I think it's a bit different when two small companies compete. This is a HUGE company competing with a small company.

I'm a bit upset, but in an irrational way. I'm not saying it's right to be angry at tirerack because honestly competition in business is good. Hopefully people look at the whole picture before making their purchases. They can get a good deal through tire rack, or buy from emilio who will in return give back to the community. Just my opinion.

I haven't bought 6ULs from emilio, and don't track my car, but I have bought parts from him, and he will continue to get my business because he gives back the community, has reasonable prices, and was very satisfied with his service.

I like the people bitching at Emilio because he requires a pre-order for the wheels with money. It sounds to me like a few of those idiots suck at life and should put the tears to work in professional development.

I think that I'm the only one that menioned that, unless there are some comments on the other thread. Haven't read it.

I have no problem with the preorder. I did it and budgeted for the time that I needed them by ordering them before I needed them.

I'm just saying that many will treat it as a retail store and in their opinion they should be in stock. I'd bet the TR's will be and that alone will net them some sales. Someone will come up with a few bucks, decide they want wheels, call Emilio. He says it will be a few months until the next order/run. Buyer cries and then calls TR where they take the money and ship from stock.

Right or wrong, that's just the way it is.

I think this all depends on the funds available. People who have the money to by the 6UL will probably continue to do so, those who don't will look else where. But now they have another option. BTW this looks a whole lot like a 6UL to me, but since I don't own a set maybe I'm missing something.

Enkei Racing PF01 Bright Silver Paint

I hate to pre-order shit when the vendor can't give me an accurate date when it will arrive. Hopefully these new rims will take enough sales away from him that he will actually be able to keep the wheels in stock.

To me, it comes down to what has TR done for us? Really, what specifically has TR done FOR us, that no other cookie cutter tire distributor can or has done? Sure, they ship fast, they have a huge selection and they have a good reviews feature. So what? I can buy tires @ the same price at nearly every local tire shop - all I have to do it print out the price w/shipping from TR and take it to them and have them price match.

I have bought ALL of my tires from TR for the last 11 years, but not any more. I would rather pay 10% more for my tires than deal with a company that stole the little guy's idea/sales.

How many of you can say that if 949Racing were not around(ie, EMILIO) we would not miss him. How many products has he designed, help designed and brought to us? How many products has TR developed FOR US?

FUCK TIRE RACK!

My last racing wheels I purchased were 6ULs and the next will be also. Bummer I cant get any replacements for my set. :(

Anyone want to sell their spare 15x8 +40 Gen I?

For many of us the fact they do testing and reviews on tires is huge. No other tire seller is doing that. When the magazines want to do a tire test who do they go to? Tirerack.

From Tirerack's perspective they are doing us another favor with these wheels. A reasonably light and strong (maybe) 15x9 wheel set for around $500 when the current standard is closer to $800. I'm sure they would say that is a help to the community.

Is Emilio pissed? Sure. Did he guess it might be coming? I bet he did. You can't create a product as popular as his without it getting noticed. Tirerack is a big supporter of many car forums 949's wheels are popular on. They were sure to notice and did what they thought best for them and likely what they thought best for us. Created a less expensive alternative.

This does smack a little of a CR outcry over copies of their precious JDM goods. If it's not patented or copyrighted, something popular sure as hell will be copied. What Emilio has done and accomplished may not be completely altruistic either. His work is great, innovative and helpful but 949 is a business. Maybe it's a business created to support his track efforts, maybe it's making him a living, maybe it's a grand dream of riches, fame and women. I don't know him personally like the SoCal track rats do, hopefully they can shed some light on that.

I have 6uls. I buy my Carbotech's from Emilio. I've asked him many questions about products and he has always answered in a thoughtful manner. I and other people will continue to buy his wheels. They look great, work well and are reasonably priced for the quality.

I actually like to wait extened periods, longer than suggested, hopefully years. Its fun and gives me something to live for. There is nothing more fulfilling than sending money into a black-hole, wondering if you'll ever see it again. lol

I didn't mind paying more or waiting for quality. I have a short list of wheels I'd put on it, and 6ULs are cheaper and wider than TE-37s.

I heard someone bitching about the Grassroots Magazine owner because "he only has that magazine so he can go racing!" Lol, that sounds like a great idea to me.

The socal track rats are dirty homosexuals living in sin.

Having a business to support and excuse your track habit certainly wasn't being criticized by me! It is a great idea if you can make it work. There's a lot of big race shops that started out that way.

My point is I don't know how big 949 is or what Emilio's plans and dreams for the business are. Is he losing money? Clearing 40K? Clearing 400K? Is he A. innovative and hard working because he's a dedicated track nut trying to help the community. or B. Planning world domination? The guys that know him personally are really pissed about tire rack. People that don't have that personal relationship or insider knowledge don't know whether to be upset or not!

Funny how nobody cares about this type of thing until it happens to themselves or a friend.

agreed! and are there even pics of these wheels? hopefully they're not as ugly as the 6uls:fawk:

In for the flame war! :firedevil

949 is his day job. If I had to guess, I'd say he puts in 80-90hrs a week. Can't count the number of times I've emailed or texted him past 10pm and gotten a response.

AAAAaaaaaand the m.n thread is now locked.

Maybe that should happen to this one as well.

gtfo.

Tire Rack saw that there where Miata people standing in line with money in hand in this fuckup economy to buy a wonderful rim that was specially sized for racing. They also saw that there was not enough of those rims to supply the demand. Being rim people themselves they got in the game. Sucks for Emilio, but Emilio will continue to sell all the Miata wheels he produces. Why? The SexUaL (6UL) are stonger, lighter and better looking than cheaper knockoffs that TRM will sell. But it still sucks for the Emilio to now have to compete with the giant!

"bashing"? what a pussy.