New Toyo Proxes R1R

I knew the tires were getting worn and would probably need replacing soon..

To my surprise, they were really worn! With only about 1 year and 8,500 km on the car, i didn't expect the tires to be worn down to the point where the steel belts were showing through!

I suppose a few track days can really put alot of wear on your tires.

The rears were not too bad, but looks like the front tires really took a beating.

Uncanny timing, I recently got an email from a buddy and he said that he had some really good prices on the Toyo Proxes R1R. I was originally planning on upgrading from the Bridgestone Potenza RE-55's to a set of the Potenza RE-11s.. but, the Toyo's seemed to be pretty popular right now and the price is very compelling.

the S2000 has staggered tire sizes, the fronts are 215/45R17 while the rears are 245/40R17. So much for being able to rotate tires..

ah.. i forgot, next week, I have an appointment to take the car to Autobacs ASM in Yokohama.. They are going to inspect the Aragosta Shocks and do an alignment.

I am much happier now that the tires are sorted out. I'm looking forward to getting out to the track sometime soon.

If anybody needs Toyo Proxes, contact Derek.. i'm sure he can take care of you.

Autobacs ASM Aragosta Suspension

sorry, this post is under construction

but you might enjoy some of the pics in the mean time.

Autobacs ASM Aragosta Suspension

Fronts - 1way adjustable
Rears - 2-way adjustable with remote tank
HYPERCO Springs

Front Left side

Rear Rightside

Right rear side.. can see the double Hypercoil springs

Final Step...doing the alignment

Let the MODS begin!

With nearly 500 kilometers on the odometer.. I got Fuji Speedway planned for tomorrow morning.. (should have another 100 kilometers by the time i get to fuji)

Since I am just got back today from London.. I figured that would be plenty of time to get my sway bar that I kept from my AP1 installed on the new AP2.

I started about 9pm, and after a couple hours, it was all in and working well. I finished up just in time before the rain started..

Here are the two swaybars next to each other.  might be hard to tell from the photo, but the ASM (red color) bar is a bit beefier! 

The change is immediately noticeable!

The Feather king works best at night!

The Feather King is BACK!

After a very long delay.. The Featherking is back!

It has been such a long time since i've made a post, all this will seem like very old news..

For those getting caught up, i decided on getting the Laguna Blue 2008 AP2.

Unfortunately, in 2008 the V-Type is not offered, so i went went the standard model. the S-type seemed a bit too Bling for me.

The 2008 model introduced VSA (Vehicle Stability Assistance) system. This actually works pretty good at keeping the car on the road.. i've tested it on several different occasions..

At times where my AP1 would've surely spun out.. (Meguro-dori on-ramp).. the VSA light on the dash would light up and the car would quietly settle down and just keep on going as if nothing happened..

quite amazing all this computer controlled stuff.

2008 S2000 CR video

I just found a video clip of the new 2008 S2000 CR. The Club Racer (CR) version is what the US version is being called. The Japan version is being called the Type-S.

Here you can see the Gumball Blue color... (which I really dislike).. and it also shows the new interior color scheme that is only available on the Type S (black and yellow).

I don't think the JDM Type-S version comes with the hard cover behind the rear seats.. I think this is a CR option only...

Just for additional confusion.. I believe the CR comes with a hardtop and hard cover (instead of the of soft-top). I believe for weight savings the soft-top and it's mechanisms are removed.. that would explain why in this video, there is a blank space on the center console where the soft-top button would normally be. (left side of center console behind the shifter).

You can clearly see the new front aero design as well as the extremely ugly tail wing... i am happy that i did not order one of these...

take a look for yourself..

Fuji International Speedway Live Action Video #2

I was being followed by Roxy and was caught on his in-car camera.. cool to be able to see myself on the track from behind.

On the last turn before the straight, i go wide and Tom passes me on the inside.. but I am able to overtake again during the straight.. thanks to my newly installed SLD..

You can also see a blue Lotus pass both of us..

enjoy the video!

(more)

Fuji International Speedway Live Action Video #1

This is a short video taken from ground level right on the 1.5 Km front straight at Fuji International Speedway. It was great to be able to get 3 members of SDIJ all together.

The black Cayman is Yoshida-san, the red RX-8 is John, and I am in the Red S2000.

I think john must be around 180km.. (because of the speed limiter).. but I think Yoshida-san and I are closer to 200+km... my top speed on the straight section was 213km..

enjoy the video.