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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Project Volvo #7: Salamat

'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.

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Supras Invade.... Irvine???

It's been a while hasn't it. So busy with little things that I haven't had much time to do this. So many things coming up and also due (taxes). Soon it will be over and i'll have a bit more time.

During the Spring, Supras and their owners from all over so cal converge in a quite Irvine park for an annual meet/bbq. I was fortunate enough to be invited to this annual event by Supra fanatic and good friend Brian U. He even let me borrow his ultra cool wide angle equipped Canon. Thanks dood.

We were there very early, so we had to wait for the others. Ironically we're both filipino and on time, whereas everyone else wasn't filipino and they were friggin' late. Has hell frozen over and we haven't heard about it, cause i didn't see any pigs flying.

Once everyone showed up, it was on. The supra crowd really knew how to put on a bbq. they're rocking steaks and kabobs the whole day. It was delicious!


Of course the parking lot was full of Supras mainly A70 and A80 variety and sprinkle of A60. There's no love for the A40.


This car takes top honors in my book. RA65 Celica ragtop, this thing was hella sexy. No other car came close to what this car had.

Check out the SSR Formula Mesh.

There was even an early Datsun 240z lurking in parking spot away from the Supras.


Definitely a great day met alot of people, even a team that participated in the 24 hours of lemons with an A70 Supra. I'm sure we'll be meeting them in battle for the Buttonwillow event. But I can confidently say that no one will defeat the Swedish meat ball.

For a few more photos click here

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Project Volvo #6: Valentine's Day Plunder

A beautiful day to work on cars, at least get some stuff done before the rain storm decides to hamper the weekend. Even Naoki K. agreed, delaying Valentine's day to swing by and work on the Doom Wagon. I myself haven't really worked on the Volvo much after I got it running but it seems to be falling apart on it's own. So let's begin the plunder of Swedish engineering.

When the car first arrived I didn't find any cool guns or drug paraphenalia, but then again I never really dug deep inside the car. This time there was bunch of interesting crap that was found here and there. Let's look at what the former owner was like.

We know the previous owner loved Sam Adams and Bass. I hope not while driving, that's not very safe. It's also illegal.

He also loved french fries and

horse racing. Maybe at the same time but who knows. Though there is a note with a pin number. Maybe to a million dollar account?

He was even an audiophile, equipping the vehicle with some Pioneer speakers. I decided to excercise the finders keepers rule. More on these babies later.

One thing I liked about the car is how quiet and solid car feels. I guess the 3 layers of sound deadening will do it.

Image by thezeras via Flickr

He also was a great believer of good personal hygiene.

In the end about .53 cents was recovered. Sounds like it's time for some 39 cent taco at Taco Bell. mmm delicious.

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Project 740 #4: What?!

Noticed this yesterday, don't know exactly when it happened or even why anyone would do such an evil thing. Or maybe it's just a sign of things to come.

Project 740 #3 Junkyard hopping

Well it's been a while since i've actually been to the yard, mostly because I'm too lazy to grab parts. I'd rather have someone else do it for me. Anyways just looking for stuff for Hell Boy's Wagon, when I came across these two beasts of burden.



Jaguars both equipped with Chevy v8 engines. I normally don't come across these at the yard, but I thought it quite the coincidence that there was two of them. I assume they came from the same place. Both in different states of disrepair, one looking worse than the other. Unfortunately, as many Volvos I did find at the yard they didn't have anything I wanted.

Though I also found this little gem

50's era Desoto at the front of the yard. I don't know if it was for sale or not, but it really looked to be in pretty good shape. Something I wouldn't mind picking up and making into a nice little cruiser.

Project Volvo #2 In shorts and slippers.

The past few days was really strange weather at least for the southern california natives. From lots of rain to freezing cold temps. Today was just perfect, i'm definitely glad I don't live the on the east coast anymore. What better way to spend it, than with the Volvo. Yeah I always prefer to work on cars in shorts and slippers, to the dismay of my neighbor. After about a 2 days of finding and reading wire diagrams and running a bunch of tests. i've finally come to the conclusion...




That it finally runs. Took it out for a spin to see if there's any issues. There's a bunch of little things like annoying leaks, etc. But so far everything seems to be sound. Soon the wagon will be carrying and bunch of boost and laying the smack down to all who may oppose.

Project:740 #1 This is only the beginning pain will soon follow

Yesterday, I was tricked into buying this brick. A 1990 Volvo 740 wagon, with turbo and intercooler.

It's a non running pile, but it was purchased with very little moola.

I decided to bring the car in for a pressure was cause it's a massed quite a follow of friends of the 8 legged variety yuck.

There are quite a few things going thru my head on the possiblities of this car. Should I join the lemon heads in the 24 Hours of LeMons again? Maybe try out for the Grassrootsmotorsport $200x challenge? I'll be posting it's progress, whenever I get off my lazy ass to work on it. But for now let me dig a hole for Pro Am and 4AG time attack.

Tragedy @ LeMons

I just found out that a fatality has occured at 24 Hours of LeMons @ Altamont Race track. A driver in the Gulf scheme Volvo 242 pictured above has been killed during the race. Reports are still coming in on exactly what happened. But our hearts and prayers go out to the team and families participating in the event.

Movin' up

I found out that 2 of my photos are being used at wikipedia. Don't get me wrong i'm not angry or disappointed. I'm ecstatic that some would even use my photos. I am by no means a professional, it's a small side hobby i'll probably get more into when I decide to stop racing my car. What's also cool is that they're using ones from my favorite racing venues 24 Hours of LeMons if you wanna consider that racing. Maybe with some more practice I'll get better, i'm just glad i'm using a digital camera instead traditional camera. If you only new how much pictures I tossed out when I go through them.

Lemons: The Beginning

I wasn't planning to put up pics of the team's first Lemons adventure, which occured July7,2007. But might as well share. From the first day our MR2 was acquired and the actual race weekend. Not much in between. A group of eager drivers not knowing what lies ahead of them. Only reading about the hooliganism that is the 24Hours of Lemons. So let's begin shall we.

Vehicle as delivered blown engine and all:
All body panels straight, doesn't look too bad.
The only really noticeable damage.


The engine was didn't crank, but the previous owner wasn't sure what's wrong with it besides seeing parts of the engine on the road once it croaked. Later examination of the engine revealed the engine had a rod punching a hole out the block. Yes the can of soda was included with the sale of the car.


Interior ain't too bad, but it's being gutted anyways so it didn't matter much.

Aftermarket glass sunroof, missing but not missed.

Don't have any pics of the build itself, or anything else until race weekend. The pictures are not in any particular order. In other words, I don't remember which day I took them.


Arrival in Northern California, we didn't have time to apply the decals until we took the car to the track. The car looks so clean from this photo, it will be the last time.



Car being prepped and decals applied.

Our team working like a well oiled machine.
Well sort of....


The breakfast of champions.


Team leader giving pep talk and discussing strategy.

Wesley at the helm in the morning, but he's not drifting. This was a pre race test where drivers must navigate through a slalom course in reverse and avoid hitting a cut out of Jar Jar Binks. Wesley brought home the gold with a first place time with seconds to spare. We were awarded 10 laps even before the start of the race.





Here's some of the damage that occurred over the course of the weekend. Every side of the car had damage. Rubbing is racing.


The people's curse receiving it's punishment by way of bobcat and sledgehammer.

A few of the cars at the 24 of Lemons:


Cadillac speedster FTW


Motoring J Style represent with an MR2


Representing the country Japan, 1st geneneration RX7


Team Holy Rollers

Random pics:

The Wheel of Destiny don't be an ass or you'll be sorry.

Cute camera girl.
Can't break the tire bead? Borrow a Super Duty.

Yes, it was hot that day.

Only the French


That was one hot and awesome weekend. One of the most fun/ ridiculous things i've done in a long time. I've got a bunch more pics on my Flickr site click here for more.