While RideTech is an engineering and manufacturing company, we always find ways to peg the fun meter with fast, colorful cars and great people. Help us celebrate our great hobby and ring in the new year with a look back at 2017. The Voelkels and the extended RideTech family wishes you a happy, safe and joyous 2018. Happy New Year!
Below – We started 2017 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale with a 48 hour thrash to upgrade a decent ’68 GMC pickup into a pro-touring masterpiece.
Below – Driver Chris Smith set the tone for RideTech’s 2017 racing season with back-to-back wins at the first two Goodguys events of the year — Scottsdale and Texas Spring.
Below – This is one of the nicest 1969 Mustangs that we have ever seen. So we bought it! Bret Voekel was the highest bidder at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January 2017. What does RideTech do with the perfect Mustang? We immediately took it apart and installed a StreetGRIP suspension system, Baer SS4 4 wheel disc brakes, Dakota Digital gauges and a Kicker audio system.
Below – To test the limits of our Instinct electronic shock absorbers, we fitted massive 315mm B.F. Goodrich Rival front tires to the front of the 48 Hour Camaro. Smitty’s Custom Auto subtly flared the front wheel arches by borrowing metal from a pair of replacement rear quarter panels.
Below – During the 2017 Cars N Cones Road Trip, enthusiasts John and Val Martin won RideTech’s very first production example of the 73-87 C-10 StreetGRIP kit. We then went the extra mile and installed the kit at our shop and let John take a few before/after laps on our test track.
Below – At Goodguys Columbus, we filmed the 48 Hour Corvette in action from the middle of the track. The course layout in Columbus is fierce with plenty of speed matched with ultra tight “hairpin” turns and kinks. Click Play and hang on…
Below – As summer came to an end, we threw a high speed picnic with great food and thrill rides around the company test track. Staff, family and friends enjoyed unlimited hot laps in the RideTech Motorsports team cars. Some folks wanted to go slow while others asked for full speed ahead. Everyone loved the pork chops.
We lost a dear friend, Daphne Reynolds, after a long battle with a rare form of cancer. Thank you Daphne for inspiring us all. September 22, 1967 to September 22, 2017
Below – Celebrities Rutledge Wood and “Fast” Mary Pozzi joined us at SEMA to introduce our unique R-Joint Delrin AF based rod ends. Some say the “R” stands for REVOLUTIONARY.
We were honored to find dozens of RideTech-equipped customs on display at the 2017 SEMA show including cars from Rad Rides by Troy, Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop, Ringbrothers, Classic Car Studio and many other great car builders.
Just when we thought it was time to put away the toys for winter, Chevrolet called us up and asked us to put on a show at their Chevy Trucks Centennial Celebration at Texas Motor Speedway. We had the time of our lives as did the journalists who “strapped-in” and enjoyed thrill rides on our hot rod pickups.
As you may have heard, we finished off the year with a big victory in the form of the Goodguys National Points Championship. The win is a testament to everyone involved with the Motorsports program, In 2018, we are selling the 48 Hour Corvette at Barrett-Jackson and debuting two new Camaros.
