SpeedSF Blog
Every Build Has a Story – Meet the Cars of SpeedSF
Buttonwillow: Where to Eat, Where to Stay, What to Avoid
Driving Buttonwillow is an experience that shouldn’t be missed, but it requires you prepare for the heat, pick a decent hotel, and endure the long drive.
Edson's E46: Quarter-Million and Counting
It may have 250+ on the clock, but this rough M3 has been Edson’s trusty track toy for the last year and a half, and he doesn’t plan on changing anything soon—it’s too fun and dependable to need anything.
Lief Storer's GT-R: Big Dreams, Bigger Numbers
While Lief started out this ambitious build with a slightly different destination in mind, he ended up doing what so many GT-R tuners do: chase big numbers. In his case, however, he wasn’t after four-digit power figures; weight and lap times were the numbers he was preoccupied with.
Thunderhill Logistics: Where to Stay, Where to Eat, How to Beat the Heat
With plenty of options for food and lodging, reasonable track fees, and plenty of ways to beat the summer heat, a successful trip to Thunderhill only requires a quick review of the information listed here.
Speed SF Challenge Laguna Seca: New Surface, New Records
New pavement and stellar weather meant our fastest drivers pushed harder than ever before at our latest Speed SF Challenge event.
Spencer's E92 M3: In Defense of Feel
After Spencer discovered that power is only part of the package, he set his turbocharged 135i to the side and picked up an M car with a much more tractable motor. After a short list of important modifications, his E92 M3 has become one of the fastest cars in S3, and with a supercharger on the horizon, it might soon become the fastest.
Speed SF at the Nurburgring: Podium Performance at NLS Six-Hour Enduro
Patrick Chio wasted no time getting ready after Andrie Hartanto invited him to partner him in a six-hour RCN enduro at the Nurburging. However, the mountain of paperwork, broken cars, and technical problems didn’t fully prepare them for the dramatic end to their impressive debut.
Shan's S2000: Hitting the Books
After Shan spent his college years as a test driver for his Formula FSAE team, he started tracking an E92. The heavyweight M3 didn’t give him much joy, so, eager to get back into a pointy car, he picked up an AP2. With his engineering expertise, he’s been able to get the most from a modest assortment of modifications and turn this into a capable, dependable track scalpel.
Tailai's Supra: Keep it Simple, Keep it Sane
After blowing up an M3’s engine, Tailai Lihe realized power wasn’t everything. With this car, he kept the B58 stock, and instead prioritized seat time and cornering speeds.
Sonoma Logistics: Where to Stay, What to Eat, What to Wear
With a unique rhythm, great amenities, and amazing food and lodging nearby, Sonoma Raceway is one of the most popular destination tracks on our calendar.
Andy's NC Miata: How To Make 300 Horsepower In 3 Not-So-Easy Steps
Intent on keeping costs low, Andy Boskovic started tinkering on a third-gen Mazda Miata. The need for more power was clear from the start, so he first tried to swap in a 2.5-liter engine from a Ford Fusion.
Then he turbocharged it.
Nate's AP2 S2000: Carefully Peeling The Layers
Just a few choice mods make this AP2 S2000 very capable, but the driver still remains integral in extracting a good time. Without a doubt, this complex, layered car requires a delicate touch, but once that narrow operating window is located, it eradicates any and all boredom.
Laguna Seca Logistics: Where to Stay, Where to Eat, What to Wear
Make sure to bring a jacket, because Laguna Seca can be chilly first thing in the morning. Thankfully, there are plenty of accommodations available for those who aren’t interested in camping.
Alessandro's Ten-Speed Mustang: Meteoric Rise
From no experience to time trials champion in four short years, Alessandro Sensoli has ridden a wave of elation in trying to restructure his life after a rugby accident sidelined him momentarily. During this period, he’s taken a basic Mustang and shaped it into what is considered to be the fastest production S550 on the West Coast.
Dustin's Supercharged M3: A Lesson in Applied Economics
With a full plate and a desperate need to go fast, Dustin managed to keep his head, get the right car, get the right coaching, make the right upgrades, and put prove just how quickly he could develop the established E46 into a 500-horsepower time attack machine.
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.
Justin's IS F: Rekindling An Old Romance
After a seventeen-year sabbatical from racing, Justin Munoz picked up a capable sedan that, over the last few years, has helped him fall back in love with motorsport.
Peter's 2JZ-Swapped S13: Tweaking the Famous Drift Recipe
A succession of SR20 failures led to Peter Hong swapping a 2JZ into his Nissan S13. Though the new motor has saved him from some headaches, the bump in power has made the car into more of a drifter than it ever was.
Braking Basics Explained: How to Find Time on the Anchors
Learning to slow the car is one of the hardest things to do.
Let’s break off a small piece and build a little confidence on the binders.
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.