Latest News

Torqued Distribution Opens Detroit Warehouse

Service (WaaS™) technology and the No Cost 3PL(NC3PL) program has officially opened their all-newDetroit warehouse and National Sales office.

Detroit, MI (August 1, 2022) – Torqued Distribution,creators of the industry leading Warehouse as a

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA,Torqued began by importing hard to find racingand performance brands from England and Europe.The first brand imported was Tillett Racing Seats.Tillett racing seats are found in all professionalmotorsports from drag racing to F1 and they’ve evenbeen featured in a James Bond movie. The newDetroit location occupies 5,000 sq feet in Troy andships daily to race teams, retailers, online sellers,dealerships, and more.

Today, Torqued maintains the U.S.Sole Distributor status for Tillett Racing, NukePerformance, obp Motorsport, and others as wellas distributing popular brands including Holley, BellHelmets, CSF, Detroit Muscle, MOMO Italy, andXClutch. “We’ve doubled the number of brands onour line card in the last year and we’re adding newdealers every day, expansion has always been in thebusiness plan, and we’re elated to have a footprint in the Motor City.” said Tim Trampedach, Torqued Distribution CEO.

Lou Lobsinger, Head of Sales & Marketing and Torqued Detroit’s GM adds “We’ve got the Detroit Grand Prix, M1 Concourse, Woodward Ave, the Big 3, and the new SEMA Garage just down the road. There is no better place to be than here in Detroit, especially as we introduce new technology through our WaaS(™) and NC3PL programs.”

Torqued, is the industry’s most advanced warehouse distributor, offering numerous valueadded digital services via WaaS(™) to its partners such as eCommerce store apps for live inventory, pricing and order fulfillment. For manufacturers, the Torqued No Cost 3PL program is the optimal fulfillment solution for direct-to-consumer Shopify and other eCommerce stores; international manufacturers looking for U.S. distribution; eBay and Amazon marketplace sales; and any other omnichannel sales which require timely and costeffective fulfillment.

NOW AVAILABLE!...For over a decade, Fuelab has pushed technology and innovation forward, manufacturing the most innovative fuel systems found anywhere. For example, their Prodigy line of brushless fuel pumps are efficient, high-flow fuel pumps designed to handle multiple fuels and pressures, all while holding up to the toughest run conditions you can throw at them! Fuelab fuel systems deliver reliability, performance, and consistency!

For more information on the Torqued No Cost 3PL program or WaaS™ please contact sales@ torqueddistribution.com or by calling (415) 767- 6905.

Anzalone becomes Motorsport Director

Michelin North America, Inc. has named Jason Anzalone director of motorsports, effective Aug. 1, 2022, succeeding Tony Ménard, who is returning to Michelin headquarters in France after three years in North America.

Anzalone has served in several positions during his 11-year Michelin career, most recently as a strategic account director for Discount Tire and Tire Rack. Anzalone started his career in the automotive industry as a mechanic, working predominantly with Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari, the company says. He has worked closely with the motorsport teams since May to help prepare for his new role.

Ménard helped advance Michelin’s involvement in IMSA sports-car racing, including the new Porsche Carrera Cup partnership. In his three years, Michelin Motorsports says it was able to support all IMSA races through the pandemic.

Under Ménard’s leadership, BFGoodrich achieved the 100th overall Score Baja victory and introduced the first 18-inch Baja T/A KR3 for Trophy Truck and Unlimited Truck classes. His tenure also includes three Baja 500 wins, two Baja 1000 wins, three Mint 400 wins and a victory at King of Hammers. Lastly, he helped continue the partnership of the Mazda MX-5 Cup, which highlights the development and competition of up-and-coming drivers, the company says.

The Chequered Flag By Ian Rae

The month of July was a sad time for us in MotorWerks Magazine when we lost a couple of good friends of the magazine. Mini stalwart and the guy who put Mini on the motorsport map, Paddy Hopkirk passed away aged 89. Patrick Barron Hopkirk was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 14 April 1933. He learned to drive at age nine in what was basically an invalid carriage that was left to him in a local clergyman’s will.

Although known predominately for his rallying exploits Hopkirk was more than up to the challenges of circuit racing which he fitted in between his rallying exploits. He ran in the British Saloon Car Championship in 1963/65 for the Cooper Car Company and in 1966 for Vitafoam Developments. In fact I remember and interesting conversation with him about running in Australia at the famed Mount Panorama, Bathurst circuit.

The one thing for certain was that Paddy may have invented the term fan favorite! Anyone who met him certainly would be entranced by that Irish charm and would hang on every word. Whether as a lad he every kissed the Blarney Stone is unknown but he sure inherited the ‘Gift of the Gab’.

Our Miniology Magazine Editor Norm Nelson and his wife Jesse had the privelege of meeting Paddy on multiple occasions, myself, I only met him the once when he came over for the Watkins Glen 2018 Mini Festival that was part of the SVRA US Vintage Grand Prix.

Staying with Paddy at local Miniac Patti Bloom Ely’s AirBnB, we found out that Paddy hated pillows piled on the bed, that if he was not fond of a person he would not say anything bad about the person but that ‘They are not good vacation material’ In another life I am sure Paddy could have had a career as a stand up comic. It was a weekend to remember for sure.

We took him to the Glen Motor Inn for dinner with it’s spendid views of Seneca Lake and excellent memrobilia from the F1 days at the Glen. We followed him around as he viewed the outstanding photos from back in the day. It was amusing to get the ‘craic’ from Paddy and find out which of them he would have been willing to go on vacation with.

Everyone who attended the Festival left with fond memories of the gentleman from Belfast that proved Sir Alec Issigonisis wrong and showed that the Mini was a more than capable competition car.

All of us here at MotorWerks and Miniology Magazines would like to send our thoughts and condolences to his wife Jenny, their three children Katie, Patrick and William as well as their six grandchildren Molly, Jessica, Fenella, Amalia, Allegra and Alexander.

While Peter Locke may not have been as well know as Mr Hopkirk he was another Celt who made his mark in motorsport in his home country. Born in Airdrie, Peter made Edinburgh his home and was well known for being a competitor and an official in Scotland’s Speed Championships, especially in the Lowlands.

I only ever met Peter online and during the early phases of my cancer diagnosis he was a huge support to me. During my Conquer Cancer ‘Hat a Day’ initiative he ordered an Adeneau ballcap from the Ring 24Hrs and had it sent directly from Germany to Canada. Since Peter passed away I have worn it proudly to all the motorsport events I have attended. Peter had suggested meeting up in 2019 and attending the Ring 24Hrs race together. He also said to bring my race licence and race gear and we would share the driving of his Mazda RX8 at some Scottish events.

Unfortunately that never got to happen, so the next best thing was to meet up in 2021 when we were due in Scotland for a family wedding. Good planning by the bride would have allowed us to meet up at Kames for a round of the Guyson Scottish Sprint Championship. It came at a point where travelling during the Covid pandemic was still a bit iffy and my hematologist emphasised that I was high risk and it might be smarter not to venture to ‘the homeland’.

It was disappointing missing the wedding but not being able to catch up with Peter and finally meeting face to face was doubly so. Peter and I chatted regularly and he became a huge part of the magazine when we started covering Scottish racers.

Darren Sheperd recently told us, “Peter was an amazing gent, he really helped me out getting more involved with racing and teaching me a few things after watching my lines, but he would help anyone out if he could, he was the life and sole of the racing community always with a smile on his face, he loved a joke and never ever let me forget about rolling the MINI at Doune. I will miss having him pulling my leg.

Vick Park of the ‘racing’ Park family said, “Peter was like part of our family. He was always the first person to offer support in difficult times. When I had my accident in 2018 he was one of the first to appear at my house with goodies to cheer me up. At racing events he was always on hand to give me a kick up the backside when I was struggling to get to grips with the Tiger. He was tough but fair and usually right about me needing to be more committed into the corners.

Peter was the last of the late brakers! Having watched him going into the hairpin at Fintray Hillclimb where nearly everytime the marshal was ready on the radio to call a red flag but oh wow Peter manage to pull his trusty RX8 round. I will never know how he managed that. He gave me a shot of his car one weekend at Boyndie where he genuinely wanted me to beat him but there was no chance of that as he knew that car like the back of his hand. The paddock already feels a quieter place without him but we will never forget him & his many gifts of Percy Pigs.

His longtime friend Iain Scoular told us, he was a dedicated husband to Linda, the dotting father of Sarah and Heather, proud grandfather of Daley and Moss. A loyal friend to me and many others in the motorsport community. Always on the side of those who needed help and support. A true gentleman of faith. Rally was his first love, Minis through to Audi Quattro with his brother.

My navigator in MG and Mini Cooper Mk2. We took up hills and sprints together. Quirky cars were his favourites, the RX8 for example. Passionate about Alpine had 2 Bagheeras, A610, new Alpine 110. More models than can fill a small house of matra and Alpine. A huge presence in many life’s and we will never replace his passion of motorsport and his equal love of others.