2014 is the year that I can finally do the things I wanted to do in 2012 and 2013, the Hilux build put a hold on a lot of things by either requiring my time or my money to be spent on it, like a favorite child all the others where neglected.
Once the Hilux set sail for NZ I could move some stuff around the garage, get stuck into the motorcycle project, the PS13 build and finally the RPS13. All it needed was a clean and it would be ready to go, the “if it aint broke dont fix it” technique I have employed with this car dosnt mean that I have neglected it, my priority has always been to get it ready to hit the track before it goes back in the garage, that way I always know that its ready to go.
Friday night I raced home from work, got this down off the hoist, gave it a quick spanner check, checked fluid levels, a wash and loaded it onto the trailer. My plan was to take it to the 100mm show in Melbourne then to Winton Raceway for the Summer Matsuri.
Ray from 100mm contacted me and asked if the Hilux was available for the show, being in NZ I asked if he would be happy with the 180SX, he loved the idea and the car was set for the “Hero Car” section of the show. It started to get me thinking, usually there is a fair difference between a show car and a drift car, this chassis has had a very hard time over the many years I have owned it, it can tell some pretty amazing stories and every scar on it reminds me of a good time, at the same time the car oozes character and looks amazing at a glance.
I think I am the happiest I have ever been with this car since the very beginning, the Hilux build has allowed me to really stop and reflect on what this car is all about, to be able to take it to a show, then to the track the very next day, jump in and start driving the absolute guts out of it makes it the most versatile and complete car. Somehow I found the recipe for reliability, looks and performance.
Sitting amoungst Australia’s finest cars 100mm was about diversity, acceptance and getting show cars and track cars into the public spotlight, in a state where the law enforcement treat many of us like criminals for simply enjoying our machines shows like this go a long way to lift the scene in both Victoria and Australia.
Heres a quick tour at some of the cars on display.
