Unfortunately due to Formula D rules, our 350z is getting a new skin. The rules state that a car must have body, not just a chassis like our 350z has been for a while now. Some of us like the new look of the car, but others like how it looked like a big go-cart. As you can see the car is getting more than just a body, it is getting a bunch of little things that are needed to pass tech as well. Obviously we can’t drop working on customer cars to just finish this car, so it is being worked on between projects as well as after hours. The car needs to be ready for a Pro-am drift event on July 9th in Charlotte NC. That means a few more late nights to get this car competition ready.
Shop 350z gets a face lift
Wednesday, June 29th, 2011IS300 Clear To Drift pictures
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
Here are some action shots from the Clear To Drift event last weekend. The car did well and the only issue was the mazda3 power steering pump not working, due to data turn on signal. Our shop 350z even made an appearance, but I have no pictures of that at this time. Now the car is back at the shop so we can complete this project with no huge rush. That means proper headers and exhaust, as well as making the engine bay not look like a 5 year old wired up the car.
Removing Dead Weight
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
The car is an employee owned IS300. We have started to prep the car for a roll cage and an engine swap. But before the building begins tear down must be first. In this case part of tear down includes saws, cutting wheels, and drills. The firewall had to be modified to put the engine where we want it. The rear shelf was removed as well, partly to remove weight and partly to have the cage back to the rear shock towers. We will post up pics of the cage and the engine as they go in.
Formula D pro-am 2011
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
Racing does not always go as planned. Sometimes it goes smoothly, but other times it isn’t quite so smooth. Last Friday for the Formula D pro-am 2011, things did not go quite so well for Batlground. Car was ready at the track with no known issues at 8AM. After practice, Dan noticed scratching going into third gear. During qualifying third gear was useless, unless he eased into it. So after qualifying, 2pm, the frantic search for a z32 transmission began. After sitting in Atlanta traffic for some of the afternoon, we had our new transmission at the track with less than an hour to swap bellhousings and to install it. A big thank you to everyone that helped us make the swap possible, and in time. The car made it with minutes to spare. Unfortunately, after all that work, the throttle body blade broke during the competition causing the car to stall upon initiation. Causing Dan to be knocked out. Chris Ward, however came in second place. Go to http://www.facebook.com/Batlground for more pictures of the event.
Its a race Ford Fiesta! Its something like a party.
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011
This Sunday we brought out our 2011 Ford Fiesta to attend the SCCA Solo II Autocross Atlanta Region Points #2 event. If you didn’t already know, this car was built by Batlground Motorsports LLC to promote diversity in motorsports. It was completed last October and unveiled at the 2010 SEMA show in Las Vegas. It was designed with a womans taste in mind and boy is it a head turner at every event it attends. Since then we have been searching for a few girl drivers to pilot the car and it seems that we have finally found the perfect fit. Her name is Theresa Pond and this is what she had to say about it.
“It is not often that a life long dream comes true. Thanks to my wonderful husband Hunter Pond and our dear friend Daniel Willie, owner of Batlground.com, my dream of being a race car driver is coming true this Sunday. I will be representing Batlground in their modified 2011 Ford Fiesta at the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) time trials at Turner Field. I hope to do them justice!”
Theresa did a great job shaving off 14 seconds from her first run to the last run. With no previous racing experience this was a huge success for her and for Batlground. With some minor changes in the suspension, brakes and alignment she should be able to get her times down another 10 seconds. This will let her be very competitive in her class. Who knows, maybe she will even take home the class win for the season.
To contact Theresa on Facebook follow this link. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1344014048
Ahh, We can breathe… Finally back from SEMA 2010
Wednesday, November 10th, 2010
Well it was quite the adventure to get to the 2010 SEMA show in Las Vegas with our Ford Fiesta project vehicle. We only had a few short weeks to complete the vehicle and transport it out to Nevada for the show. After final assembly and installing the vinyl graphics package we only had 48 hours to spare before the car was needed to be handed over to Ford at the show. We packed the trailer and took off to Vegas, 36 hours later we were there and we enjoyed a much earned nights sleep before the load in day. The car was placed at the point position in the entrance to the ride and drive area. This was a prime spot at the show and this is where a large majority of the traffic would be taking place over the week. This area was also home to the GAS display, the CORE racing truck demonstration, the Ford Raptor ride and Drive, the Mustang ride and drive, the Ken Block Fiesta demo and the Vaugn Gitten Jr. Mustang demo. We were very pleased to work with Ford on this project and we look forward to what the 2011 SEMA show brings us. Keep an eye out for the Batlground Ford Fiesta at numerous motorsports events around the Southeast United States during the 2011 season. Check out facebook.com/batlground to keep up on all the daily news.
Batlground Ford Fiesta on the way to getting its stance.
Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
Yesterday we received our custom Batlground Motorsports LLC coilovers in from the manufacturer and I decided to go ahead and install them. They are 32 way adjustable coilovers with valving and spring rates suited for SCCA auto crossing events and spirited street driving. The install was very straightforward and the fitment was spot on, that is a rare occurrence with most newly developed parts on cars these days. I cant wait to get the Batlground big brake kit on today and get the exact wheel fitment so we can get her lowered and looking good. If you missed the live broadcast on justin.tv/batlground yesterday dont worry, we will be broadcasting all of the build process every day so catch up with us whenever you have time.
Dan
Batlground’s new street car will be here soon!
Monday, September 20th, 2010
Over the past few weeks Daniel Willie, the sole owner of Batlground Motorsports LLC, has been toying with the idea of getting a new street car. Having non street legal race cars is great and all, but having fun on the streets has always been one of Dan’s passions. In addition to that, driving a Chevrolet 3500 dually pickup truck out to dinner just inst exciting enough for him anymore. After much deliberation and looking around to find the right one, a car has finally found its way into his hands. Call it divine fate, luck or just wanting a new car at the same time a friend needed some assistance, it was the right deal at the right time. Stay tuned to see what it is and try and catch up with Dan back out on the streets having fun.
Fiesta! Boom in the trunk. part 1
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
The Fiesta is getting fitted with some premium sound options. First off is a stout Kenwood 2 channel amplifier to deliver the power. Next a super slim, super powerful Kenwood Execelon 10-inch subwoofer that handles a whopping 1200 wattts of power with only a 4-inch mounting depth, to keep as much space free in the trunk as possible. Monster Mobile Audio(check them out on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Monster-Mobile-Audio/354165238961?ref=ts is completing the custom fibrglass and carbon fiber enclosure. When finished, this combo will provide enough bass to get any Fiesta going.
Breathe Fiesta, Breathe!
Friday, August 20th, 2010
Today I finished up the cold air intake for the Fiesta. It was pretty simple and we only had to go a short distance to put the filter into a fresh air stream. The custom milled mass air flow adapter was a pain to make but it all turned out to look real good.
I also gathered some measurements for the wheels. It looks like I might be able to fit a 10 inch wide wheel in there with a 2 inch widebody kit. I would say that is plenty of meat to keep this light car on the road.
