Auto Addiction

[Mike Holleman]

My name is Mike, and I have Auto Addiction. It started out simple enough. Just a way to get around. But as time went by it became more,much more. A little more power, better brakes, sticky tires. But now it is completely out of my control. Nothing is enough. 500 HP, just a mild fix. One build becomes two, then five. And now I have hit rock bottom. I bought an Fbody. Oh my god, what do I tell the kids. And not just a street version, a stinking full on road racer. Will it never end? And how can I ask my friends for help? It is deadly contagious. Oh the humanity.
Anybody laughing yet? Good!
Today I picked up a 97 Firebird race car, built by GM and Wheel2wheel to race in Grand Am. It is very well built with LS1/T56. It raced serveral seasons in Grand Am including several 24 hours of Daytona races. My intentions are to do more DE's and use it to finish getting my comp. license. Run it at Maxton and generally beat on it without mercy. If it goes well it may see action in Am. Iron and or the Camaro Mustang challange. Feed the addiction! I'll post some pics when I can shoot a few.
Mike

[Bill Howell]

Sounds perfectly normal to me Mike. Not sure how this could possibly be a problem? More hp I say, bigger tires and larger brakes.

[Mike Holleman]

Sounds perfectly normal to me Mike. Not sure how this could possibly be a problem? More hp I say, bigger tires and larger brakes.

That's what I keep telling myself too. Only means we may be beyond hope.

[JEFFTATE]

What ???
Man , that is a dream of mine , to have an ex-Grand Am car !!
That's awesome Mike !!
A dedicated track car !! Whew !!

[Mike Holleman]

What ???
Man , that is a dream of mine , to have an ex-Grand Am car !!
That's awesome Mike !!
A dedicated track car !! Whew !!

I've finally gone over the edge Jeff. But boy is it neat. Smell that 110 octane. The rumble of open exhaust. Oh crap! Car came complete with a truck load of spare parts. Three sets of CCW's with good rubber. High dollar Penske remote res. shocks. 25 gal fuel cell, fire system etc etc. Like a kid in a candy store. Now I'll need another building to store this stuff.

[MoparCar]

Awesome! Can't wait for the pics. Dedicated race car....could be a 12 step program in itself!
Wes

[Van B]

Some pics would be in order...

[brans72]

So Mike does that mean I can come drive the Elky around for you? I knew you had a problem first time I saw your garage in person! I want to say mike is a Great guy and has one sexy Elky (pictures do not do it justice)!

[dropit69]

Cool Mike !!!! if ya need to store something ill make room..hell ill park my junk outside for that nice stuff you build..Need some pics of this new addition..

[Mike Holleman]

I'll get some pics this PM and get em up. You know you guys can drive the Elky. I let Steilow beat on it hard at VIR. Hey, what could happen?lol

[NOT A TA]

Nice score Mike! PICS!!

[Nessumsar]

:postpics:

[Scott Parkhurst]

Addiction isn't all bad.

I think you're dealing with it rationally. No imports or mud boggers yet. You're going to be okay, Mike.

[moreHP]

embrace the sickness!

[Mike Holleman]

:postpics:

These are hastily shot but the best I can do right now.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/Firebirdracecar003-1.jpghttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/Firebirdracecar002-1.jpghttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/Firebirdracecar004-1.jpghttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/Firebirdracecar006-1.jpg

[FreakShow]

Very cool car! I bet you are going to have a blast with it.

Whats your plans with that 57? pick up?

[Mike Holleman]

Very cool car! I bet you are going to have a blast with it.

Whats your plans with that 57? pick up?

The 57 will be my daily driver. There is a build page on project updates. I need to put some fresh shots there as well. It is nearly finished. LS2/ 4L65.
Mike

[Mike Holleman]

What ???
Man , that is a dream of mine , to have an ex-Grand Am car !!
That's awesome Mike !!
A dedicated track car !! Whew !!
First time back to Road Atlanta we will make sure you get some laps in it.
Mike

[Yelcamino]

Nice 'Bird Mike! And it's even yellow! lol

[Hydratech®]

It IS all just a matter of perspective, and from where I'm standing, it looks like you finally managed to get YOUR PRIORITIES RIGHT !:2nd:

[454bug]

VERY nice car Mike!!

That should feed the addiction just fine!!

I feel your pain... :)

[Ron S]

I think we are all supposed to say Hi Mike after the introduction,
I also don't see the problem, I'd keep with the past you have chosen. The alternative 12 step program, starts with removing a couple spark plug wires on your current ride, and ends with you driving a Prius. Tough love. Ron

[Mike Holleman]

Nice 'Bird Mike! And it's even yellow! lol

That's only paint Herb. It will get some body work. It has seen a tire wall or three. Color might change.

[Mike Holleman]

It IS all just a matter of perspective, and from where I'm standing, it looks like you finally managed to get YOUR PRIORITIES RIGHT !:2nd:

The wife might disagree with priorities, but I am focused. I had to get something different for comp school. Robert Patton with NASA convinced me that sooner or later the Elky was gonna leave track at speed. And the Elky is not the right machine for sharing lines. Did you notice, stock power booster and masters?

[Mike Holleman]

I think we are all supposed to say Hi Mike after the introduction,
I also don't see the problem, I'd keep with the past you have chosen. The alternative 12 step program, starts with removing a couple spark plug wires on your current ride, and ends with you driving a Prius. Tough love. Ron
Prius? Oh my! That is tough love. Here's my take on a Prius. Looking for your Prius? Try looking under my slicks. Hope you can get the time next season to do some more events with me. VIR was a blast. After my event there last month my laptimes are sub 2.20s in the Elky. You, Herb and I need to do Summit Point.
Mike

[tazzz25906112]

Way cool Mike,,,, enjoy it in good health buddy.

[Neil B]

Great Car. What team originally raced the car? Is it an ex-Powell Motorsports car?

[killer67]

I always lie to myself and say, "I deserve this because....." (add some inaccurate reason to justify the purchase)

[Yelcamino]

Prius? Oh my! That is tough love. Here's my take on a Prius. Looking for your Prius? Try looking under my slicks. Hope you can get the time next season to do some more events with me. VIR was a blast. After my event there last month my laptimes are sub 2.20s in the Elky. You, Herb and I need to do Summit Point.
Mike

Yes we do need to do Summit Point (http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/)! I live 43 miles away so there's no need for you guys to get hotels.

Summit Point has a great deal called Friday At The Track (FATT)!

How much does FATT cost?
FATT costs $250 up to 2 weeks before the event (late registration is $10 more) and includes four track sessions with a personal instructor as well as skid pad time in our training cars.

What if it rains?
FATT is a rain or shine event. High speed in the rain is actually one of the best ways to teach students how to be smooth since the vehicle language is accentuated.

Can I drive my convertible on track?
Only if it has a roll bar installed or you have an owner’s manual stating that your car has passive rollover protection. Honda S2000, Dodge Viper, and Mazda MX5 convertibles are required to have an aftermarket ROLL Bar.

Is my vehicle covered if it is damaged?
Track day insurance is available through HPDEIns.locktonaffinity.com.

Is there a place to get gas at FATT?
We have credit card pumps available 24/7 and free air and water available for your car.

Is there food available at FATT?
Yes, we have a concession stand with burgers, dogs, chili, and sandwiches available as well as soda, chips, candy and ice-cream.

What should I do to my car before coming to FATT?
A thorough maintainance inspection should be done on your car before any track time. Track days are tough on brakes and they account for the most lost track time. If you haven’t had your brake fluid flushed in the past year, have it changed.

Is FATT dangerous?
FATT is a high speed activity. With high speed there is obviously a certain amount of risk. However, FATT instructors are the absolute best at what they do. They will endeavor to teach you how to drive your car fast, but safely, in a controlled environment. That being said, you will not be asked to continue doing anything you are not comfortable with.

What should I do with the stuff from my car while I’m out on track?
Don’t bring more than you need. Whatever stuff you do take out, you can leave in your paddock space. A plastic box or tarp is a good idea in case of rain.

Is FATT the best thing I will ever do in my life?
Quite possibly.

[Ron S]

You name a date, and its a date. I'm really wanting to do Summit, so lets get it set up.

[RS_Customs]

Nice addition Mike! Let us know when your headed down to road atlanta, even if it's a track day we can come hang out.

Are the leathers on the wall from your days of racing motorcycles?

Robert

[Tucks69]

Looks good Mike! You are having way to much fun for one person! LOL

[Mike Holleman]

Nice addition Mike! Let us know when your headed down to road atlanta, even if it's a track day we can come hang out.

Are the leathers on the wall from your days of racing motorcycles?

Robert
Good eye Robert. Those are 1970 era leathers. Herb saw them and said you actually raced in them things. Hey, they are the exact same leathers Kenny Roberts used winning his titles. If you look again you might see some pics on the wall of me leading a race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

[Mike Holleman]

Looks good Mike! You are having way to much fun for one person! LOL

Come join the fun Michael. You got the equipment. All you add is the desire.

[Tucks69]

Come join the fun Michael. You got the equipment. All you add is the desire.

I have the desire Mike, just seems like TIME seems to be the biggest factor!

[protouring70]

That is one sweet ride!!!!

[yellowrallys]

Cool addition the the collection, Mike. Looks like a fun toy! You still got the Tempest?

[Mike Holleman]

Cool addition the the collection, Mike. Looks like a fun toy! You still got the Tempest?

Oh yeah. That one is really my son's. He drove it the last couple of years to HS. We share it now. Linda would much rather ride in it than the Elky. Right now the Elky is so stiff is rattles your teeth. But she corners dead flat.

[tommycomfort]

Seems normal enough to me.... I stand behind your addiction!
Tom

[Yelcamino]

You name a date, and its a date. I'm really wanting to do Summit, so lets get it set up.

Will do! They don't have the 2011 calendar up on their web yet, but I'll keep checking. Until then, check out this video. The driver is a salesman at OG Racing and an instructor at Summit.

This was the PM session of the Redline Time Attack in 2007. He was driving a 2000 BMW M Coupe and got the “Street RWD” class lap record of a 1:39.465 on Michelin PS2s.

GJQ1B5YzHxQ

[Mike Holleman]

Seems normal enough to me.... I stand behind your addiction!
Tom
They say admitting your problem is half the battle. One thing one sure is I'm not in this alone. We all got it bad.

[Payton King]

Sorry to be slow to the party. Congrats on the cool score. Smart move on your part. No need to tear up the Elky when you can drive that thing. Where did you find that thing.....racing junk.com?

[Mike Holleman]

Yep, Went on there looking for parts and ended up with a whole car.

[Payton King]

I try and stay off that site as much as I can. Always something I need and do not have a place for...

Can't wait to see it and you in action.

[rogue]

Nice track toy. Glad to see another track nut here.

[Mike Holleman]

Nice track toy. Glad to see another track nut here.

Key word there is nut. I think I fit that to a tee. Nuther case of PT gone wrong. Or right, depending on your point of view.
Mike