Created:
5/08/2002
Last updated: 5/08/2002
Please note, this page is hosted remotely (not on the Club Z website) and the images do not always load properly. The images are there, but it might take more than one try to see them, especially during periods of high traffic. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this might cause. We are in the process of finding an alternate location to host the images.
Well everyone, the much anticipated Ultimate Z Weekend has come and gone. We spent three exciting days in Southern California enjoying the caravanning, the weather, the socializing, and most importantly, sharing in our passion-- our passion for the Z. We had another large turnout for UZW: Amir A, Benson C, Armand D, Nicole D, Sarah F, Otto G, Kyle J, Chris J, Joe K, Yuichi K, Robert M, Justin M, Dale M, Kevin N, Darryl O, Mike P, Robbie R and his wife, Chuck S, Todd S, Roy T, Maya W, and Jose W. Along the way, some more members and friends joined us: Dennis E, Ray G, Ron H, Chester J, David J, Vince K, Glenn N, Rex T, and Vernon. All told, we had 20 Zs at the car show and 2 people who had to leave because of extenuating circumstances. I apologize if I failed to mention anyone else.
Mostly everyone arrived at the meet area on time. We were able to take this opportunity to take membership dues. For those of you who don't know, the members of the Board of directors/governing council have been meeting weekly to make this club official. We have ironed out by-laws, insurance, and other club issues. Can you believe it, we are official now! We were fully insured for the drive to and from SoCal and also for the various activities planned. For more information, please check it out at http://www.clubz.org/cgi-bin/join/join.asp .
Pictures of the participants who showed up at the Starbucks in Pleasanton
Some pictures of the drive down the 5.
This was our first
refueling stop. As you can see, this was probably the most excitement that the
residents of this small town had seen in a while. As far as the eye could see,
every parking space, every nook and cranny was taken up by a Z.
Nicole trying to find
the perfect spot to park her car in.
Hi Maya, she promises
that she will have a TT by the next UZW. Time to step over to the darkside.
Hey Mike, was that a
thumbs up, or the universal finger gesture?
Chuck, Chris, and his
sister.
Sarah leading the pack
out of the gas
station.
Kyle's pristine 93 TT
with a 99 J-spec fascia installed.
Kyle's other Z, a 1970
240Z.
We stopped off for
lunch at our favorite haunt in Buttonwillow. The Willow Ranch BBQ. A great place
to eat.
Smile Mike and Benson.
Maya, Nicole, Joe,
Kevin, Chuck, and Todd.
Justin, Rosie,
Robbie, and Otto.
Sarah, Antoinette,
Armand, Amir, Darryl, Dale, Matt, Matt's wife, and Yuichi.
Mike, Benson, Chris,
Chris' sister, Roy, and Jose.
Kyle, wake up!!! He
must have been all night preparing not one, but TWO cars for the trip.
After negotiating the horrendous traffic in SoCal, namely the 5, we arrived at JIC Magic. They graciously invited us to visit their showroom and service area. They are well known in Japan for custom suspension components, engine upgrades, and engine tuning. Special thanks to Terry for the introduction and history of JIC and also for the tour of the facilities. Here, you will see some of the custom work currently in progress. Ryan, aka SeedyRom and Dean aka Spongerider from SoCal and also Ron from NorCal joined us here.
This is a J-spec Z32TT
right hand drive undergoing extensive upgrades.
Beautiful Magenta
Nissan Skyline R32
Normally aspirated
240SX.
Beautiful red 240Z
turbo. Check out the custom carbon fiber intake manifold. The attention to
detail was astonishing.
Here you can see what
they are famous for--
their custom suspension pieces. This was on the 240SX.
This was a custom Mazda Protege Drag Car. That's right, it's a four door sedan with a massaged four cylinder. Don't forget the large turbo strapped to the front of the car. Terry told us that this bad boy is so loud, everytime they crank it up, the businesses around start complaining of the noise levels.
JIC Magic built Honda
Civic Turbo. Aside from the requisite engine modifications, it had a Porsche
brake conversion kit installed.
The famous Z that was
in an issue of
Turbo Magazine. This car is for sale by the way, so please contact JIC for
more details.
Last but not least, a
911 turbo race car currently being worked on.
Some of the cars in attendance parked at JIC Magic.
After we left JIC Magic and negotiated the traffic (I think there is a common underlying theme here), we spent some time at Mike Kojima's house then checked into our hotel-- the Courtyard Marriott in Santa Ana. We had a chance to check in and then had dinner at Claim Jumpers. After a couple of beers at the hotel and shooting the breeze at the hot tub, we went to bed. We had a pretty busy day planned for Saturday, Stillen, Steve Christiansen's shop SMC, and then Mike Kojima's house.