Tags Posts tagged with "STILLEN News"

STILLEN News

0

The busy schedule for the STILLEN R35 Nissan GT-R has finally finished with the shows and now it’s time to get back to racing!  Team STILLEN will be bringing the orange beast to Virginia City, Nevada for the first annual running of the Spectre 341 Challenge being held June 25-26, 2010.

This event is held on a closed section of Highway 341 that would normally be opened to the public.  Originally started in the early 70’s this event was pioneered by the local Ferrari clubs.  The event ran until 2002 before being shut down.  2010 marks the re-organization of the event and the new promoter Spectre 341’s involvement.  The course is 5.2 miles long with plenty of high speed long turns and narrow switchbacks.  In barely over 5 miles the event travels 1,200+ feet in elevation!!!  The current record up the hill is three minutes and 10 seconds.  Held by the president of Spectre Performance and his highly modified F40 Ferrari.  Steve Millen and Team STILLEN hope to break that record and perhaps dip under the three minute mark!

To prepare for the event the Team headed out to Spring Mountain Raceway to do a little track testing.  Spring Mountain is a good test area for this event because Highway 341 offers pretty flat, high speed turns, and a few tight twisty areas as well, very similar to a track like Spring Mountain.  The main priorities at Spring Mountain were tire testing, suspension development, and increased boost pressure.  Further development back at the shop consisted of installing GReddy Intercoolers, GReddy Hard Pipes, and a GReddy Cold Air Intake.

Never one  to miss an opportunity to challenge themselves, Steve and the Team will tow the car up to Virginia City on Thursday, race on Friday and Saturday.  Then head home Sunday.  That seems pretty simple.  However the added twist, Steve has to have the car in the container headed for New Zealand on the following Tuesday!

That leaves the team just 2 days to take the GT-R from a hillclimb car to rally car.  We’re sending the car down a little early this year as it will be one of the main exhibits in the New Zealand Speed Show event.  The New Zealand Speed Show is the largest automotive show in the country and both STILLEN Targa rally cars will be on display!  The STILLEN Ford GT will be coming back out into the spot light and will be positioned right next to the Nissan GT-R.

There is a lot going on here at STILLEN and we would like to invite you to follow along with us!!!

More Coverage:

Here’s a quick video introduction to the Spectre 341 Challenge

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ybahw79Muw[/youtube]

0

We recently met up with the guys at DSPORT Magazine at a local studio to shoot the STILLEN R35 GT-R for the cover and feature of their July 2010 issue.  We’re happy to announce that this issue is currently on the newsstands, and has been delivered to subscribers!

In addition to getting some fanastic studio shots of the GT-R with the beautiful Ariel Marie, DSPORT also shot Steve Millen’s Championship IMSA 300ZX Twin Turbo inside this issue.  Richard Fong also spent some good time with Steve Millen discussing both the exploits of the R35 GT-R as it tackled Targa Newfoundland, it’s plans for the rest of 2010, and some history of the IMSA 300ZX and racing stories of Steve.

This is the largest issue yet of DSPORT, their 91st in fact, with everything from event coverage, some very cool vehicle features, product tech and testing, model photos and interviews, and industry news.

 

Be sure to hit the newsstand and check this issue out before June 30th!

0

STILLEN founder and owner Steve Millen has again been invited out to the 2010 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race at the 36th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on
April 17, 2010.

Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race

Steve Millen will climb into the Scion tC, pitted against a field of 17 other drivers, from long-time STILLEN friend and comedian Adam Carolla, celebrities such as skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, to other racing stars such as drift and X-Games driver Tanner Foust.

Interesting note.. despite his lifetime racing career, many championship victories at places like LeMans and Daytona, and his recent successes with the Nissan GT-R at Targa Newfoundland, rules are rules, and Steve will be attending a couple of days at a Racing School prior to the event. This will be the first time for Steve to have attended a driving school of any type. (Yes, we’ve had a little fun teasing him about it.. especially about who his instructor might be!)

Steve Millen did participate in the 1986 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, making his way to the front, taking the lead before being rammed by a celebrity in a hairpin soon after the pass, taking the Toyota Celica suspension with him, and ending the day for Steve.

See below for the official Toyota press release, along with the full list of celebrities, pro’s, and other drivers:

===============================================

HORSEPOWER DRIVEN BY STAR POWER
2010 TOYOTA PRO/CELEBRITY RACE DRIVERS ANNOUNCED

LONG BEACH, Calif. (March 11, 2010) – An eclectic group of Hollywood’s stars from film, television, music and sports will put their freshly honed racing skills to the test all in the name of charity on Saturday, April 17 in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, part of the 36th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.  The field of drivers will compete in identically-prepared race-ready Scion tCs in what has become the world’s longest-running, most prestigious celebrity racing event.

The historic, 10-lap race for charity on a 1.97-mile street circuit through the downtown streets of Long Beach in Southern California is one of six featured events during race weekend.  This year’s anticipated field of 18 drivers includes the following diverse entertainment and media personalities:

  • Adam Carolla – Radio and television host, comedian, and actor best known for programs like “Crank Yankers” and Comedy Central’s “The Man Show” alongside Jimmy Kimmel.  He also was a former contestant on “Dancing with the Stars.”
  • Adrien Brody – Academy Award winning actor in 2002 for his role in Roman Polanski’s “The Pianist.”  Other on-screen credits include, “King Kong,” “The Village,” “The Jacket,” “The Brothers Bloom,” “Darjeeling Limited,” and “Summer of Sam.”
  • Anthony Anderson – Television and film actor currently starring in the television drama series “Law & Order” as Det. Kevin Bernard.  Film  credits include “Transformers,” “Hustle & Flow,” “The Departed,” “Me, Myself & Irene,” and “Romeo Must Die.”
  • Brian Austin Green – Film and television actor best known for his roles  on “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” “Beverly Hills 90210” as David Silver and “Freddie.”
  • Christian Slater – Film and television actor currently starring on ABC’s new crime drama “The Forgotten” and was the lead role on NBC’s  “My Own Worst Enemy.”  On-screen credits include “Windtalkers,” “3000 Miles to Graceland,” and “Robin Hood.”
  • Jesse McCartney – Recording artist best known for hits including “Beautiful Soul,” and “Leavin’.” Recipient of the ASCAR Pop Music Award for Song of the Year (2008).
  • Keanu Reeves – Actor whose films include “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “The Matrix, I, II & III” “The Replacements,” “Speed,” “Walk in the Clouds,” “My Own Private Idaho,” “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”
  • Patrick Warburton – Film and television actor currently starring in the hit CBS comedy “Rules of Engagement”.  Also most recognized from the hit NBC comedy “Seinfeld” as “Puddy” and the ABC hit comedy “Less than Perfect.”  Film credits include “Bee Movie,” “Underdog,” “Scream 3,” and “Men in Black 2.”
  • Tika Sumpter – Television and on-screen actress best known for her role as Layla Williamson on “One Life to Live.”  Tika just completed filming her co-starring role in “Stomp The Yard 2: Homecoming” due out this year.
  • Tony Hawk – Iconic pro skateboarder who landed the first-ever 900 at the 1999 X-Games.  He is also president of Tony Hawk Inc., and regularly appears on television and films.  Also hosts a weekly show on Sirius XM satellite radio network.
  • Zachary Levi – Film and television actor best known for his roles in the action-comedy television series “Chuck” as Chuck Bartowski and ABC’s comedy series “Less than Perfect.” On-screen credits include “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” and “Stuntmen.”

Vying for a win in the “Pro” category is returning champion of the 2009 “Celebrity” category Keanu Reeves who is set to race against the pros, including Jimmy Vasser, 1996 CART Champion for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing and current IRL Team Owner and Toyota dealer; Steve Millen, Toyota MTEG Champion (1986 and 1988), IMSA GT Champion (1992 and 1994) and founder of STILLEN; Tanner Foust, Formula Drift champion and X Games Rally Gold Medalist; and Marty Nothstein, Olympic gold medalist, American professional road bicycle racer and track cyclist.

The Southern California Toyota Dealer seat is being filled by Chris Ashworth, Vice President & Partner of Toyota of North Hollywood.  Rounding out the field are charity auction winners Jerry Westlund and Dave Pasant, who each won the opportunity to race in exchange for donations they made in two different charity auctions.

“As the crown jewel of celebrity race events for more than three decades, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race continues to attract the most adventurous celebrities and professional racers,” said Les Unger, Toyota’s national motorsports manager.  “Throughout the history of this event we’ve managed to transform our favorite celebrities into high-speed racers, while also changing the lives of children in need.”

Toyota will donate $5,000 to “Racing for Kids” in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winning racer’s charity of choice.  Racing for Kids is a national non-profit program benefiting children’s hospitals in Long Beach and Orange County, Calif.  On behalf of the race and its participants, Toyota has donated more than $1.8 million to various children’s hospitals since 1991.

Finally, a $15,000 donation is made in conjunction with the 13th annual “PEOPLE Pole Award.”  Sponsored by PEOPLE magazine, the award honors the pole-position winner of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race qualifying session on Friday, April 16.

0

Earlier this month we said goodbye again to the STILLEN R35 GT-R after getting the call from Nissan that they would like to bring the GT-R back into Canada for the 2010 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

Nissan arranged for transport, and placed the Targa GT-R in the center of their booth, giving attendees a chance to get inches away from the Orange Godzilla and get a peek for themselves. The show runs through February 21, 2010. [Pictures & Video after the jump]

TBWA\Toronto, Nissan’s agency in Canada put together this video of the GT-R on location at the show:

OFFICIAL NISSAN PRESS RELEASE:

Mississauga, Ontario – The Stillen GT-R that competed at the 2009 Targa Newfoundland will be on display at Nissan’s booth at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto in February.

Race car driver Steve Millen and his Stillen crew completed a tear-down and build-up of the GT-R to compete in the Newfoundland tarmac rally race.

“Nissan is excited to provide GT-R fans with this special appearance,” said Jeff Parent, vice-president of sales and marketing at Nissan Canada. “The Stillen crew showed us all just how mean ‘Godzilla’ can be, so we wanted to give fans a chance to get up close and personal to this great machine.”

While many modifications were made, the major change was a weight reduction of 78 kilograms over the stock model, along with increased throttle response and appropriate suspension changes.

The Stillen GT-R reached 96 km/h in 2.9 seconds, compared to 3.5 seconds in the stock version.

Here’s some photos of the GT-R at the event, taken by Ryan Cash with rwdftw.com:

If you haven’t seen the STILLEN GT-R in action, here’s a couple of in-car footage of stages during the 2009 Targa Newfoundland Rally:

STILLEN R35 GT-R – Brigus Stage – Day 5

STILLEN R35 GT-R – Gander Stage – Day 2

0

A little while back we had a chance to meet up with Matt Farah and his awesome crew from TheSmokingTire.com and show them around the buildings here at STILLEN.

Matt and Steve then jumped in the bright orange STILLEN GT-R and took a run through some of the local canyons.  See below for the video!

Matt started The Smoking Tire video series last year, and previous to that was the driving force behind Garage419. Two minutes with him is all it takes to recognize that he’s a true car enthusiast, and he’s as genuine as he comes across in his videos. Be sure to check out and subscribe to his video series here.

0

STILLEN Nada Guides GT-R shipping out for SEMA 2009

After spending only a short time back home, the STILLEN NADA Guides GT-R is once again going away. This time it is being trucked out to the SEMA show (Nov. 3 – 6 in Las Vegas), where it will be taking up residence in the BASF Automotive Refinish Solutions booth in the Racing and Performance area (booth 21442).

The Millens Look On As The STILLEN NADA Guides GT-R is Loaded
STILLEN NADA Guides GT-R entering it's new double-decker accommodations

Double Decker Accomodations
STILLEN NADA Guides GT-R entering it's new double-decker accommodations

Tucked In
STILLEN Nada Guides GT-R tucked away on the top level of the truck for the trip out to SEMA 2009

If you’re going to be at the show, stop by and check out the car and that Orange Sherbert Paint in person at Booth# 21442.

0

For the past 13 years STILLEN has proudly held a Customer Appreciation day car show.  Earlier in 2009 we decided that we would be unable to put together our annual car show as well as offer the Targa Newfoundland prizes and prepare the STILLEN GT-R for the rally.  That in itself was a lot of work to prepare for and maintain and doing both would have severely hampered our ability to put on a caliber of show that our customer’s have become accustomed to.

STILLEN Customer Appreciation Day

Because we were not going to be hosting the open house event we were also excited of the possibility of our supercharger kit for the VQ37 being ready for unveiling and later in the year so we decided to move the show to October 17th.  Well, we are getting closer and closer to October 17th and we have to regretfully inform our customers that we will not be able to host the event in October either.

We have received requests from some major automotive manufacturers to build and prepare vehicles for display at this years SEMA Show.  Also, we were delayed in developing our supercharger kit for the VQ37 because of the development on the GT-R parts and race-cars.  We really want to have the supercharger ready for unveiling or at least a sneak peak of the finished kit and we know that October 17th is not a realistic time frame for that.

Because the weather is going to start becoming unpredictable we will be postponing the event until May 2010.  We hope to have a VQ37 supercharger release date and unveiling announced soon that will occur prior to the Customer Appreciate Day.

Thank you very much for your understanding, and we look forward to having a TON of things to show you in May!

Team STILLEN.

0

Nearly 30 years ago, Russ and Ilene Briggs started Briggs Automotive Group with one small used car center in his hometown of Manhattan, Kansas. With decades of dedication and 100% customer satisfaction, Briggs has grown to six showrooms in the Manhattan and Topeka areas.


In fact, they have been named Manhattan’s #1 ranked dealership in sales and service for the past seven years. Briggs has joined with STILLEN to offer performance and styling parts for all Nissan vehicles.

Call George in parts or better yet drop by to see all the goodies.

Whether you’re shopping for a new car, looking for STILLEN parts and accessories with expert installation, or need to have your vehicle serviced, experience the Briggs Advantage at Briggs Nissan!


Contact them about outfitting your new Nissan with genuine STILLEN accessories, before or after your purchase!

Prev1...234Page 4 of 4
Founded in 1986, STILLEN is recognized as one of the premier tuners in the world. With Engineers and a full R&D department on location, STILLEN has long been engineering big brake kits with Brembo and AP Racing, developing superchargers with Magnuson, Edelbrock, Whipple, Vortech, and under the leadership of championship race car driver Steve Millen, trusted by thousands of enthusiasts, manufacturing STILLEN branded products and upgrades, as well as wholesale distribution and retail partners.
Contact us: info@stillen.com
© Steve Millen Sportparts