Hey Everyone,

So the RTM Racing website has been down for quite some time, and there is talk on Tuners that Ziggy has stepped in to take the company over once again?

Not really interested in the gossip or hearsay, just wondering if there is any actual news regarding RTM, and when we can expect things to be back to business as usual?

Thanks,

Garret.

I was wondering when someone would ask, lol.

OK, for starters, selling the business to Abbas was a HUGE mistake. He was a good talker, but full of BS. I held a note (like a mortgage) as I did not get paid in full when I sold the business. One of the conditions of the sale was that if he defaults, ownership reverts to me, and that is where we are at now. I could go on and on about how badly he ran things down, but I think everyone already has some idea of that.

Ownership of the business reverted back to me on Sept. 10 at 5:00pm, which is when I closed the webstore. All the remaining inventory is still in Pickering. Abbas allegedly stole a shitload of expensive items in the final 24 hours, so you MIGHT see some good deals coming up on Kijiji. Please keep in mind police have been notified what is missing, and I suggest being careful about purchasing stolen goods. Abbas kept no books, no inventory records, so it is a holy mess.

In any case, I am currently in negotiations with a third party who MIGHT be buying what is left of the business. Most of you can guess who that is, and if he buys it, the business will re-open under another name. I can't speak for him, and have no idea when he would re-open the store.

Otherwise, I will move forward with re-opening, but it will take some time. There is an unimaginable amount of work that needs to be done to get to the point where I can re-open the store. I would expect AT LEAST 5-6 weeks before I would be ready to re-open. I could conceivably start taking special orders a little earlier, but that remains to be seen.

I have spent the last week processing data and making some preparations towards re-opening the store. Abbas did not keep up with current pricing, and most of what I have processed so far was way over priced, which helps explain his failure.

The decision as to whether the store is being sold to the third party, or whether I will be proceeding should be made by this weekend, and COULD be made by as early as tonight. I will update when I know more.

Deep inside i always wanted for you to have and continue this business. Ziggy and RTM grew on me since the beginning and both are not separable IMO
Good luck!

Sadly enough, Abbas did run the business to the ground and I think everyone is aware of that. I did have some interest in buying it out but it looks like after careful consideration it just makes more sense if Ziggy gets RTM back up and running again with the supreme service that he offered for over 15 years. That is what RTM Racing was about and I think everyone will be excited knowing that it will be run by Ziggy again. Up until recently I think people were not even buying anything from RTM knowing the service that they would receive from Abbas. I think that will immediately change once Ziggy gets it going again. I'm pretty excited actually that things are turning around for a GOOD change.

OK, there is the answer. Ziggy and Paul will be running RTM Racing again.

It will take a little while, as there is a LOT we need to do: rent a shop, gather a crew, rent a truck, move the inventory, possibly fixup and paint the shop, buy and assemble tons of shelving, get a desk and file cabinet, count every little piece of inventory to have a new starting point, organize everything onto shelving, determine the value of each item, enter all that data into the books, determine current selling prices (I have already found ACT clutches were priced around $60. too high, and Manley pistons were around $100. too high), re-establish all my wholesale accounts, update the webstore, and THEN open for business.

Expect 5-6 weeks. I plan to put an explanation on the front page of the store, and will update there to keep everyone informed.

Stock Southbend Drag clutch 3 please Glad you're back!

Will be talking to you shortly for some ideas.

There are a ton of Southbend clutches in stock in Pickering, but I don't know exactly what or current pricing. Once I have inventory local to me again I can entertain requests like this, just don't hit me with a list of 10 small items.

Sad but great to hear Ziggy! I am sure you will see lots of people excited!!
Are you going to announce on facebook or do you want one of us to do it (I can if you like!)

I had some stuff I was looking to get but not in a huge rush, nor is my build :D, so will wait till your back up and running.

I was planning to "learn facebook" just before I sold, but right now my hands are full with other stuff. If you could post something for me that would be great.
I am planning to change the front page of the store so that instead of seeing the silly little padlock and "store is closed" notice, there will be a writeup of what is going on that I can update periodically.

Haha no problem!
It has been posted!

Just realized I forgot to ask!
Where will the new shop be, and are you going to be doing some machining?

New shop will be in the Stoney Creek / Hamilton area. It will be reasonably close to the highway.

Machining.....not sure yet. Most of my machines are gone, I only have the CNC mill. Also, I HAD wanted to retire. I am going to be counting on Paul to do most of the physical work, so not sure how much time will be left for machining, but we can look at that on a case by case basis.

MOST of the stuff I machined in past I still have good inventory on. Since Abbas never sold anything, he never bought the parts from me.

Oh perfect!! Will be little closer for us!

Fair enough.

Haha true!!

I think we all saw this coming. I have mixed emotions though Ziggy.
From our chats at shootout, I know you were enjoying the retired life but I am very excited to have hopes of RTM going back to the great service you offered. I have found it hard to find a decent Canadian shop that can offer the products we need. My passion for my car is not the same as when you ran the show!

Hoping for the best for you and Paul. I will wait (im)patiently for the grand reopening.

Thanks Jamie.

While it will be a TON of work at the beginning, Paul and I had the business running like a well oiled machine. I am hoping once we get everything back to that point, I will be able to be "semi retired", with Paul doing most of the work. I am figuring I will still be able to take the odd vacation, and it might mean no special orders for a week or two or even three, but it WON'T mean nobody even checking orders while the owner is sunning himself in Florida and no-one was even told he would be gone, lol.

Great news, welcome back Ziggy

Welcome back Ziggy...

Thank piss. I stopped buying there completely. sh!t service from Abbas, crap prices and wayyyy too far. I've ordered stuff through Satan for cheaper than what he was advertising. Glad to have you back, and much closer too. 25 min from home I am extremely excited to continue being your customer once you're back up and running.

Believe it or not, I got parts quicker from other suppliers than from Abbas giving me the run around when we had the parts right here in my unit.

I'm looking forward to the next day delivery I was used to when Ziggy ran the business

I will do my best not to disappoint. We have been busy assembling shelving, and we still only have half our unit. The former tenant promised to be out by the weekend, but I have seen no signs of them moving .

The unit was used as a clubhouse for a bike club. I think they figure they can just stay there forever, but I will be going after the landlord on Tuesday to bring a dumpster and a crew...

Tuesday the movers are supposed to deliver the balance of the inventory.....and in addition to needing places to put stuff, we need to count EVERYTHING. I am amazed how many empty bins and baggies there are, we will be out of stock on a lot of stuff for the first while...but we will eventually get it back to where it should be.

Yay. Charlie needs parts.

I guess I should have posted here....thought I did. Store has been open since Nov. 13, but we are still slowly getting re-stocked on stuff.

my first order since RTM re-opening is placed

And it is packaged up, ready to ship.

Fast shipping is back

Yup i can confirm about the fast shipping, I made an order a few days ago, I kind of messed Ziggy up with it too. Told him I'd pick it up and then had to cancel and have it shipped instead. It was still on my porch two days later in Brampton. Thanks again guys..

Haha.. Brampton, you're lucky it's still there with these Porch pirates! LOL....

I know what you mean, always have to keep a close eye on my tracking so I know when its delivered.

Yep lol Brampton sucks

I would think that crime would be low with your very own batman

Haha... Batman has gone into hiding!