I decided it's about time to write up my history with cars and the life changing events that led me to where I am now. I won't be including every car I've owned, just the ones I feel are related. I won't be posting my wheelers in here unless requested. Don't worry, it'll mostly be pictures.
I grew up living on a one way twisty road through the canyons called Tuna Canyon Rd in a small hippy town nestled between Santa Monica and Malibu named Topanga. This was the road that I had to drive to get anywhere, and thus this road inspired my choice in cars. Here's a shot of one of the corners.
Tuna by bedheadben, on Flickr
It all started with my 2002 WRX sedan. I loved that car. It was reliable, looked good, hauled my dirt bike around and got me up to the snow on a regular basis. She never left me stranded. I was boosting 21psi on the stock TD04 and it was just a really fun car to drive. Back then I had no idea what handling really meant.
Then that got me pulled over too much so I switched over to something a little less flashy. Or maybe I just didn't know how to avoid cops yet? I got a 97 Miata that I built to the rules of the Miata Challenge and I competed in the very first event. The Miatas have always been the most fun to drive for me. I ended up selling this one to a good friend of mine who still has it. I still get to drive it every now and then.
Then came my second Suby, an 04 WRX wagon. It had a built motor, 18G, 1" lift and all the other usual mods along with some 15x7 Team Dynamics. I had blown my third trans and I just couldn't afford to keep fixing the car over and over and over. This one was just a lemon and has always had problems.
And then there was the second Miata. It was a 96 M edition and treated me very well right until it sent me on a ride. This car was meant for street class Miata Challenge from the day I got it, unfortunately it didn't even finish our third event, which happened to be the last event of the same season that I started in my first Miata! She was definitely the best set up Miata to date. This is the accident that changed my life and if it weren't for my Hard Dog roll bar, Sparco Sprint V seats and G-Force harnesses I would not be here today. I didn't walk away unscathed though, I have a compressed disk which will be giving me pain for the rest of my life. My helmet made holes in the mud. Nevertheless, Hard Dog still made me pay full price for a new roll bar . I'm sure some of you are familiar with the video of her demise:
Way Back by bedheadben, on Flickr
Then there was the Focus, which was really fun but I couldn't stand FWD and it didn't last very long anyways.
Focus by bedheadben, on Flickr