V&R Turns 15!

After navigating through the challenges that the past 12-plus months threw at us, it’s time to mark a significant milestone…

This year marks Victory & Reseda’s 15th anniversary. 

It is indeed worth celebrating. At the same time, it is also a prompt to get busy on ensuring the future of this site and YouTube channel through the work we’re doing currently. It is also a cue for us to reflect and plan at the same time. 

To know its future, you must know its past. It starts with a story about turning an interest in automobiles into a website full of stories about them. 

The website is just one part of V&R. It produces videos, engaging readers and social media followers, create experiences, and pursue stories that pertain to your interests. 

How did it start? In 2011, a decision was made to convert a multiple subject blog into V&R. The real prompt towards doing so came at the Twin Cities Auto Show in March of that year. A meeting with Chrysler’s regional communications person turned into a meeting with Toyota’s regional communications person. The result is the first vehicle supplied by an OEM to arrive for evaluation and editorial purposes. That 2011 Lexus IS 250C would launch hundreds of reviews read by you across several platforms. 

A year later, Chrysler would send Randy to Austin, Texas for our first vehicle media drive ever. The 2013 Dodge Dart was supposed to be the result of the marriage of Chrysler with Fiat S.p.A. spawning to turn the company into a global powerhouse. Except, it was not a Jeep – but a Jeep would eventually be built off this same platform. The larger fact was to solidify new connections with colleagues and manufacturer contacts – which those relationships are still strong, despite our work demands. 

Eventually, we would become members of the Midwest Automotive Media Association. In fact, we’re still standing members of this media organization. Over the years, they provided a host of opportunities for new levels of vehicular engagement. Our annual Spring Rally would take us to Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. That venue alone offered many opportunities to take to its superb road course, autocross on its karting track, go off-road in the woods, and drive along its countryside in everything from inexpensive basic transportation to Rolls-Royces. We learned a lot about track work and off-roading there. You don’t forget what you learned over time. 

Our signature annual piece of work is the #VOTY – our Vehicle of The Year award. It demonstrates how a small media outlet can join in presenting the multitude of accolades presented to the automotive industry naming a single vehicle as the year’s best. It also prompts you to help select the year’s winner, too! The process of #VOTY would eventually turn into an actual presentation of the award to the worthy winner. It is a feel-good moment for all parties concerned. 

For the past 15 years, we were on your radar. We began to work with tools towards highlighting the products you see on these pages. We became relevant, as we went deeper into the work. That included telling histories, making observations of the industry, talking about travel and transportation alternatives, illuminating various infotainment content, sharing relevant things about our lives, and so much more.

In turn, you invited us to car meets, media drives, auto shows, and other related events. You recognized us as a supplier of content and a brain to pick over.

The good news is that we’re still here. This site is still here. Our YouTube channel, too! Plus, our social media exclusive content! And, our podcast!

And, after 15 years, you're still here.

How do we celebrate this? By doing what we do best. We write – you read. We produce videos – you watch. You follow us on social media – we engage.

 The story is still being told. The story continues. 

Thank you for 15 years of letting us do our thing in the automotive media space. 

All photos and artwork by Randy Stern and George Torline