Ziptied ALL STAR BASH Round 2- AZ Dedication

Special dedication to local Arizona driver who made the effort to drive across the our desert to California's desert and drift for two days in 105 degree weather.

I believe his name is Chase...

Just kidding.

You already know him.

The Willowsprings race track is considered one of the fastest tracks on the West Coast!

This guy had no problem going balls out, even if it took a few try's to fully connect the course.

Many may say I can do that... why did he go off track so much and what not.... blah blah blah

As I road in the chaser car with Jason Aquino I quickly learned how fast and demanding those tracks were.

So if you are one of those who say "I Can Do That".... PROVE IT, such as Chase has.

The pure adrenaline rush you receive during each turn and straight have re-motivated me to get my car in gear.

Not to take away from the post so with out further a due; Chase s13 coupe

Ziptied All STAR BASH Photos Round 1

This last weekend has been very eventful.

With being able to meet so many grass root drivers, hanging with old friends, and starting new relationships. From South Dakota to California the love for the sport was in the air.

The one on one experiences I received this last weekend has been mind blowing.

From ride-a-longs with experienced drivers such as Jason Aquino of JustDrift.com; it is truly a needed experience for individuals to gain a true love or at least a complete understanding and respect for the intense sport of Drifting.

All STAR BASH Finale (5)

Thank you to all those who support our effort to bring you grass root event coverage, the way we see it.

We finally arrived home about 11pm last night while others rolled in about 3am this morning.

Continue checking in as there will be more photos to come.

So much to come so little time- ASB (4)

Don't have much time to write... Just got in the hotel and I'm tired, but you do have MUCH heading your way!

until then....

Time for some Pre-peration! TF style- ASB (3)

Bring your helmet and get a ride along....

That's the information I received while preparing for 2009 Ziptied All STAR Bash

So of course it's time for PREPeration!... TF Style

shout out; thanks to Bradly Lim wonderful brain which never stops, I thought I'd borrow some of his genius 

So I laced my SHOEI helmet TOP FLIGHT style

Then I got laced TOP Flight Style

On the road..... All Star Bash 2009 (2)

So I got a call from Pat about 12 pm as I was heading back to work from my lunch break/hair cut. Thanks to the homie Jonathan with his newly remolded pimped-out Barber shop on 27th Ave & Glendale.

"I'm going to leave work in 1 hour, can you leave work in an hour so we can get on the road," asked Pat
With this unexpected sense of urgency I got excited and say yes.

Got back to work asked to leave early, got the ok then clocked out.

Now its time to get ready!

Though it's summer time I have not had a chance to buy any shorts this year. Yes I know it's 115 degrees out here..
I definately had to stop for summer clothes after checking the temperature in Willowsprings.
The event is in the middle of the desert and todays temperature was 100 degrees at 1pm.

With only 1 cashier in the store I waisted a full hour, 30 minutes shopping and 30 minutes waisted waiting in line...
Oh well now I have to really rush...

As I arrived home I quickly threw my clothes in the duffel bag and jumped in the shower.
Probably the fastest I've ever gotten ready.

Anyway with everyone rushing bout time we stocked up on water, candy, and umbrellas from Wal-Mart we didn't hit the freeway till 5pm. Oh well Brad & Harry haven't even left yet.

On our way...

the beautiful orange tree


Ridin with the ladies


Alex stuffing his face as always


Pat searching for directions



-BTW don't mind the spelling as I'm typing from my G1....

More trip coverage to come.

Ziptied All Star Bash - July 25th & 26th (1)

1. You maybe thinking... What is Damien getting into this weekend.
.
2. You now know the answer....

3. The answer is; -Team Top Flight will be traveling to Willow Springs California for the Annual and possibly Final- Ziptied All Star BASH!

4. Your next question will likely be; "What is ASB or All Star Bash?"

5. Allow the previous documentedASB events tell the story

THANKS TO

www.SPEEDHUNTERS.com

All footage can be found @ SpeedHunters.com

http://speedhunters.com/search.aspx?q=all+star+bash

6. Enjoy

Ziptied All Star Bash V from Joshua Herron on Vimeo.

All Star Bash V from Will Roegge on Vimeo.

Ziptied All Star Bash 4 HD from Will Roegge on Vimeo.

 



AND OF COURSE WE WILL MOST LIKELY DOCUMENT OUR TRIP FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE!

Stay tune...

Finally gettin busy...

There's nothing like have so much work to do and know you can do it, but have lack of motivation to do so.

That's how I have been feeling about certain task pertaining to my project.

Many important pieces to the puzzle are there but if there is no motivation the puzzle will remain a pile of pieces as most do.

- My problem is/was I installed my 5 lug conversion on one car which I later decided I would not use once I bought my current project. I have had zero motivation this month to remove the necessary parts to transfer over to my current project.

The weekend came and almost left with out touching the car once, until 5:30pm Sunday.

Until that time I was able to cry the same excuse as all residents of Arizona, "it's too hot outside". Seriously though; this Saturday and Sunday in Arizona we reached 111° Fahrenheit. Some News stations say 111° others published 120°, either way it was HOT!

Maybe it's due to the pollution above the city!... (Today at 8:30am it is 104°)


At 5:30pm Sunday an overcast blocked the sun's intense heat. Right at that moment the weather was perfect, or bearable.

Time to turn on some rock and jam-out while removing the differential, axles, and 5 lug conversion.

Now I feel accomplished! One more piece to the puzzle has been connected on the board.

Lil Update

As previously stated; I have removed the head and head gasket. Next are all pulley systems then time to clean....

Still undecided if I should use this opportunity of extended down time to completely rebuild the motor. Cylinder walls look to be in good shape and motor never smoked. I know it's always better to upgrade or at least a fresh stock rebuild, but the down time is a killer.

At this point one can be so close yet so far away...

Decision process sucks! I'll keep you updated.





Stock head gaskets are not the best, but they do work for a long time.
Mine did not leak oil but I see a little rust at the same point in each cylinder. I





When she comes back together hopefully it looks and preforms better than it did before I got in over my head with this build...

well see,

Before

**Keep it off the Streets!** - Beautiful Sunday turns to Tragedy

Sunday afternoon after taking care of the more important things; I decided to head north to each lunch near Arrowhead Mall.

Usually I drive north on 75Th ave, but this time I figured the restaurant is on 83rd Ave so I minus well go north from there.

About 2:30pm heading north on 83rd ave; immediately after I pass Cactus road I notice a gold color civic coupe (probably 01-05)speeding south bound. Usually I don't pay attention to the particular vehicle however there was something weird about this one.

As I take a second look the entire front end was damaged/missing. I see damaged cars driving around after car accidents on the streets, but this one stood out because there were body parts still hanging off the car. Also the entire front end (lights, grill, front bumper, corners) were all missing.

As the car passed heading south I looked northward and and 20 yards away I immediately noticed a Dodge van wrapped around a pole laying on its driver's side.

Instinctly I veered off the road into the park and ran towards the van. There were about 10 individuals standing around the vehicle. I quickly asked around making sure the authorities were contacted and someone got the civics's license plate number.

Two individuals caught the entire car accident as it unfolded.

The Gold civic was driving southbound 100mph as it ran a red light, they hit the van so hard that it wrapped the pole and fell on its left side.

With in 2 minutes the police, ambulance, and fire truck arrived. As the event unfolded one gentleman was working towards removing the 300lb women stuck in the drivers seat, there was nothing further I could do to help.

I walked back to my car and left for lunch, my original destination.

Using the G1 here is what I saw....