Racing The Sunset: MX83

Location:
Korean Friendship Bell
San Pedro, CA

V: "Hey you know the sun sets at 6ish right?"
R: "What time is it?"
V: "5:30"

          Take the 405 northbound to the 710 south. Veer right to the Queen Mary all the way to Terminal Island. Hit Gaffey street and make a right. Drive up the hill and catch a sight for sore eyes. To the left stands the Korean Friendship Bell, to the right one amazing sunset you will ever see. The cliff ends just behind the Basketball court, the noise of waves crashing against the cliff walls and the sun cradled by the Northern Pacific Ocean.  

          "Hey, why do you have two different sets of wheels?" I asked. With a slight scoff and a hint of regret Rodney replied "I did a little board slide at Grange." 

          If you haven't noticed this Mark II is rocking 2 different sets of wheels. Sitting at the front are the tried and true Advan RG2 and the rear Ray's Gram lights 57DR. Both created with a similar 6 spoke design and "almost" as iconic as the TE73.

          The Carmine red shinned deep in the sunset. I took it all in trying to find the right angle. I took a step back and contemplated, "shit, it all looks good" I whispered to myself.  

          Weaving through 5 o' clock traffic isn't something people in their right mind would want to go though especially on the 405 in a drift car but surprisingly this machine was quite subtle. The suspension was tight over the rocky surface but completely bearable, unlike the crazed suspension nuts that tweak their dampening all the way to the stiffest setting possible.

          The exhaust rumbled the majestic note of the 1jz. It wasn't piercing your ears but loud enough for any rice boy to question lining up with this thing. In all honestly I felt I was driving a tamed car, a great daily driver is what I thought in the back of my mind.

            The road eventually cleared up and the curiosity set in, let's take it to red line. I mean who could resist going wide open throttle in this thing. I double checked the mirrors, "no cops" I said in my head, "fuck the police". I slammed my foot down like I was stomping on my ex, boost immediately shot me back into my seat as the needle on the gauge pinned to its target pressure. That tame exhaust note turned into something different, but something I've heard before. Just like all those YouTube videos you all watch of Supras city blocking anyone foolish enough to race them. It put a smile on my face, but not just any smile. It's like when you chase your alcoholic shot with a smile (inside joke) but instead the smile represents the inner you saying we gonna get facked up tonight kind of smile. 

Adrenaline coursing through me I looked down......0MPH. "WTF, I forgot that the speedo doesn't work. I have a general feeling of how fast to drive on the freeway without looking at the speedometer but this speed was something else. Unknown hp/tq on tap in this boat was quite disorienting. I let off the throttle and was greeted by that classic vent to atmosphere sound which I can only describe as God blessing the earth with a burst of wind. Partial throttle let go was also gratifying with the iconic boost building to release, SHHHtuutututu of flutter, quite addicting.

One word spanned across my mind "unforgettable".

Virgil Valmonte

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