2010 Review

 

Now it's time to reflect back as another year comes to a close.

10 years of Battle Version

One of the 4 links

Back in the early days of Corolla tuning in the states.  The only way to get a hold of the sexiest of  suspension bits and other performance parts, was either to buy and get it shipped from Japan, or have it custom made.  Neither method was cheap.  Fortunately, an out of the boxing thinking hawaiian who also owned a Corolla decided to make parts.  This was the birth of Battle Version by Alex P.

Delrin bushing on one end

After driving Corolla for a little over a year, on a basic suspension of springs and shocks.  I decided it was time for a suspension addition.  I was one of the first to pick up the 5 link kit and was very excited to try it out.  It was a very beefy setup right out of the box.

Panhard rod

After 10 years of service I still have the same links I first bought from Alex P.  From canyons to the track, hardparking at meets and shows, the links have held up to whatever I threw at it.  A testament to the strength of Battle Version parts.  

Heim join on other end

The parts will probably last longer than the car...

 

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#000001 AE82

Didn't know one of these existed.  Usually very low numbered cars are designated as demos and destroyed after it's use.  But this Toyota Corolla FX aka AE82 is the very first one off the assembly line and it sits here at the Toyota Museum in Torrance, Ca.  It's a FX16 GT-S with all the fixings.  Just doesn't get any more rare than this.

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Secret lives

Went by the local mall to do last minute shopping, cause I love to procrastinate.  While looking at the map, this advertisement for Cerritos College pops up.  And who do I see in his Navy uniform.  Fixed bike aficionado and drifter extraordinaire, Jack H.  I didn't know he became a male model.  If you wanna know more about well rounded guy visit his blog. Merry Christmas

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Team Burst Master

Starting them early on 2 wheels could be the reason why the Japanese are so good at drifting.

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07-07-07

July 7, 2007 was the first 24 Hours of Lemons outing in the MR2.  I found a youtube video created by one of the team members Wesley H.  Brings back alot of great memories.  Building the car on a budget and a prayer, we didn't know what to expect.  Many of the teams were very well prepared bringing a spare car and lots of extra parts.  Trailers eqiupped with lots of tools and even a one with a lift.  Later learned that some of the teams had some form of professional motorsports experience. Even through all that we did pick up a 11th place finish from a list of roughly 80 cars.  Not bad for a group of rookies who did the best with what they had.   I think it's time to get another group together.

pic by joey leh from octane report

Though I think another car is in order.  I'm not sure how much is left to cut up.

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Wet week.

3 days of rain.  no worky on the car.  At least the grass gets it's yearly watering.

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Life of a Honda engine

10 cylinder Honda Formula 1 engine going through it's paces.  Wish I had one.

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The neighbor

I'm sure it's a bit rare to have a neighbor down the street who is car junkie.  You know the one with garage full of parts.  During the weekends hearing the sound tools dropping and impact wrenches tightening and loosening bolts.  But what are the odds that the next door neighbor, besides being a maniacal  gear head, also has the same car as you.  So instead of the usual knocking on the door asking for a cup of sugar.  The neighborly thing to do is ask for a spare 4AGE cylinder head and some pancit.  But one thing we never shared was tires.

But now the neighbor has moved on to the north, creating mayhem in the city by the bay.  Damn now I have to buy brake cleaner.

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Cool mom

Ace hachiroku (Toyota Corolla GTS) chick and mom, Shino being interviewed about drifting.  She does have excellent taste in wheels, peep the hoshinos in the rear, me want.

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VW + 20B=610

From our friends from down under (Austrailia).

RC Drifting

Never really thought much of them.  I've always thought RC cars were for people who couldn't do the real thing.  Mind you I did have an RC off road truck so i'm not talking out of my ass.  But after watching this video, I should probably put my foot in my mouth.  This video is fantastic.  But then again, i'm biased cause it's got AE86 and some boro looking cars.  Yeah boro RC cars, must watch and see them in action.

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Rare Mitsubishi

Headed out to Chino, California to visit this old war dog from world war 2.  This particular plane, a Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero fighter, is the only aircraft left that still has it's original Nakajima sakae engine.  From what I learned, the zeroes that are currently flying are using american equivalent engines, or what ever they can find in the back.  Luckily I was able to witness it this past weekend, at the Living History Flying Days hosted by Planes of Fame air museum commemorating December 7.

Being close to 70 years old it was amazing to hear it's engine rumble to life and watch it take to the air.  Kudos to the museum curators for keeping this thing flying!

But watching this marvelous piece of history, i can only imagine the terror this plane must have brought upon people who were on the other end of it's machine guns.

If you're interested in this airplane and other types military aviation and it's history visit their site for more information. 

Here's the link for the rest of the pics.

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Grip Day 3: behind the pit wall

Wandering the pits cause i have nothing better to do in between rounds.

RSR chief brought a miata to run with the young-ins.  Even though i'm half way there, I wonder when I get that many gray hairs will I still be interested in motorsports?

Ladies, when you roll with the dog, you knowing how to change tires is a requirement.

Probably the coolest thing I saw all day.  Motorcycle carbed 8 valve engine.  As most usually scoff at doing anything with an 8 valve, such as myself.  One apple decided to fall off the tree and do it's own thing.  But how does it run?

Well I don't think he's having any problems with power.

Trying to get artsy with a lens I picked a few months ago and started using today.  I wanna be like them pros on speedhunters and motormavens.  Just need some more practice.

during the course of the day, an unfortunate mishap occured.  A S2000 lost it near the revamped chicane and went 4 wheels up.  And like rabid hyenas eyeing a dying animal, corolla owners mouths were watering at the chance of obtaining it's drivetrain.

Yeah, it was a good day.

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Grip Day 3: coming full circle

Well it's that time again for AE86 sports enthusiasts to gather in 24 degree weather in the morning at Rosamond, California for the annual Grip Day 3 (aka AE86 jamboree) where super boro to jccs clean and everything in between come out to play.

Oddly enough this was my first time participating in this event.  The first year I had injured myself with a concrete k rail at long beach so I was down for the count.  The next year, I was recovering from depression and really didn't participate in much motorsports like the previous year.  This year was a slow come back. But I wanted to make this epic event, so I borrowed a car.

There quite a few interesting heads that showed up to the event.

Mark E., formerly known as next door neighbor, brought out the former 24hour of lemons racer.  Planning for a repeat victory, he did a few more modifications on the car.  Unfortunately, the extra nitrous grenaded the motor in a cloud of smoke.  But he still was able to podium.

What's a grip day without the drifters, damn hooligans.

 This is pilun he cheats with a big wing and hoosier tires.

 AE92 corolla, very rare to see on track.  I used to have one of these.

With the sight of all the corollas doing what they do best, and the sound of 4A engines filling the air, I realize the corolla scene has come full circle by returning to the grassroots. 

But all this wouldn't be possible without the help.  Thanks to:

Naoki K. and drift association staff

Morgan M. (right) and AE86 night staff

 Until next year, here are the rest of the pics here.

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'10 champions

Congratulations to the victors in Grip Day 3.  For some, their hard work paid off and rewarded with respect from their peers.  For the others, try cheating next time, it does help.  I'll have some pics up from this epic event soon, just lazy right now.

The winners from race tire class and street tire class in no particular order.

 

 

 

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