But the Unlimited AWD class wasn't the only segment lapping for records. The undeniably bad-ass all-carbon C-West/BC S2000 beat the Unlimited FR record by over a second from what the Twins Turbo FD RX7 had set. Chris Rado came out to Buttonwillow with his World Racing TC and only one thing in mind... annihilating the unlimited FF class. While he was unofficially the fastest FF clocking a 1:54.344 during practice, he was only able to post a 1:56.126 during counted sessions landing him in second place behind the 5Zigen Euro R. But the most amazing story of the day was Tim Kuo piloting two cars in different classes to top position. On top of that, both classes he drove in he set the new record. While driving the Evasive Motorsport Evo IX Tim laid down a lap time of 1:50.003, destroying the previous track record (also held by the same vehicle) of 1:53.916.
In the other class Kuo participated in he upset last year's champion Tage Evanson who fell subject to bad luck. In the first session going all motor and using none of the 75 shot of nitrous he had on board, Tage clocked his fastest lap of the day with a 1:56.186. In the second session a maladjusted brake bias sent Evanson off course sideways into a curb resulting in a broken right rear wheel and rear upper control arm. Evanson scrambled to get his car back together for the third and final session but the alignment was off and he was unable to put power down, resulting in the Limited FF Class victory going to Kuo with a time of 1:55.948, beating Tage's old track record.
But Tage wasn't the only car to experience mechanical demons. While on pursuit of overall track record and the Unlimited AWD title, the Cusco STI had a catastrophic transmission failure. During the middle of the second session Tarzan pulled the car into the dirt just after the main straight. The whole crew sprinted out onto the track to confirm if it was as bad as they thought. Huddled around the car the team watched as Tarzan demonstrated how unwilling the car was to move. After a quick rev up and some horrendous metallic banging the team had him shut the vehicle off so they could push it back to the pits. The fastest lap the Subaru would make was the fastest of the event at 1:44.327, but not quite good enough for Buttonwillow's overall record.
When all was said and done I had definitely made some great memories. From sleeping in the scariest motel I've ever seen to eating more track hot dogs than anyone should, I loved every minute of it. My driver's side seat ended up going out as a loner to a Civic that couldn't pass tech with the bucket it had equipped. I met Tarzan Yamada, the legendary Japanese wheel-man. And I got to take some great photographs to document it all. I've got to admit, I have one hell of a job.