Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Team Hybrid: Making It Happen

Every serious import owner is on a never-ending mission to pull out all the stops in creating the best ride that eclipses any other on the scene. Team Hybrid is no exception, and in fact sets the standard for today’s performance automotive enthusiast. They have been steadily generating buzz by landing some high-profile magazine covers, most recently in the January/December issue of Performance Auto & Sound and PASMAG Overdrive. PAS Magazine features two magazines in one with a cover for both, and Team Hybrid made another mark in the history books by landing both covers for the second time. No other team has accomplished this, which goes to show how revered Team Hybrid is by the respect it receives both in print and on the street. AMSOIL is installed in some of their vehicles currently making headlines, including this one from owner Charleston Penesa.

Currently featured on the cover of the latest PASMAG Overdrive, Penesa’s 2006 Mitsubishi EVO IX engine modifications include a Buschur Racing 3076R turbo kit, 1000cc injectors, HKS Super Suction intake system and much more. In keeping up with these high-performance standards they use AMSOIL Series 600 Brake Fluid, AMSOIL Synthetic High Performance 10W-30 Motor Oil and AMSOIL Ea Oil Filter.

AMSOIL covered this feature in the Promotions blog back in July when it was up and coming, and has since followed Penesa and Team Hybrid as they continue pushing the envelope in the import circuit. Founder James Lin received one more testament to their team’s viability at the 2010 SEMA show, learning Team Hybrid was confirmed to be the most published team in Performance Auto & Sound Magazine history. As one of the top three best-selling enthusiast titles in the US and the number one title in Canada, this is no small accomplishment.

AMSOIL is pleased to lend support to such a talented team of enthusiasts. Team Hybrid has the ability to generate buzz and awareness for not only their rides and organization, but the companies that sponsor them. Look for the AMSOIL logo placement on the cover of PASMAG Overdrive and watch for future updates. As they make their mark across the import circuit, Team Hybrid is rising fast and showing no signs of stopping.

Friday, November 5, 2010

AMSOIL-lubed Challenge America Silverado Brings Recognition for Wounded Vets

One of the highlights of the SEMA Show, featured prominently in the GM booth, was Nic Ashby's Challenge America Chevrolet Silverado. In a post script to the show, the Victorious Project blog (http://thevictorious.org/) stated, "We’re all on Cloud 9 because SEMA was a huge success for Challenge America in promoting the needs of our veterans."

During the show the Challenge America team collected tons of video footage. Their aim is to raise awareness for the needs of wounded veterans. For many vets, the toughest battles are not those fought on the front, but rather the ones they must fight the rest of their lives when they return home. On this Veterans Day it is appropriate to honor all who have served. It is likewise a privilege to be associated with people like Nic who continue to give back in this manner.

In a note to us this week he wrote, "SEMA was a great show and thanks to all your votes and support we made it into the CHEVY booth and received a nice recognition from the North American President of General Motors."

About Challenge America: Challenge America answers the question of “When it happens, where do we go?” for returning injured military and their families by connecting to resources in the simplest way possible – at the local zip code level. We are working with communities across the United States in linking new and existing services and supporting the development of recreational, occupational and housing programs to better serve those who have sacrificed so much for us.

Challenge America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Federal Tax ID 27-0868701.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

SEMA Continues To Shine

It seems clear that the industry is thriving as you see the action unfold at this year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas. From mobile electronics to off road gear, to street rod passion to the ultimate accessorizations, you can find all of it displayed in a spectacular array of light, color and sound here at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Organizations a-plenty share the benefits of memberships in an effort strengthen the foundations of their varied interests, from protecting the rights of street rodding to maintaining access for trail riders.

Ultimately, the show has been like any other trade show in that it serves the function of enabling manufacturers to connect with retailers, with the aim of improving the company's visibility in order to reach consumers. One difference, however, is that there is industry with this kind of glam, style and sheer sexiness. Check out the new Mustangs and Camaros? And all the brilliance in reflected in the paint schemes, chrome and chromatics.

SEMA leadership decided to create a new award to help highlight the vehicle manufacturers that make this industry possible. It was called "The Hottest Vehicles of the SEMA Show." The three awards went to the Hottest Pickup Truck, Hottest 4x4 and Hottest Car.

SEMA is also a place where new relationships are created, and announcements get made. Yesterday it was announced that AMSOIL has signed a multi-year agreement to be the official and exclusive oil of Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, that begins January 8, 2011 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

The three-year agreement marks the company’s first partnership with the Monster Energy Supercross championship, though the company has had long roots in supercross and motocross beginning with its sponsorship of 2X national champion Mike LaRocco in the late nineties and ongoing relationship with Factory Connection racing.

As the sun burns off the morning haze here in the valley, SEMA will continue to shine as a place where things happen, and history is written.

Nic Ashby's AMSOIL-lubed Challenge America vehicle is featured in the GM booth this year.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

SEMA 2010: Upbeat First Day Begins With Award for AMSOIL

Two years ago a cloud of uncertainty hung over the SEMA Show as the nation wrestled with the collapse of the housing market and the international banking crisis was emerging. Last year attendance was down slightly, but there were signs of hope for a rebound. In 2010 enthusiasm for the future has returned with full force, as attendance is higher than ever, there are more companies here with booths than ever, more new products in the New Product Showcase and more vehicles on display than ever. The auto industry is "back in the drivers seat."

Each year the first day of the show begins with a New Products Awards Breakfast and this was no different. Dave McClelland of Hot Rod TV and the Voice of SEMA led the program here at the Hilton Ballroom. He shared a personal anecdote about his grandson coming along to his first SEMA and how we can sometimes get a little jaded after three decades of attending, not realizing how significant this event is, after which the awards were presented.

There are fifteen awards and more than 1500 entries, which means the odds are long and the judges have a lot of work to do to narrow down their selections. One out of a hundred will receive the recognition that all have been striving for.

After a dozen awards had been presented, Dave McClelland introduced the Best New Powersports Product.... AMSOIL Quickshot SE. McClelland described the product's features and benefits. "AMSOIL Quickshot SE is a premium fuel additive formulated to thoroughly clean and restore peak performance in small engine and powersports equipment fuel systems. It also stabilizes fuel between uses and during short-term storage periods. Its revolutionary technology focuses on three major fuel-related issues plaguing small engines and powersports equipment: ethanol, water and dirty pump gas."

Needless to say, for AMSOIL this made for a great beginning to another exciting SEMA Show.