Everything You Need to Know to Get to and into the Big Show, but Were Afraid to AskTickets:Tickets are available in advance through www.ias2k3.com or you can buy them at the show. Tickets are $15 for one day and $25 for two days. You can also log onto www.ias2k3.com to see how to enter your vehicle into the mega-famous IAS car competition.
When: Saturday, April 26, 12 p.m.-8 p.m.Sunday, April 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where:Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015, (ph) 213/741-1151, (fax) 213/765-4266, www.lacclink.com
Directions to Los Angeles Convention Center From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Take Century Blvd. exit to I-105E to I-110N to I-10W. Exit at Pico Blvd. and proceed northward. To South Hall Parking, turn right on Pico Blvd., turn right on Figueroa St., turn right on Venice Blvd., turn right on Convention Center Drive to parking entrance. To West Hall Parking, cross Pico Blvd., turn right at the intersection of Cherry and 12th streets into the parking garage entrance.
From Burbank Airport: Exit via Empire Ave. Turn left on Hollywood Way (note direction sign to Golden State (5) South, at Empire Ave. and Hollywood Way intersection), merge onto I-5S to CA-110S. Exit at Olympic Blvd. Turn left at bottom of off-ramp to Blaine. Turn left on 11th St. To South Hall Parking, turn right on Venice Blvd., turn right on Convention Center Drive to parking garage entrance. To West Hall Parking, turn right at Cherry St., turn left at the intersection of Cherry and 12th streets into parking garage entrance.
From Union Station: By DASH Shuttle: Take DASH Route D to Spring and 1st Streets, then transfer to DASH Route A to the Convention Center. The Route D DASH boards from the back of Union Station. See L.A. DASH Transit System. You may also take weekday DASH Route B to the financial district (6th and Flower streets) and transfer to Route A or F and exit at Pico Blvd. and Figueroa St. The Route B DASH boards from the front of Union Station facing Olvera St. Weekend Route "DD" (Downtown Discovery Route) runs between Union Station and the Convention Center between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The DD boards from the front of Union Station facing Olvera Street. Exit at Figueroa and Pico.
By Metrolink Rail: Take the Metro Red Line, exit at 7th St. then transfer to the Metro Blue Line (Long Beach). Exit at Pico Blvd. Station. Then walk one block west to Figueroa St.
Commuter Express from Downtown Los Angeles: Take Route 413 from Temple and Hill streets (Civic Center) to 11th St. and Figueroa St.
Parking: There are five parking structures/lots on the Los Angeles Convention Center property. All are managed by the Convention Center and are in close proximity and safe walking distance to the convention complex. The current daily parking rate is $10. Please note: prices are subject to change without notice. For more information visit the Convention Center Web site at www.lacclink.com/general_directions.htm.
Performance Makes ComebackOEMs Break off a Piece of Whoop-AssThat thump-thump-thump sound isn't Jonny's heartbeat after hearing that Queen Latifah is single and looking. It's the sound of the Super Street staff pounding on Nads' office door, looking for a raise. With the Nissan 350Z being released last year and the Mazda RX-8 hitting the showrooms this year, the three magic beans that make up our yearly salary (collectively, before tax) just don't cut it.
But Nissan and Mazda aren't the only carmakers that are going ballistic these days. Ford's SVT unit-think Nismo, STi, TRD, and Mugen-has followed up its potent Contour SVT with a sicker act for the compact performance market: the new Focus SVT. With 170hp and a sweet six-speed gearbox that's more satisfying than a good run at the craps table, it's no wonder Focus SVT has been so popular. The only way it could improve is if Ford brought over the 200hp turbocharged Focus RS from England. Hello, Ford? Anyone?