mr.coupe

Thought I would share what started out as a risky and random idea...to becoming probably one the greatest opportunity's of our lives

Well about a week ago the car was just sitting in the shop with the first ls1 we had in there that spun a bearing at Import Alliance 2010 back in July...until I got a phone call.

It was Blane Burnett of Holley performance in bowling green, kentucky...thanks to Tennessee Drift's Barry Clapp...he contacted us about doing a drift demo for Holley's ls fest at Beech bend raceway. We talked for awhile and then I got with the rest of the team and we started scrambling to find a new motor...swap it in..and make it to the event which was less than a week away.

Luckily we found a 98 ls1 long block that we scooped up for cheap from about an hour from our shop...it had been sitting in a garage for 9 years so we were unsure on weather it would be good or not...we put it in that same night...cranked right up first try and we proceeded to Carma performance in Nashville where Brad Mayo was going to work his magic on the dyno.



After having to retune the ecu completely due to a crappy pre-tune from a company we shall leave un-named...we got the car back thursday night and started cleanin it up for the event...and putting more stickers on Thanks again to Brad at Carma for all the work he put into the car!!!!!!!





We arrive at 6:45pm on saturday night to bowling green for our drift demo only to see everyone leaving dude to weather...our driver Nick Thomas still goes out and runs around the track a bit...enough to have Holley really wanting us to come back on Sunday. We agree to be back in the morning and head back to Nashville for the night.



The next morning we arrive and are still having clutch issues...the car won't even get into gear...the only way nick can drive it is with rev-matching and slamming it into gear...without Nick being the amazing driver he is...this would be a lost cause....but the worst thing you can tell Nick is that he can't do something..because believe me...he will find a way.




We take the car out and Nick lays down a whole mess of smoke with the Ceo of Holley's son Chad Tomlinson out for the first session...and leme tell you...he was the happiest 16 year old I've ever seen....and I believe hes officially hooked on drifting







With another stroke of luck...Nick ran into Horsepower TV's host Joe Elmore and during their conversation Nick asks him if he's ever ridden in a drift car. Joe jumps at the idea and next thing we know they are strapping 6 cameras to the car..with 4 more cameramen outside filming whats going on!!

Me on the left...Nick in the middle..with Joe on the right with one of the cameramen.





Nick helping with camera positions




filming Mike nacarato putting on some new rubber



Nick getting his interview by Joe







Nick and the Horsepower TV crew ready to go...Joe Elmore riding shotgun for his first ride in a drift car!



Here is a few series of pictures of Nick with Joe...I wish I was in a better spot for pictures!...note the 360's and rodeo drifting





















































And heres some pictures with the President of Holley riding shotgun with Nick!
















More pictures I've found




I have to say thank you again to everyone at Holley performance for giving us such an amazing opportunity...this was truly a weekend we'll never forget!!! All the all nighters and hard work is finally paying off and we had our chance to shine! I am blessed to have the great group of friends and family that make up what Track.One is all about! Horsepower TV is airing the episode with a special drifting segment all about nick and the car in november! I'll keep everyone updated on when its airing! We will be working with Holley and Horsepower TV alot in the future....as well as all of our other sponsors and support its only going up from here! Stay tuned!!! You'll be seeing a lot more of us!!!

Heres one video of Nick tearing it up!!

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Modified by mr.coupe at 4:04 PM 9/14/2010

cannan

That's pretty badass!! Good thing you guys didn't pass up that opportunity.

SikhCiviC

Congrats.

mar778c

iTrader: (1)

congrats for having fun.

mr.coupe

thanks guys!!

heres another video of our driver nick!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7X0J6WcrRo&sns=fb

ZTwentyH8

lulz at the first "business" in your sig.

mr.coupe

yeah I'm just gonna leave this here



thanks everyone! we had a blast!

ZTwentyH8

How cute.

Weak!EG

Congrats Mike!.. glad to see everything is going great!

lub

nice.

mr.coupe

Thanks guys! it was one hell of a weekend

1Jackleg

Looks like fun and seems you put on a good show for everyone. I'm sure the Horsepower TV guys wouldn't have even blinked at that Nissan if it was SR powered. They'll drool all over a 300 hp LS1 but will laugh at a 600 hp 4 cyl... At least that's the way it seems on the show.

mr.coupe

yeah they wouldn't have even let us in the event! haha..the only way to a car in was to have it ls powered lol.

After talking with the ceo of holley and horsepower tv alot about how the import car in alot of ways in our generations muscle car they want to work with us alot...as wel as building a car on horsepower tv with them..so we'll see! I'll keep you guys updated..should be interesting what this turns into

JReal

iTrader: (1)

Wow that's really awesome, gratz!

1Jackleg

Nice! I'm sure you guys will let those guys know that not everyone who is into imports is into big wings, fart cans, and flashy BS... There are alot of people out there who are into performance. Congrats and can't wait to hear how everything goes with this.

ZTwentyH8

1.) The LS1 was rated at 350hp from the factory
2.) A 600hp 4 cylinder would be a built motor