An Evening of Celebration - Baja 1000, Velocity, Blue C Advertising

Click below to see pictures from a the Baja 1000 co-sponsored Velocity event.

Velocity Magazine Ceases Publishing

December 11th, 2008, 5:29 pm

Velocity magazine, a bi-monthly magazine for Orange County auto aficionados, will stop printing after just seven issues because of the current economic troubles, publisher David Threshie said today.

The glossy magazine debuted in October 2007 and was flush with ads for high-cost watches, alcohol, auto accessories and collector cars.

It was one of the only magazines in the region to target and reach affluent male readers. But it arrived as the economy — and auto industry in particular — struggled with everything from gas price spikes to the housing bubble bursting to the credit crunch to the collapse of print media.

“It was on its way to being profitable but the severe economic downturn slowed its trajectory to the point where we had to make a decision: Suspend it until the economy rebounds or weather the storm,” Threshie said. “Our ramp up essentially stalled right after the mortgage and banking industries collapsed.”

The magazine’s Web site — www.velocitymag.com — will continue to appear. Threshie said he also plans to develop a national cable show that features the Orange County car culture.

“We are talking to several networks with the hope of getting a show together to air sometime after the first of the year,” Threshie said.

Threshie said he plans to revive the magazine when the economy recovers, but for now he will cut his advertising and editorial staff.

Velocity is independent of the Orange County Register, although Threshie is the son of the newspaper’s former publisher and is a former member of the board of Freedom Communications Inc., the Register’s parent company.

Jay Leno's Garage Tour

Tuesday, December 9th, the Velocity team, writers, TV spokeswoman, and friends battled their way deep into Burbank to visit Jay Leno's Garage. We had the great opportunity to see his personal collection... WOW! About 125 of the finest automobiles around! Pictures and video were not allowed but at the end of the tour, the ever so sweet Rosalie let us take this group photo.

   

John Force Holiday Car Show

Check out some photos from this Saturday's John Force Holiday Car Show.

Baja 1000 Ride

 Friday, November 14th Sarah, David and I ventured to Barstow to test run the "Team Wahoo's" Baja 1000 class 1 ride. Fricken awesome time!!! Jim Riley (VP Marketing Kettle One) and Eric Morley (Blue C) were great hosts.

Red Bull Drifting World Championship

In Long Beach on November 11, 2008, Laura Jacobsen, Genevieve Chappell & filming crew, and I attended for the inaugural Red Bull Drifting World Championship. The city of Long Beach hosted the parade of cars through the downtown area and a draw party at the local establishment, “Smooth’s Sports Grill”.

The special drifting track was at the Port of Long Beach and featured six (6) turns, a high speed right-hand entry that pushed the drivers into the 100+ mph range. Awesome to watch by the way... The course definitely pushed the drivers to their limits for the ultimate drifting competition.


32 of the world’s best drifters gathered on Saturday and Sunday at the Port of Long Beach to compete for the largest prize purse in drifting history. We caught up with Samuel Hubinette for a VelocityTV interview and to wish him good luck on the competition.

Unfortunately, Samuel, (2 time world champion) didn't take home the gold this time... first place went to Rhys Millen, $25,000; Teammate Daijiro Yoshihara and his Bridgestone / RMR Pontiac GTO took home the 2nd place prize of $15,000 and the 2007 and 2008 Formula DRIFT champion, Tanner Foust and the Rockstar / AEM Nissan 350Z took home 3rd place overall and $10,000.

A fun time was had by all!!! Until next time... drift on baby!

Lost - 75 miles out of the way

What a way to start the morning... Genevieve Chappell and I are on way to willow springs for the VARA vintage racing and missed the exit.

We stopped at a gas station and found out we 75 miles out of the way!!! Shiz!

Warmest Regards!
Joy Loo
714.932.0396

Sent from my Blackberry

Donna Karan / Harper's Bazaar Event

Genevieve Chappell, Joy Loo, Kathy Marino, Melissa

On Wednesday, November 12th we joined Kathy Marino (CEO/Executive Producer of Corporate Development For Joint Ventures) and Avril Graham (Executive Fashion & Beauty Editor, Harper's Bazaar Magazine) for an exclusive brunch and guilt-free shopping. Celebrating Donna Karan's new modern astrology handbag collection.

I arrived with Genevieve armed with my business cards and ready to schmooze. We worked the room meeting and greeting... we met some really great women and have since joined them for their monthly OC business meetings.

Time came for the store to do the many different drawings... 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th name was called... I never win any of those things. Oh wait, there's one final drawing... the grand prize. VIP Donna Karan discount card for one year... drum roll please..... JOY LOO. What?!? Yes, I won! So, I couldn't have it go to waste! And it was for charity... benefiting the Orangewood Children's Foundation. Scored a hot pair of shoes!!!

Velocity TV - 4th Episode

Velocity TV - Episode 4 from Velocity Magazine on Vimeo.

Check out Genevieve Chappell at the OC Auto Show.

2008 Packard International Show

With Robert Escalante's invitation, I had the pleasure of attending the 45th annual Packard Grand Salon event today. For the past two years it's been held at The Island Hotel in Newport Beach. The Pageant of Packard's were presented on the upper deck of The Island Hotel... and I have to say, what a sight of beauty that was.

From Packard International Show

Judging began at 10 am for the all the categories in the pre-war and post-war divisions. I strolled through all the cars with last years post-war Best in Show winner, Mark Beythoun. He was giving me pointers on each one-of-a-kind Packard. I had my choice for Best in Show and couldn't wait to see if it was the judges pick too. My pick of course was chosen based on aesthetics and beauty instead of the typical point system. I wouldn't even know what to take points away for anyway... Wanna see my pick??

From Packard International Show

As everyone trickled down to the ballroom for lunch, Lugano Diamonds was on site wetting our visual appetite with two models adorned with beautiful diamonds, precious colored stones, and yards and yards of pearls. The models walked around each table showcasing all the jewelry and giving a mini bio for each piece. My favorites were the 6 carat antique pave setting $47k ring, the 130 something carat aquamarine diamond crusted necklace, and 13 carat solitaire round cut ring for an obscene amount of money. Wishful thinking...

After lunch, everyone anxiously anticipating the announcement of the winners... yeay, my choice won Best in Show post-war.


For those of you that are not familiar with the Packard's beauty see below video for a tour. Robert Escalante had an interview with NBC whipnotic several months ago. Enjoy!!!

Velocity Magazine Reunion at Cars and Coffee

On October 18th 2008 Velocity invited our extended family to Cars and Coffee. As we debuted our 7th issue we showcased all the featured stories that graced the pages of Velocity Magazine. The early morning gathering at the Ford Motor Company in Irvine draws about 200 cars every Saturday. It was different this past Saturday... it was as if the cars drove off the pages of Velocity Magazine.

Since Laura was on vacation, Sarah and I manned the Velocity area selling subscriptions. Steve Emmert owner of Corporate Image Mobile Detail donated a Cilajet exterior polish for our contest drawing. Thanks Steve!

We normally leave around 8ish and the crowd starts to pack things up around 8:30 or 9:00. When I was getting ready to leave Jan Tarazkiewicz, owner of the Pinnacle Pantera (issue 7) asked if I could help him out by jump starting his 1972 Ultra Hall Pantera GT5S. I was driving the HHR Velocity Panel (company car) and thought sure I hope nothing goes wrong cause it's not my car. Well I must have foreseen the future...

We (about 5 of us standing there) open up the hood of the car and didn't see a battery... oh, there it is said Jan... he hooked up the cables to his car first then the Velocity Panel... was that supposed to happen I ask... a yes response from Jan. hmmm, I thought to myself, my Dad used to do this to my first car all the time and that never happened. Moving along, to make a long story short, Jan tried to start the car multiple times and nothing. So, he called his wife, said thanks for the help, and I was about to be on my way... I started the HHR Velocity Panel up and backed up... WHOA I can't turn the steering wheel.

I told the three guys there about the wheel not turning and they didn't know what could have happened. 20 mins later... looks like we blew the ABS fuse which handles the power steering. We kinda did a quick fix so that I could drive it. Genevieve Chappell was on hand filming, check it out below.

Velocity TV - 3rd Episode

Velocity TV - 2nd Episode

Velocity TV - Episode 2 from Velocity Magazine on Vimeo.

Original Mike's - Gasoline Alley

If you haven't been to Original Mike's yet... you gotta go! The food is yummy, the people are friendly, and the portions put Claim Jumper to shame.

Twice a month Original Mike's has a Custom and Classics Car Show. Six different categories are judged and awarded trophies!!! BEST: Hot Rod, Classic, Truck, Muscle Car, Most Unique, and Best of Show.The large shaded patio is perfect for the BBQ lunch, live music, and appetizer menu. Oh, and did I mention FREE coffee and donuts!

Sunday show schedule:
October 12th & 26th
November 9th & 23rd
December 7th & 21st

We cruised over there on Sunday, October 12th to check things out... we shot our 4th Velocity webisode there and picked out a hot Velocity's choice winner. You can catch the webisode on Velocity's website.

Original Mike's
100 South Main Street
Santa Ana, CA. 92701

Velocity TV - 1st Episode

Velocity TV - Episode 1 from Velocity Magazine on Vimeo.

Check out Velocity's 1st webisode. Sunday, September 7th Velocity shot their 1st Velocity TV webisode with TV Host Genevieve Chappell. It couldn't have been a better day... beautiful weather, seaside location, extraordinary automobiles, and great friends.

Held in the world-class seaside location of Big Corona del Mar State Beach, thousands of family, friends and extreme car enthusiasts spent the day viewing over 200 vintage & dealer select automobiles in 14 classes at this judged event. Festivities included live entertainment, food & beverages, unique vendor exhibits, VIP hospitality overlooking the entire show and awards ceremony emceed by Automotive Commentators Dave Kunz (KABC) & Art Gould (KPFK).

All benefiting The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. See you next year at Coastline Car Classic... definitely a show we love to attend!

2008 Pre Party - OC Auto Show

Laura and I sip'n on champagne as we
preview the 2009 rides.






Click Here to see more pics

cruisn 4 a cure

cruis'n 4 a cure

HOT HOT HOT!!! The heat sure didn't keep spectators away from the world's largest one day charity car show! This year's Cruis'n For a Cure show was one of the largest in history! 3600 vehicles and 15,000 spectators came from all over to support the CITY of HOPE for Prostate Cancer Research.

To see more pics CLICK HERE

To watch our Velocity webisode CLICK HERE




Me and Genevieve Chappell

My 40 Mile Feat

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First Annual Ambrosia Wine Fest

This sweet ride is a street legal Formula F1. Yeah you guessed it! I didn't get to drive this bad boy but I'm think'n it wouldn't have been a good idea anyway... Wine Fest and Formula F1 don't mix really well.

Art Salazar showcased his cool ride and donated wine's from his vineyard to Ambrosia. The event turned out really nice and all monies raised went to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the International Bacchus Society.

The First Annual Ambrosia Wine Fest was an international soiree, with more than seventy-five different wineries from Australia, Chile, France, Italy, and, of course, our own California backyards all at Ambrosia (upstairs from OC Pavilion). Champagne tasting was held in the basement. Schramsberg, Piper Heidseck, Moet, Ruinart, Veuve, Etoile, Bruno Paillard, Perrier Jouet and Mumm were some of the champagneries present. Guests relaxed inside the vault-turned-plush lounge with leather sofas and a fireplace.

Wine might’ve initially attracted people here, but after a few tastings, the attention turned on each other. A slurred, “Hi, what was your name?” and “Where were you from,” were common greetings heard throughout the night. All you can drink alcohol, an elaborate meal, beautiful décor, and an impeccable staff that wined and dine you. For those who missed last night’s event, not to worry. They hope to make this wine fest an annual event.