April 2002  Spring is here, Get ready to race!
   
You know that feeling when the long winter weather finally breaks?  Like the last day of school back in fifth grade.  You spend six months just gritting you teeth and bearing the cold and slop, then all of a sudden the warmth returns in an instant... At once it's the smell of gasoline and fresh cut grass, late evenings in the garage with bugs flying around the driveway light, new rubber on the car, barbeque and cold drinks that sweat... Everything is right again.  That's the best way I can describe the feeling we've got here at FFR.  Everything is right with the Factory Five World.  The Shelby lawsuit is over and we won on our terms.  Our new Mark II evolution roadster is finally in production and other new products are coming out of R& D at a feverish pace.  
The concept of doing something better every day has made a huge difference over the months and years.  We have completed our move into a new 26,000 sq. ft. building and in manufacturing we've not only increased our output, we've changed our processes to improve quality and efficiency.  A new computer network is allowing us to track customer orders more closely and deliver parts faster.  We've made additions to our team in some critical areas and enjoy real depth in every department.  We finished 2001 with over 40 employees and have recently shipped our 2500th roadster kit!  Most importantly we are doing a better job than ever at listening to, and taking care of, our customers.  This year we have returned to shows, events, and races with renewed passion, spending time catching up with old friends and making new ones.  As we look ahead, our commitment to you is stronger than ever.  The future is so bright we've got to wear welding masks.  

Mark and Dave Smith