Bergenholtz Racing’s Ron and I got the RX-8 on the jack stands to make a few minor adjustments and changes. Every small thing makes a big difference when it comes down to it. Double and triple checking everything on the vehicle saves us from facing potential trouble during the Formula Drift season. Always have to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best!
Ron was running around all over the place to pick up parts; one being new pads from Steve Lim @ S & A Designs. He wants to make sure that all is brand new and ready for abuse this upcoming season.
Last year I had issues with the E-brake not having enough bite. So during the 09 off-season Kevin Wells at LS Automotive bought me these amazing pads to fix the problem for good.
The Nitto NT05 has a great design. I’m eager to drive the 8 with those NT05’s! B.R. is getting a spare for almost every piece on the vehicle cuz we may never know what can break, hit us or get damaged. Having most of the backup pieces for the Mazda RX-8 gives me the peace of mind to drive it all out!
With the new pads installed, we spun the rear wheels and locked up the e-brake to double check that all the components were working properly. Before the installation of the Enkei PF01 wheels (www.enkei.com), antiseize has been applied on the lug nut studs. Having good maintenance habit will also help in the long haul! I’m still amazed how Ron is able to work out of a two car garage laying on the cold concrete getting muscle cramps at times. Still to this day I have never heard him complain; his words reflect nothing but a positive attitude and uplifting words!
Few other changes like a better e-brake position to my liking had been accommodated. I enjoy sitting in the car and familiarizing myself with the new cockpit. That which feels awkward I would let Ron know and he’ll take care of the situation without hesitation. I’m very grateful to have an awesome and dedicated team owner/builder!
We cruised down to Sparco in Irvine, Ca. with Ron’s turbo charged Mazda5. This was my first time getting a tailored race suit; it’s going to be custom stitched at Sparco in Italy. While there, we were on a shopping spree for new Sparco shoes, fire proof shirt, gloves, helmet, steering wheel, Rev seats and arm restraints.
Friends at Sparco USA were so friendly and patient with making sure that we got the perfect safety equipment that will work with my boney body (I know, I’m working on it. Trying to gain weight but have such high matabolism and am always moving around at work).
I never got the opportunity to choose what type of safety equipment I desired. It was usually whatever was the most affordable so quality/style was out of the book. Thank you Ron and Sparco for the life-saving gadgets! Hopefully I won’t put them to use, not because I doubt the equipment but because I want the car to be alive all season. 
On February 18th, I was surprised to see an article about our big debut in the Korea Times Newspaper. Many of my customers @ Daily Udon & Sushi in Garden Grove, Ca. know me as the Korean racer and congratulated me on teaming up with Bergenholtz Racing. I’ve been pretty busy with working a lot more at the restaurant these days. Thank God it’s picking up cuz business was really slow the first two months. Most of all Korean elders read the newspaper like it’s there daily cup of joe. I hope this will bring more of them out to Round 1 in Long Beach April 9-10th!
I recently joined the CIRKL ( California Indoor Racing Kart League )http://www.cirkl.org/stats.nsf/web-drivers-byproscore?openview&count=500
The very first CIRKL race took place at K1 Anaheim on a Wednesday evening. There were 2 qualifiers and I ended up qualifying 2nd in the A main race which comprises of the fastest group of drivers, B being the next level lower and C being the least fastest group race.
Whiling the race was taking place I made sure to keep a safe racing line because Khalifa Alasiri was right up on my tail. Robert Dlugos was leading and once I sneaked in my nose a tad bit on the right hairpin it didn’t cut it. I attempted taking a wider line before the turn to see if I could pass for the outside but didn’t have the skills to do just that. I tried this new line only when no one was on my tail. Robert didn’t have any errors and stood a firm defensive line.
Couldn’t believe I finished 2nd place in the A main. It was a great and amazing feeling. Only if it were in Formula Drift I would shed tears of joy! Hope I’ll be able to keep up this pace not only in karting but in F.D.! I give much respect to all the karters! They are highly skilled.
Feel free to join us in the CIRKL or Grand Prix K1! http://www.k1speed.com/challenge-gp.html I’ll be at most of the G.P. races in Torrance and Irvine.
What in the world is that? That’s what picked up the container that my LS auto/CFR S13.5 was in. I hitched the Evolution Racewerks www.evolutionracewerks.com open trailer and drove over to Carson and loaded up my belongings that came back from Panama. It’s good to see my baby back at home. She’s not that jealous, but happy for me to go on. She is still my baby and will be cheering me on as I drive the RX-8! It’s okay to have two babes when it comes down to it being a drift car!
First thing I did was clean it up and made it look sparkling clean again at Drift Alliance Bro CFR’s facility. Need to replace a few things before driving it again. Its an easy fix.
Here is a 2009 recap video that Ross Fairfield at Dead Pirate Production put together. Thanks Ross!
http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9290827&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
The Panama Diary I promised to share with you all 3 weeks ago is now up on www.WreckedMagazine.com Issue 14. It also mentions about the fantasy drift.
I appreciate you checking out my blog! Have a great day! See you all soon at FORMULA DRIFT ROUND 1!
