ย
Good Morning all VW Friends all over the World.
We have a ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐.
๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐
๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ฌโ ๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐ฐ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ : ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐จ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฐ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Read on, to find out more about an important transition regarding the ownership of Dune Buggies and hotVWs magazine! As the previous owner, Shin Mukai, will โhand over the keysโ to the new owner, Tom Kinney, we wish to share details of this ownership change and express our gratitude for your continued support.
We would like to inform our valued subscribers that no action is required on your part regarding your subscription account. Your account will remain unchanged, and no modifications will be made. You can continue to enjoy reading our Dune Buggies and HotVWs Magazine without any interruptions.
Thank you for your continued support.
ย
๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ค๐๐ข, ๐๐ก๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฐ๐ง๐๐ซ ๐๐ ๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ณ๐ข๐ง๐:
In April 2017, I assumed ownership of hotVWs magazine from the previous owner, Judy Wright of Wright Publishing. Since the May 2017 issue, I have been responsible for publishing and managing hotVWs magazine, with the invaluable support of our dedicated staff, loyal readers, advertisers, friends, and passionate Volkswagen enthusiasts. Together, we have successfully produced 75 issues, spanning from May 2017 to the August 2023 edition. Regrettably, due to my health issues, I must relinquish my role as the owner at the end of June.
I have a cardiac disease, and 22 years ago, I experienced my first heart attack during a return flight to Japan after a PRA drag race in California. Upon landing in Japan, I was swiftly taken from the airport to the emergency room where I underwent immediate surgery. Ever since that incident, I have been diligently attending medical check-ups. However, last year I underwent four stent surgeries, and my doctor advised me to limit my air travel.
Due to the potential negative impact of air pressure changes in planes, I am no longer able to travel between California and Japan back and forth as I used to before the COVID-19 pandemic.
In our pursuit of finding a suitable new owner to ensure the ongoing success of hotVWs magazine, the name Tom Kinney surfaced. We sought a potential new owner who possesses a genuine love for Volkswagens rather than a solely business-oriented individual. Tom, a Volkswagen drag racer, Volkswagen collector, and Volkswagen enthusiast, embodies these qualities, making him an ideal owner for hotVWs magazine. Tom will assume ownership of hotVWs magazine starting in July 2023.
The dedicated team, including Shin Watanabe, Sandy Morris, Eddy Collins, Stephan Szantai, Jack Wright, Jeffery Hicken, and our valued contributors, will continue their unwavering commitment to the success of hotVWs magazine without any changes. We kindly request your ongoing support for hotVWs magazine.
As for myself, I will persist in supporting and promoting hotVWs from Japan. I am immensely grateful for your support over the past six years.
ย
๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ง๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐ฐ๐ง๐๐ซ ๐๐ ๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ณ๐ข๐ง๐:
We are pleased to announce that hotVWs magazine is now under new solo ownership and is being operated by TK Motorsports, Orange County International (OCI) Media. It is my privilege to introduce myself to those who may not be familiar with me. I am Tom Kinney, a devoted enthusiast of the VW scene for over four decades. Throughout my journey, I have engaged in VW drag racing and established a remarkable collection of over 20 VW vehicles. The passion for VWs has been deeply ingrained in me since before obtaining my driver's license. Growing up in Hawaii, I idolized the seasoned individuals who navigated the streets in their lowered VWs, aspiring for the day when I could embrace the wheel of my very own VW.
From the early days of my VW journey, my fascination with these iconic vehicles took root. My first VW, a 1963 Ragtop, became a canvas for my passion. I meticulously restored its bodywork, adorning it with Porsche red paint and embellishing it with WKK Silva pinstripes and lettering. With a meticulously crafted interior, Centerline rims, and a small 1776cc motor, I proudly christened the car "Poetry in Motion". Little did I know then that this would mark the beginning of a lifelong dedication to VWs.
Subsequently, I relocated to California, started a family, and delved further into my VW endeavors. I ventured into establishing an Auto Body and Paint business alongside a Towing service, all while continually building and customizing VWs. Throughout this journey, I have been incredibly fortunate to forge lasting friendships, united by our shared passion for VWs.
During one of our VW drag race events in Medford, Oregon, I had the pleasure of crossing paths with Shin Watanabe, the Associate Publisher and Editor of hotVWs magazine. Shin's unwavering commitment and dedication to representing the magazine impressed me greatly. I vividly recall his presence from the early morning hours until our departure late in the evening, diligently capturing every moment through his lens. Over the course of three days, I can only imagine the multitude of photographs and videos he amassed. I maintained contact with Shin, and he consistently spoke of the profound sense of Aloha Spirit he experienced at our event. To us, everyone is family, and extending an invitation to share a meal at one's home symbolizes our deep-rooted love and respect for others. This embodies the true essence of the Aloha Spirit.
As thoughts of retirement and embarking on travels with my wife began to occupy my mind, I unexpectedly received a phone call from Shin Watanabe that would alter the course of my life. It was an offer of a lifetime: the opportunity to assume ownership of hotVWs magazine, a venture Shin Mukai, the former owner, wished to entrust to someone capable of maintaining his legacy. I was profoundly honored to be chosen, a testament to the trust Shin placed in me.
From my teenage years, I can vividly recall eagerly filling out the subscription card for hotVWs magazine, yearning for my very own copy. To this day, it remains my favorite publication, with each new issue eagerly anticipated. Never could I have fathomed that destiny would grant me the privilege of becoming the owner of my beloved magazine.
Thrilled with boundless excitement, I am determined to steer this extraordinary publication to new heights. My vision for hotVWs encompasses not only expanding our merchandise offerings for VW enthusiasts but also striving to cover a broader spectrum of events across the United States and potentially around the world. I am acutely aware of the invaluable contributions made by our exceptional team of employees and contributors, whom I regard as the dream team. I pledge to nurture these relationships and ensure their continued success.
With immense gratitude, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all those who have supported hotVWs magazine throughout the years. Together, we embark on an exciting new chapter, and I wholeheartedly invite you to join us on this remarkable journey.
ย
Shin Mukai & Tom Kinney
Dune Buggies & Hot VWs Magazine
5 comments
Tom,
Love your hotVWs fresh-start transition taleโโโ but hey, thereโs plenty of time for retired travel w/the wifeโโโ more important now is whoโs going to carry the torch for VW?โโโ something you know better than anyone.
Your stories stoke that fireโฆ your Brands are mutually global so in pitching themโโ thereโs your travel planโฆ just pack up the wife and that Aloha Spirit and goโโ b/c you already own the best of both worlds.
It was that Aloha Spirit in the form of a fringe-topped, 4-place beach buggy on an unshortened platform rented from the hotel garage that fueled our Hawaiian Honeymoon more than 50 years agoโโโ and look what it led to the moment we got back to the mainland.
A best friend & fellow designer last evening emailed me about your 8-page spread on The Brubaker Boxโโโ which he says includes a hyper-rare pic of me in a coat and tie! What are the chances I can get some copies of THAT to pass out to family over Thanksgiving Dinner?
Regardless, consider your invitation accepted! โโโ sign us ON for your remarkable journeyโฆ weโll keep you guys up on new things here and help keep the Vdub flame burning the way it was intendedโฆ HOT!
Curt Brubaker
Dear Shin and Tom, God Bless You Both! You have inspired many generations of VW owners with your great coverage of all things VW! Iโm 74 years old and bought my first VW at 18 YO (1963 Notchback) and Iโve owned over 50 VWโs and now still have 2 buses and 2 bugs! I subscribe to about 10-12 car magazines, but really look forward to Hot VWโs the most, MS
Dear Shin and Tom, God Bless You Both! You have inspired many generations of VW owners with your great coverage of all things VW! Iโm 74 years old and bought my first VW at 18 YO (1963 Notchback) and Iโve owned over 50 VWโs and now still have 2 buses and 2 bugs! I subscribe to about 10-12 car magazines, but really look forward to Hot VWโs the most, MS