Kirby's Celica
Believe it or not, this car started out as my daily driver, back in 1995. When I bought it I told my then girlfriend, now wife Jodee that I wouldn't spend any money on it or modify it. I actually meant it at the time. Then I joined Ford Four Car Club and started going to a few sprints. Slowly the car started to turn into what it is now. First it was a new exhaust system, then a boost increase, new wheels and tyres and so on.
When I first owned this car it had about 200 horsepower, weighed 1450kg, was completely unmodified. Now there are very few standard parts left apart from the body and windows. The engine has around 420+ horsepower courtesy of a garret ball bearing turbo, a custom front mount intercooler from Race Radiators and Autronic fuel injection. The suspension now has adjustable coil overs all round with custom strut tops, the brakes discs are bigger with 4 spot callipers, there is a 1 off front spoiler. The ugly old 15" wheels have been replaced with 17"s and the tyres are Yokohama A048R's purchased at Traction Tyres of course. The bonnet has been changed to the Group A Rally model to increase the airflow through the radiator. A full welded in roll cage was constructed by Rai Curry (Fabraications). The interior has been completely stripped other than what has to remain to satisfy the regulations, and the drivers seat replaced with a Velo fixed back race seat with a 5 point harness. The weight now is down to around 1300kg.
The engine has now been run in and dyno tuned to 230kW at the wheels. After a few dramas at Sandown, Cup Day 2009, the brakes have again been upgraded all round. Alcon 4 spot race calipers up front on 320mm discs and R33 Skyline calipers at the back on 315mm discs. THe bonnet has also been changed dince these photos were taken, due to me forgetting to put the bonnet pins in at Winton. The next upgrades are to the suspension courtesy of Traction Tyres.
Kirby
