Well Guys and Gals, It has been a VERY hard decision to make, but I will be moving to TopSpeed this coming Friday. First things first; I have the HIGHEST respect for Dan, Tracy, Brandon and Mike at Batlground. Dan is one of the most intelligent people I have EVER met. I would absolutely trust Brandon to prep my car for the track. Mike has been doing a great job running the front office and getting parts for all of us. I didn't interact with Tracy that much, but what they are doing with Batlground is great. That said, I don't quite fit there. They are dedicated to being a high profile race shop, and that requires "pushing" very hard. They are going on to great things, but that requires absolute dedication, long hours, and strict policies. Their constant interaction with the West coast makes their later hours more appropriate for them. I made my "push" to be a racecar driver a few years ago. Ashley and I were working full-time. Then I was prepping for the track at least 4 hours a night, at least Wednesday and Thursday. Then we would leave Friday afternoon and drive all night. We'd race all weekend, then get home after midnight Sunday night, just to back to work Monday morning... Anyway, I am now at the point that I need to be spending time with my family. I'd like to be home for dinner, particularly with us hoping for kids next year. I believe that TopSpeed will give me the opportunity to work more normal hours. We will be starting at 8 or 8:30am and trying to give great service and do cool things within an acceptable day. I think most of you have known that Doug and I have been surprisingly good friends and worked together quite a bit, despite having been each other's primary competitors. We will now be entirely co-workers. I am really looking forward to working full-time at TopSpeed. Look for some really cool new TopSpeed products in addition to all the great services we will be providing. ***Cliff Notes: I am leaving Batlground, but we are on GREAT terms and I have the HIGHEST respect for them. I will be starting at TopSpeed Friday. I am looking forward to working with the crew there. Thank you for reading this, Scott Siegel
Congrats to Doug too. It was a very smart move to corner the Atlanta tuning market. Should have done it long ago.
I am posting this from my phone on the way back from a race in ohio so I will keep it short. I have huge plans for Topspeed and we are very excited that Scott is partnering up with us. Next year we plan to run the entire time attack races and having two in house tuners is the only way we can make that happen. Also we are going to be moving torwards manufacturing our own parts. I know with our combined racing and mechanical knowledge we will make some well engineered proucts that make inane amounts of power. Lastly we have put to rest the long debate of where to go for tuning. Its now Topspeed or Topspeed I will post more when I get home.
True. I am also glad that I am able to move without hard feelings. I am sad to leave BG. Again, I so respect them, but I just don't fit... I believe I will be a much better fit at TopSpeed. Siegel
Cool news! This is great for the Subaru community. Scott and Doug, I'll be stopping in for a vist after you guys get settled in.
Good Luck with everything, Scott and Doug. True enough, we are a race shop. That's our dream and our future. Unfortunately, that requires long hours and many other sacrifices up front. It's just starting to get good for us and that means nose to the grind stone if we want to have an operating shop for our loyal customers and build race cars for ourselves at the same time. We didn't work all of these years (6 years now) trying to get in magazines and on TV and trying to earn the respect of customers just to go home at 5 once we finally achieved it. We want to reap the benefits and take advantage of the advertising we have done for ourselves now while it's hot so we can relax in a few years. We spent hundreds of thousands of dollars getting our name out there and it is finally paying off for us. We have lots of high profile things going on, most recently we have 2 SEMA cars to finish in a 3 week time frame along with our list of customers that want their cars worked on. In order to get it all done....we have to sacrifice, stay late and be strict on our policies so we can be efficient with the 24 hours given in a day. We plan on expanding our facility in the very near future. We hope it will include some sort of testing facility/track on 50-100 acres. That's not a cheap endeavor and we are going to have to continue to work our butts of to get it. We understand this lifestyle isn't for everyone. We also are aware that we have high standards and expect a lot from anyone on our team. This is a lifestyle...not just a job. We are lucky that our family is all part of Batlground Just for everyone's information, Dan will still be available for tuning at Batlground on a regular basis. As far as Subaru stuff, we still are dealers for Cobb products and Dan is still the same amazing tuner he always has been. We are still direct with tons of parts manufacturers for all makes and models. ~Tracy
Seems like this only benefits the local Subbie community even more. I am glad that we have a great relationship with BG now and look forward to regrowing the relationship with TS! Congrats Scott.
Hey Scott, I am glad that you found a good home for yourself. And I have to agree with you 1000% that family always comes first, so good on you. Now, I have to be an ass here and say that with tuning only in one place, does that mean you guys are going to charge more as there are no alternatives? You do have the Atlanta tuning market cornered at the moment... We aren't about to start working with the BellSouth of tuning are we?
wow. well, now that i sold my car and my friend who bought it blew it up, i will send him there to get the 2.5l going in it tuned. ha. good luck on the parts manufacturing, i'm sure anything coming out of topspeed will be quality. i know i was very happy with the service and people at topspeed in my 4 or 5 trips there.
Subaru.......fast........is...........going........speed..........Top. I can't even formulate a sentence right now. This is going to be awesome for who ever gets their car tuned with you guys. I know where my car will be going for its tune.
Our tuning prices will remain the same @ $159.99/hr. That is except for nights and weekends..... haahaa j/k
This will be great for Scott and Doug. Scott, TopSpeed will be a much better fit for your life style and personality. Great decision on the move. Good for you and Doug! I know that TopSpeed will be a better fit for me too! Where you go, I go!!! Doug, can't wait to meet you and the gang! Oh yeah, Scott, you need to edit that avatar.
Thanks BG for answering. It's good to know that Cobb customers still have more than one option after SoG stopped offering tuning. and Scott, good luck with your new gig too.
I'm sad to see Scott leave Batlground but if he needs to work normal hours then its not the place for him. I'm glad that Dan has decided to keep doing Subarus I think its a smart business decision on his part. He has already proven he knows how to make power. I have the full support of Batlground for Time Attack next year, its going to be nice to have a shop that really knows how to support a racecar. Matt