Webster Dictionary:
'champion' noun \cham-pe-an\: a winner of first prize or first place in competition; also one who shows marked superiority.
Steeda Dictionary:
'champion' proper noun; Jim Edwards - a racer that won the 2012 NASA - SE Region Championship driving a Steeda Certified Shelby GT and finished every race this season on the podium.....
The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) was formed to deliver high quality motorsports events to enthusiasts at major racing venues throughout the nation. NASA has created programs that allow owners of both racecars and high-performance street-driven vehicles to enjoy the full performance capabilities of their cars at key racetracks and venues across the U.S.A. For the 2012 Season, the Champion in the SE Region is non-other than Jim Edwards - a 65 year old retired Army Captain and Vietnam Veteran that drove his Steeda Certified Mustang to a total of 13 events - always finishing on the podium - and winning the overall Championship. Not too bad for a street-legal, 3400-plus pound car with air conditioning, stereo, power leather seats and all the amenities one would find in any other high-end Mustang.
Jim who is enthusiastic about performance vehicles and racing comments: "I began my racing career with a desire to participate actively in road racing...wanting to be really competitive.... it is just my nature. While I began with a really good platform in the shape of the Shelby GT, I knew that in order to consistently win and be a champion, I would have to seriously take it up a notch or two to have an edge against the competition".
Jim stated that the first thing he did was to initiate a dialogue with the Steeda Team, seeking advice on how to make the S197 platform perform to its maximum potential. With Glen Vitale and Gus Irizarry providing guidance, the Shelby GT began a transformation into a hardcore 2007 Steeda Certified Q350 that would be not only suited for the track, but also could serve as a daily driver without the annoying ride or abusive NVH that so many other modified vehicles have.
Improvements made to his stock car include, but are not limited to Steeda competition springs, Steeda sway bars, adjustable panhard bar, bumpsteer kit, adjustable lower control arms, one-piece aluminum driveshaft, racing clutch and as many Steeda billet brackets and attachment points as possible. Jim added; " I even consulted with Steeda on the perfect tire and wheel alignment needed to maximize road grip on the various tracks that I be competing on. They insisted that the tire I should be using should be the Nitto NT01, because these tires were of the highest quality and offered the best grip and track compliance that they have ever tested. There is no doubt in my mind that the Steeda Team provided me the winning combination of performance parts and insight that turned the Shelby GT into a champion, and for that I am forever grateful."
Dario Orlando, President Steeda Autosports added: "The entire Team at Steeda Autosports salutes Jim Edwards for his outstanding accomplishments this past season...his record is remarkable ! In addition, I want to thank him for trusting us with the performance modifications and insight we provided him."
Steeda - Speed Matters