Smokey

I run a simple setup with a g920, an old playseat, and just one monitor. I replaced an old driving Force GT. Honestly the biggest difference in the update between the DGT and G920 was the pedal feel. You can go absolutely NUTS on wheel and pedal setups. Just look up Fanatec options. I'm holding off on going 3 screen with the idea that I'd go rift eventually. I really don't race much at all though usually just turn laps for fun and to keep rhythm at courses I would run. I'd be interested in a CR league though. I did the rennlist one in the past.

Nicky just let me know on the head unit/CD player if you'd like to pull the trigger. Clay, I'll shoot you a text later today.

Bass tube sold. Feeling nastalgic this holiday? Relive your youth with sweet stereo sounds!

These 2 gentlemen are pointing you in the right direction. Spend more of your time, effort, and money finding a good quality oil made from good group 3 or 4 base stocks in the factory viscosity. Run it, send it to Blackstone for analysis, and then potential really change from there based on their feedback.

Came across this article comparing the NT-01 to the RE71 and shows that the new sticky street tires have just as much grip as the "lower" end r-comps (NT-01, RA1, R888). http://www.prima-racing.com/bridgestones-new-re-71r-the-new-street-tire-track-day-king-part-two/ I haven't driven on the RE71 but I'd have to think it has better road manners than a R888.

I'd think that either one would be a bit loud and annoying on the street. You need the 888 to put down that big LS power? For street work I'd look at something like RE71-R as a sticky option but still having it behave with more street manners. For track tires the 888s stick well but heat cycle out where the older RA-1s were good all the way to the cords. The RA-1s had a better tread profile for rain but the new R888 tread profile is supposed to be better in the rain as well.

I've gone thru this and I'm still using my "temporary" solution as it's worked well. Do you already have 220v run to the garage? If so, then getting a proper electric heater would be a lot easier. If not, then consider that as it's probably more expensive to run the 220 than to run a gas line. If you run a perminant gas heater you'll need to install a vent, likely cutting a hole/vent in the roof. How's the insulation in your garage? If it's decent you'll get away with the tank top unit. My Janky solution is that I use a tank top dual burner with a house fan behind it to help push the warm air a bit. Works well enough for my needs propane is $16 for a tank exchange at Menards.

Good for Nico. Got what he wanted and now he'll peace out. I think the best drivers on the grid are Alonso, Vettel, and Hamilton. I think that Vettel is the most scientific/consistent of them where Alonso and Hamilton are more emotional/aggressive. Obviously all have netted WDC's and all were earned.

The spoiler is from Shine as Norm linked. Be prepared for a long wait after ordering. Took me like 8 weeks to get mine. I think that Evo R sells a version now too. I was able to do the photo shoot today with the car and found some cool locations so I, interested to see how they turn out. I'll post up when I get some of the pics.

Photo shoot last weekend didn't happen due to scheduling issues. Bummer cause the weather was nice, so I grabbed my brother's camera and snapped some shots. Here are the ones I liked. Keep in mind, I don't know crap about cameras so please forgive the ones in direct sunlight that are a bit washed out. http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/IMG_6770_zpslkyl6u7e.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/IMG_6787_zpsjcsrdsd9.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/IMG_6801_zpsmqxhychj.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/IMG_6821_zpslmyp2cgy.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/IMG_6834_zps0y4nvjjh.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/IMG_6836_zps5yfvh32m.jpg

I meant to ask how you've liked yours so far. Any issues or annoyance with using hub rings? Andy almost had me talked into getting them in bright orange but I just couldn't do it.

err....not that cheap. I still need them to not break as soon as I get to the track, but I won't be trusting them with slicks, just Nittos. Bought Forgestar CF5s. Best value for getting 18x10 +50 wheels that won't turn to dust on the first turn (hopefully). Sorry for the huge photo, that's all I got. http://fstar40.iforged.netdna-cdn.com/wheels/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CF5_Deep_10001.jpg

Bought a set of cheap cast wheels to be the track wheels for Nittos next year. Got them bitches in GOLD.

That's the one thing Photobucket does pretty well. I have their app on my phone as almost all of my pictures are taken via phone. Easy uploads and library management via the app.

I still use Photobucket cause I don't want to move everything but it sucks for sure.

That guy with the white one hot laps the shit out of that car. Seriously he goes everywhere with it.

I used to have decent success getting off the rubber marks with clay bar in between events but with the single stage they seem to be harder to remove. I'm hoping keeping up with wax/sealant going into next year will help. I ended up having to hand polish off the rubber in-between events this year when I had time.

The exterior cleanup is where I needed help and enlisted the expert. The paint needed some love for sure and even after all of the work still has some RIDS and etching in the clear coat but still made a great improvement. Car was fully washed/cleaned and then the trim was taped off for work to be done. Wheel was covered here for wet sanding work that was done on the LF fender. Also because the wheels had already been polished twice and waxed...haha. http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/39552C12-A9B6-4EE5-8413-720F2179EEAF_zps4sogofj9.jpg The paint was worked with a rotary, then smaller D/A around the trim/bumpers, then D/A polishing. Finished with a couple of coats of wax. After that is where I started to get a bit ADD on things to finish the cleanup. I polished the door jambs and inside/bottoms of the doors. Cleaned up the rest of the hatch area with polish. Cleaned up the windshield with a razor blade to remove left over rubber and sticker residue from the track season. Then I began to remove the bumper/marker lights to clean underneath. Just like other hidden areas of the car they were gross underneath. http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/F1112EA7-B722-4C83-B63C-E37264C666E7_zpsfop4ldcq.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/1EF89CAD-C60F-4EEA-B8C8-63FDFEDD8C54_zpswvis9qx3.jpg Also while the lights were out I used a tooth brush to scrub off old residue/polish/whatever that was caught in the raised lettering of the light lens. I also used Back to Black on the rubber trim. Before: gunk in letters http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/CE15540A-9F71-4025-9927-1141F5610DAE_zpspspttysu.jpg After: http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/80DD7032-79B3-42D3-8599-93FC62A31D7B_zpsfo9w8zyt.jpg On the front bumper lights I pulled them out and disassembled/removed the lenses. That was a major pain in the ass. I did the same to the old lights I had from my 93 which weren't as yellow and in better shape. Then I removed the orange diffuser which I've never liked the look of in the front. I'll get some orange LED lights so that they light orange without having the egg-yolk look. You can see how nasty the old ones were with crud around the sides/edges under the lenses. Before: http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/8B6A77EF-4D4D-40D0-A8AD-266B2C6CFA92_zpsplziff6s.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/A2B3411B-22D2-432C-82E3-0AB0571AAA5F_zpsgzx0h5ak.jpg After: http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/F8C69E29-C23B-452B-BDCA-23C67CFC60B0_zps92yk54kx.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/E358C49B-CA97-41D3-964F-B6F2074134E1_zpsj67urt5x.jpg All in all this project took WAY too much time, but I guess I'm happy it's done http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/9319760F-4304-4649-A22C-36F0FA17BDBF_zpsojnqgqlh.jpg I put Mothers Back to Black on the remaining black trim including the front lip and trim under the rear rockers. I didn't have time to re-clean the engine bay, but it's passable. I also didn't have time to repaint the wiper arms which I'd like to do, but that'll have to wait. Otherwise the car is just waiting for the spoiler to come back and it'll be ready for its photo shoot. http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/C43B758C-1408-4C22-B485-FAB9A43D385E_zpsy7e5v0ps.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/FB580A5C-ECFD-4BAA-BE98-8D97D6706CB5_zps7yfjxvix.jpg

as a part of the cleanup I was also going to make some interior updates I had been holding off on for more important track updates. First was that I wanted to remove the door speakers and tweeters that the previous owner had installed. THANK JESUS that he didn't drill the door panel for the tweeters and they were just sitting there. http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/EDF155D3-63E4-4CE9-B477-378708733066_zpswffjayty.jpg While I was taking off the door panels, I wanted to install the Sakebomb garage cast aluminum door handle that I've had for quite some time. I had bought it for my old car and never got around to installing it (familiar theme). I opened the box and saw the shipping statement...July of 2012...Parts hoarder status = PRO. The handle replaces the weak factory plastic handle which is prone to breaking. Here's the old plastic on the left and the new on the right. http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/C672915A-3F2B-4E99-875E-9B866646F0CB_zpssptu4dgg.jpg As a part of the install you remove the handle cover and glue it on the new aluminum handle. Now I don't have to worry about people breaking the handle while riding in my car. Here's the passenger door after removing the speakers and with the new handle installed. http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/0F72CCB9-3B49-4DB3-BCE9-315004290079_zpsqd5dhuhm.jpg Next up, my defrost vents had the common issue that they were warping and pulling up on the edges. LRB Speed came out with a laser cut metal version which I installed. http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/5CC76337-3A5C-4995-8AF2-BBA5850F5913_zpsjxep2qcu.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/48846395-90C6-4A5D-A027-E18F44625697_zpsnnbjruob.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/1EBE6620-7C34-4172-9B62-B6391E378545_zpsiql0k0sg.jpg I have to say, I'm pretty MEH on the part. I should have thought ahead and tried to get black hardware so that it'd blend in more and look more factory. Also as you can see in the installed pic the fit isn't perfect. In hindsight I likely would have preferred to just get new factory vents as it suits what I like for the interior, but this will stay for now. Lastly the interior got a good cleaning and protection. I don't like the shiny look on interiors but sometimes it's necessary to ensure UV protection and I leave this car outside in the sun a lot during track days so I'll take that trade off. Sorry the closeup pic is a bit washed out from the halogen lights. http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/B9DC3330-C3AD-4F03-8170-F091F3E1573D_zpszljv7lgw.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/884351C9-276D-4E9C-AB0B-3ACC4E386D87_zpsprxu4m5k.jpg

I haven't completely put away the car for the winter just yet. I've been focusing on fixing/updating some cosmetic things I've been wanting/needing to do. I also decided that since I'm going to have to raise the car next year to run slicks and that'll make the car look stupid, that I'd like to get good pictures of the car now. So I've enlisted the help of my brother to help me clean up the car. I've taken about a week of nights/weekends work and gotten it fully cleaned/sorted. First, the updates. I had to get that gas door fixed. Got a new one which came in primer black and had to have it painted. Good news is that the paint guy was able to get the paint match really well. It has some solvent pop and isn't perfect, but neither is the rest of the car. http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/A7529039-14FE-4350-9EB6-16BE71A1EDA7_zpsex820sl0.jpg 2nd exterior update was to put newer '99 spec tail lights on. They're very similar but have little circles for the lit up portion compared to the square-ish of the factory lights. I also put on a Shine tail light lip spoiler which I had painted black. I had some issues with the paint so in the pictures it's got some flaws and is currently getting redone. Dealing with the lights would help me tackle something I knew I needed to anyway. Similar to what we saw with the other areas of the hatch and under hood, the areas under the lights were NASTY and needed cleaned up. http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/2CD07364-FD48-41A1-8C86-FF72235F4D81_zpsksobjtx3.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/22FF9980-CD92-4BF7-A0D5-E16C7DC23AA5_zpsb1ewnxs7.jpg I was able to get things cleaned up and more acceptable there: http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/C438EBF1-AEBC-47FF-BE16-D3E1683870BE_zps8iiskda6.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/BD58B32C-74F1-44DC-A237-D2412011F364_zpskscwqpvy.jpg Here are the old lights vs new lights http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/5A96BB77-7E95-442C-9585-2CFEB7546771_zpsheqwojwg.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/048C744D-C198-46B6-8744-46D1772CE1E0_zpsiu1cstt0.jpg Here are some views of the rear spoiler. I like that it accentuates the rear lines of the car without being overly bold. http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/73FBE80B-C849-4615-8642-F2CE197D4F7D_zpsrbphrsbl.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/white%20car/D936D141-C71D-43D6-9DF7-DC41F3898F29_zps94fgvh28.jpg

this is the stuff that was in the FD when I got it. I listened to it once and it sounded good, and was all functional when removed. Clarion ARX6470 head unit with removable face and flip down access to the CASETTE!! YES! has remote as well Clarion RDC605 6-disc cd changer. I'd like to sell these together as they're meant to work together and will come with the cable to connect them. $60 http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/For%20Sale/01A3C948-018F-48AD-9D17-7B7AA02612AB_zpsl6eykqng.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/For%20Sale/463A13DF-7CC0-4F22-A98E-E1D4B1A94EB8_zps0rhgt6xh.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/For%20Sale/E51E4619-4DE9-4CA1-8E24-F4606FCF6F4E_zpsidgv8w38.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/For%20Sale/C60C16F4-1392-48FB-BE4E-C09C05346491_zpsh5a21sib.jpg Kenwood 5 1/4" components - KFC-p502 - $40 http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/For%20Sale/40988162-9046-4F1F-BF29-C2E55491C079_zpsvmzpf84q.jpg Bazooka RS10a-hp - 10" sub with built in amplifier. Will come with the pictured wire harness to hook to amp inputs. - $80 http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/For%20Sale/B8B53B9F-538D-473F-9A9E-E5737A6616C7_zpswxrslz1n.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/For%20Sale/43C283B7-0968-4E1F-B3CC-B3F8431B38A2_zpsgvsytgjl.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/For%20Sale/E1E2647D-6639-4AAE-B25C-02AD49BCC66A_zpssvqgl4kx.jpg Sony Xplod amp - 4x80 watt with equalizer XM-404eqx - $80 http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/For%20Sale/66439B5C-7E79-481E-A1E9-C44994DFA3E8_zpsygs3fbcd.jpg http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/For%20Sale/33ABF2A7-09EF-412B-8793-6420325969EF_zpsaop6robe.jpg

Pretty basic jobber here, but it works. 6.0hp and I think it's 22". The only flaws are that it doesn't come with a rear flap (for the grass clippings, etc) or a chute if you don't want to mulch the grass. I'm sure those are available at sears for cheap. $30 http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z56/kutschca/For%20Sale/E85C0892-EF00-465D-B8D3-D3B2D101578D_zpsewfowcc3.jpg

Having him in the Stars and Stripes driving suit made me laugh.

Anyone use the new Amazon pay service for prime members? I've used their free one for years but not as my primary as the selection is limited. Supposedly the pay version adds a lot to the selection.

Agreed that I'd seen the 3 car test before but cannot blame them for doing it. I enjoyed the show and am very hopeful for the season ahead.