SpeedSF Blog
Every Build Has a Story – Meet the Cars of SpeedSF
Mike’s C6: No Hanging the Helmet
After forty years on bikes, Mike and his wife made a compromise. As long as he transitioned into something safer, he'd keep going to the track. With this mildly tuned C6, he’s been able to enjoy a late-life racing renaissance.
Matt’s E36 M3: No More Tears
When the costs of his supercharged E46 M3 started getting to him, Matt decided to try something less likely to heatsoak.
Now pushing 250,000 miles without an issue, Matt’s budget replacement has fulfilled its intention.
Ricky’s FK8: Bitten by the Bug
Studious and patient, Ricky’s experience tracking the FK8 Civic Type R has been mostly hassle free due to his careful selection of parts at a very measured rate.
Weize’s ND3 Miata: Sim Prep Fortification
After recognizing the financial realities of regular track driving, Weize decided to begin prepping for events with his simulator to ensure he made the most of his weekends.
Thanks to the accessible sim experience, he graduated from GR86 to ND3 - a shift highlighting his growing comfort with rotation - and started clicking off respectable times in no time.
Hernan’s Corolla: The Right Side of the Strain-Satisfaction Spectrum
Fearing an FA24 failure and looking for a more family-friendly car, Hernan Ferraris picked up a GR Corolla and augmented his driving style to suit the front-biased hatch.
With a few modifications to address the car’s cooling issues, he’s gotten over his misgivings and gets real satisfaction — and minimal strain — from this livable, multifaceted machine.
Tom Tang’s M3: Race to the Clouds
From humble motorsports photographer to local racing celeb, Tom Tang has learned a great deal over his three decades in the biz. He’s put that knowledge into building this monster E46 M3 now making waves at Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.
Marcus’ Datsun 510: In His Blood
Using all his know-how from his fabrication business, Marcus Fry took an aging Datsun 510, swapped a series of motors into it, and attached enough homebuilt aero to fly a small plane with. The result is a 2,500-pound, 600-horsepower monster capable of lapping Sonoma in 1:42.
Hao’s Supra: One Fell Swoop
After a year wrestling with a heavyweight M4, Hao Wang decided a Supra would be the smaller, more nimble track car he was after. With an ex-GT500 mechanic guiding him, he overhauled the entire suspension and added top-shelf aero to help this stock power car turn remarkable times with relatively little effort.
Hrag’s R8: Unspoiled by Soft Edges
Though hesitant to begin tracking a supercar, Hrax had already gotten used to the V8 which powered his Audi S5, and the R8 he had planned shared the same motor. With a few minor tweaks, he learned this soft-edged supercar can be sharpened to suit the track without scaring a relatively new driver.
Nikhil’s E30: Nikhil and Diming
Convinced that track driving could be done on a strict budget, Nikhil Kovelamudi started crunching numbers. By making upgrades only when totally necessary and putting the majority of his allocated money to entry fees, he’s been able to set truly respectable times in a very ordinary E30 — and he’s acquired his skill in short time.
Steve’s Impreza: Simplicity Trumps Traction
With an emphasis on weight reduction and simplicity, Steve bought this bare-bones 1993 Impreza and swapped in the EJ20 from an 2000 USDM WRX, but only the motor — no four wheel-drive here. Thanks to a thoughtful selection of parts, it can put turbo power through the front wheels alone without issue.
Sean’s Exige: Keeping Him Honest
After getting tired of his Exige’s supercharged 2ZZ engine and its heatsoaking issues, Sean swapped in a K24 and developed this nimble platform. Now, while it might not have much power compared to most cars capable of running comparable lap times, it has the sort of manners, transparency, and grip that make it supremely fast and always engaging.
Markus’ EP3 Civic: Rapid Ascent
Sim racing laid the foundation, and then a milder EP3 before this one. When a track acquaintance put this K20A-swapped Civic up for sale, Markus didn’t hesitate to buy. With only 200 horsepower, it can lap Laguna in 1:40.
Justin’s Trans Am: Party Animal
With a hope for a powerful head-turner with classic styling, Justin Hertel picked up this 1988 Trans Am and swapped an LSA motor into it. As he learned, big power comes with its setbacks.
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.
Sergey’s E46 M3: Stay Frugal and Avoid Rabbit Holes
After finding a Miata with the basic HPDE mods, Sergey Smirnov committed to improving his skills and avoided fussing around with upgrades. When it came time to get a new car, he followed the same approach with great results.
Spencer’s GT3: Scoping New Territory
Eager to track a Porsche but worried about the expense, Spencer Kimball had to consider if it was worth leaving his E92 M3 behind for a lightly used 991.1 GT3. As he learned, the process wasn’t nearly as painful as he worried it’d be.
Miles’ BRZ: Holistic Approach
Fueled by a desire to rise above middling, Miles Kodama bought his BRZ, enrolled in the 86 Challenge, and did everything in his power — including a serious diet and exercise regimen — to become series champion.
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.