Invitation

[Steve Ball]

Hey ya'll. I'm posting this to network some new Import Heads in the area. I'm Steve Ball, creater of Motive R. The team is about 8 years old, but hasn't been active over the last 5 years. I'm going to bring it back to life.

Let me start with some history. I've been into the Import scene since 1999. I started out with an '88 Honda Accord. At the time, all I could do to it was an universal muffler and wheels. After a year of that and seeing what was hot at the time, in 2000 I bought a '94 Civic EX. I spent 2 years and $25K on that car, most of it was to fix the stuff I broke. With that Civic, I found My Style of customization. I found I liked the flash of something different, but nothing wild. In otherwords, JDM is my style. In Feb 2001, Motive R debuted in Hickory, NC against all the other established Import teams. There was no rivalry. I made sure the other teams know we were all just guys and gals into the same thing. Motive R started out with just a few friends. Myself, Jason B., John H., and Steve H. Steve H was a gear head from way back. He worked for a performance shop in Gastonia and know alot about one off customizing. Steve also hooked us up with a graphic shop, thus Motive R got it's banners. Jason and John were friends back before they were able to drive. Me, I just had the desire to do something cool and the gift for design. I drew up the first Motive R design at work one night and it took off. We all know it was something special to us, but didn't know that it would get the respect that followed. In the course of a few months the team went from four friends into double digits. I didn't want to be the overbearing leader or account member dues. I just wanted to hang out with cool people and cool cars. By the end of summer 2001, the team felt the stress. I don't know if it was lack of committment or organization. The team lost intrest. Childish bickering among members. But Motive R was my baby. In Dec of 2001 my Civic was stolen. A week earlier, a member's car was stolen. It seemed it all ran it's course. I swore off ever doing it again. But it haunted me. I ended up buy'n a '95 del Sol from a former member. I began to customize it to my liking and actually planted in seen in a few young drivers. I sold the del Sol and bought a '91 Civic Si hatchback. In Oct of 2003, I found myself completely overwhelmed with being laidoff from a job and broke. I had to find myself again and let everything else go. I left North Carolina. I moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was like I stepped back in time. I had the chance to do it all over again. This time there were people that really wanted to know about the Import scene. They had nothing. I met some cool people. Matt D., CW, Ray P., and few others that I can't remember their names, sorry. Matt, CW, and Ray all are into Neons. So I did what I could. I thought I could have a team in AR and have Jason and John hold down the Hickory team. Neither happened. In 2005 I sold my hatchback. I kinda fell off. Day to day life took its toll. Not enought money, not enough time. But I've always kept it in sight. I finally made up my mind. I need to get back to Hickory, NC. I moved back to NC on Dec 17th, 2008. I bought a '98 Acura Integra in March. Now I'm recruiting a few people to the new Motive R Conceptz. I have a few people that are already in, but there are still minor things to iron out. Its almost like I'm starting from scratch. I've designed a new banner. I have ideas for t-shirts and team jackets. On top of that, I have plans for the Integra.