Redline Motorsport

Redline Motorsport History

In 1998, two Transportation Design Students and an Engineering Student formed an organization dedicated to the enthusiast of small displacement, front wheel drive automobiles. That first year, an additional five members joined and participated in local Auto Cross events, car shows and races around the Great Lakes area. One of the original founders had moved to Michigan from the West Coast, and was surprised to find the lack of activities and support for the Sport Compact culture. It was also realized that there were no speed shops or Auto Salons to distribute the after-market products used to modify the popular Hondas, Toyotas, Mazdas and Acuras. This was due largely to the strong Domestic presence, and a local history, which embraces the traditional rear wheel drive, large displacement car.

While demand and interest grew around the Detroit area, so did the need for an organization that helped make information and parts available in the Motor City. Mail order sales were the main venue for consumers to get the performance parts they sought, but a popular problem was evident; there was no way of gaining product knowledge until after the product was purchased.

The founders decided that a more formalized organization could provide the much needed line of communication to reach the regions enthusiasts. It would be a place to share information and gain knowledge of the rapidly developing sport compact culture. Also, a point of contact to the products available and companies to support and install them. In 1999 Redline Motorsport was founded as a Michigan Corporation. A web-site was established and distributorship was gained by networking with various retail stores and manufacturers around the country. Increased demand led to a stronger network of people with similar interests; and the spirit of the "Motor City" began to embrace the Sport Compact movement. Membership to Redline Motorsport jumped from eight members in the spring of 2000 to 96 members by the year's end. The new members came from SCCA events, other web based organizations such as Club Si, Pure Honda, smaller local clubs around Detroit, Windsor and Toledo, and a few from 'the street.' Today we are the largest and most diverse Sport Compact organization in the Great Lakes region and hope to expand our presence around the Mid-West.

During the past year, new vehicles emerged in the Motor City as the Sport Compact car of choice. Among them were the Ford Focus, Ford Contour SVT, Volkswagen Golf, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Celica, Dodge Neon, and of course the already established Hondas, Acuras, Nissans, Mitsubishis and Mazdas which started the culture on the West Coast.

Though the events in the area had little history in the Great Lakes region, they were still successful, and Redline Motorsport was there. -From the Import Drags, to the local Auto cross. From Hot Import Nights in Chicago to Darknights in Toronto, Redline Motorsport members have participated in the development of the new era of hot rod culture.

For 2001 two of the founders have either moved for occupational reasons, or stepped down of personal reasons. This has allowed the remaining founder to streamline the organization and develop a plan to effectively manage the growth. After a members vote, Redline Motorsport changed from a quantity organization to a quality organization. While maintaining its club organizational structure, Redline Motorsport is now managed as a business.

In January 2001, Redline Motorsport received a very favorable review from one of the leading magazines for the culture, Sport Compact Car Magazine. As a result of increased exposure, demand has increased. Requests for sister chapters were requested and are still being considered around the country. Additionally, a European chapter based in England has formed.

February 2001 was a very important time as well for Redline Motorsport from the success at the previous year's participation at Woodward Dream Cruise; a million car show/cruise over a weekend in late August, many of the Domestic Muscle Car and Street Rod drivers began to take notice. Redline Motorsport was asked to participate in the 2001 Autorama, the worlds largest indoor Hot Rod show. Redline Motorsport Members took home several trophies in various categories. More importantly, the professional display and the highly detailed and modified cars were hits with not only the spectators, but the exhibitors as well. It was reported that even a spokesperson for Ford used the cars and display to explain the "next generation of Hot Rodding" while taping an interview for a local UPN affiliate.

This season Redline Motorsport has elected to spread the spirit of the modern day Hot Rod, and members will participate in such events as the Canadian Import Nationals, NOPI, Hot Import nights in Chicago and New Jersey, Darknights Toronto and several smaller, local shows. Because of our great relationship with an organization known as The Import Society, there will be a great amount of planning and working together with other local organizations. Our presence has also been requested at various races in the area and again select members will park and display infield for the Indy 500, Michigan 500 and the Detroit Grand Prix.

What does the immediate future hold? Nobody knows for sure but we are planning an indoor car show and will host a rave event later this summer. The "AutoRave" will be held in concert with area suppliers and serve as common ground for smaller or less established clubs from throughout the area. We will also be joining forces to create a local ring to include preferred paint shops, stereo shops, mechanic shops and soon an after-market salon that will be able to support Redline Motorsport members and their needs. An alliance with select after-market manufacturers is also being considered to advertise on the very popular web-site as well as support select members in the organization to promote their product. These will include wheel, tire, body kit, performance and aesthetic manufacturers so that the product will produce more sales in a geographic location that is just starting to establish a sport compact presence. Joining forces will also allow both Redline Motorsport members and vendors and manufacturers to gain additional sales from referrals and web site advertising.

What does the long term future hold? There are no guarantees here either, but you can be certain that as the hot rod culture evolves, Redline Motorsport will be an integral part of that evolution.

New Member Requirements and Rules

Members are required to pay initiation dues and annual renewals that coincide with the schedule below:

Initial fee: $30.00 (first-time fee)

Team Shirt: $50.00 (required)

Windshield banner: $20.00 (required)

Annual renewal: $20.00 (for returning members)

Total for new members will be $100.00 and we realize that is a lot of money, but remember that most if it is for the club shirt and banners. The rest of the funds are used to support members for displays, organized cruises, garage days (where everyone works on their own cars, or helps others), races (either personal participation, or spectating), trips to events, and club parties and gatherings as well as operating costs. We hope this will attract additional members with the same goals and ambitions as we have, however we have decided to limit the amount of members to 50. This is in part due to management of members, and also in part due to keeping the motivation high in a tight knit "family" that we have enjoyed for the past few years. With these goals and financial commitments made by our members, we have already noticed a stronger club and healthier participation level. We have worked hard to create the biggest and strongest Sport Compact organization in the Great Lakes/Ontario Region, but also value our relationships with other clubs in the area.

Members will be given a Redline Motorsport banner to proudly display on their windshield and can be color coded to match your vehicle upon request. All members will have the power to vote on club activities, which includes how funds are spent and activities to participate in. Though we welcome everyone, only specific vehicles will be featured for the web page. The difference is that all members will be listed on the web site, but only featured rides will have a full page and will be in the "ride of the month" rotation on the web-site. The members will vote the featured cars. There will be a limit of forty cars to be featured in the "ride of the month". All members will be on the mailing list for newsletters and updates. Which helps in technical support and social functions.

From now on, the only way to be a part of Redline Motorsport is to print the application from the web-site, fill it out, then personally hand it to a Redline Motorsport ember at our normal Friday Night Meets. Please make sure that you meet a majority of the members before handing in your application.

We would like the opportunity to meet you and check out your car before we accept any form of payment . We also would prefer to set new applicants up with "sponsors" who will walk you through the membership process and answer any questions you may have. With the network of members we have in the region, chances are there will be a sponsor close to your location.