SpeedSF Blog

Every Build Has a Story – Meet the Cars of SpeedSF

Why Trackday Coaching Matters
Tommy Parry Tommy Parry

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.

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Elie's E46 M3: Not Too Much, Not Too Little
Tommy Parry Tommy Parry

Elie's E46 M3: Not Too Much, Not Too Little

Though the car has a reputation as being a pricey pain in the ass, Elie Mansour’s proven that the E46 M3 is reliable as anything—and faster than 70% of most track toys—when given the right sort of TLC.

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Alex's AP1 S2000: Earning His Spurs
Tommy Parry Tommy Parry

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.

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Fenton's BRZ: The Dependable Workhorse
Tommy Parry Tommy Parry

Fenton's BRZ: The Dependable Workhorse

Rather than go for the all-out track car, Fenton decided a more versatile vehicle would better suit his current needs. After making only a few modifications, he’s been able to enjoy a nice balance of reliability, daily comfort, excitement, and on-track competence.

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Steven's McLaren 675LT: Hardly Fair Anymore
Tommy Parry Tommy Parry

Steven's McLaren 675LT: Hardly Fair Anymore

After hearing nothing but praise from his driving coach, Steven Melson decided he’d have to try a 675LT for himself. He flew out to COTA to test one, but that particular car was crashed minutes before he was supposed to hop in it. Undeterred, he sought out another and has been continually shocked at how capable this supercar is.

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A Simple Guide to Driving in the Rain
Tommy Parry Tommy Parry

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.

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Nic's Porsche 911: Take a Chance on the 996
Tommy Parry Tommy Parry

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.

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Adam's S13 Coupe: Silvias Do More Than Slide
Tommy Parry Tommy Parry

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.

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Jake's S2000: Balance and the Best of All Worlds
Tommy Parry Tommy Parry

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.

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Christian's M3: A Motorcycle's Rightful Successor
Tommy Parry Tommy Parry

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.

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Justin's Moore's Mustang GT: Practicality Pays Dividends
Tommy Parry Tommy Parry

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.

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