Although SoCal Euro has changed both venues and dates over the past few years, it still retains credibility as one of the West Coast's best. Founder Lon Mok has to be applauded for keeping the show low-key, friendly and an essential part of the Euro scene.
SoCalEuro.com has been organizing the event since 2001, although its roots can be traced back to 1999. Lon works alongside co-founder Paul Chan, and the pair joined with the NorCalVW guys in '03 to organize NorCal vs SoCal. There were over 400 vehicles in attendance that year, but this year's event boasted over 650 cars and the organizers raised over $2500 in charity raffle donations from the generous attendees. The money will be donated to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
According to Lon, SoCal Euro caters to enthusiasts who enjoy European cars and want to just hang out. They don't care if you drive stock or a show car, but Lon emphasized that the parking lot is where it all happens. The people who attend the event bring the entertainment - their vehicles.
Because there are no judges or show, people attend simply to enjoy the event. There's no pressure to succeed, simply to relax. And that's exactly what we did.
The show is particularly well attended by the industry, which brings out new cars and products for the enthusiasts to examine.
ABD Racing had a swarm of new products, including a turbo outlet pipe and front-mount intercooler for the 2.0T.
Neuspeed had an exhaust system and downpipe for the 2.0T, as well as a carbon fiber engine cover. The latter was designed for owners who fit a cold air intake to the 2.0T and sacrifice the stock engine cover that houses the air box. This leaves the engine bay looking rather bare, so the carbon cover will rectify the situation.
Hotchkis was debuting its spring and sway bar kits for the R32 and M3. We also had the first Hotchkis suspension for the Mk5 Jetta GLI on our project car and have been very pleased with it.
Evolution Racewerks is a manufacturing and fabrication company specializing in intercoolers and rollcages. It offers custom installations but was showing its new front-mount intercooler (FMIC) for the B6 Audi A4 1.8T. There were also a number of intercoolers on display, including polished and anodized versions. The anodizing was finished in black for stealth installations but could also be done in a number of different colors.
WRD showed its new Mk4 Golf rear strut brace. This mounts between the rear suspension towers to stiffen the body, mounting to existing holes behind the rear seat. It uses opposing threads on each bracket, so twisting it will tighten the bar. There's also a quick-release mechanism that allows it to be removed completely.
Revo was there with its new 2.0T software and promised program switching would follow soon.