SpeedSF Blog
Every Build Has a Story – Meet the Cars of SpeedSF
A Simple Guide to Driving in the Rain
It might intimidate some, but driving in the wet/low-grip conditions is one of the best ways to improve as a driver. Here are some simple tips to remember next time the heavens open on your track day.
Joey's Yaris: Giving the Family Car a New Lease on Life
It was the car he and his siblings learned to drive in. Once all the kids were off on their own, Joey decided to give this once-automatic Yaris a shot at sexier second life.
Nic's Porsche 911: Take a Chance on the 996
Take a risk and keep it simple. Nic Gerardi’s shown us that the 996.1 Carrera’s a great track car with the right modifications. Stout, light, full of feel, and very reliable, it might be worth the chance of a bad IMS.
Adam's S13 Coupe: Silvias Do More Than Slide
It’s fun to remember that you could pick up a turbocharged Silvia for a few grand once. Adam Swan took this car to the next level with a few track-oriented mods, but it’s still essentially stock; proving the Silvia can do more than go sideways.
Near-Win at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill: Team Tazio Ottis Racing's Day-Long Battle
Mechanical troubles, great pace, a tough competitor, and changing conditions made this year’s 25 Hours of Thunderhill a nail-biter for Team Tazio Ottis Racing. Even enduros can provide close finishes like this team had.
Jake's S2000: Balance and the Best of All Worlds
Jake learned that he really can have it all with his AP1 S2000. Basic but capable, this particular car has just what’s needed and nothing more to make it unreliable. Plus, it looks better than most with a distinct coat of Porsche Chalk.
Christian's M3: A Motorcycle's Rightful Successor
After getting his racing education through years on bikes, Christian had the skillset ready to extract the most from a well-sorted track toy. He went down a proven path, reaped all the benefits of pragmatism, and learned what really matters in a long-term relationship with a vehicle.
Justin's Moore's Mustang GT: Practicality Pays Dividends
After a long, challenging relationship with a peanut-eye STI, Justin Moore decided to get in a more reliable car and take advantage of the great lapping days available to him. This ‘11 Mustang GT needed some work to get it into the S3 title contender it is now, but it hasn’t given him any reason to stay out of the seat.
Rich Bonem's BRZ-Camaro Dilemma: Speed Costs Money
After a challenging, fruitful foray into time trials with his BRZ, Rich started to crave a little more. He decided to buy himself a Camaro SS, and though fast and thrilling, he found it had one major flaw.
Cayman Proves Potent: Speed SF Wins At Laguna In NASA E0
Patrick and Gary had only one endurance race to test their newly acquired E0-class Cayman. The potential was there, but drivetrain gremlins and excessive tire wear left them a little worried before heading into their second race of the season: the 6.5-hour Seaside Cup at Laguna Seca. Did their preparation pay off?
Jerel's MKV Supra: Pressing the Easy Button
After tracking momentum cars for more than a decade, Jerel wanted something new. He decided to make the leap into a powerful GT, which, with three times the power of his FR-S, posed a steep learning curve—or so he thought. While the driving experience was different, he found that the usability and soft edges of the new Toyota GT made switching a cinch.
Matt Paige's C6 Z06: The Track Rat’s Idea of a Hybrid
Rather than chase big power, Matt Paige made the necessary adjustments to this cost-no-object Corvette track car to make it reliable, approachable, and sexy.
Sam's Semi-OE Turbo Miata: Taking Advantage of Pre-COVID Pricing
After growing tired of his tuned Abarth, Sam scoped out a lighter, rawer, and more involving car. However, he’d grown accustomed to turbo power, so whatever he ended up buying couldn’t be anemic. Fortunately, his friend was looking to sell an NB with the whole Mazdaspeed powertrain already swapped.
Sean's S2000: Happy To Take The Abuse
After jumping from Spec Miata to a Lotus Exige, Sean learned that his happiness had more to do with time spent at full throttle than outright speed. Not to say his Exige’s successor is slow, but his S2000 is a car which doesn’t have the same sort of technical limitations that kept him from pushing it as hard as he would’ve like to.
Peter Phung's Widebody M3: Wide and Wonderful
Designed to be seriously quick and sexy, Peter Phung put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into building this no-stone-unturned E46. With 360 horsepower, amazing livery, and a GTR-inspired fiberglass bodykit, it’s a step above your typical M3 track toy.
Simon's STI Wagon: Many Mods Spoil The Subaru
The temperamental EJ257 has taught Simon quite a lot about to the lengths one should go when building a track car. As he’s learned through five engines and a lot of trial and error, the third-generation wagon’s best asset is not its motor.
Jeff Tam's E46 M3: Never Compromise Too Much
Frustrated by the wheelhop of his VW GTI, Jeff decided to pick up a rear-wheel drive. Split between an S2000 and the C6 Z06, he pondered the right course of action before settling on the middle path. His E46 M3 received its fair share of suspension modifications off the bat, and now its handling matches its playfulness.
Ed Susman's 718 Cayman: Proving the Four-Cylinder's Potential
After years of tuning flat-fours in Subarus, Ed Susman realized he might have a new audience if he learned to tune the new Porsche Cayman with that engine configuration. As he learned, it didn’t take much to make this 2.5-liter engine seriously powerful.
Speed SF's Inaugural Night Event A Great Success
After protracted negotiations with the county, we were able to host the first nighttime track event in Northern California. For all involved, this was a totally new experience that had our veterans re-learning a track they thought they knew inside and out.
Kevin Schweigert's GR86: Back to Basics
After several unfulfilling years spent chasing big power, Kevin’s realized that the quality he most appreciates in a sports car is its incisiveness and communication. After a return to a simple, agile GR86, he found that thrill that got him obsessed with trackday driving in the first place.