Latest stories

12 months ago

Is the Season Over? A Racer’s Guide to Coping with 2020.

By Chris Simmons
6 Min read
20March

The current Covid-19 outbreak is wreaking havoc around the globe. Over the last two weeks we’ve watched world economies shutter as more countries go from a wait and see approach to varying degrees of quarantine. Italy appears to be a turning point in response and as evidenced by the toilet paper hoarding, people are panicking. I’m not here to say whether this level of panic from...

12 months ago

2020 Summer in February @ Memphis International Raceway

By Chris Simmons
5 Min read
06March

2019 was a great season that solidified an upward trend in my racing and building on that momentum is the goal of the 2020 season. Looking at the results from the season opener with NASA Mid South at Memphis International Raceway, things are off to a great start.

February 20, 2020

Racecar Prep: The Nuts and Bolts of Things

By Chris Simmons
4 Min read
20February

Racecars undergo a lot more stress than your daily driver. Bolts wiggle loose, leaks develop, lines rub, components wear at a much greater rate etc… That is why at the beginning of every season, a full nut and bolt check is crucial to a successful campaign.

February 12, 2020

What the _ _ _ _ Happened to the Internet

By Chris Simmons
6 Min read
12February

It’s been a long time since I’ve gone on a good rant and I’m about to show my age with this one. Lately, I find myself asking, ‘What the hell happened to the internet?’ Over the past decade, this once amazing research tool has slowly turned into one big advertisement seemingly designed to distract your focus and drain your pocketbook. This ‘erosion of...

February 3, 2020

Mazda RX8: The Super Touring Performance Bargain

By Chris Simmons
4 Min read
03February

I have a long history with rotary powered cars.  Namely, of not owning one.  Over the past 15 years I’ve always danced around the idea. The last time I was close to purchasing one I opted for a MR2 Spyder instead. I found a deal on the lightweight, mid engine roadster that I couldn’t pass on. The RX8, was relatively new at the time and commanding new car prices. But I still...

January 26, 2020

2020 Season Preview

By Chris Simmons
5 Min read
26January

With the recent activity on the site, more than a few of you have clued in on my new year’s resolution. In the spirit of keeping that resolution, and perhaps helping my sanity during the off-season, let’s keep this thing rolling and discuss the 2020 season, plans, goals, etc…

January 17, 2020

Lotus Elise: Rebuild Part 1 (Where to Start)

By Chris Simmons
6 Min read
17January

As I said in the reintroduction, I let my once pristine Lotus Elise sit in disrepair for 4+ years with a suspected head gasket failure. Now a simple repair has become much more involved. My intent here is to offer a summary of the repair and service steps I’ve completed thus far to catch things up. Maybe diving a little deeper with supporting posts in the future. Diagnosing the Failure 4...

January 6, 2020

Lotus Elise (re)Introduction: The 1800 Pound Paper Weight

By Chris Simmons
3 Min read
06January

I could write a book on the absurd amount of procrastination that went into letting my 06 Lotus Elise sit in disrepair for 4 years. It would be too kind to say I was busy when in reality, fixing a non racecar just hasn’t been a big priority. But as the years roll by, it’s started to become almost a point of embarrassment and a running joke amongst friends.

December 31, 2019

2019 Race Season Review

By Chris Simmons
15 Min read
31December

I’d be kidding myself if I didn’t recognize 2019 as one of the most stressful years of my life.

December 2, 2019

NASA Midsouth Regional Championship and Track Record: Hunka Hunka Burnin Rubber at MIR (Nov 2019)

By Chris Simmons
5 Min read
02December

Most of my goals revolve around racing in some fashion and I’m always looking for new ways to push myself. And since I secured the 944spec Regional Championship back in August, I needed something new to focus on. I started by maintaining my intensity while the pressure was off. I’m very happy with the progress in this department. Going almost undefeated the last half of the season...

October 28, 2019

Why I Won’t Buy a New Truck (2015 Ram 2500 Cummins/6spd)

By Chris Simmons
3 Min read
28October

It’s been a while since I’ve been on a good rant. Lately I keep stumbling across news that the manual transmission is dying in the States. This has been an issue for a long, long time across many makes and models. And it has finally made it’s way to the last holdout in the full-size truck segment, the RAM 2500.

October 15, 2019

Fall Fest at Memphis International Raceway – Sept 2019

By Chris Simmons
3 Min read
15October

As much as I love racing, any time you race back to back weekends can be a little exhausting.  And with the National Championships just behind me, the temptation was there to skip the NASA Midsouth event the following weekend. But to skip an event in my own backyard, no matter what else is going on, is something that I find hard to stomach.

About the Author:

Chris Simmons

Chris Simmons is a race car driver, instructor, business owner and all around gearhead. His passion for motorsport started in the drifting community and progressed into wheel to wheel racing of all kinds. When off track Chris can be found training and working on a myriad of projects. After a hiatus from writing, he is back to share his passion, knowledge and experience in regard to motorsports on and off the track.

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