2025: Celebrating 12 Years of Engines and Thrills at the Racetrack

Sometimes I catch myself thinking: why on earth didn’t I document things properly back then? Today, all I have left are memories and a handful of questionable-quality photos. Speaking of memories, my first track day was back in 2012, driving none other than a 1965 Buick Wildcat. Yes, it’s exactly that car in this low-resolution photo. An amazing car, but one that left its marks... or rather, cracks.

Yes, on that epic day, the Buick ended up with two cracks on the windshield due to the body flexing. And guess what? Those cracks are still there today, like battle scars. My lap time? A staggering 2’10” — but who cares? The glory was mine, and mine alone.

Since then, I’ve lost track of how many cars I’ve thrown onto the racetrack asphalt. From Stock Light V8s to a Cadillac Eldorado, and including a Mustang Bullitt, Mustang Mach 1, Del Rey, Honda Civic SI, Chevrolet Monza, Sandero RS, Mitsubishi Lancer, race-tuned Corsa, and even a Peugeot 2008. It doesn’t matter the car — if it has four wheels and an engine, I’ll race it. Each one with its own personality, quirks, and unique temperament. But they all share one thing in common: they made me smile like a kid with a new pack of trading cards.

Now, 2025 brings a small setback: our racetrack is going into renovations. This means we’ll only be burning rubber here again by the end of the year. Or... I might venture to another track, in another city. Which, let’s face it, would be a great excuse for new stories.

Let’s see what the future holds. But one thing is certain: as long as there are tracks and courage, I’ll be there.

Comments

From Goiânia to Uruguay in a 1969 Dodge Charger – Part 1: Preparations

You know those people you invite out of politeness, never expecting them to actually accept? Well, I’m one of those. During an event in Garibaldi, RS, my now-new Uruguayan friend Pablo invited me to his homeland to attend an American car meet. And, of course, being a fan of impulsive decisions, I accepted on the spot. The car was chosen right then and there, no hesitation: a 1969 Dodge Charger. After all, if you’re going on an adventure, might as well do it in style. The Charger had already seen plenty of miles and long trips, but I wasn’t naive. Before hitting the road, we gave it a proper check-up: engine, tires, transmission, differential, electrical system—everything was inspected. Oil changed, valve cover gasket replaced, radiator cleaned, and even a little adjustment to the parking brake. Everything seemed to be in order—at least as much as a classic car’s mechanical stubbornness would allow. As every Dodge owner knows, these cars have a natural talent for letting wat...

From Goiânia to Uruguay in a 1969 Dodge Charger – Part 2: Minas Gerais

With our feet on the road, we headed towards Minas Gerais, our first neighboring state. The first stop was in Patos de Minas. The sun was determined to roast us alive, but we arrived in the late afternoon, still toasted but in one piece. My parents, who were driving the Mustang, left Goiânia a little after us, but we ended up meeting at the hotel at the end of the day – the Mustang must have air conditioning, right? Smart move. In Patos de Minas, I reunited with my uncles. I swear it was a coincidence. There was dinner, conversation, and, of course, some quality gossip. The next day, we set out to explore the city and search for a pamonha as good as the ones made in Goiás. The Dodge Starts Acting Up Here began the first mechanical issue of the trip: the Dodge's starter motor had a strong personality, working whenever it felt like it. Some electrical issue between the switch and the starter motor. But I discovered that, with a screwdriver and a bit of desperation, I could ...

A Stationary Beetle Deteriorates More Than a Running One: The Maintenance Saga of 2025

Anyone with a sizable collection of vintage cars knows this all too well: keeping the fleet in good shape is no small feat, especially when some barely leave the garage. That’s exactly the case with my Itamar Beetle . In 2024, it covered a mere 300 km . And that, dear reader, is a problem, because as any car enthusiast will tell you, a car left idle deteriorates faster than one that’s regularly driven. Now in 2025, I’m taking steps to ensure it stops being a decorative piece and gets back to fulfilling its purpose on the road. The first step? Changing the oil. Yes, even with only 300 km on the clock, the oil was as tired as I am on the Monday after Carnival. Some argue for changing it every six months, but to me, that’s overkill— once a year is just fine . The second step was retiring the awful diagonal tires that were on the car. And when I say “awful,” I’m not exaggerating. I’m not talking about aesthetics here, but pure functionality. The car was simply unbearable to drive w...

Leroi's Windshield

Search This Blog