We're MINI owners, and comfortable with our manliness, right. Of course. Unless our neighbors get that '05 with the bigger rear wing . Well not to worry, we have your wing envy covered at Helix, along with your other needs for bling. We are introducing a line of carbon fiber products that includes body, performance and interior products. Go to the interior/exterior section of www.helix13.com for the first products, and stay tuned for future stuff, including CF seats, and a CF version of the popular helix intake.

We have introduced a host of other products on the site to enhance your driving experience, and will be rolling out more this fall. Look for the Tyrol Sport brake stiffening kits in the brake section. They replace the spongy rubber bushings with CNC machined brass bushings, giving a crisper pedal feel.

Although we try to avoid the sell-every-brand-that's-out-there business mold, after installing Milltek exhausts, we knew that we needed to add them to our product list. We hare happy to carry and stock Milltek headers, cat-back exhausts, and Cooper exhausts. Milltek has a nice midpoint sound between the Borla Street and Race, and as always, it carries a lifetime warranty. The shop installation is 1 hour ($75 plus tax) if you are anywhere near Philly.

We also have been selling the CG lock seat belt cinching device: a breakthrough for the autocrosser or track eventer that doesn't want to drill holes in their car for harnesses. It essentially immobilizes the the lap portion of the seatbelt so you don't slide off your seat under hard cornering. You then can release it with the flip of a lever for normal seatbelt use. It's very clever, and cheap ($39.95).

Speaking of autocrossing, we are happy to announce that the Helix13/Sirius radio MINI Cooper S of Mark Chiles won the Autocross National Championship for 2005. He took top honors in Topeka last weekend. This is the second Helix built car that he has won a national Solo 2 title: the first time was in a Cooper, two years ago. His co-driver, Philly's own Jeff Jacobs was also in the trophies with a twelvth for the weekend. Next year is his.

Finally, for you east-coasters, there's a good event Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of October, called Octcooperfest. This will be the third year of it and it's a great time. Saturday is a very relaxed instructional autocross (great for those who have never done anything like it), and Sunday is a Show with tons of entertainment. It's in Bridgwater, NJ and well worth the trip. We'll be there with our dog-n-pony show, and this year I'm bringing the BBQ Saturday.