Official Blog

X Games in Road Magazine

2011-09-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

This month in Road Magazine I cover the famous X Games summer event held in Los Angeles. You got to check out the story and subscribe to Road as it's free and easy to read online from anywhere. Follow the link and enjoy the good reads this month in Road.

http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_18_small_v2

Photo credit thanks to Al Merion.

David Cheng's August Newsletter

2011-08-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

Cool stuff coming up...

2011-08-11T19:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy past couple of months. We now find ourselves in the peak of racing season. So many events and things happening now through the PRI show in December. There are some cool stories coming out soon.

I wrote an article on Conrad Grunewald and Matt Powers who are both amazingly talented drifters. Conrad drives the Hankook GMPP Camaro and Matt swapped an LSX into this Need for Speed Nissan. Both really interesting guys and I had the chance to interview them both at my home track in Monroe, WA, Evergreen Speedway for Round 5 on the Formula D circuit.

Road Magazine this month will feature my experience at X Games and Barrett Jackson. Be sure to sign up for Road if you're not already and tell your friends. It's online and it's free. http://www.roadmagazine.co.uk/

Lastly, there are updates and new content added to my website. www.ashleyvandyke.com Check out my contact page and you can send me a note on what you think. More updates and fun coming soon.

Share this blog and your friends will think you're cool. Thank you.

Weekend Get-A-Way

2011-08-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, here in Los Angeles, we had what was referred to as Carmageddon. This was a weekend smack dab in the middle of summer in which the 405 freeway was closed. As I imagined what a nightmare this would be staying in town, I decided to get out of dodge and find a peaceful and relaxing place to retreat for two nights.

The destination was La Quinta Resort and I had a Spa Villa Suite to enjoy and do nothing but swim and watch my NASCAR races. What a perfect idea to come out to the resort and a nice way to get out of the mayhem taking place back home in L.A.

It was a beautiful landscape and the service was top shelf. I went back and forth from the pool to my room to check on the race and even got a little work done from the lap top on the resort's free wifi network. Next time I need another get-a-way spot you can bet you'll find me back here.

Here is some info on La Quinta:

La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA WEST® is a world-renowned desert destination featuring 796 elegantly appointed casitas, suites and villas; the 23,000-square-foot Spa La Quinta® with 41 pools and 53 hot spas; 23 tennis courts; and exceptional cuisine at Morgan’s in the desert, TWENTY6 and Adobe Grill. Known as The Western Home of Golf in America® and named ”North America’s Golf Resort of the Year,” it is home to five award-winning golf courses and four private courses – designed by legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Greg Norman and Tom Weiskopf. Golf instruction is offered at the Jim McLean Golf School. The resort is a member of Hilton Worldwide’s Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. For more information, call 760-564-4111, or visit www.laquintaresort.com.

Road Magazine: Ashley Van Dyke does Barrett Jackson Auction

2011-07-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

Road Magazine: Ashley Van Dyke does Barrett Jackson Auction: "Road's American correspondent, Ashley Van Dyke had to hold on tight to her dollars the other day – as she attended a huge, amazing car auction in Orange County, Cali."

Full story and more photos coming out next month in the August issue of Road Magazine.

To read more from Ashley on Road please visit, http://www.skiddmark.com/tag/ashley-van-dyke/.

DCR - Auto Journals

2011-06-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

As the 2011 racing season is well underway, I catch up with driver David Cheng. Check out the link below to read what David had to say in our Q & A and be sure to share with your friends. See you at the races!

http://www.auto-journals.com/features/260

Check out my drift article in this issue of ROAD MAGAZINE

2011-06-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

Back in April I was down at Long Beach taking in the big horsepower of my friend Conrad's GMPP Chevy Camaro for the Formula DRIFT opening round on the Grand Prix circuit.

You can read all about it in this issue of Road Magazine:
http://www.roadmagazine.co.uk/?p=1030

I also hope you follow along to Road's blog as they post great content about cars and racing all over the world. Always new and we keep it fresh!
http://www.roadmagazine.blogspot.com/

Thanks Phil and everyone at Road...great work!

Road Magazine: Ashley Van Dyke returns to Road Magazine

2011-05-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

Road Magazine: Ashley Van Dyke returns to Road Magazine: "Hello boys! Road Magazine's first lady, Ashley Van Dyke ( www.ashleyvandyke.com ) returns to her Road role testing crazy cars in the next is..."

"You're such a petrol head race fan...how can you say you're green?!?"

2011-02-08T19:59:00.000-08:00

I hear this all the time. In fact, it's not uncommon for most people I speak with to find the issue of being a motor racing fan and caring about the environment to be a contradiction. I would like to explain my thoughts on both of these subjects and try to bring some clarity.

Very few things out there get me more excited than racing. I even like the smell of race gas. The loud engines and exhausts giving off noise and vibrations...all very sexy to me. Automotive performance both in NASCAR, road racing, open wheel...you name it and I respect and love it. High performance in street cars like Porsche and Ferrari are appreciated and loved by myself and so many. It's my personal belief that these cars, race cars and performance street cars, have reason and practical use of burning petrol.

I also believe fossil fuel is a high performance fuel and it should be used for high performance applications. This may offend or confuse some or many of you out there, however, I stand firm in stating that burning fossil fuel in a mini van driving your kids to school or in a "so called" economy vehicle on your way to work is not efficient or even a practical use of said fossil fuel.

It's fair that everyone should have the choice to drive what kind of car or vehicle they want and desire. The freedom and liberty that we enjoy on the road way is an amazing thing. I would like to go on to guess that many people currently burning petrol in their daily driver, would change that fuel choice if they had other options that were cost relative and easy to access.

Regarding the subject of transportation, fossil fuel may or may not be the best way to ship and transport goods and it's possible there could be better solutions. In order for us to ever find other options we need to be open to looking at the questions and exploring more with technology.

Let the race cars burn the "race gas" and let petrol be used in high performance vehicles. For everyone else that doesn't desire the suck and blow of the ICE or wants other options for daily driving, I really hope our development of cleaner methods to commute and transport come sooner than later. We can find more options for the road than just simply fossil fuel for everyone.

Global Tuner Grand Prix coming to Laguna Seca this October

2010-08-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

The Global Tuner Grand Prix is the North American event that sets itself apart from any other tuner race in this part of the world. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will be the stage for a head-to-head lap battle race for the most respected and skilled performance shops in the world.

With major race teams and underground garage tuners coming out for a spectator celebration of speed, we're going to see some amazing lap times and great competition at the GTGP. The event will also feature a 50 minute sprint Challenge Race, the Pirelli Driver's Cup Race and the Historic Motorsports Association Race.

For all the details and news updates regarding the GTGP check the website, www.globaltunergp.com, or send me an email for more info, ashley@globaltunergp.com.

Thanks for your interest in the GTGP and we're looking forward to seeing you there!

ACT TODAY Golf Tourney

2010-06-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

Mosport Canada

2010-05-31T20:32:00.001-07:00

World Challenge Sports Car Wars headed far north and east for rounds 4 & 5 at Mosport Raceway. Mosport is a fast challenging track nested in the countryside of Bowmanville, Ontario Canada. Just outside Toronto in the prestine suburbs lies one of the quickest race tracks in North America. History is deep here and stories range from old Formula 1 races in the 50's and 60's to 24 hour endurance races and watching out for wolves at night!

Thank you Eric Meyer and go XOWii Racing and Mazda!
www.xowii-racing.com

Be sure to catch this broadcast on Versus: July 31, 2010

I hope you all are following along on the WC website: www.world-challenge.com
Points battles are close and the competition is fierce.

Long Beach Grand Prix and World Challenge meet Ashley van Dyke

2010-05-04T22:55:00.000-07:00

Sports car wars came to Long Beach with a full field of hungry World Challenge drivers. I was there to check out the competition and interview some drivers.

Dodge took the pole and held on to it all race. Clean moves around lap traffic and no mistakes lead Kuno Whittmer to victory lane in the GT class.

The battles going on for 2nd, 3rd and 4th went on hard the entire second half of the race. Boris Said and Dino Crescentini along with Brandon Davis and veteran Ron Fellows all trying to get in on the action. Ron blows up and is unable to get a finish.

VIDEO: Interview with XOWii Mazda driver Eric Meyer
http://vimeo.com/11282815

VIDEO: Interview with K-Pax Volvo S60 driver Randy Pobst
http://www.kpaxracing.com/video.php

Check out the series schedule and more info on World Challenge at www.world-challenge.com

Jimmie Johnson is Superman

2010-03-09T10:44:00.000-08:00

Four races into the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season and Jimmie Johnson has already been all over the board. Proving again to everyone that no matter what comes way to the 48 team they can prevail with strong pit stops and the right calls. High energy with 2 wins and currently sitting 4th in points. "Jimmie is a computer and Chad is the man behind the computer," Darrell Waltrip said on Sunday. I think he's right. Question is who else can figure out this system or a system comparable to contest the 48 car from another championship.

The circuit rolls into Bristol this weekend. Saddle up and enjoy the high bank ride!!

Please take a moment to support ACT Today and help children with autism

2009-12-23T17:31:00.000-08:00

I just would like to thank everyone who has been so supportive with ACT Today. I've had some friends really come out and support this with me and it's been great. The success stories we have from these kids are really amazing.

Come out to the Golf Tournament on May 17th to join me and support ACT Today.

Promotional video: http://www.youtube.com/user/RecoveredAutism#p/a/u/2/lIbC8EJmWac

Photos: http://centerforautism.blogspot.com/2009/09/ashley-van-dyke-and-stefan-de-nocker.html

Twitter...tweet tweet...

2009-12-20T12:51:00.000-08:00

I think the fun thing about twitter is reading some really funny stuff...these posts are hilarious!!

Follow my tweets... twitter.com/ashleyvandyke

Ashley Van Dyke SEMA GT AWARDS VIDEO

2009-12-17T19:18:00.000-08:00

For all you video game race fans the video is now up from the Sony GT Awards at SEMA this year. We had some great cars entered in this year...and a surprise on the winner! Got to check this one out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gULysW2lSiQ

Ashley Van Dyke hosts the Gran Turismo Awards

2009-12-05T15:39:00.000-08:00

A long but fun day at SEMA this year included hosting the Sony Gran Turismo Awards at the Palms in Las Vegas. Article write up below and video coming out this week...lot's of fun and met some great people. Thanks everyone who came out and supported the event.

http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d5140.html

Tapped - The Movie -

2009-10-23T22:59:00.001-07:00

I went with Karl from MNN to a theater at UCLA tonight. The movie I saw had such a powerful message. Not only does is describe with great detail why bottled water is such a danger to our ecosystem and health but the impact that plastic has on the ocean and wildlife is shocking and very alarming. I wish this movie could be seen by everyone. Please help spread the word about Tapped and what we Americans can be doing to eliminate chemicals from plastic drinking bottles, stop draining natural resources, keep plastic out of the oceans and prevent disease and cancers from killing those who live around plants that make these plastics.

The offical website for Tapped is: www.tappedthemovie.com

SEMA Highlights

2009-10-13T11:42:00.000-07:00

Blast from the past. It's almost SEMA time again and I was looking though my old Fast Lane Daily episodes. Check out this one with all the highlights, hosted by yours truly Ashley Van Dyke...

Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bICaXxdmRo

Tesla Test Drive

2009-10-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

Testing out the Tesla in Los Angeles with Remy C. and Electrifying Times...

http://www.remyc.com/Greenloop/Ashley_Van_Dyke_TeslaTestDrive.jpg

Plug in America

2009-10-12T18:51:00.000-07:00

Remy C. at Electrifying Times did this great post for me and I want to share it here...even though this was a few months ago here it is...

http://www.electrifyingtimes.com/AshleyVanDyke/plug_in_america_parade.html