Last night’s JDMST EOMM was a hit with over 110 cars present. One particular satin black S15 stole the show for me. More pictures and discussion here.

I’ve been haunting Unas for years, the servings have gotten a LOT smaller but it’s just as awesome as ever. I actually finished that meal above, usually I have that same amount to take away because I can’t finish it all.

I strongly suggest going there if you never have. You must order:
Chicken Jaeger Schnitzel
+ Schofferhofer (on tap!)

UNAS – 340 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst 2010, ph: 9360 6885

First Lance, now Schumi!!! I’m so excited, hope he knocks that pussy (excuse the pun) Hamilton off track. More here.

Photography by Mark Pakula.

I’ve not driven the GT-R since January LAST YEAR (Eastern Creek) where it developed a power steering leak.

A series of events since then forced me to give cars a break. Some of it’s got to do with “finishing” the car, the journey, or part of it, was over. It was featured in Auto Salon Magazine which felt climatic. The car drove nothing like it used to around a track and I also went through some pain with my S2000.

I opted out of the scene after selling the S2K and thanks to a new found passion for bicycles I’ve never been so fit and wealthy in my life.

I had always been planning to get back into it, but I wasn’t ever sure when. Sure I felt a little guilty for a few months, but I’m not one to ever let anyone tell me what I should or shouldn’t do so feeling guilty about taking a break never really set in despite some of the comments I’ve heard directly and indirectly.

I did plan on getting the car going again AFTER the house rennovations are over but the house rennovations are taking longer than I thought (surprise surprise) and recently I’ve had a few dreams about the GT-R. At the same time I was thinking about getting a new car as I’ve had just one too many bad Jazz days lately (let’s not go there). I’ve thought of an EVO 9, or a 350Z but then I decided to just get the GT-R going again, and to contemplate getting it street legal so I can drive it without the paranoia of being defected.

That said paranoia has to be the single most important factor for me. I know many of you don’t give a crap about being pulled over in your modified cars but I personally cannot deal with it and I’ve chosen not to.

Initial reactions from co. were to cut my losses and sell the car. But I fucking love my car and I’d never make any money back on it. I’ve put so much into it (on so many different levels) that selling just isn’t a viable option (I’d rather keep it and pass it on to my kids and let them deal with it when the time comes).

So it was a massive shock then when I saw this in my garage:

Almost burried alive.

Yes all that pea sized rubble on the floor was ON the car. Turns out there’s a huge gap in the ceiling above the GT-R and all the construction work going on upstairs has literally fallen onto the car.

I swept most of it off, then filled up the power steering reservoir with fluid, turned the alarm off and turned the key. AMAZINGLY the car started first go!

It took a little while for the power steering to kick back in, and even then it was acting very strange. The car was idling mega lumpy but I managed to reverse it out, hose it down and then without hesitation I thought I’d drive over to Indy’s.

Made it to Indy’s.

The car drove fine, the power was still there but on Foreshore Road I spotted a bright green pursuit car and my heart started pounding. It’s this feeling that I fucking hate. I stepped back into line and shifted down to 1st gear, crawling along hoping the cop car would go through the lights and that I’d be able to catch a yellow. It worked.

I got to Indy’s and after some discussion with Indy, Paul and Zi I’ve decided that I want to de-tune the car.

We’re talking street legal, full engineers certificate (valid one too not some dodgey cert) and whatever it takes to get there. Stock airbox, raise the car, rip out the roll cage, you name it.

I am upset about this, but I am also excited! More news as it comes.

I’ve been having a whole lot of bad Jazz days lately where I feel embarassed for owning it.

Most of the time it’s too slow, playing the fuel game where I aim to get 600km/tank every fill up is getting pretty boring and being bullied from behind is frustrating.

I think I want something that refects my status a little more. Something a little more mature and a lot classier than the Jazz but I don’t want to sacrifice too much comfort.

Jazz traits I love:
– Can fit a lot of shit in it and I don’t give a crap about getting the interior dirty.
– Great on fuel and cheap to insure.
– Don’t give a shit about the exterior so much either, dirt, scratches, dents, bring it on.
– So easy to park in the smallest of small car spaces.
– Auto – ultimate laziness, perfect brainless A-B driving.

Budget for the new car would be around $30-35k and in consideration so far:
– EVO 7 GT-A/8/9

But there are sooo many cars in this price range-ish. IS250/350Z/RX-8/WRX/List goes on.

Any suggestions?

At the end of 2006 Christina was given Chewy, a Siamese Fighting fish, as a present. He initially had a set-up at her place, then he kept Christina company at work (she was working in Saatchi at the Rocks) and since October last year he’s been living on my work table, keeping me company. He’s always been a tiny fish, like the runt of the litter, but he’s always animated, full of energy and super friendly (especially at feeding time!). R.I.P. Chewy 2006-2009. He’ll be sadly missed. :(

The kitchen is coming along nicely and the master bathroom is on the way too.

We’ve knocked down a wall which separated the bathroom from the wardrobe and we’re putting in a skylight to let more natural light in.

Quite a large bathroom now. Walk in shower at the end and the raised surface on the left is for the bath tub.

Doors are on.

All the doors and drawers feature a 45 degree angled lip which allows you to easily get your fingers in there to open. That means no door handles! Super minimalist FTW.

This wall was structural so we had to work the bench around it. Worked out fine me thinks!

Had a race today, same guys as last time (MC Cyclery, Hell on Wheels, where are all the new guys with engine kits?!).

Grant’s beast.

Mine.

I had the Go-Pro too for some video:

More pics here.