I headed up to Beech Bend Raceway Saturday to shoot some cars, and get face to face with some of the local cars showing there skills at the track.
Here’s what I came home with.
This was quite unfortunate. While me and my buddy went to lunch this beautiful car got turned into what you see above. From what I was told he blew a head gasket at the 1/8th mile mark and slipped in his own fluid’s at 100mph.
After the Tennespeed guys finished up their track session. We hung around for the evening races.
A friend of my buddy, Monty, brought up his ‘69 Chevelle. It is a full steel car with a big block under the hood. It ran 11’s and was a blast to watch.
That’s about it. 
A car known to the Nashville Scene for quite some time. One of the first turbo cars I can remember seeing up close and personal a couple years back. Tiger ran the Civic with a Rev Hard Kit on the Stock K20A3 up until this summer when he felt the need for more boost.
Full Size here.
So the upgrades arrived and he went to work. Tiger purchased a K20A2 out of a totalled RSX Type S to massage into his built block, but soon found out that it was cracked and would have to find an alternative route. Another K20A3 was sourced, then disassemble and stuffed with Eagle Rods, Wiseco 9:1 86.5mm pistons. He then put the Type-S head to work, installing Supertech valvesprings and retainers. Before mating the block and head he freshened up the bottom end with the essentials; OEM bearings/gaskets, and mated the two parts together using ARP headstuds. Soon after the real fun began. Tiger chose to go with a Full Race Turbo Kit, which included a T3/60-1 turbo, top mount manifold with HPC coating, Tial 44mm wastegate to keep boost under control, and a 50mm Tial blow off valve, and a huge front mount intercooler.
To feed the engine he purchased an AFI fuel rail, RC1000cc injectors, and an Aeromotive fuel pressure regulator. While a Golden Eagle vacuum manifold tidies the engine bay up. To assist in delivering the pressurized air and large amounts of fuel Tiger purchased a RBC intake Manifold and Karcepts adapter. While a NGK AFX wideband keeps an eye on air to fuel ratios.
To help keep the Honda planted to the ground TigerBallZ utilized the stock SI transmission fitted with a WaveTrac limited slip differential, to make sure the power got to the ground through both wheels. Speaking of wheels he went with a new set of Buddy Club P1 SF Challenge in 17×7, for daily duty, in white to give the car a white on white theme. Bringing the SI to a stop are EBC Redstuff pads and 3GD cross drilled rotors on all four corners. He also added TechnaFit Brake and clutch lines to giv him a firm pedal.
After getting the car assembled Tiger headed to Trackmasters in Huntsville, AL to get the car tuned. After a few pulls the car put down an impressive 450hp/283ft. lbs. at 18psi. On September 6th TigerBallz will be heading to Bowling Green, KY to run the car in the 1/4 mile at Beech Bend. He is hoping for mid 11’s, best of luck.
A special thanks for the awesome birthday that my girlfriend, Tiffany, gave me last Sunday. A little overdue, but I am sure you understand. Best cheesecake ever.
I love you!
I was told I could show a teaser. So here it is.
It will be in S3 magazine soon, I was told to expect it in the December issue hopefully.
Yesterday was pretty awesome. James and I shot a car that is to be featured in S3 Magazine, hopefully.
Unfortunately I am unable to show the pictures to the public as of right now until the car is featured which could be until December.
I can show to shots of the backgrounds. Perhaps you can use your imagination.
The lighting was awesome and the car really popped off the sky.
After taking the photographs of the car I headed to Union Hill, to Music City Raceway to practice getting some shots of the racing.
All and all a pretty good Saturday, and a beautiful one at that. The weather was excellent. It was great to have so many variables come into play.
A little trip I have been planning for a few weeks. I was scheduled to cover Traction Optional’s Drag and Drift event. It was fun to get out of Nashville for a little bit, and see a race track I haven’t been to yet. The guys over at T.O. put on a great show, even with the blazing heat. With the mercury rising to 116, we were sweating our asses off. I ventured up there with Chad and Matt, they were my sidekicks for the event.
Saturday Afternoon we packed up and headed from Nashville to Memphis strapped down and ready for a 4 hour ride. We met up in West Nashville with some fellow Tennspeeder’s then hit the road. I must say, I-40 from here to there was the most boring ride ever. Nothing between but Jackson, and if you blink you pretty much miss it. I did like the bridge as we crossed the Tennessee River, very scenic out there, i’ll have to put that on my road trip list.
Once in Memphis we checked in at our hotel unloaded, and talked with the crew. James had already gotten there, hitching a ride with some guys earlier in the day to beat the hot ride down there. James was also helping me cover the event, and was Yoshi’s Pit Crew.
After meeting up and unloaded we headed to Chang’s Bubble Tea Cafe, great food. I had flash backs of being in Dallas last year about the same time. Dallas has all kinds of Asian Places to eat just like this one. It was nice to get some good asian food since moving back to Tennessee.
I cruised the parking lot and took a few snapshots, and talking to the drivers for Sunday’s event trying to get a feel of what to expect. Everyone was really nice.
After the sun set I dragged a few cars back to the parking lot near the Cafe to shoot a few strobed pictures. Unfortunately we were having problems with the strobes fireing consistantly, so I made due with what I had, the pictures are my best work. I am happy with them though.
The heat really started getting to us that night so we packed up and headed back to the room and chilled out to get ready for the event Sunday.
Early Sunday morning came quickly, Yoshi gave the room a knock at 6am to get us going. Then we hit the road and headed for the motorsports park. It was about a 15 minute drive out there. Upon arriving we had to wait in line for the gates to open so I took advantage and took a better look at the cars driving.
Shortly after waiting, the gates opened and we got ready for the picture taking and the drivers got ready to hit the track sideways. After everyone had there tech inspection, a drivers meeting took place and from there the Photographers were told our set of rules for the day. Then we did a warmup lap and got ready to go.
I need to give some props to this guy for trying to mount his tires with the starting fluid trick. Not sure if he ever got it, but it made for some cool pictures.
There was no shortage of sideways action, all of the cars participating did an excellent job of putting on a show. And there were no major accidents for the day, which was good considering the turnout of drivers present.
After being on the track for nearly 8 hours we decided to pack it up and call it a day. All and all a great time and I look forward to the next event for sure. Again a special thanks to Traction Optional for doing the event and giving me the chance to cover it for them.
« Previous Entries
