Well it was quite the adventure to get to the 2010 SEMA show in Las Vegas with our Ford Fiesta project vehicle. We only had a few short weeks to complete the vehicle and transport it out to Nevada for the show. After final assembly and installing the vinyl graphics package we only had 48 hours to spare before the car was needed to be handed over to Ford at the show. We packed the trailer and took off to Vegas, 36 hours later we were there and we enjoyed a much earned nights sleep before the load in day. The car was placed at the point position in the entrance to the ride and drive area. This was a prime spot at the show and this is where a large majority of the traffic would be taking place over the week. This area was also home to the GAS display, the CORE racing truck demonstration, the Ford Raptor ride and Drive, the Mustang ride and drive, the Ken Block Fiesta demo and the Vaugn Gitten Jr. Mustang demo. We were very pleased to work with Ford on this project and we look forward to what the 2011 SEMA show brings us. Keep an eye out for the Batlground Ford Fiesta at numerous motorsports events around the Southeast United States during the 2011 season. Check out facebook.com/batlground to keep up on all the daily news.
KEEP YOUR BROWERS LOCKED ON TO THE BLOG WELL HAVE PLENTY MORE ACTION ON THE ROAD AND FROM SEMA 2010. AND LOOK OUT FOR THE LIVE BROAD CAST FROM SEMA!!!!!!
Eric S. Guo
Co-Founder
Future Shock Enterprises
KEEP ON DRIFTING IN THE MIDNIGHT SUN !
Thanks for checking the vids, Be sure to come back for more vids of Batlgrounds Ford fiesta journey to the west -SEMA 2010-
Thank you to our Partners : Adam Matthews @ Eibach Springs , Edo Ichikawa @ Falken Tires , And Speical Thanks to FORD Motor Co. (and your name here if you were involved with this project). if you dont see your name here sorry, we didnt forget just really busy well get you on the next one
Today we installed the big brake kit on the Batlground Ford Fiesta SEMA car. These things were freakin huge, I think we will be able to do an endo with them once we get some super sticky tires on the car. Everything installed perfectly, the fit and finish were great and they working flawlessly. Now we just have to pick the correct wheels to allow enough clearance between them and these huge suckers. Who knows, this may be too much brake for the car. We will test them out soon enough to find out. Take a look at the pictures and watch for the most current play by play updates at www.facebook.com/batlground and www.facebook.com/batldan.
Yesterday we received our custom Batlground Motorsports LLC coilovers in from the manufacturer and I decided to go ahead and install them. They are 32 way adjustable coilovers with valving and spring rates suited for SCCA auto crossing events and spirited street driving. The install was very straightforward and the fitment was spot on, that is a rare occurrence with most newly developed parts on cars these days. I cant wait to get the Batlground big brake kit on today and get the exact wheel fitment so we can get her lowered and looking good. If you missed the live broadcast on justin.tv/batlground yesterday dont worry, we will be broadcasting all of the build process every day so catch up with us whenever you have time.
The Fiesta is getting fitted with some premium sound options. First off is a stout Kenwood 2 channel amplifier to deliver the power. Next a super slim, super powerful Kenwood Execelon 10-inch subwoofer that handles a whopping 1200 wattts of power with only a 4-inch mounting depth, to keep as much space free in the trunk as possible. Monster Mobile Audio(check them out on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Monster-Mobile-Audio/354165238961?ref=ts is completing the custom fibrglass and carbon fiber enclosure. When finished, this combo will provide enough bass to get any Fiesta going.
Today I finished up the cold air intake for the Fiesta. It was pretty simple and we only had to go a short distance to put the filter into a fresh air stream. The custom milled mass air flow adapter was a pain to make but it all turned out to look real good.
I also gathered some measurements for the wheels. It looks like I might be able to fit a 10 inch wide wheel in there with a 2 inch widebody kit. I would say that is plenty of meat to keep this light car on the road.
Batlground received its Ford Fiesta SEMA car yesterday and wasted no time ripping into it. We are planning a widebody kit for the car, coilovers, big brakes, front racing seats in leather trim, a removable carbon fiber stereo box, cold air intake and exhaust system. We measured everything today, ordered the stereo equipment, worked on the cold air intake, got the coilovers and brakes ordered, and arranged the leather upholstery to be installed onto the racing bucket seats. Tomorrow is another day and we are trying to knock this thing out as quick as possible.
So, I was in the local paper here in Atlanta yesterday. Oh did I mention it was the cover of the Living Section…with a color photo? Aside from all of the people who call you to try to sell you something IMMEDIATELY, it’s pretty cool being in the paper. I have been in several magazine and on TV a few times, but this is different. This a mass market that is getting to hear about us and our vision here at Batlground….not the same ole niche of car people that get to see us all of the time. Not that the niche isn’t awesome. Obviously, I am am submerged in the community and love every second of my life and really have the niche to thank for everything. I guess what I mean is that it is nice to feel like I may be able to introduce some of the masses to the niche and maybe one day the niche will be considered big time like NASCAR and all of my dirty racer friends will be rich and famous! Tee Hee. It’s a fantastic dream that I hope comes true one day.
In all honesty, I think the best way to serve the masses is to appeal to women. They run the house these days. They aren’t mousy little housewives that do as told and cook dinner and have babies. They are strong and powerful decision makers who in reality do it all. I think it’s about time everyone realize that…including the women out there. I have been lucky enough to have a less than desirable life turn into an amazing one. I would love nothing more than to pass that on. Maybe the women I am reaching out to didn’t have a rough life, per say. Maybe they had it just fine, but generally got treated like a princess. Either way, some of us want a little something rough and tough in our life other than our men. It makes us feel cool and a little more respected. I am offering it up on a platter.
Anyways, I am really excited to have the opportunity to spread the good word about cars to the women who want to know. I’m not going to sit here and act like a genius when it comes to all of that. The only thing that I have that makes me even a little special is years of experience and a man who is willing to stand side by side with me. I know some women don’t necessarily have the support system I do and I totally get that. That’s why I would like to share mine. I have to admit, Dan was a little worried for me when I started to reach out to women regarding all of this car stuff. Mostly because of the fact that it is rare to see a woman out there doing what I try my best to do — and that makes me “special”. I have worked a lot of years to earn respect and some might say that I am just giving it away for free and trust me…I love being special, but I feel compelled. It could be totally selfish. I am honestly tired of being the only one out there.
Once upon a time, there was a drift event where all of the big name female drifters were (all 3 of them!! Ha Ha)…and I was there, too. I can’t tell you how cool it was to get advice from Verena rather than Dan. She just had a different way of explaining it to me. Somehow she was able to help me understand things that Dan couldn’t. Maybe it’s the way men explain things, maybe it was her demeanor, but whatever it was, it felt real nice to have her and the other girls out there and I will never forget it.
Here is a video from that event. We were totally acting like girls:
Anyhow, red the article. Get all warm and fuzzy and for crying out loud, tell your women — moms, sisters, aunts, nieces, wives, girlfriends — about the things I have coming up. If they have interest in ANY of it, have them email me tracyshayhorn@gmail.com. I am on a mission.
I will list some upcoming events for women below:
August 1st — First Auto Intuition workshop for women
August 15th — First all female drifting event at AMS.
December — Begin using our new Ford Fiesta to teach women how to drive a stick
March — Begin to share our new Ford Fiesta with other women who want to race but don’t have a car
And if you have any other ideas, please feel free to let me know. I am wide open to anything I can help with. I am in the process of trying to get together an all female grip driving day, but booking a venue this late in the season can be tough.
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This is going to be off topic (from cars), but I think you will appreciate it. I have a lot of things going on in my life and sometimes it gets hard to balance. […]
