Hello all, that is if anybody is still there watching this!? As some of you may know, I am back in Chicago for now. Upon my return I was fortunate enough to be again thrust into the prep & logistical fun that is a drift event. This time around, was our 1st event on real Chicago soil. AutoMass Round1. Enjoy the video:
Car is looking good, maybe cleaner than I ever was able to get it? Miss you
See you soon.
but not any healthier:
Back into my groove here, so expect more normal updates from here on out!
Heading to the states for the holidays. Been over 8 months without any airtravel, and it’s been nice but I need some time away from this country. Will do some driving in Cali, betting in Vegas and you know plenty of eating along the way and in Chicago.
But you all have time, don’t you. So in late 2007, shortly before I moved to Japan, I helped long time friend Keith pick up a clean Cressida chassis that was local to me in Chicago. I knew the build was going to long, and done correctly so I have been following it closely. As soon as he got the car back to Minnesota, the tear down began:
Ryan, who now works out west at HotLine, made an amazing cage for the car. And you can see the MarkII front end coming along…..and oh hi cool Sparco 18s!
And of course the needed powers to make some of that smokey stuff out the rear end:
He got some fancy-smanshy fiberglass that nobody has ever seen since this picture! But thats ok, I’m not one for multicolored cars myself either:
Of course the interior got a tad on the crazy side too, full interior race cars….come on that just sounds funny folks!
A bit more fab work, included some custom pipe for the noise maker under the hood, and some custom pipe our front to push those pesky hay bales and Roto brothers out of the way:
Of course after all that hard work (over 2 years of it!) you gotta take the beast out for some testing. Amid some minor engine issues the car starting to get a good amount of track time, and more importantly Keith was getting seat time again!
Of course, I know your all wondering how this thing sounds. Wonder no more:
Congrats Keith, glad to see your project finally coming to an end…sort of. Can’t wait to see how she looks next spring after some shiny stuff and some final wrapping up of loose ends.
So you may or may not have know, since I never posted it here. But I sold my NB earlier this year while in Chicago to long time driver pal, Phil.
It was really hard to let go, but it went to a good home and I was happy at the prospect of it being used again for what I built it for. Since it’s heyday a lot of the parts were sold of it, so getting her back into proper form was going to be no easy feat. No cage, bucket, front mount, or even wheels remotely cool. But in no time, she was back up and running strong.
I was super stoked to see it out again. Sure it was odd, but you know what…strange as it sounds…it was like seeing a child out on its own (not that I truly know how THAT feels) doing well. For reasons unknown however, the motor decided to let go soon after it got going again and it sat awhile longer again…
After a little break, Phil got her going again with a new (used) BP long block and some help from a few of those ever so down to help Chicago folk. And just in time for the last event of the ClubFR Season at USAIR thankfully.
It was also cool to see the 15×8 KF’s I originally sent back to Chicago for Simba‘s fit make their way onto my old car. Can’t wait to see the car after the planned work over winter, and maybe even the chance to drive her again at some point in the future! Keep the rubber side down Phill!
So lets get caught up. I headed up to Madison for the New Years with M&C as well as Maggie to chill with Phill. He was spinning at a local Cigar bar, Maduro, so we all headed there for the countdown. It was super kickback and a welcome change from the typical drunk-laden parties most bars promise.
The following morning Phill took us to a cool breakfast spot at the Madison regional airport, Jet Room. I opted for the eggs benedict smothered in gravy, rather than the normal hollandaise. A highly recommended variation.
Back down in Chicago, I spent many a night at the GG house wasting time playing Call of Duty MW2. On the weekend however the ladies of the group decided to make up some food and have a little get-together for, among other reasons, John’s bday. Calories were plentiful no doubt.
And as one last hurrah before the 24hr marathon of flights, layovers, delays, crying babies and the like….I had one last jem; the Jonnie’s beef combo:
I did also have time to run to the storage locker and visit the black cars. The cleanest FC in the world is, well, still freaking clean, and my NB started right up after having sat for nearly 2 years. Impressive. As a side note (and a sad one) both of these cars are for sale. Get at me if you are interested.
’till next time; stay classy Chicago
It’s no secret I eat a lot while home here in Chicago. So here is some of the things I have been eating over the past few days. Lets start with last night’s dinner, BBQ Beef Brisket on texas toast with cheese grits, jambalaya, and coleslaw as sides from Heaven on Seven:
When I 1st came in, Mom made me her famous spaghetti:
Of course Portillo’s is a must. Jumbo chili dog and a Combo (Italian been & Italian sausage on one bun):
Peaquods is also a must. Amazing caramelized crust:
And nothing is better than a 3am breakfast at Golden Nugget after some drinks at Green Mill:
This past Saturday I flew up to the twin cities to hang out. Sumo met me:
Got some awesome food, including this juicy blucey along with the best tater-tots in the world, from the Blue Door Pub in St. Paul:
And then headed out to a Heiruspecs show, always good to see Chris up on stage.
And Sunday was spent watching football, eating pizza, and nothing more. One of my best Sundays in a long while. Thank you to my hosts, I hope to see you again sooner rather than later!
