per set

Winrace TA: This is a lighter weight version of the Acropolis, making it suitable for tarmac or gravel use.

Currently in stock in 15×6.5 (18 lbs), white, +45 offset, dual drilled 5-114 and 5-100, clears factory 4 pot calipers. Priced at $960 shipped for the set in the 48 states

Winrace A: One of the most popular choices, this wheel can often be found on tarmac stages throughout Europe.

Currently in stock:

17×8 +45 (20.7 lbs) in white, dual drilled for 5-100 and 5-114 cars (clears Brembo and 4 pots). $1280 shipped in the 48 states

18×8 +49 (21.6 lbs) in gold in your choice of 5-100 or 5-114.3. Clears Brembo and 4 pots. $1376 shipped for the set in the 48 states.

Also have a limited 17×7, 5-100 +45 Winrace A in Black on special as well. Contact us for details

We will be adding the full range to our site in the coming days, so check z1auto.com often. Any specific questions you have, just ask.

Remember, while the above represents wheels that are good to go now, if you can dream it, it probably can be built! If you’ve got an event coming up that you NEED a set of wheels for, and waiting isn’t an option, we can generally have a custom set, made just for you, on your doorstep in just a few weeks time. If your car has specific needs, such as unique suspension or brake requirements, or even just a custom color, we’ll work with you to develop the right size, so it fits correctly, the first time

Thanks and Happy 2012!

Rally Wheel Deals (5×114.3)

If you’re a rally guy, or looking for that rally look, we’ve got some great specials for you!

First up, from Italian manufacturer EvoCorse

Size 17 x 8, 5-114.3, ET49
Color: Gold
Weight: 20.1 lbs

Size 18 x 8, 5-114.3, ET49
Color: Gold
Weight: 21.2 lbs

Next, from Japanese manufacturer Taneisya – a forged wheel for less than cast wheel prices!

Size 17 x 8, 5-114.3, ET49
Color: Gold Metal Flake
Weight: 17.7 lbs

for price and availability!

24 Hour of Nurburgring, Monaco, and more

Another year gone by and we’re smack in the middle of probably the best weekend for the true motorsport enthusiast. If you’re looking to chill out and relax tonight, grab a beer, turn the lights out, and watch the 24 Hours of Nurburgring Live Stream

For audio commentary, the best one out there is

I’m done explaining why…

…we spend so much money on Endless products on our personal cars. Their stuff is top notch and since we don’t cut corners with our car builds here at Z1 what else should we be using? If you’re on the LIE in 2020 when my Z is done you better watch out, lol.

I swear if someone in the aftermarket world comes out with a quality Kinetic Energy Recovery System like the new Formula One cars use I will save up a ton of duckets for it. 🙂

Back to the point of this blog post… Endless products are quality and race proven. Congrats on the victories!

“Press Release – Endless Wins Across the Globe

Press Release – Race Victories

For Immediate Release

Contact: Dominic Chen

Endless USA

18421 Gothard St. Suite 200

Huntington Beach, CA. 92648

Phone: (714) 847-0694

Fax: (714) 847-0695

E-mail: Dominic@EndlessUSA.com

Endless Equipped Cars Dominate Motorsports Weekend

Huntington Beach, CA (May 28, 2009) – Endless equipped teams across the globe showed their dominance this past weekend of May 23rd and 24th. From World Rally Challenge to the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix to the Nurburgring 24 Hours, all teams clenching victory used Endless as an integral part of their brake package.

Italy was next on the WRC schedule and Ford occupied both the 1st and 2nd place steps on the podium. Ford’s rally cars use the ever popular Endless rally/sprint race brake pad compounds and Endless RF-650 brake fluid.

Brawn GP continued their dominance and further extended their lead in the Formula One championship by finishing one-two at the glamorous Monaco Grand Prix. Yet again Jensen Button and Rubens Barrichello drove their Brawns equipped with Endless RF-650 brake fluid straight to victory lane.

But perhaps the most success enjoyed by Endless and their supported teams was in the famous 24 Hour Endurance race at the Nurburgring. More than forty cars in the field used Endless product for the grueling race. It was a sizable presence of Endless equipped cars; including Mitsubishi Lancers, Nissan 350Zs, and Alpina BMWs. More impressive, however, were the overall 3rd place Manthey Racing Porsche GT3 Cup car, 2nd place ABT Audi R8 and 1st place Manthey Racing Porsche GT3 RSR, all running Endless brake pads and fluid.

“It was a phenomenal weekend for our global Endless group,” said Executive Director of Endless USA, Dominic Chen. “The product truly speaks for itself by means of race victories. We are extremely proud to be working with such high caliber, talented people.” Endless hopes to add another endurance race win when the Texas based Risi Competizione team heads to France in a few weeks time to defend their class victory from last years 24 Hours at Le Mans.

###

Press Release – Race Victories

For Immediate Release

Contact: Dominic Chen

Endless USA

Endless Equipped Cars Dominate Motorsports Weekend

Huntington Beach, CA (May 28, 2009) – Endless equipped teams across the globe showed their dominance this past weekend of May 23rd and 24th. From World Rally Challenge to the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix to the Nurburgring 24 Hours, all teams clenching victory used Endless as an integral part of their brake package.

Italy was next on the WRC schedule and Ford occupied both the 1st and 2nd place steps on the podium. Ford’s rally cars use the ever popular Endless rally/sprint race brake pad compounds and Endless RF-650 brake fluid.

Brawn GP continued their dominance and further extended their lead in the Formula One championship by finishing one-two at the glamorous Monaco Grand Prix. Yet again Jensen Button and Rubens Barrichello drove their Brawns equipped with Endless RF-650 brake fluid straight to victory lane.

But perhaps the most success enjoyed by Endless and their supported teams was in the famous 24 Hour Endurance race at the Nurburgring. More than forty cars in the field used Endless product for the grueling race. It was a sizable presence of Endless equipped cars; including Mitsubishi Lancers, Nissan 350Zs, and Alpina BMWs. More impressive, however, were the overall 3rd place Manthey Racing Porsche GT3 Cup car, 2nd place ABT Audi R8 and 1st place Manthey Racing Porsche GT3 RSR, all running Endless brake pads and fluid.

“It was a phenomenal weekend for our global Endless group,” said Executive Director of Endless USA, Dominic Chen. “The product truly speaks for itself by means of race victories. We are extremely proud to be working with such high caliber, talented people.” Endless hopes to add another endurance race win when the Texas based Risi Competizione team heads to France in a few weeks time to defend their class victory from last years 24 Hours at Le Mans.

###”

Press Release Page #1
Press Release Page #2

Memorial Day Weekend – Fan Paradise

If you’re a motorsports fan on any level, this is an awesome weekend.

F1 – Monaco. Qualifying was exciting this AM…Button pulled out yet another pole. Amazing. SpeedTV has the coverage live tomorrow morning at 8AM. F1 + HD = sweet

24 Hours of Nurburgring – check here for a live video feed (daytime only though). If you want a good audio feed to follow today, check out Radio LeMans and click on the “Listen Live” link on the top right of the screen

Indy 500 – not my own cup of tea, but the race is on Sunday on ABC (should be HD coverage, which is always good)

Grand Am – live this weekend from Lime Rock Hopefully some friends will get me some pics since I don’t think there is any live tv coverage…bummer.

WRC – Rally d’Italia Sardegna –

A Blast from the Past

Back in September of ’98 I bought myself my first new car – a ’99 Impreza 2.5 RS (man, feels like a million years ago!)   I was going through a rally phase at the time.  In the stable already was an ’88 All Trac Turbo Celica that was modded, and a ’92 Galant VR4 that was modded.  But Subaru was all the rage in rallying then, and after watching many late night feeds of WRC on the old Speedvision network (before fox turned it into nascar tv), I decided I had to have one!

So I went to the dealership and purchased a World Rally Blue RS.  I had visions of transforming it into my very own US spec STi Version V Type R.

STi V5 Type R Coupe courtesy of Pistonheads

So of course the modding began even before I had the car (typical me).  By the time the car was delivered, I already had Speedline wheels, and a Prodrive/Bilstein suspension kit in hand ready to go!  This was before there were really alot internet resources out there.  The main source of info was the Checkpoint25 site and mailing list where Subaru heads from across the US chatted about news, parts and rumors online.  Within a few months, a Canadian company called Minnam came out with their own turbo kit using a T3/T4, Spearco top mount, and some associated parts.  A local guy on the Checkpoint list was the first to purchase the kit, and did the install himself at his house (whatup Shane…maybe you’re reading this!).  We began exchaning emails, and on a rainy Sunday morning, my brother and I were trecking up to Rockland county to check the car out.  After one drive, I was hooked!  I called Minnam the next day and ordered my very own kit.  We’ll go into detail on that build in a future installment. 

What brings my to the title of the post is an old school video that has been floating around the web for years.  I’m sure many of you might be familiar with it.  For those who aren’t, this shows what OG Subaru tuning was all about!  It was fall of ’99, and some friends from the Subaru community heard that the PBS Show Motorweek was going to be testing a 22B.  For those not familiar with the car, it is the be all, end all Subaru IMHO.  Flared fenders, 2.2 liter flat 4 turbocharged, with every known trick and toy Subaru had at their disposal at the time.  Check out some 22B pics:

This car is owned by a longtime customer Karl, who know lives in Lebanon.  This is a genuine 22B, one of only 399 ever offered to the public (one of the 400 was retained by Subaru to the best of my understanding).  How’s that for limited edition!

Anyway, word got around that Motorweek was going to do this test.  Some friends of mine were somehow connected with the show, and before I know it, we’re organizing a 100 person meet at the Ownings Mills, MD studios.  I think it’s safe to say this was the first Subaru Mega Meet in the US!  Check the video out.  I know the quality sucks.  One of these days I’ll dig through my old tapes and see if I have the master I was given.   The car shown had the Minnam turbo kit, Prodrive brakes, and a ton of other stuff I can’t even remember right now.  Eventually, I went one step further after the original motor finally gave up (led a boosted life for many miles before finally giving up!), and swapped in a built STi V4 RA closed deck motor with JUN cams, a LINK ecu, STi 5 speed trans, and bunch of other goodies.  Anyway, onto the video – alot of memories working on that car, and it’s fun being remember as one of the pioneers in the Subaru tuning community in the US