SpeedSF Blog
Every Build Has a Story – Meet the Cars of SpeedSF
Pauline’s Challenger: Part Car, Part Canvas
Rather than take one of the proven track platforms to learn how to drive at speed, Pauline Yruretagoyena picked the car which pulled at her heart strings the hardest. Now on her second Challenger, she’s learned that the T/A version offers enough performance to keep her busy and more than sufficient style to satisfy her need for self-expression. Few track cars can be considered fashion statements, but her R/T is an exception.
AP’s Spec Corvette: Ferrari Fill-In For Forty Large
After giving the Ferrari Challenge series a shot, AP Miranda decided he’d look for a more welcoming group of drivers in another popular club series. He found Spec Corvette, a cost-conscious series based around the C5, ticked all the boxes at a sixth of the Ferrari’s price.
Speed SF Goes Karting: A Thank You to our Coaches
Miles Kodama, Nate Hackman, and Matt Misencik put in an incredible number of hours this past year, and to thank them for their time and effort, we sponsored them in a charity karting event at Sonoma Raceway.
Tom’s Miata: Frankenstein Fun
After getting tired of turbo problems with his Mini, Tom bought a cost-effective NC Miata to earn his spurs. After the stock motor blew, he decided to swap a Fusion 2.5-liter four to give the NC’s fantastic chassis some much-needed mid-range torque.
Cory’s C6 Grand Sport: Safe Not Sorry
After Cory Smetzler saw the light during a ridealong in a C6 Z06, he bought a Grand Sport from the same generation. It might not have the biggest motor or the lightest chassis in the lineup, but it has a few features which have offered him peace of mind with small few setbacks.
Alex’s FL5 Type R: Best of Both Worlds
The FK8 was too gaudy, the MX-5 was too cramped, and the FL5 was just right. When Alex was able to bring home a new Civic Type R for the occasional track outing, he knew he’d found the best possible compromise within his budget.
Gordon’s M2: Iteration Cycle
Rather than descend down the rabbit hole of modification, Gordon Mak decided to study the human element in the racing equation to find a process that would help him advance as a driver.
Joe’s M3: Proving His Potential
Joe McGuigan was committed to paving his own path and suffering the setbacks which come with developing unloved cars, but eventually he had to capitulate and try one of the best developed cars around.
He hasn’t regretted joining the E46 tribe.
Richard’s MR2 Turbo: Not Too Pretty To Pirouette
Although Richard already had an E92 M3, he decided to spruce up his mid-ship sports car and spin his way into driving competence.
Joe’s AP1 S2000: Continuing Education
A couple years before forty, Joe Drane decided to finally give track days a try. Like with everything he’s pursued, he dove in with two feet and built a stunning S2000 in record time.
Michael’s 350Z: Take A Chance, Prove a Point
Looking for an affordable drift car, Michael “Stubz” Hillo grabbed a 350Z and started driving sideways. After some time, he recognized the car had potential as a track car -- as long as he could accept a few shortcomings.
Max’s Spec Racer Ford: Lose The Ego
After cutting his teeth in a Porsche, Max got an inkling that going to a lighter, cheaper, more expendable device might expedite his improvement as a driver and budding racer.
Sonoma’s Recent Repave Helps Set New Records
Sonoma’s recent repave — the first in over two decades — has helped Speed SF’s fastest set new records in three of the Challenge groups.
Aidan’s GT3: Vision Realized
Driven to realize a very specific dream built on years of tuning high-revving Hondas, Aidan decided that this 991.2 GT3 would have the subtle cosmetic touches to wow crowds and the high-end racing modifications to set seriously impressive lap times.
Walter’s Sentra: Lifetime Obsession
Twenty years after crewing for various teams in the Spec SE-R series, Walter began racing himself and made a very special Sentra his own.
Speed SF Challenge 2023 RECAP
Close fields, dark horses, and lots of new talent made this year’s Challenge one for the record books.
Passing Etiquette: Making Space and Saving Face
Passing and braking are the last two things a driver learns to do well. We’ve broken down a series of basic rules to follow to help learn how to make the pass stick and how to do so safely.
Hubert's MKIV Supra: Soft Spot
After failing to find an E30 M3 to begin tracking, Hubert decided he’d get his HPDE start in a fourth-generation Supra Turbo: the slinky grand tourer he fell in love with during his teenage street racing days.
Ken's 240SX: Twenty Years in the Making
Twenty years after picking it up, Ken brought a revitalized version of his old track car back to Laguna. It’d sat for a decade as Ken raised a family, but late those nights after the kids went to bed, he studied whatever he could and amassed a collection of track parts. When he finally got a chance to give it another lease on life, he didn’t cut any corners.