Author: Rims Dealer Wheels Expert

R-1 Racing Wheels and Steeda Racing 2008 Ford Focus

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The R-1 Racing Steeda Focus Club Racer Concept was recently debuted at the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas with much fanfare and plenty of media attention. This all new vehicle had it's world debut in the Ford Motor Company Corporate Display at the 2007 SEMA Show where it won a prestigious Ford Motor Corporate Design Award that acknowledged it for it's unique workmanship, appearance, and product integration.

The R-1 Racing Steeda Focus sports R-1 Racing Victory wheels. The R-1 Racing rollers are black wheels and come with a stainless steel chrome lip as do all R-1 Racing wheels.

Taking the famed Steeda Autosports Race-Bred and Road-Ready DNA to two a new platform for the Ford performance enthusiast, the Steeda Focus Club Racer underscores the commitment that Steeda Autosports has made to consistently deliver the best possible performance and value to the Ford performance enthusiast.

Inspired by the famous Steeda Club Racer Mustang Series, the 2008 Steeda Focus Club Racer is designed to win, and delivers solid, spirited handling with pulse-quickening performance. The vehicle has been modified throughout, and features every performance-minded item and accoutrement that the Steeda Skunk Works could think of to include.

Look for more detailed information about a serialized Steeda Focus Club Racer and individual performance components in the very near future at www.steeda.com. You can also sign up for our newsletter that will keep you up to date with the latest Steeda news and products.

2009 Lambo Gallardo Pics Released

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As we reported here on the wheel and tire blog on February 29th the Lamborghini Gallardo was getting some significant facelifts. In that article we only had the test car spy shots of the new Lamborghini, but now we found the real deal pics of the new Gallardo. The car has received a new front spoiler, even more aggressive lines, and a revamped rear-valence that is out of this world. The official press release is not yet available, but the Gallardo is powered by a 5.2 liter V-10. This engine gets the car from 0-60 in under 4.0 seconds. Well enough words, just check out the beautiful pictures of the Lamborghini Gallardo with new wheels, tires, body, etc.

Kumho Tires names new V.P.

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Rancho Cucamonga, CA … On Monday, March 3rd, David Hudrlik, Kumho Tires VP of Sales resigned his position at Kumho effective as of February 29th, 2008. In the wake of Hudrlik, Kumho Tires went to look for his replacement. Kumho did not have to look very far as they choose to fill the position internally and stick with a Kumho team member who already understood the Kumho culture and philosophy. Effective, March 4th, Jim Milhaupt will assume the position of VP of Sales for all of Kumho Tire USA. Most recently Milhaupt was the Regional Vice
President for Kumho Tire USA's Western Region.

From everyone here at rimsdealer.com we wish both David and Jim the best of luck in all their future endeavours and look forward to a very prosperous 2008 in relation to Kumho Tire business.

Customer Car of the Month: Nissan 350Z Wheels and Tires

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Sarasota, FL… Today we close the chapter on another month and we present February's Customer Car of the Month. This month's car belongs to Adrian R. of Sarasota, FL. Adrian drives a clean blue 2006 Nissan 350Z. To pump up his 350Z, Adrian added a set of 19″ wheels. Adrian added a wheel package of R-1 Racing Drift wheels in gloss black. As any savvy 350Z driver would, Adrian also opted for a set of staggered wheels to get a wider wheel in the rear of his track machine. The R-1 Racing Drift wheels are 19×8.5 in a +20 offset in the front rims and 19×9.5 in a +25 offset in the rear rims. As with all R-1 Racing Wheels, the Drift wheels have a super deep lip that comes in the R-1 Racing Patented Chrome Stainless Steel Wheel Lip Technology. The 19″ wheels are wrapped in W rated rubber from Federal SS595 Tires. He sports a 245/35/19 tire in the front and a 275/30/19 tire in the rear. To check out the full specs and pricing on Adrian's wheels and rims, just click on any photo to be taken to the R-1 Racing Drift black wheels or hyperblack wheels product page.


Adrian says the fitment is perfect and he sent us the pictures to prove it. The staggered wheels have the perfect offset for the 350Z to get a perfectly flush finish with the tire. Adrian's wheel and tire package was topped off with centering rings, closed end chrome lugs, and wheel locks to make sure that he secured his brand new rim and tire package. Check out Adrian's ride below and make sure to comment on ride to make sure he is eligible for rimsdealer.com Customer Ride of the Year! The 2008 rimsdealer.com Customer Ride of the Year winner will receive a new set of tires for his or her wheel and tire package for free! If you want to submit your vehicle just send the wheel and tire specs along with images of your ride to [email protected]




Car Feature: Spy Shots, Lambo Gallardo gets facelift

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Spy photographer Pedro Domingues, part of Brenda Priddy & Company's
network of covert auto shooters, snapped these shots of the
forthcoming Lamborghini Gallardo LP550 in Portugal, ahead of its debut
at the Geneva Auto Show.

Priddy says the car, painted orange but almost completely covered in
black tape, is said to be powered by a 5.2L V10 with 550hp. Priddy
says her photographer saw “some top-end cars, such as the Maserati
GranTurismo and Porsche 911 (on the track) testing. Among those cars
was an orange Lamborghini Gallardo covered in black tape. This
Gallardo had a different front bumper, smaller headlights, double dual
exhaust, and the rear ventilation grille was one single piece instead
of three portions.”

The Gallardo LP550 has re-designed front and rear fascias and rides
on a stiffer body. Along with mechanical updates, an improved (and
lighter) all-wheel-drive system and upgraded brakes, the LP550 will
also come with an upgraded price tag, estimated somewhere in the $200k
range.

Priddy relates her photographer's final observation: “I can
additionally tell you that it runs very quietly when idling,”
Domingues explained. “Once the engine gets to the right temperature,
you can hardly hear it, but it roars like a true Lamborghini when
being revved and pulling away.”

Feature: 5-Zigen Gravis Silver and Chrome Wheels Rims

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Los Angeles, CA…This feature focuses on the 5-Zigen Gravis wheel. 5-Zigen, one of the few companies to still manufacturer in Japan, has recently sent us these beautiful photo shoot images of some of the market's hottest cars sporting the 5-Zigen Gravis wheels. The 5-Zigen Gravis wheels come in a machined face wheel with silver accents and in full chrome. The 5-Zigen Gravis wheel is available in 19 inch and 20 inch wheels. The Gravis also comes in staggered wheel fitment in both 19 and 20 inch wheel applications.

Kumho to develop tires for Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

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RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA… Kumho Tire has agreed to provide tires for VICI Racing and its Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in 2008. At the heart of the partnership will be an innovative tire development program designed specifically for the Porsche RSR and the ALMS GT2 class championship. VICI Racing will contest the season with a 2008-specification Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, starting at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, with a second car joining the line-up later on.

“We're delighted to announce this tire development program and to welcome Kumho Tire as a team partner,” said Ron C. Meixner, VICI Racing President. “Kumho Tire fits perfectly with our strategic values. It is a young, ambitious company that has already achieved much success in several motorsports arenas. I have been thoroughly impressed with the company's focus and energy and its overwhelming desire to win. This will be a very tough development project, undertaken right from the start through a full racing program, and will require total dedication and a will to succeed. With Kumho Tire I am completely satisfied we will achieve the project's goals.”

Kumho has been involved in the American Le Mans Series for the last three years, running with a variety of teams in the LMP1 and LMP2 classes. After earning an LMP2 class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last June, Kumho tested the GT2 waters at the Mid-Ohio ALMS race in July, supplying tires for a one-off effort for the Woodhouse Performance Dodge Viper. The car, team and tires all performed well, leaving Kumho motorsports manager Rudy Consolacion eager for a full-season effort in GT2.

Wheel tuner legend Boyd Coddington Dies at age 63

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Boyd Coddington, the hot rod legend behind thousands of show winning vehicles and countless wheel designs and aftermarket industry trends died this morning at 6:20am. The cause of Coddington's death is still unknown. Coddington had been recently hospitalized for an undisclosed condition, and was expected to recover.





Coddington's spokesperson confirmed to the blog Jalopnik that the rumers of his death were in fact true. A statement will be released later today. Needless to be said, Coddington was an inspiration to thousands and his legacy will live on in those who found inspiration though his automotive works of art.

Feature: AM Forged Prime, Forged 3-piece Wheels Rims

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AM Forged wheels are famous for their quality control and custom finishes. Each AM Forged Wheel is custom made to order according to the specifications and color selections of each customer. AM Forged has also been found to have one of the best customer support staffs in the industry. These are some of the reasons why rimsdealer.com carries AM Forged Wheels are their premier custom 3-piece wheel supplier.












One of AM Forged Wheels most popular wheel models is the AM Forged Prime. The Prime is a very lightweight yet strong 5-spoke split design. Each spoke also comes with an accented groove that can be used to make custom finishes of all kinds. Here are some examples of the Prime in several finishes. If you are interested in the pricing and sizing available for the AM Forged Wheels please click on any of the wheel images to link directly to the product pages.


NEW 2008: Gianelle Cameleon Face Changing Wheels Rims

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Gianelle Wheels, manufactured by WTW Corp., the same manufacturers of Giovanna Wheels, has created a new patented system to give the auto wheel enthusiast several wheel options in one wheel. The Gianelle Wheel's Cameleon Wheel offers a solid chrome wheel or black wheel with interchangeable high-grade plastic faces. These different Cameleon wheel faces allow users to choose multiple designs from one set of Gianelle wheels.






All 3 faces are included in the purchase of a set of Gianelle Cameleon wheels. Best of all is that the faces can be interchanged in minutes. So with the Gianelle Cameleon, its like getting 3 sets of wheels for the price of one. Lastly, as will almost all Giovanna Wheels, Gianelle Wheels, Giovanna Forged Wheels, Dbl-G Wheels, and Koko Kuture Wheels, all made by WTW Corp., the Cameleon can also be used with the Koko Kuture Bezel System. For a direct link to pricing and sizing on the Gianelle Cameleon wheel click on any of the images and you will be taken to the Gianelle Wheels page on rimsdealer.com.