It is with great pleasure that I make my first address to the loyal GMHTP readers.
Even though I am closing in on my fifth full year at the magazine, I can still remember getting the call to come on board like it was yesterday. Imagine being a minor league baseball player and getting called up to the big leagues, only the minor league consisted of a dozen freelance writing jobs covering boring town and school board meetings as well as a part time job being mauled by cats and dogs. Eventually the foolish dreams of an eccentric teen thumbing through Car & Driver, Road & Track, Motor Trend, Hot Rod, etc. became a reality...and here I am, an eccentric adult still daydreaming about Corvettes, twin turbo kits, 1,000hp street cars, turning laps at VIR, and wheels-up launches.
First and foremost, I would like to thank those hard-working individuals responsible for my ascension to the GM High-Tech throne-namely my mentors Rick Jensen and Jim Campisano as well as Kevin Clarkin, Amanda Savercool, Brendan Moran, Ed Zinke, Joe Rode, and the many other parts of our extended staff including Chris Werner, Mike Galimi, Mike Ficacci, Frank Cicerale, Evan Smith, Steve Baur, and all of the wonderful shops and industry professionals I've had the pleasure of working with. It is because of these individuals that I was able to thrive at this company, and for their patience in dealing with yours truly they should be commended. At the very least, they deserve thanks for turning a deaf ear to the many comments I've made over the years that would make the HR department appalled. The team attitude at our New Jersey office (and beyond) has allowed this little magazine to do some pretty incredible things, and though these are uncertain times I know if we stick together we will prevail in 2009.
At this point you may be wondering what you can expect from Jensen's little protg and your favorite magazine. I plan [to continue] to put together a balanced magazine covering all of your favorite late model GM EFIs, delivering the most comprehensive tech, fresh features, and exciting event coverage. With the new Camaro just months away from delivery and all of the incredible new products at SEMA and PRI, this looks to be an exciting time to become editor of this magazine. I'll be working tirelessly to keep you entertained and informed. Look for plenty of 2010 Camaro coverage including track and dyno tests, the latest mods, and perhaps even a shootout; budget to high dollar builds, street and track suspension tests, motor conversions, new car testing, project car builds, and more web exclusive or expanded coverage.
Several big plans are in the works; the first of which I am extremely pleased to announce has come to fruition. In the coming months we will be unveiling the GM High-Tech Performance magazine Special Edition Camaro in a series of articles. Only 15 of these collector cars will be produced by GMMG Inc, putting GMHTP in the company of Hot Rod, Dick Harrell, Yenko, Baldwin Motion, and many other historic nameplates. Meanwhile, by the summer, GMHTP will be moved in to a new facility with a dyno, fully equipped shop, and photo studio, which we intend to use to our advantage. In the fall, we will again be presenting the LSX Shootout and working closely with the NMCA to grow the event into the best late-model race in the country. In late 2009 we will be partnering with COMP Cams to host an engine challenge, the theme will be budget LS1 street stroker motors. The dyno competition is by invite only, however, if you wish to be included please email me as soon as possible (Scott.Parker@Sorc.com).
Please share your opinions on the magazine and its new direction, as well as any of the aforementioned plans for 2009. I hope that you will join us on what should be one heck of a ride. As a wise man once said, may we live in interesting times...