:: Not every audio enthusiast is an avid competitor, but all of them benefit from the ideas and innovations that competitors have been responsible for or have inspired. Their passion for great sound and pure power is what pushes this industry to new heights. The crew at Car Audio and Electronics magazine and I have compiled a list of those we feel truly epitomize the competitive spirit. We have selected a list of the all-time hardcore, balls out, championship-winning SQ competitors. These guys have been at it for a long time. Some now work in the industry and have been away from competition, but their insights should be of value to those wishing to give sound-offs a try, or to people who simply want the best system possible in their personal rides. Those still in competition are a definite inspiration because they are sticking with it through one of the scene's more difficult times; and their loyalty to the scene bodes well for the future.
[Due to the length of the interviews and limited space in the magazine we will be posting the interviews in full on the Web. Go to www.caraudiomag.com. --Ed.]
.: Gary Biggs
:. 1982 Buick Regal
Gary's Regal can be heard from blocks away -- not the audio system but his loud exhaust. The bright orange paint, loud exhaust and the full-on redone interior beg for attention. It also has begged for World Titles and he's received several from different organizations recently. A difficult feat indeed.
HK | When did you get started in competition?
GB | My first stereo contest was in 1990. That was a TOW show in Oklahoma, sponsored by the HiFi Shop. I was competing in 51-100 Watt class and I won that class.
HK |So, 13 years competing. That's a long time.
GB | I played around in a couple of contests in '90 and '91, then I went to work for the HiFi Shop. Basically after showing and doing well, it had a sales position open up and Bob Zwan, the owner of the shop, offered me a job. So I worked in sales for a while, then I moved into the install bay. During that time I wanted to rebuild my car but that took like three-five years. So, I really didn't get real serious about competing until like '94. I buckled down and got real serious about it.
HK |This was with the Buick Regal, right?
GB | Yeah, '82 Buick.
HK |Why that car?
GB | My very first competition vehicle was a '79 Mustang, that popular fastback style Mustang body. Then I was looking at the magazines and a couple of main vehicles that I looked up to, obviously cars like yours and the guys from SpeakerWorks. At the time, the SW Grand National was unbeatable, it was recognized as the best vehicle out there. So I went to work to find me a Buick Regal, but since I was young guy and working at a stereo shop, I didn't have a whole lot of money so I couldn't afford a Grand National.
HK | Yeah, back then they were a bit pricey.
GB | Even now, it is still fairly expensive to pick one up but affordable to people like you or me that have "real" jobs. Back then, I couldn't afford a GN but I could afford an '82 Regal, that I bought from my buddy. That was the closest thing I could do, to get to the best car in the world. So, I bought it and immediately started working on it. I drove the Mustang as a daily driver, but to me that Regal was going to be my "competition-only" show car. That was going to be its only purpose. Over all these years, that's all it's ever been.
"To get to that round I had to beat 52 cars, because they combined the power class in the lower power classes."
Web Exclusive Interview Cont....
HK | Since '94, what was your most memorable moment?
GB | Probably the first year I competed seriously and placed fifth at the IASCA Finals. Every year since I have always placed in the top five but that first year is the most memorable. I was, in my opinion, an absolute nobody and didn't expect to do well. You know, even now, after winning the Finals a couple of times, the most exciting and energizing moment was that first time being called to the stage.
HK | For those that don't know, what do you do for a living?
GB | After working for a couple of stores, for what seemed like forever, I worked directly for Kicker. Then I was at a point where I couldn't grow anymore. The next step was to take a little control of my destiny. Obviously, when you are on your own, you have control of that. So, a great opportunity came to me from the guys at JBL. I have more freedom than working retail and not having to clock in and out for a manufacturer. This deal with JBL allows me to spread my wings more. Also, it will give us a chance to travel and teach, compete and show, kind of like spreading the car audio gospel. Meet new guys and friends. Being teamed up with Mark, he's a super guy, we mesh really well. We bounce ideas off of each other all the time. In order to be the best, you have to surround yourself with the best. We may not be the best but I think we both have confidence in ourselves to push one another.
HK | What do you think about the cars from the old school compared to the cars of today?
GB | That's funny because Mark, Andy from JBL and myself were talking about this the other night. My perception on this is that in the old days there were a handful of really good cars. It's like different generations -- those cars were great but there are some really great cars now. I think if you put them side-by-side there's going to be really great things from each. I really don't have an opinion on whether those older cars were better or the other way around. To me, that's like comparing Mickey Mantle to Mark McGwire. Both generations accomplished the goal. I think it would be awesome if you could do a direct comparison. I also think as technology gets better, the vehicles get better. The cars of the past that were great are looked upon as the first ones with the "true front stage" -- pioneers if you will.
HK | Yeah, I think there was also a different focus on car audio in the past, especially SQ by the press. The press back then made some national champions well known across the country.
GB | Yeah, yeah.
HK | What are you most proud of?
GB | The greatest thing I get out of competing is the friends I meet. I have a lot friends in car audio and I respect a lot of people, and a lot of them respect me. Also, being able to win multiple USACi and IASCA championships. It gives me confidence, that I can repeat it and do it across multiple orgs.
HK | What would be the one thing you'd like to change about your car?
GB | I guess the one thing would be the foundation of the car. Making the floorboards symmetrical. Teaming up with JBL, I may be able to do that now. From an installation point.
HK | Anything else?
GB | Probably the main thing that has cost me points in the past four years is the loudness of my car. If I could tone it down a bit, because at every single show I get docked. I tell my friends at shows that I'm just giving them a chance, jokingly of course.
HK | Sort of a handicap.
GB | That's definitely a thing I need to work on.
HK |We look forward to a quieter car then
GB | Yeah.
HK | Anything to look forward to from you in the near future?
GB | The car is getting a big lift here. The interior is gonna change, the trunk is gonna change. I never had high SPL in the car before, and that is what I look forward to.
HK | Any last thoughts?
GB | One thing I've always wanted to do and never had the chance was to thank Bob Zwaan. Bob has been a real good friend. He gave me my first job in car audio. I owe him a lot of thanks.
.: Scott Buwalda
:. Nissan 240SX
Scott has been around for years but he busted onto the national scene when his Nissan 240SX hit circuit. He too has a couple of world titles under his belt. He also has an unbelievably elaborate computer-controlled diagnostic and control systems integrated into his system.
HK | When did you get started in competition?
SB | Spring of 1988. It was a Car Nationals 2 prelim event in Jupiter, FL.
HK | What got you to enter that first show?
SB | Initially, a friend of mine convinced me to install a competition stereo. I think I got fourth place. I didn't even get a trophy but I was hooked. Then I graduated high school in '88 and went off to college. So there was an absence during the '88-'91 years. I hit a few events but I was focusing more on the college thing. In 1992, I got back into it and picked up a sponsorship through MTX. I was part of the original MTXperts. Back in 1993 I entered my first show as a pro at the SBN and won.
HK |What is the most memorable moment?
SB | The '93 SBN was outstanding, coming out as a pro and winning with a new install. Also, in '97, at Perry, being invited back to the Top 25 round and placing fourth. At that time they invited three experts and all the rest were pros and amateurs. To get to that round I had to beat 52 cars, because they combined the power class in the lower power classes. Also, '98 was memorable because of the world title victory, then last year with the SVR championship in the Top 25 round.
HK | Why did you pick the 240?
SB | I liked the body style a lot. I wanted a smaller coupe. It was between that or an Integra -- it was purely by coincidence that I chose the 240. I actually wanted the Integra more, it had just come out with the VTEC engine. It was weird. I was trading in my Steeda Mustang. The Nissan dealership was willing to give me $5000 trade in and the Acura dealer was going to give me $1800.
"A lot of people tell me to sell it, get rid of it, and I'm like, 'Nah, what's the point?' Just as long as I keep getting better."
Web Exclusive Interview Cont....
HK | What do you do for a living?
SB | am an Environmental Geochemist. I do environmental site restorations. I am tasked with assessing contaminated property. I'm the guy that gets called out to preliminarily address the contamination and then come up with a work plan to install monitoring wells and collect surface water samples. If you ever saw the movie Erin Brockovich, well, that's what I do.
HK | What are your thoughts on the older competition cars compared to those of today?
SB | think the cars are different. I don't know if they are better or worse. I think that cars of the past were geared toward installing a stereo system integrated into a factory surrounding. What I mean is, you rarely saw massive reconstruction of a car to accommodate a stereo system. More often you saw factory dashboards, factory doors, factory consoles integrated very well with the non-OEM items, perhaps to the point of seamlessly integrating into the car. You wouldn't know if it was there. The "aura" of the day was to take a factory vehicle and supplement it to the point that it sounded as good as cars today, without doing the radical fabrication. I'm seeing more and more today where you place the stereo system in the car and build the car around it. The installs are getting more cutting-edge today; we're seeing a lot more dash re-fabrication, door fabrication, etc.
HK | What is the one thing you would like to change on your car?
SB | I'd like to make the car more to my liking and make it fun again; high-hp engine, snazzy paint job -- you know, make it for me and not have a rulebook guide me.
HK |What was the most challenging part of the install on the 240?
SB | Probably the automation. A lot people can't get a handle on what's required to integrate a computer OS and have it control added functionality of the car. There is a lot of stuff in my car that no install judge could possible get to the bottom of and give it its due credit. The remote sensing, diagnostics and such, there's probably about 2000 hours into that portion.
HK | What can we look forward to from you in the near future?
SB | I will be off the circuit this year and a portion of the next. I will be back -- in what class, I don't know yet. With what vehicle, who knows?
HK |Any last words?
SB | Special thanks to my wife. She's put up with this from the beginning, I was in car audio when we met in '88. I guess props out to the wife for giving me the time and giving me the blessing to have a world championship stereo system. Also, thanks to the sponsors, judges and everybody else in the industry. Just very thankfull.
.: Mark Eldridge
:.Toyota 4Runner
Mark's Toyota 4Runner has been a Finals mainstay since the mid-'90s and has always performed well. Mark's even taken classes on using and analyzing TEF 20 machines to measure his car. SUVs are not a favorite platform for many competitors but Mark has proven that it can be done.
HK | What was the reason for selecting the 4Runner?
Mark | In '87 I bought it new because I needed an SUV that I could afford. If I was to start over, I would never, ever choose a 4Runner or a small SUV like that in a million years. It's too difficult to work with. There are too many cars out there like your Legend or the Grand Nationals or a T-Bird that you can work with. The 4Runner is what I had, and by the time I learned all the things from that truck -- if I were to sell it and start over, it would take me a couple of years to get back to that point.
HK |Basically, the point of no return?
Mark | Yeah, I guess I could do another car but I don't know, I just like the 4Runner. It's a part of me now. A lot of people tell me to sell it, get rid of it, and I'm like, "Nah, what's the point?" Just as long as I keep getting better.
HK | There has been a big change in your work.
Mark | Right now what I'm doing for a living is working as an independent contractor, I guess. I've always wanted to be on my own. I've had Mobile Soundstage Engineering all these years, just as a side business, just as an "income and expenses" to write off. Gary (Biggs) and I have now been able to get this contract with JBL -- we are working with the company to help it with training for dealers or anybody that wants to show up. Also to have JBL products in our cars and compete, help JBL build a competition team and promote the products. At the same time, it helps us through our contract. It works both ways. We also do independent high-end installs and are open to other contracts as long as it doesn't conflict with our current JBL contract.
HK | Anything you'd like to add?
Mark | I'm just looking forward to sound quality making a good rebound here soon. There are a lot of hardcore competitors that want it to happen and a lot of manufacturers and of course the organizations want it to happen. I just think we have to find the mix to make it happen. I'm really looking forward to seeing you back in the lanes. Mike Mineo's talking about coming back. It'll be cool. I'm just looking forward to the future. A lot of people are getting bogged down with saying the organization's not doing this or that. Well, who cares? Let's see what we can do to help. I try to take a more optimistic view than a pessimistic one.
"To provide me with so much more headroom, I would like a lot of power. It is probably the only thing I would consider doing."
Web Exclusive Interview Cont....
HK |I met you probably a decade ago, right?
Mark | I think in '93. I know in '93 I listened to you car with Eric (Holdaway) and spoke to you a couple of minutes, and really that was the first year, for me, competing.
HK | So, what go you into competing?
Mark | Oh man, I was in the midst of Air Force pilot training in the Air Force Reserves and they put me through pilot training and all. I've always been into car audio, putting in amps, speakers and stuff. In '89 and '90 I started reading Car Audio and Electronics magazine, and saw car and music and competitions. Being competitive myself, I was drawn into that. I went through like three systems before even getting into competing, and between flying for the Reserves, I was working on the truck. It was a hobby. It started off as a hobby and now it's a hobby gone bad.
HK | I can relate to that.
Mark | That's how I got started. I had the time and the desire to do it.
HK | During the competition years, what was the most memorable moment?
Mark | Far and away, in '96 at the Perry show. The South Eastern sound challenge, just making it into the Finals round on Sunday. I love that atmosphere; that year they had five sets of Sound judges and five sets of install judges, just like they did at the Master's Invitationals. So you had to give your presentation five times and you could really see some of the competitors stress on that. I thought, "This is cool," I love the stress part of the competition. Then on Sunday, when they started eliminating, and 10 of us were standing around, then it came down to Mike Mineo and myself. Talk about adrenaline city, it was awesome. The next year was just about as good, more competitive for sure, but '96 was just a really big important show that I did. I won the Finals the year before but being in the Top 25 in a show like that, there was nothing like it.
HK | So in the 10 years of competition, what is the achievement that you are the most proud of?
Mark | I don't know, there are aspects of the things I do that I love to do. There's the aspect of competing, and I love that because that's how I got started. I know I can go to a show with a bunch of my friends and I can compete to see who has the best sounding, best install or the loudest system.
HK |So you get the bragging rights amongst your buddies?
Mark | Yeah, that's a big part of it. All my good friends now are in car audio. When I go to shows, I see them there. The competitions have been great, seeing people who deserve to win, that's been a big part of it, you know. Just making the acquaintances and learning; learning has been a big part of it. If I didn't learn something every day, I wouldn't be doing this. There are so many unknowns in car audio.
HK | What do you think about the old school cars versus new school cars thing?
Mark | It seems to me, overall, that 10 years ago when the Grand National was out, and your Legend was out and all the other good cars that were out, there were some great sounding cars and there were certain aspects of those cars that were awesome. But you look at some of the cars today, and there are some aspects that are just as awesome. They seem to be a little bit different. I would agree with the statement that overall the average level of sound quality hasn't advanced that much, but there are more good sounding cars than in the past. Back then, there were a handful, but now, there are more. There's some really good cars out there and there are cars that can use some improvement. But there are certain things like the Grand National, the dynamic capability was unbelievable. The irst time I sat in that car was with Ellen (Threatt) for 45 minutes and I had asked her to teach me about staging and imaging. The the only thing I remember was the midbass and subbass kicking me in the face.
HK | Yeah I remember listening to that car in 1987, in the parking lot of Speaker Works with Eric Holdaway, same sort of thing.
Mark | I think I got the 4Runner close to that point. There are a few cars that do it all. There are many that do a few things well, but rarely are there cars that do it all well.
HK | If you were to change something in your 4Runner, what would it be?
Mark | It would be a different car.
HK | Altogether, huh?
Mark |I would start out with a more acoustically friendly vehicle design. The 4Runner is a great truck, it's all treated, designed right, but it took a whole lot more effort to get it to where it is. Other than that right now, I'm changing out amps and subs. The front stage is now changing -- JBL had no problems with the front stage.
HK | Anything to look forward to from you?
Mark | Yeah, as you can tell now, the revamped 4Runner. Also, Gary and I hitting the road. We'll do a lot of training; we got 10-12 training session scheduled this year. We're hitting IASCA, SLAP and USACi this year and a couple of MECA shows too. We'll be able to meet people, learn more and teach more. Just try to expand what we've been doing for the past years, you know.
.: Steve Cornell
:.1996 Impala SS
Steve is the current World Champion in the Pro Ultimate 1-600 class with his Impala SS. He is a pure DIYer and the attention to detail in his car is exceptional. I had a chance to judge it at the 2002 IASCA Finals. It certainly deserved to win in its class.
HK | There's been a debate about old school cars versus new school cars. What are your opinions on this?
SC | I think we've really come a long way on the technical side, and I think a lot of new and better components are available and tuning techniques have come a long way. A lot of the cars now sound a lot better than they used to. But a lot of old-school cars back then, and I was a part of that, had a lot of wow factor. It seems that so much has been done, what else can we do? Back in those days you could spend not a whole lot of money and not a whole lot of time, and come up with something totally unique. Unfortunately today, I'm not saying everything has been done, but how much of the stuff being done today can contribute to the sound of the car?
HK | There are some saying that the balance between installation techniques versus knowledge of audio isn't 50/50 anymore.
SC | Right, I would agree.
HK | If you were to change something in your current Impala SS, what would it be?
SC | The only thing I would like to change is power. I've always competed in the mid-power classes, and I'm very happy with the components in the car and the way it's tuned but I would like to have more power. To provide me with so much more headroom, I would like a lot of power. It is probably the only thing I would consider doing.
HK |Would this entail a rebuild?
SC | Possibly, yes, but I designed this last system so I can rebuild it in a weekend.
HK | That's nice, a modular system.
HK | So what got you into competitions?
SC | Well, I've always been a car audio fanatic. I think the first system I did myself was back in 1978. It had an 8-track tape player, of course. [laughs] It was a little Mazda sedan back when I was going to school. I had bought a set of speakers, a little set of wedge speakers, and I tried to figure out where in the car they would sound the best. Funnily enough, I ended putting them in the kick panels. That was about 1978. They just seemed to sound the best there. I started competing in IASCA in 1993.
Web Exclusive Interview Cont....
HK | So during those competition years what was the most memorable moment?
SC | No doubt, winning the 1996 IASCA Finals. Actually the second year I made it to the Finals.
HK | That wasn't with the Impala then?
SC | No, actually that was with a '91 Chevy Lumina.
HK | Currently you compete with an Impala SS?
SC | Yes, a 1996 Chevy Impala SS.
HK | Why did you choose that car?
SC | I wanted that car because I love the car. They first came out in 1994 and I actually saw one, in person, in 1995, a '95 model. I just fell in love with the car. It's not the easiest car to do a competition system in. There's a lot room to work with though. I just really love that car and I decided that if I did another car, that would be it.
HK | So, I take it that you're heavily involved the Impala enthusiasts groups and clubs?
SC |Yes I am. Heavily involved.
HK | This car is sort of a cross-over car then?
SC | Yeah, I go to the Super Chevy shows and try to go to the National Impala events every year.
HK | You must be real busy then with that car?
SC | Yeah, the car was actually in Super Chevy magazine, a couple of small pictures, and I actually had some pictures in Lowrider too.
HK | Getting off the car subject, what do you do for a living?
SC | I work for an oil field services company. I manage the operations here in West Virginia. We provide services for the oil and gas industry. A lot of my time is spent working away from home, so it's been tough to balance out the time with the install, since I do all my work in the car. So it's been tough balancing work, family and car audio.
HK | What achievement are you most proud of?
SC | The ability to take care of this car myself. I've never worked in the [car audio] industry -- I did all the work 100 percent myself in my garage. I'm very proud of that fact.
HK | So you're kind of like the DIYer that inspires other amateurs to go for a national title.
SC | Right. Except for the sponsorships, that car is an amateur car and could compete as an amateur car if I so wanted it to.
HK |Anything to look forward to from you soon?
SC | I don't have anything in mind right now. Actually this year has been a relaxing year for me, for car audio that is. Every winter prior saw a tear-down and rebuild, with me trying to do a new system between seasons. I didn't do that this year. I'm staying busy doing things around the house that I've neglected the past couple of years. I'm really happy with where the car is at now. I won Finals last year and won Spring Break this year; it was the first time I won Spring Break. I'm very happy with that, so "if it's not broke, don't fix it." I'll continue to play and tune with it but I'm really happy with the car so I just try to enjoy it and not keep working on it.
HK | Any parting words or last thoughts?
SC | Everything I set out to do, I've done. I've won the World Finals twice, I played with the big boys in the Top 25 events and placed very well. I've met a lot of good friends out there, and if I gave this up tomorrow, I will always be involved, on way or another. Whether that's judging or mingling with friends, it'll always be a part of my life.
HK | Things seem to be "tighter" as far as the competitors go, probably because of the drop in numbers
SC | I think so.
HK |Back in the day, you know, in the early '90s, there used to be 400-plus cars at the Finals and I think back in those days, the competitors just get lost in the sea, so to speak. SC | You're absolutely right. I miss those days, driving five hours to a show and seeing 40-50 cars at a local event. I would really like to see that come back. I don't know if it ever will but I want to see it run its course and see what happens. You know the import tuner thing is big now. I don't IASCA is a fad. I mean, I think new competitors will come and go. I don't know, we'll just see what happens. I hope it continues and I hope it continues to grow.
HK | The good thing is there are a lot more flavors of competition orgs now, which is good.
SC | That's exactly right. I'll tell you, Harry, I spent so much time on this car in my garage, a lot of times I'm working a 60-80 work week away from home. The three systems I did in the Lumina and the one in the Impala, and the ones I've helped along those years, I've really got to thank my family. I'm right here in the garage, I'm connected to the house, I'm not running around on a golf course somewhere every weekend. At least they know where I am and they support me. The sacrifices, I've taken a lot of vacations just to work on the car.
.: Bob Johann
:.Ford Contour SVT
Bob won the world title a couple of years ago with his Contour SVT. It doesn't have all the glitz and shine as some of the others but, then again, this was not the intention; it was meant for the Street class. Bob's show record can be described in one word: consistent.
HK | How long have you been competing?
BJ | 1994 was my first year of competition.
HK | What was it that got you into it?
BJ | I'd attended as a spectator as early as 1988, part of the Car Audio Nationals 2 series. There was a local qualifier here in Peoria, IL. At that time, I was still in high school and looking for a stereo, and the dude at a shop told me to come check out the show. I've always had a love for shiny cars and music. I'm in a band myself and always liked to tinker with electronics. It's the perfect marriage of all three things I like. I had to wait until '94 to compete because I had to graduate from college and get a job in order to afford the things I wanted, in the way I wanted it done.
HK | During those 10 years competing, what is the most memorable moment?
BJ | Winning the IASCA World Finals in 2001.
HK | What was the reason for choosing the Contour?
BJ | Before I got it, I had a car during the mid '90s that lasted to about '98, then died. It left me high and dry, so I had to get another car, and the dealership in town called me and told me about the Contour SVT. I went down there and drove it. Basically, I didn't have any time to think about it. It was a nice car and my installer had one too.
HK | What is the achievement that you are most proud of?
BJ | Basically, being competitive in the class I choose to compete in. I compete in three of the four major orgs that are available. At the same time, I try to help educate them about music and sound as well.
"We wanted a car that was different, with appeal. I've been around cars all my life and I wanted something with appeal and the performance it offered."
Web Exclusive Interview Cont....
HK | What do you do for living?
BJ | I am an accountant for CAT.
HK | As in the big machines and diesels?
BJ | Yep.
HK | The company I do work for has a gigantic CAT generator for power outages for computer center back-up power. When this thing is on, it is really loud. It looks like a diesel engine but it's 25 times bigger that what you see in a tractor trailer.
BJ | You're welcome, thank you for purchasing Caterpillar.
HK | It's not my money so thank them.
BJ | It's premium stuff, so tell them they got the best.
HK | What do you think about the old school versus new school debate?
BJ | I think the major contributor to that concept is that back in the old days, everybody was new to the whole concept of car audio and competition. So, when they sat in the cars back then, what sounded reasonably good would sound incredible. Back then, that happened to me as well. I would compare my own deck and speakers with competition systems -- of course the cars in the lanes would sound incredible. That was the impact that had on people. I don't think there is any difference between then and now.
HK | So you are of the opinion that most are desensitized to that now?
BJ | That's where I would be now.
HK | If there is one thing that you would change on your car, what is it?
BJ | I would try to eliminate the rattles and buzzes in the doors.
HK | Is that something you're planning to do?
BJ | At this time, no. That would involve some major modifications and investment. I don't do my own work so at this time, no. But, never say never.
HK | What was the most challenging part of your install?
BJ | The install is straight-forward, it was based on the IASCA rule book.
HK | Built by the book then.
BJ | Yeah, it was. When it was actually time to do the SQ side of the car I spent several hours in the car to find all the reflections and proper angles for the kick panels that may affect the sound before taking it to my installer. Once it got to the point where my installer got the car, I spent a few days showing them where the kicks were to be aimed. From there he took it.
HK | Anything to look forward from you soon?
BJ | The biggest thing this year is a new JVC head unit.
HK | Any parting words?
BJ | Two things: One, I wouldn't be where I am without my installer, Ryan Bess. Two, I love music and everything should be about sound.
HK | Your system seems to have been built that way, but still it seems to kick ass.
BJ | Yeah, I knew I wou
.:Roger, Eric & Pat Holdaway
:. 1986 Buick GN
Roger, Eric and Pat of SpeakerWorks and USD Audio have been in the business longer than many of you readers have been alive. They were playing around with kick panel fiberglass enclosures in the '70s, which didn't became mainstream until the '90s. They have had their hand in 17 world titles and countless local victories. After more than a decade of absence, the Buick Grand National they created still stirs talks: how great it was, how it was -- and still is -- the best sounding car ever, and how it would do today. This is the first car I listened to that made me want to compete -- and that was in their parking lot and not at a show.
HK | What made you decide to build a car?
Eric | We always had demonstration cars for the store, like our '83 Porsche and before that our '77 630 BMW. This was just another car at the time. Then the sound-offs started. We were doing the RG Canning shows, the LA Auto Show, the OC International Auto Show. Then we were doing VW shows. We used to have cruise nights too with the OC Cruise Association. So, we were active but when the sound-offs started that was a natural extension.
Eric | For me, I was challenged by Rich Coe.
HK | Why did you pick the GN?
Eric | That's the car Dad (Roger) had. Whatever car he had, we worked on it. He had a 630 BMW, we worked on that. Then he had a 911, we worked on that. Then he had a GN, we worked on that. Whatever he bought, we did.
Eric | We wanted a car that was different, with appeal. I've been around cars all my life and I wanted something with appeal and the performance it offered. The problem with it is that the stupid thing wouldn't stop.
HK | So, you guys liked that car at the time?
Eric | I always thought it was butt ugly, an old man car. I drove it and I didn't think it was all that quick.
HK | But you bought one for yourself.
Eric | Yeah, people really like that car. People notice you. Later I liked that car; I would own another in a heartbeat as long as it isn't ragged out. It did the smokiest burnouts.
"I was like, 'This is hopeless, completely hopeless.' Then they announced my name for first..."
Web Exclusive Interview Cont....
HK | What was your first year of competition?
EH | The first one was Car Wars over by CSU Northridge in '85 or '86. It was the pre-cursor to the SoundQuake series put on by Isaac Goren.
HK | What is your proudest achievement?
EH | Getting into the position and meeting true artists and masters. Getting to work with my dad, although he keeps firing me. True, by the way.
HK | What, fired over night?
EH | Yeah, he'd go, "You're fired, get outta here," and I say, "No," then he would see me later that day and yell, "I thought I fired you," and I would just say, "Yeah, whatever."
Also, eveloping the products we do and working with Rob G, Pat and my father, and getting stuff patented.
HK | How do you think the older cars stack up to the new ones?
EH | It's hard to know because most of them SOBs wouldn't let us listen to their cars. [laughs] They were such bastards back then. Unlike us we let everybody listen to our cars. I bet if we slapped the bitch together it would whoop ass on SQ, and probably not that far off on install either. There's no doubt in my mind that a lot of cars in the past were cutting edge, sound-wise, and remain so. Whether the older-thinking install would hold up today, well, probably not, but I never saw any value in the paint and chrome -- it doesn't improve the sound, all it does is jack up the price tag for the customers. I would much rather concentrate on making cars sound better.
I have this saying: "If you were going to spend $1000 on a stereo, spend $900 on the speakers," because that is where the biggest margin of error is, so to speak. You can put OK stuff behind a really good set of speakers and it would sound incredible.
I think we have lost the knowledge base of what good sound is. What is the objective goal we should be pursuing? People say, "You should get what sounds good to you," and I think that is a myth. What you want to do is to recreate the recording as originally recorded, whether it be good or bad.
The creativity of some of these cars is amazing but there comes a point when such things can negatively affect performance of the part or the end product.
RH | The Buick was built under different parameters than what is out there today. Sound is sound and that car can accurately reproduce it.
PH | Things have changed in how things are done. One thing is that the fit and finish of a lot of cars has improved significantly. In many cases, it has become some sort of art form.
HK | If there were one thing about that car you would change, what would it be?
RH | I'd put better brakes on that piece of shit.
EH | New owner.
PH: | Not a whole lot. Probably get the mid-woofer up front; the mind set was different in the past. That's about it.
HK | What was the most challenging part of the install on that car?
PH | The lenses for the Waveguides. The rest of the car was straight forward in comparison.
EH | The time we spent sweating the details on tuning. The thing that was always challenging was the hours of listening, fine-tuning it.
RH | The criteria at the time it was built was that it had to be extremely loud, extremely accurate and look factory.
HK | Anything to look forward to you from you guys?
EH | Your car. If Chris Corzine ever competes. We built a lot of cars that are competition systems but they just wind up being shown off to friends and family. We have "secret formula" stuff that we can't talk about.
RH | I'm excited about your car, it will be on another level.
HK | Any parting words?
EH | Stay away from the Internet, it's bad for you. Most sensible thing that I can say is that there is a "true" sound that we are trying to replicate, and it has nothing to do what sounds good to you.
RH | I think the industry shot itself in the foot, there are very few of us left in the high-end area.
.: Todd Matsubara
:.1988 Ford T-Bird
The King of the DIYers. In the '90s, he learned everything he knew by trial and error. The monster he created, an '88 Ford T-Bird, busted out onto the scene and both intimidated and drew big crowds. The level of detail was quite amazing. I know, I saw him build it.
HK | What got you into competitions?
TM | Seeing coverage of Car Audio Nationals in a stereo magazine.
HK | Why did you pick the T-Bird?
TM | That car had the room in the right places for a stereo, plus there was a good amount of aftermarket performance parts and aesthetics, which is key.
HK | You did a lot of work on the performance side of that car. I don't think a lot of people realize that.
TM | I think that is the key to intimidation, or at least to catching their attention. Back then, no one fixed their cars up. That car had a 5.0 in it.
HK | What was the most memorable moment?
TM | When I won Finals with that Honda Accord. I was only hoping to place fifth but when they announced fifth, fourth, third, second... I thought, forget it. I was like, "This is hopeless, completely hopeless." Then they announced my name for first. I thought it was a mistake. I actually did because the margin of victory was so large.
HK | What achievement are you most proud of?
TM | It would have to be the Highest Triple Crown points award. Nobody has beat that still in 11 years. Even factory-backed competitors have not come close to it.
Web Exclusive Interview Cont....
HK | What do you think about the old school cars versus the newer cars?
TM | I think the older cars sounded better by far. The only thing the new cars have is the installation creativity, but that's a process of evolution. It would have happened anyway. Ingenuity-wise, the older cars are still good. They were more resourceful too, because back then you just didn't do extreme things to the cars and keep them drivable.
HK | What is the one thing that you would have changed in that car?
TM |The engine. I wanted to put a twin turbo on it, a twin turbo stroker motor. [laughs]
HK | What was the most challenging part of that install?
TM | The amprack. I wanted to make sure that it could present the amps and at the same time hide away without anything showing. And do it reliably!
HK | I remember you cutting each Plexi' square and lining them up to make a checkerboard pattern, and getting pissed off while doing it.
TM | Yeah, just yesterday Chris [Yato] goes, "I don't understand why you didn't cut off your fingers." All those parts still work today, 12 years later. So, I think it was engineered well enough. I don't think too many systems this old still work like that.
HK |Anything to look forward from you guys?
TM |I think I have the most twisted car to be seen as far as a complete package: performance, stereo, and hp. It could be at home at a hotrod show, car show, stereo show or just driving down the street.
HK | Any parting words?
TM | I think the level of installation has gone beyond what's practical. They have lost the basic objective. People need to get back understanding what "good" sound is. If they are going to brag about their cars then they need to learn what that sound is in order to back up their talking. People need to learn because they don't know.