Bolted ice racing tires: icy grip for your frozen whip

When it comes to racing on ice, the hierarchy of grippy tires goes something like this:

5. All-season tires

4. Winter tires

3. Studded winter tires

2. Non-DOT “rally” studs

1. Bolted tires

Toyota MR2: the car that wants to kill you

You might remember hearing that I picked up a 1991 Toyota MR2 turbo a few months ago. While it isn’t exactly the best example of an MR2, it has been an enlightening experience to own and drive it.

Goodbye, Samuel.

Well, that’s it. Samuel the Samurai is now gone from my roster. It’s a bit sad, actually. I didn’t ever drive it and it gave me a lot of headaches, but I have a lot of affection for that little trucklet. I owned it for about 8 years, which is a definite record for me. We had a lot of good times, like when we used to explore every logging road and rocky trail we could find in the southern interior of British Columbia. We also had some bad times, like when I got ambitious on a remote trail, alone and by myself, and nearly sunk him in a lake.



His new owner is fixing him up a little and then sending him off to live in the Northwest Territories to be a dedicated camping/hunting vehicle. I’m definitely okay with that. It’s kind of like sending a dog off to live on a farm so that he’ll have all the room to run and play and be a dog, just like he oughtta be. Except Samuel is actually going off to live on that farm and not just being put down at the vet.

I just realized that this may just be the only vehicle I have owned that has had a name.

*sniffle*

The cast of my garage. MR2 makes the Subaru look huge.

Crash.

Samuel L. He (was) for sale.

Ratbike. My 91 CBR600F2

Still alive....

Okay, so it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. How irresponsible of me. I’d like to get back into this whole writing thing again, so let me start with the story of the last 365-ish days, imparted as a history of vehicles:

1992 Geo Metro Convertible: TOTALED!

Inattentive driver didn’t see the tiny car, turned left in front of me.

2002 Ford Focus: PURCHASED

Metro replacement. Not nearly as much character, but much more comfortable and reliable

1997 Volkswagen Jetta Diesel: PURCHASED

Never buy a car at night! At least it was cheap, and it now drives well after much work.

1991 Volkswagen Golf: SOLD

I kind of miss that rusty little box.

2002 Ford Focus: left with the ex-girlfriend

Goodbye, dear Focus.

1991 Honda CBR600F2: PURCHASED

Bought for a pittance - lucky buy! Needed minor revitalization.

1983 Honda Ascot: SOLD

To a nice young lady. I hope she enjoyed the summer on it.

1996 Subaru WRX STi: Tentatively sold to a friend, but then the deal fell through

It’s back in the stable, but I haven’t yet decided what I’m doing with it.

1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo: PURCHASED

It was cheap! I was waiting for a cheap Miata or MR2. MR2 won.

1987 Suzuki Samurai LWB: FOR SALE

I never drive it any more, and I clearly have too many vehicles.


OK! For those not paying attention, the final tally is one CBR600, one diesel VW, one MR2, one Subaru, and one Samurai (for now).

Phew. What a year.