Grip Day 2: Almost but not quite

A very wet saturday was supposed to be the Drift Associations 1st Grip Day event at Horsethief Mile located inside Willow Springs Raceway. If you like short courses, or touge style track then this track is for you. I've been 2 months without driving an event so it's about time I got my fix. Unfortunately it was cancelled due people flaking because of the wet weather. Since I was there, I took advantage of the situation and took a couple of snaps. You know I need to get my $10.00 worth.


For the few core drivers that stuck it out, the balcony was open for drivers. For a fee, they were able to burn up tires any way they please.


I did spot what looks like Tanner Foust driving a Toyota Supra on Streets, another one of my favorite tracks or maybe it's just his helmet. A jack of all trades when it comes to driving. From what I hear, he'll be driving a RWD Scion TC this season of drifting.


A Ford GT 40 adored in Gulf colors was romping at the big track. It looked very at home on this track. I heard that it even decided to go off course and get some air. That must hurt, kudos for it's owner bringing it out in the less than ideal conditions to stretch it's legs.

There was at least one Corolla keeping the spirit alive.

Oh and this one too. People need to get their weekend fix not matter what they drive.

During the course of the day it just got really cold and I decided to call it a day.


And I ran into this cloud full of water. It was a tad wild on the way home.

Go here for more pics

Peepers

Just received a set of Cibie lights recently. Yes the French do something good besides good bread and ice cream. But not for the Corolla, but for the Mazda. Yes I own a Mazda, I haven't formally introduced RX-3, that'll probably come at a later date. But for now I just wanted to show off the new (to me), but used set of eyes for the RX-3. Oddly enough I bought them off a guy on the Volvo forums. And for a pretty good price I might add. Though I won't have time to work on the Mazda anytime soon, I just seem to be accumulating parts every now and then. I just want to fall into the trap of working on too many cars and then going broke cause my weak check is being spread thin.

Project 740 #5: Great idea... not.

With Grip Day coming up this weekend, I wasn't sure if I wanted to run the stocker since the forecast that weekend was rain. Then I had a great idea. Why not run this Volvo that's taking up a parking spot and pissin' oil all over the street. It would be a great shake down of the car


So I began with constructing a battery hold down. Not too shabby for about 10 minutes of work and some spare parts in the garage.


Unfortunately, the next thing I did put a halt on that idea. Since the car is still shod with one bald donut, it needed to be changed. There was a 14in spare located in the boot with a good tire. I guess 14in rims are a no no on these cars cause it's rubbing on the brake caliper. FYI these cars are equipped with 16in wheels.

Well scratch that idea and now we revert back to the original plan of running the ol' stocker.

The replacements

Image by CARLOS62 via Flickr

Got some Snap on and Mac tools replaced recently. It really sucks that if you break a Snap on or other big branded tool, you can't them replaced as easily with other brands i.e. Craftsman. Usually, I end up sitting on them since i haven't really worked in the automotive industry for a few years. It's just a hassle to find a tool truck and beg the tool guy to replace it especially if he doesn't know you. Since he's not making money off you, he could care less. Sometimes i'm happy I have some Craftsman tools in the arsenal, so at least I break'em I can get them replaced anywhere there's a Sears and in no time so no time or money lost.

Barrel of worms

Not just a bucket. I worked on the car this weekend, and it seems that the more i'm taking it all apart, the more stuff I find all dicked up. Just adding to the work load on top of all the other stuff I still need to fix.

Tension rod slightly bent. Luckily I had a spare one to compare or else i'd probably still use it.




I'm not a body guy so don't even try to criticize my work. I just need to get this thing together. But it doesn't look too bad don't you think? Still more pounding required, need to find a bigger sledge hammer.

Unfortunately, the spare strut housing is the wrong side, now i gotta look for another one. Even the one Steve c. had was wrong. This is not going as planned.


But here's the kicker, the shaft on the Koni shock is tweaked near the threads. Since Koni's are not cheap, just sucks I may have to write this one off. I wonder if I can get it repaired, or even if it's worth getting repaired.

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.

For the JDM Geeks and Fanboys

Let's take a break for this message from RS Watanabe.
But I still rather have Hoshino

Nissan PSA: Responsibility

To all those who own a R35 Nissan GTR or thought of purchasing was soon, make sure you read your owners manual and take responsibility for your actions. Please don't be like this guy.

Be Safe

Unlike most circuit enthusiasts/specialists I have yet to attend my first track day of the year. With the new year let's all be safe when participating at an open track event. Try not to be this guy.

Make it work.

A strut bar can make life just a tad more difficult. Sigh...

AE82 in for check up.

The AE82 I posted up awhile back has finally returned. But just for check up and some minor maintenance. I tell this car was big headache. From looking for my spring compressors, to suspension fiasco. Just wasn't going smoothly this weekend.

The clutch master was leaking though it still operated correctly. Owner had to keep adding fluid. A quick check revealed a leak on the rear of the housing.


So a new one was quickly ordered up...


and installed very straight forward, unlike AE86. Removal of brake booster is required for install. booo...

The shocks on the other hand provide another headache I wasn't expecting. But before we start let's take a look at the shocks first just to provide some insight.

L-R SW20, AE82, SW20?,AE92

Unfortuantely, the maintenance history of the car is hella sketchy so I myself wasn't sure what was what.The KYB shock for this AE82 did not fit. The shock that was installed was from a SW20, aka 2nd generation MR2. So he had to hunt for the MR2 front so he can get the car back on the road. When the shock arrived good friend Herb swings by to drop off spring compressors (he had them for 6 months, thanks dood) and actually has AE92 strut inserts he wasn't using and was giving to me. Ends up the inserts that Brian supplies and Herb's shock are the same size. Confused yet, I am. So now I think the shock Brian provided is an AE92 and not the SW20, and the housing that's in this car is an AE92. WTH?? Anyways everything is finally good with the car back on all fours.

Hoshino Appreciation

When I think of Hoshino, I usually think of the super sexy Aki Hoshino. But in the automotive world only the Hoshino Impul G5 racing wheel is what stands out in my mind. Let's take a look at this unique wheel. For me that wheel defined 80's Japanese automotive design, with it's angular lines and wedge shapes.


It just fits all the cars of that era, like this early 80's Toyota Supra. Even though it they were made with Nissan in mind, I can't help myself but rock them on the ol' Corolla. People will call you retarded or stupid, or just say its blasphemy. Then again building a show car to look like a race is just as bad.


The wheel has been long discontinued and is now a rare wheel sought out by many enthusiasts, especially in the crazy offsets. Like this pair on ad in Club4AG 14x8.5 -15 you probably want to poop in your pants right now don't you.


Here's the Corolla rocking Hoshino back in 2002 Speedtrial open track day at Streets of Willow. Back when they allowed drifting.


Corolla with Hoshino in 2006. PASS 4AG Challenge at Big Willow. Keeping true to the game i still race this wheel.

Gosh I love these wheels. Probably one of my all time favorite pics with the ridiculous offset Hoshino. Just don't really care about the car itself. An 80's Nissan Silvia/Gazelle (200SX for u.s. markets) Super Silhouette race car.

But before we go let's take one last look of Hoshino. Aki Hoshino.

It's delicious

I present you with the most fascinating drink yet. Tentacle Grape a caffeine laced beverage with delicious grape punch. For those late nights in the garage wrenching cause you were too lazy to fix it before the event. If you're tired of all the same old Red Bull then maybe this is for you. Check out their site

Do you prefer wet or dry

Were not talking about burritos from Albertos either. Check this out, an all out Formula Atlantic dry sump system is up for sale on ebay. I'm just droooling to get my oily paws on this setup. the starting bid is 1800 and there's one bid so far. There's about a day left on it so you better get going. If you wanna be the popular guy at the show or at the track this is a must have item.

Check it out here

Only in Japan

a drifting traffic jam can occur. A nice video if you long to see the grassroots drifters in it's natural setting, the touge. No crazy stickers, wide bodies, or ginormous wheels. Just enthusiasts having fun.

Go Yellow Tail

It seems Wesley H. has come to terms with himself and has finally decided to get his car ready for battle. It's been about 2 years since he's been behind the wheel of AE86. How will he do? Find out February when Grip Day makes a stop at Horsethief Mile. Maybe he'll do o.k., but i'll be sure he'll be seeing alot purple tail.

Homecoming

Picked up the car last night after spending sometime at the body shop. Didn't get any body work done, just had the frame pulled. Looks o.k. to me. But damn thing looks like my neighbors car.

It's been a while since i've been out of the splint. My hand isn't a 100%,not til next month according to the doctor, but this isn't going to stop me in doing my impression norcal homie Al.

Hey Al, this one is for you.

Improvise, yes we do.

I used to spend alot of money on tools when I wrenched for a living. Since i've all but given up the profession. I have a lot more money to spend on other things. But there's days I won't have the tools I need to get the job done. This is where being filipino comes into play. Yes I did use a connecting rod, pinion bearing and a socket to press a couple of ball joints in. And yes it did work take that bitches! Unfortunately, a Snap On tool was sacraficed in the line of duty.

What happens to former

DTM cars. Some may see the crusher others will spend the rest of their lives in a museum. But in the Netherlands, they are reborn. For BMW enthusiast, Ton Vink, his passion E30 chassis M3 to the extreme. Taking a former DTM car and rebuilding from the ground up...


from this..


to this.

As fan DTM racing late 80's/ early 90's before they became NASCAR ish. I used to love watching in Speedvision before they became NASCARish. To have piece of racing history and to race it, is what many dream of and what some may do. I hopefully I one day will have the latter.

If you live or plan to visit the Netherlands please drop by and say hi or visit their site http://www.vinkmotorsport.nl/index.php

Rollin'

It's not car related but still silly. A competition between Korea (Blue helmet) and Japan (White helmet) on who's the master in rolling 55 gal. drums. Looks like these guys have been doing it for a long time.