Early Summer 2012 • Vol. 12 #3
Praise the Lowered! Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40609642
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Summer 2012 • Performance in Motion •
.Summer. 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 Roger Hart Jim Madigan Robert Michaelson Jeff Norwell John Stoneman Dave Thomas Leif Peng Chuck Vranas Leonard F. Slye with Bonnie Staring as the Reluctant Passenger
Mina Rizk’s Golf GTI
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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
Ian’s Laws for safe driving
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First Ever “Drag Srtrip Memories” Event
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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 all the great times Larry - Enjoy that retirement! •
ONDR Ontario Nostalgia Drag Racers
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Clark Blvd.
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Publisher’s Note Summer & the MOE
A
long with all the great things that Summer brings to us, lately it’s bringing the car enthusiast visits from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE.) MOE officers are enforcing Ontario Regulation 361/98 “Environmental Protection Act Motor Vehicles.” Part of this regulation explains what is expected from “Kit Cars, Rebuilt Cars and Hot Rods.” A ‘hot rod’” is defined as a motor vehicle in which the original engine has been replaced with something not installed by the manufacturer on that years model. (This means that there are a lot of Hot Rod Honda’s currently on the road.) Here is what they say regarding emission control equipment: (2) A hot rod that receives a motor replacement on or after January 1, 1999, shall receive a motor designed to meet emission standards at least as stringent as those achieved by the original motor with all its original emission control equipment attached and functioning, and the replacement motor shall have the original catalytic converter and all the original emission control equipment, or equivalent replacements, included or usually included with the replacement motor by the manufacturer of the motor. O. Reg. 361/98, s. 4 (2); O. Reg. 86/99, s. 3. Catalytic Converters; There is a long section in the Reg describing cats and what is expected. Emission Control Systems or Devices: Same here, a long section detailing what is required however it is very broad, no specifics related to an individual vehicle. For the complete regulation, Google Ontario regulation 361/98.
As you will see there are a lot of unanswered questions in the reg. as it is written. The MOE recognizes this and is attempting to provide the enthusiast with a more understandable plain language document explaining exactly what is expected, however that has not been
What year engine is in your ride? forthcoming yet and the MOE officers are out there enforcing the current reg. as they understand it. As of today we have been told the plain language version plus a Q&A section has been approved and will shortly be uploaded to their website. Reports we are hearing describe the roadside checks as dissimilar, there seems to be no clear blueprint. But the MOE wants to know the year of your engine (assuming it is not original) and when it was installed. It is up to the vehicle owner to prove when the engine was replaced. If your engine was installed after 1999, you are required to have all of the emission devices that would have been on that engine when it came from the manufacturer. If you have a mid 70s engine you would have to install all the mid 70s devices that have since been improved 100 fold by the industry. Here is where I get confused, if there are better parts out there why wouldn’t we be allowed to install them? But really the problem is so miniscule you have to ask why are they are bothering with such small fish in the first place. According to the numbers we have been able to get, pre 1980 specialty vehicles represent less than one half of one percent of the vehicles registered in Ontario. According to the MTO web site there are 11,200,000 vehicles registered in the province. Deduct the 1,300,000 commercial vehicles and the 32,390 buses and you have 9,867,710 light duty (cars and trucks) on the roads. The specialty car insurers claim to represent about 140,000
policies and that would be across Canada. The 1980 and down crowd in Ontario probably represent less than 75,000 units (about ¾ of 1% of the fleet, the bulk of which are driven only in the spring, summer and fall on weekends. My own two cars have covered less than 5,000 miles in the last three years. Somehow I don’t think the enthusiast is the emission problem. We are, however, easy targets with an almost guaranteed conviction rate, since no one can tell you exactly what you are supposed to do. The MOE has a job to do, they are to enforce the regulation as it is written. My feeling is the only chance we have to stop the stupidity is to write our MPP and the Minister explaining rationally what is happening and encouraging the politicians to give special interest vehicles a pass. There are far greater polluters who are being ignored because they have the ability to fight back. Meanwhile, if you are personally involved in a roadside inspection I would like to know the tone it took and the results of the inspection. My email is bmcj@performanceimprovements.com drop me a line, please include a phone number so I can follow up. Having fun yet!!
• Performance in Motion • Summer 2012
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.DRIVE.
Pro Active© Driving
Story by Bob McJannett • Photos by John Stoneman
ILR
Car Control School is the brain child of Ian Law. Their advanced driver training programs are for ALL drivers, regardless of experience or age. With courses suited to the general public, corporate employees, groups and car club members, ILR’s Car Control School programs are designed to teach you the skills necessary to be the safest driver you can be. Whether you want to be a safer and more confident driver or learn performance driving techniques, they have an advanced driving course to suit you. Ian Law, chief instructor, has raced cars since 1984. He’s won numerous Ontario
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Summer 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Solo Championships (both in Solo I and Autoslalom) and four Canadian Autoslalom Championships. In the early 1990’s, Ian was Solo Director for CASC-OR and as Chief Solo Instructor through to 1997, Ian developed their Autoslalom school and updated their Solo I school. Ian is currently competing in the Ontario Touring GT Championships, this year in an Acura. His success in racing can be attributed to his unique skills in car control, as well as his analytical mind and keen perception. These talents are blended perfectly into an invaluable teaching skill set. He has driven almost every vehicle available, including
Porsches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Vipers, and BMWs, at the racetrack and on the road. His racing career also includes ice racing, which he began in 1988. Ian won the Ontario Ice Racing Championship and numerous class championships. The techniques he learned and developed while racing on ice in front, rear and all-wheel drive vehicles are valuable to drivers facing Canadian winters. Currently, when not instructing students, Ian is a Driving Expert/Journalist for the Toronto Star. You can catch Ian’s articles under the “Better Driving” headline on Saturdays in the Wheels section.
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Ian’s Laws for safe driving
fuel. There is a chance that by the time you reach the intersection the light will change to green again.
1. Vision is paramount to safe driving. If you can’t
This simple tip will save you from being hit from behind, as well as a tremendous amount of wear and tear on your vehicle.
The ILR web site offers weekly driving tips, like these:
see it, how can you avoid hitting it? It’s not only about how well your eyes see, but just as critical is how you use your eyes! It is crucial that we all practice good vision technique while driving. Look farther up the road and keep your eyes scanning, including checking your mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds. You need to know if those potential escape routes are available to use in an emergency. One of the more difficult vision techniques is looking to where you want to go. This is very important for collision avoidance, proper steering technique, skid detection and recovery. Today’s vehicles are sleeker to help reduce aerodynamic drag resulting in better fuel economy. This required the vehicle’s windshield to be more laid back for better air flow over it. However this also required the construction of thicker windshield supports (or “A” pillars) to strengthen the vehicle’s roof. The large blind spot created by the thicker “A” pillar can easily hide a vehicle or pedestrian when you are turning. This is why we suggest you do the “A Pillar Head Shuffle,” so you can see past the blind spot to be sure it is safe to complete your turn.
2. Never rush up to a yellow or red light. This
3. The correct and safe way of turning at an intersection. Many motorists mistakenly make illegal and dangerous turns at signalized intersections. When turning left at a multi-lane intersection, turn left from the left-most lane, into the left lane of the cross road. Do NOT swing wide into the right lane to complete your left turn. After entering the left lane of the cross road, signal, check your mirrors then move into the right lane. When turning right at a multi-lane intersection, turn right from the right-hand lane into the right lane of the cross road. Do NOT turn right into the left lane. Stay in the right lane until you must change lanes. When turning either right or left at an intersection, do not assume that any opposing traffic, making a simultaneous turn to travel in the same direction as you are, will turn into the correct lane. For example, if you are turning right and an opposing car is turn left, do NOT assume they will turn into the cross road left lane. There is a good chance they will swing wide into the right lane where you are attempting to turn into.
The Laws of Physics dictate that two vehicles can not occupy the same space in time.
driving tip can save you in a couple of different ways. When you practice smart vision technique by looking farther up the road, you will notice sooner when an upcoming traffic light has changed to yellow. When it does, you can slow down gradually for the light rather than rushing up to the red light and braking hard. This will greatly reduce your chances of being hit from behind by an inattentive driver. Slowing down early and gradually will also save on brake wear and
Want to learn more? Go to carcontrolschool.com to find out all the ways that Ian can help with your driving techniques. Best of all it’s “Fun with Cars!”
SAVE $50 The CCS regular cost is $375 + HST, but Ian is offering a deal to our readers, for only $325 + HST! Tell them Performance in Motion sent you to get your $50 discount. • Performance in Motion • Summer 2012
7
.EVENTS
Drag Strip Memories Photos by Jim Madigan
The
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is a living museum featuring the aircraft used by Canadians or Canada’s Military from the beginning of the second World War up to the present. The Museum’s collection includes over 30 aircraft most really fly and several that remain on static display and are interactive workshops. On April 15th, museum visitors got far more than they bargained for, drag racing photographer and historian Rob Potter along with his childhood friend Tony Hayes spent untold hours preparing this first annual event.
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Summer 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Wow and what a great event it was. By the 11am opening time, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum was jammed with people from all over Ontario. Underneath the massive ceiling, racing fans were treated to a wide variety of Ontario’s most famous drag racing cars. On display were numerous former record holders, The Miller and Gregory Fiat coupe now owned and run by Rick Proctor, Canada’s original wheelstander the Little Blue Wagon and Charlie Haviland’s original AA/A hemi-powered roadster were all out on the floor. Front-engined dragsters and early funny cars were there too.
Rob had hoped to attract 400 people to his show, by the time the dust settled more than 1,000 fans had shown up. Old acquaintances reconnected, friendships were renewed and there was lots of talk about the “Good Old Days” of the sport in Ontario. Work has already begun on version two, watch for an announcement from Rob with the date. Meanwhile, hats off to all those who participated. It was really fun! Instead of SUNDAY NIAGARA it will be SUNDAY HAMILTON for next year. As Steve Evans used to say: BE THERE!
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Summer 2012 • Performance in Motion •
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.
• Performance in Motion • Summer 2012
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Praise the Lowered Story & Photos by Dave Thomas
Over
the last few years, the word “stance” has been quickly spreading throughout the automotive community meet by meet, blog by blog, forum post by forum post, and article after article. With its seemingly overnight jump in popularity many find themselves asking the unintentionally tricky question “What is stance?” Put as simply as possible, stance is the right combination of ride height and wheel fitment. Exactly how minimal that ride height needs to be and just how the wheels should sit in the fenders is what
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Summer 2012 • Performance in Motion •
makes defining stance so tricky, because it is largely up for debate and varies from group to group. Take for example a classic like the ‘57 Chevy Bel Air, to be a gasser the front would be lifted and the rear end dropped over a set of slotted mags, but with the wheels swapped for billets and the car raked less aggressively in the opposite direction, this same car could be called a street rod, and if it was put on the ground on wires it would be a lowrider. In that particular oversimplified case, from the point of view of a generalist,
neither option is wrong and, while one camp could argue with the other over what they feel looks best, at the end of the day, it would merely be personal preference. Currently there is a growing group of enthusiasts who strongly feel that aggressive fitment – which is the art of mounting wide low offset wheels to extremely low cars more often than not with the use of stretched tires, fender massaging, and copious amounts of negative camber – is the best and only kind of stance. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
While popular right now, and a style I enjoy thoroughly, aggressive fitment is by no means the definition of stance, because stance is something that is constantly changing and evolving. This might come as a surprise to those who know me from stanceiseverything.com but my first introduction to stance didn’t actually come from a vehicle that was planted on the floor, it came from the extremly popular “big/little” raked muscle car stance. That was the first time I saw a car and immediately noticed it ‘sat’ different than others on the road. From that point on, I was hooked. Every car I drew and model I assembled from then until the time I saw my first minitruck had its nose pointed to the ground, and ever since that first encounter vehicles sitting at stock height have always looked as though they were missing something. The most important thing to keep in mind about stance is that, while it may change from year to year and scene it scene, it isn’t a fad and it isn’t going anywhere soon. As long as cars continue to have wheels, stance will continue to be an extremely popular and important part of the automotive culture. Praise the lowered.
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• Performance in Motion • Summer 2012
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Stance is something that is constantly evolving…
About the Author: 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.
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Summer 2012 • Performance in Motion •
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
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• Performance in Motion • Summer 2012
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.FEATURE.
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Summer 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Mina’s Golf GTI Story & Photos by Dave Thomas
T
he number of tastefully modified cars in the Toronto area is increasing at a rate far greater than ever before, and the local Volkswagen community seems intent on being at the forefront of this clean car revolution. Mina, no stranger to riding low, made a few changes to his JDM and Euro-inspired GTI during the off-season that have made it one of the most easily recognizable MKVs in the area. The car now has “that” look which enthusiasts strive for, it catches your eye instantly and holds it there while you take in the over-
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all package that flows together effortlessly. The body of the car in particular is so well thought out that it looks as though it should have come that way straight off of the assembly line. Mina has cleaned up the front end of his GTI by filling the hood notch, shaving the front bumper and installing a badgeless honeycomb grill, he was also able to source an authentic euro ed30 lip which he molded to the shaved front bumper, while installing the matching ed30 side skirts. Finally, a euro ed30 rear bumper with a custom diffuser was added to the rear to house the tips of his
Summer 2012 • Performance in Motion •
GHL quad cat-back exhaust. The carefully placed matte black accents all over the vehicle are beautifully contrasted by the authentic J’s Racing Teal that is used on the “smiley” and carried into the engine compartment where the Evolution Motorsports engine cover, battery cover, fuse box, Eurojet DV, and AEM true cold air intake have all been treated to doses of that unique blend of green and blue. Painted accessories are far from all that’s going on under the hood, the performance numbers have been given a bump-up thanks to more contributions from the Eurojet
catalogue (dv relocation, VTA catch can, and heat shield) along with a Revo stage 2 performance tune. In the footwork department, the J’s teal faces join high polished 2.5” and 3.5” aluminum lips, matte black barrels, and gold BBS RS bolts, to create one of the most attractive and unique looking sets of work VS-XX wheels in the entire GTA area. The wheels combined a healthy dose of tire stretch and a hard-lined air lift suspension setup are responsible for giving this car its incredible stance. At ride height, this car sits essentially
perfectly flush and when the air is let out of the system, the front wheels tuck into the fenders and the rear quarter panel squeezes between the lip and tire. The car is an absolute must-see in person to really appreciate not only the eye-popping stance, but the awesome colour that has been used on the wheels and accents. Congratulations Mina for helping raise the bar.
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• Performance in Motion • Summer 2012
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• Performance in Motion • Summer 2012
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.TECH.
MSD’s
top tech guy, Joe Pando traveled all the way from El Paso, Texas, to do a show and tell on MSD’s new Atomic EFI system. With all the interest in converting carbureted engines to fuel injection, Performance Improvements felt that a seminar on the new MSD Atomic EFI system would attract a crowd, and they were right. Kudos’ to MSD and to Joe for bringing their latest technology to the enthusiast community. Installation is relatively simple. The Atomic EFI shines in ease of installation and performance! The MSD annular ring injection design produces an air/fuel charge
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MSD Atomic EFI
Story by Bob McJannett • Photos by Jim Madigan
with much better mixture, as well as an even distribution among the cylinders. Better AFRs equal better idle quality, starting, and overall drivability throughout the rpm range. You and your engine will be glad when you go Atomic. What’s really unique about the system is the wires - or lack thereof. The actual ECU is built into the throttle body. By placing the Throttle Position Sensor, Air Temp Sensor and MAP sensor inside the ECU, MSD eliminated 9 wires! This makes the Atomic easy to install: Install a mounting bung fo the Wide Band O2 Sensor. (included with the kit)
Summer 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Decide if you want to run a return or returnless. The majority of people will run a return system, as it is the best way to run it with the least amount of issues. Moroso makes a really simple piece to allow you to hook up a return line without taking out the gas tank. Mount the fuel pump and the fuel filter. They recommend mounting the pump close to the gas tank. Mount the power module, usually you can find a spot on either the firewall or the inner fender. Remove the carburetor and install the throttle body. Connect all the wires, they are clearly marked. Now the fun begins.
Joe explained how you will program your Atomic using the hand held Controller. Simply input the engine parameters and set fan controls, Air/Fuel targets, Timing Control, and pump squirt. Timing Control is fully adjustable. “If you’re not doing timing, you’re leaving a lot on the table” said Joe. Joe had Will Laing’s Mustang conversion on hand to show the unit actually installed and working on a vehicle. Will had just finished a ground up restoration on his 1967 Mustang Coupe with a 289 engine. The engine had Edelbrock cylinder heads and intake with a Holley 570cfm carb, MSD distributor, wires, 40th anniversary ignition box, and MSD blaster 2 coil. All the hardware is ARP, Gaskets are Felpro, Comp cams 509 intake and 512 exhaust camshaft 1.6 roller rockers. Comp hydraulic lifters, pushrods and double roller timing chain. 110gph fuel pump. Headers are Elite Ceramic coated from Hedman. The best of everything for a street car. The change from carb to EFI has resulted in vastly improved idle. Will’s Mustang used to idle at 1,500 RPM with the carburetor, with the Atomic system installed it now idles at 800 rpm. It starts easier and has great throttle response. Will describes it as a “night and day difference.” With more to follow as all the self learning features come into play.
While atomic EFI works great for most vehicles, it is not for everyone. Some of the limitations of the system: it has four injectors and is only capable of 650 hp or lower. It currently can’t be used to replace multiple carb setups. Atomic EFI does not like aggressive cams - MSD recommends camshafts no bigger than 250º at .050”, it messes with the MAP sensor. Most aftermarket EFI systems have camshaft limitations, so this isn’t a big surprise. However if you are building a street driven car the Atomic EFI will give you all the benefits of fuel injection while still looking like a carb. With fuel injection you can expect increased fuel efficiency, easier starts, quick response, better performance and smoother idle. The Atomic is also emission friendly. If smooth, reliable, street driving is what you are looking for, take a serious look at the Atomic EFI.
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Missed the Seminar? Go to performanceimprovements.com to join our e-mail list and we’ll tell you when we’re having another one. Got an idea for a seminar you’d like to see? Let us know! Send us an e-mail info@performanceimprovements.com
• Performance in Motion • Summer 2012
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Product Showcase GM Performance Distributor from Proform
Fast-Gate Shifter TCI FAST-GATE automatic shifters fit most 3 or 4-speed automatic transmissions. They feature study construction capable of withstanding the demands of racing, and yet look classy enough for most street applications. These shifters have stamped components to ensure smooth, accurate movements when shifting, and the reverse lockout mechanism eliminates the chance of transmission damage from accidentally shifting into reverse. Includes a stylish and durable cover, shifter cable and all mounting hardware for a simple installation. All FAST-GATE shifters are compliant with current NHRA and IHRA safety regulations. TA616541
Give your engine the power and stability that it needs! Proform manufactures these distributors from quality to materials to ensure performance and durability. Other features include the following: * High performance control module & coil * Melonized steel gear for use with roller camshafts * Sintered steel weights for lighter weight and durability * Adjustable vacuum advance canister * High-dielectric cap with brass terminals & premium rotor PR141682
Smokey & the Bandit! Smokey & the Bandit! Remember Smokey and the Bandit? Well here’s the wheel! A great reproduction wheel and a lot of fun all at the same time. Trans Am Wheel 1975-1981. Black Leather Hand Stitched Grip. Silver or Black Anodized Spokes. 14 1/4” Diameter GR1014
Most Bang for your Buck FLASHPAQ gives you dyno-proven power for either 87/91/93 octane. Choose from multiple power levels and options. New apllications now available: SX1858 2011 +up Ford Powerstroke 6.7L, SX1868 2011 +up Ford Ecoboost 3.5L, SX2858 2011 +up GM Diesel 6.6L LML.
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Summer 2012 • Performance in Motion •
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Add $50(or more!) worth of accessories to your purchase and we’ll issue a $50 gift certificate towards their purchase on the spot!
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• Performance in Motion • Summer 2012
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Linda Vaughn Help the First Lady of Motorsports
If
you have been a regular spectator at races as far back as the 60s you know who Linda Vaughn is! Linda won a beauty contest making her Miss Atlanta Raceway, which led to another as Miss Pure Firebird. When her responsibilities where over, she got together with promotionally minded George Hurst, to become Miss Hurst Golden Shifter. For the next couple of decades, Linda was Hurst’s representative at race tracks all over North America, and indeed around the world. Linda put on many a mile bowing from the back of one of the legendary Hurst Oldsmobiles. Her appearances at all types of races always brought a smile. If you were lucky enough to be attending an event while Linda was there, you had a doubly good experience. Not as well-known is just what a caring individual she is. Many racers who got hurt would be surprised when Linda showed up at the hospital to offer a dazzling smile and her support. She loves racing and the people involved with racing. No matter if you were an owner or one of the crew, she always had time to stop, smile and encourage. Even today, she is still out there making appearances at industry open houses, at events and of course at the SEMA show. The last year has not been kind to our First Lady, there have been six trips to the hospital for heart-related problems. Now is the time to return some of that support she so freely offered. Traci Hrudka, and the ¼ Mile Foundation working on the Project 1320 documentary film, are planning a tribute roast for Linda to let her know we as an industry, truly appreciate the 50-plus years she has been a constant icon for the world of Motorsports and the performance aftermarket industry. Now is the time to boost her spirits and to help with some of her medical expense. You can help be a part of that effort. The event will be held on Forrest Lucas’ estate in Carmel, Indiana, on Wednesday, August 29 (the Wednesday before the Indy Nationals.) Tickets are $100 and will be available from the Foundation’s Project 1320 eBay store: www.project1320.com. This will be a great party. Bob Frey will be Master of Ceremonies, and already committed to sit on the panel are Don Garlits, John Force, Bob Glidden, Don Prudomme, Joe Amato, Doc Watson, with more to come!
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Let’s prove that “Canada Loves Linda!” If you can’t attend but are willing to donate, send your donation to Performance in Motion, re: Linda Vaughn Roast, 87 Advance Rd., Toronto, Ontario, M8Z 2S6. We will publish a list of everyone who donates, combine all the donations into a single cheque and present it to her along with a plaque for Linda with the name of every Canadian who donated. The first 20 donations over $100 will receive a free “Rat Roast” DVD compliments of Performance Improvements.
— Bob McJannett 30
Summer 2012 • Performance in Motion •
2012 RACE EVENTS ONDR - June 10 - St. Thomas Dragway Family Day BBQ & Race TNT - June 9-10 - TMP/Cayuga Dragway OSCA - June 16-17 - TMP/Cayuga - The Heat is On! TNT - June 29 - Dunn Tire Raceway Park ONDR - June 29 - July 2 - St. Thomas Dragway 50th Anniversary Celebration 4 days of nostalgia drags and Saturday Meet & Greet OSCA - July 7-8 - Summer Sizzler - TMP/Cayuga ONDR - July 7-8 - Grand Bend Motorplex ONDR Nostalgia Days and Reunion. Saturday featuring “Gasser / Altereds and Dragster” plus 3 ONDR classes Sunday, members points race. TNT - July 20 - Grand Bend Motorplex TNT - August 4-5 - St. Thomas Dragway ONDR - August 4 - Grand Bend Motorplex -Points race OSCA - August 11-12 - Hot Summer Brawl - TMP/Cayuga TNT - September 1-2 - TMP/Cayuga Dragway TNT - September 7 - Dunn Tire Raceway Park TNT - September 8 - Empire Dragway ONDR - September 8 - TMP/Cayuga Dragway FHO Hemi Shootout for 74 and older Super Stock Hemi Cars. The LARGEST Hemi Shootout EVER in Canada! Plus ONDR members racing in 3 classes OSCA - September 8-9 - St. Thomas - Southern Shootout
• Performance in Motion • Summer 2012
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Ontario Nostalgia Drag Racers Your Fast Blast to the Past
Photos by Jim Madigan • Image by Jeff Norwell
R
emember the Golden Age of drag racing? Back when the track was filled with all different kinds of cars, when you could race your street car for fun, before nitrous oxide, before delay boxes, well Rick Proctors Ontario Nostalgia Drag Racers (ONDR) organization is bringing those great days back. This is their eighth year of nostalgia racing with now over 400 families signed up as members! The ONDR specifies that all their race cars must be 1974 or older North American vehicles. No nitrous, and no delay boxes are allowed, in fact, they only have four rules and they are very strict about them. 1. Fun is the first objective 2. Safety is next 3. Then fun comes again 4. Don’t get too serious Their first race of the season was held May 5 at Toronto Motorsports Park with a nice turnout of interesting racers. Great to see altereds, sedans, stockers racing like those good old days. Check out our photos from the event and plan to attend the next one. As the ONDR says, “It’s your fast blast to the past.”
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Performance Directory
Restore those Headlights Story & Photos: Bob McJannett
Mask off the area around your headlights with masking tape. Attach the Powerball to a cordless drill and get polishing!
Start slow and polish in small areas until the whole lens is clear again. Buff clean with the supplied towel, stand back and admire your work.
R
ecently, I noticed the headlights of my wife’s car had deteriorated to the point where it was becoming difficult to see properly, especially when there was any fog or mist at dusk. Since she travels often on rural two-lane roads, it was time to fix the problem. After careful inspection (I looked at the front of the car), it was obvious that the headlights themselves were the problem. Her car has the dreaded plastic headlight lenses. As the miles pile on, the plastic gets sandblasted becoming scratched, cloudy and frosted yellow. Light output had dropped dramatically. I am guessing plastic headlights were designed for two reasons; they’re easier to shape to current body styles and they are cheaper to make. I called my local GM dealer to find out about replacement headlight lens. A single proper replacement headlight would be $367.25! So for a mere $734.50, I could replace cloudy headlights with clear ones! That took me on the hunt for another solution. There are loads of aftermarket parts out there at lower cost, but they all seem to be cheap knock offs, lighter in weight and without the crisp detail the OE part came with. They were still in the $65 to $100 each range. There are numerous “Headlight Restoration Kits” available, but the “Mothers Powerball 4 Lights” kit seemed to have more stuff in the box. Not only do you get the polish, a microfibre polishing cloth and a small Powerball that you insert in your drill to do that hard work, but they also include a severe damage kit that took the project to the next level. Sunday morning I sat down and read the instructions (shocking!), then it was off to the driveway. Mothers recommends masking around the edges of the headlight to pre-
You can see the difference! A much better option than replacing the headlights – and heck it’s better for the environment too!
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Summer 2012 • Performance in Motion •
vent the Powerball from damaging nearby paint or chrome. First be sure the surface of the headlight is clean; you do not want to pick up surface grit in your Powerball. Once clean, apply the special polish to the Powerball. Not too much, you do not want to spray it all over the place. Polish a small area at a time, holding the drill at an angle to get the maximum cutting action. As you near the finish, hold the drill ninety degrees to the headlight for the final finish. Wipe the residue from the headlight and look over the headlight carefully. If it is smooth and clear you are done. Seventy-five percent of the time you are finished. If you have a badly pockmarked lens, now you must sand it smooth. This is where the severe damage kit comes into play. You get two pads with four different grits. Water sand the lens starting with the coarsest grit moving to the finest. Sand each grit in different directions #4 and #2 vertically, #3 and #1 horizontally. Once you feel the lens is smooth as a baby’s bottom, wipe it clean, then repolish the lens with your powerball. I took about an hour and three-quarters to do both headlights and would probably do another set far faster, now that I understand the way to do them. So for $29.99, I solved a problem, and have enough material left to do more cars, or simply use it to keep these headlights looking perfect by giving them a once-over every couple of months. Best of all I, did it myself!
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MOTHERS Headlight Restoration MR #07250, includes: Polishing Tool, 8 oz. PowerPlastic®, two Restoration Pads, and 15” x 15” Microfibre Towel
Performance Directory
Cruise Season Secrets
No
matter how hard we may try, there’s no avoiding it–it’s cruise night season again. And, although you may be tempted to camp out at the mall or in a galaxy far, far away until the season passes, reluctant passengers can enjoy some benefits by attending these car-freak-filled events.
Some cruise nights are mobile, meaning you and your driver will be in-vehicle, cruising along city streets with other fantastic examples of automotive brilliance. This is a great opportunity to practice your royal wave or pretend that you’re a celebrity. Feel free to wear sunglasses.
• You can witness your driver beaming with pride when someone compliments his ride. • Once the sun sets, you can pretend you’re someone else. • You’ll have a visual reference for automotive terms, such as “ground-up restoration,” “pimped out” or “Bondo gone wrong.” • You can encourage your driver to discuss auto maintenance and repair challenges with someone who not only cares, but has actually been there and done that. • You can meet other reluctant passengers and share tips on dealing with your respective drivers.
For stationary cruise nights, imagine being in a large paved area filled with rods, classics and at least 100 enthusiasts, who are excitedly talking about their rides. If that isn’t enough to scare you, attendees are encouraged to “cruise around” the vehicles on foot and gawk at the coveted collection, adding the odd “ooh” and “ahh” when necessary. You might want to leave the stilettos at home.
Where to find them Most car clubs hold regular events for otherwise normal people who want to gather and talk about suspension mounts, body panels and shiny bits. If your driver isn’t a car club member, not only should you consider yourself lucky, but you can also harness the power of Google. For best results, enter your city name plus the phrase “cruise nights 2012.” If you don’t enter the year, you and your driver may find yourself at a condo development site, an abandoned warehouse or on the set of a low-budget made-for-TV zombie movie. What happens This isn’t a “what happens at cruise night, stays at cruise night” scene–most attendees are law-abiding citizens with a love for all things automotive. And, despite what you may have heard, cruise nights do not happen on cruise ships. So don’t get too excited.
How to enjoy yourself Although most cruise night attendees are friendly, encouraging people, there is a certain “cruise code of conduct.” Follow these simple steps to ensure your driver will be welcome to return and you may actually have a good time. DO • Know the make and model of your ride. A lot of people will ask you for some strange reason. • Limit your beverage intake. Just sayin’. • Bring lawn chairs. No one sits inside their vehicles at cruise night. DON’T • Touch a ride you don’t own. • Make direct eye contact with drivers unless you want to hear about timing belts or rad flushes. • Tell people you only bought one ticket if you win the 50/50 raffle. And there you have it–all you need to know to get the most out of cruise night season.
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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Summer 2012 • Performance in Motion •