Most of my car parts were purchased from local and distant NATOR and installed with local or distant NATOR. None of the work on my car, outside of an oil change or two, has been done by a car dealer of any kind.
What does being a car girl mean to me?
It means you’re willing to get your hands dirty, walk away in clothes covered in dirt, coolant, and maybe even some oil, shed some blood, tear some skin, get gasoline in a few cuts, get frustrated, cuss a bit, and want to give up. It means you’re going to get frustrated, throw a few things, make some stupid mistakes, ask some stupid questions, and you’re going to get laughed at. But even after all of this, at the end of the day, you’re still there trying to help others, trying to learn, and not trying to please anyone but yourself. You’re not trying to get attention from everyone or impress everyone, but you’re there because you’re working towards a goal — whether it’s for speed, the look of your car, or just to make some friends that share the same interests. It also means you’re thankful for the help that was given to you and willing to give the same help in return.
Three years ago, I wasn’t the same person I am today and I can thank these guys and gals I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for over three years for that. They’ve helped show me what it means to be a true car girl and they have accepted and loved me even through my stupid mistakes and questions. Now I have a friend group that is more like a family.
Cheers,
Lindsay Cardwell
Occupation: Administrative Assistant/IT Help Desk, Car: 2012 Mazdaspeed3
It’s about that time of the year where we tear out a piece of a paper and jot down all of our New Years resolutions. Most forget about these resolutions halfway through the year, but this year is your year. It’s time to grasp your resolution with your bare hands and get it done! Here are some New Years resolution ideas that you can incorporate into your own list:
1. Hit the local Autocross event this year.
We all love going in the straight line or hitting the racetrack, but there’s nothing like the accessibility of an Autocross. An autocross gives you more of a visual of your driving abilities and gives your car less of a beating than if you were on a full-length race course or a quarter-mile drag strip. Of course this depends on how smoothly you go through the course and whether or not you lodged any cones in your wheel-well.
We’ve all been here. Every session online you get distracted by visiting the Corksport web store and stop by the Corksport adjustable struts and shocks combo product page. You keep looking into the Mazda forums, doing research, and dreaming how that pesky wheel gap makes your car look like it’s a monster truck. Now is the year to save up and finally treat yourself. Try getting a jar and commit to saving a small percentage of your paycheck to work towards paying off the suspension kit (or any other awesome modification) with straight-up cash.
3. Attend a Mazda Meet.
There’s nothing like attending a Mazda Meet and talking cars with other Mazda owners. This is where you can get inspiration, connect with other local Mazda owners/enthusiasts, and even local tuning shop owners. Have an issue with your Mazda? We bet you can find somebody at the meet who had the same problem and knows exactly how to fix it. Checking out the forums is a great step but there’s nothing like a Mazda enthusiast actually seeing what the issue is in person. Besides, who doesn’t want to make more Mazda friends?
4. Learn to Race.
We’ve all taken on-ramps at a faster than suggested speed, trying to establish a race-line. It’s fun to think of yourself as a race car driver. What if you can actually be one? There are a lot of opportunities at your local track to get instruction from professional race car drivers. A great place to start is the SCCA website. Maybe it’s time you actually became a race car driver?
5. Let somebody change the radio station or playlist.
Most people hate it when a passenger starts messing with the radio. Who wants to listen to a slow jam with four dudes in the car (maybe some of you do)? From the great words of the most played out song in 2014: let it go! Relax. One day just let a passenger do whatever they want to the radio. Only once of course.
6. Finish that project.
Everybody has that one project that sits untouched in the corner of their garage or shop for what seems like forever. It’s collecting dust, and you’re starting to pile stuff around it. Time to get it out and finish it up. Whether it be plasti-dipping the valve cover, finally getting an alignment after lowering your car, or actually installing that Corksport Transmission Motor Mount that’s been sitting in your garage for a few weeks. Maybe it’s time you set everything aside and just do it.
7. Take a noob out to the shop.
We all have a friend that is very eager to learn more about working on cars or just about cars in general. This person can be just one of your friends or even your 7-year old nephew (it’s never too early to learn how to turn that wrench). It’s time to pass on your knowledge, because, to be honest, everybody remembers that one person that taught them everything to help them get started in tuning and modding. It’s time for you to be THAT person.
8. Help a friend with their project.
We all have that friend who buys a ton of parts and pays for an auto shop to install it for them. It’s time to lend your services and give your friend a helping hand. If you think about it, you can technically complete resolution number 7 and 8 at the same time.
9. Give a friend a bluetooth device.
With all the laws being passed in every state regarding hands-off communication devices in the car, this can not only prevent your friend from receiving a ticket but also keep them safe on the road. Buy one for yourself if you haven’t already!
10. Participate in the next Mazda toy drive.
It’s time to give and have fun doing it. Every year a local car club runs a toy drive to benefit needy kids in the area. It’s also a great time to meet other Mazda owners and just talk cars. Most car clubs will do a food drive in November and a toy drive in December. You’ll be doing a good deed and you get to see some awesome local Mazdas.
Don’t forget to put your New Years resolution somewhere that’s highly visible. To be honest it’s hard to complete all the resolutions you ever make but there’s nothing like that accomplished feeling you get when you do complete one.
Good luck this year and don’t forget to keep reminding yourself about your resolutions by posting notes EVERYWHERE!
– Corksport
ZoomZoom
Top 10 New Years Resolutions for a Car Guy September 13th, 2018CorkSport
UPDATE: Masahiro Moro, president of Mazda USA, called the Mazdaspeed 3 “childish” in execution. What does that mean for the future of the Mazdaspeed model? Find out.
According to Ryan Beene at Autonews.com the next Mazdaspeed is planned for 2017. At first glance we might assume that this is purely more rumors, but upon further inspection we see that there might be cause to believe him.
Why?
First of all, Ryan Beene has been vouched for by several other automotive sites and journalists. Over at thetruthaboutcars.com they state “Having known Beene for a number of years, I can say that his information is to be trusted more than the typical buff book “anonymous sources” accompanied by some fanciful colored pencil sketch or computer rendering.” Jalopnik.com also states: “Automotive News’ Ryan Beene, who has covered Mazda in depth, is rather reliable. This is a good thing.”
So apparently we should listen. We also see some of the first reasonable explanations for AWD and a Turbo. As we have discussed previously, the new Mazdaspeed will most likely share the AWD from the CX5 platform. See the article here: //corksport.com/blog/will-there-be-a-new-mazdaspeed-3-with-all-wheel-drive/ where we also happen to quote Takeo Mariuchi, the program deputy manager as saying “from a technical point of view it’s not difficult to install a four wheel drive system”. We also showed some interesting photos showing the rear of the CX5 and 2014 Mazda 3 that appeared as though it would be rather simple to add the AWD.
Nonetheless we put our stamp of approval on this statement.
The second thing that he brings up, that we can stand behind, is the fact that he believes the engine will be the same as the one used in the CX-9 launching that year. This would not surprise us at all since it would help shave cost, and engineering work on Mazda’s behalf.
I’ll summarize the rest of his interesting points here otherwise:
Mazda 2: Redesigned Mazda 2 production starts in November and he expects a sportier Mazda2 with a modified intake and exhaust as an option.
Mazda 5: This will get killed off by 2015 due to lack of interest.
Mazda 6: An interior redesign for 2016, new center console, smaller dash that sits lower. Similar to the Mazda3.
Mx-5 Miata: Debuts in one week. Will have a SkyActiv 2.0L liter engine (no word of a turbo). More exciting though is the news that Mazda is planning a fastback-style hardtop version.
Rotary RX-7 or Rx-9: They are still working on it, should be 2 seats, not 4. No word on when.
CX-3: This should go on sale next June. Built on the same platform as the Mazda2.
CX-5: Fresh interior for 2016 and new front and headlights.
CX-9: Redesign for 2017 with new KODO language. Turbo Engine 2.5L that will be the same as the Mazdaspeed 3.
Of course, Ryan still doesn’t quote any sources or give any proof, but we definitely are willing to believe all that he says!
-Spencer@CorkSport
Check out the latest Mazdaspeed 3 performance parts
Precision Adjustability for those Demanding Control
If you have been enjoying your new Mazdaspeed 3 or Mazda 3 but were wishing you could improve the handling, CorkSport is here to help. With the release of our new CorkSport Mazdaspeed 3 and Mazda 3 Adjustable Struts and Shocks you have a real solution for the street, track and everything in between. The CorkSport Mazdaspeed 3 and Mazda 3 struts and shocks are 15 way adjustable and are an easy bolt-in affair with stock or aftermarket springs.
CorkSport shocks and struts are made with gas charged twin tube shock absorbers to allow the shock to react faster and more predictably, for a quicker response time and will help to keep the tire firmly planted on the road. You will have the ability to change both rebound and compression damping simultaneously for greatly improved ride quality. Their mostly stock appearance and color makes them great for anyone trying to keep a low profile, or have a “sleeper” in the corners.
With 15 ways to adjust them with just rotating a knob it’s simple to change settings for any type of driving. Whether you want a soft feel for cruising, aggressive performance for spirited driving, or full stiffness for autocross and track days the CorkSport Adjustable Struts and Shocks can meet your demands.
Due to the popularity of our Front Mount Intercooler (FMIC) Kit for the MazdaSpeed 6 and first generation MazdaSpeed 3, we are proud to release the kit for the 2010+ MazdaSpeed 3. This kit will bolt on with no bumper modifications needed and increase boost levels while decreasing intake temperature. The kit also takes advantage of the hood scoop by mounting the intake under the stock intercooler shroud, leaving a stock look and maximizing airflow.
Features:
The CorkSport FMIC Kit features an aluminum core intercooler (24 x 6 x 3.5 in) with custom cast end tanks. Flowing into and out of the intercooler is 2.25” aluminum mandrel bent piping with bead rolled ends. These are connected via silicone couplers (your choice of black, red, or blue) and stainless steel T-bolt clamps. The kit includes everything needed for installation including our uniquely designed ram-air box. The ram-air box counts to the factory intercooler location to utilize the stock plastic cover and hood scoop to maximize airflow to the engine.
The CorkSport FMIC Kit can be ordered for use with the stock, HKS, or Greddy Blow-off Valve flanges. The kit can also be custom powdercoated to match your engine bay, or give it a totally custom look.
Testing:
Our FMIC Kit has been developed and tested specifically for the 2010+ MazdaSpeed 3. It has been tested in all types of conditions including hot and cold, rain and snow, freeway driving, and stop and go traffic. The kit decreases pressure drop by about 2.5 psi over the stock intercooler (down to 3 from 5.5 psi). The FMIC kit also offers an icrease in thermal efficiency of roughly 20% over the stock intercooler (up to 86% from 66%)*. On top of all of this, the core flows 30% more air than the stock intercooler. All of these features add up to a kit that was designed and optimized for the 2010-2011 Mazdaspeed 3.
Available Now:
The CorkSport Front Mount Intercooler Kit for the 2010+ MazdaSpeed 3 ships with all the hardware needed for installation and is available now via our website or CorkSport Customer Service (360-260-2675). Full color step by step installation instructions and telephone support are also included with your purchase.
PRESS RELEASE: CorkSport Power Series Front Mount Intercooler Kit For the 2010-2013 MazdaSpeed 3 September 13th, 2018CorkSport
