2006 Ford GT video

If you haven't figured it out by now, it's GT40 week at FYI!

Likely more than you ever wanted to know about a Ford supercar...

This is the last GT post, I promise.

TR

FORD GT / GT Tungsten

Now, fast forward to the 2006 Ford GT. A modern rendition of the original GT40, in both spirit and performance. The GT has a 550hp supercharged V8. It's bigger and heavier than the vintage racer - yet manages to maintain both proportion and capability. An impressive accomplishment considering what the original GT40 represented.

1968 vs. 2006...

This is a mid-engine 200+ mph racecar, that you can buy and drive on public roads. One of the [few] great examples of what an American car company can accomplish when they 'get it right'.

An instant modern classic.

TR

1968 Ford GT40 video

Ford GT40 Top Gear -

Le Mans 1966

The Victory Of GT40 At LeMans 1966 -

1968 Ford GT40

My favorite vintage race car of all time.. the 1968 Ford GT40. The most bad-ass car ever built in America. The GT40 name was derived from the fact that the roof line was only 40 inches (101.6cm) above the pavement! 

Back in the early 1960's Henry Ford (jr) attempted to purchase Ferrari, and in the 11th hour Enzo backed out of the deal. Henry decided to just beat Ferrari at their own game instead. In 1963 Ford set up a special projects group to do just that. This is the Ford that beat Farrari; The pick-up-truck-company that beat Ferrari! The GT40 won Le Mans - the most demanding road race in the world - in 1966, and again in 1967, and again in 1968, and again in 1969. Ending the consecutive dominance of Ferrari at Le Mans.

The 1968 Mark I had a 4.9 L V8 with 425 hp. Although the 4.9L was over 100hp less than the previous 7.0L GT40's that won in '66 and '67, it was lighter and faster. The top speed on the Mulsanne straight was 220mph! Now stop and think about that...

220 mph/350kph on 1968 tire technology, with cowboy aerodynamics - In the rain, in the dark, with the sun in your eyes, AND for 24 hours straight (changing drivers). Now also consider that there was no safety beyond a seat belt. The drivers actually sat with the fuel tank wrapped around them!

TR

Weekend Corona post.

'Separation anxiety.'  

TR

Troy Lee Designs SE2 Helmet.

My new brain bucket.

The 2009 Speed Equipment Helmet in History Blue.

Susanna's in History Red.

TR

Human Skateboard.

Shawn Stussy's Joint...

After a long-term sabbatical, Shawn has resurfaced back into the underground. He's been quietly building a new design studio, and kicking around ideas purely for personal mandate.

The studio has a good vibe, and is fresh while at the same time full of history. SS is opening a new chapter, and it will be fun to see the studio evolve over the next few years..

I have to say; Shawn knows how to live life. I really admire his decision to check out of the rat race for the prime years of life with his family. It's almost 'un-American', to step off the bus when on top of your game.. Easier said than actually done.

Check out the stacks of Shawn's original surfboard shaping templates..

A new shaping room was the first build-out of the studio..

Shawn really lives by this mantra. He's not trying to take over the world, or build an empire. He's just doing his own thing. It doesn't get anymore pure than that.

Huge respect.

TR

S/Double

Shawn Stussy's new label; S/Double.

The S/Double site has yet to post, but you can check out Shawn's blog.

Shawn has a classic, clean, and timeless style. Check out some of his goods..

Only available through S/Double's new flagship store...

...which you can't even find unless you know a guy that knows a guy.

TR

Spring has arrived in B.C.

First humming birds of the year arrived yesterday.

TR

Weekend Corona post.

'who's missing in this picture?'

TR

[ak] underground - Yoshinari Uemura

a.k.a UE!

perspective: left foot first.

orientation: 20 degrees front, -5 back @ 58cm

milage: started riding Supporo Japan in 1990

co-consipirator: Erina Uemura

favorite snack: gummies

format: 2-stroke

favorite color: arctic cat

preference: freeriding and mountain riding with a little freestyle mix

motto: ARIGATO!

dis-likes: negativity.

movie: Ue_snowboarder

Although, Ue-san usually looks like this on the mountain...

TR, SB, UE, HF in Hokkaido.

Here is the trailer for UE_Snowboarder. The first snowboard movie in Japan focused on just one rider. It's comprised of footage from 1995-2007.

TR

2009 [ak] LZ Down

The 2009 AK LZ Down jacket. Buttery light weight baffled down interior with a fully seam-taped Gore-Tex exterior! This is the best insulated jacket I've used. Every time the weather turns foul the LZ comes out.

Highly recommended.

TR

2009 SoCal Moto - Team Burrito.

FYI- SoCal moto 2009 Team Burrito from tom routh on Vimeo.

Fun stuff.

TR

Apple ipod shuffle

Just received the 3rd generation ipod shuffle.

Shock proof & capacity for 1000 songs.

The volume controls are on the earbud cord. If you press the button in the middle the pod has voice-over that tells you the song name and artist and/or playlist.. in 14 different languages.

hmmm, where to begin.. ah.

Amazing to look back at the evolution of technology.

2001 vs. 2009

Wow. It's TINY!

(thanks matt!!)

TR

[ak] underground - Dave Basterrechea

a.k.a. daveB!

alias: cheetah dave

perspective: goofy foot

orientation: 15 degrees front, -7 degrees back

mileage: dropping in since 1987

co-conspirator: Vanessa Stark

favorite snack: V's Energy Balls

format: 2-stroke

favorite color: ski-doo

preference: big mountain gnar

motto: get'er done!

dis-likes: heli-stress

income: owner of Cheetah Factory Racing

CFR makes the rack systems 95% of backcountry snomo-skiers and boarders use to mount their boards on their sleds. Dave has been building these racks for years now, and they are pretty much bullet-proof. Mounting your board on your sled takes a lot of weight off your back, and allows you to thread through tight trees that your board would hang up on; if you were carrying it horizontal on your back. The racks are crucial for serious sled access riding.

Cheetah Dave is a big mtn. ripper that slipped over the border and set up shop in Pemberton.. and never looked back. 

Always gett'ner done... and always late for dinner.

TR

SoCal moto day 6 - Cahuilla

Epic day at Cahuilla!! I love this track. This was our last day riding..

Cahuilla is a huge track, located in Anza California - nearly 3 minute laps with lots of elevation changes, and big sweeping corners with huge berms. Super fun!

Holiday in a bottle..

Time to go to the beach..

TR

Boys and their toys.

Great video...

TR

SoCal moto day 4 - Glen Helen

Day 4 we hit Glen Helen Raceway.

Glen Helen is a famous AMA National track in San Bernardino California.

TR

FYI- Troy Lee Designs

Today we hit the gym, did bike maintenance, and visited Troy Lee Designs headquarters in Corona California. Super cool office with tons of interesting vintage and modern memorabilia. Not often you come across such a design driven company with so much soul and history.

TR

SoCal moto day 2 - Perris

Today we hit Perris Raceway (Perris California). Perris is the oldest motorcycle track in California. Check out this video from 1961!

Perris is a super fun track, and the pace was really fast. By mid-afternoon we were both thrashed, and had to slow down a lot. When you slow down you get roosted hard by the faster riders. Had a great day. Stoked to have a rest day before we go to Glen Helen. Need to rebuild some muscles!

TR