Sponsorships

After creating a dimpled golfball version of the LS 460 for the U.S. Open, Lexus is at it again with a yellow felt covered IS 350 for the U.S. Tennis Open:

These one-off theme cars are just brilliant, what a unique way to promote a sponsorship.

For more photos of the tennis ball IS, check out the original Kicking Tires post.

VAIS Technology, makers of the premier Lexus iPod integration kits, are working on a new product called the FamilyLinQ—a small camera that you can connect to your navigation screen, making it easy to get see inside or outside the vehicle:

After driving the LX 570 with its camera mounted under the passenger mirror, I can certainly see the appeal of the added viewing angle, and as the above image shows, it can also be used to monitor children without taking your attention off the road.

The FamilyLinQ is expected to debut in 3-4 months, and will be compatible with most Lexus’ between 2001-2009.

[Source: VAIS Technology]

Earlier this week, I posted about Joe Bacal, who raced in the 41st annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500 in a modified Lexus LX 570 and ended up winning the class. Now we have some more information on the race, courtesy of a Lexus press release:

Assisted by first-time navigator Williamsen and a new but well-organized team, Baja 500 rookie Bacal drove all 16 hours of his race without leaving the vehicle and with only brief stops for fuel and nourishment along the way. They moved the big LX into the class lead a little before the halfway point and were never headed again.
Remarkably, the LX 570 had been completed just days before the race and was tested only briefly in Arizona before shipping to Ensenada for the race. But the big SUV responded well and the team’s considerable efforts rewarded.

[The course] did manage to take a small bite out of the LX when an anti-roll bar link failed, but Bacal simply adjusted his driving to accommodate the degradation in handling and soldiered on.

Included in the press release were a couple amazing race photos, check out the air:

Too bad I missed this race, I won’t make the same mistake when Bacal races again in late August.

The full press release after the jump.

Continue reading this article...

Lexus will have a one-off LS 460L to show at the U.S. Open in Farmingdale NY next week, having commissioned a full-body cover designed to look like the surface of a golf ball.

Lima Ohio reports on the story behind the vehicle:

It all started with mailboxes. Brad Smith began making and selling mailboxes that look like a giant golf ball in October. At the PGA Golf Show in Orlando, Fla., in January, representatives of Lexus asked if he could put the same surface on a car.

Smith said he might be able to do it and contacted his friend Rick Davis, who worked with him at Accubuilt in Lima for 10 years. Davis’ son, Matt, had worked with a company that had some experience with a plastic that might work.

While Lexus refers to the “firm” that is doing the project, Rick Davis laughs at the term, pointing to the two-car garage outside his home, where all the work was done.

Here’s a closer look:

According to the Smith, they didn’t get a chance to see if the dimples made the LS 460L any faster, but there was a story earlier this year about a company claiming a similar surface could reduce increase MPG by as much as 20%.

[Source: Lima Ohio]

The deadline is up, all the entries are in, and it’s time to announce the winners of the Lexus Enthusiast Second Anniversary Contest! There were over 500 contestants from around the globe—five names were randomly selected—here they are:

• USA Detailing Kit prize pack: Aaron Seligman
• USA Lexus Logos prize pack: Andrew Patterson
• Canadian IS-F prize pack: Paul Dulaba
• European Leather prize pack: Jose Reverter Vazquez
• VAIStech iPod Integration grand prize: Josh Drebsky

Congratulations to all the prize winners!

All the winners should have received an email letting them know of their good luck—if your name is here and you didn’t receive an email, please let me know by using my contact form.

Thank you to everyone that entered, and a very special thanks to VAIS Technology, Sewell Lexus, Bel-Air Lexus and Lexus UK for providing such great prizes. My sincere gratitude to each and every one of you.

Just wanted to remind everyone that there’s only 24 hours left to enter The Lexus Enthusiast Second Anniversary Contest—winners will be announced tomorrow at 3PM EST (7:00 UTC).

Anyone from the USA, Canada or the European Union can enter, with prizes provided by VAIS Technology, Sewell Lexus, Bel-Air Lexus and Lexus UK.

For full details and the contest entry form, visit this page.

Best of luck to everyone!