A lowrider (sometimes low rider) is an automobile or other vehicle modified so that its ground clearance is less than its design specification. This can be accomplished by substituting tires with a smaller outer diameter or through more extensive modifications based on desired aesthetics or performance, such as altering the vehicle's aerodynamics, lowering its center of gravity, or changing the effective gear ratios of the drivetrain. The term "lowrider" can refer to both the vehicle and its owner or operator; the verb form "lowriding" can likewise refer to the process of modifying a vehicle in this manner, or to its operation.

Description of the subculture

There is no definitive date or location for the origin of lowriders, but likely began in the Mexican-American Barrios of Los Angeles California in the mid-to-late 1940s and during the post-war prosperity of the 1950s. Initially, some youths would place sandbags in the trunk of their customized cars in order to create a lowered effect. This method was replaced by lowering blocks, cut spring coils, z’ed frames and drop spindles. The aim of the lowriders is to cruise as slowly as possible, "Low and Slow" being their motto. By redesigning these cars in ways that go against their intended purposes and in painting their cars so that they reflect and hold meanings from Latin culture, lowriders create cultural and political statements that go against the more prevalent Anglo culture. The design of the cars encouraged a "bi-focal perspective-they are made to be watched but only after adjustments have been made to provide ironic and playful commentary on prevailing standard of automobile design." However, this resulted in a backlash: The enactment of Section 24008 of the California Vehicle Code in January 1, 1958, which made it illegal to operate any car modified so that any part was lower than the bottoms of its wheel rims.

Lowrider is an American automobile magazine, focusing almost exclusively on the style known as a lowrider. It first appeared in 1977, produced out of San Jose, California, by a trio of San Jose State students. As of 2007, it is published out of Anaheim, California, and part of TEN: The Enthusiast Network (formerly Source Interlink Media).

Lowrider focuses on all aspects of lowrider culture, from cars to music and fashion. It also covers political and cultural issues related to Chicanos, and funds an annual scholarship program. The magazine has also released a series of music videos through their label, Thump Records.

Lowrider's monthly circulation is about 50,000, but the magazine sells more newsstand copies than any other U.S. car magazine — probably due in large part to the bikini-clad women featured on the cover every issue. (In 2000, the magazine's monthly circulation was more than 200,000.)

History

Lowrider was founded in the mid-1970s by San Jose State students Larry Gonzalez, Sonny Madrid, and David Nunez, "who sought to present a voice for the Chicano community in the Bay Area." The first issue debuted in January 1977. Essentially self-distributed, the magazine struggled until the November 1979 issue, when it began pairing bikini-clad women with lowriders on the cover each issue. During this time, it also featured cartoonist David Gonzales' monthly comic strip The Adventures of Hollywood, which eventually morphed into the Homies line of toy figurines. Even so, after being taken over by its printer, Lowrider folded in December 1985.

Lowrider is a Swedish stoner rock band, formed in the mid-1990s by bassist/singer Peder Bergstrand and lead guitarist/singer Ole Hellquist, along with guitarist Niclas Stalfors and drummer Andreas Eriksson.

Lowrider released the Nebula/Lowrider Double EP in 1999 together with ambassadors of psychedelic stoner rock, Nebula, who had just come into existence after their members departed from Fu Manchu. The EP was released in time for the beginning of Lowrider's European tour in 2000, when they played fourteen venues in eight different countries, co-headlining with Dozer and once with Spiritual Beggars . Their debut album Ode to Io was released the same year and unleashed a controversy regarding their musical influences. Opinion in the media was divided, as although they gained critical praise from some (hailed as "Sweden's answer to all that is rocky, funky, gritty and downright rock n' roll." by Critical Metal), others dismissed them, with the ever-influential Kerrang! awarding them the "Most Convincing Kyuss Clones Award" ().

"Going!" is the twelfth single by Japanese boy band KAT-TUN. It was released on May 12, 2010 by their record label J-One Records. The title track is was used as the theme song for the Nippon Television TV Show, Going! Sports & News, which is co-hosted by member Kazuya Kamenashi.

Single information

Twelfth single release from KAT-TUN including the song "Going!," theme song of a Japanese TV program, "Going! Sports & News." Regular edition includes a bonus track "Fall Down" and two karaoke tracks. Limited edition A includes a bonus track "Smile" and a bonus DVD with a music video and making-of footage of the single. Limited edition B includes two bonus tracks "I don't miss U" (Koki Tanaka solo) and "Answer" (Yuichi Nakamaru solo). Features alternate jacket artwork.

Chart performance

In its first week of its release, the single topped the Oricon singles chart, reportedly selling 230,452 copies. KAT-TUN gained their twelfth consecutive number one single on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart since their debut and continued to hold the second most consecutive number one singles since debut with fellow Johnny's group, NEWS.

Going may refer to:

See also

Going (UK), track condition (US) or track rating (AUS) are the terms used to describe the track surface of a horse racing track prior to a horse race or race meet. The going is determined by the amount of moisture in the ground and is assessed by an official steward on the day of the race.

The condition of a race track plays an important role in the performance of horses in a race. The factors that go into determining race track condition include the surface conditions, type of surface, and track configuration. The surface conditions are influenced by the type of surface factoring in soil type, and if the track is dirt, turf, artificial surface; plus surface density, porosity, compaction and moisture content.

Australia

Prior to a race meeting, an inspection of the racecourse’s surface is conducted by officials. This process consists of a visual inspection and the use of a tool called a penetrometer which measures the soil’s resistance to penetration. The inspection is conducted before the meeting to allow publication of the track rating for the benefit of punters and trainers. In the case of rain prior to a meeting, a much earlier inspection will be made to permit an early decision as to whether the meeting can proceed, before travelling horses depart for the meeting.