Been a while since an update
I have been waiting for something big to happen so I could provide a report on it, but over the past weke or so there’s not been so much happening in this little part of Japan. So here I am with lots of little updates on things that have been happening in my life.
Firstly, this entry is going to be dedicated to a very good friend here in Okinawa, who because of an unfortunate situation, is having to return to England this afternoon much before she planned. Over the past 9 months or so we’ve become really good friends and she will be missed by me and quite a few others here on island. One slight saving grace for her is that her car (one of her loves) is going back with her and will be in England in a month or 2. So be on the lookout for a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III flying past you on the British roads soon. If it’s being driven by a good looking blonde, give her a wave!
I’ll stickw with a car for the next few little updates. Firstly, and update on my car. It’s been running surprisingly well for some time now (which means I’ve probably just cursed it), and pulls really hard in 2nd and through 3rd gear with the methanol injection and running at just under 1.4 bar of boost. And I’ve got a chance to see how good it is at the Omega Drag tournament on July 20th. This will follow a very similar format to the HKS Drags back in April, and will be roasting hot if the sun is out. Here in Okinawa it is about 32C at the moment which is pretty warm to start with, but then add in 85-95% humidity and it’s a killer for both people and cars. Will be going all out to get sub-7second times for the 150m strip they call Nago Circuit though. Am hopeful I can break 7 seconds but we’ll just have to see on the day. Hopefully the extra heat up there will give a little more traction to what is normally more akin to an ice rink our there.
I already have some plans for my car, post-drag tournament though. Incidentally, if you ever buy one of these cars and thing buying it will be the end of your spending, you are sadly mistaken! I had the same mindset and have spent far too much money on it. Each time you say to yourself “just one more thing and then I’ll be happy for a while”. Once that’s part is fitted you last about a week before thinking about what to buy next! All good fun though and I’m careful about what I spend. Although with the global economic climate the way it is, it might be best to enjoy cars like this while you still can. As an economics graduate (and I use that term in its loosest possible sense), what is happening with oil prices is scary. Almost every day speculators are pusing the price to record levels. Petrol prices are going up almost each fortnight here and in the UK it’s about $10/gallon. Experts are saying the global economy could enter a bear market, as the Dow Jones did in the past couple of days. Take my advice, if you are not clued up on what is happening at the moment then do yourself a favour and find out. But back onto my car. As I was saying, the next upgrades for me are going to come as a package. Firstly, I have a new oil pressure gauge that needs to be installed in place of my current gauge which isn’t working (at least I hope it isn’t; a constant 30psi of oil pressure in the engine for the past 3 months can’t be good if it is working!). Then we go onto a couple of big things. Firstly, a new intercooler is going to go on as I’m reaching the end of the efficiency range of my current one. I am getting a Treadstone vertical flow intercooler which you can see below and which has good reviews. Along with the aftermarket intercooler, I’m going to get some custom-made piping for it. I’m getting 60mm aluminium piping going to the intercooler, and then 70mm from the intercooler to the throttle body. Should help my cooling and boost quite a bit. The piping isn’t cheap though as it will have to be made specially for my car and this turbo.
I’m also going to be getting a new turbo, to replace the small 16G. While the current turbo offers great spool up and a lot of power for a little thing I am going to be inheriting a Slowboy Racing turbo, either a 50-trim or a 60-trim turbo. I’m hoping it is going to be the 50-trim (see pic below), but for one reason or another I’m not sure which one it will be just yet. Whichever I should get, with that and some 750cc fuel injectors in my car I should be pushing 400whp which is a hell of a lot for this car.
Hmmm… I think that’s about it for car updates for now. You should definitely keep an eye open for previews and reports as the Omega Drags approach. Only 16 days to go now. Next, let’s change the subject competely and move onto photography! Yup, bet you didn’t see that one coming. Well, I have decided to enter the realm of digital SLR photography and I have bought a Canon EOS 20D camera with a couple of lenses for a very good price. I have always liked taking photos and can get some decent shots with my current Olympus mju 600. But the next step up is definitely an SLR camera, and as I say this one was at a price I couldn’t refuse. Have to admit it’s something you’ve got to study and learn though. I’ve bought and excellent book called Understanding Exposure, which I recommend to anyone getting into SLR photography. Have not taken many pictures yet, but on the few I have taken I am really liking the results. One of the shots I took was above and of my friend. I love the fact that you can change the depth of focus, so the background to the shot becomes blurred. It’s something really simple but I love the effect.
There is a reason for me getting the camera, and the final bit of motivation I needed to get one was provided last week on Wednesday. I was invited out by a friend and his wife who had 2 mainland friends down in Okinawa and they were looking for company from a night out. Well, I had work the following day but my students had tests so I didn’t have so much work. I decided that I could handle a late-ish night as long as I didn’t drink (no alcohol most of the time, and especially not on weeknights). Well the late-ish night ended up with me being up for 40 hours without sleep! Headed to an izakaya (Japanese bar/restaurant) and was there until about 1:30am before going to a karaoke bar until about 6:15. Not done that for a long time, if indeed ever! Last time I pulled an all-nighter was when I was given a mission impossible assignment from school (i.e. work to do in 24 hours that took about 2 and a half months the previous year). Was good fun though and my friend brought out his new camera that he was playing with. Now this was a very impressive and expensive camera. It took some amazing photos though, a few of which I’m going to post below. We talked a little about cameras, and then a day or 2 after that I found that killer deal on a camera and I made a purchase. So many thanks have got to go out to FDokinawa for giving me something else to spend my money on! In all seriousness though, this guy took some good photos and I give much kudos to him for the shots. It’s rare that I like photos of myself, but the one in this group of shots makes me look borderline respectable!
And that’s about it for now I think. Got a big weekend ahead with my school festival so hopefully I’ll be able to snap away with my new camera and get some decent shots. Most likely most will be blurred, but I can try at least! Thanks for reading
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No shit Sherlock,
I would look as happy with a big grin inbetween two such lovely girls! Is that your arm holding the sleeping girl?
Good to hear from you again though and the camera looks/sounds like it can kick some ass. Looking forward to some real good pix.