What a Bunch of Nuts

 

DAY 1

So this weekend was special because it was the first official team meeting! The entire team was on hand, drivers and crew, to get the first major overview of the event. It was really neat to get everyone together and see the level of enthusiasm. We started the day with a little work on the car, then grabbed some beer and sat around the living room while I ran through a powerpoint presentation on my TV. There was a lot to cover, but I think we got through it all pretty quickly. After the meeting my Dad, helpful as always, grilled up some brats, hotdogs, and hamburgers, and we all sat around and watched a few rounds of the 2008 WRC series.

 

After we had our fill of beer and brats, it was time to work on the car! First up was the dash. It had to be notched to fit with the roll cage. Here is a test fit:

 

Then, we moved on to the rear sway bar. This was a lot harder than it should have been!

 

With that done, we sorta began drinking more and working less. At one point I manged to blow up a fire-cracker in my hand. My buds DID warn me, but yea, I am stubborn.

(The gun it to protect our high-dollar racing investment.)

 

DAY 2

On Sunday, I woke early and began work on the steering shaft mounts. My first attempt was really pathetic, so I scrapped it and started over. I didn’t take any pictures of the process, but the end result turned out quite nicely:

Shortly after I had finished, my good friend Travis Brock stopped by. With his extensive JDM mad-tyte mud-flap installation experience, we decided that it was time to mount our uber-trick SPARCO mud flaps. After a quick trip to the Home Depot for some JDM polished, anodized, powder-coated, pasteurized fastening equipment, we went ahead with the install. The end result is a look that made me want to drive on a dirt road. Immediately.

 

And that is all!

 

I’d like to take a moment to thank a few people:

- Jon Steele and Travis Brock – thanks for taking pictures and helping with the car!

- Lauren, Claudia (Mom), Whitney, and Jack (Dad) – thanks for preparing all the food and cleaning up the kitchen

- Brian Myers – thanks for the nacho cheese? Oh, and for taking video and helping me out on the car!

- Travis Gunn – for taking time out of a very hectic life to show your support and enthusiasm

- John Fuggi – for fitting in the seat, and for honoring us with the masterful presence of  “teh Foog.”