Driven Lifestyle Magazine would like to welcome Jeff Southards and JDS Motorsports to our Network family.

Jeff comes from a lineage of gear heads, from an early age pretty much all he knew were cars. His father ran an auto parts store for 25 years, in which he started stocking shelves around eleven or twelve years old.  While most kids were playing sports, he was going to car shows and  admiring automobiles. As soon as he was old enough to drive he began spending his time behind the wheel of his classics. So from the start there was no other way for him, but to be a “GEAR HEAD”!

Fast forward a few years and now he owns his own parts store and continues to add to his collection of automobiles. The weekends haven’t changed much for him either, not a weekend goes by that he is not somewhere at a car show, cruise in, or drag race.

In recent years he began to mixed his other hobby, photography, in with his Driven Lifestyle. And lucky for all of us Jeff has chosen to join our team and provide us with updates of his week-end car show adventures.  So be on the look out for Jeff and his camera!

Be sure to check in here at Driven Lifestyle Magazine often, where you can usually find event coverage from a new location each week by Jeff and also check out his blogs at www.jdsmotorsports.com.

Welcome Aboard Jeff!

The Annual Clarkesville, Georgia Antique Auto Show always has a little something for everyone, whether its hunting a bargain in the swap meet on Friday, taking part in the cruise in on Saturday, or going for a trophy at the car show on Sunday. For years this annual August event has been a local favorite, 35 years to be exact. The 35th edition did see one of the smaller car turn outs in recent memory but it was still a solid show, plenty of parts in the swap meet and a nice mix of cars.

For more photos visit: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.349051228511059.81934.229479260468257&type=3

& be sure to visit http://jdsmotorsports.wordpress.com

July 28 – 29, 2012

9th Annual Southeast Showdown

Anderson Motor Speedway

Anderson, SC

Wow what a day. All I had on my mind, after such a long HOT day of taking photos at Southeast Showdown, was food, re-hydrating, and air conditioning.

As I left the motel lobby in search of something quick and easy, my eyes were immediately enticed by a beautiful Cyber Green, ’37 Ford Wild Rod sitting in front of McDonalds, just next door. My thoughts were ” OK, McDoldalds is quick, and I can get a closer look too!”

As I got closer to the parking lot, I realized there were a lot more intriguing vehicles here than just this one. Then it hit me …… “Cruise-In”. Immediately the desperate need for nourishment and rest subsided a bit.  I mean honestly, what’s more important here? Besides it’s not like I can’t eat and rest later, right? I thought I’ll just make a quick run through, take a few pictures, do a little admiring then grab a bite and back to my room for some much needed rest.

So I retrieved my camera and tote from my room and I  headed to the “McDonald’s Cruise-In”.  My little trip to South Carolina for an event coverage, just got even better.  “Bonus!” Kind of  like a two for one. What I did not take into account in this little plan of mine, is the fact that I really like to talk and I love meeting people. Therefore what was  intended for an hour breeze through turned into all evening.

Yet, all is good.  I meet some really wonderful people and saw some gorgeous automobiles. I even managed to get some nourishment in me around 10:30pm and lights out by 11. So, not too bad, Huh?

Look through the book below and check out some of the photos, and if you are ever in the Anderson, SC area the fourth Saturday of the month, you should ride over to McDonalds on Hwy 81 and enjoy the scenery.

to view more photos visit - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.349172788498903.81971.229479260468257&type=3

This year’s event offered the opportunity to help some children in need in the area, meet new friends, bond with old ones and check out some of the greatest “Hot Rod” boats in the country.

The kick off of this event began Thursday, July 19th with a “meet & greet” at a Bistro & Pizzeria at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

This event continued on Friday, July 20th with the “Cheeseburger in Paradise” raft up and Stereo Competition which began at the Lake Lanier Dam and rolled onto the Captain’s Party, Friday evening at Holiday Marina. Here entrants enjoyed food, friends, auctions and the “Miss Castaways Swimsuit Pageant”. (Be sure to visit http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.346628325420016.81040.229479260468257&type=3 for photos)

The actual poker run began Saturday, July 21st at 9:00 am, each boat left from their home port and followed the routes to gather their playing cards. After gathering their cards, everyone headed over to Sunset Cove and Beach Club (dubbed “Pirates Cove” for the day) for the winners party to enjoy food, fun, excitement and festivities that only pirates can create that lasted well into the night with great music provided by Ed Roland ( of Collective Soul fame) and the Sweet Tea Project, fantastic fireworks and an awesome laser show.

Gold Rush Rally – Atlanta Leg June 13-14 2012

The GoldRush Rally started in Los Angeles June 9th, 2012. They then headed out to Phoenix, Arizona and then on to Las Vegas for it’s fourth year in a row. While the teams were throwing it down in Vegas, the cars were transported to the first East Coast destination, Atlanta. This is where Driven Lifestyle Magazine was able to join in the fun. The rally participants will flew to Atlanta to reunite with their cars. The teams then traveled to Panama City’s white sandy beaches. The next morning they headed to Orlando and then finally to the last checkpoint in Miami.

The Atlanta Leg started at the W Hotel in Midtown – Atlanta, GA on 14th St. Here the rally-ers arrived one by one from Vegas, and other cities both domestic and international. The cars started to fill up a private parking deck. What a site that was to see. Nissan GTR’s, Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, Maserati’s, Rolls Royce’s, Bently’s, Porsche’s, BMW’s, Bugatti Veyrons -yes thats plural – Veyron(s) lol, and many other cars were in attendance. There was a drivers’ meeting and then they were off.

Atlanta Police Department had a motorcycle squad lead the Gold Rush Rally out of the parking deck and onto I-85 as they took off to the Atlanta Motorsports Park in Dawsonville, GA. Here the teams stretched out their legs as they laid the rubber down on a 6 week old track. First paraded by track instructors and then let off on their own the teams took their turns taking laps around the track. One of our insiders, Amanda Yu – of Atlanta, GA was having her first experience at a racetrack as well as riding along in cars that were designed for speed. This is what she had to say about the event. “It was very exciting to be able to experience how it feels to ride in one of these cars as they were intended to be driven and to do it at a place where they are able to show it off.” We were very proud of Amanda as we watched her suit up in one of Team AllStars for Sydney’s racing helmets and strapped in for what was later described as a roller coaster like event.

The cars then left as the temperatures rose. One by one they headed for Orlando, FL and we were left to watch and listen as the sounds of their exhausts permeated through the hillsides around the track. We hope to be able to cover this event again next year as they visit Atlanta and maybe even tag along for more legs.

What a truly extraordinary experience it was to be invited to cover the GoldRush Rally – Atlanta Leg. Driven Lifetyle Mag was linked to the event via Team AllStars for Sydney Slaughter. The husband and wife duo of Nico and Karen Figueroa in their Nissan GTR are close friends and team mates (www.TeamAllStars.com) to our very own, Tony Nguyen.
They were participating in the Gold Rush Rally while trying to promote the story of Sydney Slaughter. Sydney Slaughter is the daughter of Nico and Karen’s long time friends, Katrina and Kelley Slaughter. Sydney was born a healthy and normal girl, but as a young child she contracted a disease called Atypical-HUS and she requires a double (kidney & liver) transplant, as her own no longer properly function for her. She is 6 years old. Kelley is an active duty Naval Officer and has dedicated over 14 years to the service of this country; unfortunately, even the benefit of medical care from the military does not cover the cost of these crucial surgeries for Sydney. In short, there is an additional $60,000 associated with this procedure, again, all of which is not covered by military health care.

If you want to contribute please feel free to visit
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Slaughter/333827593328903

To review more photos : http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.349103791839136.81952.229479260468257&type=3

Road to the Championship - May 11-12 2012

Formula DRIFT returned to Road Atlanta – Braselton, GA this year as it always has since their Inaugural Event in 2004. Owned by Panoz Motorsports, the 2.54-mile, 12-turn track hosts multiple events throughout the year including FORMULA  DRIFT.

Round 2: Road to the Championship at Road Atlanta, was truly one of the most anticipated events in Atlanta for 2012. The event spread over 2 days, TWO DAYS  of DRIFTING ACTION and we had an inside scoop/perspective as Driven Lifestyle Mag was onsite and represented at the NOS Energy booth along Team International AllStars.

The AllStars, (Tony Nguyen, Bing Low, and Alex Farrington) all had their show cars on display at the NOS energy booth in the vendor/pit areas. This is where all of the spectators came in between the qualifying runs and competition. Vendor Lane, as it has commonly been referred to over the past years, is always filled with show cars, models, vendors handing out free swag, pit crews working on their drift machines, and it is also where you can find the drivers of these machines in between races. Spectators are given an up close and personal experience as they are encouraged to interact face to face to these celebrities to the scene whether it be getting an autograph, photo, or just chatting it up with the drivers and their crews.

At the end of the day, after all the dust, tire smoke, and exhaust fumes dissipated there were the top 3 podium finishers.

The winner of the event was Justin Pawlak in the Falken Tire Ford Racing RTR. Pawlak came in 2nd place overall last year in points standings so it was only a matter of time before he saw that podium finish. Paired with a brand new 2013 800+ horsepower Mustang powered by a Ford Racing/Roush Yates motor he muscled his way throughout the competition with ease.

In 2nd place was another newcomer. Joining the Drift scene in 2010, Fredric Aasbo of Norway, rocked the track in the Need For Speed Scion Tc. He was in one of the smallest cars in the field but lived up to his nickname “The Champ Killer”.

In 3rd place was a rookie by the name of Daigo Saito from Japan. Rocking a turbocharged 1000+ horsepower Lexus SC430 Roadster, Daigo shocked the fans and quickly lived up to his nickname “The Smoke Train.”

It was a very exciting weekend in Atlanta for all who attended. Congratulations to all of the competitors and their teams. Be on the watch as Formula Drift comes to a city near you on their 2012 tour.

To view more photos of this event visit:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.304456082970574.70611.229479260468257&type=3

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.304637262952456.70641.229479260468257&type=3

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.304651729617676.70643.229479260468257&type=3

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.304661946283321.70646.229479260468257&type=3

Once again, Blairsville, Georgia was alive with the sounds of bass as many cars and audio enthuisiasts from around the area gathered at the North Georgia Technical College Blairsville campus for the 727 Design’s Summer Showdown hosted by Zach Taylor.

Several audio teams showed up in force, including Boom Inc, Shut It Down Boyz & Girlz, and Team 727, with the man to beat at this show being Zack Taylor as he unveiled his newest set up. But all in all it was simply a day of great friends, great food, great competition and great fun.

The highlight of the day without a doubt was Zach Pope as he pushed his Tahoe to the limit and beyond, causing massive destruction to his windshield.

Summer Showdown and Zack Taylor would like to thank Rose Auto Accessories of Blairsville, Georgia, for their assistance with the awards. Thank You also  goes out to everyone who came out to the show and for making it the best show presented by 727 Design’s thus far. Zack and the entire crew look forward to having you join them at their next event coming soon.

SPL classes were broken down into truck, trunk, SUV, and modified.

Zach Pope 159.16

Christian Lowery 149.83

Jason Davis 147.95

Brandon McCarthy 147.94

Larry Tollman 146.44

Rob Davis 146.25

Ryan Varnadoe 145.14

Josh Carpenter 144.60

Michael Hook 143.32

Lisa Hook 143.20

Andrew Spann 140.60

Steven Pingel  140.47

David Kelly 140.06

Blake Brown 139.00

Grant Hyatt 138.41

Chad Wagner 138.13

Kyle Roberts 137.72

Josh Smith 134.20

Nathan Vogler 133.84

Branden Hartness 133.25

Dakota Carringer 132.99

Jay Raxter 129.38

I love my Chevy Tahoe. She’s got a few miles on her, but she’s reliable and roomy with lots of cup holders‚ what more could I ask from a ride? I found out at 6 in the morning on Mother’s Day, when my son was born in the front seat on the way to a birthing center in Sanford, Florida.

The excitement began to build about eight months ago, when we learned we were going to be parents again. After the baby shower, we loaded the Tahoe up with a baby crib, blankets, diapers, onesies, and twosies‚ -even threesies would have fit into that capacious interior! As we drove home across town, there was not a creak or groan of complaint from her suspension joints. Marvelous!

When our doctor hinted that Mommy might not have the birth she wished for, we opted for natural childbirth at a birthing center. We began attending 12 weeks of birthing classes and learning The Bradley Method. Our educator explained the entire process of birth carefully and even gave birth to a breached baby at home a few days after our classes were over. We wrote up a detailed birth plan for our labor and I was inspired to create a new website, NaturalBirthMom.com. We had detailed plans for Mother’s Day too: flowers and a special ceremonial lunch.

All those plans were upended just as Mother’s Day began. At 3 in the morning, Mommy woke me with whispered words, “Water’s broken, its time!” Shortly before 6, I called the midwife to report that Mommy just had a 9-minute contraction.

I was excited, but calm because of all I had learned from the birthing classes. At 6:15, as I was driving down the highway at 80 miles an hour Mommy said, “I feel him baby!” With one hand on the wheel, I caught my son as he emerged into the world and handed him to Mommy. She laid him on her chest, as I started to pull over, and said, “Don’t Stop. We’re fine!” When we arrived at the birthing center our midwives were anxiously waiting for us in the parking lot. Familiar faces reached in and swiftly clamped the umbilical cord, then handed me the scissors and let me have the honor from my drivers’ seat. I ran around the car to hold my son with two arms and they took Mommy inside in a wheelchair. After lots of “Oohs!” and “Aahs!” and a quick baby checkup, the Tahoe took us back home, where our shell-shocked but grinning family was waiting to greet the new arrival.

“Chevy runs deep”, is certainly true in our family! We will never forget the role it has played in our lives. Long after it has gone to car heaven, it will be immortalized in the story of how our son, Cash Ronan Taylor, came into this world. Chevy runs forever!

Welcome to the online edition of Driven Lifestyle Magazine, Volume 01 • Issue 01.

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