FX32

Due to a permanent case of temporary insanity, we decided to build a sibling for the twin engine MRolla by cramming the rear end of a Toyota MR2 (AW11) under the hatch of a Corolla FX16 (AE82). Cutting commenced January 2013 and it's first race was March 2013.

Weight: 2831 Pounds. 52% front, 48% rear.

Front engine: USDM small port 4AGE, 5 speed manual.

Rear engine: USDM small port 4AGE, automatic.

*After the 2015 Miller race, Scott Ith, a regular local teammate and collaborator, purchased the FX32.

Races:

1. 24HL Sears Point 3-2013, finished 40 of 174.
2. 24HL High Plains Raceway 6-2013, finished 10 of 56. Winner Class B.
3. 24HL Thunderhill 9-2013, DNF. Rolled on lap 141. Winner (Team): Judges Choice.
4. 24HL High Plains Raceway 6-2015, finished 18 of 48.
5. 24HL Thunderhill 9-2015, finished 54 of 188.
6. 24HL Miller Motorsports Park 10-2015, finished 23 of 79.
7. 24HL Thunderhill 5-2016, ... *

Links:
All FX32 blog entries.
FX32 build photo album.

Complete build time-lapse video:

DOT.MATRIX (RIP)

The old DOT.MATRIX was commandeered for the FX32. This, the second DOT.MATRIX, was destroyed by a hit/run while parked on the street. It continued to serve until the registration expired.


I received this car in exchange for delivering a huge, mid-century Marlin V8 engine from Coalville Utah to Boise Idaho. The engine sounded like a brick in a dryer. Interior could only be improved by spilling more paint in it. It was eventually assembled it into a cheap, comfortable, fun, reliable daily driver SUV.

• About 250K on the car.
• It received a nice 110K blue top 4AGE engine transplant.
• Interior restoration.

All parts were salvaged. DOT.MATRIX 3.0 project is in progress.

The DOT.MATRIX

(Update 1-2013: This car has is now the primary donor for the FX32 twin engine hatchback. It has be replaced by this DOT.MATRIX)

Behold: The DOT.MATRIX

I've never named a car. I've given a few cars titles, like the race cars here, but to me cars are inanimate devices that I don't talk to or presume hear when I call them by name. It seems a little childish to me, to have that sort of sentiment for an emotionless device. That doesn't mean I don't love cars and recognize their distinct characters. They are not pets, but favorite toys.

A reference to distinguish cars is both fun and useful though. I can't just say "my car" or even "my MR2" and expect people to know which of my cars I'm talking about.

I also think it's time to expand the scope of this blog beyond the race cars, to the street cars we frequently refer to anyway.

So I now dub my FX16 the "DOT.MATRIX". It's a partial reference to the Toyota Matrix, the successor to the FX, but more of a reference to a more primitive technological era when boxy small Japanese import cars and whining, slow printers were an exciting novelty.

So this is the reference page for the DOT.MATRIX:

• 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16. 
• It has a few GTS cosmetic bits.
• It has over 230000 miles on the odometer, but no guarantee that the gauge is original.
• It has a fairly happy blue top 4AGE. I suspect a slightly tuned rebuild, but don't know the history.
• It cost me $160.

Plans for the DOT.MATRIX include:

• Small port 4AGE swap.
• Rustoleum rattle-can paint job.
• Wheels.
• Some type of headlight conversion.
• Low budget stereo.
• Bumper testicles?

MRolla!

The MRolla is a joint project with Paul from Stick Figure Racing and myself.

The MRolla is the front end of a 1989 AE92 Corolla GTS welded to the rear of a 1987 MR2 (formerly Volatile RAM), joined at the front firewall and rear roof pillars.

Weight: 2810 pounds. 52% front, 48% rear.
Front engine: Large port 4AGE, 5 speed.
Rear engine: Large port 4AGE?

*After the 10-2015 race, the MRolla went to a new owner in Arizona. I'll attempt keep these results updated. 

Races:

1. 24HL Reno-Fernley 5-2011, finished 56 of 72. Winner: Organizers Choice.
2. 24HL High Plains Raceway 7-2011, placed 40 of 56. Pushed past checker by tow truck.
3. 24HL Sears Point 10-2011, finished 106 of 164. Rear engine blew head gasket day one. Day two was on front engine only.
4. 24HL Sears Point 3-2012, finished 25 of 171.
5. 24HL High Plains Raceway 6-2012, placed 24 of 47. Out of fuel with 5 minutes remaining.
6. 24HL Thunderhill 9-2012, finished 56 of 166.
7. 24HL Sear Point 3-2013, finished 80 of 174.
8. 24HL High Plains Raceway 6-2013, finished 34 of 56.
9. 24HL Thunderhill 9-2013, finished 114 of 184. Winner (Team): Judges Choice.
10. 24HL Sear Point 3-2014, finished 45 of 167.
11. 24HL Miller Motorsports Park 5-2014, finished 32 of 67.
12. 24HL High Plains Raceway 9-2014, finished 6 of 42. Winner: Index Of Effluency!
13. 24HL Miller Motorsports Park 10-2015, finished 41 of 79.
14. 24HL Inde Motorsports Ranch 3-2016, finished 25 of 54.*
15. 24HL Inde Motorsports Ranch. Unknown date or results.*

MRolla Links:

• MRolla Facebook Page. 
• All MRolla blog entries.
• MRolla videos.
• Build photo album.
• First race photo album.
• Article: Car & Driver Blog
  
• Article: TTAC track report.
• Article: TTAC story.
• Article: TTAC race coverage.
• Article: Hooniverse Ferrari 360 Modena vs. MRolla
• Article: Car & Driver Blog BFE GP 2014 Results

Volatile RAM (Retired)

Volatile RAM has ceased to exist as an MR2 and became a donor for the MRolla project.

1987 Toyota MR2 (AW11)

Races:

• 24HL Altamont, 5-2008, finished 41 of 89.
• 24HL Reno-Fernley, 5-2009, finished 53 0f 101.
• 24HL Buttonwillow, 8-2009, finished 53 of 99.
• 24HL High Plains, 7-2010, Finished 27 of 58.

Special Features:

• Purchased for $250
• Front end, bottom surface, and suspension damage.
  
• Has definitely overrun a large animal with coarse, gray-brown fur.
• Sounds like a tractor.

Engine:

• Toyota 4AGE (red top)
  
• 1.6 Liter
• DOHC

Performance Modifications:

• Generic air filter
• Generic ignition coil
• Clamped springs
• Rear anti-sway bar
  
• Frunk battery relocation
• Cherry Bomb muffler, minus catalytic converter

The Snowspeeder

1986 Toyota MR2.

Races:

1. 24HL Altamont 10-2007, finished 18 of 87.
2. 24HL Thunderhill 12-2007, finished 14 of 71.
3. 24HL Altamont 5-2008, 20 lap to engine falure, placed 87 of 89.
4. 24HL Thunderhill 12-2008, finished 17 of 114.
5. 24HL Reno-Fernley 8-2009, engine failure day 2, finished 43 of 101.
6. 24HL Thunderhill 11-2009, finished 79 of 156.
7. 24HL Sears Point 3-2010, engine failure day 2, placed 123 of 147.
8. 24HL Thunderhill 8-2010, engine swap incomplete at start of race, placed 72 of 121.
9. 24HL Buttonwillow 12-2010, finished 50 of 173.
10. 24HL Sears Point 3-2011, ignition quit with one hour remaining, finished 90 of 173.
11. 24HL Oregon Raceway Park 6-2011, finished 9 of 37.
12. 24HL Sears Point 10-2011, finished 23 of 164.
13. 24HL The Ridge 7-2012, finished 15 of 45.
14. 24HL Thunderhill 9-2012, finished 11 of 166.
15. 24HL Sears Point 3-2013, finished 12 of 174.
16. 24HL The Ridge 7-2013, finished 3 of 51. Winner: I Got Screwed! 
17. 24HL Thunderhill 9-2013, wreck day one, placed 153 of 184. 
18. 24HL Sears Point 3-2014, overheating and frame alignment problems, finished 104 of 167.
19. 24HL Sears Point 3-2015, killed engine, placed 170 of  177.
20. 24HL The Ridge 6-2015, finished 52 of 70. Winner: Heroic Fix.
21. 24HL Thunderhill 9-2015, finished 13 of 188.
22. 24HL Sears Point 12-2015, finished 13 of 178.
23. 24HL The Ridge 8-2016, finished 32 of 69.
24. 24HL High Plains Raceway 6-2018, finished 35 of 65. Winner (Team) "BEST DISCO CAR".
25. 24HL Oregon Raceway Park 2021, finished 18 of 44.
26. 24HL The Ridge 10-2022, finished 18 of 42. 

As of summer 2021, the Snowspeeder MR2 continues racing under new ownership.