Message from HotVWs' New and Previous Owners

Good Morning all VW Friends all over the World.
We have a 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔.

𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐕𝐖𝐬’ 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 : 𝐀 𝐒𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
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 “hand over the keys” 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.

𝐀 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐤𝐚𝐢, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐕𝐖𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐞:

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.

𝐀 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐲, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐕𝐖𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐞:

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.

Shin Mukai & Tom Kinney
Dune Buggies & Hot VWs Magazine