(972) 530-3335 311 E. Buckingham Rd. Garland, TX 75040

ID World Import Challenge
Baytown, TX October 7 & 8, 2000
Wanted: The twisted soul who put the rain curse on Team RX7.COM.

The total number of events canceled due to inclement weather this season is now 7. RX7.COM is convinced that someone has placed a rain curse on the team. If you have any information that will lead to the capture of this person and/or the lifting of this curse RX7.COM will reward you accordingly. In preparation for the ID World Import Challenge, we added some new exciting equipment to Ari's car. On Saturday we drove to Baytown confident of our ability to squash the competition. Upon pulling into town we couldn't help but notice that it was raining. Not only was it raining, it was very windy and very cold. We quickly checked into our hotel and headed out to the track to see what the status was on the day's events. As we drove the RX7.COM rig down the road leading to the track we passed several cars and trailers heading the opposite direction. At this point it was evident that Saturday's events had been canceled. Regardless, we continued toward the track where the "gatekeeper" let us in to drop off the trailer. With the day's event canceled, some of us headed out to go sightseeing. We drove out to see the Battleship Texas and San Jacinto Monument. Due to the conditions (rain, wind, overcast sky) the pictures didn't turn out too good; but, we managed to put up one semi-decent picture of the Battleship Texas. Later that night we met up with Russ Matusevichand Frisbee from Frisbee Performance in New Mexico for a nice dinner at The Old San Francisco Steakhouse. Good food, good entertainment, and great company made for a pleasant evening to help offset the dismal weather conditions. Sunday morning about 7 am, the weather appeared as though it may accommodate a day of racing. It was still a bit cold and overcast, but it was DRY. Not more than 30 minutes later, the rain curse was again at work as drizzle began to fall. After a breakfast "experience" at IHOP, Team RX7.COM headed out to the track to pick up the trailer. During breakfast we had received the official word from the event organizer that Sunday's event would be rescheduled for February 2001. After attaching the trailer to the truck, we decided that since we were already in Houston and we were in an energetic mood that we would venture out to NASA's Johnson Space Center to do the "tourist thing." Johnson Space Center proved to be a fun and educational activity for the afternoon. Currently the museum hosts an extensive exhibit on the Hubble Telescope. On display was an actual secondary mirror created for the Hubble. Also in the museum was a walk-through model of the space shuttle where one can see the cockpit controls and storage areas of the shuttle. The highlight of the afternoon, however, was the Johnson Space Center's Tram Tour. Team RX7.COM boarded the open air tram in 40 degree, windy, rainy weather to tour the Center's facilities. On the tour we were lucky enough to get a look at Mission Control where two men were monitoring conditions for the upcoming launch of Discovery to ready the International Space Station for its first long term occupants who will arrive later this year. This, by far, was the highlight of the day. After visiting Johnson Space Center for several hours, Team RX7.COM decided we had had enough of Houston's weather and left for home. Although we didn't get to show off the power of the car's new equipment, we did have a good time taking in what Houston had to offer. For those of you who are wondering what equipment and improvements have been made, you will just have to wait until an event that's not rained out. Keep checking the events section for we'll put it there as soon as it happens.

Event Pictures

	Left: We visited Battleship Texas on Saturday afternoon. Right: On Sunday afternoon we visited Johnson Space Center.
	Left: While at NASA we took a tour that included a look at mission control. Right: After mission control we toured a building that housed shuttle models used for training astronauts.
	Left: While taking the Tram Tour at NASA we spotted a silver 3rd gen. Right: On the drive back to Garland we passed through Huntsville and snapped a photo of Sam Houston's statue.
	Left: On display in the Hubble exhibit was a secondary mirror created for the Hubble Telescope. For one reason or another the mirror was not installed on the Hubble. Right: This is a shuttle engine on display at NASA. Quite impressive.

NEXT EVENT: Texas Import Rage on Sunday, October 15, at San Antonio, TX.

Click here for complete event listing and previous event coverage!

Car Specs - Ari's 1993 RX-7

Best 1/4 Mile: 9.58 @ 147.6 MPH Engine: RP Street Port 13B Engine Transmission: Stock Mazda 5-Speed Turbo: Modified GReddy T78 Kit Boost: 1.75 bar w/ GReddy Profec B Nitrous: 50HP used below 1 bar of boost Exhaust: GReddy T78 Kit Downpipe, Custom GReddy Large Diameter Racing Exhaust Intake: Custom Cold Air Fuel: RP Competition Fuel Pump (Intank) RP Large Secondary Injector Kit Haltech E6K Sunoco 116 Octane Gas Pulleys: RP Triple Race Pulley Intercooler: GReddy Front Mount Ignition: Jacobs Rotary Pro Pak, Rotary Ultra Coils (Leading), and Wires NGK Racing Plugs J&S Knock Sensor Clutch: Bönez Racing Clutch Stock Flywheel Suspension: Tokico Struts, Suspension Specialties Springs Cusco CF Rear Strut Bar Brakes: Bönez Brake Kit w/ X-Drilled Rotors Rear End: Stock Mazda Assembly w/ 4.3 gear KAAZ Mechanical L.S.D. RP Custom Axles RP Drag Launch Kit Wheels and Tires: Weld Drag Racing wheels Mickey Thompson ET Drag tires (26x10.5x15) MT ET Street (26x10x15) for Street class Chassis: Custom Chromoly NHRA Legal Cage, 5-point Harness, All glass, dash, gas tank, headlights, interior components retained. Fully streetable.