This month we were faced with a very hard decision as to whom to choose for the October Ride of the Month. After what started as a very tight race, MazdaRacer pulled ahead and was crowned as October's "Ride of the Month". Id like to personally say congratulations Darryl and thank you for your contribution to the Mazda Community. I would also like to extend a "pat-on-the-back" if you will, to the three other finalists; McCorkle, ProtegeMenace, and TheGoldPro. All of these guys have great rides and deserve as much recognition as does Darryl. Thank you for your dedication to the Mazda community.
Now before you say "great, another 1st gen" just sit back and enjoy the ride for a few minitues. Please remember to keep your hands, arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times and don't forget an extra pair of underpants! According to Brock, you need them:
Now take a few moments to experience the phenomenon that is Darryl Craig's autox prepped First Generation Mazda Protege.
1990 Mazda Protege LX
"This car will never be sold. It will race till the day it dies."
Modifications:
Engine/Drivetrain:
Custom Air intake
RX7 Air Flow Meter
Rod Millen Motorsport 4-2-1 Header
Magnaflow Catalytic Converter
Custom 2" mandrel bent header back exhaust system
Apex'i N1 Muffler
Kartboy Short Shifter
Shifter connecting rod bushings
Exedy Clutch
Suspension/Brakes:
Dynamic Racing Suspension adjustable inverted dampers
Hypercoil Race Springs 500#/325#
JDM OEM Front Strut Bar
Autotech Rear Strut Bar
Cusco Camber Plates
Energy Suspension Polyurethane Suspension Bushing Kit
Quikor 24.5mm Rear Sway Bar
Off The Line Motorsports Custom Lower Tie Bars
Brembo Slotted/Xdimpled Front Rotors
Brembo Slotted Rear Rotors
Hawk HPS Brake Pads
Technafit Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Kosei K1 Racing Wheels 15x7 38mm offset
Falken Azenis 205/50/15
Interior/Exterior:
EDM 323 GTX front bumper
EDM foglight grille
1992 Mazda MX3 Front Seats
G-Force 5pt Racing Harness
Custom Paint
1992 Tail Lamps
Ebreuni Rear Spoiler
JDM Honda S2000 Sidemarkers
JDM SIRIUS Driving Lights
2002 Protege5 Leather Steering Wheel
Mazdaspeed Leather Shift Knob
Ryken Pedals
And the story from the man himself:
I bought the car new in Aug. 1990 and ever since, it's been a running project. Not many performance parts were available for the car back then, so it started as a street car/show car. I started with the obvious, wheels & tires, Eibach Pro Kit springs, window tint and stereo system. Once i had the stereo built i entered my first car show at what is now known as Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. I ended up with a first place!! ya, with just those mods and a very clean interior.
Then i found Rod Millen Motorsports in 92/93. I'd go in, what seemed like about once a month and just hang out talking to the guys and buying atleast one part...exhaust, strut bar, header, intake, sway bars...
A few years went by where the car just stayed as is with the occasional wheel/tire change, although the stereo was changed about 5 times. Then i found the internet groups around 98/99 and it renewed my interest for the car. I found out there where infact a whole world of parts out there, including the turbo engines and big time parts, like cams, pistons, etc... It brought the car to a whole new light.... I started to get more parts, replace old ones and learned a whole ton about this car and it's hertitage and siblings. I then realized, this car has much more performance potential, than a show car. So, once the car was headed more towards a clean street machine look, rather than, a show car look, I stumbled upon autox racing and that this car was a good candidate for a great handling car...
A couple local guys i met via an online list finally got me out to an event at the end of 2001. The coolest and most helpfull guys i could have met. They basically held my hand the whole day and walked me through the ins and outs of the event and how to drive an autox course. I went for a ride for the first time out, 60 secs later, i couldn't get into my car fast enough to get out there and try it for myself.
I stayed with it and have only missed 2 or 3 events since that day. In my first full year, i placed 5th in STS class and last year i placed 6th. I am working towards another top 10 finish this year. The show car died that first race day and the performance handlng beast emerged. It has been built to turn, to turn fast and to turn well. It's a never ending tuning project and in this type of racing (Autox Solo2) most of the tuning is to the driver
This car will never be sold. It will race till the day it dies.
And there you have it ladies and gentlemen. I have to admit, it was an honor to do this months write up. I was very excited to see Darryl's car featured for this month and Id like to extend a congratulations on behalf of the RotM crew and the ClubProtege Moderator Staff.
Now before you say "great, another 1st gen" just sit back and enjoy the ride for a few minitues. Please remember to keep your hands, arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times and don't forget an extra pair of underpants! According to Brock, you need them:
Originally posted by Protoss
1990 Mazda Protege LX
"This car will never be sold. It will race till the day it dies."
Modifications:
Engine/Drivetrain:
Custom Air intake
RX7 Air Flow Meter
Rod Millen Motorsport 4-2-1 Header
Magnaflow Catalytic Converter
Custom 2" mandrel bent header back exhaust system
Apex'i N1 Muffler
Kartboy Short Shifter
Shifter connecting rod bushings
Exedy Clutch
Suspension/Brakes:
Dynamic Racing Suspension adjustable inverted dampers
Hypercoil Race Springs 500#/325#
JDM OEM Front Strut Bar
Autotech Rear Strut Bar
Cusco Camber Plates
Energy Suspension Polyurethane Suspension Bushing Kit
Quikor 24.5mm Rear Sway Bar
Off The Line Motorsports Custom Lower Tie Bars
Brembo Slotted/Xdimpled Front Rotors
Brembo Slotted Rear Rotors
Hawk HPS Brake Pads
Technafit Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Kosei K1 Racing Wheels 15x7 38mm offset
Falken Azenis 205/50/15
Interior/Exterior:
EDM 323 GTX front bumper
EDM foglight grille
1992 Mazda MX3 Front Seats
G-Force 5pt Racing Harness
Custom Paint
1992 Tail Lamps
Ebreuni Rear Spoiler
JDM Honda S2000 Sidemarkers
JDM SIRIUS Driving Lights
2002 Protege5 Leather Steering Wheel
Mazdaspeed Leather Shift Knob
Ryken Pedals
And the story from the man himself:
I bought the car new in Aug. 1990 and ever since, it's been a running project. Not many performance parts were available for the car back then, so it started as a street car/show car. I started with the obvious, wheels & tires, Eibach Pro Kit springs, window tint and stereo system. Once i had the stereo built i entered my first car show at what is now known as Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. I ended up with a first place!! ya, with just those mods and a very clean interior.
Then i found Rod Millen Motorsports in 92/93. I'd go in, what seemed like about once a month and just hang out talking to the guys and buying atleast one part...exhaust, strut bar, header, intake, sway bars...
A few years went by where the car just stayed as is with the occasional wheel/tire change, although the stereo was changed about 5 times. Then i found the internet groups around 98/99 and it renewed my interest for the car. I found out there where infact a whole world of parts out there, including the turbo engines and big time parts, like cams, pistons, etc... It brought the car to a whole new light.... I started to get more parts, replace old ones and learned a whole ton about this car and it's hertitage and siblings. I then realized, this car has much more performance potential, than a show car. So, once the car was headed more towards a clean street machine look, rather than, a show car look, I stumbled upon autox racing and that this car was a good candidate for a great handling car...
A couple local guys i met via an online list finally got me out to an event at the end of 2001. The coolest and most helpfull guys i could have met. They basically held my hand the whole day and walked me through the ins and outs of the event and how to drive an autox course. I went for a ride for the first time out, 60 secs later, i couldn't get into my car fast enough to get out there and try it for myself.
I stayed with it and have only missed 2 or 3 events since that day. In my first full year, i placed 5th in STS class and last year i placed 6th. I am working towards another top 10 finish this year. The show car died that first race day and the performance handlng beast emerged. It has been built to turn, to turn fast and to turn well. It's a never ending tuning project and in this type of racing (Autox Solo2) most of the tuning is to the driver
This car will never be sold. It will race till the day it dies.
And there you have it ladies and gentlemen. I have to admit, it was an honor to do this months write up. I was very excited to see Darryl's car featured for this month and Id like to extend a congratulations on behalf of the RotM crew and the ClubProtege Moderator Staff.
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