The Paddock of Infineon RaceWay
Two weeks ago, I did some video coverage at a track day for Kevin Mitz Motosports and a few of his clients. While my main focus was getting video of DSR cars, I found some free time to explore around the paddock. During this particular event the track would be shared by cars ranging from Spec Miatas to GT1, DSR, Formula Mazdas and many other classes that I’m still new to. I snapped away at anything I found interesting.
A very clean Datsun Wagon rocking the iconic BRE Datsun Decal lines with a unique color alteration.
Just managed to capture this Opel Manta driving past. After watching countless old rally videos I’ve developed an admiration for these cars. This video in particular showcased Ari Vatanen driving a later model of this car: http://youtu.be/O3tand1ausg
A clean Morgan was parked next to us. A man contemplated the existence of God while staring into the engine compartment.
Well what do you know. It’s my old friend, the 4AGE. I guess it’s a popular swap for old Morgans. One thing that puzzled me is the orientation of the air intake. The engine must have been sourced from an MR2.
My fingers ache at the thought of how close that steering wheel is to the dash.
The buzz of Spec Miatas could be heard as I snapped away in the paddock.
I’ve always been a fan of this color scheme on BMW Art Cars. This Mustang wears it well.
I had to do a double take on this Ford V8. Its engine cover looks strikingly similar to the Corvette V8.
This is probably the most extreme corvettes I have ever seen. Notice those clips on the rear left fender?
- The body panels can be removed in seconds.
It has enough bars on the inside to build a small prison. How can the driver even see the road?
I’m not even talking about the rear view.
- So. Many. Vents.
This car is so pointy and low. It’s like a caricature of a regular Corvette which already looks like a caricature of a sports car.
Somewhere behind this featureless front end is the chassis of a EG6 Honda Civic.
I see you back there wheel. You cannot hide behind those massive fenders.
The rear end was the only way I could identify the EG6. Oh and look its the Si edition. I’m sure this car will infuriate many hardcore RWD fanatics as it disappears around a corner, myself included.
- I believe it was the only FWD car in the GT1 class.
Seems like you can’t go wrong with the 914 platform.
With a massive wing like that it’s no wonder this 914 was sporting the Kremer Racing sticker. This was the same team that created K3 and K4 935 Porsches. Which in my opinion are the most beautifully extreme aero for Porsches ever made. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_935
The engine is definitely not stock. Looks like a flat four of some sort. Likely from a newer Porsche.
- M’ERICA!
Is it just me or does that rear spoiler give off a Batman vibe? Imagine if the whole car were flat black.
This car had a cute frog like appearance.
This one didn’t.
Found this pretty alpha waiting to be let out on the track.
Something about the look in its dead hollow eye. This car has seen things, horrible things.
This Pontiac Fiero was the last of the GT1 class to be let out on the track. The driver was obviously giving me a thumbs up because of my badassnesss.
I don’t think Mrs. Miata will be pleased when she questions her husband about his new secretary. By the looks of it he has more than one.
The rest of the Miatas came in after their heat.
Could this refer to the Black Road off of Highway 35? I’ll be keeping an eye out.
- This is the rear pushrod suspension on the DSR cars that I’m making a short video on.
Fabian is the owner of this orange DSR. His car is the focus of my video. He invited a few friends to cheer him on and act as umbrellas girls. Their t-shirts had “Fabian Nation” printed on them. #livingthedream
Here he is braking uphill into Turn 2. A corner infamous for its many accidents.
Across from Fabian’s car was Mike’s. Unlike Fabian’s, Mike’s DSR has front and rear push-rod suspension.
Mike’s team is always adjusting the suspension to find the perfect setup for each track.
Here it is in action.
- Kevin Mitz regularly accompanies his customers to the track to act as track support. Unfortunately the driver had a collision with the wall after a safety car pulled out onto the track. While the safety car always pulls onto the track at a visible location, when there are enough cars on track traffic can get backed up to the exit of a blind corner. Cars without radios get little to no warning for slow traffic ahead. Accidents are bound to happen. The paint from the wall can be seen on the side of the tire. The lower control arm was completely bent out of shape.
I leave you with the MG Midget on slot mags. Yellow and pink with cold, dead eyes. Perfect.
Stradale Surprise 01-25-2013
Last Friday night’s Touge/BBQ became one of the largest turn outs ever. A few tasteful surprises sat and sizzled at the top of the mountain.
This chili demanded attention and got plenty of it. It was hard to take a bad photo of it.
The Ferrari was nice to look at but would you grill on it? Noah’s Mustang turned out to be the work horse of the Equus Genus. The Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale wasn’t the only car dishing out mouthfuls…ok I’ll stop.
Opposed the regular Ferrari 360 this track oriented production model comes with the “challenge” of not having carpets.
Naturally aspirated v8. Good for 420 hp. Not bad considering it weighs as much as an S2000.
I find it very rare to see so much symmetry in an engine bay. It’s more like a work of art in a sterile laboratory than an engine in a car.
Why carbon ceramic brakes? Because Ferrari Challenge Stradale.
A lower view of the rear reveals a subtly built in duck tail spoiler. In my opinion, it’s very similar to the spoiler that comes with the Spoon hardtop available for the S2000.
Noah’s BBQ sailed into the night sky. Everybody was full of burgers and eye candy at the end of the night. It’s always great to see new cars and drivers on the mountain.
City Tech Track Day at ThunderHill 12-29-2012
After a night of swapping tires, bleeding brakes, and welding plastic bumpers together Noah, Miranda, and I set out to Walnut creek to meet Casey and get a couple hours of sleep before continuing our journey to Thunderhill Raceway.
We arrived at Thunderhill a few hours after the sun had risen. The paddock was already full of a variety of cars, ranging from gutted race cars to daily drivers.
Drift wax smells deliciousness.
Every car looked good in the morning sunlight, regardless of price.
Giving the gift of keeping those expensive emblems scratch free.
Can’t help but notice the resemblance of the 2009 RX8 to the Toyota FRS.
This restored 1976 Porsche race car looked and sounded amazing.
I wonder if this is where RWB got his inspiration.
Probably the most unique car at the track that day was the Evil Genius Racing Lemons car. This Frankenstein Miata clocked the fastest time around at Chuckwalla Raceway in September. I talked to “Evil,” the creator of the machine, about some of the specs.
Apparently a pull start ignition saves 20 pounds of weight.
The car is powered by a belt-driven 3 cylinder snowmobile engine, yup.
It produces 115 hp, which is equivalent to the spec Miata class. Subtract 800 pounds and you’ve got a Lemons winner.
Sponsor stickers add an additional 10 hp as well as a good sense of humor.
Here’s an idea of the variety of cars out on the track.
Noah’s first time at thunderhill. Needless to say he was stoked to learn the track with his brand new Direzza Star Specs.
Noah and Casey grinning with excitement prior to their first laps. Already familiar with Thunderhill, Casey acted as co-driver while Noah learned the track.
Mhmmm carbon fiber headlight covers….
N1 Concepts’ S2000 suffered some body damage in the first few laps.
City Tech owner Patrick Chio helping direct cars to the pits.
Nismo or not, all cars were having a blast on the track.
Drift and grip in the morning sun.
A bee trying to pollinate a Porsche.
Bobby putting his game face on.
Patrick’s Z, circling like a hungry vulture.
Patrick Chio, ready to wreak havoc on the track in his orange 350z.
Away from the paddock, the skid pad was alive with the terrified squeals of tires burned alive.
Noah’s Mustang eats cones for breakfast. The other cones can only watch and wait.
The Mustang roasted its drift spares.
These 60% used Michelins were completely fried at the end of the session.
Most of the drift cars were 240s relying on inertia and momentum to get sideways.
Some 240s were more glamorous than others.
Ying enjoying his newly purchased Lotus. He ended up beating his best track time, which he last set in his 400hp Evo.
Probably one of the easiest cars to photograph.
Can’t go wrong with CR suspension.
Jason and Nick enjoyed the skid pad all day.
N1 Concepts collision didn’t stop it from enjoying some skid pad action.
Probably the largest concentration of FR-Ss and BRZs that I’ve seen yet.
Miranda managed to catch a ride in the Mustang during the last session. It was her first time on a track. Probably one that she won’t forget as the Mustangs ABS decided to fail and lock up the brakes. Other than a flat spot on the tires the car went off and back on the track smoothly.
At the end of the day, we were lucky to have a ride home. Noah didn’t crash his Mustang, although it did suffer from a misfire in cylinder 7.
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Alexey Orlov 
