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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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

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VW + 20B=610

From our friends from down under (Austrailia).

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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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