Sports &
Autos News
Behind the Big Air Benefit Kicks Off X
Games 14
Athlete and Artist Painted Skate Decks to be Unveiled at Benefit
Hosted by ESPN’s anchorwoman Dana Jacobson, the X Games benefit will
provide music by the world famous KROQ, celebrities, and X Games 14
competitors in BMX, Moto X, Skateboard and Rally Car Racing – most
notably
the featured athletes will include V Foundation X Games spokesman Kenny
Bartram (Moto X). In addition, two-time Skateboard Vert and Vert
Best
Trick gold medalist Sandro Dias and two-time Winter X Games Skiing
SuperPipe silver medalist Simon Dumont will also be in attendance.
”The V Foundation supports a cause that is important to the ESPN
family, and we are proud to partner with the STAPLES Center Foundation for
a
second year,” said Amy Lupo, senior director, Global X Event Marketing
and Content. “There is no better way to kick off X Games 14 than with
this great cause, and we truly appreciate the participation and support
from the action sports community.”
The exclusive second annual opening night bash will take place
Wednesday, July 30 at 6 p.m atop the STAPLES Center celebrated City View
Terrace, providing panoramic views of the ever-changing skyline of
downtown
Los Angeles. The benefit will feature the award-winning cuisine of Levy
Restaurants. A silent auction filled with sports memorabilia and
painted skateboard decks designed by a select number of renowned artists,
celebrities and athletes will highlight the benefit event. There will be
an exclusive VIP meet and greet with X Games 14 featured athletes and
celebrity guests. Net profits will benefit two important charities, the
STAPLES Center Foundation and The V Foundation for Cancer Research. To
purchase tickets, visit www.staplescenterfoundation.com.
Happening in conjunction with the Behind the Big Air Benefit is the
third annual “Don’t Ever Give Up!” Skatedeck Auction that will also raise
funds for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Athletes, artists and
celebrities have painted their own designs on skate decks donated by
Powell Skate One. These decks will be on display for bidding at the Behind
the Big Air benefit, inside the VIP tent at X Games 14, and also on
eBay at
http://stores.ebay.com/ESPN-Auctions. The auction will feature
boards painted by X Games athletes Ricky Carmichael, Sandro Dias, Ryan
Sheckler, Ryan Nyquist, Ashley Fiolek, Chad Kagy and ESPN’s commentator
and benefit host Dana Jacobson. Other artists include Glen Keane, Mark
Richmond, Marco, Chris Pastras, Bo Bridges, Joe Barillaro, Drake
McElroy, Nate Wesel, Bill Morrison, “The Bachelor” host Chris Harrison and
Hart & Huntington’s Tattoo Orlando Shop. Bidding on eBay will begin at 6
p.m. PT on Wednesday, July 30 and conclude on Saturday, August 9 at!
6 p.m. PT.
Three boards in the “Don’t Ever Give Up!” Skatedeck auction. (l to r):
Pro Skateboarder Ryan Sheckler, Walt Disney Lead Animator Glen Keane
and ESPN Anchor Dana Jacobson
Presenting sponsor for the Behind the Big Air Benefit is American
Express.
STAPLES Center Foundation
The Foundation has established a number of partnerships in the Los
Angeles community to assist charities in raising funds and awareness for
their organizations with a special emphasis on the low-income
neighborhoods surrounding the arena. The Foundation has donated an excess
of $7
million in financial and in-kind support to many community-based
organizations, helping to reach those in need.
About The V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and
the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and
ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has raised more than $70
million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100
percent of all new direct cash donations and net proceeds of events
directly
to cancer research and related programs. The Foundation, which has
received five consecutive top 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator,
awards
grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a
Scientific Review Committee. For more information on The V Foundation or
to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.
About Team ESPN
Team ESPN encompasses ESPN’s multi-faceted corporate outreach programs
including volunteerism, corporate giving and cause marketing, while
utilizing its diverse media assets. Through Team ESPN, ESPN, its
employees, and its fans work together to make a difference in our world
and the
communities in which we live. Team ESPN. . .Fans Helping Fans.
ESPN X Games 14 Skateboard Ticket Package
Now Available
Who: X Games fans can now purchase the Sunday Skate Ticket Package for
this summer’s X Games 14 through STAPLES Center and The Home Depot
Center box offices, all Ticketmaster outlets and Ticketmaster.com.
The package includes:
-Admission to X Fest, the ultimate action sports festival featuring
sponsor & Industry booths, bmx and skate vert competitions, interactive
parks, athlete appearances, demos and new-to-the-X Games bmx and
skateboard SuperPark competitions. Bleacher seating at the Vert and
SuperPark
are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis for the
three finals on this day: Skateboard Vert Ams at 11a.m., first-time event
Skateboard SuperPark at 12:30 p.m. and Legends of Vert at 2:30 p.m.,
which last year featured old school talent including Chris Miller,
Christian Hosoi and Steve Caballero.
-"Best of X" dvd
-Limited-edition X Games 14 skatedeck
This package is a $79.99 retail value available to the public for $50
while supplies last.
What: The X Games is the definitive annual action sports competition
featuring more than 150 of the world’s best athletes competing in: BMX
Freestyle, Moto X, Skateboard and Rally Car Racing. X Games Los
Angeles-based venues include STAPLES Center, the new Event Deck at LA Live
(downtown across from STAPLES Center) and The Home Depot Center in Carson,
Calif.
Additional X Games tickets range in price from $10-$20 based on
location and venue. For more detailed information on ticket prices, the
times
of venue operations and more, please log on to www.ticketmaster.com.
For information on transportation, parking, athletes invited to
participate and more please log on to www.expn.com.
When: ESPN X Games 14 will be held July 31 – August 3.
Where: The Home Depot Center will host an increased number of X Games
competitions, while other events will return to STAPLES Center as well
as the new Event Deck at LA Live downtown across from STAPLES Center.
Twenty hours of live X Games programming on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC – all
showcased in high definition – will be aired July 31 – August 3, as well
as on ESPN International, EXPN.com, ESPN Classic, ESPN360.com,
SportsCenter and ESPN2’s X Center.
Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN's latest releases, schedules and
other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.
SKIING SUPERPIPE WOMEN’S FINAL
Results from Aspen/Snowmass on Friday, January 25, 2008
Name / Bib # / Hometown / Score
1. Sarah Burke / 542 / Whistler, BC, Canada / 92.00
2. Mirjam Jaeger / 549 / Zurich, Switzerland / 81.33
3. Jen Hudak / 548 / Park City, Utah / 78.33
4. Jess Cumming / 543 / Wilton, Ct. / 78.00
5. Virginie Faivre / 545 / Montreux, Switzerland / 77.66
6. Grete Eliassen / 544 / Salt Lake City, Utah / 74.00
7. Gina Gmeiner / 546 / Park City, Utah / 69.33
8. Stephanie Sirianni / 550 / Melbourne, Australia / 62.00
9. Em Lonsdale / 523 / Settle, Great Britain / 58.66
10. Roz Groenewoud / 547 / Calgary, AB, Canada / 54.66
11. Angeli VanLaanen / 551 / Bellingham, Wash. / 36.66
12. Kristi Leskinen / 553 / Uniontown, Pa. / 20.00
For Winter X Games media information, including press releases, logos
and additional images from past events, log on to
www.espneventmedia.com.
Winter X Games 12 will air live January 24 – 27 on ESPN and ABC.
ABOUT THE ESPN X GAMES FRANCHISE
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X
Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Content Development, X Games,
Winter
X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports
programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. The brand has also grown to
include international X Games events, EXPN.com, X Games skateparks and
various X Games-branded retail products.
Team ESPN will be hosting the second annual “Don’t Give Up” snowboard
auction that will raise funds and awareness for The V Foundation for
Cancer Research. Visit www.expn.com to place your bid.
Research and Markets: Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic
Equipment Manufacturing Industry in the U.S. and its Foreign Trade (1997-2009)
DUBLIN, Ireland---Research and
Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c75283)
has announced the addition of Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic
Equipment Manufacturing Industry in the U.S. and its Foreign Trade (1997-2009)
to their offering
This industry report includes 154 pages of the latest market research
information. In addition to the detailed explanations of the provided
statistical data, there are 112 charts, 18 tables, and 2 maps to effectively
illustrate the content. Use this report as an in-depth analysis of the
industry, an industry reference guide, an aid for benchmarking and
forecasting, and as a tool for uncovering new business opportunities. The
report is considered the most comprehensive research in the market.
Our clients include Fortune 500 companies, domestic and global
manufacturers, major retailers and wholesalers, professional trade
associations, financial corporations, universities, governmental entities,
start-ups and individuals.
This industry report packs 10 years of data from hundreds of reliable
government and private statistical resources. The data have been compared and
verified to assure the highest research quality. We frequently contacted these
agencies and private companies to acquire the latest information, most of
which is unavailable to the general public. It is estimated that to gather and
organize the same information into an easy-to-read format in each report, an
individual researcher would spend at least a year’s
worth of effort. The challenge is, by the time this is accomplished, some data
most likely becomes obsolete. Our business is dedicated to the research of
U.S. industries and their associated foreign trades. We can meet that
challenge easily as our databases are directly linked to these resources.
Want to find out the industrys supply, demand, capacity, market size, and
import and export? What about the industrys products and materials? Need
benchmark information on the industrys cost structure and profitability? Need
data to analyze labor force and its productivity? Who are the major players in
the industry? What are the latest trends? What about green manufacturing,
sustainability and compliance?
To see additional categories of information, please refer to the Table of
Content.
Content Outline:
Introduction
Industrys Income Statement
Industrys Balance Sheet
Capital Expenditure
Labor And Compensation
Establishments
Import
Export
Industry Players
Links
Appendix A - Sales & Marketing
Appendix B - Industry Structure
Appendix C - Foreign Trade And Us States Statistics
Appendix D - Industry’s 4-Year Financial
Statement
Appendix E - Report Methodology
MOTOR VEHICLE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
The industry’s revenue for the year 2006 was
approximately $22,310,000,000. The total import export value for the year 2006
was $15,203,311,000. There were 169 countries that conducted foreign trade
with the U.S. in 2006, 1 more than year 2005. The top trading countries were:
Mexico, $6,651,529,000 (43.75%); Canada, $2,368,975,000 (15.58%); Japan,
$1,546,639,000 (10.17%); China, $746,668,000 (4.91%); and Honduras,
$521,733,000 (3.43%). Their combined total represents approximately 78% of all
imports and exports.
The total import value for the year 2006 was $11,007,852,000. This
represents a 5.4% increase from year 2005. The U.S. had imported industry
related merchandises from 105 countries in 2006. The top importing countries
were: Mexico, $5,813,938,000 (52.82%); Japan, $1,432,535,000 (13.01%); China,
$646,939,000 (5.88%); Taiwan, $421,355,000 (3.83%); and Philippines,
$393,088,000 (3.57%). Their combined total represents approximately 79% of
import from all countries.
The total export value for the year 2006 was $4,000,143,000. This
represents a 4.4% increase from year 2005. The U.S. had exported industry
related merchandises to 165 countries in 2006. The top exporting countries
were: Canada, $2,088,885,000 (52.22%); Mexico, $816,643,000 (20.42%);
Honduras, $135,256,000 (3.38%); Philippines, $85,147,000 (2.13%); and Germany,
$78,196,000 (1.95%). Their combined total represents approximately 80% of
export to all countries.
Adding the import and subtracting the export, the total U.S. consumption
value of this industry for the year was $29,318,000,000.
SCOPE
336321 - Vehicular Lighting Equipment Manufacturing
336322 - Other Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Manufacturing
SUMMARY
This industry report packs 10 years of data from hundreds of reliable
government and private statistical resources. The data have been compared and
verified to assure the highest research quality. The author frequently
contacted these agencies and private companies to acquire the latest
information, most of which is unavailable to the general public. It is
estimated that to gather and organize the same information into an
easy-to-read format in each report, an individual researcher would spend at
least a year’s worth of effort. The challenge is, by
the time this is accomplished, some data is most likely obsolete. Our business
is dedicated to the research of U.S. industries and their associated foreign
trades. We can meet that challenge easily as our databases are directly linked
to these resources. For more information, please also refer to the Table of
Contents.
For more information visit
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c75283
Golfsmith Opens
“Playground” for Raleigh
Golfers and Tennis Players
Nation’s Largest
Specialty Golf Retailer Celebrates Opening of its Largest Store and its
First Location in North Carolina with $25,000 in Giveaways and a Longest
Drive Contest to Benefit The V Foundation
The new 60,000 sq-ft Golfsmith Golf & Tennis store in Raleigh, NC
features an interactive, indoor driving range complete with nine hitting
bays that let golfers test the latest clubs and drivers. (Photo:
Business Wire)
RALEIGH, N.C.---Fore! Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc.
(NASDAQ: GOLF) is unveiling the largest addition to its 74-store chain: a
60,000-square foot playground for Raleigh-area golfers and tennis
enthusiasts. The store features an interactive 9-bay, indoor driving range
complete with state-of-the-art launch monitors as well as an indoor tennis
court and dedicated racquet demo areas.
The new store, located in the previous Best Buy location at 6254 Glenwood
Avenue in Raleigh, also includes a large putting green and Golfsmith’s
first-ever dedicated chipping and pitching area with a real sand bunker. The
Golfsmith experience also features a huge selection of name-brand equipment
including Adidas®, Callaway®,
Cleveland®, Cobra®,
Head/Penn®, Nike®, PING®,
TaylorMade®, Wilson®,
and many more. Additionally, golf lessons are offered in the store by
Golfsmith’s exclusive lesson partner, GolfTEC,
the nation’s #1 golf instruction provider.
“Our new store raises the bar on
activity-based retail and gives our guests an entertaining and educational
experience,” said Jim Thompson, president and
chief executive officer of Golfsmith. “We are
confident that golfers and tennis players will continue to appreciate the
difference in Golfsmith's guest services, specialty retail offerings and
activity-based stores that allow our guests the ability to try out the
latest golf and tennis gear in a comfortable and fun environment.”
Grand Opening Festivities
Golfsmith is celebrating the grand opening of the store by offering
guests $25,000 worth of prizes including $25 cash cards, free rounds of
golf, drivers, bags, balls, racquets and much more offered on Friday and
Saturday of the official opening. Guests will also have a chance to register
for a 30-minute private lesson with world-renowned golf teacher Hank Haney
during a free clinic to be held at the Golfsmith store on December 1.
As part of the grand opening, Golfsmith also is hosting a
“longest drive”
competition in its indoor driving range on Friday, November 23rd
from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Golfers of all ages and skill levels are eligible to
participate. The contest is part of an effort that allows guests to donate
to The V Foundation, a Triangle area-based organization dedicated to saving
lives by helping find a cure for cancer.
The Raleigh store will feature the full complement of Golfsmith’s
interactive retail experience:
 | New Indoor Driving Range
– The indoor driving range provides extended
ball flight that lets golfers test the latest golf club models. It
includes nine hitting bays that incorporate the latest launch monitor
technology and let golfers evaluate their swings on large monitors, two
dedicated custom-fitting simulators and a chipping and pitching area that
includes a real sand bunker. |
| New Indoor Tennis Court
– The indoor tennis court provides an
opportunity for tennis enthusiasts to test the latest tennis equipment in
a comfortable indoor setting. The store also includes two tennis demo
areas, including a half-court and demo hitting wall. |
| Certified PGA Instruction
– Golfsmith’s
partnership with GolfTEC lets customers take advantage of in-store PGA
teaching professionals who provide coaching and advanced instruction using
the same kind of biofeedback devices, video and swing analysis technology
used by touring pros. |
| Custom Fitting Technology
– Golfsmith’s
professional in-store staff helps golfers get the most enjoyment out of
the game by providing complimentary precision club-fitting that matches
golfers to the golf clubs that best fit their individual golf swings.
|
| Golf and Tennis Apparel
– Golfsmith features the most up-to-date styles
in men’s and women’s
golf and tennis apparel, and on and off the field. Catering to young and
seasoned players alike, Golfsmith offers the latest in hi-tech fabrics and
designs, as well as hard-to-find items. |
| Custom Clubmaking
– The store will showcase Golfsmith’s
40-year heritage in custom clubmaking, which allows golfers to completely
customize their own set of clubs. The store features a custom-fit workshop
with the latest golf club components from Snake Eyes®,
Golfsmith®, Killer Bee®,
Spalding®, Adams Golf®
and Zebra®. Guests have access to in-store
clubmaking classes that cover custom clubmaking, club re-gripping, and
clubhead and shaft technology. |
Now Serving Tennis
The Raleigh store will be under the Golfsmith Golf & Tennis brand, and
will feature a full-service tennis department with a wide assortment of
equipment, footwear and apparel. Since fall 2004, Golfsmith has increased
the number of golf and tennis stores it operates, with the Raleigh store
being the 57th. The tennis stores are complemented
by Golfsmith’s “Center
Court” tennis catalog and Web site (tennis.golfsmith.com).
“Golfsmith is aiming to be the first national
tennis specialty retailer,” said Thompson.
“We will offer the best brands at the best
prices, all backed by the same expert service we are known for in golf.”
Golfsmith gives guests three ways to shop for their golf and tennis
equipment, accessories and apparel: more than 70 existing retail stores; its
Internet store at
www.golfsmith.com; and its assortment of catalogs. Through each channel,
the company delivers an extensive product selection that features premier
branded golf and tennis merchandise, as well as proprietary golf products,
custom clubmaking and pre-owned clubs.
About Golfsmith
Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOLF) is a 40-year-old
specialty retailer of golf and tennis equipment, apparel and accessories.
The company operates as an integrated multi-channel retailer, offering its
guests the convenience of shopping in more than 70 stores across the United
States, through its Internet site and from its assortment of catalogs.
Golfsmith offers an extensive product selection that features premier
branded merchandise, as well as its proprietary products, clubmaking
components and pre-owned clubs.
Cautionary Language
Certain statements made in this news release are
forward looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and
uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are only predictions based
on our current expectations and projections about future events. Important
factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, those discussed
in our Form 10-Q, filed August 15, 2006 and November 7, 2006 and our
Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on June 15, 2006 under the caption
"Risk Factors."
New Report Contains the Most Recent Data on the Motor
Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing Industry in the U.S
DUBLIN, Ireland--Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c75269)
has announced the addition of Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts
Manufacturing Industry in the U.S. and its Foreign Trade (1997-2009) to their
offering.
This industry report includes 154 pages of the latest market research
information. In addition to the detailed explanations of the provided
statistical data, there are 112 charts, 18 tables, and 2 maps to effectively
illustrate the content. Use this report as an in-depth analysis of the
industry, an industry reference guide, an aid for benchmarking and
forecasting, and as a tool for uncovering new business opportunities. The
report is considered the most comprehensive research in the market.
Our clients include Fortune 500 companies, domestic and global
manufacturers, major retailers and wholesalers, professional trade
associations, financial corporations, universities, governmental entities,
start-ups and individuals.
This industry report packs 10 years of data from hundreds of reliable
government and private statistical resources. The data have been compared and
verified to assure the highest research quality. We frequently contacted these
agencies and private companies to acquire the latest information, most of
which is unavailable to the general public. It is estimated that to gather and
organize the same information into an easy-to-read format in each report, an
individual researcher would spend at least a year’s
worth of effort. The challenge is, by the time this is accomplished, some data
most likely becomes obsolete. Our business is dedicated to the research of
U.S. industries and their associated foreign trades. We can meet that
challenge easily as our databases are directly linked to these resources.
Want to find out the industry's supply, demand, capacity, market size, and
import and export? What about the industry's products and materials? Need
benchmark information on the industry's cost structure and profitability? Need
data to analyze labor force and its productivity? Who are the major players in
the industry? What are the latest trends? What about green manufacturing,
sustainability and compliance?
To see additional categories of information, please refer to the Table of
Content.
Content Outline:
INTRODUCTION
INDUSTRY'S INCOME STATEMENT
INDUSTRY'S BALANCE SHEET
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
LABOR AND COMPENSATION
ESTABLISHMENTS
IMPORT
EXPORT
INDUSTRY PLAYERS
LINKS
APPENDIX A - SALES & MARKETING
APPENDIX B - INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
APPENDIX C - FOREIGN TRADE AND US STATES STATISTICS
APPENDIX D - INDUSTRY’S 4-YEAR FINANCIAL
STATEMENT
APPENDIX E - REPORT METHODOLOGY
MOTOR VEHICLE GASOLINE ENGINE AND ENGINE PARTS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
The industry’s revenue for the year 2006 was
approximately $35,170,000,000. The total import export value for the year 2006
was $17,597,854,000. There were 160 countries that conducted foreign trade
with the U.S. in 2006, 7 more than year 2005. The top trading countries were:
Canada, $8,079,464,000 (45.91%); Mexico, $4,392,333,000 (24.96%); Japan,
$2,266,166,000 (12.88%); Germany, $959,752,000 (5.45%); and China,
$269,679,000 (1.53%). Their combined total represents approximately 91% of all
imports and exports.
The total import value for the year 2006 was $11,195,262,000. This
represents a 10.1% decrease from year 2005. The U.S. had imported industry
related merchandises from 86 countries in 2006. The top importing countries
were: Canada, $3,667,388,000 (32.76%); Mexico, $3,515,097,000 (31.40%); Japan,
$2,047,968,000 (18.29%); Germany, $897,270,000 (8.01%); and China,
$219,757,000 (1.96%). Their combined total represents approximately 92% of
import from all countries.
The total export value for the year 2006 was $6,251,432,000. This
represents a 8.1% increase from year 2005. The U.S. had exported industry
related merchandises to 155 countries in 2006. The top exporting countries
were: Canada, $4,399,438,000 (70.37%); Mexico, $864,877,000 (13.83%); Japan,
$154,758,000 (2.48%); Australia, $136,370,000 (2.18%); and Venezuela,
$65,951,000 (1.05%). Their combined total represents approximately 90% of
export to all countries.
Adding the import and subtracting the export, the total U.S. consumption
value of this industry for the year was $40,114,000,000.
SCOPE
336311 - Carburetor, Piston, Piston Ring, and Valve Manufacturing
336312 - Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing
SUMMARY
This industry report packs 10 years of data from hundreds of reliable
government and private statistical resources. The data have been compared and
verified to assure the highest research quality. Supplier Relations US, LLC.
frequently contacted these agencies and private companies to acquire the
latest information, most of which is unavailable to the general public. It is
estimated that to gather and organize the same information into an
easy-to-read format in each report, an individual researcher would spend at
least a year’s worth of effort. The challenge is, by
the time this is accomplished, some data is most likely obsolete. Our business
is dedicated to the research of U.S. industries and their associated foreign
trades. We can meet that challenge easily as our databases are directly linked
to these resources. For more information, please also refer to the Table of
Contents.
For more information visit
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c75269
Orange County Auto Show Attendees Challenged to 'Survive' Earth-Shaking Sound
in the Al & Ed's Autosound 15,000-Watt Xtreme Vehicle
With an Amplifier the Size of a Great Dane and 32 Speakers, Al & Ed's
Autosound 'Breaks The Sound Barrier' At The Orange County Auto Show
ANAHEIM, Calif., -- With a reputation for demonstrating the "Xtreme"
possibilities of automobile customization, Al & Ed's Autosound is "breaking the
sound barrier" at the 2007 Orange County Auto Show with the one-of-a-kind,
windshield-shaking, bone-rattling, teeth-chattering "15,000 Watt Audio
Experience." The best "seats" in the house at the OC Auto Show will be in the Al
& Ed's Autosound Auto Show Underground as attendees are invited to follow their
ears and ride the 15,000-Watt Experience.
With an unprecedented 15,000-Watt Rockford Fosgate T15kW amplifier, one of
only six in the world, twenty-four Rockford 6-1/2-inch component speakers and
eight 15-inch subwoofers packed in to this 2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV,
audiophile auto-show-goers will finally be able to "feel" the music. And for
those brave enough to ride the Experience, Al & Ed's Autosound will be providing
free "I Survived the 15,000 Watt Experience" t-shirts in commemoration of the
event.
In addition to the 15,000-Watt Experience, Al & Ed's Autosound will showcase
today's hottest cars, outfitted with must-see accessories and mobile
electronics, demonstrating to show-goers the "Xtreme" possibilities of
automobile personalization. The Al & Ed's Autosound booth in the Auto Show
Underground will also feature, a rare pearl 2006 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
Roadster, a completely restored 1957 BMW Isetta, the 2006 Mercedes SLR McLaren
"supercar," the Chevy SSR Xtreme Tailgater, and more.
The show will be open to the public from October 4-7 at the Anaheim
Convention Center and the Al & Ed's Autosound Auto Show Underground is located
in the South Hall. For more information, visit
http://www.al-eds.com/.
About Al & Ed's Autosound
Founded in 1954, Al & Ed's Autosound has grown to become the largest mobile
electronics and communications specialist with more than 24 Southern California
stores. As a recognized leader in the mobile electronics industry, Al & Ed's
Autosound has been an instrumental partner in the pioneering of innovations such
as FM radio for cars, cassette players for cars and the first car alarms, and is
viewed within the mobile electronics industry as a barometer for the industry in
Southern California. For more information, visit
http://www.al-eds.com/.
Source: Al & Ed's Autosound
Imagine Sports Predicts 2007 NLDS Winners
First Round Winners Picked Using Leading Baseball Simulation Software
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--- October 03, 2007) -
Imagine Sports®, Inc., a leading sports simulation game developer, today
announced first round predictions for Major League Baseball's National League
Divisional Series. Employing their state-of-the-art Diamond Mind simulation
engine, Imagine Sports ran each game of the NLDS 1,000 times to ensure the
most accurate results possible.
In their predictions, The Cubs prevail in 621 games of the 1000 game series
against the Diamondbacks. The Cub's offensive trio of Alfonso Soriano, Derrek
Lee and Aramis Ramirez proved to be the difference maker by racking up an
average run differential of 2.71 each game.
Likelihood of The Cubs Winning:
-- In 3 Games: 19.3%
-- In 4 Games: 24.9%
-- In 5 Games: 17.9%
OVERALL: 62.1%
Likelihood of The Diamondbacks Winning:
-- In 3 Games: 6.5%
-- In 4 Games: 14.1%
-- In 5 Games: 17.3%
OVERALL: 37.9%
In the closest of the four divisional series, the Rockies just squeeze by
the Diamondbacks winning 528 of the 1000 in the series.
Likelihood of The Rockies Winning:
-- In 3 Games: 15.3%
-- In 4 Games: 20.0%
-- In 5 Games: 17.5%
OVERALL: 52.8%
Likelihood of The Phillies Winning:
-- In 3 Games: 8.1%
-- In 4 Games: 16.9%
-- In 5 Games: 22.2%
OVERALL: 47.2%
While Colorado registered nearly twice as many 3-0 sweeps as Philadelphia
(153-81), the Phillies show a significant advantage if Cole Hamels is able to
secure a win in game one and contain the hot bat of Matt Holiday who is
expected to have a 14 hit series.
Stay tuned for daily AL and NL Division Series updates. For more detailed
data on these predictions or to request day by day updates on the statistics,
please contact Michael Parlapiano at Kohnke Communications.
About Diamond Mind
Diamond Mind utilizes an advanced, highly-accurate simulation engine that
has been developed and refined over the course of 20 years by renowned
baseball statistician, Tom Tippett. The engine is so advanced that it has been
used by ESPN to conduct simulations throughout the MLB season.
Editor's Note: Projections and ratings for each player were updated based
on their regular season performances, and while playoff rosters have not yet
been finalized, Imagine Sports used their best judgment in selecting each
team's starting rotations, batting orders, bullpen and bench roles. All lineup
selections take into account players carrying an injury into the postseason,
however Imagine Sports did not attempt to simulate the degree to which such an
injury might hamper the player, except to the extent that it already was
reflected in his regular season performance.
Shimano Introduces 2008 Coasting
Bikes
Shimano Partners With Ten Manufacturers To
Expand Casual Cycling Efforts
Seven additional OEMs joined Trek Bikes in Shimano's 2008 Coasting line.
(Photo: Business Wire)
Seven additional OEMs joined Raleigh Bicycles USA in Shimano's 2008
Coasting line. (Photo: Business Wire)
IRVINE, Calif.--In efforts to expand the market for casual cycling,
Shimano, the world’s leading manufacturer of
bicycle components, today announced that seven additional bicycle
manufacturers will produce bikes equipped with its Coasting components in
2008.
The 2008 Coasting line includes the following manufacturers:
|
• Electra
Bicycle Co.
• Fuji Bikes
• Giant Bicycle
• Jamis Bicycles
• K2 Bike |
|
• Phat Cycles
• Raleigh Bicycles USA
• Schwinn Bicycles
• Sun Cycles
• Trek Bikes |
In 2003, Shimano teamed up with innovation and design firm IDEO to
develop the ideal casual biking experience. In 2007, this new biking
experience made its debut with Coasting bikes from three top bike
manufacturers, Giant, Raleigh, and Trek.
Coasting’s initial success among new and
returning riders attracted an additional seven manufacturers for 2008.
In the development of Coasting, Shimano and IDEO conducted research about
consumers’ bike riding experiences. The goal was
to understand what would motivate a non-cyclist to ride a bike. After
interviewing and observing U.S. non-cyclists, Shimano and IDEO found that
most consumers had fond memories of riding a bike as a child, and were
interested in riding a bike in the same way today –
just for fun.
“This has been a groundbreaking year for
Shimano and the cycling industry – we’re
excited that we’re working together to motivate
the world of non-cyclists to join the Coasting experience,”
said Dave Lawrence, Shimano’s senior manager of
product development and marketing. “With the
combined efforts and successes of the Coasting initiative so far, we
anticipate that this expanded partnership will continue our goal of growing
the industry.”
Based on the extensive research, Shimano’s
designers created a bicycle component group that is simple, comfortable,
affordable and easy to use. The Coasting group is geared specifically for
the rider who wants to coast rather than climb. It features an automatically
shifting 3-speed system designed for casual riding, and includes a computer
that shifts gears as the rider increases or decreases the bike’s
speed. The component group also includes a coaster brake, which allows the
rider to brake by pedaling backward rather than with a hand brake lever. The
automatic shifting technology is hidden, and the experience is designed
around the user’s needs.
For more information about Shimano Coasting, please visit
www.coasting.com.
About Coasting
Coasting is a casual bike experience for the millions of Americans who
remember riding a bike as a kid and want to relive that experience
effortlessly. By using a human-centered approach to the design and
determining the consumer’s needs, Shimano
– in partnership with 10 bicycle manufacturers
– developed the ideal bike that combines
automatic shifting with a stylish, simple design and function for riders of
any ability. Each bike features Shimano’s
Coasting components. The bikes are easy to ride, the technology is hidden,
and the experience is designed around the casual user’s
needs. Shimano is the leading manufacturer of bicycle components and fishing
tackle equipment. Founded in 1921, Shimano is headquartered in Japan with 30
offices across 22 nations.
www.coasting.com
Britain’s
Paul Bonhomme wins Red Bull Air Race in San Diego
Paul Bonhomme (GBR/Team
Matador) jumped back into the lead of the Red Bull Air Race World Series
championship on Saturday with a scintillating victory in the penultimate race of
the season in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 50,000 in San Diego , USA .
Bonhomme pushed American Mike Mangold (Team Cobra) back to second in the
standings after the local hero struggled and got knocked out in the quarter
finals.
Bonhomme, who had led the
championship for most of the season before Mangold leaped ahead of him last
month in Budapest , celebrated his 43rd birthday in America ’s “finest city”
with a thrilling victory in the final against Kirby Chambliss to collect six
points and move to the top of the standings with 45 points.
Bonhomme clocked a time of
1:23.80. Kirby Chambliss (USA/Team Red Bull) finished 1.11 seconds behind in
second place while Nigel Lamb (GBR/Team Breitling) was third. Mangold, who had
also struggled in Friday’s qualifying and hit a pylon, got two points and now
has 43 points with one race left in Perth , Australia on 4th
November.
“I felt relaxed. It was the
last race of the day and I went for it”, said Bonhomme. “I was concentrating
hard and looking at all the tactics that the other pilots have been using and it
paid off”.
Even though it supposedly
“never rains in Southern California”, a series of heavy showers in the hours
before the race and powerful winds off the Pacific Ocean all day made the
difficult course over the bay even more treacherous.
The southwestern port of San
Diego, population 1.3 million, has, however, more than lived up to its
reputation as America’s “finest city” (it is also the country’s eighth largest).
Its breathtaking backdrop in front of the waterfront skyline and alongside U.S.
Navy battleships in the bay has been one of the most spectacular this season.
The Red Bull Air Race pilots
fly through a slalom course of inflated Air Gates just metres above the surface
at speeds reaching 400 km/h (250 mph) and endure forces of up to 10G. Last year
more than six million spectators attended the eight races of the championship.
Hi again everyone (please do
not scroll down to look at the photos just yet),
Sorry for the two week gap
since the last new column but I've been extremely busy. It's amazing how well
I can function on virtually no sleep. However, I wanted to finish everything
before I went out of state for a Ford Motor Company press event tomorrow. I
accomplished my goal and am now ready to share what's been going on with you.
Tonight I made some MAJOR
additions and changes to the content of the AutoMatters Web
site (www.AutoMatters.net).
For starters, you'll see that I've added something important to the subtitle,
under AutoMatters at the top of each page. I've explained the
significance of that addition in the third item of the Home
Page (it's entitled "*NEW
- Please READ THIS: Motorsports, Travel
and more!!!").
Then, be sure to read about
the exciting news in the fourth item of the Home Page (it's
entitled "*NEW -
Please read this, too: AutoMatters LIVE!").
Rather than spill all of the beans and tell you everything here in this email,
I'd like you to quickly go to the Home Page and read it there, before you read
this week's new column (see below for details about that). I'll give you a
couple of hints, though: First, I'm now on
the radio with a simulcast on the Internet. That means you
can hear it from just about anywhere on earth! How's that for global reach?
Second, I just covered boat races and I'm about to cover air races. You're
going to love the photos, one of which is near the end of this email.
And now, as they used to
say, back to our regularly scheduled programming:
---------------------------------
Title: "Sharp
Aquos 500: The 'Race to the Chase' Heats Up at California Speedway"
Preview: With
daytime temperatures approaching 120 degrees, the drivers and crews were not
the only ones who would be facing a challenge or two at this NASCAR NEXTEL Cup
race at California Speedway. I don't know if it was because of the heat or
something else, but this was the most exciting NASCAR race I can remember
seeing at this track. Wait until you see the pictures and you'll understand.
This column includes a lot of photos (what else is
new?), so you'll need to give it some extra time to load.
Have I got your attention? To read more about this and
to see more photos, go to the AutoMatters Web site link which you will find
directly above this preview.
To see more AutoMatters
columns, click on the "COLUMN ARCHIVES"
button at
www.AutoMatters.net,
select a year and then click on the photo icons or titles.
Jan
--
Jan Wagner
AutoMatters
automotive columnist/photojournalist & multimedia writer
|
Memberships: Motor Press
Guild, American Auto Racing Writers' & Broadcasters'
Association (AARWBA), Nikon Professional Services
|
|
|
|
AARWBA first place awards
for color photography in 50th. Anniversary journalism
competition
|
San Diego, CA
-
- - - - - -
Web site Technical Notes:
As mentioned above, you can go directly to
this column by clicking on the above link (or, depending upon how your email is
set up, you may have to cut and paste it into the address line of your browser).
You may also access this and other AutoMatters columns by navigating to them
in this year's Column Archives via the Home Page at
www.AutoMatters.net.
A clickable, descriptive thumbnail photo is included with each title. They are
grouped by year, and are complete except for 2002 and 2003.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Readers
have asked me how to see other AutoMatters columns in the Column Archives if
they followed a link directly to a particular column, thus bypassing the
website's home page. It's easy. Just scroll back up to the top of the page and
then click the "COLUMN ARCHIVES" button. Another way would be to click on
www.AutoMatters.net which is in the
last paragraph of every column.
If there are a lot of photos in a column, it may take a
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