This story began 6 years ago. I drove to the then Firebird International Raceway to see the Modified Tuner Shootout/NASAAZ event. I had just finished a shoot and had a tele-lens, so I decided to take some photos just for the hell of it. In-between sessions, Paul came over and asked if I would take some photos of Phil. My response was along the lines of “Who the hell is Phil?” So he told me to just take a few photos of a black Civic EG with RegaMaster Evos’ wheels. “Ok sure Paul.” I don’t think that at that point Phil even fathomed the transformations his EG would experience through the upcoming years.
Category: Phil Robles
Last weekend I got the opportunity to go to Chuckwalla Valley Raceway for a NASAAZ track event. Initially I had no plans of attending, however Phil was running on Sunday and I decided to tag along. I had to work that Saturday so the plan was to leave after work. As fate would have it, I woke up super late and this prevented me from getting all my stuff ready before I left for work. This meant that I would have to return home after work before heading out to the Robles’ residence, therefore – late (Again! Damn it!). Luckily when I got to the house, Phil was still getting some last minute things ready. Since Chuckwalla was not around the corner, he wanted to make sure he had all the essentials and more. Paul and Nolan were supposed to join us but at the last minute something came up and they were not able to go.
Two weeks ago was a huge weekend for us (i.e. the motor sport world) here in the valley of the sun. Firstly, the Modified magazine Tuner Shootout was running an event with NASA AZ and secondly, our good friend Phil Robles (Woohoo!!!) was making a much anticipated return; which surprised quite a few people, including yours truly – moi.
A few weeks ago, I was speaking to Paul about Phil’s car and the status of its wiring harness. However, he switched from speaking about the harness and told me that the EG was heading down to Precision Chassis Works so Kent could work on a cage. The news took me by surprise; I was really not expecting this move so late on the build. But then again there was no script on putting the EG back together. A lot has changed along the way and if Phil was ever going to get a cage, this was the perfect timing.
Two Fridays ago I was at ICB helping Matt with some photos. As I was taking a photo I saw Simon pulling in, Paul then drove up followed shortly later by Phil. It seems ICB is the place to be and somehow we crash Matt’s place all the time. We haven’t seen Phil in a while and he gives us an update on his build.
K20R transmission, check… 0 miles, check… opening up the tranny for some surgery, wait… what? Who would get a brand new transmission and open it up right away. Phil would! In order to maximize mechanical grip, Phil decided to ditch the OEM LSD and fire on a J’s Racing 1.5 way LSD. So I decided to stop by the Robles garage and snap a few photos and get an update on his EG6.
projectonethirty hits Inde Motorsports Ranch.
Day 2 was filled with more gargantuan bugs, a few frogs, faster laps, and CJ putting together a monster burger. Lightning struck more than once in the same spot during Sunday’s Time Trail, luckily no one was hurt, and by Lightning I mean turn 20. Hope to see you soon IMR.
On my way back from Willcox I was talking to Phil and Jesse about tracks in Arizona and how they stack up to the now defunct Phoenix International Raceway (infield track that is). We all agreed that PIR was the track where you could measure up against other drivers. It set the standard for how fast a car and driver could go… at least in Arizona. There are other tracks around the Valley, but PIR seemed to be the benchmark. Well, that could have all changed with the opening of Inde Motorsports Ranch in Willcox, Arizona.
As the day progresses, and gets warmer, the laps get a little slower. Jesse takes over the EG and Simon continues locking them up in an attempt to get 45 flat-spots on his tires.