shift_Corolla ? (Part II)

How long have you had the Corolla?
I’ve owned various AE86’s since 2004. This particular one I’ve had since the beginning of last year.

Is it strictly for racing or do you DD it?
It’s only for racing. My track cars are my track cars. Besides, it’s entirely too uncomfortable to drive anywhere.

If not, what is your daily driver?
Whatever rental car my company gives me each week.

What are your future plans for the car?
At the end of this season, I’ll be tearing apart the car completely and rebuilding it for a lower class (F Street Prepared) than it’s in right now. I started really doing the math on what it’d take to make my car nationally competitive in its current class, and I didn’t like what I saw. I dont have any sponsors and my motorsports budget is already astronomically large, so some damage control was definitely needed.

How about a list of modifications?
The car changes from time to time, but in its current trim:

Suspension
-Koni race shocks (front)
-Ground Control coilover sleeves (front)
-Techno Toy Tuning camber plates (front)
-QA1 coilovers (rear)
-600/500 lbs Hyperco springs
-Quaife quick ratio rack
-Full bushing replacement

Motor/Drivetrain
-TRD header
-Buddy Club catback
-Custom lightened flywheel
-Toyota factory replacement clutch (with as little hp as I have, you dont need anything more)
-KAAZ 2way LSD
-Rebuilt live axle
-Techno Toy Tuning short shifter

Wheels/Tires
(wide open course)
-16×8 knockoff 002’s
-Kumho V710 R-compounds

(tight course with less room to gallop)
-14×7 Bassett Racing Steelies
-Hoosier A3SO5 R-compounds

(street wheels/tires)
-15×7 Konig Rewinds
-Bridgestone RE11

I’m sure there is a lot of other little stuff that I’m missing, but this is the meat and potatoes of the car right now.

What is stock on your car that you would never change?
The interior. For next season I need full stock interior for my class and I had to pay a pretty penny to gather all the pieces to slap it back together.

What is stock on your car that you really wish you could change?
The suspension geometry. This car’s suspension design is so dated and the live axle doesn’t help much either. Unfortunately, it’s not allowed under class rules.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned while racing?
How to lose gracefully and congratulate others who had success. I still have a very hard time when I don’t do well, but that doesn’t excuse me from being a good sport and shaking the hands of folks who were quicker than I.

Do you think racing has changed the way you drive on the open road?
No. My on-course driving is very very different than my “going to 7-11” driving. On the public road, my safety and the safety of my fellow motorists is my primary concern. I don’t get road rage, I rarely speed and overall I’m an extremely boring driver.

shift_Corolla – Part III