In 2008, as The StraightLineModeler enters its tenth year of existence, it seems important to reiterate just what we're all about. Simply put, we are a group dedicated to the construction of scale Drag Race, Dry Lakes and Bonneville/Land Speed Record racing replicas. While our focus is on the three aforementioned aspects of motorsports, simly because they are the most prevalent forms of StraightLine racing, ocassionally, you'll see other vehicles that fall under the StraightLine racing umbrella such as pullers, drag boats, mud boggers and sand draggers.

By definition, a replica is a duplication of an actual object. By extension, the term scale replica implies a smaller version of the same thing. At the risk of alienating some of our membership, all too frequently we see models that don't meet the criteria put forth by that definition. Also be aware that, in this instance, the term replica isn't used to exclusively denote replicas of actual cars, but proper representations of vehicles that could have been. While there is certainly a place within our hobby for models that are good enough, the purpose of this website is to promote excellence within our hobby. This website is about promoting elitism. If that ruffles some feathers, so be it. In the song Grand Designs, Rush's Neil Peart wrote "So much style without substance; So much stuff without style; It's hard to recognize the real thing; It comes along once in a while". In 2008, let's all strive toward that substance, toward excellence. That's what it's going to take to see your creation on these pages, and we hope that each and every one of our members would indeed like to see their own model featured within these pages.

We're working hard to produce a website that is loaded with valuable references for StraightLine modelers. We're working just as hard to make it easier to navigate, and to make it look good. Excellence requires a melding of substance and style. Excellence is about challenging yourself. It is about pushing the limits of one's own ability. In 2008, we'll push to bring you more ways to help in your drive toward becoming a better modeler. We'll bring you more how-tos, more reference and more excellent scale replicas. Here's hoping that yours will be among them!...Dan Himmel (SLM's Dictator For Life)