A mere 6 hours away from the STANCE|WORKS headquarters lies one of the most well-known race tracks in the world. The (Mazda) Laguna Seca Raceway has been lapped time and time again by nearly every PlayStation and X-Box owning gearhead on the planet, yet the opportunity to experience the circuit first hand is little more than a distant wish for most of us.

When posed with the question “what makes a cool car?”, it’s impossible for us to answer. A seemingly endless number of combinations between makes, models, engines, and parts can craft a list of cars we could only build in our dreams. It’s expected that the cars that come immediately to mind are those we’re most familiar with; perhaps an extravagant Ferrari, or something more attainable, such as a Toyota Supra, or an Audi S4.

In our first step forward to tie together our own world with the world of motorsports, and to bring driver and enthusiast together, Ryan Tuerck and the Retaks S13 mark the first of our Driver Profiles. As the #1 qualifier at the first round of Formula Drift, and as many will tell you, “the one to watch out for in 2012″, Ryan’s story of “big guy gone small” resonates with the grassroots weekend warrior inside us all.

STANCE|WORKS continues to grow as an international power in the realm of automotive media, and our reach extends across the globe. Sometimes, we’re given the opportunity inspire some of the more surprising nooks and crannies of the car scene, however, even more special to us is the opportunity to support those who do the same for us.

Having made a serious name for himself with his previous build, a black-on-black Lexus SC, Milt Salamanca has been putting fender strength to the test for years now. Touting the license plate “SCWEET 1″, the car was notoriously broad in the shoulders, sporting a widebody capable of fitting what seemed like a dually rear end underneath it. However, as everyone learns one way or another, all good things come to an end.