DavyZ

Jersey, you can always try Black Dragon Auto for the lights and stock brake stuff, but if you want used, Zbarn should have it. New brake upgrades can be from a number of sellers, but Modern-Motorsports Ltd is decent to deal with. Davy

Aside from the pitting, I'm not sure there is much more that you can do. The rims look good minus the pitting. I'm thinking that because they are aluminum that a specialty wheel repair place could fill them in and then machine them flat, but that's money. Still, they do look pretty good. Davy

Sweet! I think my Webber Genesis doesn't compare to that BTU output. I'm amazed at the total amount of cooking surface you have there. It looks like you can cook for a small army. I'll be over in 10 minutes Nice present! Davy

I have not done this, but I can tell you that freestyle-type fighting (UFC basically) for training is the most exhaustive thing I have ever done. When you go three to five minute rounds again and again and you drop and/or puke after an hour of it, I can tell you it wastes the body much faster than anything else I have done. I did BMX when I was a kid, downhill skied, waterskied, ran track, cross-country, marathons, raquetball, swam, etc, in addition to very hard physical labor, and fighting is by far the most exhausting and rewarding thing I have ever done. I'm not exactly fat, but I dropped 15 lbs within 1 month after beginning Modified Boxing (like kick boxing) even after being in the martial arts. Pants don't fit so well anymore. Heh, I like that. Davy

Wow, you moved before we could get together at Dan's house for a BBQ. Have fun in the great State of Texas! I may be moving sometime as well, but further East. Hope you were able to cash in on some good equity as well. More Z money there Davy

Nice work you've done on the car! Props as well for going with the Zolatone on the interior--gives a true "race car" look. I love that with the contrasting red roll bar. Nice! Davy

Trevor, I think you mean "horizontal." Nice looking ride. Davy

I prefer the body glassed in with the flares; looks downright sexy. I think the only thing I would change is the ride height of the car. I think a 2" drop would do wonders for the appearance, although it does look pretty good in the second photo. Thanks for posting that Davy

It was great meeting all of you too. Scottie, Warren clued me in on SEZ and I had no idea that you guys had been so involved in the event. It's certainly in good hands, right Warren? Just the latest scoop as I'm sitting in the Atlanta Airport typing away on my computer...I did have lunch yesterday with the national manager and the division manager. Conversation went very well, food was OK, and they know where I stand. I do believe they'll make an offer since they like me and know I can do the job, but we'll see what it actually is! Bigger is better in this case Davy

The best picture of the whole bunch: The car looks a lot like a show car, although you dutifully take the car out to stretch it's legs---good for you. These cars were meant to be driven!!! Good site, Mark. Davy

I started before that in the late '70's (I feel old!) when Mongoose & Panda bikes were the rage. Shortly after that it was PK Ripper, Race Inc, Diamondback, Kuahara, etc. My nicest bike was a Race Inc, which was the absolute bomb at the time. I have scars from that time, especially my shins and elbows from "rat-trap" pedals (early bikes when we were poor) and from nasty spills. It was knarly, Dude! Davy

That sucks. Is that normal? Why the 2 month delay? You'd think they could find a transporter to ship it sooner... Davy

Eric, good going on moving the date to June 30th for the deadline. I think the extra time will result in better participation and higher quality models. I look forward to seeing all the entries Davy

Jon, I have confidence in you as a racer and in your car BUT, this time...be prepared to give up the car. Your probability of winning this entire thing just got a whole lot worse. It is possible to win, but not necessarily probable. This is like doing PINKs again and again and again and then finally winning at the end of all the eliminations, plus handicaps everytime you win! That's crazy in my opinion. I know you'll have just as much of a chance as the next guy, but time after time after time? I think a coin flip will give you better odds. How many times can you flip it and make it come up heads consistently? Probability says only 50% of the time without a handicap no less. I'm sure you already thought this all out, but I had to say it because I have only what they've stated to you above. I guess that's not all the information and you probably have more, but I'd like to see some liability or big money cash prize on their part. To me, reality TV cashes in on other people's misery or happiness without giving them anything in return. Anyway, that's my take on it and I will certainly be rooting for you regardess and hope that you take the win each time. I hope you win the whole thing and take home all those race cars. Good luck! Davy

Mike, if I can swing the deal with the company, I'll do it. I have been researching properties and maaaaaan, can you buy something great over here for the money. As an added bonus, we'll be closer to family out here too. Would have been great seeing you again after all these years at MSA in '01(?) I'll try to catch you when I'm in VA again. Brad, no sweat, life happens. A couple of the guys were in Europe as well. Heck, I'd have chosen Europe over me anytime! Davy

Car looks super, Guy, even with only primer on it. What color choice did you finally decide on? Davy

Yes. You could register the car as an "alternative fuel vehicle" and that would probably exempt the car from any emissions testing thereafter, despite the supercharger sticking out of the hood, etc. That's my theory anyway. There is a member from OZ that posted a wicked looking motor a while back and it was a serious LP V8 engine for his Z car. The TB was bizzare looking if I remember the picture correctly. Davy

I was under the assumtion that this was true and was, in fact, told it was this way. Maybe it's different??? I looked at the forms that Stealth-Z posted and it appears that you can get the ownership record. Davy

I wanted to thank Mike kZ and all the rest of the Georgia bunch who made the trek out to Norcross for the meet. It was great meeting all of you: Mike K, Ryan, Warren, Glenn, Charlie & wifey, Ernie (?) (I'm forgetting names already and probably got a few wrong, but it's the thought that counts). Mike, Ryan, and Charlie brought their Z cars despite the forecast for rain, but the weather was good and the company was even better Nice to feel so welcomed by a great bunch of people who have a great sense of community and a passion for cars. Davy

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=118865 The guy we have contacted on the zilvia forums has been good to deal with. It'll cost more to send to Finland, but it'll be better than dealing with your no-so-fast friends. Davy

Haha! Stony, Ross is in Canada, which is a foreign country By definition, it's "international." Davy

Yes, that's very similar to the Shelby Series 1 hood I want to do. The GT40esque hood is very cool and Terry has one of the best. Yours looks pretty good too. Did you use mostly MDF or foam for the design. It almost looks like *gasp* wood!?! Davy

BAAHAHAHA! Yes, that's so true! Being the flagman isn't really cool in reality, it's racing that is... Davy Wait, it's winning that is!!

Milan as in Italy? Life is good if that's the case! Davy

I can think of a few possibilities: 1) deals are made ahead of time that they'll give back the other's rides after the show, regardless of who wins 2) no one likes Rich 3) every show has a lifespan; this one has expired 4) no one takes Rich seriously 5) people aren't so sure they want to possibly lose their car now that the show is common and not "new" anymore 6) everyone makes fun of Rich 7) the show is basically the same every time -- people should race for (big) money more often, not necessarily for the cars, although it might be illegal in some states to do that. Maybe they could race for children, dogs, wives, etc (make those stakes high). 8) people are hating Rich 9) People are tired of Rich 9) Rich is one dimensional 10) Rich speaks in a monotone 11) Rich needs hair (and I do too) 12) Rich Rich Rich That's my take on the show anyway. Davy