On behalf of SPECIAL PROJECTS MOTOR SPORTS I would like to apologise to R.J.DeVera for the comments made by SBE on a previous (Locked Thread) after discussing this with our Team Owner. Don Wilson has asked me to make it quite clear that - If there is any bad blood between Shawn and R.J. It is between them, and them alone. Our team does not condone or encourage any of the comments made in Shawns post. Special Projects Motor Sports where ever possible has always, and will always insist that its members try and give help, good advise and encouragement to any fellow Motor Sports competitor. Regardless of their talent to try and encourage new blood to the sport.
R.J. We as a team apologise on Shawn's behalf. We trust there will be no more of these types of posts in the future.

Special Projects Motor Sports

Jeff Owen (Kiwi)


Modified by KIWI at 4:52 PM 12/30/2003

 

 

Are you talking about RJ DeVera? I didn't see the post but his last name is DeVera.
AND...Very good of you Jeff to publically clear this up. Good luck to you guys in the 04 season , and to all in WCHC this coming year!

 

Just because you're a show car stunna doesn't mean you can't drive. Chad and Robert W. have done quite well on the East Coast.
Must be a Cali thing.

<ducks>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KIWI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">APOLOGIES TO R.J. Rivera[/i]</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL....sorry there Mr. Rivera

 

kiwi....this is why i race in the Honda Challenge Series....!!!!!!

much props!

 

I'm not really feeling the bodykit and blinging wheels on the RSX and I'm kinda disapointed when I saw it at Inline Four getting a sway bar install rather than him doing it himself. But it brings much needed recognition and new driver talent to at the moment a very shallow pool and the silent rivalry will certainly make it more interesting for the spectators as well.

 

Jeff - No apologies needed. I don't really know what Shawn has against me but I guess his got something to prove. No bad blood on my side. Don't really have the time for it. To answer his question and to clear the air - yes someone will be driving the RSX or as it is called "my show car" for most of the 2004 HC season. I wish I could be driving it the whole year but I've got other obligations to fufill with work, shows, more project cars, and finally a drag car (sadly it's my second one as the first wasn't built straight - **** happens - oh well). I am still hoping to make it out to about 4 HC events but I will be lapping at most of the events as I want the driver to have the best chance at the championship and I've still got a lot to learn! It's also still a great way for me to go out there and beat on some stuff. It's great for me as I learn how things work in the real world racing scenario. It helps me be a better product developer. The hyperfest experience was great - it really showed me how important car set up was and just having the right crew with the right experience. I hope to race again in the last two or last race of the season. I think the RSX has much potential but it needs attention and not the attention that I can give it which would be about 5 days in the whole year. It is also my goal to get more corporations and magazines to get to know and be involved in HC and because of this the team is also going to have a basic EP3 for lapping. I'm hoping to lure out some editors and marketing people just to experience NASA HPDE events and for them to see how HC is quickly developing. In terms of me road racing - I just wanted the challenge. It's evident that I did very badly at Hyperfest but I've got a lot to learn about car set up and much more to learn in terms of driving and of course I need much seat time. Before Hyperfest - I had been to a few schools (3 to be exact) and really enjoyed my time. I really wanted to race so I went racing. I really want to do some open wheel formula stuff but I guess that will have to wait. I had been meaning to race the RSX but time just didn't allow me to until a weekend (Hyperfest) opened up that worked in my schedule and I decided to race. The car was no where near race ready and I was going to be out of town until the day before the race so it was taken to Inline 4 for some work. I wish I could devote all my time to road racing but as life goes - I have other things to attend to. The "lumberjack" that will be driving the car next year is a person I met at Hyperfest and I believe he has enourmous driving talent and his just a great down to earth guy. He wanted to drive a new car and I had a car that wasn't going to be driven much so we worked something out. We know the RSX has a disadvantage with the suspension but that's part of the challenge. He's one of those guys that deserves some help and doesn't expect it. I hope that I can help him. I think he'll do well next year. It's funny because when I met this guy - he couldn't believe that I didn't really give a crap about not driving well that day even though all eyes were on me. It's something that I expect because the media and marketing people around me always do play me up. It's there job but I think most people who really know me know that I am up front about what I am doing and up front with what I can do. I don't remember telling anyone that I was going to go to Hyperfest and kick the crap out of everybody. I mean who does that at their first race. Plus I really do need to learn a lot more about car set up and driving in race conditions. (Thanks Mike Kojima for helping me out and teaching me a few things at Hyperfest.)

In response to RO_JA brand products. It has just been natural progression for me to be more of just a consumer with import cars. I have been fixing up cars and buying parts for as long as I can remember. I bought SSR, Mugens, Volks, and Racing Harts way before they had official distributors here so naturally as I grow up - I developed a passion to help develop things that I could see using or wanting. Of course opportunity knocked on my door and now there are RO_JA brand products. I firmly stand behind the product that I have helped conceptualize and developed. I think we really do make great product. In terms of the RO_JA Motorsport wheels - yes the wheels are made by American Racing but I bet you didn't know that we have suppliers around globe who make product for us with a specific market in mind. Every product is developed with someone in mind and RO_JA Motorsports Wheels are developed for a higher end consumer who is willing to pay a little more for better product and I believe we do have a better wheel product than most. We've more to do and learn to stand next to the big boys like Volk Racing but come to IAS west and I'm sure you'll hear about some new developments that will really shock you. As you become more involved in manufacturing you find out lots of things. I'm sure that many of you don't know that some "Japanese" wheels from "Japanese" companies are not made in Japan. That's not really what matters though as most things are automated these days. The most important issue is the engineering and QC. True some are better than others. I believe that we got great teams and developers who give us really great product. It terms of APC/RE Works brand - I haven't been involved with that brand in quite some time now. The brand was done a few years ago by myself and two other very talented individuals - one of which is Shawns longtime friend. I hope the brand is doing well but to tell you the truth - I have no clue what is happening there.

Well as always I've probably written to much. With that in mind - I wish the KIWI squad and the rest of the HC teams the best of luck next year. I hope to see ya at the track.

BTW - to anyone that is still reading (especially those who just love all of the import or sports compact scenes and are just beginning) - if your a racer , you can show and if you can show, than you can race. hell if you can come to the events and love them - you can do either one too. don't believe that you have to be one or the other. it's the people with narrow minds that will catagorize you and hold you down. screw them. it's all about what you want to do. you may excel at one more than the other in a given amount of time but give it more time and some dedication and you can do anything. for that matter add another 5 years or so and you could also be a drifter. you just need time, practice, and experience. people knock me all the time every time I decide to pick up a new stick and do something new. know that it's going to happen. someone will always have something to say. good and bad. just stick to what you want to do and give it your all. it's all about time and experience. just ask any of the guys who run at the top how long it's taken them to get there and you'll get the idea. no go out there and have some fun...


Modified by AARRJJ at 10:20 PM 12/31/2003


Modified by AARRJJ at 5:49 PM 12/31/2003

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AARRJJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
BTW - to anyone that is still reading (especially those that who just love all of the import or sports compact scenes and are just beginning) - if your a racer , you can show and if you can show, than you can race. hell if you can come to the events and love them - you can do either one too. don't believe that you have to be one or the other. it's the people with narrow minds that will catagorize you and hold you down. screw them. it's all about what you want to do. you may excel at one more than the other in a given amount of time but give it more time and some dedication and you can do anything. for that matter add another 5 years or so and you could also be a drifter. you just need time, practice, and experience. people knock me all the time every time I decide to pick up a new stick and do something else. know that it's going to happen. just stick to what you want to do and give it your all. it's all about time and experience. just ask any of the guys who run at the top how long it's taken them to get there and you'll get the idea. no go out there and have some fun...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good stuff there!

Welcome RJ! Glad to have you. If you are interested in Road Racing, this is a very good forum to check out, as there is some great info here and some talented individuals.

Big to all that you have accomplished.

I for one would rock RO_JA's all day long if you offered them in a 14x7 4x100 35 offset, for $100/wheel.

I also had a couple of quick questions on some somewhat off topic ideas.....if you are going to hang around for awhile, I will just shoot you a IM. Let me know if you have a minute.

Again, welcome. Hope you have had a great Holiday Season!

 

who the hell is RJ DeVera?

I've seen two threads about this fella and still have no clue why the bandwidth was wasted? I don't even completely know why I read them, outside of boredom.

Now, I'm just curious... is he a nobel prize winner? who is he?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Driven &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">who the hell is RJ DeVera?

I've seen two threads about this fella and still have no clue why the bandwidth was wasted? I don't even completely know why I read them, outside of boredom.

Now, I'm just curious... is he a nobel prize winner? who is he?</TD></TR></TABLE>

He's one of the grand daddy's of the whole import car culture phenomenon.
He has worked for publications both as writer and photographer, campaigned many feature cars on many occasions, started his own company, and is currently working on a drag RSX sponsored by acura as well as the road race RSX that is the source of this drama.
He is a very successful businessman who truley has a love for cars, and he's one of the nicer people to deal with in this industry.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by n1ek &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

He is a very successful businessman who truley has a love for cars, and he's one of the nicer people to deal with in this industry.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

YES!
Best of luck to you in the 04 season RJ, drop me a line when you get a chance.

 

haha

 

haha, i remember rj from his days as 'editor at large' or whatever from super street... the magazine that introduced me to the whole import thing like 5 years ago

 

Editor at Large at Super Street. Damn that was a long time ago. Ah, the memories.
It was a blast working there at the time with all those people. They were awesome guys.

To answer the guy above. I'm just another **** who loves cars just like you. Just got a few breaks, was working on cars at the right time, and worked my *** off. Now I've got people following me and talking about me wherever I go. It's really weird.

Thanks for the kind words guys. They are much appreciated. Nate - will give you a shout this AM.

aarrjj

 

either way DeVera, for wanting to be a part of racing somehow


Modified by SBE at 11:23 AM 12/31/2003

 

SBE - if you have nothing positive or constructive to say, take it to PM/Email/AT&T/etc.... just not here.

Thanks.

 

well, if it brings more interest to RR, and some better competition/driving/racing to WCHC, it can't be a bad thing...

well it could be, but it doesn't have to be.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bad-monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it can't be a bad thing...</TD></TR></TABLE>The WWF is not a bad thing either.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Willard &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The WWF is not a bad thing either.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Neither is the G.L.O.W., hahaha.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Willard &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The WWF is not a bad thing either.</TD></TR></TABLE>

True, but judging by an earlier post re: H2, H3, and H5, maybe this'll broaden the field and let people compete outside of H1 and h4?

the WWF is fun like wine coolers but in the end, way too melodramatic. soap opera for men!

 

I don't think you'll ever understand the whole picture Shawn. it had nothing to do with my pride asking for help because i have no problem asking for it. the way I saw it you had your car to do and hyperfest was coming and suddenly I really had the time to go and wanted to do so. we really weren't affiliated anymore so why would I go to you. you took everything off on your car that was connected to me so I took it as you moved on and didn't want to be associated. as you say - to each his own. it wasn't anything personal. i guess it may have been for you.

yes - the company didn't work out and we parted ways. if they felt i was too concerned being me and not in the business than so be it. In my view, there were many reasons that things didn't work that year and it was a hard year. we had lots of programs that were taking too long to develop and we put our hope (especially with the drag car) in some of the wrong people. I kept that company going as long as I could and even went into debt because it. i should have cut it off long before but everything i made went into that company because others bailed on us. i don't think you'll ever understand because you just get bits of the whole story and every person has their own perspective. but that's business. sometimes things work out and sometimes they don't. you just got to pick up your bags, move on, and learn from your mistakes.

i don't have your email or your number but if you've got more to say - you can email me (Dawn should have it). I don't think these people really care about what you and i have to say about this issue.

in any case - good luck with your new ride and the whole Kiwi thing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by n1ek &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">He's one of the grand daddy's of the whole import car culture phenomenon.
He has worked for publications both as writer and photographer, campaigned many feature cars on many occasions, started his own company, and is currently working on a drag RSX sponsored by acura as well as the road race RSX that is the source of this drama.
He is a very successful businessman who truley has a love for cars, and he's one of the nicer people to deal with in this industry.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
ah... makes more sense now.


So, a guy who basically is behind the build-up and racing of a car is being flamed for it? Sounds like a team owner...


Oh, since SBE likes to make off-topic posts, here's mine:
I leik pei.

 

Keep doin what your doin RJ!
Your an inspiration to all us little guys.
Good luck with your new venture BTW.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jisu009 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I for one would rock RO_JA's all day long if you offered them in a 14x7 4x100 35 offset, for $100/wheel.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hint...hint...