CES 2013: Ken Block’s 630HP Fiesta from Gymkhana 5

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Trevor Freeman

If the name Ken Block doesn’t sound familiar to you, you might want to get to a computer and search YouTube for the word “Gymkhana.” Mr. Block has popularized the sport of gymkhana, which is sort of like gymnastics for your car.

Think of Gymkhana (jim-kah-nuh) as a more advanced version of autocross. In traditional autocross, drivers hone their skills by trying to set the best time around a track while avoiding obstacles such as cones. With Gymkhana, the goal is the same, however the courses are much more challenging and require precise moves such as drifting, 180-degree and 360 degree spins, figure 8s, and all sorts of other automotive acrobatics.

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SEMA 2012 Cruise Photos

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Trevor Freeman

On the last day of the 2012 SEMA Show, we stuck around to watch the official SEMA cruise. Now in its second year, the cruise is a chance to see many of the cars from the show floor in motion as they exit the convention center. It was absolutely packed with people and difficult to get good photos of the cars because of the cross-traffic. I would have liked for the road to be closed for the cruise; I think this would have made it a lot better.

So without further ado, here are a few of my best photos from the 2012 SEMA Cruise:

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SEMA 2012: Hyundai Genesis Racing Concept Car

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Trevor Freeman

Welcome to another episode of Extreme Makeover: SEMA Edition. Today, we’re going to take a look at this Hyundai Genesis Coupe which has been modified by the experts at Cosworth.
For those of you not familiar with Cosworth, they are a famous supplier of racing engines for Formula One cars. This Northampton, England-based company also has a long history as an OEM and aftermarket supplier for Ford Europe. Now, Cosworth has created a concept car with the most unlikely of partners: Hyundai.

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SEMA 2012: 1969 Ford Mustang Mach Forty by Eckert’s Rod and Custom

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Trevor Freeman

Like any trade show, the SEMA show has plenty of companies hawking products which they claim will be the “next big thing.” However, buried amongst the rows of vinyl wraps and import cars lies something truly amazing. Here is a car that was not just modified, but was fabricated based on a truly original idea.

The car you are looking at began life as a 1969 Mustang Mach 1, until it fell into the hands of David Eckert. For more than 25 years, he has run Eckert’s Rod and Custom shop in the little town of Molalla, Oregon. Eckert had the vision to create a one-of-a-kind Mustang like the world has never seen before.

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Mitch Henderson’s 1969 Chevrolet Camaro TEC9

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Trevor Freeman

The SEMA Show is the world’s showcase for automotive aftermarket parts and custom fabrication. While there were lots of amazing cars to look at, I found myself circling around this car from Mitch Henderson Designs at the JET Performance booth.

This 1969 Camaro “TEC 9” can best be described as aircraft gray with a clear coat, which is a welcome departure from the usual candy-colored, metallic, or two-tone paint jobs you’ll see at SEMA. The flat yellow stripes are a cool touch that I’ve never seen before.

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