Jon Vo
Trackspec's K24 Exige- Brake Bias Cage

About two years ago, we decided to run a 15/17” wheel stagger for more tire selection, and in doing so, we had to install smaller front calipers (More detail on that here). The Cup brakes that our S240 came with were too big for 15” wheels. We were able to get a few 15” wheels to fit over them, but it required running some large wheel spacers. The set up we decided on were the AP Radical front calipers and the OEM 2 Pot calipers in the rear. Since the changes, the brakes never felt as good as the stock set up. The larger calipers require more fluid volume, and with the stock master cylinder, that meant the pedal had more travel and felt softer. We also noticed more ABS “ice mode”, which could be related to the change in brake bias and front to rear tire diameter.

Trackspec's K24 Exige- Brake Bias Cage
Motorsports, Featured Cars
Tom Tang
For Immediate Release: Tom Tang and Team ...

I am thrilled to announce the return of Toyo Tires to our race program for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. I have had the pleasure of working with Toyo for many years previously, and this partnership renewal marks a commitment on both sides for shared success. 

For Immediate Release: Tom Tang and Team Trackspec Autosports to summit Pikes Peak with Toyo Tires in 2024
Motorsports, Featured Cars
Tom Tang
Podium Finish (3rd in E1 Class), 9th Overall: ...

You’ve probably already seen the results online, 3rd in class (E1) and 9th overall. But what you don’t know are all of the details, the drama, the trials and tribulations and the blood, sweat, and tears that went into this past weekend. Fortunately, that’s what this blog is for…so please, read on.

Podium Finish (3rd in E1 Class), 9th Overall: NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill
Motorsports
Tom Tang
P2 and P5 in ST4 for our E46 M3 on the Yokohama ...

This year seems to be just flying by. We last raced at the end of March, and since then the team has been busy with a wide variety of cool projects at the shop. Personally, my calendar has been filled with work, travel, and everything in between. One event in particular that transpired during this time was the official launch of the Yokohama A055 tire.

P2 and P5 in ST4 for our E46 M3 on the Yokohama A055
Featured Cars
Jon Vo
Last 111, First Street Legal K20 Swap? (Part 2)

Before doing anything K-swap related to the new chassis, we started by transferring parts over from the original tub to the new one. Since this was a low mileage car, it wasn’t difficult selling the drivetrain. Timing worked out perfectly as there was another Elise in our shop needing a motor due to a failure.

Last 111, First Street Legal K20 Swap? (Part 2)

Team Trip to COTA Formula 1

Team Trip to COTA Formula 1

Every year, we like to take the team on a fun trip. For the past four years, we’ve been going to SEMA in Las Vegas. We’ve always had a good time there because we like to win free tools, and every year, we’ve won something amazing: OTC diagnostic tool, Hunter tire balancer, and CP power tools. Not to mention, Vegas is a fun location…there’s always a little something for everyone to enjoy in Vegas! However, this year, we wanted to do something different. With half the team following Formula 1, and the other half discovering it through the Netflix docuseries, Formula 1: Drive to Survive, it seemed like the best thing to do was watch a Formula 1 race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX.

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Trackspec's Exige S240 Project: Part 7, Clutch, Trans, Misc.

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Trackspec's Exige S240 Project: Part 7, Clutch, Trans, Misc.

At the last two-day track day at Buttonwillow with Speed Ventures, shifting in the Exige started to get notchy. It would sometimes be difficult to get into gear, but we kept driving it. By the last session of the day, we were not able to get the car into gear after pulling off into paddock. If the engine was off, it would go into all gears, so we suspected it to be a failed clutch that was not fully disengaging...

3rd Place - Final Race of the 2019 ST Championship Season

3rd Place - Final Race of the 2019 ST Championship Season

This blog post will be shorter than usual because our race weekend ended early at Sonoma Raceway due to the Kincade fire. On Sunday morning, just before 8am everyone vacated the track to make room for it to become an evacuation center for families who were fleeing the flames. Our hearts go out to all of them and to our brave service men and women. This meant that the final race of the 2019 Super Touring season actually took place on Saturday, October 26th.

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Trackspec's Exige S240 Project: Part 6, Fuel and Oil Control

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Trackspec's Exige S240 Project: Part 6, Fuel and Oil Control

Fuel starvation is a well known problem with this platform. It’s mostly noticeable on long left hand corners because the fuel pick up is on the left side of the tank. It’s typically not an issue if I keep the fuel tank full, but every time our got down to about 70%, it would starve. This can cause a lean condition and be harmful to the engine, especially with forced induction.

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VIDEO: The Next Chapter

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VIDEO: The Next Chapter

Over the years, my good friend Nick Cahill (who happens to be an award-winning filmmaker and national geographic cover photographer) has helped me tell stories through video about my passion for motorsport (which he also shares) and the Honda S2000 race-car I built from the ground up. Last October, I had a nasty rollover crash at Sonoma and while I was able to walk away unharmed; the car was a total-loss. This season, I debuted a BMW E36 M3 which has presented a new set of challenges. That's when Nick and I got together to brainstorm the idea of creating a short-film about this next chapter, and more importantly; the incredible people and companies who make everything possible. Watch it here:

2 Wins and 2 Podium Finishes

2 Wins and 2 Podium Finishes

After less-than-ideal results last month, the team regrouped as planned in an effort to come back stronger than ever. On September 6th, we returned to Sonoma Raceway; anxious to test some of the changes that had been made. In an effort to see if we had truly succeeded in making the car better, we decided to run the entire day on the same set of tires from Sunday (August 4th) at Thunderhill. 

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Trackspec's Exige S240 Project: Part 5, Cooling

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Trackspec's Exige S240 Project: Part 5, Cooling

The Exige S is known for heat soaking and extremely high IATs (intake air temps). The stock intercooler is mounted on top of the hot engine and doesn’t get nearly enough airflow through the small roof scoop. It also doesn’t help that the hot air from the radiator exits in front of the windshield and makes its way into the roof. There are some things you can do to help like a larger intercooler, additional ducting from the side scoops, larger roof scoops, or adding fans to the intercooler…

Round 5 of the 2019 NASA Super Touring Championship

Round 5 of the 2019 NASA Super Touring Championship

When 4 out of 5 cars from your team are damaged after a race weekend, you know that some stuff went down. We were really excited about this weekend at Thunderhill because the weather looked dry, albeit hot (105F), and we had just confirmed a week earlier while testing at Buttonwillow that any overheating issues had been resolved (we upgraded a lot of things after Round 4 at Sonoma in June). This would also be my first time driving the E36 at Thunderhill (since Graham had covered for me there during Round 2 in April while I was in Japan).

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Trackspec's Exige S240 Project: Part 4, Completed Aero

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Trackspec's Exige S240 Project: Part 4, Completed Aero

This past Monday, June 24, we decided to take a team day-off to go to the track with Golden Gate Lotus Club. In addition to drives, meets, and fun outings, GGLC hosts great track & autocross events. Only three run groups, so you get SEVEN sessions! Not to mention, they always offer snacks, coffee, fruits, and sometimes even lunch!

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West Coast Lotus Meet x GGLC Thunderhill West

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West Coast Lotus Meet x GGLC Thunderhill West

As a Lotus mechanic for the last 9 years and recently becoming a first-time owner, we were able to attend one of the days of the annual West Coast Lotus Meet this year! On Thursday, May 16, 2019, We participated in the trackday portion of the event, which was held at Thunderhill West, and hosted by Golden Gate Lotus Club.

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