JLarson's build thread

[JLarson]

We made our way back in time for the start of the car show and parked beside the field. Walked up to the vendor area, and spent some time talking with Hotrodz about his incredible car. Met the guys from Fast Intentions. Great group of people!

We stopped by the Soho table too, talking a bit with them about their single turbo kit. Turns out, they can custom fab something for the G37x sedan to get around the transfer case... intriguing!

[JLarson]

Our quest at that point was to locate Madwi's car. I wanted to see that bad boy in person! So we made our way up the hill towards the main lodge, and happened to bump into the whole group. Rusty and Zoren showed off their rides. Rusty's custom fabrication is just as impressive in person as it is in his thread.

Madwi's car is similarly excellent, with a lot of attention to detail, especially in the carbon fiber add-ons. I was so impressed I forgot to take a picture I did manage to find JC Hammond in the wild, as well as Spooler, before we headed back down to the car show.

[JLarson]

These cars are stock, right?

[JLarson]

More car pr0n. The custom water bottle setup in pic 5 is interesting.

[JLarson]

The whipple supercharger setup was on display, picture 2. I hear it's a powerhouse!

[JLarson]

The weather abruptly cleared, and we're talking bright sun and heat! Madwi, EastWest, Memphis370 and I decided to take a run at the dragon behind a pack of GT-Rs.

Madwi already posted one great shot of his car with mine; attached is a shot of Madwi and EW, and a shot of my car on its way back.

As for my impressions on the dragon - wow. This was my first real test of my car, and my driving, on anything substantial. We just don't really have roads like this at home, though navigating traffic on I95 has its own challenges... Anyway, the first run through, EW did a great job leading us, and it let me start getting the idea of how to handle my car. I rapidly found that what my car could handle was way higher than I was capable of handling as a driver. Even with (mostly) stock suspension components, my 370 was impressive.

We stopped at a turn around most of the way through, let vehicles and drivers cool down, and then headed back with Memphis taking point. Following him was a challenge! He drove like a bat out of hell, but with perfect and precise control. I did what I could to keep up, but after slowing down at one of those scenic overlooks to avoid people walking in the road, I lost him entirely until he pulled over to wait. The ride back pushed my skills to the limit. Awesome. Would absolutely do it again. My heart rate was high enough my FitBit logged the drive as exercise.

[JLarson]

After the finale and raffle give away that evening (digressing for a moment... this was honestly the low point of the whole event. It seemed like the organizers were poorly organized and easily distracted. I guess I'm just surprised that after so many years, it's still a little rocky) we said our goodbyes out on the deck, and headed out for an anniversary dinner at a nearby lodge recommended by Rusty and his wife. The name of this lodge escapes me. Edit: Tapaco Lodge I think?

On the way down, a young gentleman in a boosted Z urged me forward at great speed; the drive for food was definitely more aggressive than I'm accustomed to. My wife was a champion co-pilot throughout.

The inn location was beautiful! Right down beside the water. The sounds of nature mingling with the gentle roar of modified Z cars cruising nearby Now that's tranquility.

We wrapped up the evening by following a questionable gps signal through back roads in the mountains to our AirBnB location. At a few points I was seriously wondering where we'd end up, but turned out ok. Did the drive home the next day. Spotted 1 guy trailoring his Z on the way back, and had an obligatory stop at Golden Corral for a food orgy and carb coma.

[Memphis370Z]

Originally Posted by JLarson

The weather abruptly cleared, and we're talking bright sun and heat! Madwi, EastWest, Memphis370 and I decided to take a run at the dragon behind a pack of GT-Rs.

Madwi already posted one great shot of his car with mine; attached is a shot of Madwi and EW, and a shot of my car on its way back.

As for my impressions on the dragon - wow. This was my first real test of my car, and my driving, on anything substantial. We just don't really have roads like this at home, though navigating traffic on I95 has its own challenges... Anyway, the first run through, EW did a great job leading us, and it let me start getting the idea of how to handle my car. I rapidly found that what my car could handle was way higher than I was capable of handling as a driver. Even with (mostly) stock suspension components, my 370 was impressive.

We stopped at a turn around most of the way through, let vehicles and drivers cool down, and then headed back with Memphis taking point. Following him was a challenge! He drove like a bat out of hell, but with perfect and precise control. I did what I could to keep up, but after slowing down at one of those scenic overlooks to avoid people walking in the road, I lost him entirely until he pulled over to wait. The ride back pushed my skills to the limit. Awesome. Would absolutely do it again. My heart rate was high enough my FitBit logged the drive as exercise.

Glad I got to meet y'all, and thanks so much for letting me join y'all for a run up and down the Dragon. I had a blast and look forward to doing it again next May!