Two things that make me love being a car guy.
 

1. Grassroots Motorsports editorials.
GRM's editors don't just type up some one-page diatribe about how gas prices are high and obscure invite-only events are not serving enough good caviar. They write about the daily grind and their own real life. They have oil stains in their driveway and wives that disapprove sometimes. They can't afford the best tools and dont get freebies to drive that were made in the last 6 months. They're real people and they're on the same limited budget we're on. They've got kids and jobs and barely enough time in the day, but they love cars and make time for them.

2. Top Gear (UK).
No other show on television is so uninhibited in its exploitation of itself. I know the three of them are automobile elitists, but they really know how to speak to me. They take their segments far enough that when I'm impressed already, they go even further. They crack the jokes that are waiting to be cracked. They pull ridiculous stunts and get away with it. And then to top it all off in the episode I watched tonight, Clarkson actually sheds tears of joy after crossing the finishline in his diesel BMW enduro car.

If you do anything outside of actually working on your car and enjoying it to make you feel like a true car guy, definitely include the above two things. I guarantee you'll never feel guilty about your hobby.

Oh, that episode with the diesel BMW race was a classic. I love that show. Too bad the American adaptation of it ("Gear") will suck SOOO much. :(

I love GRM and Topgear, they're like playboy that I can't get in trouble with the g/f for.

I don't think I could have said it better myself man.

Man, that statement really hits close to home...


My G/F just renewed my GRM subscription, and we watch Top Gear every monday night on BBC America.

:werd::bigtu:

I concur. I like how top gear, unlike american TV, can say things like, "this product sucks and you should not buy it."

GRM is so right in every way.

I like top gear over grassroots...cause i cant read and the picture don't move in magazines.

I love Top gear.
I used to like GRM until i found out that they only accept articles about sponsors or vehicles that use sponsors equipment. My brother who is a published author attempted to submit an article about his very positive experience at a russel race school. They told him no because they(russel racing)was not a sponsor and didn't run ads through the magazine. My jaw dropped and it killed it for me.

oconnor, who do you think makes the mag possible? I agree with them, they have to stay in business.

They both kick absolute ass. Can't wait to see the $2008 challenge entries..

Sure, but it kind of kills (in my mind) the whole "they are one of us" attitude i used to have.
In top gear they give the good and bad of everything. They thrash on everything. they review everything.

GRM will only review sponsors stuff, and its always a positive review. I mind as well read car and driver... Granted they do cool race stuff.

Its just not what I thought, and its not worth my money to buy their magazine. I am not going to pay GRM so that they can run ads. I already pay that in the products i buy.

Thats why I am here on MT.net where i can get your guys opinion on products. Your not being paid by greddy or AEM or BEGI to only review and only say good things.

Imagine if the sponsors here said that you can only talk about sponsors products and you can't complain about it. Oh and you need to pay $54 a year to do so... Nobody would be here.

Sorry for the long rant, I am slow at work... And ZABAC, I agree with you and understand where you are coming from, the above is just the reason that I am on my grandstand with my childish fit throwing.
Now ask me why I am boycotting the City of Berkley and anything that has anything to do with the City!! Semper Fi!!!

You mean Mnet? :giggle:

I know what you are saying, I am just brainwashed in the corporate grand scheme of things, if we make money, it makes sense...

Print and television, even though closely related, are two different animals when it comes to marketing, that's why I understand their take on it, and I guess it does kinda suck for us but it is what it is.

One thing I love: doing the brakes on the DD in a couple of hours and spending $150 on parts, then finding out the neighbor (who couldn't be bothered to learn how to do it) spent over a grand for the same thing at the dealer. And, had to take it back because they didn't bleed them right the first time.

make a cardboard sign saying "pwned" and and waived it at him, i bet he doesn't get that either, lol

I'm a little late to seeing this, but I can assure you the above is not the case. I have to assume their was some miscommunication somewhere along the way, but I think most people who look at GRM would readily see that the magazine is not shy about telling it like it is. Heck, look at our current Berzerkeley project -- there's obviously no sponsor there. It's pretty much scratch-built.

By the way, watch for Turbo Miata stuff coming to the magazine (and site) soon.

I have been watching that one closely. I have a line on a very complete 59 328SE that might find a 600 in it over the winter.:)

is there a GRM employee lurking on the miata turbo forum?

Yes. Not lurking, but stumbled across this post looking for something else altogether.

As you might have picked up on, we have a gruesome tradition that goes something like "Pics or Ban", now since you have a gazziollion cool points already, I am sure you will not get banned, yet, but I think it is due that you show that you guys truely are one of us and that you should at least somewhat obide by this tradition of ours and give us something! A teaser shot, s spy shot, anything to satisfy our need to see a pic of said Turbo Miata. Now, pics or ban! :giggle:

I would, but I don't have anything yet. I hope to later this week, or early next week. I'll keep you posted. Promise.

I didnt even know about a magazine called GRM.

Baxter-sweet, that would be nice, thanks man.
oh and welcome aboard...



Sam-are you fucking serious? GrassRootsMotorsports, you never heard of it?

That's OK. I'm sure that Baxter will attest to the fact that GRM never heard of Sam until today.:giggle:

I'll say Sam needs to head over the website, read up on the past miata content (check project cars, new car reviews and articles), and while he's there request a free issue to check it out himself.

Here's what I know on the Turbo Miata. It's a Flyin' Miata install -- I think it's the one that was installed in a single day at the Mitty -- and there's an article in the next issue (and if you request a free issue now, that's the one you'll get). I think there's also going to be something on the site soon.

Still trying to get a pic.

When I found out about GRM I nearly cried. I had been thinking to myself for years, why isn't there a car magazine that is realistic. Cater's to us HPDE, autocross, local motorsports enthusiasts. A magazine with realistic projects and advice. A magazine that talks about making a $5,000 car perform well.

Damn, that's GRM! Are they perfect? No. There's a whole lot more they could do. Are they 10 times more informative than the regular car mags? NO, they are 50 times better!

It's fun to see reviews of the newest 1000 hp supercar but I will never own one. I wanted GRM. No, verily I say, I needed GRM!

Clarkson crying when he finished in the BMW? Just proves real men can cry too. That was "Brilliant". Those UFC guys cry like babies all the time. Of course if I had my faced caved in by some guy's elbow I'd be crying too but not just because I lost.

Oh, and BAXTER,


We need a current shock/ spring test!!! Take a couple popular brands of race shocks and experiment with different spring rates, ride height, etc. It would be great to see real numbers put with different set ups! Not just, ooh it feels faster.

I wonder if I could do a DIY turbo kit build in a day. I know I can do it in under 2 years.

I'm all for the ultimate cheap miata build and product test. How cool would it be to see a test of the 3 cheapest parts of any category tested against each other? Like cueball says, start with suspensions.

OK, here's a tiny sneak peek... this is Tom (lucky devil) very much obeying that 25 mph speed limit sign in his freshly turbo'd R package.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/med...xter/turbo.jpg

Hello all- I'm the lucky devil that Baxter referenced. I don't spend much time on the forums, but I wanted to check out the neighborhood.

Regarding the magazine comments, I'd like to do a suspension test; the turbo project car is still very stock in terms of suspension. The logistics of a test like this are pretty challenging, but we'll see what develops. After yesterday's autocross, I'm pretty amped up to move forward with something other than 14 year old Bilsteins and leftover Fuzion tires I'm currently riding on.

GRM has pic of me in my ES car on page 153 of the Aug '08 issue. Always fun seeing yourself in print. It is the best car rag IMHO.

Hey Baxter, thanks for getting the problem with the stickers fixed, funny seeing you here.

Great job on the magazine!

I'm not holding my breath on the US Top Gear being even decent, but The Office sure has done well.

Chris

GRM is poetry in every article. Every time I read an article it takes me back to track days at hallett...run a 20 minute session, chasing down tenths and battling with my buddies, then posting up under an oak tree on a hill, breaking a sammich out of the cooler, and watching races until the next session.

Just to whet your appetite for the turbo miata article a little more, we've re-published our DIY turbo article from a few years back online: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/art...ssure-cooking/

awesome. give a man a welder and he can turbocharge the world!

I am always happy when GRM comes down from plate i know i have something to read :D

Get those bilsteins rebuilt and revalved. Get some Koni's. Get some Teins. All mid priced and popular stuff. Maybe throw in a cheapo set too. Get a small mix of spring rates for each, one set stiff, one set moderate. Hit the road and autocross. Give us driving impressions and lap times. We'll be happy campers! If you have extra perches the swaps can go pretty quick!

While I'm blabbing about all the stuff coming up, did you all know about the Win a Day at Bondurant contest?

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/contest/bondurant/

I did just that and I must say the articles are awesome. I recently stopped reading Automobile because it got so friggin monotonous, hopefully your magazine will be more interesting.

I just cant find where to request the free issue?

Click that big "Try it" link, or just go to http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/try/