Category Archives: Cars

Inside the massive shed. Impressive, right?! Super clean, nicely themed and those 3 screens on the left are where you sign in.

Signing in on the touch screens was nice and easy.

Rob and Sean looking out. Check out that undulation! The hill is where they intend to make the race track for cars (I think!).

Soon we were ushered out to the waiting area outside and greeted by our mugs on the big screen. Scotty’s mug is missing as he was late, though he did end up making it just as we were ready to go (staff kindly let him sign on quickly and join us!).

Berty and I ready to rock.

BRAND NEW KARTS! Scroth harnesses, so good, love the number too ;)

Results from our 2nd session. We did 3 10 minute sessions ($75). The first was a warm-up, the 2nd we did time attack and the third we had a race.

Best times from the day after our second session.

Race 3 saw Berty take the win, Brad in second and Sean in third!

Berty Ah!

Winner winner chicken dinner.

Then we were off the the pub. 2 jugs of Asahi, please!

BJ’s all round (well… that’s what the restaurant in the pub was called).

Today Rob and Sean from Motor Culture treated Berty, myself, Brad and Beau from Heasman Steering and Scotty Mitchell to a karting sesh out at the brand new Luddenham Raceway in Luddenham.

Luddenham was super easy to get to for me. Just hop on the M5, M7 then literally one road and you’re there. The facilities are great, the karts are awesome and the track is pretty cool too with up and downhill sections, a couple of fast chicanes and a really tricky (and crucial) last corner.

Was an awesome day out but unfortunately the staff were a little too trigger happy with giving out black flags (which means you have to leave the race and go through pitt lane). Every single one of us got a black flag at some point, and for absolutely nothing at all. No other karting place we’ve ever been to to date has been this strict, but we assume they’re just really precious about their new karts.

For more info, visit: http://www.luddenhamraceway.com

First up, a quick pressure clean. Dave has a workshop these days, but used to run a mobile business. Just for me, like old times, he came out to do the detail at my place and I’m really thankful for that.

Wheels then got some lovin.

And the whole car was hand washed.

Dave masked off a test area so see how bad the swirl marks were. It turns out it really wasn’t as bad as I had suspected, and that only one pass was needed in order to get it back to tip top shape.

Dave masking off all plastics.

That Reflect Effect magic, it’s happening!

Almost ready for Autorush. Photos of the car at the show to come!

The day before Autorush Car Show I thought I’d get my GT-R detailed by the best in the business. Dave, from Reflect Effect. Dave last detailed my GT-R 4 years ago (!). Sure, it’s been garaged a lot of the time over the past 4 years, but my garage by the beach doesn’t keep the salt out, and for a few years it was at Zen Garage, covered in dust daily, which was swept off with whatever resembled a rag on most weekends. It’s also seen a few of shows and track days too and I’ve basically never really washed it in the past 4 years yet I still had water bead hard on the paint’s surface.

The car should be good for another few years! Beware of young detailers who have only recently set up shop. If you want it done properly I highly suggest you contact Dave, the guy’s a champ, both his personality, and the amazing work he does.

Reflect Effect
2B Bourke St
North Parramatta NSW 2151
(02) 8677 4345
http://www.reflecteffect.com.au

Early starts and late nights. I’m beyond exhausted, and finally in my own bed. I’ve spent the last 2 nights at Ved’s place, as we’ve been busy with Autorush Car Show at The Dome in Sydney Olympic Park. You can check out my coverage on Zen Blog: http://www.zengarage.com.au/2014/12/autorush-2014

Inception! Berty shooting Scotty shooting Sarah!

Berty and Scotty (with an a7S even!) at work.

Love how the Zen Stand lit up tonight!

A shot from Mitch’s drone. I counted over 1000 cars, easy!

It’s 1.17AM and I’m still up, surging, maybe because I had one too many coffees at Brewristas earlier today with Alain as well as Pauline and Mark from Red Lantern Restaurants (I’m usually a one coffee a day guy). Or maybe it’s because the rain held off at the JDMST EOYM tonight and my gamble to go with my gut paid off with over 1000 cars coming out to play!

The forecast a week out was thunderstorms for Monday night. Earlier today BOM had issued a severe weather warning. 70% chance of rain out West became 80% later in the day. My phone was going CRAZY with SMS messages and messenger messages asking if the meet was going ahead or not. I also had some suggestions to postpone the meet, some suggestions came from really level headed people too, which I admit, started to sway me from listening to my gut. But hey, I’m the luckiest guy alive and my gut said it wasn’t going to rain, and too right, it didn’t rain! Not a single drop!!!

What an awesome meet. All the doubters missed out (as usual), so too all those who complained about the meet being held on a Monday night (seriously, it’s not a rave, or pub crawl?! Not like you’d be late for work the next day, or hung over?! It’s just 3hrs in a car park!!! I can’t see the difference between going to a car meet, or, say… dinner out?!). JDMST EOMM’s are back, baby! Here’s to a meet a month in 2015!!!

Welcome!

In Ya Get.

Yew!

The Cliff to Coast Feature is now live on Zen Blog (with Ved’s photography and my commentary). Visit: http://www.zengarage.com.au/2014/11/cliff-to-coast-911-drive-day/

A few weeks ago I got an invite from Gavin Little of Cliff to Coast Sports Car Drives to come out and enjoy a day of driving 911’s through the twisties. He also asked me to extend the invite to Pauline Nguyen, which I did, and it all came together yesterday; A glorious day of spirited driving with a diverse fleet of 911’s and just as diverse and interesting people to enjoy the day with.

Ved came along as well, so look out for a full feature on Zen Garage Blog soon. I only rattled off a few shots (as I was too busy driving, and chatting!), so for now, enjoy my thoughts on the various cars I got to drive (I’ve excluded the Boxster as I failed to take a photo of it, but hey let’s face it… I was here for the 911’s!).

For more info, visit: http://www.driveporsches.com.au

Pauline and I were a little late due to horrible morning traffic, but hey, we made it!!! This is what greeted us when we got to Cliff to Coast Sports Car Drives which is situated in a business complex in Helesnburgh.

Gavin introduced us to the other people participating on the drive day with us. He made an effort to make sure it was going to be an interesting group of people, and too right we all got along really well throughout the day! The first car I got to drive was the 993, such a gorgeous shape. To my surprise it was auto! The auto held gears fine, but it just didn’t do it for me. The weighted assisted steering though, it’s to die for. The brake pedal needed serious muscle too, got to love old school! If this 993 was a manual it would have been my fave car of the day no doubt (would be so nice with a bit more sound too, would be perfect!).

Walkie talkies were used so Gavin could announce turn-offs and other important information whilst we were driving.

First stop: Brekkie at Cliff Hangar Cafe (I suggest the scones with cream and jam!).

Pauline and the 997. The 997 was the fastest of the bunch, plenty of grunt down low and just so comfortable and easy to drive. A bit detached for my liking, but would definitely make a very good everyday car.

Lunch and beers stop at Burrawang Hotel (which was really lovely!).

Next up was the black 996 (turbo body but unfortunately not a turbo!) which had aftermarket wheels, exhaust and a more aggressive alignment.

Suede steering wheel inside was the bomb and this car was my fave on the day in the twisties for sure, super planted, more sound and more feel.

A few months ago I was offered $50k for my R32 GT-R. Biggest offer to date so I sincerely thanked the guy who made the offer. It was a decent one which had me in a spin for a night, but I kindly refused.

The last few weeks I’ve had an offer of $37k for my R32 Golf. I’ve been in a spin about it every day since.

I did intend to sell it a little while back (I even put it up on carsales) for a classic 70’s 911, which I had always planned to get when I turn 40 (next May!), but the 911 dream is dead, mainly because they’ve just become a bit too “trendy” for my liking.

I love both cars too much. The Golf has been the perfect daily for me. It’s loud and angry when I want it to be, and at the press of a button it’s silent and can easily sit 4 full sized adults, has great audio and leather interior (heated seats! So good in winter). It’s mostly invisible to the authorities (full engineers cert helps) and when I’m in it and a C63 pulls up next to me at the lights I don’t wish I was in the GT-R (which has been the case with many of my previous daily drivers).

So I’ve been chewing on this great offer for my Golf, and this morning I thought I’d wash the car. After touching it (lol), and seeing it clean I’ve made my mind up! Nope, she’s not for sale! Haha (cool story bro?).