I LOVE Drifting. If you haven’t yet gone to a drfiting event, I highly suggest it!

Check out the event schedule @ www.formuladrift.com

Suuupa Star Emil Rensing

My friend and fellow car enthusiast Emil Rensing (Vice-President of programming and co-founder of Next New Networks) has outdone himself with new media that we all love! Plus he has some of the coolest people on his team.

Meet one the superstars who makes them great…check out Derek D on the episodes from the LA Auto Show. Yha gotta love his energy!

http://www.fastlanedaily.com

Peace ouuuut!

GC

These 10 O.C. Supermoms successfully juggle careers, parenthood, philanthropic efforts – and much more.

By Susan Belknapp
Published: November, 2008

Genevieve Chappell | Huntington Beach
Auto ace

Genevieve Chappell has a multi-talented personality and a broad resume. She is a professional TV host, columnist and “vlogger.” Most recently, she has been host of ESPN/ESPN2’s “Garage Block” and can be seen on “Mother’s Polish Car Show” and “Russo & Steele Collector Car Auction.” Additionally, she has hosted shows for several networks with diverse subject matter.

Automotive and motocross are particularly close to her heart, and she continually strives to find ways of bringing notoriety to the industry. Her latest venture is the launch of Velocity Magazine online (velocitymag.com). She will do a series of “webisodes” about car events in Orange County throughout the year.

Chappell is the mother of a 10-year-old daughter, Kaleila, and works every day to balance her time with her daughter while giving her best to her very demanding career. “I’m very fortunate in that many of the races, competitions and car shows take place on weekends, although they are spread out all over the country,” says Chappell. “I have a wonderful husband, and, when I have to work weekends, it is his special time with our daughter. I usually leave on Friday night and get back on Sunday evening.”

Chappell is continuing to expand her brand with new media. In addition to hosting, she also produces online programming for various companies, such as Velocity.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP) ― Ever heard the one about the guy who walked into a bar with an alligator?

That’s the joke going around Orange County after a man tried to bring his 3-foot pet alligator into Johnny’s Saloon and was shunned.

Police and animal control officers were called to the bar early Saturday morning to retrieve the leashed alligator, said police Sgt. Dave Dierking.

When officers arrived, the animal was in the man’s vehicle in the bar’s parking lot.

Officers then followed the man to his home where another alligator was found, animal control spokesman Ryan Drabek said.

The alligator owner’s identity was not released.

Both alligators were impounded and were being held Wednesday pending an investigation by the Department of Fish and Game, Drabek said.

A woman who answered the telephone Wednesday night at the bar would not comment.

See video here

Long Beach, Calif. – November 16, 2008 – Rhys Millen won the title of “World Champion” at the inaugural Red Bull Drifting World Championship. History was made with the top drifters from around the world competing for the largest prize purse in drifting history at the Port of Long Beach.

17 past and present drifting champions from the top drifting organizations in the world gathered in Long Beach, CA for the first Red Bull Drifting World Championship. First place qualifier Rhys Millen and his Red Bull Pontiac Solstice outperformed the competition to win the largest single prize of $25,000 in drifting history. Teammate Daijiro Yoshihara and his Bridgestone / RMR Pontiac GTO took home the 2nd place prize of $15,000 and the 2007 and 2008 Formula DRIFT champion, Tanner Foust and the Rockstar / AEM Nissan 350Z took home 3rd place overall and $10,000.

“To come up after one of the most challenging years in Formula DRIFT and finish in the top 3 and then to be the marquee driver at this premiere event and take the Red Bull Drifting Championship outright is a feeling I have never had before,” says Rhys Millen, Formula DRIFT driver and event winner. “To stand on the podium with teammate Daijiro Yoshihara at this event to end the season is fantastic, what more could you ask for?”

Gathering at the Port of Long Beach were the top drivers that compete from Formula DRIFT, D1GP, D1 New Zealand, DMCC, Drift Australia, EDC, FD Singapore, IDS, Nordic Drift, New Zealand Drift, and Pro Drift. This was a battle of the champions and Formula DRIFT 2005 champion Millen came out on top.

“All the teams, fans, sponsors, supporters and especially Red Bull and the City of Long Beach made the Red Bull Drifting World Championship truly historical event,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “We were able to bring the entire drifting world together under one roof and made for one of the best drifting competitions ever.”

The event was held at a special venue on the Port of Long Beach that featured a purpose built drifting track that was highlighted by a very fast entry and 6 technical turns. Event winner Millen set the speed bar high by also claiming the highest entry speed of the event with a speed of 103.7 miles per hour during the finals. The track proved to be challenging with many drivers falling victim to the walls and barricades and other drivers stepping up to show off their total car control.

The level of competition was at an all-time high and created one of the most exciting events in drifting history. The Top 32 drivers battled round by round and the semi-finals pitted (4) Formula DRIFT drivers against each other. Yoshihara got the best of 2-time Formula DRIFT Champion Samuel Hubinette in the Nuformz / Mopar Dodge Viper placing him into the Finals. Current Formula DRIFT champion Tanner Foust battled against Rhys Millen, with Millen coming out on top. The consolation round with Foust and Hubinette was a close fought battle, but Foust’s consistent driving proved to be the deciding factor placing him in 3rd place. The final battle between teammates Millen and Yoshihara was a close fight, but Yoshihara decided his fate with a spin in the last round, giving the inaugural Red Bull Drifting World Championship to Rhys Millen.

For more information visit www.formuladrift.com.

Here’s a write up on one of my favorite places to dine in OC. I feel that Kelli Hart did an excellent job with this OC Registar write up. Enjoy…

It’s no wonder why Tabu Grill in Laguna Beach received the highest Zagat rating in Southern California – the food, service and ambiance are equally impeccable, diners say.

But because Zagat is notorious for their stealth and anonymous rating system — based entirely on reviews from the public — Managing Partner Nancy Wilhelm wasn’t even aware of her restaurant’s coveted rating until a customer congratulated her on it.

Zagat’s system enables diners to rate restaurants with a combined score based on food, décor, service and cost. Tabu Grill received a Zagat rating of 29 on a 30-point scale.

The chic and small restaurant tucked along South Coast Highway between Nyes Place and Hinkle Street will be five years old in March and has been delivering an island-tiki motif since it opened doors in February 2004.

The deep indigo walls of Tabu Grill encase a golden glow of light created by candles sitting in cubes cut into the walls; bamboo stalks are stitched into the ceiling.

“I love any islands, Hawaii, Tahiti,” Wilhelm said of her design inspiration. “The town needed a place to get a great steak and I knew this feel would work. Since I can’t be in Hawaii, I brought it to Laguna Beach.”

Speaking of great steak, Tabu Grill’s 16 oz. prime bone-in rib eye with forbidden rice risotto, roasted sweet corn, mixed mushrooms, smoked bacon and shitake cream is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes.

The grilled Mexican scallops with potato puree, tangerine buerre blanc and citrus baby greens is the most craved appetizer amongst patrons.

Tabu Grill also boasts an extensive wine list with notable reds like the Riglos Gran Cort Malbec and Cabernet blend by Paul Hobbs for $110. The restaurant’s half-bottle wine list is convenient and more affordable and offers chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet and other blends.

Gretchen Andrews, a server at Tabu Grill, says the restaurant avoids mainstream wines and intentionally searches for wines that are obscure and off the beaten path.

“Our wines are very boutique in style,” Andrews said.

Frequent customer Kevin Voss has been dining at Tabu Grill for three years and particularly loves the Sumac rubbed half rack of Colorado lamb with Israeli cous cous, oven roasted strawberries, braised fennel and strawberries mint gastrique.

“The food is tasty, and I eat everywhere,” Voss said. “Nancy always makes room for us.”

Wilhelm does more than just make room for her guests. She spends the evenings mingling with them, many of whom are regulars and have gotten to know her through visiting Tabu Grill.

Though the space is small – offering only 10 to 11 tables – Wilhelm says people continue to flock to Tabu Grill because of the food and the small, personal staff.

“These restaurants all over the place are very high end,” Wilhelm said of Tabu. “We don’t have all the other amenities that other restaurants have. We do have great food, you can’t understand it until you see it.”

http://www.tabugrill.com
Contact the writer: khart@ocregister.com or 949-454-7391
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/tabu-grill-food-2213055-restaurant-wilhelm

A couple of weeks ago, I received a call from Shift Communications Group and they suggested I come up to Willow Springs for the Big Bore Bash. After some further thought and a little research, I decided, not only to attend the VARA race, but to cover the event for Velocity TV as well.

Joy Loo from Velocity magazine and myself packed up the truck and headed north bound toward the Mojave Desert and drove right past the exit to the track (a whole 75 miles - ugh) but that’s another story - (blogging, twittering, taking pictures, joking around, etc) lol.

When we got there we strolled the paddock and bumped into none other than noted author and Velocity magazine writer Patrick Paternie and his Porche 911. We then knew, the day was off to a great start!

If you haven’t gone to a vintage race, I highly suggest checking out the VARA site for upcoming events.

Props to VARA’s GM and kick butt female driver, Darlene Longacre for doing right!

See you at the track!

Big Bore Bash event photos

See our behind the scenes videos

Velocity TV online episodes

KN Air Filter

Your Friend,
GC

Mike's Batmobile

It’s been a while since I’ve sent a newsletter – but that’s just because there has been so much going on, it’s hard to find time to sit down and collect my thoughts. Sometimes it is hard to juggle having a career, while being a mother and a wife. But I don’t mind – its been a lot of fun!

A few weeks ago, I received a call from the editors of Hot Rod Magazine, asking me if I would like to do another photo shoot. This time, though, it wasn’t for Hot Rod Deluxe, but for Hot Rod itself. I was thrilled, and I can’t describe how happy I was to get the chance since I owe so much of my success in the automotive industry to this magazine! The shoot was at Pure Vision, a totally cool shop in Simi Valley, Calif. They do restorations and customization, but really there cars are much more than just restored and customized. Check out their website to see what I mean.

After that shoot, we had our first Velocity Magazine TV shoot at the Coastline Classic car show in Corona Del Mar. The setting was awesome – right on the beach in the harbor. It wasn’t a very big show, but they had a great range of cars, and we were able to interview a few owners of some very cool cars – including the proud new owner of the Batmobile from the 1989 Batman movie.

This past weekend, we had another shoot for Velocity at the OC Autoshow. This was a really different shoot, because Velocity focuses on classic and custom vintage cars and everything at the OC Autoshow was about new cars. But there were a few cars there that caught our attention – the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 from our friends at Orange County Lamborghini was my favorite! I might never get to own one but at least they let me sit in it!

That’s quick rundown of the past couple of months, but we still have a lot to get through before the year is out. We’re working on our plans for 2009, but I hope to have some exciting stuff to announce before the year is out.

See you all soon!