In 27 days, a 2008 Volkswagen GTI was : purchased, stripped, completely rebuilt, track tested, vinyl wrapped and transported to Mosport International Raceway in Ontario Canada, where Robb Holland drove his way into two top five finishes, including one podium finish, in the debut weekend of the 3ZERO3 Motorsports VW GTI SCCA  Pro Racing World Challenge Touring Car Championship.

27 days = 648 hours, and we used them all.

What is the SCCA World Challenge ?

The  SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge Championship was created to provide teams, manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers a competitive production-based race series in which to prove their products. Basically cars built with similar chassis lay outs, power and weight specifications are track prepped, and built to do battle  in wheel-to-wheel combat over the course of a designated road racing schedule. Pretty cool stuff.

When longtime friend and professional race car driver Robb Holland approached us to be the title sponsor for his 2008 VW GTI World Challenge Touring Car, we jumped at the chance. When Robb told us when the car needed to be built. We laughed. Then we cried. Then we picked up the phone and got to work.

Using every last second of the 27 days afforded, this race car was built, tested, and run through the gauntlet last weekend in its inaugural debut. Not only was this car competitive, Robb set the track record at Mosport International Speedway on Sunday’s race, turning the fastest lap ever recorded in class history at this track.

Damn.

Tear down begins.

Before we even had the keys to Robb’s freshly purchased 2008 VW GTI the car was transported              ( thank you Pearl + Matt !)  to 3ZERO3 Motorsports where a team of technicians literally disassembled a brand new vehicle. Leaving no bolt undisturbed, this car went from street legal, to ‘what happened’ in an afternoon.

Done & Done.

The 3R build.

After the vehicle was torn down, it was then transported to 3R. Whereby  3ZERO3 technicians Andrews and Tucker assisted the  trusty team of trained  technicians and  began building the GTI from the ground up. 3R is a company dedicated to building race cars such as these.  From NASA racing to SCCA, and everything in between, 3R has spent years perfecting their craft, and it shows ! The guys at 3R truly  are what brought all of the pieces together. Also they have some of the coolest fabrication and testing equipment we have every laid eyes on ( shock dyno anyone ?).

Hurry up and test !

With no time to spare the GTI was transported  ( thank you Sean !) to High Plains Raceway for track testing.

Most race teams will spend weeks at the track. Sorting out suspension and alignment settings, weight distribution, and the like. We had a matter of hours, not weeks.

Rappin on the Wrap.

Our GTI was not painted, the graphics that you see here on the car is a vinyl wrap. An amazing alternative to paint, vinyl wrap is essentially a large format vinyl sticker that can be custom designed and then applied to any vehicle.

So cool !

Our car would not have looked as sexy as it currently does without the help of Mike Hornbeck and his Soapoint Graphics team. Not only did Mike work with us to design the best looking car in our class, he personally worked thru the night the day before the GTI was put on the trailer and taken to Mosport.  If you have any vinyl wrap needs, or are curious to learn more about this custom and cost effective solution, contact Mike. An unbelievable artist, and fully committed to supporting his projects to the bitter end !

Before we knew it the car was on a trailer, ( thank you Alex !) and driven thru the night to Ontario, Canada, and testing had begun.

Weather threatened to downpour all weekend, but the clouds yielded little precipitation. Testing went well on Friday, and for Saturdays first race we qualified 6th and finished 5th.

To many outside the build, a 5th place finish doesn’t seem that impressive. We, on the contrary were thrilled. In a fraction of the time our competition had to build, test, and tune, we were able to build a car capable of running at the front of the pack.  Success indeed.

Bring on the glory ! Robb conveying feats of strength and heroism to Canadian TV reporters.

Sundays race was spectacular. Our GTI was battling the Irish Mike’s VW Jetta literally all day long. By the end of the race the crowd in turn 5 were on their feet, offering a standing ovation to the closest battle of the day.

Like all of the Volkswagens competing in this series, our GTI was under-braked, under-powered, and over weight, nevertheless Robb managed to set the track record and fastest lap of the day for the Touring Car class. Stunning!

Everyone loved the 3ZERO3 Car ! See you at the next race Celie !

—————————————————–MANY THANKS——————————————————-

This build could not have been possible without tireless effort, and selfless support. There were many people who donated time, money, and resources to this project. For without their generosity, this car would not have been built. If you are an enthusiast, THESE are the people truly supporting your brand. THESE are the people working hard everyday, to earn your business!

• Emich VW of Denver
• BSH Speed Shop
• Autotech Sport Tuning
• BBS Wheels
• Stoptech Brakes
• 3R Auto
• Soapoint Graphics
• APR
• Rocky Mountain Corvette
• Dyno Pro
• M+M Auto Reconditioning
• Sean Thul Race Car Transport Limited

No matter where you looked, all of the flag girls were wearing 3ZERO3 apparel.

These  ladies have fabulous taste.

The MONEY shot !

Because 3rd place has NEVER felt so good.

While we typically try and resist singing our own praises, in this instance, we cannot refrain. Putting this car together in 27 days, and setting a track record at Mosport is something that both Robb Holland and 3ZERO3 Motorsports will remember forever. A truly remarkable accomplishment. We couldn’t have done it with out Robb’s persistent dedication and effort, along with those of our technicians Andrews and Tucker, not to mention the world class build led at 3R.

The build would not have been possible without the generosity of Emich, VW,  BSH Speedshop, Autotech, BBS, Stoptech, and APR.

The car would not have looked as sexy as it does, without the efforts of Mike Hornbeck and the Soapoint Graphics team who worked thru the night ( literally ) to get the vinyl wrap completed the night before the car was trailered to Canada.

And last but not least, without the support and assistance of Alex Nelson, both as pit crew chief, and truck driver, as well as Sean Thul, and M+M Auto, the GTI could not have been moved an inch.

STAY TUNED !

The summer has only just begun. With many more races and events to come, there is much to see and do. Make sure you keep with us on the 3ZERO3 BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE.

3ZERO3 Motorsports continues to prove why for Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche maintenance, repair, high performance tuning, and motorsports applications, there is simply no better choice in the Denver area. With progressive projects, factory trained technicians, and a resolute dedication to perfection, safety, and quality each day, you will find no better home for your Colorado Porsche, Audi, or VW. Contact us day or night to learn more about us !

Come on !

To be honest, we can be a little skeptical of car shows, and did not have high hopes for our first experience as a supporting sponsor of the 16th Annual VW on the Green car show.

Boy were we wrong.

Jeffery Price and his team are really to be commended for the show they put together. This was a very well organized,  and very well attended car show. The layout, sponsors, and most importantly the cars in attendance were all worthy of time and attention.

Some of the show highlights for us :

• Jaw dropping air cooled cars. Our favorites were the frame scraping customs provided by Kustom Coach Werks.
• Surf culture.
• Unique and tastefully modified water cooled cars that honor the tradition of the early air cooled cars
• A charming announcer who despite getting everyone’s name wrong, managed to offend no one.

I hope the DATR guys were paying attention, you got some work to do if you want to best this show !

Without further ado , enjoy  !

————————————————————————————————————————————–

This crowd favorite Mk4 VR6 was  simply stunning.

Dropped down on air springs it  was dumped harder than Jesse James !

WATCH OUT FOR THAT………..pebble.

Clean, shaved, and ready for…… more work !

Looking forward to see more progress on this pick up at  next years show.

VW shows rewards the curious eye. This Golf wasn’t a show winner by any means. But the howling Rabbit  skateboard concept proved to be well executed and made this  otherwise forgettable car more than memorable.

The Westies were all fantastic. Who wouldn’t  love to spend summer traveling the high country in one of these rolling 4WD studio apartments!

Checker  out this Beetle !

Flat paint, and shiny wheels,  classic VW show car themes.

Kustom Coach Werks had some amazing rides at the show. This turbo’d Karmann was exceptional.

Show AND go.

We love the way Kustom Coach Works  approach their craft.

Clean design concepts, textured materials, and high quality finishes make this Karmann Kool.

Like nothing else.

This is a VW ? Pretty sure this car didn’t come from the factory with suspension limiting straps.

A seriously built Baja racer. With a roll cage, like this, I’d think twice before I accepted a ride in this mental dirt racing machine. At least there are headphones.

More bacon than the pan can handle !

There is alot of hardware packed inside of Zeke Peterson’s award winning Beetle Turbo S engine bay.

The Beetle Turbo S sporting an intercooled smile

Zeke made some major upgrades to a car that was already a class leader last show season. The addition of lighweight OZ wheels, Bilstein coilovers, and Stoptech brakes will be a big bonus not only on the show circuit, but much needed improvements as Zeke attacks the road racing schedule this summer.

These Beetle dragsters were are seriously boosted.

Form meets function.

Beetles everywhere !

These showroom quality restorations may not be as flashy as the dragsters, and Karman’s parked on their frames. But there was just as much TLC in these classics as anything else at the show.

Flat paint,  & colorful wheels….. A classic VW combination.

I promise not to mention the classic combination of flat paint and colorful wheels anymore.

I promise.

Beetle’s, Beetle’s,Beetle’s,Beetle’s,Beetle’s,Beetle’s,Beetle’s,Beetle’s,Beetle’s.

Beetle’s, Beetle’s,Beetle’s,Beetle’s,Beetle’s,Beetle’s,Beetle’s,Beetle’s,Beetle’s.

Probably my favorites out of all the air cooled’s on display. These Buses define cool

( Take that Miles Davis !) .

These show cars lack all pretense and their oxidized finish seems to add a certain quality of memory and time that can’t be replicated in any other way.

Notice the detail work around the VW emblem and headlights?

These are not a work in progress, these are works of art.

“…what can abandoned machines show us now that they could never have revealed as functional objects? According to the ideas of Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky, knowledge is something we can actively construct by means of our own interactions with the environment and those around us. In other words, our understanding of the world is not something we absorb; it is something we create. This suggests that we can consciously go beyond what something ‘is’ and transform it to fit ideas of our own design. This epistemology begs the question: to what do we assign value, importance, or beauty and why?”    Ben  Hauser Photography LINK.

Swap meet goodies abound.

Not sure those wheels can be fixed.

Hidden treasure, or pile of junk ? You decide !

Here the trophies sit, spending their last moments together before they all went home with Zeke !

Everyone needs toys !

This little fella was very cute, until he almost went headfirst into a show car. Still cute though…

Valve cover races occupied most of the afternoon for children under 9 years of age, and grown men with gambling problems.

Pearl’s STUNNING Audi R8 casually strolled into the 3ZERO3 display area. And then every single show attendee casually drooled all over this AWD exotic.

The crowds lined up as the show winners were announced.

Zeke Peterson taking home the first of his 2 best in class trophies.

Even if you don’t win any trophies, you can still dress like a champ:  3ZERO3 GEAR

With his arm around his sweetie, two shiny  trophies and a freshly built Beetle Turbo S,

Zeke had much to smile about.

A well built Disco Potato took home the

3ZERO3 Motorsports sponsored ‘Best in Class Water Cooled Daily Driver’  trophy.

————————————————————————————————————————————–

The 16th annual Volkswagens on the Green car show was one for the ages. If you haven’t been to this show, you really ought to put it on the calendar for next summer. We can be awfully critical of car shows, but this event was well attended, well organized , and really alot of fun. Many thanks to all of those that participated in the event. Including:

• Jason Morse: we couldn’t have done it with out you ! Thank you for allowing us to showcase your MK6 GTI aka the Mad Rabbit !
• Matt and Pearl : even a casual visit with an hour left in the show, transforms the day for so many !
• Zeke, Zeb, and Tiffany: we are so proud to have the opportunity to build such a special car. Keep those trophies polished Zeke !  And to ReNee you keep sending us your boys, and we’ll keep sending them home with trophies.
• Trade Show Emporium : your support both at  our events, and your tolerance for our last minute antics are always appreciated. And without such grace, we would not have the’ best in show’ displays !
• The Tucker Family : your help and assistance is always very much appreciated !
• Jeffery Price and staff : great show ! Keep it up !

3ZERO3 Motorsports continues to be your Denver and Colorado home for all things Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche related. If you have any questions or concerns regarding maintenance, repair, or high performance tuning for your VW, Audi, or Porsche, we have the answers click HERE or contact us :

• info@3zero3motorsports.com
• 303.456.8383
• 8065 West 48th Ave, Wheatridge CO 80033.

Colorado is home to some of the greatest cars, and roads in the country.

That’s why YOU chose to live HERE right ?

We believe that the car culture in Colorado is very strong. However,  there are few opportunities to celebrate  and support our passionate pursuit of automotive excellence. Here is the excuse you have been looking for. A weekend long  celebration handcrafted by 3ZERO3 Motorsports, and the Lamborghini Club of America, designed to get us all together, and do what we do best.

• STEP ONE : Mark your calendar ; July 23-25 2010.
• STEP TWO : keep reading…….

THE DETAILS :

• WHO : you, your significant other, and everyone else you know that loves cars.
• WHAT: a road rally to and from Snowmass CO. Great dinners and a party with friends. A full day of motorsports activities including a saturday morning seminar, and exotic track access.
• WHEN : Friday July 23, Saturday July 24th, Sunday July 25th.
• WHERE : We will be leaving Denver en masse Friday morning, staying Friday and Saturday nights in Snowmass, CO, and driving home Sunday.
• COST : $125.00 for  your Motorsports Weekend Ticket. Discounted lodging &  discounted dining are both provided with each Motorsports Weekend Ticket purchase.  Prices guaranteed until 6.15.2010. This event will sell out ! PLEASE NOTE : lodging and food are not in your $125.00 ticket cost.

TELL ME MORE :

3ZERO3 Motorsports has partnered with Lamborghini Club of America, and Snowmass Village to create a lifestyle event that bring us all together for a weekend of epic mountain driving, sexy cars, savory food,  and the kind of experience that will make your summer unforgettable.

Great effort has been taken to ensure that this weekend provides real FUN, and won’t break the bank. The featured exotic cars are more than worthy of our attention.Close your eyes, and imagine ( if you will )  six figure super cars, lapping full throttle with the mountains behind them. This is Gran Turismo in living color!

We have ensured that the cost of the weekend  is something that we feel provides real value. And thru it all, the weekend won’t leave you feeling like you need to take another day off to recover.

—————————————————THE SCHEDULE ————————————————————

• FRIDAY : Meet us friday morning at 3ZERO3, as we all meet up and get prepared for the drive down Highway 285, with a scheduled stop in Buena Vista for lunch. Then over Independence pass and into Snowmass where you will get checked into your hotel, and have time to relax before our dinner at Buchi Sushi.
• SATURDAY : This isn’t a working weekend, yes you will be able to sleep in, and then meet everyone at 10:00am for a multimedia motorsports seminar in the Silvertree Hotel. Class will be in session until lunch time. We will grab a quick bite and head to Woody Creek Raceway where we will hang out at track while a few dozen Lamborghini’s and other exclusive exotics hot lap for the afternoon session. People will be given the opportunity to sign up, and ride shotgun in a Lamborghini with pro-driver Robb Holland….. details to follow. After the track, we will head back to the hotel where you will be able to put your feet up for a few, then get shined up and ready for the evening festivities. Dinner at Sneaky’s Tavern, and  no cost entry to the party at Basecamp Bar & Grille in the Base Village.
• SUNDAY : Wake up  at a reasonable hour, we will have a brief weekend wrap up, then a drive back home. For those of you looking to maximize the scenery we will take the back roads to Denver. However feel free to shoot onto I-70 for a quicker ride home.

————————————————————————————————————————————–

BOOK YOUR TICKETS  NOW:    $125.00/person for the entire weekend.

Email us ASAP with questions or to purchase tickets :  Snowmasstix@3zero3motorsports.com.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS :  We will be  staying at the Silvertree Hotel  in Snowmass Village. Rooms have been discounted to $119.00/night + tax, for a superb double occupancy room. This is a great ski-in ski-out hotel. This is a hotel we have personally stayed in before, and loved it ! Once your reservation is confirmed we will provide you with all the necessary  booking information needed to get your discounted room locked in !

GOT QUESTIONS ? WE DID!

• Do I get to drive my car on the track ? Track access is by invitation only. The track at Woody Creek  is a 1.1 mile road course that simply cannot handle a large group. You will however, be able to hang at the track with six figure exotics, and see, hear and smell these cars lap. There will be other track events this summer, this weekend is all about the lifestyle… ( and not blowing your budget !)
• So what does my $125.00 get me ? Great question. We have gone to great lengths to ensure that there is a real value for the price of each ticket. Your $125.00 will provide the following : A fabulous goody  bag stuffed with merchandise and discounts from event sponsors.  Discounted lodging and discounted dining are also provided with your ticket purchase. Serious dinner and drink discounts are for event participants only ! Access to the saturday motorsports clinic, and access to private racetrack on saturday. Sponsors will also be giving away products all weekend long !
• Can I bring my spouse/children ? Absolutely. While you are at the track there are plenty of activities for the family or your significant other. 5 star spa access, hiking, biking, and shopping abound. Click here for more info on all the great  activities available in Snowmass Village.

Don’t delay, we anticipate that this weekend will sell out, and quickly ! This is being advertised everywhere from Denver, to Vail, and the Aspen Valley ! Get in touch asap and join us for what promises to be the highlight of the summer !

That response is simply : DRIVE IT!

On an overcast morning 3ZERO3 Motorsports yours truly along with our well connected photographer/videographer Adam Mattivi,  made the trip up highway 36 to visit the new Tesla Gallery in Boulder and drive the Tesla Roadster.

Click along to get our impressions and experiences with a six figure electric sports car.

( Spoiler alert : we loved it !)

THE TESLA GALLERY

Located at 915 Pearl St, the Tesla Gallery is right at home in the north end of Boulder’s salient Pearl Street pedestrian mall.  A showroom this is not.  This place even smells like art ( that’s a good thing ). Stainless steel bar stools, complimentary espresso, and shiny Mac computers with wireless keyboards adorn the open concept layout. High end product images and Scandinavian furniture provide ample opportunity for comfortable and stylish relaxation while you wait for your Tesla vehicle to charge ( there is a charging station in the back of the building for customers).

What used to be here ? Some kind of furniture something or other, ahhhh who cares.

Great space to wait and recharge your batteries. ( punny)

A glass front for all to see.

The goods.

Tesla Sedan, coming to a gallery near you.

ITS ELECTRIC

The power and performance of these all electric vehicles is sinister. When you first lay into the throttle ( nay : gas pedal ) 100% of torque is available from a dead stop. I was convinced this motor made at least 1,000 ft-lbs of torque . I was shocked to find out that it didn’t.

• POWER:  288HP & 273 FT-LBS TQ ( Sport Model 295 FT-LBS).
• WEIGHT : 2723 LBS
• TRANSMISSION : single speed fixed gear.
• WHEELBASE : 92.6 inches
• HEIGHT 44.35 inches

0-60MPH in 3.9 seconds, less 2 tenths  for the Sport edition. We can confirm his  figure is REAL. The Tesla Roadster accelerates with ferocious intention.With 100% of torque on tap at 1 RPM, there are few cars on the planet that will beat the Tesla Roadster from 0-30MPH. Aggressive acceleration left both driver and passenger giddy, and giggling.

Driving the future.

Taking the charge.

The Tesla battery life is good for a claimed 236 miles per single charge. The roadster we test drove featured two driving modes; max battery life and performance. After an hour of spirited driving, we were left feeling that with a conservative driver in the appropriate battery mode, 250 miles could be achieved.

How long does it take to achieve a full charge  ? 15 seconds !

Okay, so that’s not entirely true. Tesla claims on their website that charging at 250V and 70A, a full charge can be achieved in 3.5 hours. But when we first asked store coordinator Erin Callan how long it takes to charge a Tesla Roadster, she replied smartly:

“15 seconds”.

WHAT ?!

“How long does it take to charge your iPhone ? Just plug it in when you get home, and it’ll be ready when you need it,”, Erin quipped.

Her answer proved insightful. The Tesla approach is full of fresh thinking, and is clearly reflected in that of the  staff .

ROAD TEST

To drive is to believe. I have to admit that like many of you, I had my doubts about the true value of these cars. But believe me, its there. I will also say that I hated the Cayenne Turbo when Porsche first announced the vehicle late in 2003. Then I drove one, then I bought one.

The Tesla Roadster isn’t for everyone, clearly. Its a purpose built car, despite its green accolades its designed for out and out performance, and  not for driving cross country. The latter a nagging criticism for all electric cars.

Though when comparing other cars in this segment, you rarely see Porsche 911 Turbo’s filling up at gas stations in Iowa as drivers make cross country trips. You  don’t spend this kind of money for road trip vehicles, it just doesn’t happen. You don’t buy $100,000 cars to drive them cross country. You buy them because they are exciting, you buy them to piss off your neighbors, you buy them because you can. The Tesla Roadster does all three.

Ok maybe it won’t  (necessarily ) anger off your neighbor, but it could, the electric motor’s instantaneous torque delivery could make for some epic burnouts and lawn jobs. Come to think of it, your neighbor would never even hear you while you did figure 8’s in his freshly laden sod !  I smell a viral video! Yet, I digress…..

The touch screen.

On a 53F degree day, at 10:54am on Friday April 16, at an elevation of 5,300ft, Adam and I set out on a test drive. Both graduates of the University of Colorado, we knew exactly where to head. We left the Tesla Gallery,  hopped onto Canyon Blvd, and quickly headed up the Boulder Canyon.

Sweep, curve, and contour.

The backroads to Nederland are some of the best in the state. The slow speed corners, and climbing elevation proved ideal for the responsive chassis and instant power.

LOW.

Why reinvent the wheel ?The Lotus Elise sourced chassis is an ideal fit for this vehicle. The monocoque design, and 4 wheel independent suspension provided precise handling.Owners can request custom spring and dampener rates when ordering.  While driving we felt as though our bottoms were no more than 3 inches off the ground.

Driver swap.

With the top in place, climbing into the roadster can be a bit of a challenge. We were reminded of the street performer on Pearl St that regularly bends himself inside of plastic tubing for spare change.  I chose to slide over the center console and steal the drivers seat from Adam when he hopped out to make a stop earlier in the drive. Here Adam chose a more conventional approach to ingress.

The road ahead.

With no power assist from the rack and pinion steering, hair pin corners like the one ahead were a bit hairy-er. ( more punny)

Flip it.

The flip  video camera comes everywhere. What does it mean when your suction 360 mount costs more than the camera it positions ? It means Adam geeks out on camera equipment.But  we don’t mind! Video coming soon…..

The wheel deal.

With no power assist, and twisty roads ahead of us, the steering wheel remained a focus for the driver. This beefy, aerated leather Momo unit proved exceptional.

Student crossing !

Driving in downtown boulder while school is in session is  harrowing. With students, bikers, skaters, and all manner of pedestrian popping out of nowhere. Driving the utterly silent Tesla made us ever more aware of these potential hazards. Though to be honest the Tesla commands a tremendous curb appeal. We smiled as knowing collegiates gawked at our electric supercar.

Million dollar details.

I love details like this. Cars commanding $100,000 or more should be full of million dollar details ( don’t tell Corvette Z06 owners)  The 90 degree door hinge on the roadster was one of my favorites.

Mac inspired ?

The transmission selector switches felt great, and looked the part. Seemingly lifted from a Mac Book Pro,  we were told that we need not come to a complete stop before transitioning between drive and reverse on the selector ( up to 5MPH anyways). But I just can’t bring myself to select reverse while the car is still rolling at any speed.

Details, details….

Air inlet with exposed carbon fiber, feeds cooling air to the rear mounted electric motors over the rear quarter panels. You can see the red electric cable hiding behind the carbon trim. I relish the ( often ) refined use of carbon fiber on the Tesla Roadster.

Performance + scale.

The tiny roadster next to the not so tiny Adam Mattivi.

RESULTS :

We loved it, shocking we know.I tend to love all $100,000.00 + sports cars. But the Tesla Roadster will surprise you. Having owned a twin turbo Audi S4, and Cayenne Turbo, I am aptly described as a petrol head. But the Tesla Roadster made me think; this would be an amazing toy. Assuming I had something to get up to the mountains and back for snowboarding season, the Tesla Roadster would make a pretty fantastic second  or third car.

The stats are only one part of this equation. Those of you quickly comparing this car to similarly priced sports cars ( new and used ) will undoubtably question the battery range, and top speed performance along with the exclusive price. But that is essentially missing the point.

There is a cool factor built into these cars, that is different from and largely absent from most other exclusive car marques. This is a techy car, built for a techy consumer. Despite essentially dropping in a electric driveline in a Lotus chassis, the Tesla is greater than the sum of its parts.

The car is a technological champion, and it reminds you of that constantly. You are not driving an electric Lotus, you are in a Tesla. The driving experience becomes instantly addictive.  The sound of the electric motor swooshing and whirring behind your shoulders, the lack of any exhaust noise, I thought would leave me in want. But truly did not.

The Tesla roadster makes a compelling argument for the well funded enthusiast, looking for a new toy.

Don’t believe me ? DRIVE IT !

Tesla sales specialist Ben Kanner shared with us that Tesla owners help constantly to improve, and reinvent this brand. And we felt that. You become very involved in the driving process, and instantly sucked into the brand.  The Tesla driving experience changes your perception on performance. Like all technological innovation, there are always necessary permutations before the optimal product is achieved, but Tesla ought to be commended for one helluva of a first try.

Many thanks to the good people at Tesla, Boulder for giving us the opportunity.

If you have any questions, or are in need of your own test drive, please contact :

• Ben Kanner 650.701.2862
• bkanner@teslamotors.com

In an effort to bring you best in performance for Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche, as well as green performance, 3ZERO3 Motorsports proudly searches high and low to bring interesting content to our readers. If you have any questions about how to improve fuel economy or performance in your Porsche, Audi or Volkswagen please give us a shout : info@3zero3motorsports.com. For the last 5 years 3ZERO3 Motorsports has employed factory trained technicians, advisors and parts managers in an effort to provide the highest level of maintenance, repair, and high performance tuning products for our Denver and Colorado customers.

]]> http://www.3zero3motorsports.com/blog/2010/04/20/the-tesla-report/feed/ 3 http://www.3zero3motorsports.com/blog/2010/01/22/uti-3zero3-promo-production/ http://www.3zero3motorsports.com/blog/2010/01/22/uti-3zero3-promo-production/#comments Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:05:13 +0000 Max http://www.3zero3motorsports.com/blog/?p=1343 At 3ZERO3 Motorsports our slogan: ‘Factory Trained, Independently Motivated’ is more than a catch phrase, it is a mission statement. We rely on factory training, manufacturer specific tools, and state-of-the industry equipment to ensure that we service, repair and tune VW, Audi, and Porsche vehicles at the highest level possible.

As such, several 3ZERO3 Motorsports employees have graduated from  Universal Technical Institute’s ( UTI ) Automotive Technology program as well as manufacturer specific training programs. The UTI marketing team, in association with the Moxie Media Group recently reached out to us in an effort to highlight 3ZERO3 Motorsports as a UTI success story for their new National promotional campaign.

Moxie Media crew getting some B Roll footage as Technician Tucker works on a VW Jetta.

FACTORY TRAINED

Ever spent time under the hood of a late model german vehicle ? There is alot going on inside these hyper-modern vehicles.

The proliferation of new technology, and proprietary  electronic equipment has made manufacture specific training a must for the contemporary technician. At 3ZERO3 Motorsports, factory training and certification are mandatory prerequisites for everyone of our technicians.

“Are you ready for my close up ?”. 3ZERO3 co-owner Scott Simpson prepares for his on camera interview.

Many shops rely on ASE certifications to make sure their technicians are up to snuff. However at 3ZERO3 we are Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi specialists. And while ASE certifications are great for general mechanical knowledge, they are not sufficient for our purposes as they do not serve the dedicated body of knowledge that comes with factory training.

Setting the mood for Scott and Max’s interview infront of Sean Thul’s Porsche 944 Spec racer.

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

UTI continues to be the nations preeminent training facility for todays automotive technicians. They have the equipment, instructors, and programs to fast track the career of any aspiring technician.  Their state of the industry equipment, experienced instructors, and dedicated contemporary curriculum have proven to set the standard for automotive training nationwide.

Fim crew swarms over Marshall-Law as he preps the RS4 for its supercharger.

UTI MANUFACTURER SPECIFIC TRAINING

Over and above their  exhaustive list of programs including : automotive, diesel, collision, NASCAR, motorcycle, marine technology programs, UTI offers exclusive manufacturer specific training. This manufacturer specific training spans the full spectrum of the automotive landscape including everything from Ford to Porsche.

These manufacturer specific programs are what allow UTI graduates to walk off campus directly into a high paid position at a dealership.

Marshall-Law modifies a trim piece for a methanol injection kit for the RS4.

3ZERO3 + UTI

3ZERO3 co-owner Scott Simpson, as well as Technician Andrews, and Marketing Director/Advisor Gerson are all graduates of both UTI Automotive technology programs, as well as manufacturer specific training programs.

As UTI was preparing for their newest national promotional video they thought to contact 3ZERO3 Motorsports as we represent a very unique success story relevant to their training program offerings.

Light boxes, everywhere.

UTI understands that 3ZERO3 relies on manufacturer specific training, certification, and dealership experience to provide the highest levels of vehicle and customer service. Adding into the mix our passion for these brands, this type of training, and our dedication to tuning + motorsports, it made all the sense in the world to highlight 3ZERO3 Motorsports as a UTI success story.

Light box waiting patiently for the lights to dim, and be put to work.

We were certainly flattered that UTI and Moxie Media chose 3ZERO3 Motorsports as the focus of this promotional video, though while we are flattered, we are not surprised. We believe strongly in our abilities, our training, and our philosophy.  These are the core principles that allow 3ZERO3 Motorsports to provide the highest level of maintenance, repair, high performance tuning and motorsports applications for Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche owners in greater Denver and all of Colorado.

Stay tuned to see web versions of this video !

Have you purchase tires for your vehicle in the last year or so ? If you are a VW, Audi, or Porsche owner, chances are you spent upwards of $500 on those tires. Yeah, not cheap. Performing a 4 wheel alignment annually is the best investment you can make to ensure that those tires last as long as they ought to.

At 3ZERO3 Motorsports we believe that regular 4 wheel alignments are part of scheduled maintenance for all Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche vehicles. Keeping your car aligned ensures :

• Reduced tire wear.
• Better gas mileage.
• Improved handling.
• Safer driviving.

Technician Tucker sits in comfort as he works on this VW R32.

Still not convinced ? Did you know that if your vehicles toe adjustment is off by as much as .34 degrees for a year of driving, that is the equivalent to dragging your wheels sideways for 68 miles or more !

Keeping your vehicle aligned will add thousands of miles to the life of your tires every year.

The heart of the Hunter Engineering Hawkeye system.

3ZERO3 Motorsports employs state of the industry technology to best serve the needs of our customers. A highlight of our facility is the Hunter Engineering Hawkeye Alignment system. With its high definition digital imaging technology, and high end components, 3ZERO3 Motorsports Technicians can ensure a laser perfect 4 wheel alignment every time.

Atop the tower are precision sensors that take high definition images for the heads that we place on your Volkswagen, Audi, or Porsche wheels.

State of the industry mounting equipment is safe even for custom wheels.

Here we see the target head mounted on a B7 Audi S4 Avant with RS4 wheels featuring a custom finish. The hardware we employ is safe for these, and all wheels. The equipment mounted to each wheel is referred to as the target head. The target head is precisely calibrated when mounted, and sends high definition information to Hawkeye system.

On the display monitor each alignment angle is clearly displayed. Every vehicle has different specifications and adjustments. Our Hunter system features the latest WinAlign 11 software which displays factory adjustments for all Audi, Volkswagen, and Porsche vehicles.

When each adjustment turns green, our technicians know they are getting close to that perfect adjustment angle.

Technician Tucker working in a seemingly sublime state. If you listen closely you can hear him whistling Disney theme music as he makes adjustments on this VW R32.

Technology is great. The technology on our Hunter alignment rack is impressive for several reasons.

• Precision : the technological advancements inherent to our Hunter Hawkeye system allows for the most accurate readings, and thusly the most accurate adjustments to your VW, Audi, or Porsche
• Convenience: our alignment rack is configured with underbody lighting, that allows 3ZERO3 technicians clear vision even in the darkest corners of your vehicle. Additionally they can work sitting down or own their feet as they align your vehicle. Gone are the days of lying on your back, swearing and cursing trying to perform alignments.

This is the kind of equipment that ALL technicians want to have at their disposal.

Here’s a great shot of the chassis lighting in place. Technician Tucker working away in apparent bliss and harmony.

Alignments don’t have to be boring maintenance work. Your  lowered track car will also benefit from our precision alignment equipment. Whether you just installed coilover suspension on your VW GTI or its time to get ready to race your Porsche 944 we can dial in your alignment specifications to suite your high speed or cornering needs !

Technician Andrews stands to gain access to B7 S4 suspension components.

3ZERO3 Motorsports continues to provide the highest quality service for your Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche. Not just in Denver, but in all of Colorado. This means utilizing the best available equipment to service your Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche.

For questions, comments, or concerns related to suspension and wheel alignment, repair or high performance tuning for your Volkswagen, Porsche or Audi, please contact 3ZERO3 Motorsports today !

]]> http://www.3zero3motorsports.com/blog/2009/12/08/all-aligned-up-at-3zero3/feed/ 1 http://www.3zero3motorsports.com/blog/2009/11/27/giving-thanks-2009/ http://www.3zero3motorsports.com/blog/2009/11/27/giving-thanks-2009/#comments Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:22:39 +0000 Max http://www.3zero3motorsports.com/blog/?p=1194 3ZERO3 Motorsports  wishes all of our fans + customers a happy thanksgiving in 2009 !

2009 has been a tumultuous year to date. Upheaving political turmoil has ridden the international community abroad, while the contemporary U.S. economic recession has defined our landscape at home. Despite all of these misgivings, there is still much to be thankful for:

• The US stock market is witnessing an 18 month high.
• Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche continue to pursue  international motorsports dominance, and rolling out new models in the US and abroad.
• Snow is returning to the Colorado high country.

Things are looking up my friends.

Step inside the 3ZERO3 Motorsports blog, and see firsthand, what we are giving thanks for in 2009.

Family, health and peace, not withstanding

Audi R15 TDI LMP1

Audi’s endurance racing program has been untouchable the world over. Not content to rest on their laurels, Audi rolls out new technology in the R15, ensuring that the competition will never catch up.

Carbon fiber air intake shrouds on the R15.

The TDI heart of the R15

Audi R8 GT3

Whats cooler than an R8 ? A factory modified R8 set up for GT3 class competition ! Oh my.

Porsche 997 GT3 RSR

Notice the snow in the background in that shot. White knuckle indeed.

A sea of leather + suede.

The Porsche Cayenne interior, one of Stuttgart’s finest interiors.

Italian supermodel, with German roots.

The Lambroghini Gallardo, is compromised almost entirely of R8 mechanicals.

And ( ahem ) the Italian rear-ends.

Always cause, for pause

VW Scirocco GT24

Tackling one of the most enduring of all endurance races; 24 hours at the Nurburgring.

Scirocco GT24 interior….. wow.

Will the Scirocco make it to the US ? Who knows.

The Mk VI Volkswagen GTI, defining the brand like never before.

The blue collar fighter, with white collar roots.

One of the reasons we love VW, and the GTI especially, is because the Volkswagen brand continues to move upmarket. VW continues to bigger and more expensive brands like Mercedes and BMW despite entry costs that are 2/3 as much the competition. The GTI interior a showcase of core brand values, that continue to define  VW’s success : quality, style, and performance.

Audi S5

Audi raised the bar on design and style in early 2000’s when they debuted the TT, and swoopy A6. Admittedly, it was going to be hard to do it again. But succeeded they have. The S5, and R8 have really begun to redefine a new era in design and technology for the Audi brand.

So tasty.

Remove the Audi badging, and this car could be mistaken for a six figure italian.

3ZERO3 Motorsports continues to be your leader for Denver and Colorado leader for Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche high performance tuning, motorsports applications, repair and maintenance.

If you or your vehicle have any needs, questions, or comments, please do not hesitate to contact 3ZERO3 Motorsports. We are here for you 24/7 @ Info@3zero3motorsports.com.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

The content of your dreams does not matter. What matters is that you are dreaming,  you are thinking ahead, and that you are pushing the boundaries of yourself, your world, and your reality.

These are core values that are not only shared by 3ZERO3 Motorsports, but Audi as well.

On a warm and sunny November afternoon in Colorado, we sit in our office making the dreams of our customers come true. But in between big turbo installations, and dyno runs, we also dream. And today, we find our mind wandering up the hills of Pikes Peak. Follow us now, as we take an existential journey not only up Pikes Peak, but thru the sands of time, as we look at what Audi has accomplished not only in years past, but in the years to come….

PIKES PEAK PAST:

Proving their turbo and quattro drivelines to be the world standard, the 600+ HP Audi Sport Quattro S1 dominates the international competition winning the Pikes Peak Hill Climb 3 years straight.

• Michele Mouton smokes the competition in 1985.
• Bobby Unser made America proud with his victory in 1986.
• Walter Rohrl makes it 3 in a row with his win in 1987.

PIKES PEAK FUTURE:

Clearly Audi has set the standard for performance on this historic hill climb. So what is left to prove ?

Answer: EVERYTHING !

Never content to rest on their laurels, Audi is pushing the envelope of technology and performance, and plans on piloting their unmanned  Autonomous Audi TT  2.0TFSI up Pikes Peak in 2010.

Check out these  videos and learn more.

How crazy was it watching the car drive itself as an engineer sits on his laptop in the passenger seat ?

3ZERO3 Motorsports is proud to be your big dreamer. Bringing you the best and most interesting Audi content possible.

If you or your VW, Audi, or Porsche, are in need of service, repair, or high performance tuning in Denver , Colorado please contact your 3ZERO3 Motorsports service advisor day or night to make sure your dreams come true.