In 2023 fashion, I’m dumping a lot of my activity into one thread, as things have been turbulent and hectic. I sent off the car in late 2023 (transmission jammed/rebuild), got it back in March, sent it back in April (second gear still popping out), got it back in May, and am sending it back in July (t-case/diffs, power tuning). I don’t think I would have made any changes to the car had I not developed a t-case/diff whine after this last event, but with it being shipped off again, I’ve decided to go for it with some power changes. Highlights below.

New daily driver: Ducati 899 Panigale – the TLDR is I’ve bought a sport bike for commutes, and it’s been pretty awesome experiencing this kind of speed.

Transfer case / Diffs – Seems I finally took out my stock transfer case at the last event, with a very pronounced whining having begun. Hope it’s just the t-case and diffs. Bought new diffs to change my setup quite a bit.

Power: 71HTA, ETS Intake, and the Artec Exhaust Manifold – With the car going back to Michigan for the t-case work, and feeling like the Evo has been a little lacking, the first “major” power mods are coming in. The 71HTA is about as minor of a major change to make, but looking forward to the synergy of all the parts I’ve put together so far.

The Sequoia, having taken some massive beatings over the last few months in NYC, some of which are my fault, will go unchanged. It’s had quite a bit of work done to it over the last few years – AC going out, then a pulley failing, nearly taking the engine with it, and a few other things. Indeed, I think I’ve spent more on the Sequoia over the last 2-3 years than I have the Evo.

Was really looking forward to competing again this year, but with the Evo going back for build/repairs, I’ll be surprised if I get the car back before the start of September. Still plenty of racing left at that time, but a bummer I wasn’t able to really go for it this summer.