Orange Spot

T-50s

2009-11-09T18:13:00.000-08:00

They suck. Well another has bitten the dust. On my last run of the day, with tires running on cords. Should've stopped when I had the chance. But at least the car ran flawless. Since most of the year i've been running into stupid issues left and right.
At least changing doesn't take much effort.

Video

2009-11-05T23:13:00.000-08:00

Club4AG Las Vegas drift event!!! from Robert Strohmeyer on Vimeo.

Found this on vegasdrift.com i'm just in a sharing mood today.

Back to the roots..

2009-11-04T07:23:00.000-08:00

Way back in the day, there were a few enthusiasts that liked Corollas and motorsports. With Moto's idea, Club4AG was born. Since then it has spawned the Corolla and drifting craze ten fold. Now it's 2009 in Primm, Nevada, right at the Nevada/ California stateline. Going back to it's roots of Corollas and motorsports, the dedicated people from Vegas drift, Drift Association, and AE86 Nights bring back the ideals that is Club4AG.

A 2 day event bringing the car show, autocrossing, and drift.

Day 1 was the autocross, which i'm sure everyone knows if gripping through sets of cones. Some may balk at the idea, but like everything else, it takes skill to do this sport. Anyways there's was tons of seat time. I decided to use street tires since I really didn't want to use up r compounds. The surface was slippery since there was fresh dust from the newly constructed course. I did a bunch of mornings and posted up high 38's. After that, I decided it was time for a beer break. Don't worry I didn't drive after that, I wanted to get the party on early.

Since the following week was SEMA some cars destined for Vegas decided to stop by and check out the event.

mmmm Turbo.

The celebrity of the weekend

Moto

Day 2 which I'm sure many were looking forward too, the drift and car show event.

The drift course was tricky. It was laid out with a 3rd gear entry if you have enough power accelerate. With a decreasing radius right turn so you'll need to scrub speed before then so you don't wash out. But too much loss of speed means not finishing the course. So drivers needed to find the balance.

The car show brought out some nice Corollas.

Coupes

Hatchbacks

Props to the people who were able to bring out their rides out to the middle of nowhere. No queen mary or orange county lakes up in here.

At the awards ceremony I won 2 trophies.

I was very happy. Hey Naoki where you going??

And very wet.

The event went really well, but of course when you have a collaboration of Vegas drift, Drift Association, and AE86 Nights, you wouldn't expect anything less from their hard work. Kudos to them and the many others who helped support the event. And of course to the owners themselves who came out to party and show their spirit. This is what Club4ag is all about.

Next year: ?

As the event ended I think about what's next. Due to low turn out, it maybe the last Club4AG sanctioned event. I hope it isn't so, but for now the future is a blur if there will actually be another event.

Now for the rest of the pics click here.

Club4AG meet...

2009-11-02T18:58:00.001-08:00

I am awesome... more to come when I get some time.

But here's a couple pics to wet your appetite until then.

This month...

2009-10-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

10 years ago I bought a Toyota Corolla GT-S. An 85 Zenki hatchback. I didn't think i'd own this car for that long, but man what a history. It's gone through a few minor changes since over the years, but in the end I returned it back to it's former glory. Bought it in October of '99. It was completely stock and everything worked even the A/C. My intentions were never to build a crazy car since I was working in an industry where I put together cars from silly engine swaps to psycho engine builds.

Autox Hollywood park. A first taste of performance driving and the beginning of a another era.

At the time I had a RX-3 that was setup more towards straight line battle. So I didn't care about hp. Since I started to find the straight line more and more boring. My goal was to learn performance driving. At a shop I worked at, I had met Moto of Club4AG fame with his supercharged Corolla he swayed me towards the Corolla. Wasn't really interested in Corollas at the time. I had my sights set on getting a S30 240Z . I still thought the Z was cooler than the Corolla, but the Corolla was so easy to work on. And they were cheaper and easier to find than a Z. Sure I probably could have campaigned the 3. Since the national champion was also piloting an RX-3. I figured it would be easier to find parts I needed for the Corolla than the 3.

Autox Hollywood park late 90's

I've met many enthusiasts throughout the years, most of the early owners have gone on to different things. There's a few I talk to who are still in the game after all these years.

The car has faithfully served it's master and it's taken him to different levels.

Photo by Moto @ club4ag

Learning to drift at Streets of Willow

Drift Tengoku v.14. And yes those are Hoshino Impuls

Competing in the very first Ikaten in the states.

Trying out at the RSR drift festival.

Since then i've acquired another Corolla to do battle pictured above, and retired the other one from active duty. Few old schoolers i haven't seen in a while thgought this was the first car and were saddened I beat the crap out of it. Until I let them know that's not the case.

After 10 years of ownership what's left? I've grown too attached to the car, but my old ass needs something that's more comfortable.

I still get notes or get stopped by people who are interested in the car. But can I really part with my little piece of history? Who knows....

this is it.

2009-10-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since there was an 'official' meet. It's the good people at Drift Association, Vegasdrift, and AE86Nights stepping up to make this happen. With drifting, autox, and a car show, 4AG guys can choose or do all three. Hope to you see you guys there.

I'm signed up for the car show hopefully I win something cool.

Since SEMA is the following week, come swing by before you head out to the strip and say hi.

AE86 Tech #86-13: The cheap bender

2009-10-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Since it's nearing Halloween and being this is the 13th tech, means absolutely nothing. Except for another cheap way of doing stuff. This time I explore bending brakes. Since I can't afford one I made a cheap one. With a couple pieces of metal and a hydraulic press.

Welding a couple pieces of metal I came up with this. Not too bad.

And this is how it works.

Sure i could probably get the same results with a vise and a good size hammer. But we're really after the cosmetics. You know me, it's gotta look good for sho'!

Anyways I don't think you can make this on the vise.

Another thing that this thing is good for is holding pipe on the the drill press. Too bad I don't have a drill press to utilize this amazing piece.

Octoberfest...

2009-10-12T08:48:00.000-07:00

That time of year where everyone can pretend to be German.

Loads of fun if you like having a beer with your bratwurst. If you're in Torrance visit Alpine Village and get your polka on!

Possible....

2009-10-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

El Cormino. what do you think?

Project Volvo #7: Salamat

2009-10-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

'Thank you' (for everyone else) for the memories. Well the time has come after almost a year of ~~ownership~~ fermentation. I had to let go the Swedish red velvet. The car that was to be a 24 hours of lemons contender is no longer. Due to the suffering economy, the boss bugging me for a car cover, and everyone busy with other things it was decided that the car had to move on. It has provided great memories of what could have been. But rather than have it face the government 'death panel'. It's been graciously been taken in by my mexican co worker at the shop. Since both his Hondas recently broke down. Before I surrendered the keys to him, I reminded him that he cannot install 13in reverse daytons. He just grinned.

Just gets crazier...

2009-10-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

When I thought Daigo Saito was the man with craziest angle. Kawabata steps up to the challenge. Watch and see. Found this on pro drifter Ken Gushi's blog. Yes i'm a fan.

Odd goods

2009-09-29T22:03:00.000-07:00

Tissue by Yamaha? Got this from a AE92 front clip at the shop. Don't know what it says, but I assume it's some sort of promotional item.

More crime

2009-09-22T23:43:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

I'm not sure what the hell is going on, but why is the shop taking in more heinous vehicles I don't know. Oh yeah I forget the economy. I guess they'll taking anything at this point. But as usual I swing by the shop to work on the Corona wagon. A few cars down there's an early Corolla, already equipped with a 4AGE, definitely a cool idea and something i'd like to do one day. Probably throw in the turbo motor. This one in particular came in running bad.

Hmm, could it be the way the computer is mounted? To my dismay this was one horribly rigged up car. I don't know who setup it up, nor do I want to know. I hope his excuse is that he's a Honda guy trying to get on the bandwagon?

To top it all off, the exhaust has a nice hole in it for an extra spoonful of oomph. He must be a Honda guy.

AE86 Tech #86-12: Taps/Chasers

2009-09-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

It's not a tool used very often but it's nice to have. Kinda like insurance, you'll have the confidence you know your covered. There will be times that you'll run into a boogered up thread or need to clean out rust and junk in your threads. There will also be times that you'll be at the track and your set is at work. Because you didn't think you'll be running into that situation.

Here's a trick I learned a while back. It's not a 100%, but it might just save the day.

Take a file and a bolt with the correct thread needed for the job.

File perpendicular to the threads like so.

If you've got a dremel or air tool with a cut off wheel, your job has gotten just a little bit easier.

Now wasn't that easy? Do about 2-4 grooves. But don't be doing this on all your bolts and calling it your tap kit. It's always better to get the right tools for the job. Don't cut steak with a butter knife.

As ghetto as this may seem, even the next door neighbor mechanic event used it successfully. I should charge him a consultation fee.

Since those days i've already own a tap and die kit. But I actually still use these to chase out holes with dirt and other garabage in them. It actually works quite nicely. No sense in wasting a tap for just clean up.

Replacement Battery

2009-09-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

Jumper boxes are probably one of the best investments when working on cars. Besides jumping cars, i've used it to power air compressors, and use it as a 12v source to test ecus and other electronics. I've had mine for a number of years and it's served me well. When it was time to replace, instead of buying a new one, I decided to look for a replacement battery. But the price on just a replacement was almost the same as buying a new one. But me being the frugal person, I looked elsewhere.

Found comparable battery at batterymart.com at half the price. I don't know how good it's going to be, or even how long it will last. Only time will tell, but for the price you can't knock it.

Another interesting swap

2009-09-14T23:05:00.000-07:00

Late model Toyota 3.4L into an early model 4Runner aka HiLux Surf. Yeah the one with the removeable rear cap. Just doing little odds and ends so it will be ready to run. Wiring wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Being some of these trucks came with the 3.0L motor, which is POS, it's definitely a good upgrade in power and gas mileage. And if you're ultra baller they'll opt for the TRD supercharger.

Seeing this 'Runner makes me wish I still had mine. But I would be torn between doing 3.4L or the 2.4L diesel. Unfortunately, the diesel is not an engine imported here in the states, but it's still available through importers. But i'd say diesel, because power is nothing without some grease from Mickey D's

Just noticed

2009-09-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

Of all the years i've been to Willow Springs International Raceway, this was the first time I noticed this crank. Looks it's been hear for a while. I wonder what's the engine it came from?

Paint at the Depot

2009-09-07T21:35:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

One thing I like about a simple paint jobs, is that when the car gets damaged, it's an easy fix. And my car, like many other who do battle on the asphalt does have it's share of damage.

From this

To this.

Now for the other side.

While I was picking up paint at the home depot, I decided to pick up some grape. Grape paint that is. Maybe I'll do a purple panda.

Here's a test of what it may look like. I think it needs to be a darker shade. Better go back to the depot and see what else they have.

Off Topic

2009-09-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

Why is Kat hatin' on silver cars? Visit her blog and ask.

But I just wanted to an excuse to put a picture of my car all nice and clean.

March Field Air Museum

2009-09-04T20:40:00.000-07:00

I notice the museum on my way to Inland Drift. Since I wasn't planning to be drifting all day I made a detour on my way home. Since I was already in the area, I might as well take advantage.

The museum itself is housed in a few hangers joined together, housing military artifacts from both sides of the many wars we learned about in history class. Though the cool stuff was outside baking in the hot hot sun.

I've seen some of these planes back when I used to attend the air shows when I lived on military bases, watching the acrobatic flying of the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds.

Stepping outside to the aircraft parking lot I was drawn towards the bombers. Never really seen one up close and they are definitely a site to see. Since they pretty much tower over anything else. Here is the inside one of 2 bomb bays in the B-52. Without a reference it's difficult to gauge the size of the bay.

The wingspan creates a lot of shade from the sun. Notice the bench seat near the end of the wing.

SR-71 Blackbird looking very menacing. Or could this be Jetfire laying in wait to be awaken again?

B-29 Superfortress hiding between 2 F-4 Phantoms

Cobra gunship don't piss this guy off.

A-4 Skyhawk in Aggressor Squandron colors. Holy shit, it's Viper!

It was alot of walking, but definitely worth it. Even in 100+ heat. But if you like aircraft that can kill please visit their site for more info.

View the rest of the photos here.

Next Generation (its' not Star Trek)

2009-09-02T20:57:00.000-07:00

Photo by UNLV @ Club4AG

Looking through the photos of AE86 nights track day was like a flashback

It reminded me of the old days. When Corollas ruled Group C.

It's good to see the next generation of Corolla drivers.

Red Sun

2009-09-01T23:02:00.000-07:00

All the smoke from the fires makes for a pretty picture. Be safe out there.

Inland Drift

2009-08-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

A new venue for all you guys way out in the desert. If anyone lives out near the Lake Perris area and need to get their drift on, the guys from Inland Drift have what you need. Since I needed some seat time again, and I miss driving the Lilac Special, I made this the place to be this past weekend. Though it was probably the worst time to head out there since it was probably one of the hottest weekends, at least for me. Temperatures were up in the 100's, but maybe this is normal. I only stayed for a few hours since it began to get really hot and the car wasn't having any of it. I did a couple runs and had my laptop datalog it for review later. One cool thing about coming early in the morning was that I had the place all to myself. I felt special.

Before I left one guy showed up.

I headed home a little after noon, but decided to take a detour to March AFB and take a tour of their museum. I've always been a fan of military history and hardware. I guess it's in the genes, being in a military family. More on that next time.

One thing good about towing is A/C.

For more info in Inland Drift visit their site.

Like Brand names?

2009-08-26T22:33:00.000-07:00

For you JDM freaks out there I present this original Spirits front bumper straight from the motherland. This may be the only one state side, and will probably be the only one. But if you're that guy who must have the stuff from Japan, then drool over this.

Replacing Axles

2009-08-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

Done in less than an hour. Easy money, at least I haven't lost my touch. I thought I was goin to be spending at least 2 hours on it. Too bad I didn't get to it until 2 months later. He's a good friend and i've known him for a few years yet he prefers the me to work on his cars, from a 68 Mercedes to a 2002 Daewoo, rather than have anyone else touch his cars. Such a loyal customer.