Showing 179 of 179 historical logs, technical write-ups, and project stories.
Cars weren’t just transportation in our family. They were part of everyday life. And somewhere along the way, I inherited the need to go fast.
demanding work in the USAF supporting munitions, air-to-air missiles, and smart weapons that shaped my approach to motorsports.
From a neighbor inviting me to a Phoenix autocross to founding the Toyota MR2 Owners Club community across North America.
Moving from Lemons to ChumpCar, tackling twenty-four continuous hours at Virginia International Raceway.
Building the custom 1986 2.2L Mk1 and the 1991 Mk2 powered by Toyota’s 3MZ V6, campaigning across the country through 2016.
Transitioning from competitor to leading marketing in 2016, and today serving as Director of Operations for the ChampCar Endurance Series.
Engineering the web infrastructure, driver registration systems, and internal operational tools that power ChampCar.
Cars, bicycles, engineering, and speed coming full circle.
Experiencing the turbo era at Brands Hatch in 1983 while stationed in England with the USAF, and freezing racing moments in time.
The Rusty Hub: Q&A with Bill Strong of ModSquad Racing: ModSquad Racing's first, longest-lasting and most reliable car--the ModSquad 1--is a Toyota MR2 Mk.
The car is stripped and the clutch system installed,
Sunday, May 27th 2012, Daytona International Speedway! I had been hearing rumors that ChumpCar was going to race at Daytona. The regular 2.2liter MR2s that we r
10.507 gallons $3.89 gallon 368.9 miles 35.10 mpg
update CHUMPCAR World Series Car 37 ModSquad one is performing great. Car 73 MS2 had some electrical issues at start, replaced ignition system, plugs and wires
After a very nice dinner at the VIR pub the guys came back to the paddock to clean up. David got some mean sun burn. So he ended up going to get cleaned up and
It is freaking hot here today. Car are ready. Ms2 is doing the test day so we can get our new drivers into the car. I was first out and noticed a cooling issue.
Chump car event. Left RSm at around 10pm last night. Two rigs. One 24 foot support trailer and the two car rig. We are now lined up outside vir on some dirt acc
The 2ZZ spyder was one hell of a car. I sat at 80 mph for hours on end. Then she gave me speeds that would get me put in jail in some parts of the country. And
$751.24 spent on fuel 193.036 gallons of gas used 6074.9 miles (actual was 6097.4 as I forgot to reset the trip meter a few miles in a couple of times. I left T
144.5 miles $16.38 4.245 gallons I made it!!! I love my toyota mr2! 10 years old and not even a hickup! 6097.4 miles! 10 more mile til I am home
245.5 miles $27.08 7.402 gallons weather is much cooler. Car seems to have a lot more power in these conditions.
272.9 miles $32.45 8.563 gallons Longtown tn. Woohoo!  Back to the land of 93 octane
254.6 miles $34.76 8.277 gallons Really muggy in arkansas. But no rain this morning.
Woke up to this... an empty parking lot! My goal today is to make it to and a bit past Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Memphis would be better, but that is seventeen hours
Left San Diego this morning around 9am local. Now sitting in a Holiday inn express in Grants, New Mexico. I got some bad fuel in Gila Bend Arizona. Under load o
El centro $34.80 8.152 gal 241.1 miles Hotter than something very hot here in el centro. Lunch at the box. Everyone speaks Spanish here. I have yet to hear engl
More specifically, Mira Mesa. I grew up in this small community in the north of San Diego city limits. We moved to this area from the North Clairmont area (just
$31.77 7.984 gallon 246.2 miles From California Trip 2011 I arrived in Mira Mesa, wow, it has really grown. I really have not been back and looked around the pl
Set off car alarms pulling unto shell! 268.2 miles $35.30 8.697 gallons Spyder trip so far... my MPG went down a bit. I suspect the crappy fuel that California
William D. Strong, Jr.'s location@6:44am,7/4 California http://m.google.com/u/m/AnQtdz
I wish I had my camera on me... Went up to see my grandmother early this morning. She live a few miles up the road. On the way back I had to get ice for our fis
Got here last night 7pm local time. The drive from Reno was eventful compared to the rest of the trip. First off, the traffic... Reno people need to learn to dr
On my trip to see my family, I had to make an even more important stop, a stop at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Last time I came through here the wife and kids wer
Fuel 6.341 gallons $24.98 233.8 miles Needed a break. Got dome healthy snacks
We are using Shell 87 gasoline. Currntly going through 8 gallons per hour. Looks like 196 gallons is what we will use.Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
The detour was long but kinda cool getting back into real rural america. Saw real cowboys with the tight jeans and hats. I have a friend that would have loved t
Wow. I have never seen flooding like this before. The last ten miles all around me on i29 has been under water. Now I have to go east again. Lots of detours. Sa
Up at 530 central. Took my pills. That was for my wife. Goal today is to get to elko nevada. 18 hours...
I have made it to Saint Joseph Mo. Just north of Kansas city Mo. Just watching the news... may have tornado action around midnight. But if I head north like I n
$43.18 10.798 gal 347.10 miles. Cut it close. Fuel light came on out in the middle of nowhere. Had to turn a/c off too. And it is sofreaking humid. I am about 3
From Racing Strong Motorsports MARRS ITB MR2As of today we start the build-up of the 1986 Toyota MR2 race car. ATS Racing in Texas has supplied us a used 5SFE e
6am... Sunday. just finished breakfast. The wife is making coffee. Gotta have coffee. Kids are waking up to say goodbye. Cool clear morning outside. Perfect day
All packed... clothes, electronics, maps, GPS updated, tools... already to go. Going to leave after work, drive 8 hours, stay in Lexington Ky, then get some sle
Version 7 exhaust for this car!!! drones at 3000rpm. not bad and should get better with age. But the sound at speed upshifting and down shifting is awesome. Not
What is Spyder Trek? It is a test of my will power to handle a super tiny car, on a cross country venture to see my family, and to see old friends at my 30th Hi
The ModSquad at New Jersey well we started off the day doing well, until I spun the MK2... I went into the corner all wrong, and was just too fast. and she spun
Door hinges found in a scrap pilePublished with Blogger-droid v1.6.7
Hmm.hopefully this cures the bogging issuePublished with Blogger-droid v1.6.7
I am guessing that being able to remove the crank pulley bolt with me fingers is not a good thing?Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7
Amazing how good things look when one uses a bit of cleanerPublished with Blogger-droid v1.6.7
Ok. Maybe not titanium. Maybe not 200 mph.Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7
Good news--I think. Mod Squad Racing has officially been ACCEPTED for The Real Hoopties of New Jersey at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville NJ, April 09 - A
From VIR Winter 2011 Troy Truglio's V6 MR2 last lap at VIR, breaking Scott Barton's lap record of 2.25.400. Tim Stephens has the overall lap record in a GT3 MK1
Here is Troys Biohazard V6 MR2. Car number three in our MR2 24 Hours of LeMons / ChumpCar Group. I love his paint job. The donor Camry was basically a biohazard
We put a call out on the MR2OC Message Board for additional drivers for the 2011 racing season. Here is the current list of drivers: David Hawkins Bill Strong K
24 Hours of LeMons SeriesThe Painfully Bland Bowl of Thin Lukewarm Oatmeal That Can't Possibly Offend Anyone, No Matter How Much They Enjoy Being Offended, 24-H
The 3000GT passes us at 1:45. Car 37 Black 1986 Toyota MR2 @ Sebring Florida ChumpCar
Car number 37 ModSquad II MR2 at Sebring Florida ChumpCar event, 2010.
above image by Ronman Images, TV and video from the race Palm Beach CBS Channel 12 Coverage Bill Strong images taken by Kevin Tulay and Bill Strong 24 Hours of
What a blast! So after my last race post before the end of the race, I was monitoring David on the radio in the pits. I let him know that we had 45 minutes left
Our friends at grm refueling the mercury racecarPublished with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
We are now in 28th place. The 27 car is 8 seconds a lap fster.Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
12 gallons of fuel added. Had an issue restarting. But on second try she fired right up. Hawkins is in the car now. At midnight as the leading car crosses the f
Peter is down to a quarter tank of fuel. He says it feels like the rear strutrod is lose agaun. This kees the rear tires pointed straight. Now down 1/8 tank. I
Something like 77 cars started 22 hours ago. We dropped way back at the start. Made it to 19th. Then had more problems. These problems dropprd us back to 37. We
The welds broke on the header and bpipe. So i welded c clamps the the flanges. The seam welded rthe parts of the flange i could get there. Then i installed a bl
Edelbrock muffler to keep things legal. Still have to make a downturn from scrap.Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7
The broken exhaust is fixed and hopefully the broken motor mount.Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
The damaged exhaust from earlier broke all together while Tommy was out during his second stint.Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
We are now in 22. Lost a right rear tire due to cording. My last stint was great. The car is still screwed up but it very predictable. Published with Blogger-dr
Troy out. Peter doane is now in. Our grand am driverPublished with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
Rx7 hit the back of the car cracking b-pipe at the top near the rav4 header. Welded it the best i could. Sound bad at idle but still quiet for the trackPublishe
Had some rear suspension issues. The rear struts stopped strutting. It was quite scarry on 3 to 4 upshifts. We spent time in the pit trying to diagnose the issu
Problems already. Found a loose RL strut rod, bubble on the RL tire and a loose left motor mount. Hopefully this resolves our problems ...
Bill has been ready for 30 minutes now.Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
KBusy day today. 1030 i suit up. 1045 drivers meeting. Race starts at 1200 Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
OuchPublished with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
Tommy Guttmann has landedat Ft. Lauderdale airport. He has flown in from the great white north. The fabled place called Canadia. Published with Blogger-droid v1
Traffic has pocked up. We are surrounded by speeding ricers and suvs. Looks like everyone is headed to disney for new years. Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
We are now driving on I95 south just nortb of walterboro South Carolina. Taking turns driving the cars and truck. Gps says we will arrive at the track at12:36am
On the road to south floridaPublished with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
Car is loaded and we are now on the road heading to Troy's.Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
They had glycerine 96% usp natural. Any issues with gasoline?Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
Introducing the ModSquad Racing Anti-Castro MR2. 2200cc of mid-engine fuzziness. South Florida bound!
Well yesterday, Christmas day, a nor-easter started working its' way up the east coast of the USA. I live in Central Virginia, the race car is at TwosRus in Har
We made team shirts for all of the drivers and crew. Team gear will be available soon.Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
Testing sms posting. Most updates will be via sms texting.
We will start out the blog with details of the 1991 Toyota MR2 that we will be racing at Palm Beach International Raceway over the New Years Eve weekend. 1991 T
Got videos.Kate using the camera. Troy driving.Walk aroundTomorrow I put in a used clutch.
Baktash from EMS sent me a cool muffler for the car. Yes it does make it sound much better, a bit more quiet on the high freqs to.From 2010 LeMons MK1 Racecar -
Got home early tonight and decided to try my hand at removing the spare front window from the parts car. I have tried this once, but ended up breaking the windo
Started off the day by finishing the welding on the cage. I then went over every weld to make certain that I did not miss a weld. Then after letting the cage co
Well, David did good. He wired up the engine and it actually worked. I connected a few grounds. Added water for coolant (the race series we run in do not allow
Had to stop by AutoZone to get a new battery for the BMW. So I picked up a few parts. Got some WindowWeld so I can install the front window I will steel from th
David Hawkins, Kevin Tulay and Troy Truglio stopped by for the weekend to work on the race car. We got a lot done. David sorted out the wiring on the engine swa
SoldC52 Transaxle shifter bell crank used - $15 sold to Alex HorvathNot Sold Rev1 4AGE Cams - $401986 C52 Transaxle, unknown condition - $50+ shipping1986 manua
Just ordered the tires for the race car. We are limited to the type of tire we can use. 190 treadwear is the stickiest we can use. Those are hard to find in the
Did not feel well today. It was cold, windy and just did not feel well. I did put the new battery in my MK2 MR2 and took it out of winter storage, and took her
Started wiring.1993 5SFE with ECU 89661-17430discovered I did not have the ECU body plug - 12-pin connectorLuckily I had a harness in my large collection of har
No pictures today. The weather warmed up to about fifty degrees. The snow is still not melted. But I was able to get a lot of work done.I started out with the r
Had an hour or so to work on the mounts before the Daytona 500 started. So I took the 3/16" steel and cut it up to make the rear transaxle mount. This keeps the
This winter is really sucking! So much cold and snow. We are setting records with the snow. If I was into skiing it would be great. The news is reporting that 4
Started cutting up the old Krylon MR2. This chassis has seen many engines from a stock 4age to a small port carbed 4ag to a 20v 4AGE and finally a Northstar V8.
Here is our list of scheduled races. We are running one of two cars this year. The MK1.22 that I am building now, and the 1991 MR2 that we campaigned last year.
We got another snow storm that delivered at least 10 inches of snow here. This global warming crap is killing me. So I did some shopping at Rock Auto and picked
Weather today was extreme cold again. It really sucks having to work under the car port. If I could get the white MK2 MR2 out of the way, then I could move the
Sold the side skirts for $65. Also got the Shut Off Switch for the electrical system, the decals and the rear view mirror.From 2010 LeMons MK1 Racecar - MK1.2--
Temps were even colder today. Single digits most of the day with a slight wind. I worked in my snow suit. One day I will have a shop that is not on the verge of
From 2010 LeMons MK1 Racecar - MK1.2Made a new engine cart as all my other ones seem to have engines on them. I should probably insert a few on them into cars t
Today was spent removing the old 4age that was in the car, or actually what is left of the 4age. This car sat around in a barn and in a farm field without the h
Got a Momo Competition steering wheel and Sparco MR2 hub with a Troyer quick release hub. Amazing how a simple steering wheel assembly can cost almost as much a
Free cars have holes. Holes where you really don't want them. MR2s are notorious for rusting in the corners. And sure enough the rear trunk had some pretty mass
Finally. Sold the 93 catalytic converter with a custom lower O2 plug for $125! I can now subtract that to the total I have spent. That is enough to buy a gasket
My vacation started today and I was planning on starting with the bodywork on the car. But as you can see I am a bit frozen with the job From Winter 2009 Blizza
Scott Barton from Duct Tape Motorsports (http://www.dtmotorsports.com/) let me know of a sale on the Midland GXT1000 radio that we use in the race car at Amazon
Cruising eBay and found that www.MR2Guru.com had a 5SFE Fidanza aluminum flywheel for sale. It was used and cheap. $60. Shipping was $20. Total was $80 for thos
From 2010 LeMons MK1 Racecar - MK1.2Got my axles from a MR2OC member. They were old and need rebuilt. He got them to use on a swap. But they did not fit. Collec
Busy Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Had to keep the wife happy by starting the move of my office to the larger downstairs basement. That included a complete clea
Removed the stock cast manifold today. One stud on the manifold is broken. I'll remove the broken part later and put a new one in. I can sell the good 1993 cast
So I have decided to do a V8 MR2 Style blog documenting my build-up of a SCCA Improved Touring B 1986 Toyota MR2 sports car.The MR2 has for 2009 been moved from
It erks me when I see cars driving at night with one headlight.Yesterday morning my wife noticed that it was really dark as we drove down our road on our way to
I was blogging with the kiddies on MySpace. Then moved onto Facebook. This joint looks much better. So let me start again. Just rambling. Just being Bill. A new
I picked up this SSAC stainless header off of e-Bay for $150!