Having been cooped up in the house all week, worrying about the job market. I decided to get the hell out of the house this weekend. James has acquired a tow vehicle for the team. It’s an 88 Jeep – Straight 6. It’s been passed around the Subaru family, and now it has a new home. He is painstakingly “restoring” it to a condition that we can use. Tracking down rust with only a battery powered drill, and a sanding block. He has made a great deal of progress on the right side.


So Friday we were driving through Bedford, NH – suddenly James hollered to pull over and turn into a driveway. One of James’ family friends; Bob, was pulling in with his 1954 AC ACE Cobra (The same car Carol Shelby dropped a V8 into, and called the Shelby Cobra.) What a car! I wish I grabbed my camera sooner – as it was quickly covered up in the garage. Bob called us down into the lower floor where he was getting his pre-war AC ready for show on Saturday. He suggested that we come check it out – as the were going to have cars all up and down Elm Street. James and I looked puzzled at each other. I have never heard of this car show – and they block off Elm Street to do it?! Sure – we’ll be there!


Saturday morning I checked out the event on the web, and found out that any car can enter the event with a small donation. When we arrived we found just that – every type of car. From a 1990 Monte Carlo to an old Gremlin. Street racers, bikes, show cars, street cars. We picked out a few diamonds in the rough. A real (not a replica) 1967 GT500 with Mr. Shelby’s signature on the dash. Simply an awesome looking restoration. A 1954 E Type Jaguar. A ton of TR6’s, etc. They did in fact close off all of Elm Street. I’m keeping this event in mind for next year – a great place to show off sponsors, and answer the newbie rally questions – “What is that?!”


Later that afternoon. We went to work outside on the cars. I finally got my tach installed, and hooked up to the right signal wire. (grey wire – blue stripe off the ECU/PCM) It’s ghetto big – but it does the job. “Hey that’s the smallest ‘large’ tach they make.” The rev limiter is at a blistering power dropping 6500RPM’s. I’ve been shifting the car by ear at 6000 (where it runs out of steam) So I will continue to do so. I got the name stickers on the car too – they look great, and James is probably still weirded out by having his name on a car.


That night we headed down to Worcester, MA. for a Dodge Neon SRT-4 Meet. Even though it was raining we still got a good turnout of 5 SRT-4’s, a WRX, and us. Considering the car has only been out for a few months, and the Neon board is no where as busy as the Subaru boards. We had dinner, shot the shit, scared people downtown, and graciously left after the 2nd lap of revving blow off valves. ^_^;


Sunday: Sean, Andrew, James and I went to an autocross in the NHIS lot. Andrew was testing out his new transmission. I was getting a feel for the car now that the cage is in. The car is now neutral. With more LFB (Left Foot Braking) practice, I know I can get that car to do some amazing sideways maneuvers without pulling the handbrake, or plowing off the course. Also got to see my first WRX STi at an autocross – what a beast. Big thanks to James again for running back home, and grabbing the video gear. I will at some point get video up. I’m a few behind. The motor swap video is useless – except for the comic relief. The TSD Rally video just needs to be posted somewhere.


So, I’m in much better spirits. I have some job prospects. The universe is going to cut me a break, and we’re going rallying this November! – Kris





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