Good input Randy!

The Ecotec engines are proving to me very modable, and GM has a "cookbook" of parts ready to go... No wonder the US Ariel Atom likes this engine! The new Solstice will have have gobs of power potential...

That aside, and Tony has alluded to it before, getting approval to race with various mods just seems to be dealt with a differently at the Grand Am Cup level. Being Ford, or GM, just seems to make a difference in a yay or nay decision... This I'm sure is a delicate subject for which I'm not sure we can expect much open discussion.

Oh well, we will have our day... and I'm hoping that it will be at Laguna Seca on May 6th! Tony drove that track that he grew-up in Monterey, CA...

 

The Ecotek is certainly getting it's share of attention. I have met up with Jay Leno ( shamless name drop here ) in the canyons the past two weekends and he is working with GM / Ariel in developing that combo. He presently has a stock Ariel Atom with the exception of a beautiful Gale Banks header system and is pushing about 225 hp. They are going to stage two in about a week which will be in the neighborhood of 275 hp. After that settles in they are going to the final stage 3 with 325 to 350 as the target. As if that isn't enough interest in the Ecotek Gale banks wants to develop a turbo for it. With attention like that how will it not be a winner? If Mini had such heavy hitters in their corner we could do similar things but we just don't. Believe me I tried to get Jay into a Miini but he won't bite. He spent a lot of time going over the car and likes what we have done to it but no dice. Maby I need to let him drive it In any event that Ecotek is going places and fast.

Randy
m7 Tuning

 

Randy my man, you have conections!

I frequent the Atom forums, and it appears that Leno is one of the first, if not the first in CA with one. I suppose that's not surprising...

Apparently getting insurance on it is a pain-in-the-butt! He is self-insured, which of course he can afford. A few have managed to get insurance, but those companies have not been consistent in doing so. Rates are not cheap... Registering in CA, minus a windshiled, and it not being a kit is also an issue. Yes, I've been serious about this car, but have almost crossed it off my list due to the above... If VW makes the GX3, I'm there; and if not, I'll build a SuperStalker...

We've gone off topic. I love my MINI, and I'm going to get some work done on it now before it gets too dark...

Tony, see you at Laguna Seca!

 

Didn't Mazda do a big tour last year, with Mazda 3's as the demo auto-x ride? I don't see those selling like hot-cakes. The RX8 was big last year, and there were a lot of them at the track this weekend. Those, Mustangs, and Porches. Meh.

I really don't like the cobalt... I'd be a lot happier if it was a true Cavalier, and not the new 'economy' variant. GM's in the crapper anyhow, and trying to climb their way out... They've kneecapped themselves by getting rid of the camaro, they ruined their sedan, and they've changed the vette to make it look like everyone else's car, and it's all been dissapointing imho.

 

I was only able to make it to the track sunday for the race. I had the big truck parked at the top of roller coaster. I recorded the race. they show the truck every lap. Aside from the VIR MINI I saw three other MINI's where I parked. One cooper, one cooper S and one Works convertible. What a great track. i'll be doing the North corse next weekend with the F club.

p.s. check my gallery for pic from today.

 

I am not a fan of the cobalt either but Mazda did no where the amount of marketing that GM is doing. The Cobalt is already winning in almost ever form of motorsport and it is only in its second year.
I agree it was a big mistake dropping the Camero and the mustang owns the pony car market for the moment. Hopefully Chevy will move the 08 Camero up a year ,it looks like a winner.
Vette dissapointing? Hmmm lets see. 505 Hp , high 20's for gas milage and the only car in history to have over 500 hp and not be subjected to the gas guzzler tax. Even at its temporarily inflated price it is BY FAR the biggest bang for the buck on the american showroom floor. Our morning get together included some F-430s , 360s and other assorted F cars, several Lambos of all flavors and many Porches including another Carrera GT-6 ( not the one that went off the road last weekend ) and 2 new Z0-6's . Beleive me even in that company the vettes still commanded a lot of respect. A yellow one had by the most " stunning " exit from the parking lot this time around allthough the twin turbo Lambo v-12 was missing in action this morning. That is usually a site to see. Cars make for great conversation and a variety of opinions , these are mine

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Indeed, a vette is still a vette... I may have misjudged a bit then, assuming the downward spiral direction GM has taken, and assumed subtle changes such as removing the flip up headlights reflected additional changes within the car. I was shooting from the hip and being biased.

And the new Camaro does look like a winner. Hopefully it is.

 

No worries , that is the fun of " car talk ". I have always been a chevy fan but never really a fan of the Vette per se. Never owned one nor ever wanted to . I just have to take my hat off to the amount of performance they are putting out in that particular car now that I have seen quite a few in the flesh. When the price gets to the MSRP or even close you are getting a lot of car for 70k. See ya around

Randy
m7 Tuning

 

Where's Dave?



He got some awesome pics (including a few of me on the track) and said he was going to put a link up here for us, but hasn't yet. Anyone know his forum name, or stomping grounds?

I do believe he drives a Pepper White MCS.

 

So no one knows Dave?

 

Hey Guys! I walked into a sh!tstorm of work and am now just packing for MoTD. See you up there, I'll have even more to upload when I get back this weekend.