Keep Testing Fun: Mike’s Day Off!
By Mike Kojima
Bringing you MotoIQ is a pretty tough job, we generally work over 80 hours per week which involves writing, layout, photography and wrenching. On top of that, I am a suspension consultant which keeps me busy traveling and working when I am not here. We don’t get much time off but we love our job and that helps. We really like driving but we hardly every get a chance to actually drive!
 |
| Our crew at Willow Springs from left, Christa Kojima, Costa Gilamas (normally Stephan Verdier’s chief), TJ Hannrihra (Rhys Millen’s crew chief), Chris Marion (Engineer from KW Suspension), Dai Yoshihara. Chris Marion and Christa took most of these pictures so if the quality isn’t as good as usual oh well…. |
I was hard at work at the Palatial MotoIQ headquarters when I get a call from Team Falken Formula Drift Ace Dai Yoshihara. The call went something like this:
Dai– Hi Mike what are you busy Friday?
Me– Always…
Dai– Uh you want to go with me to Willow?
Me– What do we gotta test?
Dai– Bring your car, I thought we could just go for fun. I want you and Costa to drive the 350Z.
Me– I’m there!
Dai’s weapon of choice was his GT Chanel 350Z time attack car and I broke out with the Dog Car II. I called up my buddy Harry Kong at Nitto to get a set of fresh NT01’s to evaluate on the Dog II and away we went.
 |
| Dai’s 350Z was built for Time Attack’s Street Class, since his main sponsor, Falken currently doesn’t make a race tire. This car is street legal although it isn’t driven on the street. |
It’s pretty weird to be at the track with no objective, we are always driving to win or test. To just drive for fun at speed with no pressure is pure joy and such a rare treat.
