Summers end

At least for me, I'm on Filipino time.  But what better way to spend it, by spewing loads of smoke from some fresh Hankook tires.  Got together with Steve C. and his spotting ladies macho machine and his co worker at the balcony for some good testing time at the Willow Springs Balcony.

Suislide Girls Drift

 
After some wholesome break in time at the dyno.  It was time really test Barney and it's cleaner emitting tune.  Signed up the the Suislide Girls drift event at the balcony at Willow Springs Raceway.  It's cheap, low number entries and there's girls.  But they didn't have any tattoos as far i'm aware of, but they do like to drift.

Mother's Day Weekend Extravaganza

This weekend was really busy, being the good son that I am you'd think I'll doing the mother's day thing this weekend. Oh hell no, this weekend was spent at the Queen Mary at Long Beach for Toyota Fest 2009. Yes some of the nicest Toyotas you'll ever see were on display here. This year I didn't participate, I was was just a spectator. I was hired to bring a couple cars to the show for the shop I worked at. Here's a bunch of photos I took that day.


In the morning, while dropping off a car, I spotted this super beautiful Crown Masterline, japan only vehicle, brought to you from the guys at Mooneyes. Very cool to see up close.


A bunch of Scion's enough said.

Is this Tera Patrick's car, I heard she's really into Hello Kitty.


Lots of VIP cars on display.


If you remember Back to the Future this should bring back childhood memories. Hello McFly.
Even Hoshino makes a special appearance.

It's days like this I miss showing my show car off.


But I had to prepare for the next day's action.

Sunday was spent in the Balcony at Willow Springs. A me and a few ringers decided it was time to get some practice before next month's competition.

Dingo8mybaby

Markx

Chohdog



Even J-Mac made a special appearance. He hurt Steve C's car.

And we indeed practiced quite a bit. Hope the rest will be up to the task.


My day was done early due to broke turbo flange bolts, but I got in enough seat time. Don't worry I'm bringing the A game next month so watch out.


But the best part of the day was some cool cat trying to drift on the balcony handed me the keys go his Porsche GT3 RS to take for a spin. I'm definitely one not to say no. Giggling like a little school girl as I fired up this beast from the fatherland. After a breathtaking lap, i definitely need a smoke and someone to pinch me to make sure this wasn't a dream. The chance to drive a 6 figure Porsche doesn't come around very often.

What's funny is after watching us drift around the balcony, he wanted to buy a corolla. He even had the nerve to ask to buy the Yam. But I'd feel guilty if I sold my car to him. But if we traded I would feel as bad.

Well that's about it, I am still tired from yesterday and need some rest. For pics of the show click here. For pics of the track day will be here.

If you wanna drift with Speedventures please visit their site, maybe i'll see you there.

Related articles by Zemanta

Charlie Kimball: Can I Drive Your Car? (sixuntilme.com)

Bored @ Work

This morning I was really bored, and decided to make a motivational poster. Thanks to Mike Self and his great talent for photography. This was taken at the 4AG challenge at Willow Springs International raceway (aka Big Willow). The unknown R33 GTR being chased by Toyota Corolla in Levin form. Driven by Mitsu of Mitsu's Garage. Thanks to all who particiated. No Skylines were harmed during the event, except for a bruised driver's ego.

Track Day

You think you're fast cause you gone to the "touge" and mash it around freeway on ramps, but are you really. Some people aren't really that fast cause in the back other minds their brain tells them to back off a tad cause they see a canyon wall, k rail, curb, etc. Never using the whole road, thus taking the wrong line, or braking early.
I always wonder why some people make excuses for not going to the track. It's basically an open playground for us to have fun. There's an open runoff area, so if you go off line you won't hit anything. Go full throttle without annoying the local law enforcement. And not endangering other drivers, which everyone should take notice of this. Sure it costs money, but if you get into an accident or maybe even hurt someone, will that money you save be worth it?
If you're still not convinced or just making excuses like "My car isn't ready" cause you're afraid of making a fool of yourself, I found a driving instructor Colin Lucas has made a couple of instructional videos of Southern California tracks. I actually watched his Willow Springs video to prepare for the 4AG Challenge, since I only was there once. And I wanted every advantage I can get.
Let's not make excuses and go have some safe fun. Most people at the track are really helpful and can answer any questions you may possibly have. You may even see me there, but don't ask me questions cause I probably will steer you the wrong direction.



Steets of Willow (My personal favorite)



California Speedway, the road course w/part of the oval. Never been to the oval part, only drove the road course section.



Willow Springs International Raceway "Big Track" Only been here twice. I consider it more of a horsepower/ speed freak track. But it's easy to learn and drive.



Buttonwillow Raceway. I hate the straights, but everything else is great.

4AG Challenge

Yeah, yeah, it's already old. But I decided to post a couple pics of the event.


Event: 4AG Challenge
Date: December 9, 2007
Location: Willow Springs International Raceway aka. Big Willow
Mission: Search and Destroy all competition

It's been a long time coming, but it is finally time again for 4AG powered vehicles to do battle with the clock to see who's fastest, or at least who has the fastest car. The last time attack I participated in was when Eric @ Rhys Millen Racing organized the event. This time PASS racing was gracious enough or maybe crazy to hold this event for us Corolla/4AG enthusiast at Willow Springs race track.
I had my doubts when I signed up for this event. The track itself, I feel is catered more towards big horsepower vehicles. If you know 4AG power, it ain't much, and it cost alot of money to put a little more power. But when people start calling you a pansy, that's when the gloves come off. But I was just being ignorant since I only ran it when testing the LeMons car during a Redline track event. Yes, I was bored and annoyed at all the faster cars lapping me. But the MR2 was very much stock, just a gutted interior and roll bar. It was alot of fun to drive, can't get enough of that body roll.
Since my car is highly modified, I decided to see what it can do on the track. I didn't make any changes to my setup, since I'm already happy with how it's handling. I'm trying out a new set of V710 R compound tires from Kumho. They are one step to full on race slicks and I was really excited to use them. The whole day I was running really well with no major problems, good times. I was passing people left and right in my group. 2 cars, R33 Skyline GTR and an Audi don't know what model, who were faster in the straights, but too slow around the turns let me pass. I left them as I carved through the corners, oohh yeah.
Ivan in his Evolution gave me a run and slowly pulled away from me. I couldn't catch up, boo. But his car ain't stock, so that makes me feel better, LOL. He was in our group cause he was able to finish his AW11 MR2 in time for the event. I think they should have gave him size 13 boot.
The 3rd and last session before the time trial, I thought to myself I was going to take it easy. But my sorry was greedy and wanted to show people the power of turbo. While chasing a Porsche Turbo and Ford Mustang, I was setting up for a pass from those 2 guys. Unfortunately, I the Porsche driver was a puss and slowed down while I was on full throttle. So I had to slow down and down shift in order to maintain the engine in the optimum power band. That's when the ring and pinion broke, while flying down the back of big willow. I pulled over into the dirt so that I won't drop oil on to the track cause at first I had no clue of what happened. I slowly nursed the car back to pits. Pissed that I won't be able to participate in the time trial. I was running 1:40s all day, so I'm guessing that my times would be around 1:37 if I was able to run the time trial.
At the awards ceremony, they held a raffle and I won a little pocket bike. I guess it's a nice consolation prize for breaking. Too bad they didn't raffle off a ring and pinion.
The event was alot of fun, kudos to PASS racing for organizing such an awesome event. I'd definitely do another event.

Since I didn't participate at the timed runs I was able to take a couple of photos of the event. Click here.