ID News, May 2020

SUPER73 has always focused on building amazing products to help create adventure and community. Thanks to the enthusiastic support of its Super Squad riding community, the company’s efforts to encourage electric exploration, as well as its advocacy for safe and responsible riding, has created a positive impact on the evolution of outdated e-bike laws and regulations. As part of this initiative, SUPER73 is collaborating with PeopleForBikes – a non-profit organization and bicycle advocacy group that unites millions of individuals with thousands of businesses and communities to make bike riding safer, more convenient, and better for everybody.

As one of the leading voices for the bicycle industry, the efforts of PeopleForBikes at the federal, state, and local levels have helped to push for bicycle and e-bike legislation reform, leverage private and public funding for bicycle infrastructure projects, and serve as a valuable resource for the bicycle and e-bike community. As a result of its advocacy, the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Reclamation proposed new regulations (“rulemaking”) in early April regarding e-bike use on federal lands. If adopted, the proposed regulations could lead to the following:

• e-bikes would no longer be defined as motor vehicles or off-road vehicles, but have a standalone, sensible, and modern definition
• The three classes of e-bikes would be properly defined
• e-bike riders would have similar rights, privileges, and duties as traditional bike riders
• Agency officials would be authorized to allow e-bikes on roads, paths, and trails where they are currently prohibited
• Local land managers would maintain significant control, in partnership with the public, to make access decisions

This is a landmark opportunity to update federal laws by recognizing current e-bike technology and increasing the recreation and transportation opportunities for e-bike riders.

The easiest way to participate in the process is to submit a message during the open comment period. All of the details and steps can be found at the PeopleForBikes – peopleforbikes.org/federal-e-bike-rulemaking

Formula DRIFT is pleased to announce its revised 2020 competition schedule, which kicks off with a bang at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on July 3-4. Not only is it Independence Day weekend but the very first official FD event was held at the same track in 2004, making it an appropriate starting point under these extraordinary circumstances.

The new schedule represents the best chance of completing an eight-round Formula DRIFT Championship based on venue availability. Additional consideration was given to the European and Asian teams who wish to compete in 2020, and this should allow them to join the series.

The majority of tracks remain part of the 2020 schedule, although several dates have been changed to accommodate the events into a compressed timeline. Unfortunately, Long Beach, CA and Orlando, FL have been lost but new events have been created at Irwindale Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway.

Throughout the 2020 schedule, fans and participants can be assured Formula DRIFT will adhere to local and national government guidance on health and safety. The revised competition schedule and ticket information is available at formulad.com

Working with ENEOS Motor Oil and Formula DRIFT, we were involved in a livery contest with Team Faruk. The aim was to provide drift fans with a distraction during the COVID-19 shut down by having them create a possible livery for Faruk Kugay’s 2JZ-powered SGK Performance / Nuke / Nexen Tire Nissan S14 drift car.

Hosted at teamfaruk.com, fans were provided with a line drawing of the S14 as well as a link to sponsor logos, which would be incorporated into the livery. The contest was shared by the team, its sponsors, Formula DRIFT and media partner, Super Street Magazine. With such a wide reach, the contest attracted entrants from around the world. More than 50 entries were received and the winner selected by the team was _fp.design_ from New Zealand.

A gallery of livery artwork is available to view HERE

Collaborations are our sweet spot at ID Agency, and we recently had the opportunity to assist XBOX and Stance Socks with a fun buildout at Stance HQ in San Clemente, CA.

With a large number of VIPs and athletes visiting their offices, Stance wanted to give their guests the ultimate VIP green room experience. Working with XBOX to customize the space, we were able to develop a custom branded console along with some very special neon lighting to bring the space to life.

As an added component, we loaned the Stance team a custom golf cart that was designed and built by ID for the XBOX Lifestyle Team in 2019. The cart is equipped with an XBOX console and large-screen TV for two-player gaming and has livestream capability.

WELD is best known for its championship-winning WELD Racing line of drag, dirt, and oval wheels, which have taken countless drivers to the top step of the podium over the years. However, WELD also built its reputation on some of the toughest forged off-road wheels.

With the launch of WELD Off-Road, the company has brought its 53 years of engineering excellence and innovation to introduce its first line of off-road racing and performance wheels for trucks and SUVs using the latest flow form construction technology for lighter weight and increased strength.

Among the initial offerings are three distinctive models that will appeal to off-road racers. These include the WELD Off-Road Chasm, Ledge, and Stealth, which are available in a range of popular sizes and lug patterns as well as different finishes.

WELD Off-Road wheels are available now for purchase online at weldwheels.com

ID Agency’s very own Marco Valadez helped put the pieces of the puzzle together to get the Netflix documentary, LA Originals made. All the components were in place, but required patience while identifying the right partners. Through a great friend, Emiliano Calemzuk, we met Sebastian Ortega, owner of one of South America’s best production companies: Underground Productions, which helped digitize the assets, write the story, edit content, and create the final version as seen on Netflix.

Estevan Oriol and Marco spent time with the team in Argentina – perhaps the most exciting business trip he has ever taken! It took a great team to make this happen: very talented producers, writers, editors, lawyers, music partners, and more. “They were amazing to work with, and we’re grateful for the experience,” said Valadez.

Directed by Estevan Oriol, LA Originals features Snoop Dogg, Eminem, the late, great Kobe Bryant, George Lopez, Brian Grazer, Cypress Hill, Danny Trejo, Clifton Collins Jr, and many other great talents. This documentary chronicles two Los Angeles artists who never gave up and shows how their respective talents helped shape their local culture: from Chicano Culture and Lowriders, to Hip Hop and more.

LA Originals is streaming now on Netflix.  The documentary made it to #5 in the Netflix top 10 the week it opened.

Directed by Estevan Oriol
Produced by Sebastian Ortega and Underground Productions
Executive Produced by Mister Cartoon, Marco Valadez, Mark Suroff
Written and Produced by Brian Maya
EP / DP: Francisco Pugliese

Daniel Hernandez wrote a great piece for the LA Times, which you can read HERE