Orange Spot: February 2010

Saturday, February 27, 2010

New video

Found this on AE86 nights blog. Yeah it's hella late. But who cares, enjoy.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

That's the name of the team I joined to compete in the Team Drift Championship Feb. 21. I'm not sure what it's supposed to mean, but I think it may have something to do with Powell Colin Powell. Anyways this past weekend I enjoyed some good track fun at Buttonwillow race track. What better way to start the new year, though a bit late, with a competition.

It's been a sometime since I drove at Buttonwillow. I rarely go here due to being a bit on the farther side and also the full track layout isn't as fun. Actually it's the two straights I don't like. The rest of it is a cornering freaks dream come true.

In true old school fashion I headed out at about 3:30 in the morning. Same way I did it back when I first started tracking the Corolla. This time I was balling in the tow rig.

I arrived to a chilly and damp track. Now let's meet the members of Team # :

Mayanwarrior (luis) TE72 4AG 20v

jigbros (gaylord) AE86 4AG 16v

ayee420 (chris) AE86 4AG 20v

orange advan (me) AE86 4AG boosted

It's a collaboration of the nor cal (them) and so cal(me) to represent the corollas, I think I was the only So Cal AE86 in the event. Two different factions with 2 different styles . A match made in heaven or a time bomb waiting to explode?

The day began with our team actually missing first practice. Not a good start. The next practice sessions, I was struggling finding the driving line and observing my teammates lines and initiation points. Since doing a group drift it requires alot of trust amongst drivers, it was going to be a very interesting day, since I have never driven with them.

Once competition rolled around, I still was not coordinated/prepared to run together. But didn't matter we were going to try and have fun while we were at it. I stayed at the tail end since i was the new guy and had more power than all of them combined. Our runs were less than perfect. Depending on who you talk to, they may say it was very dodgy or magnificent show. But in the end we didn't win, but I definitely had fun and so did the team. And if we didn't come away with the trophy we did come away with our cars in one piece. It days like this that Ice Cube comes to mind.

Can't ask for much more than that.

But here's a vid with 2 of our runs I took trying out a new camera and mount.

Thanks to Nor Cal/Team #: for inviting me into their team and their awesome hospitality. I'll drive with you guys anytime.

Photos from the event here

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Coffee table gear

Picked up some books from a forum member. Too bad i'm illiterate. But i'm just a sucker for Mazda RX-3s

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Parts from Tec ARTs

Looks like one of my favorite tuners, Tec Arts, have added 7AG parts to it's repertoire of sick A series engine parts. Wish I had these back in 2001 when I built my 7AG. The best bang for the buck engine.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Global warming

Really sucks in California. While most are snowed I ended up working on a warm sunny day.

Washed the cars,

Got a new windsheild installed

Even had time to rebuild the rear diff. Damn i'm tired. Damn this global warming.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Kite Liberator

Image via Wikipedia

If you're into violent nerdy schoolgirl assasin then go watch Kite (pronounced Kee-Te) Liberator on hulu.com. I thought it was pretty good. But the ending was really strange and I wonder why it ended that way. This first one titled Kite was more violent and dirty in every way. I have yet to see it, but will one day.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Finally dry

Finally drove the beast to work after weeks of waiting. Cause my tires are getting pretty bald and I don't want to change them just yet. I can get probably another 7 months of life, driving in the dry, before i really need to change them.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Collecting

I watched this show called Hoarders on A&E and realize I didn't have a problem at all.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Dangerous

Being a car enthusiast, you don't think theres much danger in the hobby. For the enthusiasts who actually turn a wrench and enjoy doing so, I read this article on the dangers of brake cleaner and never really thought much of it until I finished reading it. I'm not saying give up on it just be careful and safe.

Click on the pic for the article.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

SSR spares

Picked this up from a friend to copy on to the computer. Since these things aren't made anymore, he's wants to make a couple for himself since he's having a hard time finding them.

Since I have a copy of of some 3d modeling software from work.

I was able to make a copy for him to send to the machine shop.

I think I need to buy some SSR wheels so I can use this too.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Need to drive.

Swung by the local karting track Dromo 1 last night to inspect a suit. The last time I was here was in 1999. You'd think i'd be hitting this place all the time. I was actually pissed I didn't bring my helmet. But a AE86 and the new trend of drifting seem to have derailed my attempts and I went in a different direction. Since I work in south Orange County it's actually on my way home. So I from now on i'll be packing my helmet and gloves along with my lunch before I go to work.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Freshen up the interior

Got around to painting the cage. It's been bare metal for quite sometime and I guess I got bored at looking at bare metal. Luckily for me it didn't really have rust on it. Just need to get it ready by cleaning off all the dirt and tire rubber that clung to the bars over the past year.

Decided to paint it machine gray. Needed something that contrasts with the French Lilac exterior.

As for the rest of the interior, I didn't really bother painting it. At least for now.