SPS

Greetings Saturn Enthusiasts!

Please enjoy the latest March SPS Updates…

SPS to Support SICSA Walk for Strays
The Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals (SICSA) is holding its Fifth Annual Walk for Strays to be held on Saturday, May 31 at Delco Park in Kettering, Ohio. The funds raised from this event will help SICSA pay the medical and animal care expenses and veterinarian bills for the dogs and cats in their program. Aside from fund-raising, the other important goal for the event is to raise public awareness as to the numbers of stray and unwanted animals and to educate the public about spaying and neutering.

This year, SPS will be contributing to the fund raising effort with a $150 donation. And SPS team members Jen and John will be participating in the walk. But we would like to do even more. Unfortunately, slow economic conditions have prevented us from making a more aggressive donation. However, we hope that through cooperation with our customers and supporters, we can work together to provide more assistance. So with that in mind, we are pledging a donation match program in which SPS will match 100% of the donations of our customers.

If you wish to make a donation, please call SICSA directly at 937-294-6505 or send donations in the mail to Box 292463, Kettering, OH 45429, Attn: Walk for Strays. Please be sure to specify that your donation is part of the SPS Team Match program so that we are made aware of your donation and can match it.

SICSA is a nonprofit animal adoption agency that has served Montgomery County for 29 years. Their website can be found at http://www.sicsa.org.

Product News
Momo introduced even more new shift knobs again last month! The latest knobs are the Combat Evo series and the Sphere Airmetal series. The Combat Evo is available in blue (MOCTEBLU,) red (MOCTERED,) silver (MOCTESIL,) and carbon (MOCTECBN.) The Sphere Airmetal is available with an aluminum finish (MOSPHALUAIR) or a black leather finish (MOSPHBLKAIR.) You can see these knobs online at http://www.spswebpage.com/products/momo_shifter.html.

Our new 5-gallon wash buckets are both functional and good-looking. The extra-large 5-gallon capacity makes a perfect wash bucket. And the optional reusable lids allow you to store your chemicals and supplies conveniently inside the bucket - or to safely transport wash water. Plus, the brilliant colors look cool and complete your 'package' if used at a car show or race event. Each bucket is made of .090-inch thick high-density polyethylene with reinforcing ribs for lots of strength and durability. And they include a sturdy wire bail handle with a plastic handgrip. Buckets are available in black (USP2271,) blue (USP2274,) red (USP2283,) or yellow (USP2289) for $9.97 each. Reusable lids are available in either black (USP2399) or red (USP2400) for $1.99 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!

March Specials
For most enthusiasts, Eibach springs are the perfect choice. These well-designed high-quality German springs feature a modest drop of 1.3 inches (for sporty but not ‘slammed’ looks,) spring rates slightly stiffer than stock (for a noticeable reduction in body roll,) and balanced spring rates (for a reduction in understeer.) But they are not so stiff as to create a harsh or bouncy ride – even with stock dampers. We made a special purchase this month and are passing the savings along to you! (Fits all 91-02 S Series.) Choose part number EIB0001 – normally $279.00 per set – now only $260.00 per set!

Our imported strut tower brace may not exude the quality craftsmanship of some others on the market, but at this low price, you may not care! This bolt-on brace strengthens the area between the front upper strut towers to increase chassis rigidity for better handling and improved steering response. And it features a highly polished cross bar with powdercoated black brackets. Fits all SOHC and 91-96 SC and SC2 Saturns. (Note: brackets will contact hood liners on some DOHC models.) The VIB1840 is normally $49.00 but is on sale now for only $39.00!

Please visit the SPS web site (http://www.spswebpage.com) for more details!

SPS Racing
Have you ever thought about becoming a racecar driver? Maybe a competitive road racer like the teams at scR?

At first, this may seem like an unattainable desire, but its not. Thanks to the SCCA and the existence of ‘amateur club racing,’ road racing can be enjoyed by just about anyone. Mind you – it is not easy, and it is not cheap. But it is possible for just about anyone that has the commitment to do it.

If you think that this might include you, here are a few tips to assist you.

1. Competitive driving requires lots of preparation, paperwork, and money. So before you make a complete commitment, be sure to sample the sport at a level that requires less investment. The best way to do this is to participate in some high speed lapping events that allow you to use your street car. There are several clubs and groups that host such events – including Porsche, BMW, and Corvette owner clubs. In fact, the well-known Saturn Performance Club hosts several events each year.
2. Surviving a competitive SCCA race weekend can be difficult for a novice. So before you pursue your own racing license, consider working as a crewmember for an experienced racer. (Your experienced racer does NOT need to be a Saturn racer. Remember, the SCCA has many classes that involve a wide range of vehicles. There is a good chance that an SCCA racer in your area would appreciate some extra help at his next race.) Working as a crewmember will teach you valuable details about the SCCA, the protocols of a race weekend, and the organizational details of running a race team. If you are already familiar with the race weekend, then making the transition from crewmember to driver is much less stressful.
3. Once you have sampled high speed driving through a lapping day and sampled the club racing weekend as a crewmember, if you are still committed to becoming a racer, then the next step is to earn your license.The SCCA publishes a guide for this process online at http://www.scca.org/contentpage.aspx?content=43. The licensing process can seem confusing at first, but it's not that bad.  What you need to do is first apply for a novice permit.  Once you have your novice permit, then you will complete two SCCA driver schools and two SCCA regional races. If you complete the schools to the satisfaction of your instructors and complete the races to the satisfaction of the chief stewards, then you can apply for your regional competition license. So how does one acquire a novice permit? Keep reading.
4. Step one is to join the SCCA. You can join online at the SCCA site. For all practical purposes, accomplishing tasks one and two above would be a lot easier if you were already an SCCA member – since other SCCA members can help you find lapping days and club racers who need crewmembers.So hopefully, you have already joined the SCCA by now. But if not, then joining the club is step one!
5. You will also need to download several other forms including the merchandise order form, the physical examination form, and the novice permit application. These can also be downloaded in pdf format at the SCCA site listed above.
6. Using your merchandise order form, place an order for the General Competition Rules book (GCR.) Also be sure to order at least three ‘SCCA Club Racing’ decals (which you will need to apply to your racecar) and one ‘SCCA’ patch (that you will need to sew onto your fireproof racing suit.)
7. When your GCR arrives, read it. Then read it again backwards. Then read it again. Then have your wife/girlfriend/mom/brother/sister/buddy/dog quiz you on the competition rules. You will need to know the rules for the written tests at your driver schools!
8. You will need to get a doctor’s physical examination performed as part of your novice permit application process. So schedule an examination and have your doctor complete the physical examination forms that you downloaded in step five above.
9. Once you have your completed physical exam form, then you can apply for your novice permit. Of course, you need to complete the novice permit application form that you downloaded in step five above. Before sending it to the SCCA, MAKE COPIES OF EVERYTHING! (The SCCA loses stuff occasionally.)  Along with your completed novice permit application, you will also need to send: your doctor’s physical examination form, two passport-size photos, a photocopy of both sides of your state driver’s license, and a $110.00 fee. (If you are considered a minor in your state, then you will also need additional parental waivers.)
10. At some point before your driver schools, you will need to invest in safety equipment including a Snell-approved automotive helmet, a fireproof suit, fireproof underwear, fireproof gloves, and fireproof shoes. Your GCR will provide the required specifications. (As a rule, if in doubt, lean toward the safer option.)
11. Also at some point before your driver schools, you will need to find a legal racecar. Building one from scratch is a daunting task. If you do not already have access to a legal racecar, then consider renting one to complete your school requirements. This significantly reduces your investment.  Your local SCCA region’s road race chairman can probably help you make rental arrangements.
12. Once you have your novice permit and found a racecar to use at your schools, then you need to sign up for two schools. You should be able to find a schedule of area schools and races at the SCCA website's events section.  Don’t try to be a hero at your school. The SCCA does not hand out scholarships or sponsorships. So your instructor is probably not expecting you to be the next superstar of the racing world. What he will expect is for you to demonstrate consistency, good judgment, courtesy to fellow drivers and workers, and a solid understanding of the rules. If you meet your instructors’ requirements, then they will sign your novice permit and give you a passing grade for your school participation. If you pass two schools, then you can compete in a regional race.
13. When you show up for your first regional races, you should remember that you are a novice permit holder, not a license holder. As such, you are more or less racing on ‘probation.’In other words, they will be watching you very closely. So like your schools, your strategy should be to exhibit good behavior and stay out of trouble. At registration, you will need to leave your novice permit. At the end of your race weekend, see the chief steward to retrieve your permit and respectfully request that he sign your novice permit to acknowledge your completion of the regional race. Complete two races without getting into trouble, and you are able to apply for your license.
14. Before sending your novice permit to the SCCA, be sure to make photocopies of every page – just in case. Then send your novice permit and another $75 to the SCCA, and within weeks, your regional racing license will appear in your mailbox.

So that’s it. The process is not ‘easy,’ but it is not impossible either. All it takes is some patience, some organization, some commitment, and lots of disposable income.

As always, be sure to catch the latest news, schedule changes, race recaps, and photo and video galleries at the new scR website located at http://www.teamscr.com.

Shipping Cost Estimates
You probably know by now that the SPS website (spswebpage.com) does not offer a utility to estimate shipping costs. The reason for this is that shipping cost calculations are fairly complicated – and usually require some human intervention to do accurately.

The standard carrier for all SPS shipments is United Parcel Service (UPS.) UPS rates depend upon the weight of the box, the size of the box, the insured value of the box, the origin, the destination, and the level of service selected. Even if you could write a software application that could calculate rates with these known values, it would only be accurate for single item orders. For any order including more than one item, we ultimately need a human being to make a decision as to how those items can be combined and how many boxes will be required. (And then to calculate the weight and value of each box.)

However, SPS team members are able and willing to estimate shipping costs upon request. And we understand that knowing this cost in advance is often required in order to make a purchase decision. So you can Contact Us at any time to request a quote.

Please remember that we will need some information from you before we can do any calculation. Specifically, we need to know your zip code, a complete list of items that you wish to ship at the same time, and the desired service level. Your service level options include: Ground, 3-Day Select, 2-Day Air, Next Day Air Saver (in most areas,) and Next Day Air. Ground is the cheapest (and slowest) service, but even this takes a maximum of only 5 working days to the farthest destinations throughout the US. (Most of the Midwest and East Coast are only 2 to 3 working days away by ground!)

SPS 2003 Event Schedule (tentative)

Mar 28-29: SPS Racing at Putnam Road Course (test day)
Apr 12-13: SPS Racing at IRP
May 24-25: SPS Racing at Grattan
May 26: No UPS pickup or delivery due to Memorial Day holiday
May 31: SICSA Walk For Strays benefit to help stray animals
July 4: No UPS pickup or delivery due to Independence Day holiday.
July 4-6: SPS Racing at MidOhio
Aug 2-3: SPS Racing at Beaver Run
Oct 4-5: SPS Racing at MidOhio

If you have any questions about anything in this newsletter, please Contact Us.

To view previous editions of the newsletter, please visit the Newsletter Archive.

If you wish to add an email address to the list, please do so at http://spswebpage.com/email/addemail.html. If you need to remove an address from the list, please do so at http://spswebpage.com/email/del.html. Please do NOT notify us directly with your removal or addition requests!

Until next month, HAVE A GREAT SPRING!