FEELS GOOD TO BE BACK
Before I jump into Pit+Paddock and explain what happened to Front Street Media, let me just say first that it feels good to be back! For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Sam Du (known on Instagram as @duspeed). You might’ve met me at a previous car event, read one of my stories, or seen one of my photos sometime over the last 20 years or so. I’m originally from Seattle; however, I decided to move to Los Angeles at age 23, where I started my career in journalism as a Features Editor for eurotuner magazine. I later transitioned to Super Street magazine, where I served as a Senior Editor, then Editor-in-Chief for several years. Publishing car magazines was incredibly rewarding and a true dream job; however, with time, the hunger grew inside me for new opportunities. After nearly 15 memorable years at the MotorTrend Network, I made the tough decision to part ways and started a new chapter in life, that new chapter being Pit+Paddock powered by Turn 14 Distribution.
GOODBYE TO FRONT STREET
The first article of Front Street Media was published in April 2015, highlighting Formula DRIFT. From there, Front Street Media continued to provide quality event coverage and the latest industry news, along with a long and distinguished portfolio of feature cars helping to inspire project car builders from around the world. Front Street Media served as a storyteller for the aftermarket community, but eventually, it came time to evolve and take it to the next level. Upon joining the team, which consists of myself, Daryl Sampson, Anthony Mungioli, Kyle Crawford, and Brandon Cody, it was decided that we say goodbye to the name Front Street Media and embark on a fresh rebrand to breathe new life and a new identity into what is now called Pit+Paddock.
PLAY ON WORDS
By definition, the words “Pit” and “Paddock” share similar meanings as they describe the area where cars are prepared and put on display before entering a racetrack. Here, spectators get exclusive access to team garages, observe technicians and crew members at work, check out demo cars, and meet with vendors and manufacturers at booths. In essence, it’s where all the behind-the-scenes magic happens and at its core is where fans, teams, drivers, and media congregate in celebration of automotive performance. The soul of Pit+Paddock stems from this physical experience of seeing, hearing, and touching the elements that revolve around a motorsport event.
AUTOMOTIVE MEDIA REDEFINED
Pit+Paddock’s future is exciting for us as our role has changed from just being a traditional media outlet and website that publishes articles. We’ll continue to do our due diligence showcasing tasteful car builds while also uncovering the latest trends, parts, and tech. What you will notice is that the brand will become more involved and engaging with local communities and industry partners more than ever, from hosting our own events, giving back to our supporters, and collaborating with reputable shops and manufacturers, all in the name of underscoring what makes this lifestyle and passion for modifying cars so extraordinary.
AN INVITATION & PROMISE
Without further ado, I’d like to invite you to come along and join us as we embark on this new journey with Pit+Paddock. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook, bookmark your web browser, and stay tuned for more special news and announcements. We have a lot of cool projects, pop-up activations, and exclusive stories in the pipeline that you don’t want to miss, that I can promise you.
Cheers,
Sam Du
sam@pitpad.com
@duspeed
