[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” angled_section=”no” angled_section_position=”both” angled_section_direction=”from_left_to_right” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” padding_bottom=”20″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text el_class=”milepost-dateline”]MilePost – The Journal of the Motor Press Guild / Vol. 24, No. 8, August 2014[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”16506″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” angled_section=”no” angled_section_position=”both” angled_section_direction=”from_left_to_right” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]
MPG Night at Irwindale Dragstrip
The July MPG event at the Irwindale Event Center was a great way to spend a summer evening. With the constant sound of roaring engines, the free hot dogs & soda, and a birds-eye view from the roof, our members enjoyed some down-and-dirty timed matches and hung out with friends and colleagues on a warm summer night. In typical “car people” fashion, several MPG members were spotted kicking tires in the parking lot, examining modified racers up close and admiring old classics.
L: Bobby Holland and Mike Jones enjoy the rooftop view, Middle: A droolworthy Plymouth Fury graces the parking lot,
R: Ed Kim, Blake Rong and Abe Drimmer examine a custom rat rod.
Irwindale’s 1/8-mile Dragstrip is open to all types of racing and street-legal vehicles. With a “run whatcha brung” philosophy, racers can trailer their race cars or drive their street-legal rides into the Irwindale Event Center on Thursday nights and are approved to run racing type slicks. All vehicles that participate must be full bodied cars, roadsters, dune buggies, jeeps, trucks, quad runners, snowmobiles or motorcycles (no dragster type vehicles are allowed).
MPG would like to thank the Irwindale Event Center for welcoming MPG as its special guests. Our host and MPG board member, Doug Stokes, promises to invite us back soon. If you didn’t make it to the dragstrip last week, you won’t want to miss out on future events.
To check out the Irwindale Event Center’s upcoming events for yourself, visit the website at www.irwindalespeedway.com.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” position=”center” thickness=”2″ width_in_percentages=”” up=”40″ down=”40″][vc_column_text]
2014 Track Days Registration Opens on Monday, August 18.
MPG Track Days has been re-imagined from the asphalt up and will benefit members more than ever before. The all-new, two day event features the Hilton Pasadena as the official hotel, with driving opportunities at the Rose Bowl and Willow Springs International Raceway.
In addition to ample seat time, participants will benefit from newsworthy panel discussions and keynote speakers to provide extra story/feature article possibilities. Valuable networking time and easy access to manufacturer representatives has been generously built in to the schedule, with a cocktail reception, dinner party and more.
Also new this year, one night of hotel accommodations are included in the registration fee, as well as luxury coach transportation between the Hilton Pasadena and Willow Springs, thanks to the generosity of all sponsors and participating OEMs.
MPG has worked diligently to create an event that is reflective of the organization’s mission to further the professionalism of automotive journalism. A detailed schedule will be announced soon.
We look forward to seeing you there.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” position=”center” thickness=”2″ width_in_percentages=”” up=”40″ down=”40″][vc_column_text]
COMING MPG EVENTS
Tickets still available for August MPG Luncheon: Media in the News featuring guest, Angus MacKenzie
Tuesday, 8/12/14 at Art Center School of Design
MPG kicks off a new format of one-on-one interviews we’re calling “Media in the News.” Get the inside story of the creation of TEN (The Enthusiast Network) from the man behind the media empire – Angus MacKenzie. Our interviewer – Auto Analyst, Eric Noble.
Event schedule:
11:00am – 12:00pm – Arrivals and networking
12:00pm – 12:30pm – Lunch
12:30pm – 1:30pm – Presentation
After presentation – tours available of Art Center Transportation School.
*Once you arrive at Art Center, look for the MPG signs to lead you to the Student Parking Lot and to the event location in the Faculty Dining Room.
FREE for MPG members / $15.00 for guests.
Visit the Eventbrite page to get tickets now. Tickets are not guaranteed at the door.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” position=”center” thickness=”2″ width_in_percentages=”” up=”40″ down=”40″][vc_column_text]
The Time is Now: 2014 Dean Batchelor Awards
Now is the time to start thinking about candidates for the MPG Best of the Year Awards, which will determine the winner of the 2014 Dean Batchelor Award for Automotive Journalism. To be eligible, works need to have appeared between September 1, 2013 and August 31, 2014. Nominations for the awards will open on September 1, 2014, and will run through the month of September. Judging takes place the month of October, and we’ll announce our winners at the annual bash on December 9, 2014. More information about the nomination process and award banquet location will be coming soon.
Questions about the Dean Batchelor Awards? Learn more about the man, the award and past award winners by clicking here or contact Jason Fogelson, DBA Committee Chair at dba@motorpressguild.org.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” position=”center” thickness=”2″ width_in_percentages=”” up=”40″ down=”40″][vc_column_text]
YOU’RE INVITED
The Queen’s Cup – Soap Box Derby Races Come to Long Beach
The very first All-American Soap Box Derby (AASBD) and California Family Soap Box Derby Association (CFSBDA) sanctioned rally race in Long Beach, Calif. makes its formal racing debut, Aug 23-24 alongside the Queen Mary.
Racers can compete in three divisions:
- Stock Division – For racers age 7–14 years old. A lean-forward design, stock cars can accommodate a racer up to (approx) 5’3” tall and 125 pounds.
- Super Stock Division – For racers age 10-17 years old. Super stock cars, also a lean-forward design, can accommodate a larger racer up to (approx) 6’0” tall and 150 pounds.
- Masters Division (also known as Scottie) – For more experienced racers age 10-17 years old. A lay-back design, it can accommodate a racer up to (approx) 6’0” tall and 160 pounds.
Each driver will attend a pre-race clinic, be presented with a helmet and introduced to their machine as it sits atop an elevated platform. When the two-car raceway is set the starter will release the both cars – gravity does the rest and will rocket the competitors to about 12MPH out of the blocks and towards the checkered flag.
For more information please visit www.queenmary.com/events/all-american-soap-box-derby. Complete Derby and rules information can be found on the All-American Soap Box Derby website at www.aasbd.com.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings,
We’re burning through the last of the summer months here in Southern California, where there is never a shortage of local classic cars shows, auctions, fancy concours’ and rowdy racing events. Our recent hang at Irwindale Raceway in July was a great reminder that the smell of burning fuel on a summer night at the strip is just plain good for the soul.
Switching gears, we’re in for a more cerebral event next week at the Art Center School of Design. Chief Content Officer, Angus MacKenzie, addresses the Motor Press Guild in an interview-style format conducted by our friend, Eric Noble, a faculty member of the transportation design program at Art Center. Our plan going forward is to cover “Media in the News” whenever appropriate, capture it on video and share it with the automotive world at large. In this, the first of our interview series, we hope to find out how and why Automobile Magazine came to reside in Southern California and what the new “TEN” organization brings to the automotive publishing mix. As an added bonus, Art Center is conducting tours of the campus for those who would like to stick around for a while after the luncheon.
In September, we’ll be guests at Honda’s Torrance Historic Museum for an announcement from its luxury division, Acura. Then, October brings the premiere event of the year – Track Days. Our dual-location is only the beginning of the changes you’ll see on our Track Days schedule. Registration is coming very soon, so please pencil in October 14-15 on your calendar and plan to attend.
Soon, you’ll be receiving the 2014/2015 MPG Members Guide on your desk – one of the most useful, dog-eared books on your shelf. Our guide manager, Pete Evanow, has worked extra hard this year to make the printed guide as accurate and helpful as possible. We appreciate all the companies that pay for and provide informative advertising inserts each year and American Honda Motors for donating their in-house printing presses to create it.
On behalf of the MPG Board of Directors, thank you for your ongoing support of our organization and we appreciate all the encouraging comments you send our way as you notice MPG making positive changes. Our plan is to make many more in the coming months.
All the Best,
— Joni Gray
President, Motor Press Guild[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” position=”center” thickness=”2″ width_in_percentages=”” up=”40″ down=”40″][vc_column_text]
CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR MilePost
Any member is welcome to submit items to this monthly newsletter that are of specific interest to fellow members:
- Member Chronicle stories
- Letters to the Editor
- Job Openings
Acceptance and revision are at the discretion of the Editor. MilePost does not publish general industry PR or paid ads. Member Chronicle stories can be adventures you’ve had, special talents you possess, what you drive, your first car, a car you crashed, one you lived in, epic (or not so epic) drives, etc. In other words, think freely and keep things in good taste. Shoot for 400-800 words and include some images if you have them.
Deadline is seven days before the end of the month. Send both words and pictures (small JPEGs, please) to: milepost@motorpressguild.org
NOTE: Members who wish to publicize non-MPG events or announcements may do so themselves on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/motorpressguild. And be sure to “like” our page while you’re there.
Motor Press Guild, P.O. Box 4215, Redondo Beach CA 90277 • 323-374-3674[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” position=”center” thickness=”2″ width_in_percentages=”” up=”40″ down=”40″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1431038828070{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”milepost-sidebar” css=”.vc_custom_1437681815475{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”]MilePost is the monthly online newsletter of the Motor Press Guild
CONTENTS
MPG Night at Irwindale Dragstrip
2014 Track Days Registration Opens on 8/18
August MPG Luncheon at Art Center with guest, Angus MacKenzie
Call for entries: 2014 Dean Batchelor Awards
You’re Invited
President’s Message
Contribute to MilePost
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Joni Gray, President
Jason Fogelson, Vice President
Darryll Harrison, Treasurer
Jeff Glucker, Secretary
Mike Antich
Shad Balch
Brendan Flynn
Michael Harley
Deb Pollack
Doug Stokes
Chris Woodyard
MPG STAFF
MPG Business Operations Manager
Alaia WIlliams
MPG Web/Communications Manager
Carrie Kim
Media Guide Manager
Pete Evanow
ABOUT MPG
The Motor Press Guild is the largest automotive media association in North America. This exclusive, non-profit organization is dedicated to upholding the highest ideals in automotive journalism and promoting education and information exchange within the motoring press. Members include print journalists, photographers, broadcasters and new media professionals, as well as public-relations representatives, consumer groups, and governmental bodies tied to the automotive industry. Student memberships are available as well.For more information, please visit www.motorpressguild.org.
Motor Press Guild
P.O. Box 4883
Orange, CA 92863[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]