Woods Racing

So, this past weekend…Mats…pretty much sparta kicked the Canada Synthetics / Gold in the Net drift team into the race world.
.
The build up, the prep, the tuning, the testing, the adjustments…paid off.
.

.
When it comes to terms like, “going fast” or ” ripping up the track” or “forward bite” or even “givin’ em hell”, they for sure can be fun, but they’re something we take seriously around here. After all, it’s what we do. We also consider the words, “win”, “qualified” and “podium” to be of the upmost importance.
.
We’re in the race management business. The teams that we work with, the cars that we sponsor, the cars we build…we don’t set them to lose. Every spot we gain in any circuit in any city is a plus. We want to gofast, and well, we do.
.
Mats was invited back to NY this past weekend for the “Hold the Line” competition. We ran well there in Monticello a couple weeks back, (see Drift-zilla – RTC) Mats was comfortable with the speed, smoke and in between then and this past weekend we made the adjustments we felt that could give him an edge. We looked at the data, the video’s and studied the photos. We needed forward bite without sacrificing smoke, we needed stability in the rear and we needed Mats to put his big right foot through the floor board.
.

.
This he did and qualified 1st.
.
With a bye into the top 8, Campos couldn’t keep up and spun when it was his turn to lead thus sending us to the top4. Dan Savage spun while following and Mats pretty much glued himself to Dan when they reversed and just like that…off to the finals.
.

I was in here in Montreal and was getting the updates via text & twitter. I was quite anxious to say the least. This was our first competing race this year and after all the hard work we did getting the car ready I was thrilled with what was going on.
.
The finals up against Miro Ovcharik who in himself is quite the driver with a pretty mean car under him. (mirodrift.com) Mats led well and Miro followed well. There wasn’t much for Mats to do but get closer, and stay clean. Unfortunately, nearing the end Mats dug his tire into the dirt a bit causing him to straighten out, costing him the win, but held a 2nd place finish. This, was a victory for me. Our first competition, and we nail a 2nd place. How awesome is that!!!???

.

.
There’s a difference between mechanic and driver. I mean, we all want to win, no doubt, but it is a learning experience to get there. As far as I was concerned, the car that left my shop did what I made it to do. Go fast, angle right, squat good and most important, let Mats do what he had to do in the drivers seat. Mats did a fabulous job and I don’t discredit him whatsoever. He kicked ass like he does and I couldn’t ask for more in a driver. He makes my job a whole lot easier everytime he gets behind the wheel. His feedback, response and come-backs are clear, precise and positive. We look at this as a go ahead, not a re-think.
.
Right after his podium finish, I think my tweet to him said it all: @MatsBaribeau , we’re doing something right brother!
.

.
The car is working well, we will make a few minor adjustments but that’s natural in between races. The car will also be re-logo’d, tech’d and prepped for the next race in St. Eustache on Victoria Day weekend. (Please come out and support us!).
.
We’re happy where this is going and I send a thanks to everyone who called, emailed, texted and facebooked us congratulating us on the podium finish. We ain’t done yet though! Ya’ll better get used to it!

May 04th by Bannon

Continue Reading

Race Management. That’s what we do. Bring us a car, we make it go faster, turn harder, spool quicker and stop on a dime all the while lookin’ good.
.
RTC is a term that is common around here; Ready To Compete. Meaning, we’ve built, modified, tested and delivered a vehicle ready to compete. Sometimes the cars come in running, sometimes broken, sometimes in pieces, and sometimes…nothing to do but verify and send em back out.
.
Mats and the Canada Synthetics / Gold in the Net DMCC Drift car came in a few weeks ago as most of you remember. We pulled it out of the trailer, pushed it onto the lift and got to work. Installed the cooling system, finished up the turbo, ran some wires, tightened a few bolts, got it on the dyno and sent it on it’s way. Well, maybe a lil more to it than that, but you catch the drift. (No pun intended…ok maybe a bit).
.

.
Mats hit the track in Jersey 2 weeks ago and the Clubloose event, it was cold, the car had a new setup and we weren’t sure. It was a non-competition day, more of a friendly season opener that we use for testing. It ran wicked numbers on the dyno and stayed cool so things looked good. Turns out, the goFast at WoodsRacing touch paid off. The car assaulted the frigid asphalt, made it cry for mercy and raised a few eyebrows. I myself was stuck back in Montreal, but Mats recorded the data and sent it off to me pronto. I was a little concerned with the temps, and Mats wanted a lil more forward bite so we made a couple changes and we we’re on our way.
.
Here’s a couple vids an pics from that event at EnglishTown
.

Clubloose Season Opener April 2nd, 2011 from Chris Szczypala on Vimeo.
.


.
The car came back running well and there really was nothing to do maintenance wise. A little more testing and we’ll be all set. Air pressure seems to be a big factor so we looked at that as well as damper in the rear shocks. Nothing was needed for the turbo, engine or fluids. Last year, Mats was having a lil trouble shifting so I switched em to the Amsoil’s MTG 75w90 and he hasn’t stopped telling me how good it felt since. Which hey, I won’t complain!
.
So with those changes..back in the trailer and off to NY it went last weekend. The changes proved to be correct and when I tell you this car was by far the best on the track…it’s not a biased opinion. The smoke this frickin’ Toyota is makin is nothing but awesome. It’s responding well, keeping power and holding up to the abuse Mats puts it through. And really though, he drives it like a boss. No breaks for us back at the shop!
.

.
After one week of testing, it’s like, you can breathe a little better, but still on edge. I mean, here you are, all the work, all the time, all the planning, coming down to this. After the 2nd week, the car is still running strong, your changes we’re positive and mood is set. You can sit back a bit, but really…that’s as close as you get until the season has ended. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is what we live for, race for and work for.
.
Seriously, look at this thing rip…
.

.
Work isn’t done though. 2 successful weeks off testing doesn’t mean we’re off the hook. There’s still plenty of work to be done. Realization and reward during testing simply means you’re doing it right, so keep going. So This is what we’re going to do.
.
Our goal is to go fast, we don’t settle with what we got, we don’t compromise and we don’t give up. When the race is on, the bets are off…the Drift-Zilla, is Ready To Compete.
.

Apr 18th by Bannon

Continue Reading