...2013 Season Update...

Hey friends and fam, How's it going? 

I hope everyone is doing great and enjoyed a happy thanks giving with your friends and family!

So as most of you may already know, We ended up picking up a fresh new racing platform a couple weekends ago...

 I can't thank Perfect Harvest enough for all of their help throughout this year and continued support for this up an coming 2013 season!   Thank you for being there since day one and never doubting my ambitions or abilities, and continue to help bring my dreams to reality!

It is a 2002 BMW E46 M3 that I will be building and setting up to run in NASA's GTS-3 class.  It is a German Touring class that will consist of; BMW's, Porches, Audi's, Mercedes, ect... And will be classified based on power to weight ratio.  Being that the M3 is basically a race car out of the box we won't need to do anything really in terms of performance and will focus all of our energy and attention into lightening the car as much as aloud and getting the suspension to handle as best as possible.

Ive been working on getting everything all lined up for next year and have slowly started to hear back from sponsors for support next year.  I still have about 20 more proposals to send out via snail mail and am still waiting to hear back from about another 10-20 companies I emailed my proposal to so well see what they say.

The companies that have responded tho have been very encouraging and excited with the fact of what I am doing.  So far I have yet to hear back from the people I asked for support in the form of money but a few companies have offered support in the form of discounted products and such, so that's way cool!

(this is just one of the responses I've gotten which all tho it's not free, just there response to my goal/dream is cool and I can't wait to hear what others have to say!)

"Mario,

I would like to start by saying that I am very pleased to see someone overcome as much as you have and continue to fight.  Many lesser individuals would have given up hope to drive again let alone walk ( I like your plate!).  My brother-in-law was recently injured in a motorcycle accident and is a paraplegic as well, and your story helps him (and many others I am sure) to keep pushing to achieve what others say cannot be done.  You would have full support from us with anything you need when it comes to the coilovers and suspension tuning.  I hope this works for you and wish you well in your adventures!

Thank you."  

(This was part of D2 racings response that they originally sent me that makes me feel amazing and like I'm doing exactly what I was meant to do!)

That being said, I'm proud to announce that D2 Racing has jumped on board for this next 2013 season!  

D2 is a high performance race suspension and brake company which both products will play a huge contributing factor in helping me put the car on the podium and win races! I  can't thank them enough and look forward to working with them this season and exercising their products to their fullest extent!

(These are the coilovers I'm gonna run.)

(These are the front Brakes.)

Like I mentioned in my previous post, Borelli Motorsports is still going to be the ones helping me Build the car and are way stoked on the project.  I went up to their shop and talked to the GM yesterday and he said that they should be able to help me with everything I need from A-Z so that awesome!  

We're still working out a date to drop the car off to get the ball rolling but I'm hopping to have it there by early next week.

This weather has definitely given me time to do my research and read up on the proper parts needed to build a legit championship contending car tho!  I've read a lot of different people's blogs they have written that have done the same build set up to race the same class, so I have an exact idea of what most of my competition will be running with their setups.  Their are two companies in particular that specialize and race BMW M3's so I have been reading up on what they have done to their race cars.  

(When my car is all done it will for the most part look just like this... Minus the decals)

I talked to the guys at the shop that is going to help me with my controls and they said closer to around Xmas time when it slows down they should be able to help me manufacture those suckers so that will be awesome!  I'm going to give my buddy a call that is going to help me out with the robotics end of of the controls tomorrow and see if we can get a game plan goin.  Hopefully we will be able to drop the car off sometime after the new year once everything else has been done and have him dial those controls all in perfect!

I did finally receive the schedule for next year as well for those of you that might be interested in coming and checking out a race or two.

2013 Schedule:

February 9-10 Sonoma Raceway (Awards Banquet)

March 16-17 Sonoma Raceway

April 13-14 Thunderhill Raceway

May 18-19 Thunderhill Raceway

June 15-16 Sonoma Raceway

July 6-7 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (105dBA)

August 17-18 Thunderhill Raceway

September 5-8 NASA Championships Miller Motorsports Park

September 28-29 Sonoma Raceway

October 26-27 Sonoma Raceway

November 9-10 Sonoma Raceway

December 7-8 Thunderhill Raceway

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I am still actively seeking sponsorship or support in any shape or form offered.  This new car has opened up a ton of new doors and will allow me the ability to run competitively and reliably but still requires quite a bit to get it race ready. 

As most of you are well aware of racing is far from an inexpensive sport so what ever you are able to contribute is appreciated more then you know! Anything and everything contributed will be applied directly to helping with the completion of my New race cars full transition from the street to track.

If you or anyone you may know that might possibly be interested in helping me obtain my 2013 season ambitions, you can reach me at 408-427-5175 or you can email me at walkbdk777@yahoo.com

Here is a list of a few things that I'm still seeking any kind of assistance with, if possible to help offset the total cost of everything.:

- Custom Roll cage Fabrication and install - ....................................... = $3,500-$4,000

- Conversion Labor Tab - ....................................................................... = $5,000

- D2 Factory Race Coilover's - ............................................................. = $1,700

- D2 Team Race Big Brake Kit - ........................................................... = $2,500

- BimmerWorld Parts List Total - .......................................................... = $10,000

( I do have a tax Id Number for those that are interested in contributing as a tax deductible write off, just email me for more information.)

The time is passing by super fast but I would like to be able to have the car done and ready for testing after the first of the year.  I hope to then be able to complete my licensing in January and be ready to rip for the first race in February!

I've been doing an extensive amount of research on race car setup and design in general so I just can't wait to see what that beast is fully capable of once she's all properly setup and refined!  I'm super excited to hit this next season fully and properly prepared this time to make my presence out there felt and to see what this next year has in store all around!

Thank you to everyone that has supported and helped me make it back out to the track and through my first season of my new 4 wheeled racing adventure!

I had my share of ups and downs but all and all it was just great to be back out there doing what I know and love the most!  I look forward to a fantastic and successful 2013 season and hope to see  you at the track next year!

Thank you for reading and stay posted as the car goes through its transformation I will post updates along the way...

Hope Everyone has a Blessed Day and remember to always Keep Em Spinnin!

My 2013 Season Plan, Cuz I Don't Think I know I Can!

Hey everyone, hows it going?  

Sorry I'v been lagging on updating this I'v just been trying to get our game plan all figured out for next years season so I don't give out any inaccurate information.

Most of you may already know, but I blew up my car at the last race at Infineon on September 29th.   

This was a huge bummer and was just a result of several contributing factors and not having the proper monitoring gauges to tell me what the car was doing.   So after the last race we sat down and brainstormed what route would be best for us to go and established our new plan for the 2013 season.

At first we were talking about selling the car and going a different route such as the Porsche Cup series, formula Mazda series and even a legends car was taken into consideration.  We explored each idea to there fullest extent but ended up concluding that putting my GSX back together and building it the right way now that we know what all the week links are will make for a highly competitive car next season.  Iv been doing a lot of thinking and I believe if I am just able to further showcase my skills on the track next season there is no reason I can't go on to obtain further and bigger sponsorship opportunities for the following season.   We had our share of issues with the car this year, but when it ran right it was rediculous, so I know with the proper attention in the correct areas we should have no problem refining the car into a championship contending machine.

I know the Porsche would have been awesome to get into next year, but the fact is that it would be a ridiculous amount of money just to even properly equip the car with my controls, let alone to do a full season in it.  I would end up going through three times the amount tires, fuel, brakes and just all the othe regular maintence expenses so we decided another season at attempting to win a NASA ST2 championship isn't a bad idea.

  I talked to the guys at TruSpeed last week and there's still the option of eventually transition into running with them next season, but for now that plan has been put on hold.

I have been talking to a new shop called Borelli Motorsports in Fremont about what all is left that needs to be finished on the car and they sound way enthusiastic about helping out so thats great!

 I'm working on getting a few more details all worked out with sponsors and such but the plan is to hopefully drop the car off to them either this week or next and get the ball rolling on getting that thing ready for next season.  They are going to completely tear the car down for a 100point inspection and then we will determine what else we need and don't need to finish building a legit reliable race car to drive.

The positive side about staying with my car also is that there is nothing else needed in order to set it all up with my hand controls because it already has the tranny we need for them to work.  

These are the new conceptual designs of my controls that i hope to have cut out within a month or so...

Borelli's is a full 1 stop race shop, so they will be able to do my suspension setup, cage fabrication, dyno tuning and as well as offer track side support if I need it.

I am actively seeking support in any form for this coming up 2013 season and have just completed me new Sponsorship Proposal and Resume. If you or anyone you may know might possibly be interested in helping me obtain my goals in this up and coming season, you can email me at walkbdk777@yahoo.com and I will send you a copy of my current resume and sponsorship proposal.  I do have a tax ID for donations and any form of contribution, support and encouragement is greatly appreciated!

I look forward to now have the time to work on the car and ave all of the problems and unfinished areas properly attended to.  Stay posted as I will be taking lots of pictures and will update this as soon s we transport the car.  

Thank you all for your continued support throughout this following season and I can't wait to see what next year has in store!

I hope everyone has a great weekend and God Bless!

...Keep Em Spinnin...

AHuge Thank You Especially Goes Out To Perfect Harvest!  None of this would be possible without your help and I cant thank you enough!

Graduation from 2 wheels to 4, 6 year anniversary.... Whats up with next year???

What's up laidies & Gents! I hope everyone is having an enjoyable and productive week.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I went up to Infineon Raceway a few weekends ago to go hangout with a team I may potentially work with next year.  The name of the team is Truspeed Motorsports and there based out of southern california.  It was a great experience and everyone on the team was beyond cool. 

Outside of Roadracing and motocross iv only been to a handful of large venue auto races but never from a behind the scenes prospective.  So that was way cool to see what all goes into trying to get yourself and the car to work together more fluidly in order to improve on lap times as well as car control.  It's amazing how much different everything actually is From 2 wheels to 4.

This whole car industry from setup, to rule book logistics is still all very new to me so I'm just trying to pick up on as much knowledgeable as I can, when ever I can!  What's Great is that Truspeed is a very well established and respected Porsche team throughout north America, so they no exactly what it takes to win and understand exactly how to make it happen.  They have countless hours of data acquisition for chassis and suspension setup from previous years drivers at just about every track in the U.S..  This will be ideal when going to a new track and trying to find basic setup parameters for my driving style to start off with.  

Also with there in-depth knowledge about the cars as well as all the legalities that come along with racing, they can provide the track side support Iv been searching for to not only stay consistent, but take my driving skills to the next level of a serious competitor! We're currently discussing a few different possible options for next year, and are working on my P.R. Package to begin approaching sponsors to begin gaining exposer and support for next season.

 I went down and had a meeting with the owner of Truspeed and there pr guy as well on Tuesday.  They're all way cool and super stoked on the whole idea/dream/mission and said they most definitely want to be apart of making it all happen, we just now need to figure out what the next step is to move forward.

I talked to them about a potential car and actually got to sit in it, so I was pumped! Lol. 

I'm suppose to touch base with them again next week to see what they've come up with and let them know what we've figured out on our end and then see what we should do next.  The owner, team manager and Pr guy are suppose to meet and figure out what route they think would be best for us to go.  

I told them about the race I have at the end of the month so I'm hoping my eclipse stays together the way it should so I can actually put down some fast times and show that even in a car that's not fully setup or equip with my ideal hand control system I can still run on pace with my class.  As much as I have already proven that I can navigate the car around the track safely, I'm going to have reassure people's doubts by continually going out and showing dramatic progression every time.  Which is my intention wether its expected or not, stagnantation is my worst fear that drives me to push beyond my own abilities and keep striving beyond lifes limitless boundaries. The car should be back together and running next week so fingers are crossed that they got all the bugs worked out this time and it stays together.

Its been a journey since Sept. 15, 2006, but Iv learned a lot in the last 6 years from;

life, to business, to human nature, reality, dreams and everything in between.  We live in a constant search for a balance of happiness, freedom, self expression and success but most of us get pushed into and trapped in the box that which society likes to call reality.  The world is interpreted by your personal beliefs and views, not necessarily by what you personally view.  Don't let others negative outlooks dictate your personal ambitions and dreams, because only you can see how there possible, and only you can take action to make them reality.  Just as an architect can visualize how a house needs to be constructed,  only you and God know how you want your life to be developed.  

We all have something unique and special to offer, for some it may be math, for some it may be art, some may even have more then one, but for me my passion is racing.  It's not the race against my opponent that concerns me, all tho I do want to win.  It is the race against myself that keeps me pushing to continue my progression past what I am already capable of.  Its the fact that i know my brain, potential and abilities haven't yet been developed, challenged nor tested to there fullest extent so I understand there will always be room for improvement.  Its knowing all knowledge is self knowledge and the more understanding and effort I apply into every aspect of what I do, the better off the outcome will always be.  I know that there will always be someone else that's faster or better, but if I learn to humble my pride and analyze what aspect of the task at hand that they may understand and are executing better, then I may learn from there strengths and weakness's and capitalize and improve off of them.  I just love the smell of the fumes, the sound of the engines, the mechanics of the machines and the complete analyzation and adaptation to the different tracks and situations in general.

Ever since I was a child it was not only my Goal to become a professional, but to be the best professional I could possibly become in hopes of one day maybe becoming world champion.   As these are huge aspirations for anyone iv always believed that the only boundaries were confined by are the ones we create in our own mind, and if its possible for one then it has to be possible for another.  Iv always lived my life without boundaries, but never without fear, I just took the time to learned to fear the right things. Iv admired others abilities and appreciated there achievements but i have never put anyone on a pedastule over the next guy because anything is possible for anyone, its just all about who wants it more.

Of coarse any racer that sets foot on a track does not intend to plato, but to continually progress & develop there skills until they'er the one setting the pace of the field and constantly raising the bar for themselves as well as everyone else.  The day you stop taking risks and stop learning  is the day you quit being a racer.  Its a constant search for greater self knowledge and an indescribable desire for personal progression.  As a racer we desire to continually test realities boundaries in order to see what is actually possible and what we are personally capable of as individuals.  The car acts as a mechanical appendage that which a driver is able to translate there passion into unspeakable actions which allows them the ability to over exceed unimaginable thought to be boundaries.

The way I look at it is like calculated chaos, kind of like harnessing a hurricane that's completely out of control and being able to tame it to channel its energy to use it to the best of your advantage.  We all have the ability ride different hurricanes but its the one that can harness and focus the perfect amount of energy at the perfect moment's required that will usually come out victorious!

There is just no better feeling then going where no one has gone before, doing what no one has done before, and having the confidence in yourself to elevate your personal abilities in order to accomplish what is believed by most to be unachievable.  It is a self gratifying moment of coarse but it also in a sense slowly starts the change the laws of reality and new laws begin to be written by once unimaginable feats!  To be an author in realities amendment book is all I can hope to be by showing anything is possible with enough hard work, faith and perseverance!

Unfortunately my racing dreams were temporarily detoured for a few years but iv finally worked my way back to the track and am slowly trying to turn these dreams back into a reality.  I haven't gotten to where I am by accepting where I was, and I'm not going to get to where I am going by accepting where I am.  I'm on a mission and don't plan to stop until Iv reached my fullest potential, and even then I keep no limit on progression so dreams I'll chase until the day I die!

My next race is at the end of the month on Saturday the 29th so well see how it goes and I'm hoping things can only go up from here!  I just want to thank my family and friends that have stood by me, and all those that have made this year possible.  This is just the beginning and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon so thank you again for everyone's continued support and encouragement and I'm gonna do my best to Keep Em Spinnin!

Stay posted for updates as the race gets closer and don't ever stop dreaming!

...Keep Em Spinnin & Stay Blessed...

6 Year Journey... Next race September 28-30...

What's goin on everyone, I hope your all having a great week so far!

I went up to talk to the guys at WORKS last week and to see how the car was coming along..   The car currently has the head off of the block so we could internally diagnose what the problem is.  The rear differential was unfortunately having some issues as well and decided to seize up almost completely so we yanked that thing out also.

I had a new stage 5 fully built head shipped over to WORKS that they just received in yesterday.  So there gonna throw that bad boy on there next week and hopefully that will allow my car to rev out the way it wants without breaking anything again! 

My differential is suppose to arrive today at the rebuilders shop, and they said it'll be about a 7-10 day turn around period.  The only crummy part is that it might force me to miss the next track day I was shooting for, which was the 8th of september... So right now it's kind of up in the air if Im gonna be able to swing that yet or not.

Either way  It'll be a good thing that were taking care of the problem now as Appose to trying to run it one more time and have it grenade out on track!  

I'll post another update once I talk to the guys again next week.  Im going up to the races at Infineon tomorrow to hangout with a team iv been talking to about possibly working with them next year, so that should be way cool!

This month of September also post marks my 6th year anniversary of this 4 wheeled adventure that iv been on through this journey we call life!

  It's been a long and interesting road but I count my blessings everyday, and thank God that this crazy path I'v been on has finally lead back to where I feel the most at home.... ON THE TRACK! Lol

Anyways I'm looking to do something to celebrate/commemorate the occasion so well see, stay posted.

Stay posted for videos and pictures next week as well.  I should have a much better idea of how things are coming along then...

Thank you again for everyone that has continued to support and endorse my mission/dream this year!  

All though the season hasn't really gone as planned Your faith and encouragement mean more then you know!

I wish everyone a blessed weekend & always Keep Em Spinnin towards those goals!