On Nov. 17, 2009, Earth will pass through the 1466 stream again, but this time closer to the center. Based on the number of meteors observed in 2008, Vaubaillon can estimate the strength of the coming display: five hundred or more Leonids per hour. The times provided are optimal view hours for PST, but the Leonid Meteor shower may last up to two days so there may be other times for optimal viewing.

Start Time: Monday, November 16, 2009 at 11:00pm (dm Bike crew field trip?)
End Time: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 4:00am

Ever start a job and realize you dont have the right tools? Of course you have. As have I… especially last night while trying to put on the Kouki front bumper. The rear bumper wasn’t really a problem although I did break a ratchet. The front on the other hand, was an absolute pain in the ass. And, ultimately, it won the battle.

In order for the Kouki bumper to fit, you have to remove the USDM bumper support. Easy right? Wrong. The 6 bolts holding the support on are 25 years old and have become VERY stubborn during those 25 years. Even after acquiring a new set of stronger sockets, breaker bar and dousing them in PB Blaster, the bolts still would not come out. So that leaves me with two options. Get a hold of a impact wrench or just drill/cut them out. I will win this battle one way or another “Mr. PITA” bolt.

There was an upside to this fiasco though. While taking the headlight out, I noticed a slight wiring issue. All three were exposed and touching.

Hopefully I can get a hold of some tools this weekend and get the bumper support off.

I was getting tired of looking at all the stickers on the rear quarter window so I made a few changes.
Thanks to Voodoo Garage for the Studio Rhoad stickers and Slide Style for the windshield banner. <3

Took a trip to Holly Springs, MS this past weekend for Traction Optional’s “Tribute To Muscle” practice event. Being there on business (Drift411 provided the insurance for the event) I didn’t take the Corolla with me. However, my good buddy Jerry Farabee let me take his SR powered S14 out for a few passes. Here’s a couple of clips from those passes.
Thanks again to Jerry for letting me thrash his car and to Traction Optional for putting together one hell of an event.

This past weekend Amanda and I made our way to Holy Springs, MS for Traction Optionals “Tribute To Muscle” practice event. We, Drift411, provided the insurance for the event so my roll was to stand in as more of a safety stewart, thus, the Corolla sat this one out.

Although we had the weekend all planned out and were ready for the trip, work threw a monkey wrench into our plans. SEMA is this week so I had to spend a few extra hours at work Friday night to help get everything ready for the XS Power SEMA booth. By the time I was finished it 10pm Friday night. The TO event was slated to start at 6am the next morning. So we ened up driving all night to get there in time. We finally arrived at Jerry and Michelle’s place at 5am where I was able to catch about 30mins of sleep. It didn’t help much though since I was all doped up on energy drinks and candy. Never the less, it was worth it. The Traction Optional crew made my job very easy and put together a great event at a great venue. As a matter fact, they did so well, the venue owner was extremely impressed by how well organized the event was and how professional everyone was. He ultimately gave them an open invitation to return anytime they wanted. And he would cover them under the venue’s track insurance! With the closing of Memphis Motorsports Park, this is a HUGE relief to the TO drivers and crew. Congrats fellas!

All in all we had a great time. The weather was perfect. The venue was perfect. Everything just flowed. Im really looking forward to going back. Hopefully with the Corolla this time.

Ive included a small gallery of pictures that I took below. But you can catch a whole slew of pics on the TO Forum.

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Its was this time one year ago that our dmggmasd event to the drift community by storm. In honor of that event, Andy pieced together some of Will’s footage into this gem. But keep in mind this video doesn’t display the typical drift event antics. Instead it really focuses on what the dmggmasd event was really about….. friends and keeping drifting fun. Enjoy.

Put down your croquet mallets, Make sure your slacks are pressed proper. Tuck your double-windsor beneath your sweater-vest, and join me for a toast. A toast to what may be the greatest soiree to ever grace a private racetrack… EVER. Never mind the posh locale and upscale attendees. Look past the dress-code and fashion-forward attitude displayed with arrogance. This members-only event rivals lavish country-club galas and exclusive Ivy-league reunion brunches.

This ‘drift’ video is my attempt to take a different approach by focusing on what makes events like these so special: the people.

All footage shot by Will Roegge.
willroegge.com

Cuts & colour by Andy Sapp.
andysapp.com

Family vibe by DriftMechaniks.
driftmechaniks.com

Its Halloween this weekend, however, I wont be dressing up or going trick-or-treating. Instead, I’ll be heading to Holly Springs, MS. Drift411/NASA is providing the insurance for the event which means I’ll be there as more of a safety stewart than a driver. So, unfortunently, the Corolla will be sitting this one out. Never the less, Im still really stoked about getting another chance to hang out with the T.O. crew. Especially since there’s is going to be a Halloween after party.

You guys have a good, safe weekend. I’ll have pics/vids up on the site sometime early next week.

I still haven’t been able to get my hands from Day One’s footage. So rather than waiting I went ahead and put together a quick edit from Day Two’s activities. Its kinda long (22mins), in case you want to skip ahead the 10:30 mark is fairly entertaining. Creepy hillbilly on the loose! And the best driving/run is towards the end at the 16:00 mark.

Got the rear Kouki bumper on. Ive always heard that USDM bumpers weighed a lot but DAMN! It was like removing a small elephant from the rear of the car.
Next on the list is to install the front Kouki bumper. Then install the XS Power D680 battery behind the passenger seat.
Tail Of The Dragon run with Amanda tomorrow.

Here’s a quick peek at the SEMA backdrop I designed for XS Power. Keep in there’s still plastic wrap around it to protect it during transport. If you are going to be at SEMA, but sure to stop by the booth and shake our hand.
On a more personal note, I’ll keep my opinions to myself as to how I think it turned out.