Other than a massive stroke for the Ingalls Stiffy and its minimal stroke, this seemingly simple selection process proved to be my red pill, opening my eyes to the herd mentality of a brand conscious society. I shudder to think of the impact that we of the sleazy media persuasion have on this scene, from the specs of our feature cars to the products in our buyer's guides. And just imagine the powerful influence exerted by the leading drivers, tuners, and show car builders. It stands to reason that the cars and products that get the most play are the ones that will enjoy the most sales. This is not by any means a commentary on the inherent quality-or lack thereof-of any of these particular products, though, because it just might be that everyone rocks certain parts because they actually are better than the rest.
To question the merits of marketing is hardly the stuff of uncharted territory, but my engine damper and, to a much greater extent, our cover car do represent a refreshing departure from the bandwagon build-ups of both big manufacturer and celebrituner alike. Think about that the next time you're torn between JDM, USDM, Brand X, or Brand Y, because only one opinion should matter to you and that opinion is mine. Oh, you were expecting me to empower you with the the-only-opinion-that-matters-is-yours speech? C'mon, you don't know the first thing about engine dampers.