Government Bail Out, a phrase that sends chills down my spine. Why? Simple really. I think the government is wasting our hard earn money by giving it to companies who really don’t deserve it and the only reason why they are getting it is because they hold something over all of our heads… the economy self destruct button.

With the latest bail out headline involving the automobile industry, it really started to put things in perspective for me. Why is it that a small company owner, when applying for a loan from a bank, is required to provide a personal guarantor in order secure the loan (as well as list all available company and personal assets as collateral), but the companies receiving the bail out money are not required to provide any sort of personal guarantor/collateral to secure the bail out loan (other then company percentage)? I could be wrong but from the articles I’ve read so far, I haven’t really seen any sort of statement that proves me wrong or really secures a plan B for getting the tax payers money back if the company should fall on its face.

I think if you want to save our economy, stop giving money to the companies that have failed and continue to fail in a system designed to only benefit upper management. I can promise you that if you some how made the company decision makers personally liable for the company’s financial health you would see a difference in how the company is run. In my opinion, most of these large companies really don’t have that motivation or drive to really do what is needed to make the company truly successful. I believe the CEO’s (and upper management) get too comfortable with their big financial benefits and are not motivated by much to make the company as good as it should be.

Throwing money at the situation doesn’t change things. There has to be something that really makes these CEO’s motivated to better their company to pay us back faster and bring their company out of the financial red. If we continue to give money out like this, I’m afraid that it will only delay the inevitable. Make the CEO (or decision maker(s)) financially responsible for the well being of the company or else we will probably see more companies like Citibank come back asking for more money, which won’t be good for anyone.

If you have a opinon about this or you think I’m full of it, then let me know by posting your opinion.

See similar:

Other Posts That May Interest You:

• Logitech G25 Steering Wheel with PlayStation 3
• Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) has released a new Heavy Duty performance clutch kit and components for the 07-09 Mazdaspeed 3, 05-07 Mazdaspeed 6.
• Agency Power Rear Control Arms
• Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to Provide i MiEV Electric Vehicles to Southern California Edison’s Industry Leading EV Technical Center for Joint Testing and Evaluation
• 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS: Project TrackWhore :: Part 5 : Body Prep

ACT’s new clutch kit for the Mazdaspeed 3 and Mazdaspeed 6 features a Heavy Duty Pressure Plate that incorporates hardened diaphragm fingers for decreased wear and provides a 48% increase in clamp force over the stock unit.

The ACT Street Clutch Kit combines the Heavy Duty Pressure Plate and a Performance Organic Disc, a disc that features special performance organic friction materials to withstand increased heat and abuse, steel backed linings for high burst strength and modifications engineered for quicker shifting. The ACT Street Clutch Kit provides increased pedal feel, smooth engagement and significantly improved consistency, durability and increases the torque capacity to 365 lbs/ft.

ACT Race Clutch Kits will hold 470 lbs/ft of torque. Metallic Ceramic Xtreme Discs are available in 4 and 6 puck sprung and un-sprung hub designs and are very durable while allowing for quick shifting. The Xtreme Discs are design for high power engines and are recommended for track use only.
APPLICATION PART # TORQUE CAPACITY CLAMP LOAD
ACT Street Clutch Kit ZX4-HDSS 365 LBS/FT 48%
ACT Race Clutch Kit (4 Puck) ZX4-HDR4* 470 LBS/FT 48%
ACT Race Clutch Kit (4 Puck Sprung Hub) ZX4-HDG4* 470 LBS/FT 48%
ACT Race Clutch Kit (6 Puck) ZX4-HDR6* 470 LBS/FT 48%
ACT Race Clutch Kit (6 Puck Sprung Hub) ZX4-HDG6* 470 LBS/FT 48%

*NOTE: All kits with the ZX4 prefix will include our SFI certified billet steel flywheel, MZ027 pressure plate, RB110 release bearing, AT03 alignment tool and your choice of clutch disc.

All ACT Pressure Plates and discs for the Mazdaspeed 3 and Mazdaspeed 6 are SFI certified. Kits include a new release bearing.

ACT clutches deliver the maximum holding power by applying a series of sound engineering advancements to new (not rebuilt) components which maximizes load and reduces flex. The result is maximum torque capacity, long life and clean, fast shifting. ACT is a premier clutch manufacturer that has more than 300 different applications and more than 500 performance clutch kits. The company’s product line features clutches and forged flywheels for the most popular vehicles in the sport compact car market. ACT is headquartered in Lancaster, California.

www.advancedclutch.com

See similar:

Other Posts That May Interest You:

• To Market or Not to Market
• Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to Provide i MiEV Electric Vehicles to Southern California Edison’s Industry Leading EV Technical Center for Joint Testing and Evaluation
• Porsche Press Release: 2010 911 GT3 RS
• Back to Business: Rally America National Championship Round 7, Ojibwe Forest Rally, Bemidji Minnesota August 21-23.
• DENSO to Build New Test Facility for Diesel Common Rail Systems in Japan

Part 2 is all about body repair and paint.  My Impreza RS was originally painted black, which is okay but if I’m going through the trouble of stripping the car, might as well go for the color I really want.  The color of choice, Evo 9 MR grey.  Definitely not a common color on RS’s and after seeing a great example online of one already painted in the same color, I couldn’t resist.

The RS originally had some rust issues and dents.  Thanks to my autobody master of a friend (thanks Chris!), the car has all of its blemishes cleared up.  I also took the time to roll the rear fenders as far out as I could in preparation for 235 tire widths.   The front fenders will be replaced with 22b style fenders for the front, so I should be fine for tire clearance.

With all the prep work done, it was time to send off the car to paint. In the meantime, I will start ordering the items needed for the swap and I will update with pics as soon as I have them.

Photo Gallery:

See similar:

Other Posts That May Interest You:

• First Blog, First Entry
• RaceOnUSA Carbon Fiber OEM Front Fenders
• ATI Super Damper for Mini Cooper Engines
• D1 Grand Prix Update
• Project Evo: Tanabe Sustec & TEAS Review

· Carlsson launches a personalization program for the second generation Smart Fortwo
· Sport springs, aerodynamic styling, sport exhaust, interior accessories
· Carlsson wheel design 1/11 Evo BE in 16 and 17-inch sizes

Miami, FL (November 14, 2008)—GGI European Tuning, the exclusive North American importer of the Carlsson brand,is pleased to announce that Carlsson is now offering a comprehensive personalization program for the second generation Smart Fortwo, the smallest car in the Daimler AG vehicle range. Carlsson’s high quality component design and sense of style transform the popular Smart Fortwo into an even more uniquely individualized machine.

All tuning starts with a set of distinctive alloy wheels. Apart from looking good, an alloy wheel should be light and strong, qualities that complement the agile handling of the Smart Fortwo.

Carlsson designed the 1/11 Evo BE as its signature wheel for the Smart Fortwo. It is their first stop on the road to making this diminutive city car stand out from the crowd. Sold as a set of four with 16”x7.0” and 17”x7.5” sizes front and rear, the polished and high-gloss varnish coated surface of the 1/11 Evo BE alloy wheel catches the eye whether the car is stationary or on the move. Carlsson North America recommends Continental 195/45R16 tires in front and either Continental 215/35R17 or Continental 205/40R17 tires at the rear.

Sport springs lower the ride height by around 25mm, and in combination with the larger wheels and tires, the car takes on a more rugged, foursquare stance. The lower center of gravity and wider track result in crisper steering response, reduced roll and significantly enhanced cornering ability. The increased mechanical grip is particularly beneficial at the front axle as the standard car is prone to understeer when pushed hard into tight bends.

The Carlsson aerodynamic styling additions give the Smart Fortwo a significantly more purposeful look all round. The polyurethane front spoiler, which attaches to the standard bumper, is complemented by an electro-polished, stainless-steel grill insert and fog lights with chrome surrounds.

At the rear, a new valance, also molded from OEM quality polyurethane, incorporates a diffuser. Carlsson offers this in combination with a stainless-steel rear silencer with four polished exit pipes for the 84hp turbocharged motor, and as an end-pipe only system for the 61 and 71bhp versions. Only available for gas-engined Fortwo variants, this exhaust upgrade looks striking and delivers a deeper, more prominent note.

Carlsson’s Smart Fortwo interior program at this time includes an aluminum pedal set and handbrake grip. Carlsson is renowned for its custom interior trim work on Mercedes cars.  Special leathers and fabrics are available for the Smart Fortwo on special order.

For more information about Carlsson’s exclusive individualization program for Mercedes-Benz cars,
please visit www.ggituning.com or call 305-717-3133.

Photo Gallery:

See similar:

Other Posts That May Interest You:

• Best Grease Money Can Buy—Waterproof Green Grease™
• Web Marketing Firm, Boost Labs, Signs on GURU, Inc as a New Client
• BoostLabs.com New Website Redesign is Launched
• Video of 2010 Porsche 911 GTR RS
• Car Control Boot Camp at Team O’Neil Rally School

Miami, FL (November 14, 2008) — GGI European Tuning, the exclusive North American importer of the Carlsson, Hartge and Sportec brands,announced last week at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV that ABT Sportsline will become the newest brand to join GGI’s already impressive aftermarket component lineup for sport and luxury automobiles. GGI General Manager Arturo Guerrero explained, “Adding Audi and Volkswagen products complements our current product offering so we now cover the most popular German cars in North America. A partnership with ABT is ideal because they are the leader in Audi and Volkswagen tuning in Europe, and we were very impressed by their engineering and quality control.”

Based in Kempten, Germany, ABT Sportsline is a factory-authorized tuner of Audi and Volkswagen vehicles. ABT’s remarkable 111-year history in business and background in motorsports are the basis for their trend-setting designs and technology. GGI European Tuning will offer the full complement of ABT Sportsline’s components for Audi and Volkswagen. This includes power upgrades, suspension modifications, aerodynamic components, wheels, exhaust systems, and complete ABT Sportsline vehicles.

GGI also announced that they will exclusively offer Yokohama Advan tires with ABT tuning packages.

At the time of the announcement, GGI unveiled their Yokohama-shod ABT-tuned Audi A5 (ABT AS5) at an exclusive VIP event at the Las Vegas Hilton Tuesday evening of the SEMA show. The car was then put on display in the GGI European Tuning booth in the convention center’s South Hall for the duration of the show.

For more information about ABT Sportsline’s components for Audi and Volkswagen vehicles, call 305-717-3133 or visit www.ggituning.com (ABT products to debut January, 2009).

Photo Gallery:

See similar:

Other Posts That May Interest You:

• Jim Russell Racing Drivers School’s Lancer Evolution Experience Kicks Off at Mitsubishi Owners Day 2009
• Project Evo: The Basics: Part 1
• ATI Super Damper for Mini Cooper Engines
• Project Evo: Blow Off Valve Install
• Cosworth EVO X Valve Spring Upgrade (4B11)

I get a ton of PM’s (private messages) on the forums and even emails from people asking how they could start their own community forum.    My response back is usually asking what the forum is for (subject/theme).  95% of the time it’s a vague answer.  What they are mostly interested in is the income potential, which really doesn’t surprise me.

Why am I not surprised?  Well mainly because I had four popular community forums and I recently sold them off.  Why did I do it?  Simple answer: I needed change.  Money wasn’t everything and to me there was more to life then being stuck with something you are not passionate about anymore. To me passion is what makes you successful in life.

Notice how I didn’t mention money?  Money is great, don’t get me wrong but I think the way online community forums are being looked are more money machines then passion for what you love.  You can see that with some of the forums that are out there currently.  More people are spending the time to create the forum,  trying to get traffic, and eventually bailing out because they are not making the money they want (also not realizing the amount of work that it takes to keep one running).  It’s a shame really.  Why can’t people just build forums they are passionate about.  There’s nothing wrong with making money, but don’t let it be your only motivation.

I know some will call me a hypocrite but I guess starting from scratch again has really opened my eyes a bit.  I now realize that once you build something to put on the net you have a responsibility to make it good and keep it good for as long as you are running it (commit to it), otherwise it’s a waste of everyones time.  The only way to make a site good is to actually love the subject/theme you are working with.  Your industry will appreciate it and so will your users.

Thanks for reading my rant!!

See similar:

Other Posts That May Interest You:

• Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana scored the first victory of the 2009 season with a decisive win at Sno*Drift in northern Michigan.
• Buck The Recession
• New Internet Marketing Consulting Company, Boost Labs, Is Open For Business
• AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET ASSOCIATIONS JOIN FORCES TO OPPOSE FEDERAL “CASH FOR CLUNKERS” PROGRAM
• Tina Fey as Sarah Palin on SNL : Full Version