During the NASA season, following the Hallet race, my plans to attend Skip Barber and NOLA were thwarted by the hefty expenses associated with the trip. The combination of my Land Cruiser’s gas-guzzling tendencies, averaging 9-10 miles per gallon at 70 mph. The cost to fill up round trip made it financially impractical.

Thankfully, the subsequent race was hosted at Motorsport Ranch Creson, which was just a 4-hour drive from Houston, making it a feasible option. The race weekend’s forecast predicted the arrival of a cold front accompanied by rain – far from ideal conditions for racing, but I relished the challenge. Wet track days truly separate the serious enthusiasts from the casual participants. Those who attend are the ones dedicated to honing their racing skills.

While it’s true that wet tracks don’t yield personal bests or record-breaking speeds, they offer a unique opportunity to enhance one’s car control abilities. Grip levels are significantly reduced, demanding precise inputs from the driver to keep the car on track. Every lap brings changing grip conditions, forcing the driver to stay focused and attuned to the car’s behavior. It’s a test of true commitment.

My AE86 proved to be a handful to handle in these conditions. The spectators may have loved the drift entertainment, but I was far from the fastest on the track. I quickly learned that treading too lightly resulted in loss of grip, while pushing too hard led to oversteer and sliding. Finding the delicate balance between maintaining grip and not drifting proved to be a challenging endeavor. The window is very small to find. I had to be assertive enough to load up the tires and generate heat within them.

My natural driving style leaned more toward oversteer vs understeer. But my ideal set up preference is a neutral handling. The Toyo 888R tires, while impressive in appearance with their aggressive tread design, it fell short in both wet and dry conditions. They were more suited for a car show than actual track performance. Adjusting the rear suspension to its softest setting mitigated the oversteer to some extent, making the car somewhat more manageable.

In contrast, the Hoosier slicks outperformed the Toyo 888R tires in the wet track conditions. After just three laps, the Hoosiers began to provide better grip, enabling me to secure a remarkable 3rd place finish in my class. Surprisingly, my lap times even outperformed half of the TT5 drivers, which I consider an impressive feat considering my car belonged to a class below TT5. In the world of racing, rain truly acts as the great equalizer, leveling the playing field for all.

Since 2015, my wife and I have been dedicated volunteers at the F1 Austin, and each year, the event continues to surpass our expectations. Our motivation for volunteering comes from the high costs of F1 tickets and the absence of parking included in the price. If you want to camp, that adds to the expenses as well. However, volunteering provides an incredible opportunity to witness the action in a VIP-style, and free camping, with the only catch being that you have to put in some effort. Yet, it doesn’t feel like work at all. We find ourselves right in the front row, ready to assist in case of any incidents at our spot. Sign me up again!

This year, Max has already secured the F1 world championship, but the battle for 2nd and 3rd place remains intense for the rest of the season. Personally, I’m not rooting for the drivers competing for the 2nd and 3rd positions in the season. The drivers I’m wholeheartedly supporting are Daniel Ricardo and Yuki Sonoda.

Yes, they may be considered underdog drivers, but I have a soft spot for them. After all, Max was once an underdog himself, and now he’s a three-time world champion. Yuki’s passion for racing is evident, and his emotional and fiery reactions when a race doesn’t go as planned are genuinely endearing. It seems like he improves every year, and perhaps, one day, he’ll earn a spot on the podium. As for Daniel, he has already achieved podium finishes, proving himself as a top-tier driver who could clinch a championship with the right team. What’s more, I admire Daniel’s personality, both on and off the track. Some drivers may put on a facade on TV, but Daniel comes across as authentic, and that’s something I truly appreciate. I understand that top drivers have worked incredibly hard to reach their positions, and they might prefer not to be bothered by fans when they’re out and about.

One of the additional benefits of volunteering is that, after the races conclude, a bus conveniently picks you up at your corner station and takes you to the parking lot. No more long walks. Of course, if you happen to miss your ride, you’ll have a lengthy walk back to the parking lot. But, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can explore the paddock, and you never know who you might bump into.

In my case, I stumbled upon the F1 Academy drivers! The F1 Academy serves as a launchpad for young females aspiring to break into F1. Its goal is to groom these racers for the world of F1, and if you’re a talented driver winning races, chances are you’ll progress to a higher level. Joining the F1 Academy is a substantial financial commitment, as you require sponsors and financial backing. Nevertheless, the potential rewards are enormous if you have a successful season. I truly admire the determination of the young girls and everyone working behind the scenes to carve out a career in racing. It’s a realm that demands a great deal of sacrifice, financial investment, and hard work to eventually retire from racing.

I also had the privilege of snapping a picture of the F1 Prema Team!

Another fantastic perk of volunteering is the opportunity to enjoy the concerts. This year, we had The Killers on Friday, followed by Queen with Adam Lambert on Saturday. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that Adam had been with Queen for some years now, and his incredible vocal range left a lasting impression. Unfortunately, we couldn’t catch Tiesto on Sunday due to the delightful chaos as the F1 crowd flooded the track. It was an electrifying experience!

Rest assured, we’ll be back again next year, eagerly looking forward to another thrilling F1 Austin experience!

Don’t forget, AE86 matsuri will be hosted at Houston, Tx December 3! Link below: https://texasae86matsuri.wordpress.com/

Rebuilt is kind of a loose term… It wasn’t a complete replacement of all its components; rather, I focused on addressing the specific parts that had issues. You see rebuilt kits all for sale but those kits doesn’t include the parts I needed. In matter of fact the parts in the rebuild kit are the parts that didn’t need replacing in my t50 transmission.

In my particular situation, some of the parts that needed replacement were discontinued and, as a result, were quite expensive on the market. Specifically, I had to replace my shift sleeve. The worn and mangled had burrs, which would catch in the hub and not allow full gear engagement.

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Thankfully, I did find a new OEM sleeve in eBay for $70, but the shipping was going to take a long time. I bought it just in case. However, while waiting for it to arrive, a fellow AE86 enthusiast named Harris offered to sell his broken T50 transmission. 2nd gear was broken on his transmission but I didn’t need that part. The reverse and 5th gear shift sleeve in his transmission was in perfect working condition, so I acquired it for a mere $50. Will used the other good working parts as spares.

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With the temperatures becoming more pleasant I was able to knock out the reassembly in a day!

Don’t forget! AE86 Matsuri is Dec 3 at Houston Police Academy! Click the link bellow to register!

https://texasae86matsuri.wordpress.com/