STL SCCA Event #9, Oct. 9, 2011 -- Bill -- Run 4 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS, #191 XP
Bill Luton drives the Isuzuperformance 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS.
St. Louis Region SCCA Solo2 Autocross.
St. Charles Family Arena, October 9, 2011, 11:52 AM to 1:15 PM..
Class: X Prepared, Heat: 2, Run: 4, Time: 44.587 seconds.
XP Class Results:
1st Place: Joe Floretta, # 91, 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS, 43.622 seconds (Third Run).
2nd Place: Bill Luton, #191, 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS, 44.255 seconds (Third Run).
As a point of reference, the Blue 2008 Lotus Exige S Cup car (supercharged 240 HP with the AP brake package), which is seen in some of the video footage, was shared by three drivers, two in A Street Prepared class and one in A Street Prepared Ladies class. Two of these drivers are officers in the region club and are very experienced and very talented. The third is a novice who began racing this year. Their best times were 44.615 seconds (ASP Second Place), 51.33 seconds (ASP Fifth Place, Novice), and 46.658 seconds (ASP Ladies First Place).
The event results are posted on the STLSCCA website at:
http://stlsolo.org/sites/default/files/event9fin.html
Joe is a long time friend and fellow racer. He owns and races several cars including a Ford Mustang, a Lotus Europa, and a 2005 Lotus Elise. He is actively involved in both the Ford Mustang and Lotus Car clubs on both the local and national level. Joe has also been an SCCA member and active in autocrossing for at least ten years. Joe has taken the FSP Class Points Championship for the St. Louis Region, with his Ford Mustang, for at least five consecutive years, from 2006 through 2010. He switched to racing his newly purchased Lotus Elise in 2011, normally finishing at the top of the group of locally raced Lotus Elise and Exige cars.
On the Friday before this event,. Joe's Toyota powered Elise was not running smoothly, and he asked to co-drive the Isuzuperformance Isuzu I-Mark RS. This I-Mark is prepped to meet the SCCA Solo2 D Street Prepared Class requirements, but the interior has been removed from the vehicle (due to water damage from previous owner) and it does not have an emergency brake, both of which move the car into Prepared Class. The vehicle has a coilover suspension, Wilwood brake package, header and cat-back Exhaust, aluminum pulleys and flywheel, performance clutch, LSD, and a bone stock 130 HP second generation engine. This I-Mark RS was originally equipped with a "Handling by Lotus" suspension, which was removed and discarded.
http://www.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/feature/blutima.html
http://www.isuzuperformance.com
However, the vehicle has a solid beam or torsion beam rear axle, which puts it at a severe disadvantage against vehicles with independent rear suspension, such as the later Isuzu cars.
This I-Mark has taken the XP Class Points Championship for the St. Louis Region for three consecutive years, from 2008 through 2010. The car will finish Second Place in the region's XP Class Points Championship this year, due to taking the first five events to sort out the redesigned rear suspension setup. There simply were not enough events to win in the second half of the season, to make up the points lost during the first half of the season. For 2011, First Place will be a Factory Five Daytona Coupe driven by the owner, and Third Place will be the same Factory Five Daytona Coupe driven by the co-driver. With Second Place sewn up, the final event of the year became play time, and Joe couldn't have asked to co-drive at a better time.
This event was the first time that Joe had driven an Isuzu made car. This was the first time that Joe had driven (raced) a front wheel drive car. And Joe's first run of the day, timed at a scorching 44.816 seconds, was the first time that Joe had ever driven this car.
Joe's comments captured on the videos, both while he drove and while he rode with the vehicle owner, are quite colorful and telling. Most Lotus Elise and Exige owners know Isuzu only as the engine and drivetrain supplier for the FWD Elan M100, and the Isuzu cars with Lotus Tuned suspension. They do not have a high opinion of the Elan M100 and see Lotus' association with Isuzu cars as a liability to the Lotus image. Joe did not share that opinion before the event, and based on his enthusiastic comments captured in the videos, and the fact that Joe and the vehicle owner beat the time of every Lotus vehicle entered in the event (or rather all three drivers of the premium Exige model entered in the event), Joe became a real fan of the little Isuzu car.
Joe later commented that the car would have easily knock another half second or more off the time, if he knew how to left foot brake, and would be even faster in the hands of a better driver (hint-hint: Andy Hohl).
STL SCCA Event #9, Oct. 9, 2011 -- Bill -- Run 3, 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS, #191 XP
Bill Luton drives the Isuzuperformance 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS.
St. Louis Region SCCA Solo2 Autocross.
St. Charles Family Arena, October 9, 2011, 11:52 AM to 1:15 PM..
Class: X Prepared, Heat: 2, Run: 3, Time: 44.255 seconds.
XP Class Results:
1st Place: Joe Floretta, # 91, 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS, 43.622 seconds (Third Run).
2nd Place: Bill Luton, #191, 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS, 44.255 seconds (Third Run).
As a point of reference, the Blue 2008 Lotus Exige S Cup car (supercharged 240 HP with the AP brake package), which is seen in some of the video footage, was shared by three drivers, two in A Street Prepared class and one in A Street Prepared Ladies class. Two of these drivers are officers in the region club and are very experienced and very talented. The third is a novice who began racing this year. Their best times were 44.615 seconds (ASP Second Place), 51.33 seconds (ASP Fifth Place, Novice), and 46.658 seconds (ASP Ladies First Place).
The event results are posted on the STLSCCA website at:
http://stlsolo.org/sites/default/files/event9fin.html
Joe is a long time friend and fellow racer. He owns and races several cars including a Ford Mustang, a Lotus Europa, and a 2005 Lotus Elise. He is actively involved in both the Ford Mustang and Lotus Car clubs on both the local and national level. Joe has also been an SCCA member and active in autocrossing for at least ten years. Joe has taken the FSP Class Points Championship for the St. Louis Region, with his Ford Mustang, for at least five consecutive years, from 2006 through 2010. He switched to racing his newly purchased Lotus Elise in 2011, normally finishing at the top of the group of locally raced Lotus Elise and Exige cars.
On the Friday before this event,. Joe's Toyota powered Elise was not running smoothly, and he asked to co-drive the Isuzuperformance Isuzu I-Mark RS. This I-Mark is prepped to meet the SCCA Solo2 D Street Prepared Class requirements, but the interior has been removed from the vehicle (due to water damage from previous owner) and it does not have an emergency brake, both of which move the car into Prepared Class. The vehicle has a coilover suspension, Wilwood brake package, header and cat-back Exhaust, aluminum pulleys and flywheel, performance clutch, LSD, and a bone stock 130 HP second generation engine. This I-Mark RS was originally equipped with a "Handling by Lotus" suspension, which was removed and discarded.
http://www.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/feature/blutima.html
http://www.isuzuperformance.com
However, the vehicle has a solid beam or torsion beam rear axle, which puts it at a severe disadvantage against vehicles with independent rear suspension, such as the later Isuzu cars.
This I-Mark has taken the XP Class Points Championship for the St. Louis Region for three consecutive years, from 2008 through 2010. The car will finish Second Place in the region's XP Class Points Championship this year, due to taking the first five events to sort out the redesigned rear suspension setup. There simply were not enough events to win in the second half of the season, to make up the points lost during the first half of the season. For 2011, First Place will be a Factory Five Daytona Coupe driven by the owner, and Third Place will be the same Factory Five Daytona Coupe driven by the co-driver. With Second Place sewn up, the final event of the year became play time, and Joe couldn't have asked to co-drive at a better time.
This event was the first time that Joe had driven an Isuzu made car. This was the first time that Joe had driven (raced) a front wheel drive car. And Joe's first run of the day, timed at a scorching 44.816 seconds, was the first time that Joe had ever driven this car.
Joe's comments captured on the videos, both while he drove and while he rode with the vehicle owner, are quite colorful and telling. Most Lotus Elise and Exige owners know Isuzu only as the engine and drivetrain supplier for the FWD Elan M100, and the Isuzu cars with Lotus Tuned suspension. They do not have a high opinion of the Elan M100 and see Lotus' association with Isuzu cars as a liability to the Lotus image. Joe did not share that opinion before the event, and based on his enthusiastic comments captured in the videos, and the fact that Joe and the vehicle owner beat the time of every Lotus vehicle entered in the event (or rather all three drivers of the premium Exige model entered in the event), Joe became a real fan of the little Isuzu car.
Joe later commented that the car would have easily knock another half second or more off the time, if he knew how to left foot brake, and would be even faster in the hands of a better driver (hint-hint: Andy Hohl).
STL SCCA Event #9, Oct. 9, 2011 -- Joe -- Run 2, 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS, #91 XP (Outside Car)
Joe Floretta drives the Isuzuperformance 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS.
St. Louis Region SCCA Solo2 Autocross.
St. Charles Family Arena, October 9, 2011, 11:52 AM to 1:15 PM..
Class: X Prepared, Heat: 2, Run: 2, Time: 43.729 seconds + 1 cone.
XP Class Results:
1st Place: Joe Floretta, # 91, 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS, 43.622 seconds (Third Run).
2nd Place: Bill Luton, #191, 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS, 44.255 seconds (Third Run).
As a point of reference, the Blue 2008 Lotus Exige S Cup car (supercharged 240 HP with the AP brake package), which is seen in some of the video footage, was shared by three drivers, two in A Street Prepared class and one in A Street Prepared Ladies class. Two of these drivers are officers in the region club and are very experienced and very talented. The third is a novice who began racing this year. Their best times were 44.615 seconds (ASP Second Place), 51.33 seconds (ASP Fifth Place, Novice), and 46.658 seconds (ASP Ladies First Place).
The event results are posted on the STLSCCA website at:
http://stlsolo.org/sites/default/files/event9fin.html
Joe is a long time friend and fellow racer. He owns and races several cars including a Ford Mustang, a Lotus Europa, and a 2005 Lotus Elise. He is actively involved in both the Ford Mustang and Lotus Car clubs on both the local and national level. Joe has also been an SCCA member and active in autocrossing for at least ten years. Joe has taken the FSP Class Points Championship for the St. Louis Region, with his Ford Mustang, for at least five consecutive years, from 2006 through 2010. He switched to racing his newly purchased Lotus Elise in 2011, normally finishing at the top of the group of locally raced Lotus Elise and Exige cars.
On the Friday before this event,. Joe's Toyota powered Elise was not running smoothly, and he asked to co-drive the Isuzuperformance Isuzu I-Mark RS. This I-Mark is prepped to meet the SCCA Solo2 D Street Prepared Class requirements, but the interior has been removed from the vehicle (due to water damage from previous owner) and it does not have an emergency brake, both of which move the car into Prepared Class. The vehicle has a coilover suspension, Wilwood brake package, header and cat-back Exhaust, aluminum pulleys and flywheel, performance clutch, LSD, and a bone stock 130 HP second generation engine. This I-Mark RS was originally equipped with a "Handling by Lotus" suspension, which was removed and discarded.
http://www.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/feature/blutima.html
http://www.isuzuperformance.com
However, the vehicle has a solid beam or torsion beam rear axle, which puts it at a severe disadvantage against vehicles with independent rear suspension, such as the later Isuzu cars.
This I-Mark has taken the XP Class Points Championship for the St. Louis Region for three consecutive years, from 2008 through 2010. The car will finish Second Place in the region's XP Class Points Championship this year, due to taking the first five events to sort out the redesigned rear suspension setup. There simply were not enough events to win in the second half of the season, to make up the points lost during the first half of the season. For 2011, First Place will be a Factory Five Daytona Coupe driven by the owner, and Third Place will be the same Factory Five Daytona Coupe driven by the co-driver. With Second Place sewn up, the final event of the year became play time, and Joe couldn't have asked to co-drive at a better time.
This event was the first time that Joe had driven an Isuzu made car. This was the first time that Joe had driven (raced) a front wheel drive car. And Joe's first run of the day, timed at a scorching 44.816 seconds, was the first time that Joe had ever driven this car.
Joe's comments captured on the videos, both while he drove and while he rode with the vehicle owner, are quite colorful and telling. Most Lotus Elise and Exige owners know Isuzu only as the engine and drivetrain supplier for the FWD Elan M100, and the Isuzu cars with Lotus Tuned suspension. They do not have a high opinion of the Elan M100 and see Lotus' association with Isuzu cars as a liability to the Lotus image. Joe did not share that opinion before the event, and based on his enthusiastic comments captured in the videos, and the fact that Joe and the vehicle owner beat the time of every Lotus vehicle entered in the event (or rather all three drivers of the premium Exige model entered in the event), Joe became a real fan of the little Isuzu car.
Joe later commented that the car would have easily knock another half second or more off the time, if he knew how to left foot brake, and would be even faster in the hands of a better driver (hint-hint: Andy Hohl).
New York Region SCCA Autocross Event #5a
NYR-SCCA's 2nd autocross event of the weekend at Nassau Coliseum. Here are a few clips from some of the cars that ran during the event.
Was testing out the shotgun mic on the T2i with some shots, which is why the audio in some shots seem quieter than others.
2008 Daytona SCCA Group 1 Race Part 1
SUNSTROKE GRAND PRIX SCCA ITR Celica GTS GROUP 1 RACE 1 - OFFICIAL Race (8 Laps) started at 13:40:12 DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
Manila Day 1 - Isuzu Gemini SL Coupe & Opel Kadett C GT/E Coupe
Facebook page owners meet for the first time - Travellling from Australia "Street and Track Geminis" goes to the Philippines to meet "The Gemini Diaries" . Along the way meeting many new friends who share the passion for these small cars .
Street and Track Gemini's .
http://tinyurl.com/agpdl3l
The Gemini Diaries
http://tinyurl.com/bd2ju4u
The 2007 Isuzu Owners Meeting in Kuragari, Okazaki, Japan
The Isuzu Owners Meeting (formerly known as the Gemini Owners Meeting) is the largest gathering of Isuzu cars and car owners in the world, and takes place in Japan, each Spring, in Kuragari, north of Okazaki, Japan.
This is a video of the 2007 Isuzu Owners Meeting, held on June 10, 2007. Vehicles featured include Isuzu Gemini, Piazza, Bellett, 117 Coupe, Bellell, Florian, Aska, Trooper, Bighorn, Wizard, Rodeo, Mu, Vehicross, Axiom, Como, Fargo, Elf, Bus, and Hillman Minx. Irmscher and Lotus editions.
Noted persons seen in the video include: Mr. Yoshiyuki of the Gerald Shop and Team Sports, Mr. Hughan of the Australian Isuzu Owners Club, Mr. Yamagishi of Front Row, Mr. Nagase of Front Row, Mr. Mochizuki and son of the Isuzu Bellett Owners Club of Japan, Mr. Tsuzuki of Front Row, and Mr. Oyama of Front Row and Asahi Motors.
Original edits of Euro, Para Para, and Trance songs.
A writeup of this event can be found at: http://www.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/events/japan07-6-10.html
Special thanks to James for video help.
Honors:
Top 100 Isuzu Videos, March 20, 2008.
Top 80 Isuzu Videos, April 16, 2008.
ジェミニ ピアッツァ ベレット １１７クーペ アスカ フローリアン ヒルマンミンクス ミュー ビッグホーン ウィザード ビークロス コモ フィリー ジャーニーバス エルフ
いすゞオーナーズミーティング
STL SCCA Event #9, Oct. 9, 2011 -- Bill -- Run 2, 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS, #191 XP (Outside Car)
Bill Luton drives the Isuzuperformance 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS.
St. Louis Region SCCA Solo2 Autocross.
St. Charles Family Arena, October 9, 2011, 11:52 AM to 1:15 PM..
Class: X Prepared, Heat: 2, Run: 2, Time: 45.681 seconds.
XP Class Results:
1st Place: Joe Floretta, # 91, 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS, 43.622 seconds (Third Run).
2nd Place: Bill Luton, #191, 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS, 44.255 seconds (Third Run).
As a point of reference, the Blue 2008 Lotus Exige S Cup car (supercharged 240 HP with the AP brake package), which is seen in some of the video footage, was shared by three drivers, two in A Street Prepared class and one in A Street Prepared Ladies class. Two of these drivers are officers in the region club and are very experienced and very talented. The third is a novice who began racing this year. Their best times were 44.615 seconds (ASP Second Place), 51.33 seconds (ASP Fifth Place, Novice), and 46.658 seconds (ASP Ladies First Place).
The event results are posted on the STLSCCA website at:
http://stlsolo.org/sites/default/files/event9fin.html
Joe is a long time friend and fellow racer. He owns and races several cars including a Ford Mustang, a Lotus Europa, and a 2005 Lotus Elise. He is actively involved in both the Ford Mustang and Lotus Car clubs on both the local and national level. Joe has also been an SCCA member and active in autocrossing for at least ten years. Joe has taken the FSP Class Points Championship for the St. Louis Region, with his Ford Mustang, for at least five consecutive years, from 2006 through 2010. He switched to racing his newly purchased Lotus Elise in 2011, normally finishing at the top of the group of locally raced Lotus Elise and Exige cars.
On the Friday before this event,. Joe's Toyota powered Elise was not running smoothly, and he asked to co-drive the Isuzuperformance Isuzu I-Mark RS. This I-Mark is prepped to meet the SCCA Solo2 D Street Prepared Class requirements, but the interior has been removed from the vehicle (due to water damage from previous owner) and it does not have an emergency brake, both of which move the car into Prepared Class. The vehicle has a coilover suspension, Wilwood brake package, header and cat-back Exhaust, aluminum pulleys and flywheel, performance clutch, LSD, and a bone stock 130 HP second generation engine. This I-Mark RS was originally equipped with a "Handling by Lotus" suspension, which was removed and discarded.
http://www.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/feature/blutima.html
http://www.isuzuperformance.com
However, the vehicle has a solid beam or torsion beam rear axle, which puts it at a severe disadvantage against vehicles with independent rear suspension, such as the later Isuzu cars.
This I-Mark has taken the XP Class Points Championship for the St. Louis Region for three consecutive years, from 2008 through 2010. The car will finish Second Place in the region's XP Class Points Championship this year, due to taking the first five events to sort out the redesigned rear suspension setup. There simply were not enough events to win in the second half of the season, to make up the points lost during the first half of the season. For 2011, First Place will be a Factory Five Daytona Coupe driven by the owner, and Third Place will be the same Factory Five Daytona Coupe driven by the co-driver. With Second Place sewn up, the final event of the year became play time, and Joe couldn't have asked to co-drive at a better time.
This event was the first time that Joe had driven an Isuzu made car. This was the first time that Joe had driven (raced) a front wheel drive car. And Joe's first run of the day, timed at a scorching 44.816 seconds, was the first time that Joe had ever driven this car.
Joe's comments captured on the videos, both while he drove and while he rode with the vehicle owner, are quite colorful and telling. Most Lotus Elise and Exige owners know Isuzu only as the engine and drivetrain supplier for the FWD Elan M100, and the Isuzu cars with Lotus Tuned suspension. They do not have a high opinion of the Elan M100 and see Lotus' association with Isuzu cars as a liability to the Lotus image. Joe did not share that opinion before the event, and based on his enthusiastic comments captured in the videos, and the fact that Joe and the vehicle owner beat the time of every Lotus vehicle entered in the event (or rather all three drivers of the premium Exige model entered in the event), Joe became a real fan of the little Isuzu car.
Joe later commented that the car would have easily knock another half second or more off the time, if he knew how to left foot brake, and would be even faster in the hands of a better driver (hint-hint: Andy Hohl).
The Gemini Legend Vol 6 Part 1
*First of two parts*
The final episode for the year of the series on my Holden Geminis
This is old footage from the end of October, which I meant to upload a while back, and is the reason why there hasn't been a new video for a long time.
There has been more work done since this video was taken, and I will be doing separate videos on each individual car in 2010 since it's much neater and more viewer friendly.
Something said in the film that I will correct:
I say that I am between jobs at the start, this is no longer true. I am actually now working two jobs which will mean a larger budget.
The following year will be filled with much more interesting work, as I am moving on to the white car build, and doing the Coupe restoration on the side.
Bring on 2010!
2014 Holden VF Commodore SS V Redline engine sound and 0-100km/h
2014 Holden VF Commodore SS V Redline engine sound and 0-100km/h. Head over to http://performancedrive.com.au/2014-holden-vf-commodore-review-australian-launch-video/ for the full review.
2014 Holden VF Commodore SS V Redline
6.0-litre naturally aspirated V8
270kW (manual) and 530Nm
Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive with LSD
0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds (as tested)
