I attended my first show of the season in Albany, NY on Sunday May 24. I wasn't planning to attend this show but the guys from the Quebec chapter of East Coast Honda had me almost talked into going down with them. What finally convinced me into going was a E-mail from Jenn another MX-3 owner from New York State. I had seen her car in Lowrider magazine several months ago and had been looking for a way to contact her. As it turned out she found my website and E-mailed me first..
The day started at 3:00AM to meet up with the guys from ECH at the Border at 4:00AM. In total there were 6 of us travelling in a convoy. It must have been a sight to see 5 highly Modified Civics and a lone MX-3 coming going south on I-87. I was amazed the guys kept the speed reasonably close to the limit except for when Vince B., Steve and Steve decided to to open it up and take-off. I was in the number 5 slot and could see these three pulling ahead quickly. Vince T. in the number 4 slot started to increase power to catch up to them then both me and Tim dropped the hammer to catch the first 4 cars. I was able to hit 5600RPMs in 5th gear (approx 225kph) and was still pulling hard and felt like I was glued to the road.. I was trailing back about 300 to 400M when I saw the brake light on the first three cars burning bright just as they started to go around a bend in the road. getting on the brakes myself I was down to 120kph when I passed the State police cruiser. Only later did Tim the last one in line tell us that the car was empty. The rest the the down was un-eventful
Once there and the cars were registered we hooked you with the guy from the other ECH chapters. I was sort of out of place with this MX-3 in the middle of a Honda Club. We spent the next couple of hours cleaned and waxed the cars and basically got them ready to show. At about 10:30 I saw Jenn car pull in the show. I waited awhile for the members of her club to get their cars cleaned up and ready to show. I walked over to take a look at the modifications to her car and to final meet her in person. We were both happy to see another MX-3 at a show and to have someone to compare notes with and swap information.
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I have to say it one clean car. Where my car is built for performance and handling; Jenn's cars is built to be low for show. Being from Canada "lowriders" aren't a common sight on the street mostly due the the laws up here. Jenn's car was the first lowrider I've been able to get up close to. I have to say I was impressed with the technology needed for the suspension hydraulic system and how well everything was installed, especially the modifications the the floor of the hatch which had been cut and welded to make room for the hydraulic pump, batteries and accumulators. The hydraulics, wasn't the only modification of intrest. Her 1.6L SOHC has had some work done on it too. She and her boyfriend had chromed the valvecover, cleaned-up the stock tube headers and had them ceramic coated (which made then look like an aftermarket performace piece) and made a custom air intake pipe to replace the rubber tubing.
Next stop Lazer Auto Show 'n Shine 98 on July 5th. Let me know if you are have a show in Eastern Canada, New England or Upstate New York and maybe I can try to attend.