TZ: Hey John, let’s start off with the basics – what got you into racing and what was your first so called street car?
John: 1987 Ford Mustang 4cyl. auto
TZ: I remember back in the day you had a silver hatchback with an H22 – what was the story behind that car and where is it today?
John: I bought a brand new 1998 CX hatch to build into a racecar someday. I didn’t even drive it for a year when it I choose to do the unthinkable H22 swap. It took about 6 months to get everything done in Mom’s garage. I raced the car in 2000 @ Moroso and won the Super Pro Championship. It was All Motor and ran a best of 12.63 @106. In 2001 I realized I needed to pay off my debts so I sold the car. I was later informed that the car was stolen
TZ: So what exactly got you into drag racing and Hondas?
John: I had a buddy of mine in high school that had a 5.0 Mustang and we would go to the track. Two other guys at school had Integras one a 93 GS-R and the other a 94 LS, I though it was cool that with 4 less cyl. these guys were running the same times as my buddy with the 5.0.
TZ: What was the first thing that went into your mind when James introduced
the idea of driving the Turbo 4 / Sport FWD Civic in 2004?
John: Whoa! Are you serious?
TZ: How did you feel as the times progressive got faster and the mph got higher throughout the season?
John: Darin must be doing something right.
TZ: What was the exact thoughts running in your head on that first 9 second
pass (before you knew it was a 9 second pass)? Did you even think it was a 9
second pass?
John: It seemed like an ok pass, I figured there were a couple of things to improve on. Then Jason Hunt drives up and congratulates me and tells me I’m in the 9’s.
TZ: What would you say it takes to stay competitive in the Turbo 4 / Sport
FWD class for 2005?
John: mid-low 9’s maybe a 8. Everyone has to keep improving there set up.
TZ: I know you guys will be competing hard in 2005, what are you goin to do to make sure you stay ahead of the competition?
John: See above
TZ: How did it feel to finish third place in the 2004 season coming fresh and building a car so quickly and competitively?
John: Awesome. At the beginning I would have never have thought we could have done what we did this year.
TZ: What do you love most about driving?
John: Driving as fast as I can and not having to worry about the cops.
TZ: I know you’re a big fan of the NOPI events, how do you feel about the competitors and even the Pro drivers and cars?
John: Everyone’s real cool at NOPI events. Everyone acts like they want you there. When you go over to talk to the Pro’s and they ask you, “How’d you run?” before you even say, “Hi” that pretty cool.
TZ: Don’t want to take up too much of your time, but as with all interviews – anyone you’d like to thank?
John: Jesus Christ, James, Darin, John (RPI), Golden Eagle, Vibrant, Gary, Brett, Cindy White, Jim Hucks (Stage 6), FastestFWDstreetcars.com, NOPI, Jason Hunt, Brain Ballard, Titan Motorsports, Harry @ Precision Turbo and of course the Siu brothers
TZ: Thanks for your time, look forward to seeing you guys out in 2005!
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