SpeedSF Blog
Every Build Has a Story – Meet the Cars of SpeedSF
Thomas' Corvette: In Good Company
In only two years, Thomas has learned more than most will grasp in a decade of track days. Having a solid, dependable C5 has helped him put in his time, and having Elite Performance as a resource has made fine-tuning the car so much simpler.
Fenton's Integra Type S: A Change of Heart
While he was on the fence for a while with Acura’s bigger, boatier Integra, the Type S had enough of the right stuff to convince him to try this front-wheel drive super sedan.
Jacek's M3: In Good Hands
By leaving some of the tough questions to the talented guys at R-Crew, Jacek’s been able to enjoy four stress-free years of regular tracking with this E46 workhorse. Simple, clean, seriously quick, and always willing to turn another lap—this car has it all.
Johnson's RX-7: Refreshingly Reliable
After taking on the daunting task of road racing a turbo RX-7, Johnson dealt with the teething pains of a force-fed rotary, but his dedication to the platform has taught him what needs to be done to keep the particular powerplant happy.
Alex's RUSH SR: Turning The Page
A formative karting experience stayed with Alex through his early trackday afternoons, and after growing tired of his heavyset GT car, he decided to go and buy something lighter, purer, and much more exhilarating.
Blake's M4: Friendly Firepower
While the F82 still lacks the tuning support some of its predecessors enjoy, the long-wheelbase platform has served Blake Titus as he’s learned the basics of track driving. A satisfying platform that’s “always on the verge of killing you,” as he puts it.
Legend's Supra: Big Brain Move
Legend wisely picked a platform he could grow into. Rather than dump big dough on mods, he did the bare minimum with setup and spent his time in the seat, not underneath the car.
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.