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Greetings Saturn Enthusiasts!
Please enjoy the latest June SPS Updates…
New SPS Catalogue in Production
It’s hard to believe that it has been more than two years since SPS last produced a full color printed catalogue. And it was a bit surprising for us to discover that we had given out the last of more than 10,000 copies earlier this spring.
So, not surprisingly, the newest SPS printed catalogue is in production now. With any luck, it will be completed and printed within the next month or so.
For those who have ordered a catalogue within the last few months but did not receive a copy of the full-color printed version, we apologize for the delay. However, once the new catalogues are available, we will be sending out complimentary copies to EVERY CUSTOMER within the SPS customer database – more than 7000 people! So whether you are still waiting on your catalogue to arrive or have purchased from SPS in the past, please be patient – your new catalogue is on the way! (If you have purchased from SPS in the past, please do not send money for the latest version. Your copy will arrive automatically.)
In the meantime, please be sure to make use of the Online Store. (Considerable time, effort, and money is devoted to keeping the online resource as current and as accurate as possible.)
Product News
Not long ago, SPS caused a splash by publicly criticizing the first version of the one-piece strut tower brace by Sprint. However, despite some resulting criticism of our efforts, our concerns made a difference and resulted in a new and improved product that is now available exclusively through SPS. Sprint’s new redesigned one-piece strut tower brace uses a double cross bar, extra rigid materials, and eliminates the need for separate end-brackets and fasteners. The result is an exceptionally strong brace with a unique look and a value-oriented price. Sprint’s redesigned bar also offers exceptional fit and virtually no interference with stock underhood parts. The SB8501 is available now exclusively through SPS for $99.00 each.
RainX window treatment causes liquid to bead into small droplets upon hitting the windshield, allowing it to easily run off the glass without distorting your vision. Apply this product to any glass surface to repel water, mud, snow, sleet, frost and more – even without using the windshield wipers! A must for improved visibility in poor conditions! The 3.5oz rub-on bottles are available now through SPS for only $1.99 per bottle. (See part number RAINX3.5.)
Stillen brake rotors and pads are well known throughout the racing community for their high quality. Now their great-looking t-shirts build upon that tradition with the classic Stillen message, "If speed kills, do brakes give life?" Made of thick 100% cotton material. (Only XL in stock at this time.) The STTS01 is available now for $14.95 each.
The official scR motorsports team polo shirt is a great way to express your enthusiasm for Saturn racing. These attractive "Jerzees" polos feature 100% combed cotton material, a checkerboard collar, and the famed "R" logo on the left chest panel. These are the official shirts of the scR motorsports team for the 2000 season. Available now in red (sizes M, L, XXL) and white (size M only.) Choose the SCRP001 in red or the SCRP002 in white. Only $35.00 each.
Many more new products will be introduced very shortly. But although we are excited about the new items, we must use discretion about releasing new product information because sharing any information before solidifying all of the facts can inadvertently mislead customers, employees, and supporters. Please visit our web site often and watch for future updates. Many more exciting items are on the horizon!
June Specials
The 17-inch RTO-1 by Enkei offers great looks and awesome performance at a bargain low price! Features of this great wheel include: lightweight (19lb.) aluminum alloy, 12-spoke open lug design, 17x7 inch size, 4x100 lug pattern, 40mm offset, and a painted silver finish. Part no. 18717701 is available now for only $599/set of 4! (Only 2 sets remaining!)
Oops! We bought tons of generic open-ended performance cone filters with a 3-inch diameter base – but did not know until it was too late that they are un-oiled and not what we were expecting. These are similar to the JM3014 filter (tapered shape, chrome trim, etc.) but the filter unit is not oiled. We’re not even sure if they are cleanable or if they should be oiled. That’s why they are this cheap…
Order the "JM65-1160" for only $19.95 each, while supplies last! (Note: all sales of JM65-1160 filters are final. No warranty, no returns.)
Please visit the SPS web site (http://www.spswebpage.com) for more details!
SPS Racing
There are many things that can motivate a team to go racing (adrenalin, speed, teamwork, camaraderie, challenge, accomplishment, etc.) But there is one thing that really counts more than anything else: the satisfaction of winning – or at least placing among the top finishers on the podium. And if the thrill of success can be overwhelming, then this was an overwhelming month for the SPS Racing teams.
Leading the charge into competition was the scR motorsports team led by James Walker. With the new ITA car ready for battle, the scR crew faced off with competitors at Grattan on May 27-28 – their first SCCA-sanctioned event for the 2000 season.
The weather question for the weekend was not "if" it would rain, but rather "when" it would rain. But fortunately for team scR, rain is a good thing…
The track was dry enough for Saturday morning’s qualifying session that the Saturn’s wet weather advantage would not become manifest. So James tackled the track on race tires and managed to post some pretty quick laps before the rain began to fall. Fast enough, in fact, that he earned the ITA pole position for the afternoon race!
However, by race time, the track had become wet, but not wet enough to justify using real rain tires. James had enough grip to hold his lead for the first two and a half laps, but finally surrendered his position to a Honda CRX on lap three – and then surrendered another spot to yet another CRX on lap five. With the wet track demanding a great deal of concentration, the scR team was still glad to bring home the third place trophy – and more importantly, a safe driver and racecar.
Sunday morning qualifying brought real rain. Lots of real rain. Enough rain that the decision to break out the Hoosier "dirt stocker" rain tires was easy. And the results were impressive. Each lap allowed James to charge faster and harder. By the middle of the session, he had passed every car on the track at least once, lapping some. And the results? James had not only smoked the other cars in ITA, but he had posted the fastest qualifying time of the entire session! In fact, a voice in the crowd at the results posting area was overheard saying, "That Saturn opened up a can of whoop-ass, didn't it?" James would start the afternoon race directly behind the pacecar – for the first time in scR history!
Unfortunately, by race time, the rain had evacuated and the track surface had dried. (So much for the rain advantage.) But James, having earned the pole position for the entire field, was in control at the start. And he was careful to limit the speeds leading up to the flag stand to maximize his SC2’s torque advantage over the Hondas. Nevertheless, after a drag race down the front straightaway, a pesky CRX still managed to take the lead heading out of the first turn. For the rest of the race, James and the CRX waged war. And together, they literally left the rest of the field in their dust. But despite some excellent attempts, James was unable to complete a pass and finished the race - and the weekend – with a well-deserved second place finish.
James and the scR team race again July 1-2 at MidOhio. To see the latest scR newsletter, scR tech article or to see the 2000 schedule, visit the scR motorsports website at http://www.teamscr.com.
Since entering the Legends racing series this spring, SPS’s own Roger Baker has been considered a "novice." And the novice status required Roger to start every heat (qualifying) race at the back of the pack and to run a conspicuous bright yellow "caution" flag at the rear of his racecar. But because Roger demonstrated consistent driving and rapid improvement throughout the required early season, his novice status was finally retired. So not only does this allow a "cooler-looking" racecar, but more importantly, it means that Roger now has an equal chance of qualifying for the feature races.
And Roger was quick to put his new competitiveness to good use on June 10 at the Shady Bowl Speedway. However, a fair start would not automatically ensure a chance to race in the feature. Roger had never before raced at the Shady Bowl track and he would need to learn quickly if he expected to qualify for the big race.
But if there is one thing to know about Roger, it’s that he is a fast learner (not to mention a fast racecar driver!) So with only some limited coaching from the other competitors, and a very well prepared racecar, Roger quickly mastered the new challenge and qualified for the feature race. Roger started in the 19th position, but as the race continued, he kept getting faster, patiently picking off slower cars with each lap. Unfortunately, he ran out of laps before he could get to the front, but was proud to finish with the 13th position within the 26-car field. Roger now faces five weeks of downtime before his next race on July 22.
Mike Kramer and the Thundersport Team enjoyed their own sweet success with a showroom stock C victory at Road Atlanta on June 11.
SPS Events
The SPS schedule for 2000 is starting to take shape. If you have suggestions for a 2000 event that you would like us to attend, please email Contact Us.
SPS 2000 Schedule (tentative):
July 1-2: scR at MidOhio
Sept 9-10: scR at MidOhio
Sept 23-24: scR at MidOhio
tba: Pilgrimage 2000
If you have any questions about anything in this newsletter, please email Contact Us.
To view previous editions of the newsletter, please visit the Newsletter Archive.
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Until next month, HAVE A GREAT SUMMER! |
