Mike "Pez" Pezdirz
The "arranger" of the Dragster project; "Pez" is National Sales Manager for Korbon Trading, owner of the Dragster van and Canadian distributor of Dragster car audio products. As project boss, Pez had two goals: 1) to be better than the last version, which was, pretty much top of the heap, and 2) to introduce a 5.1 surround A/V system to complement the existing Vidikron projector.
Launching a new product line is a real challenge, especially when you want to avoid being a "me too" market entry. Pez intentionally held off on the product release until the van was nearing its debut in the marketplace. Years of experience in retail car audio and as a brand rep, Pez is both well known and well armed to take on the Canadian market.
Ken Simpson
Simpson is the "godfather" of the Korbon Trading company. He was a mechanical engineer in the Canadian military prior to founding Korbon Trading, and is the brain behind the intricate "vertical door" at the rear of the van. Designed to be raised and lowered endlessly without failing, the door could be the next engineering marvel of the ages (see the video at www.mobiledynamics.com/special.html). Since a steel double door is very heavy, Simpson decided the door should be knocked off. A duplicate made of fiberglass now stands in for the original door.
Simpson engineered the vehicle to aviation specifications, resulting in a 5-ton vehicle that can withstand two complete crash rolls without structural failure. As with any detail-obsessed engineer, Simpson required that every customized assembly have a redundant fail-safe. Any part of the audio system can be repaired or replaced within an hour.
This is a key feature of any good show vehicle - it can't be a "no show" at an event. Too bad a lot of good bands aren't as reliable...
The Driver's System
The Dragster van is equipped with two systems, the rear demo system and one dedicated for the driver. Not satisfied with letting the driver suffer with a lame system, Bouzalas designed the modest front system with just as much attention to enjoyment as the rear system.
An egg shaped fiberglass pod is the centerpiece of the driver's system. Normally serving as a podium at events, the pod is placed on a floor mount between the seats, enabling the Panasonic DVD mounted on top to play through the rear system while the driver's enjoyment comes from a Nakamichi MB-100 CD in-dash unit. The pod also contains a single DWD-106 subwoofer for the driver's system.
The Nak runs directly into a DB-505 amplifier directing five channels of power to the sub, and a matched set of front and rear DSX-522 two-way components. The front tweeters are mounted on the A-pillars in the same housings that are used for lighting in the rear cabin, allowing them to be directed toward the listening position while maintaining the cosmetic theme from the rear of the vehicle.
A custom built overhead console provides easy access to switches and indicators controlling strobes, ventilation and other lighting effects. A single voltage gauge on the podium keeps track of the complex charging system. A switch in the driver's compartment activates the side door that allows access to the rear theater area. Essential for a vehicle that has no door handles at all on the exterior.
The overhead console also houses a rear view LCD monitor connected to a camera mounted at the back end of the van just under the rear wing. This enables the driver to safely maneuver the long vehicle in reverse. Not that driving a van slightly shorter than a semi is difficult-it's a pleasure!