Page 5 - Issue 41

(My Last) Editor’s Notes

When we started, rat rodders were generally considered This journey has
castouts. I was blasted immediately - shunned from events, told been epic – but
to “go f**k myself” over and over again, and even threatened and it doesn’t end
here. Jerry has
harassed – all because I started a magazine and fell in love with rat already been an
rod culture. I’m not gonna lie – those were some tough times. It’s important part of
hard enough navigating an automotive market where you either the magazine and
you’re going to
fall in line with a clique or you get squeezed out – but to fi ght love him as editor.
through the paradigms of an old-fashioned, dog-eat-dog magazine
industry has at times beat me to a pulp. T his magazine was born
during the recession… we started out fi ghting for every inch, and
we’ve persevered. The magazine is rooted deep in struggle and
that’s what has made us resilient.
Don’t take my refl ection as regret – because I wouldn’t change
a thing. The harder the fi ght, the more rewarding the success – and
we’ve watched so many detractors fade away. (look who’s laughing
now?!) We’ve knocked down so many walls, and conquered so
many roads. But most importantly – we’ve connected people, all
over the world, and accomplished what we set out to do in the fi rst
place: give rat rodders their own place on the newsstand, and in the
mainstream world.
By this issue, I’ve left my mark on over 3500 pages of magazine
mayhem, and I couldn’t be more proud of what I’ve been a part
of. This team, this community; amazing. The magazine is going to
continue with a vengeance… fearless publishing, a dedication to the
rat rod community, and a fl air for the unconventional. That was Rat
Rod Magazine in 2010, and that’s Rat Rod Magazine now.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time as your editor – THANK YOU for
that. A piece of me will always be “Editor Steve” even if I’m wearing
a different hat. (Creative Director Steve isn’t nearly as catchy) I may
no longer be the acting Editor here, but my mission hasn’t changed
and neither has my vision – and rest assured I’ll be fi ghting for rat
rod culture along with Jerry, Craig, Rick, Jeremy and all the other
awesome people involved with this magazine. RAT ON
- Steve

RATRODMAGAZINE.COM RAT ROD MAGAZINE 5

4x5 EdNote.indd 5 12/12/16 6:52 AM