DATR ‘09 Daily Driver Racing Wheels for Meals
Cover Worthy Art
Staff Editor in Chief Richard Melick Photography Editor Mike Selander Layout Editor Aaron Crooks Staff Photographer Erik Melander Contributers Chuck Maybee Mini5280 Minis in the Mountains Ian Cole Wasabi Race Team Racing Your Daily Reggie White Wheels for Meels Justin Blackburn Intrigue Detail Winter Detail Aaron Blair Firestone in Parker, CO Winter Tires Alex Baker Photography Locations Š Mike Selander
Š Richard Melick
Contents Fall 2009 :: Issue 5 Looking Back The Editor’s words Minis in the Mountains Liitle Cars, Big Mountains Nu Vintage Bug In Old school Dubs gather Racing Your Daily Yes, it can be done. DATR 2009 The biggest show in Colorado Meals for Wheels Raising money to help others Detailing Prepping your car for winter Touring Colorado Head to the hills! Winter Tires It’s coming. Here’s your guide Photo Find the perfect location
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Looking Back From September ‘08 to now, it's always been about you. A little over a year ago, EuroBerge was established and published as the only Colorado based magazine focusing on the European automotive scene. Since that first issue of 10 pages with a few articles and photos, we have grown to a point that none of us ever imagined we would. As overwhelming as it might be every day, we all get excited about the future of the magazine, what we will be bringing to you the readers, and what is next in store for the company itself. Now before you stop reading in fear of the big changes, let me make one promise to you; we will always stick by our roots of being a free publication that is for the enthusiasts and by the enthusiasts. So many other magazines tote this little slogan but dont necessarily deliver on it. That is where we are different. Each one of our writers is an enthusiast that you can meet at shows or races, or a local industry leader that you can call and ask for advice on a certain matter. I personally feel there is nothing healthier for a community like ours than that personal touch with each article and couldn’t be more proud than to be apart of this magazine. Now, this past summer was one of the greatest for events for all to enjoy. We had some great shows, drives, community get togethers, and open houses. In my opinion, the community has only grown for the better as each event has pushed itself to be better than the last, and the proverbial bar has been set higher for the next year. Like every enthusiast out there, event organizers are inspired by what they see in the community. With your feedback before and after
events, they are able to bring you a better product every year. I commend each group that has taken the time to work on these events and provide great times for the community members over the past few months. But, with the winter months coming up and cold weather approaching fast, these events will slowly begin to dwindle away. Some clubs will have their normal get togethers and there will be a few shows here and there. but overall will be limited. This does not have to be how it is, so I call out to you all to start something new this year. Establish a fall drive with your club, or a ski trip to one of our local resorts. You can grab a group of friends and head up to one of the many ice racing events for a day of racing fun as well. Or maybe just a big holiday dinner for everyone to come and enjoy the season with their closest friends. This helps the community stay active in the fall and winter and gives many people something to do other than sit and watch the leaves fall. So with all that in mind, I present to you our fall issue for 2009. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy putting it together. And as usual, I invite each and every one of you to contact any of the staff with your ideas, comments, or concerns at any time. Without each and every one of you, we would not be here. I thank you for your support and look foward to seeing you on the road.
Richard Melick Editor in Chief
MI TM-'09
Minis in the mountains What could make the Colorado Rocky Mountains better, or improve on a fun car like the MINIs? Put them together and you get the best weekend event for MINI lovers in the nation. MINIs in the Mountains is a local event held nationally or perhaps a national event held locally—either way MITM is an event for all MINIs and Minis from Colorado and across the nation. This year’s event was the fourth in so many yearsand was again held at Copper Mountain Resort . As always it resulted in new friendships, new MINI mod purchases and a renewed appreciation for the Colorado Rockies and its many fun twisty roads. Nearly 150 MINIs reg-
istered for the 3-day event, which included vendors, group rides, a banquet and a couple of midnight runs up Mt. Evans. The weather was as close to perfect as possible in August with only a few brief showers and some clouds. The temperatures soared into the upper 60’s during the day and fell to the lower 30’s at night making for excellent motoring and better sleeping. While Denver sweltered in the 90’s we at MITM felt as if Mother Nature had turned on the air conditioning just for us. Friday found a departure from years past by elimination of the typical banquet meal in favor of a group feed opportunity at
a barbeque contest held in Dillon, CO. MITM attendees were invited to purchase taste tickets and load-up on the contest en-
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tries and other vittles. A raffle ticket ensured a chance for entry in to a drawing for the night and the winner received their prize at the next evening’s festivities. On Saturday the event premiered the first NUF! Car show with MINIs and Minis parked in Copper Village. The public wandered about the show cars with gasps of adulation and astonishment as the show judges sternly evaluated each entry. Winners for the various categories were calculated and prizes presented during the Saturday night banquet
along with numerous other vendor sponsored prizes. The vendor list this year was longer then previous years and included everything from leather jackets, custom shift knobs, grille badges and clear bras to MINI themed cards, decals, lubricants, window tint and performance mods. Even a few trailer mounts were given away. Ralph Schomp MINI was again one of the sponsoring vendors and provided the event MINIs with a free service check as well as a fully outfitted MINI store and test drives of a new Cooper S.
This is the seminal event for MINI5280 and once again, through the efforts of Jonathan Souza and Rick Gonzales as well as a host of club volunteers, MITM went off with minimal hiccups and no calamities. Many a MINI motorer could be heard planning for next year’s MITM and our club is more then happy to provide the opportunity. MITM is one of the three largest annual events for the MINI community and we are proud to display our state and our twisties to the rest of the nation.
MI TM-'09 “The public wandered about the show cars with gasps of adulation and astonishment as the show judges sternly evaluated each entry.”
Article By chuck Maybee Photos By Mike Selander
Š Erik Melander
25th Annual
Nu Vintag After having an unseasonably rainy spring and early summer in 2009, the climate moved to scorching under the sun for the 25th annual NuVintage Bug-In. Usually occurring on the first weekend of August, this year’s event took place on Sunday the 9th. The Volkswagen-specific show has been running at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison since the event’s conception in 1984. The track, carved into the red rock foothills, is nested just south of I-70 and west of C-470 providing a glorious view east towards the Denver high-rise. Hundreds flocked to the opening gates at daybreak to enter before the mid-morning rush to the registration booth. Within a few hours after sunrise, the Colorado heat-wave was increasing temperature rapidly; ice-filled coolers and frozen water bottles were starting to dry up. To seek refuge from the heat several huddled underneath umbrellas, popup tents, opened hatches and building overhangs for shade. The only thing that didn’t seem to melt in the sun was the 202 show entries that were separated by production generation and cooling-type. Predominantly the Bug-In event has been an air-cooled show boasting originally owned and highly modified Beetles, Things, and Buses. But the older the aircooleds get the more water-cooled model popularity springs up with the same passion and perseverance to be unique in every way. In lieu of shifting to the electric hybrid power in the automotive industry, one of first prototype fully-electric rolling chassis from an air-cooled Beetle was on
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ge Bug In
Article and Photos by Erik Melander display. Such other engineering and fabrication marvels were on display from a rear-engine, rear-wheel drive MK3 GTI, to complete tubular frame Baja vehicles fitted with new and classic powertrains. Along with showing off the eye-catching goods, just over half of the show participants demonstrated the powertrain amenities on the track. Street daily, road racing, vintage racing, and drag-specific cars lined up for side-by-side time trials in the mid-morning. Racers were allowed four passes to determine their dial-in time before the elimination bracketed competition started in the early afternoon. Those passes during the mid-day heat allowed for drivers to adjust engine parameters such as ignition timing and boost, to other physical attributes including tire pressure, launching characteristics, and aerodynamics. The field of partaking racers had a wide range of times from leaving the starting beam till crossing the finish line; anywhere from the low 11’s to the mid 22-second tier. For the drag-strip elimination rounds contestants have to battle against their dialin time, and the opposite driver’s dial-in time in the other racing lane. It’s not the type of race of where the fastest car wins; there’s more depth, so pay close attention. The dial-in time is set by the driver, which predicts the clock time of what their own car will complete the quartermile gallop. With each race the car with the slowest dial-in time leaves the light tree first. The faster dialed-in timed car
Nu Vintage Bug In
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is given the green light after the slower dialed-in vehicle, exactly the difference between the two dialed-in times. With both cars now hauling to the end, if the slow car makes it to the line first, they are the winner. If the faster car makes the sprint down the track and passes the slower car to cross the line first, they are the winner. However, there’s a catch; the dial-in time cannot be undercut, or a “breakout” of the drivers’ expected time to make it to the finish line. If a breakout occurs, the other car is deemed the winner of the round. If both cars breakout during the heat the winning vehicle is determined by the least amount time from their respective dial-in times; see the illustrations for examples on the possible win-lose scenarios throughout the races. Each set of passes narrowed the field down by knocking out matched opponents, and the winners moved on to the next elimination. From a handful of rounds of side-by-side racing, the competition dwindled down to a pair of finalists in each class. There were three class divisions: Pro-Eliminator, Sportsman Eliminator, and Watercooled Eliminator. Pro-Eliminator is the 9.50 – 13.80 second bracket that does not allow any electronics for launching. Keith Huff won over Keith Oliver with a 12.894 @ 100.17mph. Sportsman is the 12.00 – 19.99 second bracket that does not allow any transmission braking for launching. Bryan Davis took top spot above Jeff Mortimer with a 16.326 @ 77.89mph. The Watercooled grouping allowed all water-cooled engine street cars. Michael Stiffey
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grabbed the win from Andrew Augustain with a 18.807 @ 72.06mph. As the shows leading provider, NuVintage brought their staff and a few of their projects for display. The gem was a butterscotch metallic Beetle that had the roofline chopped and lowered, with reversed hinged doors that opened at the a-pillar. The interior was matched with tan leather and golden inserts on the doors and headliner. Along with NuVintage, several other organizations came together to attribute. Painter’s Grinding and 23 Deluxe, two of Denver’s off-road Volkswagen part suppliers and fabrication were on-site exhibiting their work. Flash Rods, who create die cast cars wrapped around USB hard drives and jump-drives, the Volkswagen Enthusiasts of Colorado (VWEC), and Motorworks Restorations contributed and aided to the event at Bandimere. During the peak of the morning, more than 2200 v-dub gear heads scoured the south end of paddock to find long-lost golden treasures. Some 60 swap-meet locations were swarmed with multi-generational parts, collectables, original maintenance and marketing literature. Framed invoices to
Nu Vintage Bug In
nostalgic signs were a steal of a find for the older owners, where the die-cast and remote controlled Volkswagen replicas appealed to the younger offspring. Trinkets, badges, trim pieces, patches; it literally could all be found sprawled out on the black tar lot. After surveying the entire parts bin availability, it was quite possible that one could have built an entire air-cooled Beetle at the show from the ground up. One of the appealing attributes of the junc-
ture was the several side events. Young children were able to race modified aircooled valve covers fitted with axles and wheel, to go down a sloped railed track. Think you have the strength to push your air-cooled or water-cooled vehicle 1000 feet down the drag-strip with keeling over? Grab two other buddies and go up against other 3-person teams to see who can get their vehicle to the end first. Teams huffed and puffed putting up 17-second or more times to
win the bracket. Even with the super hot ultra-violet rays beating with people scrambling around for gobs of sunscreen, the Bug-In event is a popular show that gives participants a diverse variety of vehicles, events, and gifts. Look forward to next year’s event under the blistering sun; it’s worth the burn and lobster-red skin color effect.
Camera : Canon EOS 40D Aperture Value: f/4 Focal Length 200 mm ISO: 100 Shutter Speed: 1/660 sec
Š Erik Melander
MI TM-'09
Š Mike Selander
One Year Celebration! What better way to celebrate the one year anniversery of the first EuroBerge issue than to have a fan appreciation contest?
If our Facebook fan page reaches 500 fans by January 1, 2010 at midnight, we will be entering all the fans into a random drawing for some great prizes! That’s right! All you have to do is become a fan of our Facebook page to enter into the contest.
facebook.com/EuroBerge Contest sponsored by the following Colorado companies:
Legal: No purchase necessary. Contest open to any legal US resident with valid identification. Prizes must be redeemed in the state of Colorado. By becoming a fan of EuroBerge on Facebook, you agree to all terms and conditions as provided by Facebook.com. Winners will be picked at random and notified through Facebook of winnings.
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Racing Your Daily
Have all that European performance, but nowhere to open up? Have no fear, the solution is closer than you think. Article by Ian Cole
Photography by Erik Melander
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So, your idea of a fun weekend drive is rowing through the gears as you toss your car through the canyon corners, feeling the exhilaration of massive g-forces pushing your body in all directions.. Unfortunately, the local law enforcement agencies do not share your appreciation for performance driving. To the contrary, they take a dim view of your position that you know these canyons like the back of your hand and that you are a safer driver than the chronic left lane camper doing 10 miles per hour under the speed limit on I-25. As a result, you have sought out other avenues to hone your driving prowess. But is your car ready; are you ready?
For regular readers, previous articles have detailed the options available to high performance driving enthusiasts: Autocrossing and Track Events. The Rocky Mountain chapter of the SCCA offers both Autocrossing and Performance Driving experience, and NASA offers their High Performance Driving Experience program in the Rocky Mountain Region , , .Each program provides an excellent opportunity to experience high performance driving in more controlled, and legal, environment. And while all these programs welcome and encourage the use of your street car, some preparation of both the car and the driver will go a long way to assure your full enjoyment of your time at the event. CAR PREPARATION
While not abusive, autocrossing and track events do put more wear and tear on a car than normal day-to-day driving, unless your daily commute involves the aforementioned canyon bombing. There is always risk of something breaking, but high performance driving activities are more likely to accelerate the breaking of equipment that is on its way to failure, rather than causing an outright failure of a component that is in perfect operating condition. As such, a little preparation can go a long way to assuring that you will be able to drive your car home, not ride shotgun with the tow truck driver.
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Prior to the Event: •If you have done any recent maintenance or upgrades, pay a visit to each nut and bolt that was loosened or replaced as part of the effort to assure none have come loose. •Check your tires. Nearly bald or cord showing can result in your not being allowed to participate, or having a blow-out at an inopportune time, which can result in more damage than just a bad tire. •Get a tune-up. When was the last periodic maintenance performed? Do a regular check of the oil, spark plugs, fluid levels, and air filter, and replace as necessary. •Perform a “once over” visual inspection of all critical components. Look at your suspension and make sure nothing is cracking or broken. Check the wear level of your brake pads and rotors. Check the belts on your engine. •Set up your tool box. Include all the tools that you think you will need to perform basic adjustments and maintenance on your car. A small, dedicated tool box and tools makes this task much easier. Include items like a tire gauge, special lug nut tool (or lug nut key), torque wrench, small socket and box-end wrench set. Always take blue painter’s tape or masking tape – this is very useful for ad hoc car markings.
•Make sure you have enough fuel. For autocrossing, this is generally not an issue as there is usually a gas station in the vicinity of the event, but a lack of fuel can sometimes present a problem at a track. While many tracks offer fuel onsite, they may not have a “streetable” octane, and if they do have an appropriate octane available, you’ll pay more. Coming prepared with extra fuel can save you a headache, and money. •The night before leaving, remove all nonessentials from your car. This may include the back seats, floor mats, road side hazard kit, etc. For practical purposes, you should take your spare tire to the event. •Also the night before leaving, load your car. If it is your first event, or first time bringing extra tires, you will be amazed at how much room they take. Do not wait until the last moment to figure out the optimal loading to assure you can bring all your equipment to the event. Confirm all the required equipment (helmet, etc.) is loaded or will be available at the track before leaving (some events have loaner safety equipment).
Š Erik Melander
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DRIVER PREPARATION
Any driver that thinks that just showing up at the event is enough will lessen their experience. As with the car, a little preparation will go a long way to making the event much more enjoyable. All the car preparation in the world will not make up for a driver that is not prepared, so take the time and give yourself the best opportunity for success. Prior to the Event:
•Know where you are going. Many adventures to a performance driving events have been thwarted by going to the wrong location. If you’ve never been to the location, use an online mapping tool to familiarize yourself with how to get there.
•Review the rules. Confusion in classing, required equipment, and event regulations can lead to a frustrating experience. •If you are expecting loaner safety equipment to be available, confirm beforehand.
•If you have any questions, ASK! Do not be afraid to sound like a n00b, everyone has at some point in time, even seasoned veterans. All programs have online forums and pages dedicated to asking first-time questions, and a support community ready and willing to provide answers and advice.
•Review the published schedule. Arriving late, having to scurry to and fro will only make the experience that much more poor. Give yourself time to acclimate and to take in your surroundings. Being rushed will induce stress, and that is the last thing a driver needs when trying to concentrate on performance. •Get a good night’s sleep. Being refreshed in the morning will assure you have the needed energy for the day.
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At the Event:
•First, foremost, and most importantly (this cannot be stressed enough), get out and meet the other enthusiasts sharing in your enthusiasm at the event. The social communities associated with high performance driving are awesome, extremely helpful, and great to be around. You will get greater enjoyment out of your experience if you actively participate.
•Arrive early. This will allow you time to unload the car, familiarize yourself with the layout of the event, and not just the course. Where are the restrooms? Where are the scheduled meetings held? Where is the concession stand? Where can you park? Where is grid, paddock, start and finish?
•Get your required car preparation out of the way early. Change your tires, add oil, and check your tire pressures while you have the time. •Be vocal. Do not be afraid to ask questions, of anyone. A majority of the participants have attended previously and will be in a position to either directly answer your question or refer you to someone else who can.
•Finally, take a deep breath and a moment to relax. Absorb the experience, and take a moment to enjoy yourself. Preparing a daily driver for performance driving duty may seem like a daunting task at first, but after a couple of events it becomes second nature. Developing a routine can go a long way in relieving the stress associated with getting ready. Creating a checklist of things that need to be completed and packed is another way to help assure your preparedness. Regardless of your approach, arriving at the event prepared and refreshed will go a long way to assuring you have a great time.
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Article by Richard Melick
Photography by Erik Melander
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Dubs Along the Rockies took place during late August and provided a great opportunity for the Volkswagen and Audi enthusiasts of Colorado to strut their stuff one last time in the great Colorado sun. Aside from showcasing the amazing rides that grace the Rocky Mountain roads on a daily basis, the opportunity was provided for some vehicles to hit an autocross and show their prowess. 
Pikes
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Dubs Along the Rockies took place during late August and provided a great opportunity for the Volkswagen and Audi enthusiasts of Colorado to strut their stuff one last time in the great Colorado sun. Aside from showcasing the amazing rides that grace the Rocky Mountain roads on a daily basis, the opportunity was provided for some vehicles to hit an autocross and strut their stuff. Pikes Peak International Speedway provided one of the best locations for a large gathering of Volkswagen and Audi enthusiasts and vendors alike. With better organization than the year past, this years show was packed with vendors, activities, great food, and amazing cars all over the pad. DATR is not a Colorado specific show as it is celebrated by many enthusiasts who drove from as far as California to enjoy the Colorado sun. Speaking of the sun, boy was it out that day. With some thermometers marking over 100 degrees, the water was flowing from each vendor’s booth. Nobody could get enough of the liquid goodness that kept everyone safe. The paddock provided something that was lacking last year as well; a huge garage full of plentiful shade. With the vendors setting up inside as well as out, fans were able to head inside and admire some of the best that vendors had to provide. From purpose built racecars with beautiful roll cages and big turbos to restorations of a classic, every vendor brought their A-game to DATR. Along with some great cars, each vendor did their best to one-up the
other’s display, with everything from parts on display to shopspecific memorabilia for sale. But each vendor got along as all professional enthusiasts do, and in the end, they all only helped make the event even greater. From old school Audi’s to the newest VW TDI, the range of vehicles on display were endless. The collection of air-cooled rides on display was a definite improvement than the previous year, which could be because of the new location and better advertising. These great classics all painted a great picture of the evolution of enthusiast from the old school guys to the new scene. While the separation of the two groups was clearly there, the respect shown between the old and new keeps growing every year. Every member of the old school crew admired all the newer cars just as the new crew admired the old school. As with every car show, every car was at the top of its game. Some cars were just polished stockers, while others were full on builds from scratch. The amazing part of DATR was that no matter what you drove, what you loved, or how old you were, there was a vehicle on display that you would love. Everyone’s paint shined and chrome pieces were polished to a mirror finish. No aspect of a vehicle’s highlights was left untouched by every vehicle’s owner. This made the choosing of the best cars for each class even more difficult. In some cases, some of
the most amazing vehicles on site were not the ones with the most money dropped into them. This aspect shows how even with a little bit of money, some amazing vehicles can be built and can become show winners. With all the great vehicles on display and the variety of activities to participate in and watch, the 2009 Dubs Along the Rockies was one of the best shows of the year. With the new location and great weather, nothing could have possibly gone wrong at the end of the day. Each enthusiast left the show with new ideas and inspiration to prepare for the next year’s show. Before 2009’s show was even over, everyone’s excitement for the next year’s show was definitely there. If next year’s show is even just a carbon copy of 2009’s, it as well will be a great success.
© Erik Melander
Š Erik Melander
m
ge.co r e b uro e . w ww
Wheels for Meals Issue 5 :: Page 39
In August, Ed Carroll Motor Company in Fort Collins played host to an event that brought out some amazing cars all for a great cause.
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Written By Reggie White
Photos By Erik Melander
The 24th annual Meal on Wheels Auto Show held on August 30th was different thanks to John Carroll, President of Ed Carroll VW, Audi, and Porsche. Mr. Carroll included Audi and Volkswagen vehicles for the first time this year. The two extra makes allowed in the show bumped the number of cars from the past 50 to 75 and created a great diversity of vehicles. Earlier on Friday a fleet of Porsches poured out of the dealership to help deliver meals those in need. On top of the donations to the organization John also matched all the funds that were collected on Sunday for the Meals on Wheels organization. The show on Sunday was well attended and there were crowds surrounding the cars all day. Because of the historic Porsche involvement most entrants were
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older Porsches. I must say there were some great looking Porsche 356s in attendance. Mark Baer, owner of SCR Performance in Loveland brought his newly assembled Audi B5 race car. It was a beauty with a magnificent looking roll cage. The body was completely stripped of all bells and whistles. All that was left had everything to do with performance. John Carroll said the event raised $4,837 for Meals on Wheels. The break-down was: $1,875 in entry fees; $1,875 in match by Ed Carroll Motor Co.; And $1,087 in food and direct donations; every dollar spent on food also was donated.
Š Erik Melander
Wheels for Meals
Š Erik Melander Š Erik Melander
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Winter Wash Article by Justin Blackburn
Photos by Erik Melander
Winter is upon us, and if you are like most enthusiasts, you fall into one of two categories: 1. Like me, this month you began getting very depressed as the sun set earlier and earlier each day and the nip in the air sent you body into chills. Knowing your beloved car and the passion you feel driving it will be locked away in the garage for the next four to six months causes you deep pain and anguish. You have properly maintained your car throughout the summer, and now it rests under cover in the garage getting the needed once a month start and warm up, anxiously awaiting the first sign of spring to roar back to life and once again claim it’s rightful place in your heart. 2. Unlike me, you love this stuff. Sliding sideways around a slippery corner at a higher than advisable speed while the slush pulls your wheel one side to the other, just on the brink of loosing control, makes you feel alive. You probably also have a collection of snowboards as big as Brett Michael’s Rock of Love bus. You are that person that believes the car was meant to dive in the snow, and that all wheel drive means can go anywhere. If you are in the first category, you can stop reading. You are already done for the year, and we will look for you when the weather heats up and you bring your baby back out. If however, you are in the second group, this one’s for you.
Winter Wash
Although plowing through partially frozen water with embedded rocks and calcium chemicals in sub zero temperatures is a lot of fun for you, it is extremely hard on your vehicle and its components. The obvious and well know issues are the wheels and exterior paint. However, there are many other areas that need the same love and attention that you give your favorite ski jacket. Extreme variations in temperature and freezing conditions are very hard on any material that has the ability to expand and contract. Door seals, tires, interior vinyl, plastics, and leather are all subject to cracking and shrinking of not properly nourished. Just like applying lotion to those hard and dry hands after a long day on the slopes, your car would appreciate the same attention. And just like your skin will crack
if not addressed, so can your cars interior. Unlike many other areas of the country, Colorado also poses huge ultraviolet light hazards. UV light causes fading cracking and general degradation to just about everything. Even when the sun is not shining, UV is coming through to beat down on your winter driving machine. Applying good quality products with UV protectant factors can reduce the damage that UV light causes and extend your cars life. Of course, where would the world be without the use of calcium road clearing chemicals like magnesium chloride? Mag-chloride is a salt based substance that is supposed to prevent the roadways from freezing making it easier for that new set of Blizzaks you just got to stick to the pavement around
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your favorite slushy corner. However, mag-chloride literally eats away at many vehicle surfaces, painted and unpainted. When mag-chloride came out they said it would replace sanding roads forever and make them easier to get around. I think it was a pay off from the car wash lobby as our roads now not only have the usual sand we have become accustomed to, but now we also have this wonderful chemical that if not cleaned off regularly can cause severe damage. If you drive on roads during or right after snow in the winter, rinse off your car as soon as possible. Make sure you are catching the underside, inside of wheels, rocker arms, and any other gaps on your body work where the chemical can splash up and get trapped. Or, you can always go for the lazy path and replace your wheels yearly.
Winter Wash
So before you head up at 2 am for the opening day at Winter Park, remember, your car is just like you. It needs a good jacket (Paint Sealer like PRIMA EPIC) to keep it warm and prevent the crud from sticking to its skin. It needs a sunscreen on all of its exposed surfaces like leather, vinyl and rubber. PRIMA Nourish is great for leather and Nero is used to treat synthetic materials like vinyl and plastic. It also needs its shoes to be warm by having a good wheel wax applied to them. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, I know you would never come home after a long day on the slopes and go to bed without taking a shower and rinsing out all of the cracks and crevasses that dirt and other impurities can collect. Your car will appreciate the same love and attention.
G Richard Melick
Touring Colorado Written By: Aaron Crooks
The way we see it, there are two types of drivers on the road. There are those among us who simply see the road and their cars as a way to get from point-to-point. Then there are the drivers who enjoy driving for the thrill of the next corner. For those of you who share our passion for driving, Colorado is heaven. Our beautiful mountains not only provide us with some of the best slopes and most beautiful landscapes in the country, but also some of the most challenging driving roads anywhere. Whether you prefer short and hairpins, or long and chicanes, the Rockies have it all. One of my favorites is the Allenspark drive from Longmont to Loveland. This drive is perfect for a nice afternoon in the fall. There are plenty of trees and vegetation so you can bet
Drive Stats: Miles Driven: 62.6 Time Driven: 1:21 Total Curves: 117
on a treat to the eyes as the aspens start changing color in early October. The drive is a convenient horseshoe and takes less than an hour and a half to complete and is great for all occasions. Whether you’re looking to bash some fun corners or to simply enjoy some beautiful scenery, the Loveland to Longmont bowl has it all. The first 28.8 miles of the drive consist of tight curves where you can certainly take the more aggressive line. About halfway into the drive you have the option of stopping at the lovely town of Estes Park for coffee, lunch or just to stretch your legs a bit. After being refueled at Estes Park you take St. Vrain Ave. or CO-66 south to enjoy a fun and fast mountain highway that takes you through some of the most gorgeous valleys in the Rockies.
The easy driving highway is a great way to drive and enjoy the beauty of Colorado in the fall. The colors and mountains come together to make a truly magnificent scene. If you decide to drive for a sunset adventure be sure to watch for wildlife as you drive. This less intense section of the drive is a perfect length to get your adrenaline flowing before the downward trek out to Longmont. The last section comes after 7 miles of easy mountain highway driving. From here on out, it’s more curves and downhill driving. Of course you must remember that it’s easy to swing out going downhill so as always motor safely. I certainly enjoyed this drive and I’m sure you will too, especially with the treat of the colorful patches of aspen trees throughout the drive.
Directions:
-Start at on W Eisenhower Blvd/US-34 in Loveland. -Continue West on US-34. -Turn left at CO-66/St Vrain Ave/US-36 -To return to Longmont turn left at Broadway St/CO-66/CO-7/US36/Ute Hwy. -Continue to follow CO-66/Ute Hwy until you reach Longmont.
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winter tires Aritcle by Aaron Blair
Photos by Erik Melander
It’s that time of year again when the sun turns into clouds and the rain turns into snow. The question is will your car be prepared to handle the cold, snow and icy conditions? You were just noticing a little trouble last season when your all-season tires were new, now they probably aren’t going to be enough to give you the comfort and safety you desire when the road is ice-packed and you are driving in a blizzard. So what are the options available in the winter tire category? I will break it into 2 main categories: studdable snow tires and studless snow tires. Let’s begin with studdable snow tires. This is a shrinking market due to several factors. While a studded snow tire still offers better traction than an all-season tire in winter conditions, they are proving to be quite a bit behind on the technology that makes a studless snow tire grip so well. Recent tests have shown that a studded snow tire such as the Firestone Winterforce does not accelerate, stop or turn as well as leading studless snow tires such as the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 or Michelin X-Ice XI2 on either icy or snowy surfaces.
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Another main concern about studded snow tires is how they drive and feel on dry pavement. They tend to feel squirmy, are loud and do not grip on dry surfaces as well as an allseason or studless snow tire. Many states, and even Canada, have made them illegal for many months out of the year. The studs also destroy roads when the roads are dry. But the main reasons for buying a studded snow tire usually boil down to two things: price and going with what you know. Studable snow tires are going to be cheaper than a quality studless tire in most cases. Sure, the studding costs extra, but its usually not enough to make up the cost between the 2 choices. They are also available to run without studs. In this scenario, you are getting a tire that is a little better than an all-season for the conditions, but the compound is nowhere near that of what makes a studless snow tire grip so well. The majority of studded snow tire buyers are repeat buyers because they are used to driving their car with studded tires in the snow and on ice. Making the switch to a more expensive option that you are not 100% sure about makes it hard to want to try something else. Either way, the technology
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is there and the studded snow tires are becoming a thing of the past. Why a thing of the past, you might ask? Because the advancement in tire technology has made way for a far better tire option in the snow and ice category: the studless snow tire. Back in the early 1990s, Bridgestone produced its first studless snow tire for the masses, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS15. It featured a soft tread compound, many sipes in the tread and the grip of a studded snow tire without utilizing studs. Since then, the Blizzak line has improved by leaps and bounds. The Blizzak WS-50, released in 1999, replaced the WS-15 with new features such as “tube multicell� compound. The current model, the Blizzak WS-60 uses the same technology with a revised tread design to offer even better traction and a better dry surface ride and feel, as well as last longer. The tire is basically 2 rubber compounds, with the tube multi-cell being the outer layer. It is made up of tubes with millions of microscopic pores and a softer
winter tires
rubber specifically designed to grip ice, snow and slush. This layer of tread makes up the first 60% of the tire’s compound. Once that tread is worn, there are wear indicators in the tread that are exposed to let you know that only 40% of the tread is remaining, and it is not the same soft, ice-gripping compound. The last 40% of the tire is made up of a normal but softer all-season rubber compound and does not grip the same as the multi-cell layer. Studdless snow tires are unrivaled by any studded snow tire for driving in the conditions we face on the roads today. As you consider purchasing a set of snow tires, think about a few things. First, what is your price for safety? Is it worth saving the money and driving on your all-seasons? Most of us can get by just fine, or think we can until we slide into a curb or another car and damage it, costing 3 times what a set of snow tires would have. Also, is it worth the extra money to buy quality studless snow tires? I say absolutely. The 30 foot shorter stopping distance could be all the difference. Be sure to buy your snow tires in a set of 4 so you have the same
performance on all 4 corners of your car. Stopping and cornering are far more important than accelerating when you are on an icy road, and not having the same performance on all of your wheels can cause you to spin out. There are plenty of good options to choose from, such as Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60, Michelin XIce XI2, Nokian Hakkapeliita and Dunlop Wintersport 3D. Be prepared, mother nature isn’t waiting f o r you!
Urban Photography Article and Photography: Alex Baker
Urban Photography There are so many great places for urban photography in our great state, more than likely they are closer than you think. Over the last year I have found so many great spots to shoot and I wouldn’t of found them if I didn’t look. When trying to find new urban locations I always look for places less traveled usually in the outskirts of town. Industrial, commercial, business areas are on the top of my list. If you have time drive around look for structures or objects that catch you’re eye. When you get there here are some tips to help you capture that perfect shot.
Tip #1 Take more than one lens. I find that taking at least two lenses when planning to shoot is best when having the right tool for the right job. I prefer to take at least one wide angle and a zoom lens with a descent amount of length. The Wide-angle lens is best for capturing the whole picture and also gives more depth of field, which can make your shots more interesting and change the overall feel. The zoom lens is useful for capturing everything the texture of buildings, the fine lines on cars, elements of the street and all of its details.
Tip #2 Bring all the Extras. Because you’ll never know when you’ll need it, always remember to bring extra batteries, memory cards, filters, cleaning cloth, remotes and most importantly a Tripod. I’ve come across many too opportunities that were missed because I didn’t have the proper equipment.
Tip #3 Take a second look I’m always looking for the next great shot and for me it’s all about composition, looking for the differences between textures, styles, materials, colors and lighting. I’ve shot at the same location more than once and I’m always surprised when I see something different and have a “how did I miss that” moment. Combining different lighting and angles you can really add depth and make your shot more interesting. Get dirty, don’t always shoot from eye level, shoot from the ground or an elevated level to add more dimension or change the perspective of the shot.
Tip #4 Sundown and Sunrise Some of the best times to shoot are when the sun is rising and setting. First thing in the morning or at dusk is my favorite time to shoot, the natural light is diffused at this time and the sky simulates a giant filer. Early morning shots are also great because you can set up with no visual obstructions and usually don’t have to worry about traffic, pedestrians or security guards.
Tip #5 Have Fun This is what photography is all about, so get out there and put your camera to work!
In North Boulder, Follow one of the dirt alleys off Broadway to find this great location
Some great places to shoot around Denver: My favorite places to shoot urban photography are business districts, construction, commercial and industrial areas. Use these tips as a reference to help you plan your next shoot. Where would the fun be in just giving up addresses of my favorite locations when you can find your own. Here are some of my favorite routes.
Industrial side of North Denver Take I-25 to 20th Street head east, take a left on Market Street and take a left onto North Broadway and follow it onto Brighton Blvd. There are so many spots along this road you can take it all the way to 36. Once you get to the corner of Brighton Blvd and York St, keep in mind both streets lead to some really great Industrial spots. York Street in particular is full of great finds. I suggest investigating any industrial area near you, you would be surprised the photo opportunities that they hold.
Side road to Invesco If headed north: Take I-25 to 8th Ave east, take a right on Zuni If headed south: Take I-25 to Zuni Exit (Cal Spa) Then head north and find several spots on the way to Invesco, a great location is the Iron Works building under Colfax.
Downtown Denver Really cant go wrong here, early mornings are the best to avoid all of the obstructions (people and traffic). Parking garages, construction sites, bridges, trains new and old structures, downtown has it all.
Denver Tech Center Between Arapahoe and Bellview on Orchard or DTC Blvd there are plenty of spots to shoot, just open your eyes and drive everywhere (including garages) to find the best locations.
G Richard Melick
Event Calendar Yalla Yalla 2009 Sunday, October 18th Lone Tree, CO Denver All-Euro GTG Every Month Date posted soon Dub’Cember 2009 Sunday, December 6th location TBA
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