COBB Tuning Insider – An Interview with Chris Haag

At COBB Tuning, our engineers and calibrators work like crazy to develop the AccessPORT for new and existing applications, create and verify performance vehicle maps, improve the tuning process, and design exhausts, intakes, and front mount intercoolers. But what happens when you have a question about a feature on the AccessPORT or you just need some modification advice? That’s where our Customer Support Team and Chris Haag come in. Chris started at COBB in 2007 as a technical support and sales team member in Salt Lake City, UT. The Version 2 AccessPORT had just been released, so it was an action packed experience. Now, Chris is the Sales and Technical Support Team Lead at COBB Tuning HQ in Austin, TX. I sat down with him this week to learn a little bit more about what makes Chris tick and how it makes him such a strong part of the COBB Tuning family.

What got you in to cars?
Every summer I would visit family in Japan. As a young teen, I remember walking back from an arcade when I saw two cars sitting at a stop light off in the distance. I had no clue what they were, but they immediately stood out: wide stance, aggressive wheel offset, and body accents. I could hear the roar of the engines and the exhaust notes as they went by and I couldn’t help but get excited. I ran home to scour the internet about those two cars: the Honda NSX and the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R. Ever since then I have been obsessed with learning about and wrenching on cars.

What was your first car?
My first car was the family hand-me-down, a goldish/copperish 1982 Subaru GL wagon. It was only front-wheel drive and had a full sized spare tire underneath the hood. I rallied that thing through mountain trails and snowy fields. Even though it was only front-wheel drive, it was a little rally champ. It was an awesome first car and I still miss it to this day.

What’s your favorite car?
I’m a die hard fan of Japanese cars from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. For me, that’s the golden era of Japanese cars. Every make had multiple exciting cars, but if I had to choose one car (or two) to be my favorite it would be the Subaru Impreza 22B or the Subaru WRX STi Version V (or version VI) Type R. The body lines of that car and lighter chassis are just something you can’t get on a newer Subaru Impreza.

What will you next car be?
Right now I have 1994 Nissan Pulsar GTi-R  that I’ll drive until I die, and I constantly change my mind about what I want to have living next to it in my garage. Most new cars feel too heavy or numb to me, so maybe a swapped GC Impreza or a Lotus Exige with a K-series motor swap. The simplicity of the Lotus really appeals to me.

How many emails and phone calls do you get per day?
About 2 years ago when it was only me and one other customer support rep, my record was 72 phone calls in one day! Now that that the support team has 5 people on the phones and answering emails, I typically answer between 15 – 30 calls and 15-30 emails per day.

Do you have a favorite make to talk about and provide support for?
Deep down inside, I’ll always be a Subaru guy. Those goofy little boxer engines have worked their way into my heart. I love learning about new vehicles, but Subarus are my favorite to talk about.

What is your favorite COBB office memory?
Oh man, that’s a hard question to answer! There really have been so many, from going to the Bayou in Salt Lake City, UT (a beer pub with live music and delicious food) after work to celebrating achievements and birthdays, to letting all of the office dogs run around after work and watching the hilarity that ensues. A high point was getting the opportunity to be a part of the COBB Motorsports team at a Redline Time Attack event at the New Jersey Motorsports Park.

What are some of your other hobbies?
I like doing just about every outdoor activity like camping and hiking, but my passion for the last 15 years has been snowboarding. I live for that first snow of the year and love nothing more than taking in that first breath of cold, pine-fresh mountain air when you get out of the car at a ski resort. I also enjoy music, learning to play songs on my guitar, and being a giant video game nerd. I love plopping down in front of the TV or PC once in a while to play games with my friends. Recently, I’ve gotten into sportbikes. I’m constantly learning and improving my riding skills, but I love every harsh, uncomfortable, and death-dodging second of it.

Do you have a favorite lunch time food?
I love Asian food: Japanese, Chinese, Thai; it’s all delicious. I’m not very picky though and can find something to eat everywhere I go.


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