Songs: A Time Machine

Listening to Different Sundays on 88.3 brings about different emotions unto one's self. It deeply related to what as we usually call, the soundtrack of the different memorable experiences of our lives. 

May it be the barkada's carpool of a Hi-ace van going to the ball, all suited up, nervous, handsome and fidgety, or a summer trip with your classmates, leaving from the school grounds, to Batangas, E-heads, Foo Fighters in the background, you open the car's window, and the cool and fresh breeze brushes through your face, or moments with close friends as you head to Antipolo at your favorite place, lying down at the grass, with eyes planted unto the sky, waiting for each shooting star and ready to make that special wish. Dave Matthews, plays the lullaby as you guys get to sleep with dream and aspire of your future as you step out from college. Or riding the "bangka", dizzy yet excited as you get of a glimpse of Boracay, the rhythm of RNB and hiphop can be heard from a far, and who could argue that it truly blends well with what we commonly call the summer air..

Truly, songs are a time machine, and in my opinion, is the best way to feel and relive the past, even for just a second. 

Graduation

As I was listening to 88.3's OPM rock on a Saturday afternoon, heading back from the supplier, I quickly recalled my grade school days as Parokya ni Edgar played. The days when we had our class night at that old auditorium and we had to sing, as a class Harana, with our classmate who really loved acting, headed up front and did some extra emo-actions. Such experiences cannot be brought back, and remain solely for memories and look-backs to time long gone.

In many ways, if you look back to your own experiences of such, you would 9 times out of 10 say to yourself, finally, “nakatapos din ako, nakagraduate din ako”. Truly such beautiful life experiences are part of a long and painful journey of the academe. 

Its the same way with cars I guess, graduating from the usual bolt on stuff like mufflers and intake, to creating a full blown race engine, travelling to Manila even to have that dream engine built or flying the tuner from Manila to Cebu, all expense paid, it’s the same way with wheels, starting on the usual budget friendly Rotas, then later on, finally, being able to afford genuine TE37s, wheels which you've only dreamt of, or read at magazines. Remember the days of cut and compressed springs? Then on through your car-life you then we able to afford some decent springs from TEIN, then things get a little more serious and you shift to a set of coilovers which you' so anal about as you adjust them weekly on Sundays after your morning jog. Probably another form of graduation is selling that sport compact and buying a pickup or a van for the kids. And just like any school boy, there are cases that one simply does not learn, problem child, a repeater as you may call it, and thus, on his twilight years purchases a Civic EG and modifies the hell out of it. 

There are so many examples of these forms of progression, the bottom-line really is, everything is so much sweeter when taken at a right pace, wherein you learn through the process, you get so much data through the problems and fixes that sometimes you feel like a genius for a couple of weeks. A labour of love as you may call it.

Right now, I have so much respect for the people who built. Not bought. Give credit, where credit is due.

Graduation and its various forms. Enjoy!

What is your Red Bull?

You’re in traffic, because of the gutter deep water in the next intersection, or at the office waiting it out, it’s as if the clock is taking too long to reach 5thirsty, or probably at class, listening to that very boring professor that can almost sing lullabies to kids to get them to sleep. The aircon blowing through your face almost half asleep, you’re bored... With everyday life, of the need to wake up, work or study, do the routine, finish, eat then sleep and back again.

As car enthusiasts, what keeps you motivated as you pass through that stage that it gets a little boring? You have so much love for cars, and tuning and everything related, but it’s easily drowned by the amount of work you have to do, or the never ending thesis that you or your group-mates have to finish before the sem ends, the amount of effort to keep things running in the company or striving to send the kids to a very good school, things like that, responsibilities, tasks, promises, obligations, tend to make things vague for us, it simpler terms, it kills our enthusiasm.

For me, the best way to liven up our enthusiasm is to appreciate the smallest things that relate to our interest. From being chased or tailgated by a WRX as you come from Antipolo downhill from from a late night seminar, to spending 5 minutes just staring at the Fairlady S30 your oh-so-rich boss just parked in front of your office. Or accidentally coming across a carshow at the mall while fetching some groceries, the S2000 kinda like saying hi to you, smiling at you, with its intercooler right up front. Or a barkada night watching the last batch of BMI videos that just arrived at the mailbox. Or simply stealing your newphew’s manga of Initial D and actually witnessing what really happened after Stage 4. A quick visit to a parts shop probably to breathe the air that keeps us all alive, or hitching a ride home on your friend’s Evo5 in a way could be a quick fix or a drug.

Appreciation is key, as I said earlier, avoid taking things for granted, recall how much time, money and effort you spent building your project car, because nowadays time flies to fast that we fail to grasp the true meaning, the inner workings of the hobby which we all love. 

Influence.

Looking back we all had our influences. As you are reading this article, you are probably hooked up in the same addiction with all our fellow enthusiasts. May it be it be your personal satisfaction of owning and tuning your car, probably a high priced VIP sedan, your track weapon on weekends as you make your way to Clark, probably a restoration which you and your dad started years back. A joint project with your brother to combine funds and finally build what you guys have been dreaming of for years as you read countless Super Street magazines, or something simply out of love for cars, or out of hate as you built the best car you could as your girlfriend broke up with you and uttered the words: “buti ka pa, di ka nangiiwan”.

Personal is the word that covers all of these, but what triggered you to be in this hobby? What type or when did the reaction take place as you then decide to enter this industry?

My influence came from a guy named Glen, who I considered much of a brother back then. To put it simply his Civic VTI, with the carbon fiber hood, Spoon sidemirrors, Spoon chin with his Winmax sticker on it. That strange looking Spoon N1 muffler and all the Spoon strutbars looked alien to me. The swan-like sticker looked cool though, so as his matte black Sw388s, yumm. The car was, well lowered by some yellow colored dampers and black springs, firm but not bouncy, or should I say perfect? Everything was original of course.

That as early as the 1996-1997, individuals like him were building Spoon cars in the truest sense. The sparks really flew when I hitched a ride going home to Marikina via Commonwealth, the dazzling display of gauges, and the then, very cool looking VAFC illuminated the dark cabin as we flew across the “unrestricted Commonwealth” of the 90’s past 100kph.  The distinct sound of the Spoon N1 muffler was all that I can hear even when I was in bed, dreaming. To him in a way, I owe where I am today, and the passion for cars.

Pause, Stop, Reflect. switch of that engine, take a sip from your Happy Lemon and take a bite from that glazed donut.

Who was your influence? What pushed you to be who you are today? When did you realize that your really love what you do? 

Proyekto ( Tagalog by Demand)

Because of a lot of people are requesting that I write in Tagalog, I’ll be giving in this time considering that tomorrow is the commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan, or Day of independence. I also wanted to show, through this blog, Tagalog, or English, that beyond all the glitz and glamour of cars, beyond all the parts, and the stereotype closely attached to motorsports, that there’s a brain behind all of this. And a heart that can speak clearly and can relate through humor, sarcasm, truth or plain experience. Its also a salute to all my beloved Filipino teachers in gradeschool and highschool whom I learned so much from, they taught from the heart, thank you... Except the one in college who kept on collecting money for his "special projects" =P

Nuong isang Byernes ay maaga ako nakauwi sa bahay dahil sa inspekyon na aking ginawa sa shop na malapit sa aking tinitirhan. Naisipan kong maglinis muna ng sasakyan para pagpawisan naman, at matapos nito ay ginamit ko ang aking bisikleta, isang mountainbike na biniili ko sa isang matalik na kaibigan na nagpaparating nga mga makina galing Japan. Oo, super-gaan ng bisikleta kung nais mo tanungin., Nagikot-ikot ako sa village, at makalanghap ng sariwang hangin, lalo’t kakatapos lang ng ulan at konting bagyo. Nakaksawa na kase mag jogging sa Ateneo, panay puno at pari nalang ang aking nakikita. Peace!

Ang composisying ito at nais ko tawagin na: Proyekto. Ano ba ang iyong proyekto? Ito ba ay isang Lancer? Isang Nissan Sentra na sinasali sa mga sound competition? Isang Nissan Silvia na pang drift? Ang paboritong Honda Civic o di kaya isang Jazz? Naisip ko ito dahil sa pagiikot ko sa aming village, ay nakita ko ang mga ibat-ibang proyektong kotse na matagal ko nang hindi nakita, ay ngayon ay sa wakas ay nabuo na din o kung titignan mo ay mas maganda o kompleto na.

Marami ako nakita ngunit ang mga nakatawag pansin sa akin at ang mga sumusunod. Ang EG hatch ng kinaiinisan kong tao, na laging nambabalya sa akin sa basketball nuong maliliit pa kami. Nangangalabaw, naniniko at marami pang iba, ang EG niya ay mayroong Spoon setup, malinis at simple lang. Pitong taon nung una ko ito nakita ay naka TRD mags ito, at medyo masakit sa mata, ngayon, all Spoon Yellow, may nasilip din ako Spoon caliper at Ce28s. Nakita ko din ang 240sx ng aking kapitbahay sa kabilang kanto, nagsimula ito bilang isang Garage queen na minsan lang paandarin, at pumapalya pa. Basag ang mga ilaw, bugbog ang kaha, ngunit kung iisipin mo, kahit sa panahon na iyon, ay nakikita mo na kung gaano kalaki ang potensyal ng proyektong iyon. Alam mo na ang tuning scene ay punong puno ng mga Honda, at kapag nabuo mo ang 240sx na yan ay sigurading angat ka. Huli ko nakita ang kotse niya nung 2005, at ngayon, ay kinulayan niya ng silver, naka-coilovers sa tingin ko, staggered Work Meisters, Bride seats, yun lang ang aking natanaw. Sa tingin ko ay masaya naman siya sa kinalabasan ng kanyang proyekto. Nakita ko din ang Lancer itlog ng kabitbahay naming na mahilig manligaw, lahat ata ng babae sa village namin ay nilagawan niya, pati na din ang mga katulong. Nagsimula lamang yan maraming taon ang nakalipas sa isang muffler at isang damukal na Ralliart and 5zigen stickers, ngayon, kulay puti na siya at bunuo niya ito bilang isang Evo 1, sa tabi nito ay isang real Evolution 8. Sarap!

Ang progreso ng ating mga projekto ay kasabay ng progreso ng ating buhay. Kaya nga may mga proyekto tayo na di madaling bitawan, di madaling pakawalan. Napapamahal sa atin ang ating mga sasakyan, sa hirap at ginhawa, ng manalo kayo ng barkada niyo sa basketball league, o nuong nakipaghiwalay sa iyo ang iyong girlfriend at hinataw mo ang iyong kotse pauwi, o nuong bumaha sa Espana at napilitan ka na iparada ang iyong sasakyan sa mataas na lugar at doon magpalipas ng gabi, o di kaya, sa pinakasimleng salita, isang sasakyan kung saan ibinuhos mo lahat, higit sa pera, ang pagod, hirap at mga ideya.

Hihipuin ang makinis na kaha bago matulog sa gabi, pagmamasdan ng ilang minuto, wari’y nakatingin din sya sa iyo, nagpapasalamat, sa maraming taong pag-aaruga. 

Car Appreciation.

My encounter with a young adult compelled me again to write about something. Don’t you hate it when you see these younger individuals, those who are given just a few tasks to do but often fail to do so. Those who fail to see the complexity of life in general or the inability to see their faults.

Some would contest that they became successful behind parents who are so lax and liberal. Some on the other hand stand by their achievements and believe that strict parents have contributed to what they are. 

I on the other hand believe that it’s part upbringing and 75% IN YOU. If you’re lazy, and give little respect to the tasks at hand, and your responsibilities as a person, then I think one doesn’t need to be a prophet or a messiah to see your future. Question is, are men and women built this way nowadays?

This brings me to quickly relate such issue to our appreciation for cars. Is your appreciation for cars in general considered a “brat”? Confined, tunnel vision, on strictly JDM cars, Sport Compacts, Honda’s, Nissan’s, your cousins Evolution 9, your neighbours STi with 19 inch TE37s, your barkada’s K20 endowed Civic EK?

Or have you developed into a more mature, car appreciating individual, who has a taste for well built sports compacts, such as your Tito’s old school Corolla and his paborito: a 4g63 equipped fully restored Boxtype? Do you truly respect the amount of sweat, blood and tears in restoring a 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger or breezing through the recent Transport show, at awe at the beautiful classics of past which we owe so much from, laying the foundation for the cars which we enjoy today. Appreciating the panels, the trims, constantly asking, curious on how that guy brought in those hard to find parts and emblems for a car five times your age. Classic European cars of the 70’s and 80s, truly dominant during their time, and arguably the one true canvass which Japanese and Korean cars have patterned their vehicles to.

Did your heart beat faster as that Bentley Continental GT passed you at Sctex at 7am in the morning as you and your dad made your way to have breakfast at Subic, overly enthusiastic and narrative, on how it held the top speed record on ice. Truly tastes and appreciation mature, this is why I have a high regard for those in the online and print industry. Through them, and though their appreciation and interpretation as ultimately car-loving individuals, we are able to see through the metal, the plastic, the wood and the nuts and bolts of things.

The SIR. Hate it. Love It.

I recently had a conversation with a few friends at the supplier place. They were talking about a recent thread which came about at Tsikot.com, regarding a feud or probably a misunderstanding on some JDMU (JDM Underground) members. I’m not sure if its the same thread but it also talked about the Civic SIR. People were discussing, why a 12 year old car has such a high value under its belt. There were also comments such as driver attitude, generalizing all SIR owners as “Asses” on the road and such. Some comments also stated that its beyond the times already, and newer cars have already taken its place in terms of being the king of “Pocket Rockets” Another poster even chose the road of discussing purchasing power, and some comparing it to equivalent tuner cars such as the Lancer, Corolla and Sentra and their corresponding engine swaps.

I was fond of the thread because it was a time machine. Reading the thread felt like using the good old Internet Explorer rather than Chrome. It was like using my Acer Aspire with a Pentium 400 and a 3dfx Graphic Card, using a 800x600 CRT, and a mouse that had “bombolyas” (reference to Tulfo brothers as they threaten Mr. Raymart Santiago J ). On hand was a burger from Hotshots which was twice as large as it is today, and in the background your sister had her MP3 downloads of all the hottest boybands playing in her very thick IBM Laptop.

Truly it was like the 90’s as they discussed by people hate and love the SIR. I think this topic has been discussed a hundred times already.

For me it was rather simple, so simple that it’s almost embarrassing, but at the same time, I wanted to voice out something which current EK SIR owners might share with me. Please bear with me.

The EK SIR is a Casa released car with a potent but not great B16A engine. At that time, people got a taste of the Type R Engines B16B and B18c which were used by Honda on their sport models such as the CTR and Integra Typ R. Because it was assembled by Honda, not by some garage or a tuner, the SIR held its value well in the market as a factory released and valid pocket rocket. The aftermarket support was tremendous also during that time and up to now if I may say. It would take me a day to discuss the amount of parts available and the ease of access to it as compared to other car models, it was truly an affordable tuner car at that time. Being able to build an EK Hatchback a few years back courtesy of Splitsecond, no matter how perfect  the conversion is, no matter how complete the parts are, it can never compare in terms of feel and value to an SIR. People may disagree with me but it is what I truly felt. The handling, the suspension, the noise, how the steering felt, how the doors closed, you can never replace the precision of a casa as they say. As we fast forward, the SIR is being used at the car shows, reinventing itself through better parts and that wiretuck we oh so love, it still wins some car shows and time attacks, autocross events, drag events, featured at magazines and such, BUT looking at the whole picture as of 2012, it is NOT at the top of the food chain anymore. This is something our friends on the road and well, at the forums should understand. It may be the decade’s favourite tune car, but times have changed and there are newer and better things in the market.

A guy commented saying, that it became affordable, and more people can buy it now, there’s another saying that people who bought the SIR in the past, are now buying cars from PGA, and if you’re buying one now, you’re so late. Those statements are all true. But allow me to just share how the SIR’s character and value is so “against the flow” as we compare it to its similar counterparts, at sulit.com or the most basic form: Manilla Bulletin Sundays.

The SIR is 12 years old and is selling at around 350k to as much as 600k. Even more if it obviously has more parts. Got pocket change and balls to buy a 12 year old car for 500K? I salute you. For the same amount you can buy a 3 year old City, Jazz, Yaris, Vios, Swift.

A good friend of mine was telling me of a story of his customer already spending 300k, and yet he feels that his SIR is so bare. By the way, the owner also owns an 2011 STi. Now that for the parts.

Right now, I can think of 10 friends, single and married, who own executive sedans, SUVs, newer cars and such, but still has an SIR at their garage. Their common term when I talk to them: “Panlaro” "Pang-Porma" "Pampabata"

Economists forgive me, but I just wanted to use the term Performing Asset. The SIR is one. As a sideline, I’ve sold 3-4 SIRs together with a couple of VTis already in a year, mostly outside Manila, it truly is a money maker, it truly has value. Now that's demand!

As of now, I’m guilty of resto-modding one, with the right parts, I’m able to use it once or twice a week, I even use it for deliveries and going to the shops. My girlfriend hates it, it has no tint, it feels old, the knobs, switches, the fabric and dash are so 90s, but it gets me from point A to B with a little more excitement, very raw. It’s as reliable as my 2010 car. Good?

Analogy: If the AE86 was Japan's favorite tuner car, because of the abundance of parts, affordability, know-how and such.

I can readily say that the Civic SIR is the Philippine's "AE86". Its a tuner car that we all learned to love, beyond its age, and limitations, we all got a hold of it and loved it. :)

Korean Upsurge

Looking at the picture? What does it convey to you? It definitely isn’t a modern day Edsa revoltion symbol, wherein the kid innocently reaches for, well, a yellow Hyundai Veloster.

The picture for me paints a thousand words, in our case, it coveys to us numerous conclusions and a swift analysis on how the Korean cars have evolved through the years.

Remember the Kia Pride, in all its compact glory, occassinally you would see one breaking down at the street, remember the numerous Korean SUVs in the 90’s which was so awful looking that Top gear and US based magazines would often poke fun on, remember that MB100 which really had a bad reputation for smoke belching and the tractor-like noise it emitted as you probably was waiting for your “sundo” at the school parking lot. Remember that Korean car, which your you and your dad, and probably some friends would talk about, and most often, words like unreliable, ugly, low resale value would sprout, and at the end of the day, after such an easy debate, you would rather buy that Corolla or Civic. For years, Korean cars had a bad reputation, as said earlier, it was the poster child for everything undesirable about a car, the noise, weak parts, low value and design that was a bit odd and off as compared to its Japanese and European counterparts.

Fast forward 20 years after. It’s summer vacation, you’re probably on your way to the beach now with friends and family in a Hyundai Starex, sleek and stylish, easily at par with its Japanese counterparts. You may be with your girlfriend or wife about to have dinner, in your new Elantra or Accent, with its styling and value much recognized by the US and UK market as one of best so far, the boss you either hate or revere so much is probably driving the Kia Sportage with its known LED DRLs with has benefitted so much from Kia’s EX-VW designer. You’ll also be probably stuck in traffic on Tuesday and take note as I tell you that a Tucson exists at every street or avenue. The picture above for me symbolizes the clear emergence of the Korean car market. The mere fact that its one of the stars at the MIAS going head to head it terms of Sq-foot display with Subaru, Ford, Bmw and Benz is a clear indicator that, truly times have changed ( Note: Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mitsu I think were demoted to less than stellar display areas) . The mere fact that Hyundai can ride the wave of the green, compact and sporty models is a sign of progress, that they can easily adjust to the market and not only be dictated by merely “just” making a profit for a certain model. The mere fact that their cars such as the Veloster or even the Sonata/Genesis have received attention from car enthusiasts magazines and most importantly aftermarket support from various US, Japanese, and UK parts manufacturers.

Remember your conversation with a friend or your dad as you say:

“Hmmm, maybe in 6-10 years, we can buy a Korean car, by then it’s as reliable and high-tech as a Japanese car”

Maybe that time is now.

Car Clubs aren't just couples going for a Fun Run.

Just a few days ago, I had a slight argument with a boards officer regarding  a change in payment schemes on our usual paid ads. Maybe it was just summer abnd the heat was getting to us, maybe it was just the workload or the pressure as we try to cram everything before the long vacation comes, or maybe it was his approach, which I really find so different from our past encounters with the said group. Just like a Hotel, when you keep on coming back, the staff will treat you well, just like on a resto, when you keep on coming back, they will give you utmost respect and give in to small requests, when you’ve been known to go back and always purchase bags or clothes from a store, they appreciate your business and provide you with the best service they can render. To cut in short, it was different and come to think of it, it was partly not his fault, rather, it was the system.

The system I am referring to is the government which clubs and organizations are all subjected to. Most often, if you think about it, Car Clubs are the most basic form of an emerging government or political entity. From the start, just a couple of guys meeting at an empty parking lot on a Sunday, all meeting with a common interest, they were formed as usual, by the internet, meeting at the forums, chemistry and sparks everywhere and there you have it, from a good 5-10 members maybe in a few months they’ll be filling the whole parking lot, and in no time, will be the apple of the eye of the security guards. It usually evolves that way. When there are guys forming a group, it’s inevitable that a website or forum shall be created, and from there money is needed to run it. It’s also need to fund outings and whatever expenses that huge get-togethers are usually subjected to. Cash is then collected from the members, the more members they have, obviously the more money is collected. There is a greater amount of responsibility this time and in time, officers and moderators are elected to distribute the tasks evenly. Within such governance, within the funds collected and the hunger for leadership, I’m pretty sure problems arise here and there; in between members and in between officers. Because officers only have a limited term, when the new ones take over, there is so much conflict going on since he has to adjust to a lot of stuff, he has to adjust to the board sponsors, he has to reconciliate himself with the new officers and existing members which probably in the past he had a conflict with, he probably has new rules which he would like to suggest, a few changes here and there etc etc. From here this is where the problem starts.

As a basic form of government, it probably does not have a transitional period. From here, we appreciate a “government”, and how it could have started. That it has a lot going on in it, and more complex than we think it is. Because ultimately car groups aren’t as simple as bunch of happy friends going for a fun-run and meeting at Tagaytay for breakfast, groups are composed of dozens upon dozens of minds from different walks of life, groups are supposed to meet regularly and be productive, to thrive and evolve through the years, it is supposed to be a pool of ideas, a marketplace to spark much interest and hopefully avoid meeting a natural death caused commonly by disinterest and mismanagement.     

Green Tuning

Inevitable in the right word to sum it all up. With the emergence of high gas prices, the car industry as we know it has adjusted to this dilemma; car manufacturers have built and sold Hybrid cars which effectively reduce cost by combing an electric motor to a petrol powered motor. In layman’s explanation, petrol motor charges the electric motor, once charged it takes over the duty in running the car. The cycle is as simple as that. For years, we have been exposed to the usual hybrid cars such as the Prius, and the USDM Camry running the streets, but this time, we have Honda introducing the CRZ as a sport compact, tuned by Mugen, Spoon and HKS and a lot others as the next big thing in the tuning world. To put it simply, have you ever imagined a good 10 years ago that people would be building cars around a hybrid platform? For a lot that would be sacrilege, and many would question, what possible performance can one get out of a hybrid platform? A testament to this is Spoon’s CRZ which was built and even being raced as one of their flagship cars. In due time, we’ll be seeing more of this, that the tuning world as accepted such as a norm. And by the way, how many times have you seen that CRZ and slammed Prius at your usual GT? 

When we say green tuning it’s not always about the hybrids, on a larger scale and should I say in its current state, green tuning is about smaller cars with very good handling and small displacement engines. If you’ve probably noticed, the Honda Jazz/FIT and the Toyota Yaris are one of top tuner cars nowadays. With lots of parts, a very efficient engine, a spacious interior, and good handling, it’s easy to understand why people have easily learned to love it. We all know that a lot of individuals have stuck to their EGs and EKs, Evos and Silvias, but if you think about it, the most accessible tuner car nowadays is the Jazz/FIT. It’s a prime example of how fixing up cars have evolved, on how gas prices and trying to preserve the environment has greatly affected the kind of cars that we drive, or the kind of cars that we build.

Shot in the Face

"Shot in the face"

Such an aburd expression, as I passively hear in on the radio going home as I traverse the open roads of commonwealth. It’s kind of difficult to follow MMDA’s 60kph limit at 12:30am, with a CRDi powered pickup begging you to switch up gears, push the pedal a little further and feel the very obvious boost which modern diesel engines are so known in today’s time. This time its guiltless, because I know I’m still going to get a lot more mileage than any car at that pace.

Shot in the face, is inviting a couple of guys with thick glasses for a 3-3, underestimating them and being shot in your face with a 3 to finish the game 21-12. Shot in the face is big talk at the coffee shop trying to impress the guys on the nearby table, only to find out sooner or later that you’ll be working for them. Shot in the face is trying to talk so much about speed, so much about driving cars, feeling that you know it all, to a guy who flies planes for a living. Shot in the face is being all hyped up for a trackday, with a heavily modified civic, only to clock 3 seconds slower to all stock Yaris with just a tire upgrade. Shot in the face in a grown-up bully, Mr. Bigshot to everyone at the office, but still goes home to the parent’s house and live from their pension. Shot in the face is mocking someone for the car they drive and a few years after he has already bought a T, an S and the mighty H, and still, you’re driving your Mom’s Suv. Shot in the face is getting busted by the girl you’ve been impressing for years, in favor of the guy half of what you have (and I’m not only talking about effort). Shot in the face is dearly flaunting that Speedy only to come face to face in the elevator with a bag collector and her assistants all carrying a dozen Chanels and a few Hermes’. Shot in the face is a movie so hyped up, you end up buying 3D tickets only to sleep halfway through it. Shot in the face is finally meeting your idol after so many years, and in a span of 10 minutes you can easily surmise he's a Jerk.

Shot in the face is writing-off that old-schooler at the stoplight and getting beat at the end, only to find out after attending a local carshow that.....

An Expensive Kind of Running..

Last night was a short reunion with my friends, Lawrence, Uncle Mark, Alain and Sheyz and a few others. Again, we found ourselves back in familiar territory, something which we used to do quite often a few years back. Karting. I call it my expensive Running/ jogging. Since nowadays I’m limited to just running and a bit of biking a few times in a week at ADMU (I prefer private, clean and green) as my sport, expensive because it will cost you 600.00Php or approximately 15dollars for every 12 minutes. FYI, we paid for the 1,700 package yet again, which give you a total of 36 minutes (3 rounds) and free balaclava.  It will make you sweat, stress out your muscles, surprisingly it’s going to make your mind work a bit by strategizing the racing lines in next few seconds.  Consistency, hand and foot coordination and lots of sweating.

In its most basic sense, as a bunch of grown-ups, we’ve come to love such sport. The cost of such is in essence “acceptable” to us because it’s in line with our passion, business or work. Same way that a basketball player spends time on special training or the doctors, same way a high-powered personality or politician (bleh!) pays Belo or an image consultant huge wads of cash. It’s our quick fix, our drug, which I hopefully can always draw a line from, in between addiction and a once-a-month affair.

I’ve had my share of trackdays at Subic with friends back then using our EKs, EGs etc..but upon reflection, karting probably is the closest you can get to how real professional race car drivers manage their “office”. From Nascar, to GT racing, to Time-attack or even F1. It gives us a glimpse of the most basic things that these guys undergo doing their job. Beyond the glitz, glamour and prestige that these guys project to the public, of how a lot of people envy them so much, these are the elements that they are subjected to. The heat, the danger, positioning, consistency and the drive or urge to be number 1. Its a dream job as many would say, but I think the pressures involved in such sport is no walk in the park. So much work is involved, and hey, the costs I think are the highest of any sport.

Simply think:

-600Pesos for 12 Minutes of Karting.

-Real Racing: Millions for the car, engine, suspension and evrthing involved.

-Thousands for tires. Thousands for the team.

-Thousands for the monitoring.

-Thousands upon thousands for the driver.

-No wonder racing involves so much sponsorships.

I guess that 600Php for 12 Minutes of Karting justifies everything..

Learned

Why does one join car shows? It’s probably for recognition as many would readily say. Oftentimes for promotions, to either promote the group, or the shop, the services, the parts. It can also probably for just a simple whim to let it out, bring out the car, enjoy the scene, get noticed, spot some models, etc etc..

I would like to draw back to its simplest sense, helping us realize, making us appreciate of the things which we often take for granted. As we draw near the deadline or shall I say the Ingress, we probably hate it, that we do our day to day work and tasks, but at the same time we need to exert so much effort into preparing the car, installing the parts, hooking up for sponsorships for the detailing, the slot perhaps, or making some calls, just like a highschooler to acquire a model, not unless you’re a hustler or been in the scene for quite some time. In essence, for the regular show-goer and the like, it’s quite a burden mentally and phisically, from preparation, to bring the car in, having someone look over the car and give out the business cards, to then again, bringing out the car, towing it back at the shop.

Just as the grown-ups would say, life was simpler when they were young. And in connection to that, I would imagine a starting enthusiast, probably building his hand me down 1992 EG Hatchback, making friends and gaining some recognition at the forums, he’s probably the guy usually being awaited at the EBs and get-togethers, fellow enthusiasts want to witness his project unfolding through the months. There are no sponsorships involved, just pure hard earned money from mom and dad, school allowance or from countless hours at work, skipping meals and just a pack of cheetos for the day, sacrificing fashion (oh no!), ulgly looking shoes, loose shirts, dangling an old and worn out Nokia 3210 instead of flaunting that new and color-lcd PDA. (Note: setting is minus 10 years). In simpler terms, he just didn’t care, everything for the car, just 20% for self. On the brighter side, he had bronze TE37s back then, he had 80% of what is found in the Spoon Sports Catalog, a lot envied his Bride bucket seats too, which notably, he already sported back then. You wouldn’t believe me if he asked for a huge amount from his parents to take a special trip out of town involving a very important school project, only to sink in Honda’s B16 masterpiece unto in, and the paperwork involved with it.  (may tinatamaan na ba?)

Pressured by fellow club enthusiasts, he joins a car show, he fervently believes in his car, its parts, its theme, he even came up with a well prepared spec sheet display. At home, he detailed his stock painted car, obviously he would put emphasis on the parts he got, its how the forums nurtured him, so too are the numerous BMI and Hot Version videos he often bought at Greenhills.

Only to lose. To a brightly colored purple sedan. With lambo doors. Custom made interior. And audio for the whole neiborhood to enjoy.

We envy his enthusiasm, its most basic, pure and simple sense. No wonder older guys build track weapons which only see light on weekends. Beyond the glitz and glamour of selling, promotions, shows, ROI and the like, the “starter’s upbringing” is what draws us back, what reminds us of how we all started... 

Tuner's Drive

We are all tuners, car builders and most especially enthusiasts in our own way. In my opinion what drives this market, this industry and much of the feel of fixing up cars, joining groups and what not is the drive to reach the best of what we can bring about our ride, in comparison to its Japanese counterpart and/or its US/Euro counterpart.. 

The Civics that we build, we aim the fastest possible time as we then compare it the fastest Civics that grace the 1320s in the US. Track attack EKs and EGs which if you simply glance at it would simply remind us of SPOON or Mugen Eks and EGs we commonly see on Magazines and the like.

Fit and Fds that are tastefully loaded with parts and can go head to head with the ones found in Japan and fellow JDM enthusiasts in the US and UK.

Beasts like Silvias, Skylines and Evos, loaded with parts which share the same ones found on demo cars of various tuning houses in Japan.

In my opinion this is one of the main driving forces beyond each tuner, to build something parallel to the best, to come up with something which holds true to its origin.

A common theme, a pattern to follow, that in my opinion is our common ingredient. 

Turning Point

Through our lives as car enthusiasts, we’ve been able to own , drive, encounter and even go against cars which in my opinion are well-respected in their own right. One quick and simple example are the Civic EFs, EGs and EKs who rip through the circuit with blistering lap times. Beyond their simplicity and FWD layout, a massive aftermarket support has enabled them to survive through the times and keep up or even perform better than newer cars with more updated technology. The mere fact that aftermarket companies produce and manufacture parts for them is a true testament of their popularity. Bringing a modded civic to the tracks is like putting a fish in water. I’ve known people who have moved up into their careers, wife and kids, driving SUVs, AUVs or an econo-car, as their everyday commute but come and visit them; opening their garage reveals a Civic, sitting quietly in the corner, shiny, detailed and clean, With a simple glance you can see those green dampers, lightweight wheels, those agressive grooves on the tires and a set of nicely arranged aluminium “teeth” up front is a hint that it truly is a weekend warrior waiting to be unleashed. 

Another prime example is the Trueno/Sprinter which single handedly sparked the drifting scene by imbedding in our minds the ideal image of drifting. Meaning, when someone says “Drift”, what first goes into your mind? Admit it, it’s that Japanese guy in a green race suit, driving a white Trueno Ae86 calmed and composed as he goes sideways. Am I right? A huge cult following and a wide array of aftermarket parts for a car produced 20 YEARS ago, and still holding unbelievable lap records on circuits and mountain passes, now that’s more that legendary.

And who would forget the Starlet, which welcomed us into the world of Autocross/Slalom scene, maybe we were just innocently passing by, doing our shopping with our family at a nearby mall, holding our Marvel cards or dot matrix white Gameboy, and for a moment overhearing tires screeching, we walk and follow the sound curious to what it is, thus leading us to the parking lot; packed with an eager crowd cheering for their stars. That tiny yet agile Toyota, with its rear-wheel-drive format gracefully winding though the cones, and by witnessing is, we are… inspired. 

Just like that Starlet doing its rounds around the corners, our childhood has completely made a 360-degree turn….

That one day, I will Race, One day I will build a car like that, or even better.