Autumn 2012 • Vol. 12 #4
Hopping Mad! Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40609642
.AUTUMN Performance in Motion Publications NEW Address: 87 Advance Road Toronto, ON M8Z 2S6 Phone: 416-259-3678 • Fax: 416-259-6433 PUBLISHER Bob McJannett bmcj@sympatico.ca Phone: 416-259-3678 EDITOR Rob McJannett CONTRIBUTORS Thomas Anderson Bob A. Booey Ben Fry Adam Jantos Jim Madigan Robert Michaelson Jeff Norwell Dave Thomas Leonard F. Slye with Bonnie Staring as the Reluctant Passenger
Jeff is not afraid to hop his Lincoln, anytime anywhere!
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Get out there and have fun with your car - Take it to the Track!
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COVER IMAGE Dave Thomas PROOFREADER Spike “The Machine” LaVigne MOVING? Please let us know! E-mail both your old & new address to: moving@performanceimprovements.com Return undeliverables to: 87 Advance Road Toronto, ON M8Z 2S6 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. PERFORMANCE IN MOTION is published a year: Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Winter. Circulation is 30,000+ (ISSN
40609642 five times Fall, and 1703-8421)
Copyright ©2012 All rights reserved by Performance In Motion Publishing. Be good to the environment, recycle this magazine – give it to your friends. The fine print: We respect your privacy, and do not sell our mailing list. All opinions are those of our writers, (the usual gang of idiots) most of whom have sniffed too many gas fumes to trust as far as you can throw. The information presented is via said gas sniffers from which there can be no responsibility by the Publishers as to legality, completeness and accuracy. If you enjoy our magazine, be sure to let us know! This magazine may not be reprinted without permission of Performance In Motion Publishing. (We’re nice guys, just ask!) • Thanks for everything Dave Epp - Good luck in Muskoka! •
Cyrious Q&A with Drifting star Pat Cyr
L.A. Roadsters Father’s Day Show
6_ 24_ • Performance in Motion • Autumn 2012
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Making your ride better since 1964 Autumn 2012 • Performance in Motion •
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Publisher’s Note
In
this issue, we have a story about taking your car to the track. If you want to find out how fast your car will go, see if your car is faster than your buddy’s or just want to hone your drag racing skill, a number of tracks offer mid-week “Test and Tune” evenings. Here is a chance to learn how your car will perform in a safe and fun environment. Best of all, it is really low cost. Learn the basics of the sport without undo pressure. Learn staging procedures, how to do a burn-out, what rpm is most desirable for your car’s launch, all without the hurry up of a weekend race. Lots of seasoned racers show up to check out their cars and see how the changes made have affected performance. You will have a chance to interact with the racers and perhaps learn some of their speed secrets. On most nights, you will have loads of chances to make passes down the drag strip; if you were competing at a weekend race, you would probably get three time trials and four passes, if you were to go four rounds. On a “Test and Tune” night, it is not unusual to get twice that many. Check out our list of local tracks and take your car out and join in the fun. Perceived aggressive enforcement by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment of regulation 361/98 continues to be the talk of the collector car community. MOE has just released their “plain language” explanation of what they expect from a car owner with regards to emission equipment. I urge you to read through the whole thing. We have included excerpts from the latest version, but we do not have space to print it in its entirety. It is important to realize that this is the law and has been since at least 1998. The MOE officers are charged with enforcement of the law, they don’t make them. If you disagree with the laws as written, make this fact known to your MPP and encourage him or her to review the potential effect 361/98 can have and is having on the events of the collector car enthusiasts. Meanwhile, sign John O’Toole’s petition and be sure you have sent the signed sheets back to him. Doing nothing will accomplish just that, nothing!
Hot Rod Emissions Requirements
The Ministry of the Environment has released a plain language version explaining the requirements of regulation 361/98. We don’t have enough space to print it in its entirety, however, here are some of the highlights. “What makes a car a “ hot rod?” Many people think a “ hot rod” is any car modified to go faster. In Ontario, that’s not true. By regulation, a hot rod is any car whose original motor has been replaced by a different type. Type refers to the motors: manufacturer, block size (displacement) use in the vehicle’s model and model year. Any motor that was available for that model and model year (for example, it may have come as an option) would not be a different type and therefore not qualify as a hot rod.” So, any vehicle with an engine that was unavailable from the factory for that make, model and year is a “hot rod.” For “Hot Rods” older than 1999, there are different rules if the engine was replaced before 1999, or after 1999. Pre-99 If you installed your engine before 1999, you have to meet or exceed “1980 and earlier” emissions standards, but catalytic converters and emission control requirements do not apply. Post-99 If your engine was installed after 1999, you have to meet or exceed emissions standards of the original engine, and all emission control equipment (including catalytic converters) must be attached and functioning. Here is one interesting section to ponder: “The onus is on the hot rod owner to prove when the motor was replaced; otherwise, it will be deemed to have been done after January 1, 1999. An original receipt for the installation/ purchase of the replacement motor is an example of proof.” Even if you replaced the engine in your ‘32 Ford in 1979, if you can’t prove you did the swap before 1999 – “All emissions control equipment must be attached and functioning. Equipment refers to what came with the replacement motor or be equivalent to what would have come with that motor.” Better start tracking down some 1979-era smog equipment! Full Details Be sure to read the actual regulation, including the plain language explanations recently added, by visiting their website: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca > Drive Clean > Hot Rods Take Action You have a duty to maintain your vehicle’s emissions equipment according to the law as it is written today. The MOE are charged with enforcing these laws. If you don’t agree, then you have to work with your member of provincial parliament to make the changes you feel are necessary!
• Performance in Motion • Autumn 2012
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Alex Xydias
Story & Photos by Bob McJannett
90 Years of Hot Rodding
If
you have been around the Hot Rod sport for a while, you’re probably familiar with the name Alex Xydias. What you may not know is that Alex opened his now legendary SO-CAL Speed Shop on his return from serving his country in WWII. It was quite a transition from a gunner on a B-17 to a speed merchant. The time was 1946, the place Burbank, California. During his time in the Army Air Corps. Alex noted that all they talked about was cars, so when he mustered out he wanted to start a speed shop. Early in the game, he aligned himself with Vic Edelbrock Sr. selling Edelbrock products and using their engines. In fact, one of his first lakes racers, a V8-60 powered lakester, had an Edelbrock engine built by Bobby Meeks, one of the best builders in the country at the time. They ran 136 mph in 1948. From then on, the SO-CAL name was on numerous record-holding cars. Alex and Dean Batchelor built a state-of-the-art streamliner that ran 210 mph in 1950. In 1961 with the flathead falling out of favour and the loss of his right-hand man, Alex closed the door. But he never stopped working nor lost his interest in the Hot Rod Sport. First, he filmed events throughout the United States; his dad had been in the film business and Alex knew his way around a camera. Then there was a stint at Petersen Publishing’s Car Craft magazine, which led to Hot Rod Industry News, which led to Petersen’s annual Trade Show destined to become SEMA in the future. Next, he partnered with Mickey Thompson organizing and operating the SCORE off-road equipment show. They worked together until Mickey and his wife were killed in 1988. The number of awards Alex has won are numerous, his interest has never waned, in 1996, he climbed back into a modified roadster at Bonneville to qualify at 176 mph for his Competition Drivers Licence. All during this time, Alex had retained the rights to the SOCAL Speed Shop name and logo. Along came Pete Chapouris who wanted to resurrect the famous entity. In 1997, Alex and Pete joined forces in the new “SoCal Speed Shop.” Ever since, Alex has kept a busy schedule appearing at events for SoCal, serving on the board of the NHRA Museum, and now, at age 90, he is serving on the board of the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts (AXC.) AXC is an education center with a two-year program helping students to prepare for ASE certification. In other words, teaching the knowledge and skills necessary to modify, rebuild and repair “Old” cars. We had the good fortune to attend the 90th birthday gala put on by a group of his friends and associates to raise money for his two favourite charities. Held in Pomona on June 16th, more than 400 people were in attendance, Alex spent lots of time signing anything offered to him plus had a hand in the organization of the event. To watch him walk across the floor double-time is simply awe-inspiring, to listen to his slide presentation of about half an hour without missing a beat was amazing. As it said in the program “Alex is the epitome of hard work, creativity, teamwork, innovation, achievement, and excellence.” What a story, what a history, what an adventure, what a man. Hats off to Alex Xydias a true hot rod pioneer!
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Autumn 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Alex spent two hours signing anything people brought to him for an autograph.
The So-Cal ‘33 Bonneville coupe and Bill Lindig’s AMBRAwinning track roadster were on display during Alex’s birthday gala. More than 400 people showed up at the Sheraton Fairplex Conference center to pay tribute to Alex.
Alex and the late Dick Van Cleve in front of the legendary Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank, where they still hold Friday night cruise nights.
• Performance in Motion • Autumn 2012
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Product Showcase DEI Introduces Titanium Protect-A-Boots Latest in Thermal Protection Technology Here’s a new product designed to handle more extreme high heat than any other spark boot protector on the market today. Constructed from pulverized lava rock material, Titanium Protect-A-Boots can handle direct heat up to 1,800°F, and radiant heat to 2,800°F. Typical glass fiber material is only rated for withstanding 1,200°F. Excessive heat can jeopardize the entire ignition system, leaving wires and boots vulnerable to burning, hardening or cracking. This can lead to arching, engine misfire or even full ignition system failure. Titanium Protect-A-Boots’ LR technology provides an added level of protection for high voltage ignition systems – auto, marine or power sports.
Street Fire Cap & Rotor Kits High Performance Cap for a stock replacement price The cap, rotor and even plug wires all need to be considered as maintenance items. These new Cap and Rotor kits are designed to deliver quality at a value price and are supplied with brass terminals and a heavy duty rotor.
Flowmaster Headers Now Available Scavanger Series Elite Headers As part of their expanding line of performance exhaust products, Flowmaster proudly introduces their new stainless steel full-length Scavenger Series Elite Headers for popular GM muscle cars. With heavy-duty 3/8” warp-resistant flanges and our ‘gasketless’ leak-free ball-flange connections, these durable headers are ceramic coated for ultimate protection and are designed to improve the performance and throttle response of your classic GM car. Engineered for small block D-port engines including the ZZ4 crate engine, these headers feature 15/8” primaries and 3” collectors and fit most A-body and F-body applications from 1964–1981. Please see below for fitment specifics and footnotes. To assure buyers of the quality, all Flowmaster headers are warrantied for one year from date of purchase, and are engineered for easy at-home installation with the included ball-flange reducers and hardware. • Stainless Steel Construction • Ball & Socket Collector Connections • Dyno Tuned For Maximum Performance • High Temperature Ceramic Coated • 3/8” Thick Laser Cut Flanges
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Autumn 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Catalytic Converter
_REVIEW
One Piece Design Flowmaster Universal Catalytic Converters feature stainless steel outer shell construction with noble metal loadings on OEM quality grade substrates. The converters are available in a wide variety of Pre-OBD and OBD II EPA universal fit applications, while carrying a 25,000-mile internal components emissions warranty and 50,000-mile/ 5-year warranty on the exterior casing. The OBD II universal converters have been engineered specifically for maximum efficiency to avoid “MIL” code issues often encountered with the use of low-quality converters. Because the converters carry the Flowmaster name, great care was taken in their development using quality components to ensure they will perform as well as all Flowmaster products. • Excellent flow characteristics • Engineered to keep the “MIL” light off • Available for a wide variety of applications • Stainless steel construction • Some models available with sensor bungs
Cast “Stock Look” Distributors Equipped with the original Ignitor or Ignitor III electronics • All new cast housings molded after the original Delco distributors • Tailored advance curve for optimum performance and drivability • Adjustable vacuum canisters for extra tunability • High dielectric strength cap and rotor with brass contacts • Warranty 30 months electronics / limited 1 year mechanical PTD104600
Maximize your LS engine
L
ike the small block Chev engine, the new GM LS-Series engines are becoming the latest power plant popular for car enthusiasts. No matter if you are repowering your hot rod, muscle car or early Corvette, this book is a must read. Even if you are simply trying to get some more power from your LS engine, you can find out all about the different heads available and their features. In 144 pages, author David Grasso takes you through the features and benefits of all the GM factory options. He also reviews virtually every aftermarket head being built for these engines. Contained in these pages are basic dimensions, claimed airflow rates, interchangeability information, combustion chamber sizes, compression ratios plus loads of helpful tips to ensure you make the right choice for your application. No matter if you are planning to drag race, road race, autocross or simply enjoy your engine on the street, High Performance GM LS-series Cylinder Heads will be sure you know all the facts to enable you to make the correct choice
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HIGH PERFORMANCE GM LS-SERIES CYLINDER HEAD GUIDE David Grasso • 144 pages • 250 colour photos • $29.99 • Performance in Motion • Autumn 2012
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The Pink Slips Women’s Car Club Story by Bob McJannett • Photos by Jim Madigan
I
t’s amazing what gets done from a simple conversation. In January, 2010, Jody Brock and Yvette Aube were talking on the porch about their two favorite things. If it had been two guys, that would’ve been cars and girls, not necessarily in that order, however these ladies were talking about cars and charity. That’s right cars, they are both passionate about classic cars and interested in supporting children’s charities. The talk led to the Mickey Rooney moment “why don’t we start a womens car club?” After speaking to other like-minded females, the Pink Slips Women’s Car Club was formed. Their purpose, to help those in need and to enjoy together all the fun that enthusiast cars can bring. After that fateful day, expansion has been ongoing. The club now has three chapters with more than 60 members. Each member donates their time and vehicle to support the events they attend and their charities of choice. Since 2010 they have raised in excess of $40,000 for numerous charities such as the Child’s Voice Foundation and the Children’s Wish Foundation. They’ve
also helped individual children with special needs. One of the photos shows the gals at the Collector Car Auction in Toronto, where they auctioned one of their donated Pedal Cars. They were able to raise a substantial amount through the generous contributions of automotive enthusiasts who attended the auction, to provide a $6,000 mattress for the little girl you see in the picture. She needed a special therapeutic mattress that prevents bed sores. They were able to provide this mattress for her and surpass their goal! She is a real sweetie. All this effort has not gone unnoticed, at Autofest 2012 held at Lakeview Park in Oshawa, the Motor City Car Club has named them feature club of the event. After attending many shows and hosting many events’ the Pink Slips recently held their first show in Mississauga hosted by the Southern Belles chapter. President Tracy Knight and secretary Terry Franjic stick handled their way through all the work, with PSCC team, to present a really strong show. Attendance was great, with a wide
variety of cars on display, and a large number of spectators showing up to help them raise money. All this, while Tracey was dealing with her own medical problems. The Pink Slips are making their presence known in a male dominated hobby proving that a thought, can become a reality. Our hats are off to this group of dedicated ladies who are making a difference, and improving the lives of many. In the words of their introductory letter “ We are competitive, we are passionate, we are strong, we are...The Pink Slips Women’s Car Club.”
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the Pink Slips raised funds for a special therapeutic $6,000 mattress that prevents bed sores, for the little girl you see in the picture.
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Autumn 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Why wouldn’t you have the finest brake rotors stopping your most precious cargo? Performance Brake Upgrade for OE Applications.
Superior Stopping – Wet or Dry Maximum Panic Braking Power Special Coating to Resist Rust • Cross Drilled • Slotted • Coated
About the Photographer: Jim Madigan is a true car enthusiast who travels to car shows, cruise nights and drag races, never without his trusty camera. See more of Jim’s work or get a print at: jvm.smugmug.com.
Produced in Canada. Available at:
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• Performance in Motion • Autumn 2012
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12-07-10 1:01 PM
Every scratch and scrape on Jeff’s 1999 Lincoln Towncar has been well earned.
.FEATURE.
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Autumn 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Switches & Thangs Motivated by Haters
Jeff Forgione’s Lincoln is no mere Lowrider, most of the time it’s up in the air Story by Rob McJannett • Photos by Dave Thomas
S
ome people claim the Lowrider originated in Los Angeles, others say it came from Juarez, Mexico. No matter, they have migrated north to Ontario. Clubs like Majestics and Affiliated CC have many members with great versions of these interesting cars. If you’re looking to have a Lowrider built in Toronto, eventually you’ll end up at “Switches & Thangs.” The shop was founded by Jeff Forgione in 2004 to help make lowrider dreams come true. You see Jeff owns the most powerful business card of all – his 1999 Lincoln Towncar that is also his daily driver. Yes this car can go to a show, hop 75” in the air, drive home and do it again the next day. Motor oil is in Jeff’s blood. His dad was a mechanic who had his own shop. In his spare time Jeff’s dad worked on his race truck, which may have seen more races on the street than at the track. It took the movie “Set it off” to ignite Jeff’s lowrider spark. A ‘62 Impala two door hard top is featured prominently in the heist flick, and it set a new direction in Jeff’s life. Soon he had his first ride, a 1964 Impala. He cut the coils and drove it like that for a while - but always wanted to take it to the next level.
“Switches & Thangs” was started due to not having the funds to pay a mechanic to work on his ride. His first customers came from thelowrider website layitlow.com, and he is still working on cars for Rubben and Kamil to this day. After working on other people’s rides it was time for Jeff to up his game. He found the Lincoln in the Hamilton Auto Trader and brought it to the shop to begin the transformation. The first version was just a light setup, but an addiction to hopping meant Jeff had to make some major upgrades. A new frame was sourced and fully wrapped with a belly split to help while hopping. A custom 4 link and a completely boxed 8.8” rear end were all fabricated by Jeff in his shop. The front suspension was totally re-worked with extended Cadillac upper control arms, reinforced spindles and Chevy 2500 upper balljoints to handle all the abuse Jeff was planning on dishing out. Most of the suspension was chromeplated, but the decision was made to paint the frame bright green. It is one of the most noticable things about the car when it’s six feet up in the air. Why Green? It is a tribute to the gallons of Monster Energy Drink that
helped fuel all the late nights working on the Lincoln. The hydraulic setup features two piston Black Magic pumps in the front and two competition pumps for the rear. The rest of the trunk is filled with 16 batteries with custom hardlines that Jeff fabbed himself. This is what gets the Lincoln airborne. Amazingly, he still found room to fit two 10” subs and two amps in that already full trunk. Jeff’s gotta have his tunes while he rides. Three years ago he joined Majestics C.C. based out of Compton. Special thanks go out to his fellow club members Reubben, Naeem and Kamel, along with Danny from Affiliated C.C. Most importantly, Jeff wants to give a big thank you to his long-suffering girl friend Tanisha, for putting up with the many late nights in putting this beast together. Jeff has already begun work on his next project. He just returned home from Texas with a barn-fresh 1963 Impala SS. Looks like it’s time for Jeff to set it off again!
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• Performance in Motion • Autumn 2012
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Jeff’s shop has moved: Switches & Thangs is now located at 160 Thirtieth Street Etobicoke, ON M8W 3C4 416-419-2366
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Autumn 2012 • Performance in Motion •
About the Photographer: Dave Thomas is a front-end web developer by trade, a BMX rider by passion and a blogger by addiction. An automotive enthusiast at heart, he began blogging about the Ontario enthusiast scene after noticing that it was extremely under-exposed and incredibly under-documented. More of his work can be found at stanceiseverything.com.
• Performance in Motion • Autumn 2012
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.DRIVE. Take it to the Track
Story by Bob McJannett • Photos by Adam Jantos
C
urious about how well your car will perform or how well it will handle? Want to know how fast your car will run at the drag strip? Have you been making changes and want to see what a difference those changes have made? Think you’re faster than your buddies? Curious of how well your car will handle on a road course? Want to try road racing? Plan to take your car out to the track. Most of the local strips have great programs that offer loads of safe fun at bargain prices. Here are some of the ones we found.
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Autumn 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, has Test and Tune evenings on both Wednesday and Friday nights. Gates are open at 6 pm, and you’ll be able to make passes on the strip from 7 till 11 pm. Best of all, it will only cost $20 for the evening. They are also open for Test and Tune on some Saturdays and Sundays, at a cost of $30. If you tire of the drag strip you can go over to their road course and for $90. you will be lapping your car all day, learning how it handles and improving your driving skills. www.torontomotorsportspark.com Grand Bend Motorplex in Grand Bend, Ontario, offers select test and tune Friday nights, cost is $23 (taxes included) and $6 for spectators. Any vehicle is welcome. Grand Bend also offers scheduled Thursday evenings for cars on the road course as well. Drivers that pre-enter get in for $60, while entry at the gate is $75.Bike lapping is available as well, if you want to have some fun with your motorcycle.
_TECH Low-Cost Shifter Upgrade
S197
Mustangs get a lot of praise for a tight chassis and a stout engine, but not many compliments on its shifter. There is a lot of play in the stock shifter, even while in gear. We can thank Ford’s NVH engineers for the factory semi-remote shifter design. Sloppy shifting is guaranteed. On our first outing to the track, several missed 2-3 shifts occurred. (In the interest of scientific curiosity, the keys were passed to several drivers, all of whom had issues with the 2-3 shift on at least one occasion.) Not having the three grand handy to upgrade to a Tremec T56 transmission, I instead tried out Energy Suspension’s Polyurethane shifter bushing upgrade. For $20, it seemed like a good first step. The instructions left a lot to be desired (i.e. non-existent), but installing them is fairly straightforward. You’ll need jack stands in order to contort your body underneath the car or visit a friend with a lift.
www.grandbendmotorplex.com Shannonville Motorsports Park on Old Highway 2 in Shannonville just east of Bellville has a really creative program. They are running Mix and Match days through the season. Come out to the track, pay $25. and run on the drag strip and lap the Nelson Track. They also offer pay-per-lap track days $6.00 per lap, five for $25. www.shannonville.com Luskville Dragway near Ottawa, NE of Gatineau in Quebec, has cruise nights where you bring a carload of friends and get to time trial on the strip, all for $25 a carload. www.luskvilledragway.com Capital City Speedway long-time oval track in Ottawa has just opened an 1/8th-mile drag strip. Friday nights it’s “run what you brung” aimed at street cars. The cost is only $20 to race, and they have a purse for the fastest car of the night. If you think that’s you get out there and prove it. www.capitalcityspeedway.com
Check the various websites for the latest dates, times and pricing. If none of these strips are near you, take a moment to check www.dragracecanada.ca. There is a listing of drag strips right across the country. Get out to a track near you and join in the fun!
Looking at the stock bushings (top) lets you see where some of the slop comes from. Soft rubber with some sort of “crushable” design might keep some vibrations from entering the interior, but it is going to flex at just the wrong time probably mid-shift on your best run! The poly bushings (bottom) are much tougher and thicker. The result is a much firmer shift and a much less sloppy shifter. It does slightly increase vibrations, but it passed the Better Half test – my wife did not notice any difference. A return trip to the track resulted in lower ETs and no more missed shifts – success! Energy Suspension offers shifter bushings for a variety of vehicles, it is a very economical upgrade that’ll help give you firmer shifts every time.
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Source: Energy Suspension 4-1131G $20
• Performance in Motion • Autumn 2012
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Autumn 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Performance Directory
Never Too Old or Too Fast
Story and Photos by Jim Madigan
W
hen he was 27, he was running a 23 Model T D/altered at Cayuga, hitting a best of 10.2 seconds. That’s pretty fast for a full race flathead. Fifty-one years later, after raising a family, a number of successful business ventures and a half dozen hot rods, Ron Calder returned to Cayuga. Seventy-eight-year-old Ron Calder was at Cayuga to test and tune his 1973 Pinto panel wagon, getting ready to run with the O.N.D.R. (Ontario Nostalgia Drag Racers), Ronny, a long-time member of the Roadmates Car Club, had a lot of help getting ready for this from fellow Roadmates Doc, Henry, Rick and Art, who were also on hand to see him make his first few passes. You could not wipe the smile off his face, as the pictures show. The Pinto is powered by a 302 C.I.D. Ford, with a C6 transmission and a 9” Ford rear-end. Ronny bought the car as a work in progress and had just finished it the night before the test and tune. I would like to tell you he ran in the mid 12’s, but there are still a few things to be done, before his September debut with the O.N.D.R. Northern Nostalgia Nationals at Cayuga. Ron still works six days a week at Calder’s Fine Foods in Toronto, but claims he can “get some time off to go racing!” When I asked him what his plans were for next year, he said, “Looking at building an altered ‘27 T open cockpit car!” I asked if the Pinto would be sold? He said, “No”, smiled and then added “I’ll run both!”
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Track Tips
Photos by Jim Madigan
BEFORE YOU GO
AT THE TRACK
Prep your Ride – Make sure all your fluids are topped up and nothing is leaking. Your wheels, tires and brakes should be in good condition. Remove any loose items you don’t need. You’ll have to go through tech (even on a Test & Tune night) and you don’t want to fail tech at the track. Two of the most common failures are a loose battery and the lack of a minimum one quart coolant overflow tank. Newer cars come with one, but older cars did not. (Bottles of oil are one quart – just sayin’.)
Safety First – All tracks have different rules, but one of the most important – don’t speed in the pits, or on the return road. Everyone is a little distracted and no one wants an accident.
Stuff to Bring – Extra Oil, Rad Relief, Quick Fix Tape, Hand Tools, Rags, tire pressure gauge and, of course, duct tape. Bring clothes for the weather forecast. NHRA rules say no shorts or tank tops. A helmet is required if your car runs 13.99 or quicker.
Lose some weight – Have your gas tank only half full of fuel or less. Know where the closest gas station is (or bring a jerry can if you like living dangerously and run with less than a quarter of a tank) Remove all unnecessary junk from your car and leave it in the pits.
Cash is King – There is no ATM at the gate of most tracks. (If you really want to be helpful, bring exact change!) Bring a Pen – You’ll have to fill out a Tech Card before you are allowed to race. Throw a pen in the glovebox and you won’t have to beg for one. (Throw two and be a hero to a friend!) Respect the Neighbours – Don’t speed on the way to and from the track. Not only does it piss off the neighbours who live nearby (and whose support these tracks need), but you are probably going to get a ticket. The OPP have stepped up patrols due to aggressive drivers doing dumb things on the road. Don’t be one of them.
Never Too Old – Ronnie Calder
hadn’t been on a racetrack in 50 years, but he still knows it can be a great time!
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Heat is your enemy – Try not to idle more than you have to. Open your hood until you’re ready to run. Some guys will put bags of ice on their intakes and intercoolers. Be sure not to let it melt all over your engine and drip all over the track.
Watch and Learn – Watch a few runs before jumping in your car and trying it out. Take a look at how the tree and staging beams work, so you’ll be ready when it’s your turn. The officials will direct you when to pull forward and when to start your burnout. Burnout – If you’re running street tires, go around the water box and just do a short burnout. (Roll up your windows before the officials tell you to do so.) Go on Yellow – Focus on the yellow light just above the green and go as soon as it lights up! If you wait for the green – you’re already too late. You probably don’t want to mash the pedal to the floor – try to ease into it (easier said than done!).
Bring a Pen – You must fill out a Tech Card before you race. Throw a pen in the glovebox and you won’t have to beg for one.
Autumn 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Tech – You don’t want to get turned away at the track. Two common failures are a loose battery and not having a coolant overflow tank.
Back Off – If you feel something wrong get off the gas. (Again, sometimes easier said than done with adrenaline flowing!)There will be more runs. If you drove it to the track – the goal is drive it home!
_REVIEW
Pics or it didn’t happen – These days with everybody shooting videos constantly, why not take a video of something actually exciting? Bring along a GoPro or the new JVC Axxion camera and show your buddies what they missed. Be Prepared – Have a Plan, even if it’s just a cell phone and a CAA card! Think about what you’ll do and who you’ll call if the worst was to happen. (Don’t forget to clean your numbers off before you drive home. They are a sign to pull you over for something!) Now get out and drive the wheels off your ride!
Glovebox Tools
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60 PSI Tire Pressure Gauge Auto Meter’s tire pressure gauges retains the last measurement until the pressure is released for a more accurate reading. Their large 0-60 psi dial assures accuracy, and their angled chuck makes it easy to get a reading without leakage. AU2343
Relive the glory days of Drag Racing
If
Quick Fix Tape Don’t get stuck with a blown hose What happens if you blow a hose at the track? Throw a roll of Quick Fix Tape in your Glove Box and you’ll still be able to get home. Self-bonding and self-curing, Quick Fix Tape forms a permanent waterproof seal. DN010491-2
Supercharge your radiator Radiator Relief Coolant Additive Reduce your operating temperature up to 30°F, reducing engine wear that occurs during extreme use. No mixing required; just add to cooling system. Corrosion inhibitor also reduces mineral deposits. DN040200
you remember the golden age of drag racing, the 50s and 60’s when anyone could race without having an enormous amount of money tied up in a race car, you will love this book. These were the days before bracket racing, before throttle stops, before stutter boxes. There were specific classes that pitted similar cars against each other. You simply pulled to the line and raced the car beside you as hard as you could to the end of the quarter mile. The first one there was the winner. Junior stock cars began as the family sedan with duals, and morphed into fairly sophisticated race cars with all manner of speed secrets hidden within their stock appearance. However, you still did not need deep pockets, a stacker trailer or a truck load of spare parts to be competitive. In fact at local meets, these cars were often driven to the track, the rear tires changed, raced all day, then the original tires went back on and they drove home. Junior stock racing reached its high point between the years 1964 and 1971 if you were there, you know what I mean, if not read this book and learn about those exciting races and racers. In 160 pages, Doug Boyce brings us back to those great days.
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Junior Stock, Drag Racing The Family Sedan Author Doug Boyce • 160 pages • 400 colour photos • $39 • Performance in Motion • Autumn 2012
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_Q&A
Cyrious business with
Pat Cyr Story by Jover Papag • Photos by Ben Fry/Automotophoto.net & Karel Chladek
Misfits,
freaks, punks, outsiders… every radical movement started with the outliers who did not conform with the “norm.” From rock and roll music to skateboarding, being different doesn’t always mean being recognized and respected. It also means paying dues and getting bruised along the way. For professional driver, Pat Cyr, 28, of Mississauga, learning valuable lessons is just as important as a podium finish. An ever cheerful contender out to have a good time, Pat isn’t the only one competing because if drifting were a cheering contest, Pat’s mother, Cindy would definitely join Pat and his friends,
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Drift Posse on the podium along with a growing number of fans who praise him for his “all-in” aggressive driving style. If you see someone in the track grounds doing the “We’re not worthy!” (Wayne’s World) gesture, you know they’re giving our boy Pat “mad respect.” There are technical aptitudes that make a driver good, but it’s the equipment, knowledge, experience and people that make the magic happen. With undulating support over the years as a privateer heralding the “underdog hero” title, Pat piloted a rather primitive Toyota GT-S (AE86) to glory, slaying giant contenders along the way. Now, Scion Racing, a
new sponsor with a brand-new platform, signed the successful young drifter to drive the newly released 2012 Scion FR-S in the 2013 season. At his newly opened shop, “Cyrious Garageworks” you may find Pat and his crew setting up a Scion FR-S to be a toptier contender. You may also equally find them working on restoration and racecar preparation projects alike. All skills that Pat honed for 10 years working at established classic car restoration shops. Look for big things in the coming years from this hotbed of automotive talent.
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N
o longer a misfit, freak, punk or outsider, Pat is always proud to show off his scars, and lucky for us found time to chat about a few things with PIM: Hey Pat, where do you see your career in five years? I definitely see myself still drifting in five years time! I’d really like to try out rally, and maybe even some road racing if someone out there was bold enough to let me drive their car! Drifting is my passion and will always be my main focus though. What was the most memorable moment in your career as a drifter? Winning the Formula Drift PRO-AM Nationals at Irwindale in 2010 was very memorable! And to top it off, I placed second in the final round of XtremeDriftCircuit in Phoenix the week after! Besides the Toyota AE86 Corolla GT-S and Scion FR-S, what other cars do you see yourself driving and why? I guess because of my background with working on Corvettes for the last 10 years, I’ve always wanted my own C5 Z06 street car. Mine would be slammed, cammed out, straight piped, flat black painted and just over all really obnoxious! Who is Drift Posse and how rad is the “Zombie Army Doom Squad”? The Drift Posse is just a good group of friends that love drifting and are always down for a good time! At the end of the day, we do all this for fun, and that is what the posse is all about! You’ve been a privateer for the past six years, now that you’re officially part of Scion Racing, what do you look forward to the most? It’s great to be supported by such a great company and a brand that I truly believe in! My favourite thing that I have done with Scion Racing so far has been doing drift demos, so I really hope we can do more of those kinds of things in the future!
• Performance in Motion • Autumn 2012
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As a race car fabricator, taking years to develop your craft working on classic Corvettes, what would be your ideal race car if there was no holds barred, and no monetary limit? That’s a tough one to answer! There’s so many cars I’d love to build, like a crazy off-road racing truck, or maybe a high revving ultra-light-weight AE86. A Ferrari drift car would be pretty fun to build too! Who and what are some of your favourite influences, not only in drifting, but in automotive style and the traits you have? Jesse James was a pretty big influence for me when Monster Garage came out. That show inspired my to go out in my garage and build thing that I thought I couldn’t do! It showed that if you put your mind to it, anything is possible. In terms of driving, Katsuhiro Ueo was my biggest influence. I studied every video I could find of him driving, and still to this day I feel he is one of the best drifters ever! What do fans have to look forward to when you pilot the Scion FR-S in the 2013 season? I’m going to drift the FR-S the same way I drift my AE86, flat out and as aggressive as possible! For those who haven’t seen a professional drifting event or have taken a ride in a drift car, what do you have to say to those folks? Get to an event and check it out! A drift event is action packed and just plain fun! You will leave with a smile on your face that’s for sure! Thanks Pat, any parting words from Lord Cyr? I just wanna give a big thanks to my family, especially my mom, I wouldn’t have made it this far if it wasn’t for her! Big thanks to the Posse crew Mark, Brad, Jover, Curt, Amy and my brother Dan from Cyrious Productions for all the kick ass videos (www. vimeo.com/driftposse) all these years. Thanks to all the great companies that have supported me over the years: HSD suspension, JRP, Mishimoto, Ferrea racing components, Falken tire, Weir performance, Visual Sugar and Scion Racing. And finally thanks to all the Fans that have supported me over the years! This is only the beginning!
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Pat Cyr has just opened his own shop: Cyrious Garageworks: Motorsports • Restoration • Fabrication 4-2265 Royal Windsor Drive Mississauga, ON L5J 1K5 905-403-9888
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Autumn 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Every time Drift Posse member Amy paints her nails, Pat does well. Keep it up Amy!
Performance Directory
.EVENTS Father’s Day in L.A.
Story & Photos by Bob McJannett
1957
A group of hot rod enthusiasts in southern California decided to form a club. Since they all had roadsters and convertibles they created an exclusive, open-car only club for 1936 and older cars, the LA Roadsters. In 1960, the club held their first Fathers Day meet at the Hollywood Bowl. Their event has become a Father’s Day tradition and continuing growth took them next to the Great Western Exhibit Center in LA and 1980 to the massive Fairplex in Pomona.
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This year’s show, their 48th, was held under sunny skies with more than 850 pre-1936 roadsters on the grounds. In addition, they have expanded their event to include a large swap meet, both indoor and outdoor manufacturers’ exhibits, plus a display of historical early front-engine dragsters in cacklefest mode. If you like roadsters, this gathering should be on your bucket list! Get out to LA for Father’s Day and enjoy this unique happening.
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• Performance in Motion • Autumn 2012
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Keeping the New Car Scent Alive! For
many drivers, there’s something even more promising than the open road. It’s new car scent, the oh-so-elusive aroma that’s a result of too many chemicals sitting inside a contained space for too long. Sure, new car scent probably causes permanent nose-hair and braincell damage, but something about it makes everything seem better. Stuck in a traffic jam? Just breathe and you’ll soon be in a utopian space where everyone remembers how to check their blind spots and gas is under a dollar a litre. Have you smelt it? For the majority of automotive enthusiasts and reluctant passengers, the new car scent experience may only happen during the test drive of a new (not new to you) vehicle. As most of the rides in our household came equipped with a checkered past and spare change under the mats, the closest we’ve ever gotten to that particular aroma is with a car freshener bomb. And no, nothing exploded. Much. So why is there so much fuss over a phenomenon that lasts for approximately 34.5 minutes into a new car ownership? Beats me. Fuhghettabout smelling new Even if you’re driving right off the dealership lot, you can’t count on hanging onto that new car scent for long. Savvy reluctant passengers know that after a busy season of long drives, cruise nights and drive-thru visits, the goal should be for the ride to have a clean car scent, no matter how many digits on the odometer. As we all have our own version of what “clean” or “fresh” means, I’m not going to tell you what you need to do to make your car smell nice. Heck, some people think those pine trees actually work. What I can do, however, is share
some scent-sational tales of aromas gone awry so that you and your driver won’t make the same mistakes. Hold the buns Under no circumstances should anyone bring freshly-baked cinnamon buns into a vehicle. First of all, it’s very distracting to those in the car with you – especially if you didn’t get a dozen – and secondly, that delish icing will end up on every surface you touch. Then, the next time you park in the sun, you’ll have high-calorie memories greeting you when you return. And no one should drive hungry. Hazmat, won’t travel One reluctant passenger confessed that she and her driver could not cross the border due to a customs canine paying too much attention to a rear floor mat. Apparently a long-forgotten onion ring prompted the guards to call the biohazard squad. Faking it won’t work Whatever you do, don’t fall prey to the allure of the “new car scent” air freshener. After installing one in my ’75 Ford Granada, all it did was melt. Go figure. What works best for most is running the ride fragrance free. That means resisting the urge to apply cologne, perfume or those body sprays that make women race after men like zombies in those TV ads. And no reading magazines with those perfume samples in them either. Fortunately Performance in Motion follows this fragrance-free policy – so feel free to take this magazine with you on your next drive.
Enjoy the ride •
About the Author: Bonnie Staring is a comedic triple-threat (writer, performer, coupon user), and she appreciates the road of life a lot more than she might let on. Bonnie has plans to master social media one day, right after she learns how to machine rotors. www.bonniestaring.com
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