2011 New Wheels

This year sees Rays lead with TE37 SL

Rays Gram Lights division goes for 57Ultimate DC - D1 inspired colours

These remindme of SE37K

Pretty cool! Blue or Red.

Work have some interesting Matt Brown S1 and the new M1 R shown here.

Advan have a 5 spoke TC III which looks very similar to a TE37. I have no pic yet but These are a must have. Wait for shots. Matt black with a machined centre like TC II

Russ.

Version III Design Update

Based on the last photoshop. This is a more extreme variation. Simply a concept image, but the low wide image is very cool.

The real plan is to retain the normal body and paint the wheels Matt Black.

Then add a Pit-Road generic 3 piece FRP splitter and fabricate approx 1.5" of Airdam to extend the Scoot bar. It's much higher than other bars on the market.

Craft Square mirrors will eventually complete the picture.

Russ.

Tough Directions

I am still looking for a final direction. But its close. Minimising cost vs performance.

While I like the white on white look. The car needs some more dark to balance those lights. So the matt black treatment might finally be used on my RP-01.

My current tyres are ok, but not much left on them, so after a bit of slide control practice, I think some Direzza Star Spec Radials will be used. 235/265 combo

This image is lowered, A LOT,  but it wont be lowered much. Handling is good.
Directions include a front air dam or splitter and some simple graphics.

I think this creates a tough style and I still have the GT Wing for track days. Takes 10 minutes to swap it.

Russ.

Dochi ga?

Vios III comes in the cheap sport version. Seat is more upright. Sides are lower.
Of course Zieg III is the ultimate FIA version and I will be way down low and laid back but it also offers a very difficult entry position.

VIOS III <- FD Fitting Check Here. Abit straight....

I'm leaning towards....

ZIEG III <- FD Fitting Check Here.

BN Sport Model has no buckskin on the shoulders and is black back and a little cheaper.
Also Bride logo Seats.

ZIEG III BN <- FD Fitting Check Here

Recaro are too expensive in Japan. They offers the same kind of model dilemma, TG vs RG but don't offer the side support of Bride seats.

Russ.

Tsukuburg Ring

What a beautiful day today. Sunrise, Mt Fuji and the New Sky Tree @ 600m or so. 

Destination, Rev Speed Super Battle and a drive.

I call Mt Tsukuba, the Tsukuburg Ring, because it's basically full chat. But in this car it cannot be.

It's mostly 2nd gear for my beast. Tooo fast for this road. The new wing seems to keep things pretty stable.
I'll still keep looking for a TFR one though. This is just temporary.

And well set up. Lots and lots of grip. More than I expected actually, When it hooks up, it simply rockets.
The car is by far the fastest thing I've owned, so It will still take some confidence to use it to the full potential.
On the street, that is NOT going to happen. I was at full throttle on this twisty road for minimal periods.

This IS definately a track car, which opens a huge can of worms.

Spoiled

KSP Spoiled ... Does that mean good or bad?

I am liking the style at the moment but that may change. I think this is pretty sweeping and long so the car really needs some lowering now.

There's actually a lot of up sweep on this so it should be effective.

This is very Ol'school for the FD. White RP-01, KSP wing, but soon it may get some vinyl so th elook will change.

I'd actually love the TFR viper ducktail style

But finding one of those cheap and in white may never happen.

So this one was 7000yen or $70, so I snapped it up.

I ran some vinyl over the multiple holes in my swiss hatch. Yes, that's swiss cheese.

11 each side = 22 holes all together.

Carbon or FRP hatch required?

Cheap Tricks

 What is this big banana?

It has vents...? But I'm not sure thats a good thing. Exhaust into the interior?

Sweeping sides challenge the lines of the FD.

Well, here is a clue.

Influence from the purple beast.

KSP Rear Wing Spoiler Type II. It was cheap and it will replace the GT-Wing.
I've been told a GT wing on the C1 or Wangan is an instant ticket these days.

Should get bolted on tomorrow, my cheap tools were not complying today.

Rear image is TOUGH.

Kind of squares things off. But also makes a unique statement.

Shopping Trolley

 Some people say the GT Wing is a bit of a trolley. So I parked up in the right spot.

The car still is an FD. It still looks good.

 I like the deep centre of the RP-01.

but I still need to drop it a touch.

Xmas shopping list

Bride seat and rail
Harness and rear harness bar



That's all

SAB Reflections

OK, so my first highway drive out to SAB in chiba. I can't believe I've had the car for over a month and I've hardly done 100klms. Well actually I can believe it. Many small issues and other shit going on.

I would like a circuit or mountain attack to test my fun factor, highway drive is about as boring for me as watching paint dry. But the car seems to behave itself in it's high state of tune on the trip.

The suspension is pretty hard, and any serious japanese highway corrigation isn't absorbed so well but that is to be expected, general handling however is very good. the few corners on the way provided surefooted direction change.

See if I can find some time before or after my Tsukuba trip. Parked next to this R-Magic demo car. the stance is way too high. I need it about 20~25mm down to be happy.

Stickin with the Wing

What's different... maybe you can guess from the title. The wing is back on.

There's a few reasons for this.

• I don't really like wingless FDs. Even though Version I didn't have a wing for about a year.
• Balance on the car is better.
• Looks more aggressive.
• Prep for event.
• Wing was taking up space in the house.

I also cut a couple of small stickers. "Scoot" for the wing and some small "RE-Xtreme" for somewhere.
I may add some red today... see what happens.

Version III Vinyl

The RP-01 looks good. Ride height sucks.

I still love the bling effect. Something a little more is just a 5 minute photoshop to make trouble for me.

I have always loved Weds BVillens TS-V in 19" x whatever size and offset is always in the back of my mind for whatever car I own. The actuality of this is about 21" but i admit it looks freaking awesome.

The vinyl design is evolving. I don't want anything majorly devastating. The Sema designs got me thinking in a similar direction. I'd like to do it before the weekend but time may get the better of me. Realistically I need a couple of days for this. Not a couple of hours.

Russ.

Version III 2010

 Version III in the sun today at my favourite spot. I'm not sure the white suits this location though.

The car is still filthy! I love white! dirty or clean... It still looks ok.

I need it this high! Especially if I am going to run no wing for a while. I must say, power steering on this car is very light, response is up and the engine is simply a monster. Next week I am off to the Super Autobacs Meeting, but I won't be there until late. I hope there are still some cool cars around.

The other thing I did today was re-fit the short steering boss. Driving reach position is almost perfect again. Indicators stalks are far, but not too far. Effectively a 50mm increase over stock. 80mm deep steering wheel. Boss -30mm.

I just need a Bride Low Max drivers seat to get down into the car a bit more.

Soon. Long drive...

Side Effects

Crap iphone pictures. Needs to be lower.

RP- OH WAN

Enkei RP-01 are finally on the car!

Last night my friendly drift sensei dropped off the wheels in his daily super Vitz and we fitted them this morning. Then went for a very small drive. Dai-san says... "Hayai ne!" Translation. Fast! 

Immediately, I have more traction, but there was still a little drift involved. Very easily provoked. The tyres are quite old Pirellis.

Lucky he came around, because my "lightweight" FD3s jack died in the process. This shot is before the suspension settled down again.

Anyway, for the stance hunters, Im still running pretty normal height. 

 For me these offsets are perfect, but I'd like the tyres under the guards and about 1.5" lower.

For this car, Speed may win over style as the sus is quite good for track although independant ride height is not adjustable, but you never know, some substantial drop may occur for some drift action.

Last pic shows the machining of the hub. RP-01 are actually a pearl colour so they match the body very well.

Now I just have to clean everything and sort out a lot of rough edges, that may take longer than I expect.

Russ