How can i forget? (for Elmo)

I.
I was chatting on YM earlier with a good friend who is now based in Malaysia. After the usual "kamusta pare?" and "kamusta yung mga tropa?" and the once in a lifetime "kamusta kasal ni Rick?" i was asked if "nakapunta ba kayo kay Elmo?". It struck a chord. With a lot happening around me i forgot all about it. I forgot that about 3 weeks ago, a good friend passed away. He was a good friend to every Ishneaky and to all our beloved cars.

II.
To the Auto Tech uninitiated, Elmo is one of the shop's mechanics. He has worked on almost every Auto Tech customer's car. From the most complicated engine transplants to the simplest stickers stuck to our cars, he will most likely have his hands on them. He is one of the reasons why even with nothing to get fixed, i make it a point to drop by the shop as often as i can. Because you know that you will be in the company of friends. The last time i saw him was before last year's Subic track day. The very same track day that was a very life changing for me. I asked him to check on my engine and he ensured me, albeit in a very hoarse voice, that he is 100% sure that if did not hit anything in the track me and my Eunice will make it home. I never saw him again.

III.
Elmo passed away at the age of 39, losing his fight with a throat tumor after 3 operations. And sadly i did not even notice his absence much. Not because he didn't matter but simply because i was too busy thinking about my car. Although i find myself asking about him from the other mechanics from time to time, i never really thought about him and his situation. Well actually i did. A lot. A few months ago, while having coffee with a friend we even thought of asking everyone for a few hundred pesos each to buy something for him and his family. I think this is right around the time of his third operation. But again the whirlwind of things, work, family and yes... cars has totally erased the thought from both our minds.

IV.
I heard of his passing when a friend posted it in a local car forum where we usually hangout. Everyone said their goodbyes and their condolences and offered their prayers, including myself. And then i forgot about it. The daily grind has made me forget that we lost a friend and somewhere out there, a woman lost a husband and a 12 year old kid lost a father. And after hearing all about it again it just brought the thought home.

V.
We are all too often guilty of not really thinking of people around us. We're not being being mean, we are just sometimes too busy to really think of anything else. I have been once again reminded of how easy people can be taken away from us. I recently told a good friend that it is always sad to lose someone... without really thinking about it. And no sooner than a day, i was reminded of it. My sadness may have been delayed by my busy schedule but it's sadness just the same.

VI.
So now as i put away all my mobile phones, turn off the TV, set my alarm and close my notebook i will say a silent for Elmo who was a friend to me, my friends and my Eunice. I'm sure you are now working on cars in the great race track in heaven with all those racing greats who went before you. I only wish you will have time to work on my car when i see you again. So long Elmo and thanks for the humility and selfless service you have given us. And i will be praying for your wife and your kid. May God give them the strength they need in dealing with their loss. Vaya con Dios Amigo. Until we meet again.

The CFG Chuvaness

I can't believe i haven't written anything here in almost a year. Have i been too busy? or too life has been so static that i have nothing to write about? or both? haha but then here's one thing that deserves a writeup.

I.
So about 6 weeks ago, i volunteered to handle a team from another account because their Team Leader will be away for a month. I didn't really expect anything much since i will just be there for a month plus they are clustered in the same floor as my original account so i won't really go through any major changes. My first day was hellish, i'm not used to seeing 20++ calls waiting on the queue and i really have no idea what i was supposed to do. But i survived the first day and all the days after that.

II.
At first i could not understand how we survived those days. Metrics failing badly yet at the end of the month they always manage to make it. I honestly thought that we would fail that month. I can't really see any way around it. I was trying to study all the numbers, we looked into all the data and everything tells us there is a big chance we won't make it. But i did not sense any worries from my Bosses and my co-TL. I think they know something i don't.

III.
It was on my last week with them that i finally realized what i wasn't considering. On my last week, as i was able to spend more time with the CFG people and got to know more of them aside from my usual break buddies that i realized how they have not had a failing month in more than a year. It was the people. All this time the answer was staring right at me, passing me by, even talking to me. I approve their breaks and lunches, defer them if necessary, but failed to realize that they are the reason for their success.

IV.
It took me 3 good weeks to finally figure it out. I was working with one of the most amazing set people around. Don't get me wrong, i'm sure every account has people who work hard and do their best, but what sets these guys apart is their genuine concern for their account and their genuine care for each other. I'm pretty sure you'll argue that they also have their bad apples, and they do. I mean there really is no perfect account but their bad apples are overshadowed by the rest of the team's pro-activeness and dedication.

V.
I started thinking "what i have gotten myself into" but ended with "thank you for the chance to work with them". So i say thank you to all those who made this chance possible, my OM and SM and the current CFG TLs, again thank you. And to all the new friends i gained, you guys know who you are, and of course to everyone Thanks a lot! You made my very short stay a learning experience. I have 2 words for the last month: salamat and bitin. Ill see you around the office and the smoking room. 'Til the next GA or inuman!

PS: Separation Anxiety? haha!

The Subic International Raceway - Last Lap

The last lap event was held from July 30 to August 1. It was one last hooray for the country's most popular and best loved race track.

For me and the Isnheaky Boys, the organization of the event was a bit unexpected, and as usual we were broke (or at least some were) haha. So like the June track day, we piled ourselves into 2 cars. 6 people in Jez' trusty corolla and Nestle's luxurious exalta (hehe). We originally planned to be there from saturday to sunday but for some reason opted not to.

The trip was pretty uneventful aside from seeing a lot of nice cars while having breakfast at Petron NLEX.When we got there, RWYB was already in full swing. One of the highlights of the day for me was seeing cabspeed's EK run like a slot car. It turns like a slot car, aiming for the fastest time of the day but unfortunately had to retire because of a problem with it's radiator.

Another highlight is Carlos Anton's CRX. That is really one fast race car. I heard he is also aiming for the fastest time of the day but had problems with the fuel system and also had to retire. But the best part is seeing the Ramirez Brothers taking turns driving the Chevy Cruze.

By the way, since the track will be shutting down soon, whoever gets the fastest time will forever be the fastest driver in SIR. I believe cabspeed still holds that record with a 46 second lap time.

Congrats to Ian for placing 3rd (?) in RWYB bracket D. And congratulations and thank you to the Ramirez Family and everyone involved in making SIR what it is, a haven for true blue auto enthusiasts. Salamat po ng madami.Here are some pics of the event. The rest of the pics may be viewed here.

The required SCTEX pic


The SIR paddocks


Cabspeed EK


Carlos Anton


And yes - you're looking at a real Hasselgren Formula Atlantic Engine

New life to another car (Da Hu?!?!)

So i just heard from my group's board that a friend's car's engine transplant is almost done. This AE92 has been waiting for an engine for a little over a year now. It has been waiting for an engine for so long that while it's being restored by the owner, it was flooded during last year's typhoon Ondoy. And i've only seen this car once.

The shop where the engine was ordered was so meticulous in selecting a good condition 4AGZE that it took them 14 Months (if im not mistaken) to find a good engine straight from japan.

But finally last month, a full ae92 half cut arrived at the shop (Auto Tech) with the much awaited 4AGZE engine in amazing (read: pristine) condition. And here are a few pics of the engine, the car and the owner.

Congrats to the owner :D I hope to see this car this weekend. hehe


The Owner and the Supplier




















The much awaited engine (Diesel Oil Haha!)




















The 2e comes out















The 4agze comes in















Intercooler














Almost Done

Right Love at the Wrong Time (Repost from Facebook)

"We had the right love at the wrong time..." so the old song goes.

I've been joining track days for about a year now. And every time we try to organize a track day, i would always recommend the Batangas Racing Circuit over Subic International Raceway. Truth be told SIR scares me. The walls. The tire barriers. I usually imagine my eunice hitting one or the other. So it was with great hesitation that i agreed to join my friends for one last run at SIR before the track closes down at the end of july.

After arriving, Matt arranged for a parade lap with stops at the difficult corners to explain the racing lines and the braking points. And after, everyone was allowed to wreck havoc on the track.

No sooner than my first warm up lap, i quickly realized how right i was. The track can be scary. The walls can be intimidating. The tire barriers watching your every move.

So i took the warm up lap slowly, shifting at about 3k or 4k rpm, just like driving in the city. That is until i caught sight of the last corner before the main straight. I was in second gear at about 4k rpm trying to power out of another apex, i thought to myself, why don't i floor it. And so i did.

I can feel every bump on the track. I can feel the engine roar. It was scary... and i loved it. And with every turn of the steering wheel, every press on the gas, brake and clutch pedals, every gear shift i felt the track loving me back. She was loving me back big time. She was like the soul mate i have been looking for.

I guess it's all the love every driver has given her that she is giving back to me. Every honda, toyota, nissan, mitsubishi, subaru. Every ferrari, maserati, lamborgihini. Every porsche, bmw, volkswagen, audi. Every car and driver that ever loved her, she was giving all that love back.

After the day is over i know i was changed man. You see, that's what SIR does to you. She changes you. She makes a better driver out of you. She helps you realize you have amazing friends. At the end of the day, you exit her unimpressive gates a different driver... a different man.

And as i go through changes that scare the shit out of me, i'd give anything to be back in her arms clipping apexes and and shifting at 7k rpm even for just 3 laps. On the drive to work tonight, i hope i see a chicane with tire barriers that i can take at speed. haha.

So, right love at the wrong time? Yes because we had to bid her farewell, for good. Subic International Raceway, you will be missed. Really really missed. I wish i met you sooner, we could have had more good times i can share to my future kids and grand kids.

Thanks to Matt for organizing the track day. The Ishneaky Boys / Team Spacol for the usual wonderful time and the driving tips. Atty Hen, for lending me his gear hehe. Team A-Hole for the company. Roy and the rest of Onin's friends for joining the track day. Autotech for making my eunice what she is now. See you all in the next track day.

The people behind Subic International Raceway, salamat po ng madami.

And of course my baby Che (cheesy i know, but so true) for supporting my track activities, salamat.

And again to Subic International Raceway, goodbye and thanks for all the fish.

So, A new blog?

Teehee... So i decided to create a new blog. This is where ill post all my shit from now on. Well, here and face book. Hahaha