tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71195257437068540752024-03-06T06:39:50.418+08:00Pinoy PetrolheadsFJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455184895807718919noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-50874311546796428872014-09-12T19:44:00.001+08:002014-09-12T19:44:06.770+08:00Confessions of a Car Nut<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://ganations.blogspot.com/2014/09/confessions-of-car-nut.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>This post was originally posted on my blog.</b></span></a></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ganations/15028774777" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title="Traced and Riced Ferrari 512bb by Gani NaƱagas, on Flickr"><img alt="Traced and Riced Ferrari 512bb" height="184" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5562/15028774777_87745ab52d.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Traced 512bb, with fender flare mods by yours truly</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have a confession to make. I am a ricer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I like the fender flares. The wide stance. There are cars with huge spoilers that I appreciate. Call me weird. Call me an artist. There are certain cars that look good riced out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However I don't believe it stops at looks. If you want to make your car look fast, you'd better make sure it can go fast too. And stop great. And handle perfectly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And while I would prefer to drive a sleeper car, meaning a normal looking car that has amazing performance, I still can appreciate those tricked out rides.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have a confession to make. I never was a Ferrari road car fan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I liked them. When I was young it was the Testarossa. Then it became the 360 Modena. That's it. I could identify most Ferraris, but I never was a big fan of the cars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until Gran Turismo 5.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See, I got a Ferrari 512bb in GT5. Purchased it to race in a few of the series. Similar to what happened to me in Gran Turismo 2, where I fell in love with the Ford GT40, I eventually fell for the 512bb too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I grow older, I guess my tastes are starting to develop more, and mix too. See what I drew above? A Ferrari 512bb that I traced from a reference picture, <i>THEN </i>I added fender flares and a wider stance. Sort of like east meets west. The 512bb by itself looks great, but I just think how cool it would be if it had fender flares.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And yes, if I were to be given the chance to own <i>ANY </i>Ferrari, it would be the 512bb. Over the F40. Over the Enzo. Over the LaFerrari. Over the 250 GTO. Or I'd get any Ferrari and sell it so I could buy a 512 and modify that car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can dream, can't I?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Out.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-73992765966989681162013-08-18T08:44:00.000+08:002013-08-18T08:50:51.862+08:00The World of Toyota<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hi folks, been a while since I last posted. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend The World of Toyota exhibit at Pasay City's World Trade Center yesterday, August 17, 2013. It was the second to the last day but there were still plenty of people and a decent amount of classic, new, and concept cars being shown. I'll post some of the photos below, but you can <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ganations/sets/72157635104850335/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">see the rest of them on my flickr page</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Apologies if most of the pictures were of the new 86, I just love the way that car looks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So without further ado, some of the nice photos I took.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Out.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ganations/9528183055/" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title="Scion FR-S by Gani, on Flickr"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/9528183055_3ce6b5d594_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The rear of a heavily kitted FR-S </span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ganations/9530976144/" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title="Race livery 86 with a model. by Gani, on Flickr"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/9530976144_d650c21b5a_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One of the many 86's on display, with a lovely model.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ganations/9528229061/" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title="Lexus LFA by Gani, on Flickr"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/9528229061_e34e7f5d68_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2nd time I've seen an LFA in person.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ganations/9531022336/" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title="Classic 70s Toyota Celica by Gani, on Flickr"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/9531022336_735b594195_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of my classic dream cars - the Toyota Celica</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ganations/9531048878/" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title="037/365 - Me inside a Toyota 86 by Gani, on Flickr"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/9531048878_66296a4f83_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I can fit inside an 86!</b></span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ganations/9528302753/" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title="Toyota AE86 Initial D Colors by Gani, on Flickr"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3669/9528302753_acc09046bd_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">AE86 in Initial D colors.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ganations/9528318477/" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title="86 Leaving the Parking Area by Gani, on Flickr"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/9528318477_2a394200a9_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An 86 leaving the parking display area for car clubs.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ganations/9531069462/" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title="Toyota 2000GT and I by Gani, on Flickr"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/9531069462_9aeaa88ae2_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Standing beside a rare 2000GT.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-76005353122291932832013-01-08T15:17:00.000+08:002013-01-08T15:17:45.832+08:00Pinoy Petrolhead in America, Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It looks like I'm stranded in the USA for a little while, but there are worse fates for a Pinoy Petrolhead. I figure while I'm here, I'll keep an eye out for interesting cars - the likes of which we won't get much of (if any) in the Philippines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For the first installment of this series, I submit to my fellow petrolheads this BMW Z4, dressed up in semi-GTR race livery.</span><br />
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<br />Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-37872880301817912712013-01-05T19:50:00.003+08:002013-01-05T19:50:28.662+08:00Two-Car Garage 2013 Edition<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://ganations.blogspot.com/2013/01/two-car-garage-2013-edition.html">This was originally posted on my personal blog a few minutes ago and copy-pasted here.</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Same question, new rules. First, I have to list down most <i>(if not all) </i>of the cars that have graced our garage. Second, I have to decide which two cars among all the cars I've experienced I would want in a two-car garage. Of course we'll be assuming that whatever cars I pick will be excellently cared for, reliable, and not in whatever state it is in now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First off, the cars. Here they are almost chronologically and from what I can remember:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=vw+beetle+classic&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=kg_oUOv8FoPxkAXu0IBg&biw=1366&bih=653&sei=lA_oUM6IC8e_kQXtk4DoDQ">VW Beetle</a></i></b> - I used to call it the <i>"bulokswagen"</i> because I wasn't a petrolhead at the time and because it was actually a bit of a crapper from what I remember. Maybe because my dad loaned it to his sister and she didn't care for it as well as dad? I can't remember.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=vw+beetle+classic&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=kg_oUOv8FoPxkAXu0IBg&biw=1366&bih=653&sei=lA_oUM6IC8e_kQXtk4DoDQ#um=1&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=1970+toyota+hi+ace&oq=1970+toyota+hi+ace&gs_l=img.3...15269.18531.0.18704.18.17.0.1.1.1.230.1864.8j7j2.17.0...0.0...1c.1.I_eru1teydU&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.dGI&fp=29b9d2bce8281f85&bpcl=40096503&biw=1366&bih=653">Toyota Hi-Ace</a></i> - 1970s. I have a couple of memories of this van. First, it had two horns - the stock horn and a horn that sounded like a train's horn. I remember this because one time going home near Magallanes I asked my dad to sound the train horn and the electrical system fried or something. The car broke down and we had to take a cab going home. I also remember my dad and I spending weekends fixing the brakes. I was doing the pumping to release air from the brake hoses. Nice van, actually.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=vw+beetle+classic&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=kg_oUOv8FoPxkAXu0IBg&biw=1366&bih=653&sei=lA_oUM6IC8e_kQXtk4DoDQ#um=1&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=box+type+lancer&oq=box+type+lancer&gs_l=img.3..0j0i24l3.50870.52262.2.52393.15.11.0.4.4.2.141.1054.6j5.11.0...0.0...1c.1.Q2UBEQEXOaU&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.dGI&fp=29b9d2bce8281f85&bpcl=40096503&biw=1366&bih=653">Box Type Mitsubishi Lancer</a> </i>- A company car my dad used to drive.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=vw+beetle+classic&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=kg_oUOv8FoPxkAXu0IBg&biw=1366&bih=653&sei=lA_oUM6IC8e_kQXtk4DoDQ#um=1&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=box+type+nissan+sentra&oq=box+type+nissan+sentra&gs_l=img.3...41686.44641.4.44763.23.17.5.0.0.0.177.1836.7j10.17.0...0.0...1c.1.adebkmopq5o&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.dGI&fp=29b9d2bce8281f85&bpcl=40096503&biw=1366&bih=653">Nissan Sentra Box Type</a> </i>- My dad drove about two or three of these as his company cars.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ganations/6075714637/in/photostream" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">1993 Toyota Lite Ace</a> - We jump to this. I've blogged about this a couple of times. Old reliable, still with us. Only it's in the province now. This was my practice car when I was learning to drive, and I remember I scraped the gate of our subdivision the first time my dad and I took this out to practice. Lots of great memories with this van.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=mazda+familia&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&aq=f&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=nhDoUIezNsnYkgW3moDgDQ&biw=1366&bih=653&sei=oBDoUN2xG4qskgWG-oH4BQ#um=1&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=mazda+323+familia&oq=mazda+323+familia&gs_l=img.3..0l7j0i24l3.5967.6422.0.6841.4.4.0.0.0.1.137.429.2j2.4.0...0.0...1c.1.gnxpWHHdRi4&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.dGI&fp=29b9d2bce8281f85&bpcl=40096503&biw=1366&bih=653">Mazda 323 Familia</a> </i>- I graduated to using this as my primary car one time when my folks were on vacation and I stopped using the Lite Ace. This had an auto transmission and this was also the car that made me stop wanting to drive stick shifts.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=mazda+familia&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&aq=f&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=nhDoUIezNsnYkgW3moDgDQ&biw=1366&bih=653&sei=oBDoUN2xG4qskgWG-oH4BQ#um=1&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=2001+rav4&oq=2001+rav4&gs_l=img.3..0j0i24l9.79594.84027.2.84388.18.15.3.0.0.0.319.2012.7j3j3j1.14.0...0.0...1c.1.iOiRPtbwAR4&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.dGI&fp=29b9d2bce8281f85&bpcl=40096503&biw=1366&bih=653">2001 Toyota Rav4</a> </i>- This is the car I still drive. It was initially my mom's company car that she bought when she became eligible for a new company car. Don't be surprised if this is one of the cars I pick. In fact, I'm spoiling it right now. This is one of the cars I'm picking. A sentimental favorite. Right size, decent power, decent space. I love this car. And <a href="http://jalopnik.com/5969067/eight-ways-automakers-make-cars-obsolete-and-how-to-overcome-them">thanks to this article I found on jalopnik</a>, I plan on saving enough money to make this car last me a lifetime.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=mazda+familia&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&aq=f&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=nhDoUIezNsnYkgW3moDgDQ&biw=1366&bih=653&sei=oBDoUN2xG4qskgWG-oH4BQ#um=1&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=2006+rav4&oq=2006+rav4&gs_l=img.3..0l2j0i24l8.172231.173006.4.173178.2.2.0.0.0.0.123.209.1j1.2.0...0.0...1c.1.Y5tFczeav4U&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.dGI&fp=29b9d2bce8281f85&bpcl=40096503&biw=1366&bih=653">2006/7 Toyota Rav4</a> </i>- This was the older Rav's replacement. It's nice, but it's too electronic and complicated for me. Plus, it's bigger. I love how it handles, though. My mom bought this when she became eligible for a new company car.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=mazda+familia&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&aq=f&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=nhDoUIezNsnYkgW3moDgDQ&biw=1366&bih=653&sei=oBDoUN2xG4qskgWG-oH4BQ#um=1&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=2010+toyota+grandia&oq=2010+toyota+grandia&gs_l=img.3..0i24.85323.89619.6.89926.23.13.1.9.9.2.183.1191.10j3.13.0...0.0...1c.1.WZKVeLIWFb0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.dGI&fp=29b9d2bce8281f85&bpcl=40096503&biw=1366&bih=653">2010 Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia</a> </i>- This is my mom's latest company car. It's a frickin' bus. Very big, very nice. But very big. I drove this once on the trip to Ilocos. It handled decently for a big van, but it's very big. Did I say it's very big?</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So those are the cars I can remember us having in our garage. And the two cars that I will be choosing to have?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The 2001 Toyota Rav4 and the 1993 Toyota Lite Ace. Two perfect family cars with the right size and space each. I'd just upgrade the head and taillights of both. And for the Lite Ace I would try to do something to improve the power from the engine, and I'd improve it's sound system. The Rav4 is technically perfect already.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As an aside, if we were to have a third car that we'd park outside the house on the sidewalk <i>(like what's happening to </i>"my"<i> Rav4 right now)</i> I'd have the classic Beetle outside as my toy car. Nice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Out.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-75624620957129808962012-12-22T20:22:00.000+08:002012-12-22T20:22:14.694+08:00My Christmas Car Wishlist<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's that time of the year again. Time for Christmas wishlists, and what better wishlist than a list of cars I'd like to own? I'll limit it to the top five cars I wish Santa Claus would give me, and the reasons why I want those cars.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.kiaglobal.com/ph/en/MODELS/SUVMPV/Sportage/Specifications/index.htm">Diesel Kia Sportage A/T</a>. </i>This would be a good family car for my family and I. It's got decent size, decent space, and it looks great. The LED daytime running lights, the simple yet curvy lines, it just looks amazing. Better than a Hyundai Tucson, if you ask me.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.motorimage.net/PH/showroom/STI/MY08/?pg=datasheet&id=specifications">Subaru Impreza WRX STi Hatchback A/T</a>. Yes, shocking to some of you. I want an automatic transmission for an STi. I have a perfectly good reason for wanting an A/T for these Philippine Streets. I don't have to worry about the clutch in our stop and go traffic. Besides, if ever I do get an STi, I plan on making it my daily driver. Oh, and an STi can still sit my entire family for the weekends.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.toyota.com.ph/cars/new_cars/86/pricelist.asp">Toyota 86 A/T</a>. Again with the automatic transmission? Just see my STi explanation. Yes, I do plan on using an 86 as my daily driver. Sadly this car is a bit too cramped for my family. But still, an 86 as a daily driver.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1C1LENN_enPH492PH492&q=volkswagen+beetle+baja&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.bmk&bpcl=40096503&biw=1366&bih=653&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=GqTVUKPEEIbMrQek14GwDQ">Volkswagen Beetle 'Baja Bug.</a>' I think its pretty well known that I've always wanted a Beetle Baja Bug. The Classic Beetle was built to last, and this would be a fun toy car to own.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.toyota.com.ph/cars/new_cars/innova/fullspecs.asp">Toyota Innova G Diesel A/T</a>. Another family car. Because I'm a family man already, and I don't really drive that fast or recklessly on our streets.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And that's it. The top five cars I wish someone would gift me this Christmas. In order of priority. Yes, I really want a Sportage most. Surprised?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Out.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-11361191155160874592012-12-11T00:00:00.002+08:002012-12-11T00:02:22.700+08:00Fiat: Sexy Cars and Sexy CommercialsWhile I've always been a fan of BIG cars, there are always those little ones that catch my eye every now and then. Usually they're roadsters like the BMW z8 (ok who DOESN'T love that car?) or the Toyota GT86 (AKA Scion FR-S or Subaru BRZ). But I do have a soft spot for the new Fiat 500s.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQbXgUcDjUZTrYOmSGfOnu-ij81hfq22V9KvU_VVYRwVWdeGdBw0xDlEbmYv_a7OEaQqOBNaPm1WRaiMu8I2flMr-q2kma3119MRpBuzNFWL3vQYo181IiRQhzoWYnbRTVQx9ikXtag/s1600/fiat-500-abarth-1320078484-36051.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQbXgUcDjUZTrYOmSGfOnu-ij81hfq22V9KvU_VVYRwVWdeGdBw0xDlEbmYv_a7OEaQqOBNaPm1WRaiMu8I2flMr-q2kma3119MRpBuzNFWL3vQYo181IiRQhzoWYnbRTVQx9ikXtag/s320/fiat-500-abarth-1320078484-36051.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Check out the Fiat 500 Abarth!</div>
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While when it comes to the old school ones, I would go with the Mr. Bean Austin Mini, as nice as the new Coopers are, the Fiats just look so cool! And as my brother and fellow Petrolhead author, Francis, pointed out to me recently, even Fiat's non 500 models look good.</div>
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Buuuuuut, if you're not convinced, well Fiat's got a couple of commercials that just might change your mind. Of course, these sexy commercials feature the equally sexy Fiat 500 Abarth. Check em out and let us know which one you like and if this is enough to make you want a Fiat.<br />
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Now if only there was a local dealer...</div>
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<span class=" yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" style="-webkit-user-select: auto; border: 0px; cursor: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="New Fiat Abarth 500 Cabrio Ad "Topless""><span style="font-size: x-small;">New Fiat Abarth 500 Cabrio Ad "Topless"</span></span></span></h1>
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FJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455184895807718919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-3202638821025127512012-12-02T00:01:00.000+08:002012-12-02T00:01:04.623+08:00Racing With Legends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RQlxiBrpvcdBKdswx2ftjYCeMhzCtVOo_aCMcNlgkjRFWq2SNUnsEdqvtNaGcGIBerxhKlZ1MP8oOEtN1eHxsVpYCh17YEn0NCbXr1uPGm83K4ylAEGXhFzTeO8L-a8Zb1eNZeR1Uey-/s1600/medDSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RQlxiBrpvcdBKdswx2ftjYCeMhzCtVOo_aCMcNlgkjRFWq2SNUnsEdqvtNaGcGIBerxhKlZ1MP8oOEtN1eHxsVpYCh17YEn0NCbXr1uPGm83K4ylAEGXhFzTeO8L-a8Zb1eNZeR1Uey-/s320/medDSC_0007.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't around in the 50s, 60s or 70s. And for most of the 80s, I lived abroad. So names like Dodjie Laurel, Dante Silverio, or Pocholo Ramirez didn't mean much to me growing up. Yet it's on the exploits of men like these - and many more - that Philippine motorsport was built on.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy-EzQKp4BnksuPKYhPYcpbFxa5UIqk8kH1aRa4PBNfkLZXmLHFZ9mbd7cE3DeAEHHE4yLMsbUAKJXbPQ_GyBx3uVXw8uZwYI8uJ9vCThe6mfoqpGmUOh0pf8wyOn13pfylKV1CnW0FRW/s1600/medDSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy-EzQKp4BnksuPKYhPYcpbFxa5UIqk8kH1aRa4PBNfkLZXmLHFZ9mbd7cE3DeAEHHE4yLMsbUAKJXbPQ_GyBx3uVXw8uZwYI8uJ9vCThe6mfoqpGmUOh0pf8wyOn13pfylKV1CnW0FRW/s320/medDSC_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to this effort by motorsport enthusiasts Martin Galan, Steven Flor and Mark Laccay, the younger generations (and the ignorant like me) will get to see, through the eyes of the legends themselves, what it was like in what the film's producers call "The Golden Age of Philippine racing". "Racing With Legends" is a documentary, in which local racing heroes Paco Ventura, Dante Silverio, Louie Camus, Mandy Eduque and Johnny Angeles take us back to the genesis of our motorsport heritage. The stories these men tell take us on a trip back in time, to the glory days of the Greenhills Grand Prix, the Manila Grand Prix, to the birth of the fabled Cam Wreckers, the tragic death of Dodjie Laurel in the Macau Grand Prix in 1967, and much more. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LmeMZiK1QksT7YHabW_RsCgkLp42c0jkm0etCGOQcDrwQlDpptb-kn1YE_xySB3Y8MhHJ9wltMpSeEQQI7mpviPA87z_DGWo-j2hjRFsPE_qrAAETIBxfWacpqnKBMf1E2L8dDek712j/s1600/264230_501208899890567_1019216967_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LmeMZiK1QksT7YHabW_RsCgkLp42c0jkm0etCGOQcDrwQlDpptb-kn1YE_xySB3Y8MhHJ9wltMpSeEQQI7mpviPA87z_DGWo-j2hjRFsPE_qrAAETIBxfWacpqnKBMf1E2L8dDek712j/s320/264230_501208899890567_1019216967_n.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Picture taken from the Racing With Legends Facebook page</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Filipino racers are starting to recapture some of the old magic both locally in internationally, with young talents like Marlon Stockinger and Stefano Marcelo (nephew of the late great Jovy Marcelo), but their success was made possible by people like </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arthur Tuason, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Butch Viola, or Joey Bundalian.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABiaUuhG7IsOzKh5YFBSVSUV8dEAhV6fKYYVpaDDit1QUmMYFu3khlvpDRvCXtzLgu0fh3f7N5WtLoUHhWzFB-6ZlNgbdolHtCMX62XWj0KWfNnY2e1QezC0nIVziHTWjAm5n4CLkRMTO/s1600/545761_507895722555218_1288004139_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABiaUuhG7IsOzKh5YFBSVSUV8dEAhV6fKYYVpaDDit1QUmMYFu3khlvpDRvCXtzLgu0fh3f7N5WtLoUHhWzFB-6ZlNgbdolHtCMX62XWj0KWfNnY2e1QezC0nIVziHTWjAm5n4CLkRMTO/s320/545761_507895722555218_1288004139_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Picture taken from the Racing With Legends Facebook page</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The film recently had its pre-launch in the Manila Auto Salon, with pre-selling activities and promotional appearances by the film's racing legends themselves. Fans can also support this projec tby visiting the "Racing With Legends" </span><a href="http://www.artisteconnect.com/projects/racing-with-legends" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">artisteconnect</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> page. There, you can pre-order your copy and show your love for our country's racing heritage. When this film comes out in January 2013, it will automatically be a must-see for all true Pinoy Petrolheads.</span></div>
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<br />Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-80107431694628776212012-11-29T23:18:00.000+08:002012-11-29T23:18:36.065+08:00Event Report: DTM Revival Awarding Ceremony and Meet Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge96AndnYChcc_0QhUL9CBfDTBBhyphenhyphenx9y7qAy47NiPkAYczPOx0G2xvc1qGugnLOrXRAKPoWPc3uaEf5uWJpeLM8eVifxANUDpI7h2H5-8lHd8VQjnXQN5AOPxSAcwy-al8_KRL92eiFZCG/s1600/sponsors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge96AndnYChcc_0QhUL9CBfDTBBhyphenhyphenx9y7qAy47NiPkAYczPOx0G2xvc1qGugnLOrXRAKPoWPc3uaEf5uWJpeLM8eVifxANUDpI7h2H5-8lHd8VQjnXQN5AOPxSAcwy-al8_KRL92eiFZCG/s320/sponsors.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cool cars, great company, prizes and food - what more could you want? Gram's diner was the venue for the Philippine DTM Revival Awarding Ceremony for the 2nd DTM Revival Race. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo: Paolo Arespacochaga</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All race participants received Certificates of Participation, along with lubricats from Petronas and Liqui Moly, Brembo stationary, Sonax Brilliant Shine spray, and t-shirts from Aguila Auto Glass.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo: Paolo Arespacochaga</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">The race winners also took home assorted prizes in addition to their trophies, including a Mio heart rate monitor watch from Mio Philippines, a limited edition Brembo cap, a gallon of Refinish Line undercoating, and a gift certificate from Makna Trading for Bilstein and H&R suspension products.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;">Photo: Birdman</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The evening was also a chance for the participants to thank the sponsors of the Philippine DTM Revival, and each took home a Certificate of Appreciation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo: Paolo Arespacochaga</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The night ended with a raffle, with gifts from Aguila Auto Glass, Brembo, and limited edition Philippine DTM Revival posters.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All in all, it was a fun evening, and we're all looking forward to next year's events!</span></div>
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Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-48476963545362649482012-11-29T07:52:00.001+08:002012-11-29T07:52:58.214+08:00Guten ///Morgen!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzob8t-F-IyB02rwOc4SvY7xnoe5RZe1uOkC_jFPsHCuwFrI-P23dnRL_FZEOe7e1EVsmborUugO7-n8y85akMeb5qad0SVVDlhLh1NJkC4gxl_KCElIOKRPGqZnVuNTyQMjkqXOkTbGVE/s1600/M3s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzob8t-F-IyB02rwOc4SvY7xnoe5RZe1uOkC_jFPsHCuwFrI-P23dnRL_FZEOe7e1EVsmborUugO7-n8y85akMeb5qad0SVVDlhLh1NJkC4gxl_KCElIOKRPGqZnVuNTyQMjkqXOkTbGVE/s320/M3s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good ///Morning, indeed! Dropped by an ARC Automotive customer early today to install a new roundel for his M3... though I think there are more than enough roundels (and M3 badges) in this garage... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First one to guess which M3, and which roundel (front or back), gets a petrol point!</span>Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-39036290035023054342012-11-27T16:25:00.000+08:002012-11-29T07:57:38.920+08:00The end of an era in F1, and the start of a new age?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPL0LtA-wYQ54IWLjjtNcIKpFjU2GERqe8ccKP7E7ffss9pwtjvt_qFqQBvQkHpdF3MU0uwaG55rr6IwUAYVyKmuhLkjmoNQXZ1ELBtmnpBOF8jgrG6naz1jfemBS65awINHFk-t58D0X/s1600/DSC_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPL0LtA-wYQ54IWLjjtNcIKpFjU2GERqe8ccKP7E7ffss9pwtjvt_qFqQBvQkHpdF3MU0uwaG55rr6IwUAYVyKmuhLkjmoNQXZ1ELBtmnpBOF8jgrG6naz1jfemBS65awINHFk-t58D0X/s320/DSC_0637.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Schumacher waves to the fans at the re-race parade in Singapore 2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a season of Formula 1... </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't been a real fan for very long, more like a casual fan from 1998 until 2005. But WOW what a year of F1! So many plotlines, so much action and so much drama that I'll need bulletpoints to keep from droning on:</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most former champions ever racing at the same time (six - Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen)</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seven different winners (Button, Alonso, Nico Rosberg, Vettel, Pastor Maldonado, Mark Webber, and Hamilton), in the first seven races, including two first-time winners (Rosberg and Maldonado)</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIsDW6mSub7j8fmiw79sZGWIXAtTXpFnkN9OJEeLdGjKlp3BbfkXp1ZmE_1-FF8x91bk40pAJHS1ydO6HMcxUhE2w3KYkEr_61RWwzxWnPTn4f6aUA3JBguZNTb4bH4be9LbBWIAj1saX/s1600/00000096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIsDW6mSub7j8fmiw79sZGWIXAtTXpFnkN9OJEeLdGjKlp3BbfkXp1ZmE_1-FF8x91bk40pAJHS1ydO6HMcxUhE2w3KYkEr_61RWwzxWnPTn4f6aUA3JBguZNTb4bH4be9LbBWIAj1saX/s320/00000096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">By Round 7, each of these three would already have a race win. Unfortunately for Maldonado, it would be his only win</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kimi Raikkonen's triumphant return to F1 after a disastrous end to his Ferrari stint, which crumbled as soon as he won his first World Championship. He improbably placed 3rd in the Driver's Championship, despite driving for a car that many thought would be a second-tier team (Lotus, aka the corpse of Reneault). My favorite moment of his comeback? <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtaulxTt0Gc">Kimi telling his pit crew to basically shut up and let him drive</a></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Raikkonen looking as passive as ever</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A former championship contender (Felipe Massa, 2nd in 2008 by just one point) in a competitive car (Ferrari) free-falling into oblivion, causing everyone and their mother to bet that he will not be retained, and then inexplicably returning to form with two podiums and six top-f finishes in the last ten races, while keeping his seat for 2013</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The drama of Lewis Hamilton's decision whether to stay with McLaren or go to another team, which he finally did when he signed with Mercedes GP</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sebastian Vettel's second ever Perfect Weekend (Pole, Led every lap, Win, Fastest Lap) in Suzuka</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The successful return of Formula 1 in the US, with the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rise of young talent - Rosberg, Maldonado, Sergio Perez and Romain Grosjean getting podiums and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUgKT4AK9Nc">Maldonado</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBM4KpxfsPc">Grosjean's</a> penchant for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4qYUBiXowk">crashing</a>, especially in the opening lap</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sebastian Vettel becoming the youngest ever F1 Triple World Champion, beating out Fernando Alonso by just 3 points, with the Ferrari ace reaching the podium in all of the last five races</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Can Fernando Alonso build on the momentum of reaching the podium in all of the last 5 races of 2012?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's fitting, i think, that Vettel became a Triple World Champion in Sao Paolo yesterday by finishing just ahead of the last man to claim that title, Michael Schumacher.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Michael under hard braking in Singapore 2010</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the record, even in Micheal's prime, I was more of a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eE3gCy5zvM">Mikka Hakkinen</a> guy. I thought Schumi was a bit too cut-throat for my liking, and I preferred the cool, quiet confidence of the Flying Finn. But there is no doubt in my mind that with everything Schumacher has achieved, he is arguably the greatest F1 driver of all time. With much respect to Ayrton Senna, who might be the fastest driver ever, I think Schumacher had the best combination of speed, mental toughness, technical prowess, adaptability, and public savvy of any F1 driver ever. That is evident with how many titles he has won - seven, with Benetton and Ferrari - in the span of ten years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">I took this photo at the Paddock of the 2012 Singapore GP, moments before getting Schumi's autograph</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will miss watching him, and despite being a McLaren fan first, I could never root against Schumacher. Someone once said that rooting against such a virtuoso athlete would be like rooting against Picasso or Mozart. I think - Senna and maybe Juan Manuel Fangio or Gilles Villaneuve aside - Schumi is the most revered F1 driver of all time. I was lucky enough to see him in person in the Singapore GP. It was around 10:30pm after a long day of qualifying. And he was just chatting with a Ferrari team member, but the crowd around him was grew within seconds, and many were intimidated to even walk up to him. I was lucky enough to get him to sign an autograph for me. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though he didn't say anything, he graciously accepted the autograph request after a long and grueling qualifying session.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Sebastian celebrates his win in Singapore 2012 after qualifying 3rd</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vettel's story, on the other hand, is just beginning. While it remains to be seen if he can have the longevity of Michael's career, he has proven himself to be a driver for the ages. He joined Schumacher and Fangio as the only Triple World Champions, and did it winning three in a row (Fangio has won 4 in a row, and Schumi 5 consecutive). After long battling the notion that he is only good when he starts at pole position, his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCQlZJvixVk">furious charge from the back of the grid to 3rd place in Abu Dhabi</a> proved he can also fight it out with the best of them. And of course, he is still a virtual lock when out in front. Still, it will be interesting to see how he fares when he isn't in the fastest car on the grid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The Red Bull crew working on Vettel's RB8</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am definitely hooked for next year. So many possibilities abound. Vettel is the obvious favorite. Ferrari and McLaren both finished strong, and with champions like Alonso and Button leading them, they will be in the mix. Button in particular might be stronger now that he has the undisputed number one spot in McLaren. Raikkonen already proved that he can win, and that Lotus can give him a car that will be competitive. And now that Hamilton has moved to Mercedes, Ross Brawn has a top-flight driver to develop a car around, like he did when Schumacher was in his stable. that's five teams that have a chance to do something special, with five championship-winning drivers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Will Jenson Button's status as McLaren's number one man mean a title?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Bring on the funny season!</span>Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-54037757683890196402012-11-24T21:45:00.001+08:002012-11-24T21:45:30.574+08:00Excited About EcoBoost<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Browsing the local Ford website a few days ago, I found out that they're selling the new Explorer here with an EcoBoost engine option. Now, I'm not a big fan of the SUVs of Ford since I always saw them as huge, gas guzzling land barges that were driven by rude drivers who thought they <i>always</i> had right of way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On a side note, apologies to Explorer & Expedition owners who drive them decently, or order their <i>chauffeurs </i>to drive them like decent people. I don't honestly know if you exist in the Philippines, but in the off-chance that you do, apologies for stereotyping you into the typical douchebag motorist I always rant against.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I first discovered the ecoboost engine when I read about the new Ford Focus being released abroad with a 1.0L ecoboost engine that does the same output as the old 1.6L Focus engine. I was really impressed with how Ford came up with that engine. The only downside, from what I read before, was that a new Focus with the ecoboost engine had the same price as the old Focus with the 1.6L engine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So what is an ecoboost engine, anyway? From what I've read and understood, it's basically a more efficient engine. It has the same power and torque output of a bigger displacement engine, only in a smaller displacement. They seem to have achieved this by optimizing the way fuel is injected into the cylinder. I think they've also attached a turbocharger but did it in such a way as to minimize, or maybe even remove, turbo lag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hope that Ford's ecoboost engined vehicles sell well, and I hope that they perform well while giving great fuel efficiency. I've always been a fan of highly efficient engines that give good fuel economy while still belting out good power figures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And if all goes well, I hope that the prices of ecoboost engined vehicles goes down. Because these vehicles might be a good alternative to diesel engined or hybrid cars here in the Philippines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Out.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-59586252233189865592012-11-23T09:46:00.000+08:002012-11-29T07:55:20.628+08:00Philippine DTM Revival Awarding Ceremony and Meet Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an open invitation to all DTM enthusiasts! Bring your DTM car and hang out with your fellow petrolheads!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Philippine DTM Revival Race Awarding Ceremony and Meet Up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grams Diner Fort Bonifacio</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wednesday, November 28, 6:30pm</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Schedule of activites are:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Awarding for the winners of the 2nd Philippine DTM Revival Race</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Special prizes for participants of the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2nd Philippine DTM Revival Race</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recognition for the sponsors of the Philippine DTM Revival</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Raffle for all visitors who brought their 80s DTM car (or proof of ownership of a DTM car, if your car is coding that day)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is no entrance fee, but food and drinks are KKB (ie. you pay for your own food).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See you there!</span>Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-33291642759826698372012-11-23T09:39:00.001+08:002012-11-29T08:01:56.181+08:00Philippine DTM Revival Race 2 - sometimes, sequels are better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While there were only a few participants for the first Philippine DTM Revival Race, it was obvious that there was an interest in the race series. Most of the spectators may have showed up to see the <a href="http://miataclubphilippines.com/">Miata Cup</a> or the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MANILA-SPORTS-CAR-CLUB/251358430206">MSCC</a> Vintage Car Race, but those who witnessed the rebirth of 80s DTM racing certainly displayed their enthusiasm. Mig and I were hopeful that the second race would be better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the help of our sponsors from the first race - <a href="http://www.aguilaautoglass.com/">Aguila Auto Glass</a>, <a href="http://arcautomotive.com.ph/">ARC Automotive</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/BILSTEIN-Philippines/323818297652505">Bilstien</a>, <a href="http://autoperformance.com.ph/">Brembo</a>, H&R, <a href="http://www.liqui-moly.ph/">Liqui Moly</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MioPH">Mio Watch</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RefinishLine?fref=ts">Refinish Line</a>, and <a href="http://sonax-ph.com/">Sonax</a> - we were confident that we can put on a show the second time around. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Petronas-Lubricants-Philippines/231874876917883">Petronas</a> (the Malaysian petroleum giant who is the name sponsor of the <a href="http://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mercedes-gp.com%2F&ei=n8-uUPSUCcfhrAeMs4DgCg&usg=AFQjCNGFxUSMp5iS_wYaO7wlYRyem8PLjg">Petronas Mercedes AMG GP Formula 1</a> team) gave us their full support and worked out so that the second race would have all the bells and whistles - like transponders for lap times, and complete FIA supervision.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time, the race would be held in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clark-International-Speedway/173105949375562?fref=ts">Clark International Speedway</a>, on November 18, 2012. Unlike the first race, the skies were clear and blue all day, making it perfect racing weather. The Miata Cup had over 20 cars on grid, and the Vintage Car Race gained a new sibling, with the newly minted Modern Sportscar Race, witha couple of Porsche 964s, a 996, BMW Z3 Coupe, a Ford Mustang GT500, and even a couple of Miatas joining the fray. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FIA officials from Australia were on hand to make sure things ran smoothly, and that the race was safe and organized. Pro Drivers JP Tuason, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mike Potenciano, and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Louis and Mechie Ramirez, also dropped by to see the the races, along with </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mikko David - <a href="http://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.topgear.com.ph%2F&ei=NNOuUJ_qEsfVrQeFsIHYDg&usg=AFQjCNGkB8TXmVvK13HaA_8P5EYZIifwhw">Top Gear Philippines</a>' Motorsport Editor</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. The conditions were perfect for a great day of motorsport.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cars on the grid were the real stars of the show, however. The Mercedes Benz 190E was represented by Mig Dizon's 2.3-16v Cosworth and defending champion George Apacible's 2.5-16v AMG. Carrying the flag for the BMW e30s were Patrick Chan's M3, a couple of tuned 325i's driven by TJ Benitez and pro racer Stefan Ramirez, a 325iS piloted by Paolo Arespacochaga, Peter de Guzman's 320i, and James Stratchan's 318i. (I wasn't able to drive this race - my e30 is almost ready! Almost! Argh!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The format was the same as the first race - one practice heat, one qualifying race, and then the final race. Only this time, there were more participants. But there weren't just more cars on the grid, but the racing was also excellent, with lots of overtaking and wheel to wheel action between Paolo, George, Patrick, Stefan and TJ going at each other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The three pro drivers put on a great show, with Stefan, George and Paolo overtaking and re-overtaking each other. Patrick and TJ - both veteran club racers - kept pace and joined the fray with the pros.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day, however, belonged to Paolo who had just celebrated his birthday a week before. coring fastest laps for all three races, taking pole position for both race heats, and taking first place in the final race. George finished second, while Patrick secured another podium to take third. Stefan and TJ came in just behind the top three, while Peter and James also finished. Mig, however, didn't start the final race due to a fuel pump problem.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuHaAn3T-eV0kgPiejHWdmIhkqs3j4o3z6i1X2ktLlLd8rNUpev9V5mXJB-HrXViPVPCvGV1p1NXrcWv8DBzHCJVZ55pGuXc7Mm1tVd2xz3vE9DpVMoHhh-LEtlussg0VAX1jlK0BxoMc/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuHaAn3T-eV0kgPiejHWdmIhkqs3j4o3z6i1X2ktLlLd8rNUpev9V5mXJB-HrXViPVPCvGV1p1NXrcWv8DBzHCJVZ55pGuXc7Mm1tVd2xz3vE9DpVMoHhh-LEtlussg0VAX1jlK0BxoMc/s320/DSC_0093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More important than winning or losing was the spirit of 80s DTM Racing is alive and well! Guys came over to see the 16v Benzes and the e30s to admire the cars in their semi-racing livery. There were spectators who came over to say that they, too, have a Cossie or e30 they'd love to race. Even Mike Potenciano mulled over the possibility of bringing his e30 M3 to one of the races.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the success of the event, the Philippine DTM Revival Race will continue in 2013, with 3 to 4 races spaced out throughout the year. I'm looking forward to seeing even more cars, more fans, and more motorsport fun in the next few races. That dream that Mig and I had so many years ago is finally coming true, and we're just glad to be a part of it. I just hope next time, the both of us get to be part of the final race, too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> 1. Paolo Arespacochaga - BMW 325iS (e30)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> 2. George Apacible - Mercedes Benz 190E 2.5-16v</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> 3. Patrick Chan - BMW M3 (e30)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> 4. Stefan Ramirez - BMW 325i (e30)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> 5. TJ Benitez - BMW 325i (e30)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> 6. Peter de Guzman - BMW 320i (e30)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> 7. James Strachan - BMW 318i (e30)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> (DNS - fuel pump failure on track). Miguel Dizon - Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3-16v</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more pics, or information on how to join the next Philippine DTM Revival Race, check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/380532848687042/?ref=notif&notif_t=group_r2j">Philippine DTM Revival Facebook Page</a>!</span>Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-43427396761357957222012-11-20T23:27:00.004+08:002012-11-29T08:03:36.137+08:00Philippine DTM Revival - aka my excuse to have fun in an e30<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN4-zHQ1WKxbowDp3qAhF_gfMyGcaaL0-AzoduMCQsFmOVXL2UgiCnLNTCvJalHb4wsSu6sRwlsXAb_WDccqkH_jQCxM_3hhPGi2SudKPdLC4LlGTYWQrm43zsdSJpds7ae_LKezit473/s1600/event+poster_sept17sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN4-zHQ1WKxbowDp3qAhF_gfMyGcaaL0-AzoduMCQsFmOVXL2UgiCnLNTCvJalHb4wsSu6sRwlsXAb_WDccqkH_jQCxM_3hhPGi2SudKPdLC4LlGTYWQrm43zsdSJpds7ae_LKezit473/s320/event+poster_sept17sml.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2009, a friend of mine, Mig Dizon, purchased a Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3-16v Cosworth. I already had my BMW e30 325i, and we met up one night to... um... "compare" our cars. After a few... uh... "comparisons," we talked about how awesome it would be to pit the BMW e30s and the Benz 190Es in their natural environment, the race track. From that conversation sprung the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/380532848687042/">1st Philippine DTM Revival Race</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the help of fellow enthusiast Manolet Ramos, we got to work with Martin Galan of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MANILA-SPORTS-CAR-CLUB/251358430206">Manila Sports Car Club</a> and Rene Mapua of the <a href="http://miataclubphilippines.com/">Miata Club of the Philippines</a>. With their help, Mig and myself set off to make our dreams a reality. But to make this happen, we needed two things - enthusiasts to participate, and sponsors to help defray the massive costs of renting a track.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enthusiasts were plenty enough - various members of the <a href="http://bmwcarclub.org.ph/">BMW Car Club of the Philippines</a>, <a href="http://bmwe30cc.org/">E30 Club of the Philippines</a>, and the <a href="http://www.mbclub.ph/">Mercedes Benz Club of the Philippines</a> and a few others expressed their interest. Unfortunately, with a limited time to prepare their cars, and with the threat of strong rains, we could only muster a grid of 5 cars.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGR41O6EKdn0f8TDoDLMZknn8LAX1uhlWx9-0qyqNxJpwlKHY_Om_3NTQjh0RZC9ET82Ld9T3FGkbxZwjs9OJyq5ZRWs6b_pR6FcMIcf94Gl3HBVCCKjyNbmAcZpJTyGhD6Ob-tSaUUjqI/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGR41O6EKdn0f8TDoDLMZknn8LAX1uhlWx9-0qyqNxJpwlKHY_Om_3NTQjh0RZC9ET82Ld9T3FGkbxZwjs9OJyq5ZRWs6b_pR6FcMIcf94Gl3HBVCCKjyNbmAcZpJTyGhD6Ob-tSaUUjqI/s320/DSC_0092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">photo: Paolo Arespacochaga</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sponsor interest, however, was very strong. My car shop, <a href="http://arcautomotive.com.ph/">ARC Automotive</a>, was definitely into it. <a href="http://autoperformance.com.ph/">Autoperformance Ph</a>, distributor of Brembo brakes, also signed up immediately. Refinish Line, Mig's rubberized undercoat company, also lent its support. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/BILSTEIN-Philippines/323818297652505">Bilstein</a> and H&R suspension systems were also quick to provide assistance and prizes. <a href="http://www.liqui-moly.ph/">Liqui Moly</a> lubes also gave generously, as did <a href="http://sonax-ph.com/">Sonax detailing products</a>. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MioPH">Mio Watch Philippines</a>, distributors of the world's first strapless heart rate monitor watch, also signed on. And last, but not least, <a href="http://www.aguilaautoglass.com/">Aguila Auto Glass</a> chipped in with its support. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A special mention also goes out to painter and graphic artist Ildus Galimzyanov, who graciously donated the use of his artwork for the DTM event poster. You can purchase some of his awesome automotive art through <a href="http://fineartamerica.comhttp//fineartamerica.com/profiles/ildus-galimzyanov.html?page=1">fineartamerica.com</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks also goes out to Brent Co of <a href="http://autoindustriya.com/">Auto Industriya</a> for coming out and showing their support for the event. Check out <a href="http://www.autoindustriya.com/racing-news/enthusiasts-form-philippine-80s-dtm-revival.html">Auto Industriya's article</a>!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8S2qizNc31vNlnCT4v4VG5AariN_Z7-82FBf-QttBsWCGcqdfNgLNVJM9ecHQxvD6kKdjPiZqpj6qW6iHiI3-d8rbwsaUvrAW0wwIeZ0LgFQdjbqFtyTA6O7PqBWE7eZtIxOme0otVLdG/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8S2qizNc31vNlnCT4v4VG5AariN_Z7-82FBf-QttBsWCGcqdfNgLNVJM9ecHQxvD6kKdjPiZqpj6qW6iHiI3-d8rbwsaUvrAW0wwIeZ0LgFQdjbqFtyTA6O7PqBWE7eZtIxOme0otVLdG/s320/DSC_0108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">photo: Francis Aguila</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The race was finally made ito a reality on September 17, 2012, at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Batangas-Racing-Circuit/357314100982087">Batangas Racing Circuit</a>. The race format included a practice session, where the fastest lap determined the grid order for the qualifying race, and the finishing order for the qualifying race determined the grid for the race proper. The grid included p</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ro race car drivers George Apacible (Benz 190E 2.5-16v) and Paolo Arespacochaga (e30 325iS), <a href="http://circuitshowdown.com/">Circuit Showdown</a> veteran </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Patrick Chan (e30 M3),</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Neil Monzones (e30 320i) and myself rounded out the competitors. Noticably absent was Mig, whose 190E 2.3-16v had to bow out at the last minute due to a fuel pump problem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Patrick found himself at pole position for the final race, thanks to some great driving in the qualifying race. But George Apacible stole the show, by blasting through the field in just one lap to take home the win, despite starting at the back of the grid - the penalty for missing the practice session. Patrick held on the second place, and Neil took home third. Paolo and myself both had to retire due to technical problems.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Dh7sokJskQtgXlF_1tkintwnZDUeOY_RnKan0PRpg46CKzXHrytAEz8P3oPrpkKW0m5H_1csvV2Z7SaMfV66YmbEXAokfXZ6zjVSFjZvhjPScev3yDJBbZs_O-gMmjJRgLDwCrE7D3qx/s1600/DSC_0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Dh7sokJskQtgXlF_1tkintwnZDUeOY_RnKan0PRpg46CKzXHrytAEz8P3oPrpkKW0m5H_1csvV2Z7SaMfV66YmbEXAokfXZ6zjVSFjZvhjPScev3yDJBbZs_O-gMmjJRgLDwCrE7D3qx/s320/DSC_0191.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the relatively small turnout, everyone had a great time. And more importantly, this could be the start of something wonderful. In fact, it's already spawned a sequel...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more pics, or information on how to join the next Philippine DTM Revival Race, check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/380532848687042/">Philippine DTM Revival Facebook Page!</a></span></div>
Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-67636388705241509102012-09-13T18:28:00.000+08:002012-09-13T18:29:06.660+08:00NAIA 3Wasn't able to snap a pic as I was driving, but for anyone going to NAIA 3 (Cebu Pac or Airphil) and you go via the rotunda (coming from Resorts World) take care NOT to cross the solid white line. There are guys stationed there just waiting to pounce.
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<br>My reco is to go slowly exiting the rotunda and enter into the "driveway" of NAIA 3 via that small gap before the solid white line.
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<br>But for longterm results can someone do some research on that? Can those guys really catch you? And anyone with pictures?
<br>Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheldFJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455184895807718919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-68356271774451285592012-08-30T08:19:00.001+08:002012-08-30T08:19:57.285+08:00How about pictures?<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNF3kqHtXmBOnVwGXAz7aAnZ9eMbq3bWJ5jgKLnvqxOc_xoscI2awjELzpRfVJhLWnIdWPvWPqD1AG6o4_PxGZVUhU3QVoDnpHx3mLjoAIaUAs_Lmw7N-LXA4Eqefjtny0ISTIlq4Cw/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTIwNjE3LTAwMzIzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-797286"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNF3kqHtXmBOnVwGXAz7aAnZ9eMbq3bWJ5jgKLnvqxOc_xoscI2awjELzpRfVJhLWnIdWPvWPqD1AG6o4_PxGZVUhU3QVoDnpHx3mLjoAIaUAs_Lmw7N-LXA4Eqefjtny0ISTIlq4Cw/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTIwNjE3LTAwMzIzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-797286" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782254331123669938" /></a></p>Woohoo that worked! Now does it work with picture attachments?
<br>Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheldFJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455184895807718919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-44281989327755148142012-08-30T08:17:00.001+08:002012-08-30T08:17:07.495+08:00TestingSorry for the lack of content lately, but hopefully this email to post feature works so posting on the fly becomes viable.
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<br>Testing 1 2 3...
<br>Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheldFJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455184895807718919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-52220675512007942072011-12-06T07:16:00.001+08:002011-12-06T07:19:52.137+08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>This was originally <a href="http://ganations.blogspot.com/2011/12/jeep-wrangler-in-philippines.html">posted on my blog</a>. I decided to share this here too.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ever since I was in grade school I've always had a soft spot for the Jeep Wrangler. Something about it's ruggedness appealed to me. As I grew older and started getting into cars the Wrangler sort of moved into the background. But I always had a thing for rides you wouldn't mind getting dirty.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One of my biggest turn offs about the Jeep Wrangler is the fact that it uses a very thirsty V6 engine. I've always wondered why Jeep does this. Shouldn't they go for the more torque-y diesel engines? Isn't that what's better suited for off-roading Wranglers?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Imagine my surprise yesterday <i>(yes, yesterday) </i>when I saw on the <a href="http://www.jeep.com.ph/11wrangler/specs/index.html">Philippine website of the Jeep Wrangler</a> that they were offering a diesel engine <i>(you may have to click "Expand All" and look under "Powertrain")</i>. Wow. Now Wranglers have a diesel engine, and I am once again <i>"in love" </i>with<i> </i>the car. Too bad it really doesn't make for a good family car. Plus I don't know how much it costs.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Don't tell me that the Wrangler Unlimited might make a good family car. I don't care if they have diesel engines too. They just don't look right. A four-door Wrangler? Looks too stretched to me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Out.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-91666545673785274512011-11-13T20:30:00.005+08:002011-11-14T20:07:46.938+08:00SEMA 2011 - Wallpapers, Part 2<div>Here's the second installment of my SEMA 2011 wallpapers. Like last time, click on the link below the thumbnail to get at the larger file. Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wIaBXeMb2_E/Tr5wm4LH1iI/AAAAAAAADTM/hbuMyYJ5Rxc/s400/Shelby%252520Daytona.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wIaBXeMb2_E/Tr5wm4LH1iI/AAAAAAAADTM/hbuMyYJ5Rxc/s400/Shelby%252520Daytona.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_x1BdkonU-s/Tr3FKBK556I/AAAAAAAADQY/4RwQqbd3USA/s1024/shelby%252520daytona.JPG">Shelby Daytona</a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u-XMf7CGvw4/Tr5wndJp7dI/AAAAAAAADTQ/lsvvJEUdvDw/s400/RWB%252520Hoonigan%252520964.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u-XMf7CGvw4/Tr5wndJp7dI/AAAAAAAADTQ/lsvvJEUdvDw/s400/RWB%252520Hoonigan%252520964.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KH2tDGWQ4Y0/Tr3FFwgdnFI/AAAAAAAADQQ/PalAPbQRWOM/s1024/RWB%252520Hoonigan%252520964.JPG">RWB Hoonigan 964</a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MhP_cUCh0Q8/Tr5wmKaBpyI/AAAAAAAADTA/9qX8u7Dnl1s/s400/RWB%252520Pandora%252520One%252520964.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MhP_cUCh0Q8/Tr5wmKaBpyI/AAAAAAAADTA/9qX8u7Dnl1s/s400/RWB%252520Pandora%252520One%252520964.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-06Gm1qRaqsQ/Tr5t0M_TOlI/AAAAAAAADQ0/LFjvGSsW278/s1024/RWB%252520Pandora%252520One%252520964.JPG">RWB Pandora One 964</a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z-Tdxe-NFCo/Tr5wk3QKqqI/AAAAAAAADSw/Z1aGbv5cizE/s400/Mopar%252520Charger.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z-Tdxe-NFCo/Tr5wk3QKqqI/AAAAAAAADSw/Z1aGbv5cizE/s400/Mopar%252520Charger.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-htAoWHolhoY/Tr3FEAt4m6I/AAAAAAAADQI/IMZOV2k12e4/s1024/Mopar%252520Charger.JPG">Mopar Dodge Charger</a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dr8orltAVIg/Tr5wk6C1YCI/AAAAAAAADS0/LxAqYEylySM/s400/Matchbox%252520Ford%252520F350%252520Superlift.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dr8orltAVIg/Tr5wk6C1YCI/AAAAAAAADS0/LxAqYEylySM/s400/Matchbox%252520Ford%252520F350%252520Superlift.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BySMuyrFQVo/Tr5txx3QKHI/AAAAAAAADQs/p59J_oVhw7I/s1024/Matchbox%252520Ford%252520F350%252520Superlift.JPG">Matchbox-Ford F350 Superlift</a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6T0ZwcIlb4k1Os_Xeq_0P5dGID8m7F1e29-mH8Wxj5TJebwn58i6KbD8TEJE6EGSfZySzHCR3tHPnN4-ev-OMVOkWZR5xNuR2uOrgnryS8wk6lc1F_wIFYQwVh7JhzDZlYHp8zldedwTh/s400/Lincoln%252520V%252520Eight.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6T0ZwcIlb4k1Os_Xeq_0P5dGID8m7F1e29-mH8Wxj5TJebwn58i6KbD8TEJE6EGSfZySzHCR3tHPnN4-ev-OMVOkWZR5xNuR2uOrgnryS8wk6lc1F_wIFYQwVh7JhzDZlYHp8zldedwTh/s400/Lincoln%252520V%252520Eight.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QeclfkBATM8/Tr5uxrVV4tI/AAAAAAAADR8/jhOlJ7icf60/s1024/Lincoln%252520V%252520Eight.JPG">Lincoln V Eight</a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ke69pgT0Dzs/Tr5wj_wcoKI/AAAAAAAADSk/VzOBE5ymcE8/s400/Ken%252520Block%252520Gymkhana%252520Fiesta.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ke69pgT0Dzs/Tr5wj_wcoKI/AAAAAAAADSk/VzOBE5ymcE8/s400/Ken%252520Block%252520Gymkhana%252520Fiesta.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xnHtf1igbU0/Tr3E6gclaAI/AAAAAAAADQA/4mReegXK7Go/s1024/ken%252520block%252520gymkhana%252520fiesta.JPG">Ken Block Gymkhana Fiesta</a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8gXCcRd-3wM/Tr5wkIwaXnI/AAAAAAAADSg/i7klNml4DCA/s400/Lamborghini%252520Aventador.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8gXCcRd-3wM/Tr5wkIwaXnI/AAAAAAAADSg/i7klNml4DCA/s400/Lamborghini%252520Aventador.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MotnuP34O8A/Tr5uvIG0HnI/AAAAAAAADR0/BA0i28pGt6U/s1024/Lamborghini%252520Aventador.JPG">Lamborghini Aventador</a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rKiE-k11AQc/Tr5wj2wsAFI/AAAAAAAADSc/f4i_Hz-gGz0/s400/Jon%252520Sibal%252520Scion%252520iQ.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rKiE-k11AQc/Tr5wj2wsAFI/AAAAAAAADSc/f4i_Hz-gGz0/s400/Jon%252520Sibal%252520Scion%252520iQ.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUvorTRhpBQa-DcZ6HRuPyi4Snv_xg-JLdwL6j1uV2mCmzHE-5Jk3Ih9_I-sCp8bb6eoPmRgp2bOHivSYz58ZsW8Vg-XIX54PycRGHIzmvdVOxQ7qq5ewMKe2-54eA0SR_EI2pX8HaVuE/s1024/Jon%252520Sibal%252520Scion%252520iQ.JPG">Jon Sibal Scion iQ</a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VBvuLF3rrGU/Tr5wjkOCzgI/AAAAAAAADSY/l_b_ZrJuR00/s400/Hennessy%252520Venom%252520GT.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VBvuLF3rrGU/Tr5wjkOCzgI/AAAAAAAADSY/l_b_ZrJuR00/s400/Hennessy%252520Venom%252520GT.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YSGkzMOh0xg/Tr3Ez4huXBI/AAAAAAAADPw/msmZTFIGEuE/s1024/Hennessy%252520Venom%252520GT.JPG">Hennessey Venom GT</a></div></div>Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-16400954025510632382011-11-13T07:17:00.002+08:002011-11-13T21:10:31.599+08:00Project Fieldmaster: Entry #3After three weeks in the shop, Project: Fieldmaster is finally ready for a test run! And what better run could there possibly be than a trip to the Clark International Speedway? Not that I intended to race the Pajero... I just went to see the Manila Sports Car Club's Vintage Car Race.<div><br /></div><div>The trip also marked the start of a new mini-hobby for me - GPS mapping! I picked up a Garmin Nuvi 50 during my SEMA trip, and I recently signed up on Roadguide.Ph to be a contributor. I figure what better way to start than by mapping out Points of Interest (POI's) on my way to Clark? (Perhaps this will be the start of a new segment for me... GPS mapping? We'll see...)</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a list of what's been done so far:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. New bulbs all around and a headlamp wiring harness upgrade (for a new favorite of mine - Bosch 100/90W All Weather Bulbs! More on this next time)</div><div>2. New wiper blades (another favorite of mine, Bosch Aerotwin wipers - installed these on my e30 about a year ago, and I love them)</div><div>3. Bosch oil and fuel filters</div><div>4. Bosch Platinum Plus spark plugs</div><div>5. Engine top overhaul</div><div>6. New fluids all around - engine, tranny, diff, and power steering</div><div>7. New timing belt and tensioner bearings</div><div>8. Rear axle bearing and oil seals</div><div><br /></div><div>Now before I even set off, there was a problem... The Pajero wouldn't start! It had a new battery (and the horn and accessories worked, so that's not the problem). Spark plugs were new. Maybe the starter has loose connections? But after waiting a couple of seconds, the Fieldmaster breathed to life, albeit gingerly. This problem happened once again as I was leaving Clark.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another problem was the steering wheel - it needed to be at 2 o'clock to go straight, but the car wasn't pulling. I think the steering wheel was just put on wrong.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>On the highway, the car performed well. The A/C was nice and cold, the car cruised at 100kph with no issues, and the ride was nice and supple (if not slightly floaty, but that's to be expected). I do, however, lament the lack of overtaking power, especially in second gear. The engine would roar and wail, but I wouldn't be travelling much faster. I wonder if this is normal?</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The biggest concern of the day was a grinding noise coming from the rear axle, which became more pronounced as the they went on. It was most noticeable as I would apply power, regardless of how suddenly or gradually I stepped on the gas. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'll try to get more pics in next time - for some reason, I didn't get around to taking pics. Oh well, back to the shop then...</div>Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-40119101696087665002011-11-13T07:02:00.004+08:002011-11-13T20:27:24.487+08:00Project e30: Entry # 7<div style="text-align: left;">I've been gone for two weeks, and I was hoping to return to the sound of a purring M20. So yesterday, on my way back from the Manila Sports Car Club's Vintage Car Race, I dropped by Goodwrench to check on the e30.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was some progress - all the engine components were finally back in the block itself. Unfortunately, that's about it - Bernard was sick all alst week, so work came to a halt. The head isn't mounted yet, the new exhaust hasn't arrived yet, and the car still needs to be dyno-tuned when it's all done. And in and around and between all of that, I'm sure there will be other issues.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TLfYVDMrrMc/Tr-3auTnB5I/AAAAAAAADVc/zfqDjCvvDz8/s400/smlDSCN2892.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TLfYVDMrrMc/Tr-3auTnB5I/AAAAAAAADVc/zfqDjCvvDz8/s400/smlDSCN2892.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The new goal, realistically, is to finish everything by mid-December. Hopefully this time, the target date is met, and I have a Merry M20 Christmas.</div>Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-27723888645326363242011-11-12T23:38:00.007+08:002011-11-19T11:48:49.208+08:00SEMA 2011 Report Part 5 - Pinoys at SEMA<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Welcome to the final installment of my SEMA report. It's been really fun writing about what has been so far the biggest automotive event of my life, and I hope this is just the beginning. And I start with the car that helped convince me to make this the year that I go to SEMA - the Michel Gitano.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >If you're a regular reader, then you know I'm a fan of the car and the company, and I've been working with the Michel guys in developing the glass. The Michel Motorsports booth was situated right next to the Shelby booth - a double edged sword. On the one hand, the Shelby booth draws crowds, and some can spill over to Michel. On the other hand, you have to accept that you will likely be second fiddle to such a storied and famous name.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I dropped by the Michel booth a few times, and every time I was there, it looked like people were interested in the car. And not just in a "look, let's take a photo" kind of interest. But people were walking up to Jan, Reggie, Chris and the other Michel guys for some serious car talk. Good on you guys, and all the best!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_ec6HciJR9A/Trvl8ez0ACI/AAAAAAAAC80/NeuXES9nxkE/s400/DSCN1612.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_ec6HciJR9A/Trvl8ez0ACI/AAAAAAAAC80/NeuXES9nxkE/s400/DSCN1612.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Aside from Michel Motorsport, there was another Filipino exhibitor - wheel manufacturer Rota. Their booth was well received, with a simple and clean white Evo X on display. They were giving away caps to fans, and you could see many SEMA visitors leaving the show rocking the Rota logo on their heads.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q8sAqUynrrg/TscYJUAQPCI/AAAAAAAADXk/oD1I2JFFdW8/s400/317335_2139948338254_1232541087_32020690_602560896_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q8sAqUynrrg/TscYJUAQPCI/AAAAAAAADXk/oD1I2JFFdW8/s400/317335_2139948338254_1232541087_32020690_602560896_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>(photo credit: Wheeldude Crew)</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >After that, I started thinking... I wonder if Filipinos have made any impact on the American aftermarket scene. I'm sure there are a lot of our countrymen working in the background, contributing to the growth of the industry. But can I find them in SEMA?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Aside from Michel, the first sign of Pinoy presence was that of renowned designer (and comic book inker) Jon Sibal. He first entered public consciousness with a constantly-evolving BMW e36 M3 that has graced several magazine covers. In SEMA 2011, his Scion iQ RX won first place at the Scion Tuner Challenge, winning him a trophy and a cool $10,000. Meeting Jon and chatting with him was definitely one of the highlights of my visit.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AgoXXSLw1oQ/TscZxRFJyvI/AAAAAAAADX8/74g3kfbL5OA/s400/DSCN1957.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AgoXXSLw1oQ/TscZxRFJyvI/AAAAAAAADX8/74g3kfbL5OA/s400/DSCN1957.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Working with Jon on several projects is a well known name in the American import tuner world, RJ de Vera. He may be best known to the general public for hosting the MTV show Trick It Out, and a cameo in the first Fast and the Furious movie, but he was also a car consultant for the film. Though I didn't see RJ, I know he was around the show, perhaps most notably being interviewed alongside Jon in Barry Megiuar's Car Crazy. His presence, however, was felt in Meguiar's Wraptivo booth, in an Acura TL that he designed. Hopefully I get to meet RJ next time I attend SEMA.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSr1-84jfi_Jm3gQB_GLApFRGpXea5jhhxYYvfzGUS_Y-WWRPruSfkJwLYhRIvRtgp17PZjb5a235bQE_E-Wywdnh1t6ZCUeieaHic1IlJ7i5VmHj2AIjYYxATkDR0MXDzWRUyO37zGlXO/s400/smlDSCN1899.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSr1-84jfi_Jm3gQB_GLApFRGpXea5jhhxYYvfzGUS_Y-WWRPruSfkJwLYhRIvRtgp17PZjb5a235bQE_E-Wywdnh1t6ZCUeieaHic1IlJ7i5VmHj2AIjYYxATkDR0MXDzWRUyO37zGlXO/s400/smlDSCN1899.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >A more obscure name for all but SoCal petrolheads is paint and body legend PJ Bonifacio. A super clean gray Celica at the Primax booth caught my eye amidst the supercars and mega-horsepower monsters. It was only later that I found out that the exterior was done courtesy of Mr. Bonifacio!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X2xWoVqjk1c/Trvh9AfT7EI/AAAAAAAAClU/-8JCDbaWJ2A/s400/DSCN2043.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X2xWoVqjk1c/Trvh9AfT7EI/AAAAAAAAClU/-8JCDbaWJ2A/s400/DSCN2043.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >While these are the only ones I am aware of, I'm sure there are more Filipinos making an impact in SEMA. If you know of any I've missed, please leave me a comment!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >And now tonight's Top 5: the Top 5 Euro Cars of SEMA 2011!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >5. Hemi Mini aka "Maxi Cooper"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I'll let the car's sign do the talking for this car:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUQY4DP6ChcAIDST6Yy3SszYPyMBO3wdb_3IB-tINBCTWDc7YaWiQE4M2VfA7_vYP2T9e85qE7vQh3jsyLEU_S13GA77j_M74ZPuGY-rFRGTtwybCewqdGZC8AGxGrdJAdvQcoPrFB_2m/s400/DSCN2650edit.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUQY4DP6ChcAIDST6Yy3SszYPyMBO3wdb_3IB-tINBCTWDc7YaWiQE4M2VfA7_vYP2T9e85qE7vQh3jsyLEU_S13GA77j_M74ZPuGY-rFRGTtwybCewqdGZC8AGxGrdJAdvQcoPrFB_2m/s400/DSCN2650edit.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--50RR68kKMY/TrvRUUzdpBI/AAAAAAAACeg/iZs_MlL9hPY/s400/DSCN2647.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--50RR68kKMY/TrvRUUzdpBI/AAAAAAAACeg/iZs_MlL9hPY/s400/DSCN2647.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >4. Kevin Byrd's e30 "LSM3"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Like the Maxi Cooper above, this is about shoehorning a huge motor into a tiny car but with less power - "just" 500hp. So why is this slotted one place higher? Aside from surely being more driveable in the real word, the e30 is just a cooler car. (It is a cooler car, and that't the end of this discussion.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-szql9utl9xE/TrvRZfZgmLI/AAAAAAAACfw/q1x-PzipysA/s400/DSCN1599.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-szql9utl9xE/TrvRZfZgmLI/AAAAAAAACfw/q1x-PzipysA/s400/DSCN1599.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></a></div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >3. Foose 300SL Gullwing</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >The mere mention of the name Chip Foose and most petrolheads will instantly think of tricked-out Mustangs, resto-modded Camaros, and all manner of hot rods. But the common theme is AMERICAN. Foose doesn't do Euro... or at least, that's what we thought. Though it's just an aesthetic job, what a job it is! Two-tone paint with gray and red pinstripes? Big chrome wheels? and a "wide body kit" - which actually just meant larger wheelarch bulges and smaller chrome bumpers? But it works, and it's beautiful. Just goes to show that Mr. Foose is also Mr. Versatile.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZRme1f0HfjI/TrvM0Evd1EI/AAAAAAAACWg/Ik2Nuj0yWLs/s400/DSCN1708.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZRme1f0HfjI/TrvM0Evd1EI/AAAAAAAACWg/Ik2Nuj0yWLs/s400/DSCN1708.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></a></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >2. BMW Motorsport M3 GT</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I was a little star struck by BMW's factory race car, better known to some as the cover car of the popular video game Need For Speed: Shift. Driven by F3000 and ALMS champion Jorg Muller, three-time WTCC Champ Andy Priaulx, and 2011 24hrs of Daytona Winner Joey Hand, this M3 is tuned specifically to compete in endurance races. The run has been a successful one, with the M3 chalking up wins at the Nurburgring (2010), Zhuhai (2010), a 1-2 finish at Sebring (2011). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FWuMkycp674/TrvnMNSLsuI/AAAAAAAADIA/hB45poA2TZQ/s400/DSCN1727.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FWuMkycp674/TrvnMNSLsuI/AAAAAAAADIA/hB45poA2TZQ/s400/DSCN1727.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></a></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >1. Mark Arcenal's Ruah-Welt Pandora One Porsche 964</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >It's wide, it's green and it's the "illest." It's got nearly 400rwhp at just 6psi of boost, and is estimated to hit nearly 550hp with the turbo dialed up to 15psi. It's the RWB Pandora One. It's the 2011 Best European Import Car of the GranTurismo Awards. And it's owned by Filipino petrolhead, blogger and entrepreneur Mark Arcenal (check out his blog at <a href="www.fatlace.com">fatlace.com</a>). What an awesome way to finish up the Pinoys at SEMA report!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_heOORUVQfg/TrvRKRzPhcI/AAAAAAAACc4/5B03dczsZ9A/s400/DSCN2000.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_heOORUVQfg/TrvRKRzPhcI/AAAAAAAACc4/5B03dczsZ9A/s400/DSCN2000.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></a></div></div>Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-23441783824337223172011-11-12T21:46:00.004+08:002011-11-14T20:06:26.611+08:00SEMA 2011 Report Part 4 - Tips to First Timers<div style="text-align: left;">As I've explained before, I was a SEMA first timer. It was bad enough that there really isn't enough time to get immersed in the SEMA experience, but what made the lack of time worse was being unprepared. And this is not for lack of trying - I spent many nights reading guides, reviewing the schedules, and mapping out my way through the floor plan. But there are a lot of surprises, good and bad, that made a giant difference in the way I saw the show. Tonight, I'll list down eight tips I'd like to give to first-timers to try to maximize the SEMA week.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WxDSiSvezNo/TrvllhzIUKI/AAAAAAAAC4A/MLbDv6SaCp4/s400/DSCN1912.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WxDSiSvezNo/TrvllhzIUKI/AAAAAAAAC4A/MLbDv6SaCp4/s400/DSCN1912.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>1. Decide early on your game plan. Is your focus finding suppliers? Are you going to prioritize the hot rod displays or air ride displays? Will you be autograph-hunting? Do you want to do the test drives and joyrides? SEMA is, thankfully, organized by specialty - hot rods, wheels and tires, 4x4s, tuner parts - so you can pick and choose what you want to see first. But you will have to choose between many events that will be happening simultaneously, so having a clear priority will make for a more meaningful SEMA experience.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-icEGufhEkEU/TrvlN6qIXBI/AAAAAAAACyI/-mkCELifzB0/s400/DSCN1632.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-icEGufhEkEU/TrvlN6qIXBI/AAAAAAAACyI/-mkCELifzB0/s400/DSCN1632.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-icEGufhEkEU/TrvlN6qIXBI/AAAAAAAACyI/-mkCELifzB0/s400/DSCN1632.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>2. Come early. And that goes both for time as it does for date. SEMA runs for 4 days (from Tuesday to Friday), and many guys show up on Thursday and Friday. Tuesday morning is best because you get the first pick at some great giveaways, like posters, keychains, and other memorabilia. The show officially starts at 9am, but as early as 8:15am you can get into the show grounds. By 8:30am, there are a few hundred people there. This is the best time to get good pictures of displays, and if you are actually there on business, it's great to have the full attention of the guys manning the booths, since you're the only one there.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uCr9WkY5RY8/Trvm7XzzMTI/AAAAAAAADDo/mRcgxlpbtck/s400/DSCN1948.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RfjLYsLApTA/TrvmOZsvRDI/AAAAAAAADAo/TO1RGiC5jY0/s400/DSCN1553.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cc298L3fY4k/TrvlRZh4hSI/AAAAAAAACzM/fffZuVyMusI/s400/DSCN1649.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cc298L3fY4k/TrvlRZh4hSI/AAAAAAAACzM/fffZuVyMusI/s400/DSCN1649.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crowds get big, quick</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Stay late. Again, this goes for both date and time. SEMA security will ask you to leave after 5pm, but if you stay in the center aisles, you can actually get some great pics of the cars, since - like the early mornings - there's nobody to interfere with the shot. I tended to stay until 5:30 to 6pm, both to take pics and to talk to people in the booths I found interesting. And coming back on the last day is quite rewarding, as well, particularly around 3pm onwards. Why? That's because it's around this time that exhibitors pack up, and they will be trying to unload whatever freebies they have left from the show. One booth gave me six great-looking hats, which I took to give to friends and family, while my wife took home a whole bag of candy.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uCr9WkY5RY8/Trvm7XzzMTI/AAAAAAAADDo/mRcgxlpbtck/s400/DSCN1948.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RfjLYsLApTA/TrvmOZsvRDI/AAAAAAAADAo/TO1RGiC5jY0/s400/DSCN1553.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RfjLYsLApTA/TrvmOZsvRDI/AAAAAAAADAo/TO1RGiC5jY0/s400/DSCN1553.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; ">After 5pm, crowds can...</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iXomwaPtTI8/Trvlls1lzqI/AAAAAAAAC4E/71R9F_JVXYg/s400/DSCN2620.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iXomwaPtTI8/Trvlls1lzqI/AAAAAAAAC4E/71R9F_JVXYg/s400/DSCN2620.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; ">...disappear</div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div>4. Have a big breakfast before you go, and have lunch late. Either that, or eat lunch real early. Between 11:30am to 1:30pm the lines for food can get long, and in some cases, lines can take up to 30 minutes. And finding a table is even harder than that. You have a better chance of getting a bite to eat within a reasonable timeframe if you head for the little food kiosks on the sides of the exhibition halls, but eating spaces are even harder to come by there.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. If you are looking to get autographs, find a line-buddy. I stumbled across a couple of guys who would become my line buddies for day 1. They gave me tips on who was signing autographs, the sequence they will be going, and how long the lines can be. We ended up trading info, and, when necessary, covered for each other when waiting in line while one of us had to run to the bathroom, or grab something to eat. In fact, on day 3, I was able to get my line buddy to hold my spot for me in a particularly long line, while I ran to other booths to get stuff for the celebrities to sign.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMm08cBAxWyHTVUKT3mn8hcZyE6fszJBSSrV1_942HkyEZeeDnLA-WSQ2nxHOXZwfKqpIhuyHk0Df2BMwVx6-VMJKIMXutSkttfKFKMb6UdYkbUtruxdbaoepdw8Y9WQAMzfflbLYUWycU/s400/DSCN2556.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMm08cBAxWyHTVUKT3mn8hcZyE6fszJBSSrV1_942HkyEZeeDnLA-WSQ2nxHOXZwfKqpIhuyHk0Df2BMwVx6-VMJKIMXutSkttfKFKMb6UdYkbUtruxdbaoepdw8Y9WQAMzfflbLYUWycU/s400/DSCN2556.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>6. Bring a backpack, but pack light. There are, however, some essentials - extra batteries and extra memory cards (for your camera), a smart phone or tablet pc (the SEMA venue has free wifi, and that's useful for planning out events and viewing floor plans since the SEMA guide is heavy and cumbersome), a sharpie or other permanent marker (for asking for autographs when you see celebrities walking around) and a handkerchief (among other things, great for wrapping around the rope handles on takeaway bags that get too heavy). The backpack will also be useful for carrying the various brochures, freebies and giveaways that you will no doubt pick up along the way. An optional extra I would recommend is a carton tube, for carrying posters. They give a lot of cool posters away at SEMA, and a lot of my posters got wrinkled and even ripped a bit due to handling.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-icEGufhEkEU/TrvlN6qIXBI/AAAAAAAACyI/-mkCELifzB0/s400/DSCN1632.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9gMxc6R-hSx0TJnwd1D8NhXx0n76191Iv1ZPEZq7xmj94zDS3i-hCt_DEtSKgvX6anorPiFyT37s5TIEVl3uj6K6i5fQZ5hRFazu4TENFHkRdz9PvHdRkioS-zizZ2fKFDHal3orCSPA/s400/DSCN1626.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9gMxc6R-hSx0TJnwd1D8NhXx0n76191Iv1ZPEZq7xmj94zDS3i-hCt_DEtSKgvX6anorPiFyT37s5TIEVl3uj6K6i5fQZ5hRFazu4TENFHkRdz9PvHdRkioS-zizZ2fKFDHal3orCSPA/s400/DSCN1626.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>7. Wear your most comfortable shoes. Chances are, you will have to park far from the venue, even if you are very early. I'e read that you can end up walking up to 8 miles for each day of SEMA. You can take frequent breaks and pace yourself, but then again, that would easily throw time out the window. And the common theme here is maximizing time. And don't forget that you'll have to walk back to your car, which will likely be parked pretty far away (unless you came extra early). Even if you take a cab, a pair of extra-comfortable shoes will still pay off. The lines for a cab out of SEMA can reach an hour, so you may be best off walking a couple of miles up the Vegas Strip to get a ride from a hotel.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh106YUp3trcSkVdC6EUnjBiMduVVjidvqWtpZWud311yZ7ykI8R2RNSR7cdjoeapaAHfb0SQej_7VlC0pTb9xS1zjkzbmy2uS1PF6oxfZmE1x2Cq9wi6Xp-4sCN7vp7bvoBj8LES-KqAR8/s400/DSCN1892.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh106YUp3trcSkVdC6EUnjBiMduVVjidvqWtpZWud311yZ7ykI8R2RNSR7cdjoeapaAHfb0SQej_7VlC0pTb9xS1zjkzbmy2uS1PF6oxfZmE1x2Cq9wi6Xp-4sCN7vp7bvoBj8LES-KqAR8/s400/DSCN1892.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>8. If you aren't a large business, don't bother with AAPEX. I went to take a look, and it wasn't really worth going to - the displays were not as interesting, and there wasn't as much to do or see. I did, however, visit on the last day (it's only 3 days, compared to SEMA's 4) and got a bunch of freebies there, but otherwise, it wasn't much. SEMA is where it's at.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6-bPC0ebPW0/TsDi2-MUeeI/AAAAAAAADWE/hI0nUVSmZVE/s400/aDSCN2582.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6-bPC0ebPW0/TsDi2-MUeeI/AAAAAAAADWE/hI0nUVSmZVE/s400/aDSCN2582.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my first SEMA. God willing, I'd love to do it again, and hopefully, I'll take my own advice and get more out of my next SEMA experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>And now, tonight's Top 5 tackles my favorite Exotics:</div><div><br /></div><div>5. Mosler MT 900S</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TEMNjdQQJBc/TruZ3o_OwkI/AAAAAAAACQc/42Wqz_BNIXg/s400/DSCN2651.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TEMNjdQQJBc/TruZ3o_OwkI/AAAAAAAACQc/42Wqz_BNIXg/s400/DSCN2651.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R5wZavzrvoM/TruZ7Rz2ZjI/AAAAAAAACRY/Niw-yGixL6c/s400/DSCN2662.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R5wZavzrvoM/TruZ7Rz2ZjI/AAAAAAAACRY/Niw-yGixL6c/s400/DSCN2662.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I've never seen one before, and to be honest, I didn't quite place the car at first. Didn't have the traingular headlights of a SSC Ultimate Aero, or the bazillion side grilles of a Saleen S7... Oh, yeah, it's a Mosler! The owner corrected me, too. I said Mows-ler. Apparently, it's Mohs-ler. Oops. Anyway, if having over 1000hp on tap isn't enough to get on this list, then being one of just 15 ever made definitely seals the deal.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Hennessey Venom GT</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jdIJz3Q1TVU/TruZl99pCfI/AAAAAAAACMA/8e8l3Hvq_X0/s400/DSCN1559.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jdIJz3Q1TVU/TruZl99pCfI/AAAAAAAACMA/8e8l3Hvq_X0/s400/DSCN1559.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3ZBedZg4HJU/TsDqaOOFh4I/AAAAAAAADWc/JjAqWfodmOM/s400/DSCN1558.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3ZBedZg4HJU/TsDqaOOFh4I/AAAAAAAADWc/JjAqWfodmOM/s400/DSCN1558.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>Ok, so having met John Hennessey, builder of this car and super nice guy, influenced my decision just a tiny bit. But being partial to Lotuses in the first place, having gorgeous wide-body styling, and a 1200hp twin-turbo V8 capable of a projected top speed of over 270mph certainly makes the case for this yellow monster.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Bugatti Veyron</div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-syu9waVrjqU/TruZgsCXs6I/AAAAAAAACK8/OLnZJ4wAb5A/s400/DSCN2790.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-syu9waVrjqU/TruZgsCXs6I/AAAAAAAACK8/OLnZJ4wAb5A/s400/DSCN2790.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bOBC9UQSXuY/TruZkqsSGuI/AAAAAAAACL4/uNMKN0zuiag/s400/DSCN2802.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bOBC9UQSXuY/TruZkqsSGuI/AAAAAAAACL4/uNMKN0zuiag/s400/DSCN2802.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't expect the Veyron to look good in white. I thought a plain-jane white Bugatti would be too boring for what is perhaps the most audacious car ever built. But damn, it looks awesome. And then it hit me: the Veyron, in this color, with those rims... is a storm trooper! I can hear the Imperial March in the background already, all while hitting 253mph...</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Alfa Romeo Furia</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-muiDxF9Azb4/TrvMzvC6GFI/AAAAAAAACWQ/2T_VmWH45bU/s400/DSCN1929.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-muiDxF9Azb4/TrvMzvC6GFI/AAAAAAAACWQ/2T_VmWH45bU/s400/DSCN1929.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-akyDc0V93SM/TrvMyqNur3I/AAAAAAAACWE/6lf6S7IM_XE/s400/DSCN1928.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-akyDc0V93SM/TrvMyqNur3I/AAAAAAAACWE/6lf6S7IM_XE/s400/DSCN1928.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>I'm surprised that this wasn't my number one pick. It's a stunning car.... gullwings, low stance, sharp nose, gigantic door sills and all. But the name Furia escaped me. I had never heard of this car. After some research, I found out that this is just one of 5 ever made. It was built only in Brazil, by Italian Toni Bianco, who worked at a Brazilian factory licensed to build Alfas. Not much info is available on this car... I just know it's stunning.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Shelby/AC Cobra Prototype #1</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkYW6EyBDMLVb2uH6sTlZCfBUtyY_9R-aqbHxL3mC9qwDVqVq0PZhc3YOcsUngIY5GIfue-CoWeS9h4JmhXvO4_2t2NHd2BTF5-Pi2TFiyZQpOpH2wYUxZiVEuWeJYYh36a8Ls4a0jdbW/s400/DSCN1624.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkYW6EyBDMLVb2uH6sTlZCfBUtyY_9R-aqbHxL3mC9qwDVqVq0PZhc3YOcsUngIY5GIfue-CoWeS9h4JmhXvO4_2t2NHd2BTF5-Pi2TFiyZQpOpH2wYUxZiVEuWeJYYh36a8Ls4a0jdbW/s400/DSCN1624.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Owy7IrK-oMs/TsD7qdfYTGI/AAAAAAAADW0/Yk4F0YA0SfE/s400/aDSCN1621.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Owy7IrK-oMs/TsD7qdfYTGI/AAAAAAAADW0/Yk4F0YA0SfE/s400/aDSCN1621.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>This car, parked in the historical section of Ford display, was a mess. Scratched up and faded paint, worn emblems, and a ratty interior (and I mean ratty)... it seemed out of place. Until you learned about its history. This very car, chassis number CSX0001, was the first ever Shelby Cobra. In 1962 Carroll Shelby took delivery of this chassis from AC Cars in Surrey, England, and fitted a 221 cubic inch Ford V8, and the Cobra was born. This exact car is still owned by Carroll Shelby today, nearly 50 years later. It gave me chills standing next to it.</div>Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-76148031283663981392011-11-12T21:06:00.007+08:002011-11-13T20:33:46.688+08:00SEMA 2011 - Wallpapers, Part 1<div><div style="text-align: left;">Apologies for the small pics - it's just the easiest and quickest way to get more pics uploaded (blame Philippine bandwidth limits and limitations). But as promised, I am posting some hi-res pics that can be used as wallpapers. Here's the first ten wallpapers. I will probably make another twenty, eventually, but they will likely come in two batches of 10.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Without further ado, here are the wallpapers. Click on the link below the thumbnail to get at the larger file. Enjoy!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sIUE3bMPNQA/Tr5wrc9J_DI/AAAAAAAADUM/Jl6nwuBykIo/s400/Foose%252520Gullwing%252520300SL.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sIUE3bMPNQA/Tr5wrc9J_DI/AAAAAAAADUM/Jl6nwuBykIo/s400/Foose%252520Gullwing%252520300SL.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s5Uw0cLZC5k/Tr5unBL7PnI/AAAAAAAADRs/J4XJTcBQHcw/s1024/Foose%252520Gullwing%252520300SL.JPG">Chip Foose Gullwing 300SL</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CPQr7fFu7V4/Tr5wqT7hHwI/AAAAAAAADUA/PM5Shc-Q2Jw/s400/E30%252520LSM3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CPQr7fFu7V4/Tr5wqT7hHwI/AAAAAAAADUA/PM5Shc-Q2Jw/s400/E30%252520LSM3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoEG01V3aVRzP1PX4wOx8wp-P176Ten_1Nuw9DKxmiAAl30VMKnRigPttt_5VzO3cpvGJwPrxaSEBIptKf6LNTK3Mt-Z8Yh4np3SavH184vX-IRbsKrgrsKeE37Tab2-rB8jCZ-JmFazO/s1024/E30%252520LSM3.JPG">E30 LSM3</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZDFgaMjm8wo/Tr5wrOMmq5I/AAAAAAAADUQ/sDTV6KSDoR0/s400/E90%252520M3%252520GTR.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZDFgaMjm8wo/Tr5wrOMmq5I/AAAAAAAADUQ/sDTV6KSDoR0/s400/E90%252520M3%252520GTR.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Lr9Ektnc6Lw/Tr3EnIGn88I/AAAAAAAADPo/kqVXnmMPS7c/s1024/E90%252520M3%252520GTR.JPG">BMW M3 GTR</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CO5h9cgn7cc/Tr5wqRyrsWI/AAAAAAAADUI/rh2jtUOt7oM/s400/Cadillac%252520Coupe%252520de%252520Ville.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CO5h9cgn7cc/Tr5wqRyrsWI/AAAAAAAADUI/rh2jtUOt7oM/s400/Cadillac%252520Coupe%252520de%252520Ville.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvEBzejkJy1e3lM9CDDyDs4iT7uXBii58j8Du8zJVezyRbWsnysXaxTqb-n2mfszkT46oDpgzHkXaK-m2I4eO8QeHjH-WWqsg3YffPbV5JhGO-pbWFbtTPYL0l-7YAd6uyeipZVE6bo1P/s1024/cadillac%252520coupe%252520de%252520ville.JPG">Cadillac Coupe de Ville</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjsqXglyu3R6vzv74ZqN3Yi6XDPktACTb_vmzqCauOGuzjgamE0ZzXvsyAvMfyDgBnFj7s1zZfs93TCTNDXwkCFRYmvKnqwdupTIjoZItQpq7eQmErjtqdlIE9BLpovjYqoxnKMeZ3PD8/s400/Bugatti%252520Veyron%2525201.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjsqXglyu3R6vzv74ZqN3Yi6XDPktACTb_vmzqCauOGuzjgamE0ZzXvsyAvMfyDgBnFj7s1zZfs93TCTNDXwkCFRYmvKnqwdupTIjoZItQpq7eQmErjtqdlIE9BLpovjYqoxnKMeZ3PD8/s400/Bugatti%252520Veyron%2525201.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HqdVmk7Bd9U/Tr5ucp8JJDI/AAAAAAAADRc/F1R3S8wlFVg/s1024/Bugatti%252520Veyron%2525201.JPG">Bugatti Veyron</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZbmzGiVivhc/Tr5wo4uzceI/AAAAAAAADT4/AYo5fMPnvGQ/s400/AMS%252520Alpha%25252012%252520GTR%252520v2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-izDXBjUNjEY/Tr5wn_TtuAI/AAAAAAAADTY/jnEgk_6ah2k/s400/Alfa%252520Romeo%252520Furia%2525201.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZbmzGiVivhc/Tr5wo4uzceI/AAAAAAAADT4/AYo5fMPnvGQ/s400/AMS%252520Alpha%25252012%252520GTR%252520v2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VpbONUqJ0dA/Tr3EZvbh-aI/AAAAAAAADTc/053NCQ8dYZ4/s1024/alfa%252520romeo%252520furia%2525201.JPG">Alfa Romeo Furia 1</a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uRAAWrddImA/Tr5woAfIt2I/AAAAAAAADTg/XjURNei0k-c/s400/Alfa%252520Romeo%252520Furia%2525202.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uRAAWrddImA/Tr5woAfIt2I/AAAAAAAADTg/XjURNei0k-c/s400/Alfa%252520Romeo%252520Furia%2525202.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeNsGCrMkL4DyAGjIv8VOuO_BSXvMz7JQ37R4XxjQc10keEJ5PJ6YS7a63gKh9AdeFbfqyrbHmgZ-QShz3citZRx7h2iUgxHKYDkB5Xlgn5P7WG_JXqmx2LMvwmIMWDNxXRSo9-bVfAvT/s1024/Alfa%252520Romeo%252520Furia%2525202.JPG">Alfa Romeo Furia 2</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Afd3gL7468M/Tr5wogPyMhI/AAAAAAAADT0/0yqswv85C-g/s400/AMS%252520Alpha%25252012%252520GTR%252520v1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Afd3gL7468M/Tr5wogPyMhI/AAAAAAAADT0/0yqswv85C-g/s400/AMS%252520Alpha%25252012%252520GTR%252520v1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-33t4sNL_l8E/Tr5uO3uhqCI/AAAAAAAADRU/30s3glKp4y4/s1024/AMS%252520Alpha%25252012%252520GTR%252520v1.JPG">AMS Alpha 12 GTR v1</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZbmzGiVivhc/Tr5wo4uzceI/AAAAAAAADT4/AYo5fMPnvGQ/s400/AMS%252520Alpha%25252012%252520GTR%252520v2.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZbmzGiVivhc/Tr5wo4uzceI/AAAAAAAADT4/AYo5fMPnvGQ/s400/AMS%252520Alpha%25252012%252520GTR%252520v2.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZFPqGyoXZrs/Tr5ueXmsptI/AAAAAAAADRk/Lh97FImoOhA/s1024/AMS%252520Alpha%25252012%252520GTR%252520v2.JPG">AMS Alpha 12 GTR v2</a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rtcpzkdF4iA/Tr5wnqSRWjI/AAAAAAAADTU/idf3isiusVs/s400/6T9%252520aka%252520The%252520Goat.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rtcpzkdF4iA/Tr5wnqSRWjI/AAAAAAAADTU/idf3isiusVs/s400/6T9%252520aka%252520The%252520Goat.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9sglij3DY9c/Tr5t4jQg5gI/AAAAAAAADQ8/gn-AHO-O1sc/s1024/6T9%252520aka%252520The%252520Goat.JPG">6T9 aka The Goat</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119525743706854075.post-41273256767768042452011-11-12T02:45:00.007+08:002011-11-13T00:46:50.134+08:00SEMA 2011 Report Part 3 - Year of the Camaro<div style="text-align: left;">There should have been a warning at the gate: SEMA 2011, aka the Camaro Coming Out Party. Despite Ford's attempts to dominate the domestic scene (with a giant Ford Racing booth with celebrities galore and half the entire front parking lot for their Ford Racing demos), the day clearly belonged to their Chevrolet rivals.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x1rRy4SWCCM/TruYFAJnD3I/AAAAAAAAB_g/62MgSffKJ8Q/s400/DSCN1955.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x1rRy4SWCCM/TruYFAJnD3I/AAAAAAAAB_g/62MgSffKJ8Q/s400/DSCN1955.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>While there were still more classic 'Stangs than there were Camaros, the Fords and Chevy's were pretty even in terms of population of the modern incarnations. However, where the Camaro had the upper hand was in the kind of cars that were on display.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H5ALccjiHmw/TruYVDPXgOI/AAAAAAAACDg/GTF5CCxMPX4/s400/DSCN2623.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H5ALccjiHmw/TruYVDPXgOI/AAAAAAAACDg/GTF5CCxMPX4/s400/DSCN2623.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fcQ6OLnzr0w/TruYWlst7oI/AAAAAAAACDo/bIUDJrCyo7A/s400/DSCN2624.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fcQ6OLnzr0w/TruYWlst7oI/AAAAAAAACDo/bIUDJrCyo7A/s400/DSCN2624.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br />Perhaps the most popular Camaro in the show was the metallic green chrome Hot Wheels car in the Chevrolet booth. Not only was the car visually stunning, but its backdrop - a lifesized version of the roller-caster track playset - was something out of every petrolhead child's dream. That's not to say it didn't have a Ford counterpart; there was a similar chrome red Mustang at the Ford booth. However in terms of style and presentation, the Hot Wheels car was not to be beaten.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pL0DHnVQLg8/TruX9JEIpXI/AAAAAAAAB9o/MFI0VC_fKUk/s400/DSCN1713.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pL0DHnVQLg8/TruX9JEIpXI/AAAAAAAAB9o/MFI0VC_fKUk/s400/DSCN1713.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div></div><div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YRKMUrOoF30/TruYMYlfs2I/AAAAAAAACBQ/K6AUsNZQOs8/s400/DSCN2090.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YRKMUrOoF30/TruYMYlfs2I/AAAAAAAACBQ/K6AUsNZQOs8/s400/DSCN2090.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Camaros mild to wild were on hand, in contrast to the Mustangs in the show, which were far more muted. This example, out of the famous builder West Coast Customs, had perhaps the most audacious, loudest color scheme (if you can even call it a color scheme) of any car in the show. The WCC Mustang, while handsome, was far less radical.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrTuipajNcwq44LzoIfS0GRI3BRZEeN_vzeMGEp1aoAZIyxqgTECtMDdjmRMsGh7-Ms1t4rGtg0AkkdoK4-SKjfu9QkENjcm78iuF9k8fYrt8y6QM0G8bmuNuWVNXEfwLFGAiW5EXAGIe/s400/DSCN2085.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrTuipajNcwq44LzoIfS0GRI3BRZEeN_vzeMGEp1aoAZIyxqgTECtMDdjmRMsGh7-Ms1t4rGtg0AkkdoK4-SKjfu9QkENjcm78iuF9k8fYrt8y6QM0G8bmuNuWVNXEfwLFGAiW5EXAGIe/s400/DSCN2085.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7BixeIimCFy65V_ofOsxS7fOHFMzuOa0MZUsAtopnMLV6Gui1BlQWMgKkms6Eeitj4CZUIHm8aS0jqOyvJB4YLBDt8LY_3Ebe8gtDz7ZpXpnHkbmIXf_qy21nOHNo1EO8Ibj2XK7EFQl/s400/DSCN2686.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7BixeIimCFy65V_ofOsxS7fOHFMzuOa0MZUsAtopnMLV6Gui1BlQWMgKkms6Eeitj4CZUIHm8aS0jqOyvJB4YLBDt8LY_3Ebe8gtDz7ZpXpnHkbmIXf_qy21nOHNo1EO8Ibj2XK7EFQl/s400/DSCN2686.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><br />Perhaps the biggest surprise was the number of Camaro conversion kits available. The most common body kit pays homage to one of my all-time favorite American cars, the Pontiac Trans Am (aka the Firebird).<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-enuFAsy5xPs/TruYi3AmBGI/AAAAAAAACGU/UBLkvlC238M/s400/DSCN2688.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-enuFAsy5xPs/TruYi3AmBGI/AAAAAAAACGU/UBLkvlC238M/s400/DSCN2688.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Fk0GYywyio8/TruYfCWlhsI/AAAAAAAACFk/OD4KItWa6YI/s400/DSCN2684.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Fk0GYywyio8/TruYfCWlhsI/AAAAAAAACFk/OD4KItWa6YI/s400/DSCN2684.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Several versions of the Trans Am conversion were available, but perhaps the most eye-catching Conversion kit wasn't a Trans Am kit. Trans Am Depot (yes, they also make Trans Am kits), offers what they call the 6T9 Goat package. This kit transforms the normal Camaro into a modern-day interpretation of the classic 1969 GTO, dubbed "The Judge."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yl3kJgeN-fs/TruYj3BYdUI/AAAAAAAACGo/oqdCq5XNXIw/s400/DSCN2697.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BlVOBB6xSfk/TruYmEVPEGI/AAAAAAAACG4/JydFCgYxYz4/s400/DSCN2696.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BlVOBB6xSfk/TruYmEVPEGI/AAAAAAAACG4/JydFCgYxYz4/s400/DSCN2696.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div>"The Goat" even inspired a bike, also called "The Goat," built by Orange County Choppers, of Discovery Channel fame. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pfIBVBiU5v8/TrvMlanrnDI/AAAAAAAACTs/qLyDoF2-hJw/s400/DSCN2699.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pfIBVBiU5v8/TrvMlanrnDI/AAAAAAAACTs/qLyDoF2-hJw/s400/DSCN2699.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Another interesting feature of the car is the front headlights, which stay true to the original by having the lights hidden during the day, with the covers sliding away when called upon. Check out the video:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TQRlG0OUj5s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Now if only they would stop putting angel eyes on non-BMWs...</div><div><br /></div><div>And for tonight's Top 5, here are my Top 5 Hot Rods. Apologies, since I don't know much about hot rods - I just pick them from their visual impact. Hope you enjoy anyway!</div><div><br /></div><div>5. Double Trouble Ford Model T Roadster</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QLaE3aFLQ54/TrvlLg3jtHI/AAAAAAAACxc/dpVlvJaMe8w/s400/DSCN1802.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QLaE3aFLQ54/TrvlLg3jtHI/AAAAAAAACxc/dpVlvJaMe8w/s400/DSCN1802.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8Wai-V6C6m0/TrvmBuSOpuI/AAAAAAAAC9s/TuiVClLP-Q4/s400/DSCN1803.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8Wai-V6C6m0/TrvmBuSOpuI/AAAAAAAAC9s/TuiVClLP-Q4/s400/DSCN1803.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>4. California Custom Coach Auburn Coupe</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-L9vs01VnQ9s/TrvlvMO4XwI/AAAAAAAAC6U/4gVJoW2GtBU/s400/DSCN1543.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-L9vs01VnQ9s/TrvlvMO4XwI/AAAAAAAAC6U/4gVJoW2GtBU/s400/DSCN1543.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFky3xLCb9XndBikVUISqBeCw2QCWF9Bjyt4hWg9dl9CIMv9SkYxXAkMvrZjlcpS3ozKiDy4MoesqPyqE_CYciy0BAN0CInY5Lkr2vGgG2slAe-xscXNMh7oRbUEJjM-HcdfzL6c_54LBp/s400/DSCN1545.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFky3xLCb9XndBikVUISqBeCw2QCWF9Bjyt4hWg9dl9CIMv9SkYxXAkMvrZjlcpS3ozKiDy4MoesqPyqE_CYciy0BAN0CInY5Lkr2vGgG2slAe-xscXNMh7oRbUEJjM-HcdfzL6c_54LBp/s400/DSCN1545.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>3. Factory Five '33 Coupe</div><div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VX62jI-0Cy8/TrvlmrL0QeI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/vpDCVdMxsqM/s400/DSCN2626.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VX62jI-0Cy8/TrvlmrL0QeI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/vpDCVdMxsqM/s400/DSCN2626.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HIXK57LU04U/TrvloD2AbiI/AAAAAAAAC4s/LHDhlpyHz-8/s400/DSCN2625.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HIXK57LU04U/TrvloD2AbiI/AAAAAAAAC4s/LHDhlpyHz-8/s400/DSCN2625.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>2. Speed King Garage/Gibson Les Noyse '32 Coupe</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1OgKYtZEw2A/Trvlhfy6U_I/AAAAAAAAC28/76WgH2v8cGg/s400/DSCN2081.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1OgKYtZEw2A/Trvlhfy6U_I/AAAAAAAAC28/76WgH2v8cGg/s400/DSCN2081.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lCPBdj3J_vU/Trvlk8piRoI/AAAAAAAAC38/-XuhDMTxIp8/s400/DSCN2083.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lCPBdj3J_vU/Trvlk8piRoI/AAAAAAAAC38/-XuhDMTxIp8/s400/DSCN2083.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>1. Edelbrock Special 2B '32 Roadster (former World Land Speed record holder)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dRGxybA4wgo/TrvM6dI64YI/AAAAAAAACYM/abgZpzhSuVY/s400/DSCN1619.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dRGxybA4wgo/TrvM6dI64YI/AAAAAAAACYM/abgZpzhSuVY/s400/DSCN1619.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MjL5M3Wfks4/TrvMu-6D4bI/AAAAAAAACVc/ZiysxQ7JEmo/s400/DSCN1703.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MjL5M3Wfks4/TrvMu-6D4bI/AAAAAAAACVc/ZiysxQ7JEmo/s400/DSCN1703.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>Big Chief Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501859234943966167noreply@blogger.com0