SpeedSF Blog
Every Build Has a Story – Meet the Cars of SpeedSF
Lex’s RX-8: Underdog Pride
Mazda’s unloved little brother got a chance to shine when Lex moved on from his turbocharged FC3S RX-7 and bought this lightly tuned RX-8 from Gordon Peng. The necessary mods were already in place, which served as a foundation for Lex to acquire easy seat time in this reliable rotary.
Connor’s E36: Standing on Solid Ground
After transitioning into HPDE from autocross, Connor Lydon recognized how taking the next step into time trials would be made easier by starting with a sorted car.
This IP-winning E36 M3 came to Connor already proven, and with a little massaging as well as a few chassis mods, it’s been able to set remarkable times with a modest amount of power.
George’s Praga R1: Faith Over Fear
George’s collection of track cars runs the gamut, but none of his dozen or so production cars can match the intensity of his recently acquired Praga R1. This 1,500-pound sports racer has challenged him in ways nothing else has.
Protect Ya Neck With NecksGen
There’s no good reason not to look out for your safety. NecksGen makes remaining safe affordable and, for disgruntled HANS users, a little more comfortable.
Abdul’s E46 M3: Checking All Boxes
It didn’t take Abdul long to realize that seat time was all-important, so he made a point to avoid the typical impediments to his progress. Then he bought a versatile M3, had the right guys set it up, and put in his time learning his craft.
Joe’s RX-7: Long Time Coming
As problematic as the rotary engine has been for Joe Salinas, he's had a hell of a time modifying his thirteen different Mazda RX-7s — especially this track-only widebody FD3S.
Tom’s Miata: Frankenstein Fun
After getting tired of turbo problems with his Mini, Tom bought a cost-effective NC Miata to earn his spurs. After the stock motor blew, he decided to swap a Fusion 2.5-liter four to give the NC’s fantastic chassis some much-needed mid-range torque.
Michael’s 350Z: Take A Chance, Prove a Point
Looking for an affordable drift car, Michael “Stubz” Hillo grabbed a 350Z and started driving sideways. After some time, he recognized the car had potential as a track car -- as long as he could accept a few shortcomings.
Aidan’s GT3: Vision Realized
Driven to realize a very specific dream built on years of tuning high-revving Hondas, Aidan decided that this 991.2 GT3 would have the subtle cosmetic touches to wow crowds and the high-end racing modifications to set seriously impressive lap times.
Walter’s Sentra: Lifetime Obsession
Twenty years after crewing for various teams in the Spec SE-R series, Walter began racing himself and made a very special Sentra his own.
Ken's 240SX: Twenty Years in the Making
Twenty years after picking it up, Ken brought a revitalized version of his old track car back to Laguna. It’d sat for a decade as Ken raised a family, but late those nights after the kids went to bed, he studied whatever he could and amassed a collection of track parts. When he finally got a chance to give it another lease on life, he didn’t cut any corners.
Jacek's M3: In Good Hands
By leaving some of the tough questions to the talented guys at R-Crew, Jacek’s been able to enjoy four stress-free years of regular tracking with this E46 workhorse. Simple, clean, seriously quick, and always willing to turn another lap—this car has it all.
Blake's M4: Friendly Firepower
While the F82 still lacks the tuning support some of its predecessors enjoy, the long-wheelbase platform has served Blake Titus as he’s learned the basics of track driving. A satisfying platform that’s “always on the verge of killing you,” as he puts it.
Thunderhill Logistics: Where to Stay, Where to Eat, How to Beat the Heat
With plenty of options for food and lodging, reasonable track fees, and plenty of ways to beat the summer heat, a successful trip to Thunderhill only requires a quick review of the information listed here.
Speed SF at the Nurburgring: Podium Performance at NLS Six-Hour Enduro
Patrick Chio wasted no time getting ready after Andrie Hartanto invited him to partner him in a six-hour RCN enduro at the Nurburging. However, the mountain of paperwork, broken cars, and technical problems didn’t fully prepare them for the dramatic end to their impressive debut.
Sonoma Logistics: Where to Stay, What to Eat, What to Wear
With a unique rhythm, great amenities, and amazing food and lodging nearby, Sonoma Raceway is one of the most popular destination tracks on our calendar.
Andy's NC Miata: How To Make 300 Horsepower In 3 Not-So-Easy Steps
Intent on keeping costs low, Andy Boskovic started tinkering on a third-gen Mazda Miata. The need for more power was clear from the start, so he first tried to swap in a 2.5-liter engine from a Ford Fusion.
Then he turbocharged it.
Laguna Seca Logistics: Where to Stay, Where to Eat, What to Wear
Make sure to bring a jacket, because Laguna Seca can be chilly first thing in the morning. Thankfully, there are plenty of accommodations available for those who aren’t interested in camping.
Why Trackday Coaching Matters
When Eric Preciado got serious about his racing, he hired a driving coach to help him shed some of the bad habits he’d picked up in autocrossing. At the end of his first day with Joe McGuigan issuing instructions, Eric was lapping nearly five seconds faster than he had previously.
Alex's AP1 S2000: Earning His Spurs
Tempted to try something livelier than his DC1, Alex bought himself an AP1 S2000 a few years back and learned how lively it really was. He chose his modifications with the aim of making it reliable and predictable, and in doing so, built a foundation upon which he could learn his craft.