Who are we all anyway?
Discussion
I'm a curious guy. I enjoy reading all of your postings. Although I'm not a frequent poster I read every day and feel as though I know you guys. As we're all interested in Ultimas I wonder how diverse our careers and daily transportation are?
I have made several friends since buying my GTR kit and it's amazing how different we all are. So, if you're not to burned out on surveys and it's not too personal, indulge my curious mind and fill me in! Perhaps we have more in common!
Brad Z
I have made several friends since buying my GTR kit and it's amazing how different we all are. So, if you're not to burned out on surveys and it's not too personal, indulge my curious mind and fill me in! Perhaps we have more in common!
Brad Z
As we're all interested in Ultimas I wonder how diverse our careers and daily transportation are?
Name: Mark
Age: 25
Location: Just south of Baltimore, Maryland
Occupation: Internet systems developer for the social security admin
Daily driver: 2000 Nissan frontier
Toy: 2000 Suzuki TL1000R
Just started my canam project. Haven’t gotten very far has time is something I don’t seem to have right now.
Brad,
If you click on a username, it'll take you to the persons profile page.
For instance. I know that you are called Brad Zeman. You live in Chicago, and your daily driver is a BMW 740il which you bought on Wednesday 1st November 2000 which you think is great and you're planning on keeping it until you're old enough to buy an S Class
James
If you click on a username, it'll take you to the persons profile page.
For instance. I know that you are called Brad Zeman. You live in Chicago, and your daily driver is a BMW 740il which you bought on Wednesday 1st November 2000 which you think is great and you're planning on keeping it until you're old enough to buy an S Class
James
Jeff Schwartz
Crystal Lake, IL near Chicago
44 years old. Also into Italian Motorcycles, Bimota's, Aprilias, Ducatis. I was featured in the UK's Superbike Magazine in 1996. Machinist by trade, Plant (Works) Manager by necessity.
Former FIA, IMSA, SCCA, CCS, AMA licensed racer.
2002 Car Craft Real Street Eliminator Champion.
(driving an 8.2 litre Nitrous Cadillac)
Building Yellow LS6 powered GTR and a new 9 Litre 850 hp engine for my Cadillac. I plan on getting my GTR featured in a magazine, will drag race it, track day, and street drive it about 6000 mile per year.
Crystal Lake, IL near Chicago
44 years old. Also into Italian Motorcycles, Bimota's, Aprilias, Ducatis. I was featured in the UK's Superbike Magazine in 1996. Machinist by trade, Plant (Works) Manager by necessity.
Former FIA, IMSA, SCCA, CCS, AMA licensed racer.
2002 Car Craft Real Street Eliminator Champion.
(driving an 8.2 litre Nitrous Cadillac)
Building Yellow LS6 powered GTR and a new 9 Litre 850 hp engine for my Cadillac. I plan on getting my GTR featured in a magazine, will drag race it, track day, and street drive it about 6000 mile per year.
james said: Brad,
If you click on a username, it'll take you to the persons profile page.
For instance. I know that you are called Brad Zeman. You live in Chicago, and your daily driver is a BMW 740il which you bought on Wednesday 1st November 2000 which you think is great and you're planning on keeping it until you're old enough to buy an S Class
James
Hi James:
Thanks for the post. I was aware of this and in fact after I read a post of interest I always read the profile page. I was hoping to provoke some further banter about our personal and professional lives as well as our hobby. You as an example....I've gone to your website and am curious about what you do that lets you have the time for a race car.....a very nice one at that. I am hoping we'll find some additional things in common besides our love for insanely fast cars. Fill us in James....who's the man behind the legend?
usagtrman said: Hi James:
Thanks for the post. I was aware of this and in fact after I read a post of interest I always read the profile page. I was hoping to provoke some further banter about our personal and professional lives as well as our hobby. You as an example....I've gone to your website and am curious about what you do that lets you have the time for a race car.....a very nice one at that. I am hoping we'll find some additional things in common besides our love for insanely fast cars. Fill us in James....who's the man behind the legend?
I'm an enigma, wrapped up in a conundrum. That's the legend
I have 2 parts to my business. I run a network cabling business here in the UK, doing anything from a home office installation to major office buildings. I also write software for mobile phones, just to fill in all that spare time I would otherwise have
As far as the race car goes. I do all the work on it myself (which keeps the cost down, as well as being much more satisfying). I started racing a few years ago by stripping out a road car, and turning it into a racer. I learned a lot about how different a race car is to a road car (which was all I'd worked on before), and a little bit about how to drive one a bit quicker than I used to
Then, I saw an ad for the Ultima, which I bought on impulse and set about converting it into a race car. If you're ever up at the Ultima factory. Mention my car to Ted. He'll groan. It was originally built (very badly) by a group of students for their degree project (they should have failed). When I got hold of it, it was in a very sorry state. A strip down and rebuild, throwing away several major components, and replacing them with some decent quality stuff, and several long and in depth discussions with employees and ex-employees of Ultima sorting out how to set the car up, followed by a year or so of development, and it's the car that you see now.
It still needs work. The gearbox is horrible (it's the Renault box) and needs to be replaced by a decent quality race spec box, and the suspension could do with a bit more money spending on it. Then there's a bit of weight to lose (both the car and the driver), and we'll be ready to rock properly.
James
Well done James! Running all that cable must mean you get Speed & HBO for free! Hopefully I'll find out when I visit some day Here's my story: I live in St. Charles Illinois, am 43 years young and am married with three sons, 15,13,11. I am a partner in two businesses, J.A. Air Center www.jaair.com and GPS World Suppy www.gpsworldsupply.com. I have ZERO, NONE, NOT A DROP of mechanical ability which is why my GTR is being built by one of my guys who like me has a passion for cars and high quality workmanship. I have no racing experience other than being a huge F1 fan. I have had several high performance cars before but nothing that compares with the GTR. My GTR will be a street and show vehicle not a race car so I plan to fit it accordingly. I have met several great guys during this process, Jeff Schwartz being one who has kindly opened his garage so we could see a build in progress up close and personal. I am a car nut....just ask my wife....as I like almost every car out there. Although I do drive the BMW the most I also share the daily driving with my daily driver a 68 Beetle named Fred! I wish I had more to contribute to the forum but my lack of mechanical skills slows me down with this crowd! I am an Ultima Club Memeber and hope to make the annual meeting some day to meet many of you.
Brad Z
Here's my story: I live in St. Charles Illinois, am 43 years young and am married with three sons, 15,13,11. I am a partner in two businesses, J.A. Air Center www.jaair.com and GPS World Suppy www.gpsworldsupply.com. I have ZERO, NONE, NOT A DROP of mechanical ability which is why my GTR is being built by one of my guys who like me has a passion for cars and high quality workmanship. I have no racing experience other than being a huge F1 fan. I have had several high performance cars before but nothing that compares with the GTR. My GTR will be a street and show vehicle not a race car so I plan to fit it accordingly. I have met several great guys during this process, Jeff Schwartz being one who has kindly opened his garage so we could see a build in progress up close and personal. I am a car nut....just ask my wife....as I like almost every car out there. Although I do drive the BMW the most I also share the daily driving with my daily driver a 68 Beetle named Fred! I wish I had more to contribute to the forum but my lack of mechanical skills slows me down with this crowd! I am an Ultima Club Memeber and hope to make the annual meeting some day to meet many of you. Brad Z
Steve Dunford
Waterlooville near Portsmouth UK
I’m 53, separated, and live on my own. I have 2 sons 19 & 22 who despite no longer living at home still seem to cost me dearly.
I work for a defence electronics company in an engineering role called Design For Manufacture. DFM involves me liasing with the designers (at another site) during the early phase of a design in the hope that I can influence the design so that it is easier/cheaper etc. to make.
I have been involved with cars all my life having started work part time in a garage when I was 14. I built my first Kitcar when I was 16.
I started my GTR build just before Christmas and I am very pleased with its progress. I will be building the engine myself. I only have the block (400) at present but hay, you have to start somewhere.
My daily drive is whichever car I fancy getting into when I walk out into the drive. The choice is a 1987 Range Rover Classic 3.5L EFI Auto or a JBA Falcon Tourer 2L which I built in 1994. I never drive the JBA with the hood up unless it is actually raining.
Waterlooville near Portsmouth UK
I’m 53, separated, and live on my own. I have 2 sons 19 & 22 who despite no longer living at home still seem to cost me dearly.
I work for a defence electronics company in an engineering role called Design For Manufacture. DFM involves me liasing with the designers (at another site) during the early phase of a design in the hope that I can influence the design so that it is easier/cheaper etc. to make.
I have been involved with cars all my life having started work part time in a garage when I was 14. I built my first Kitcar when I was 16.
I started my GTR build just before Christmas and I am very pleased with its progress. I will be building the engine myself. I only have the block (400) at present but hay, you have to start somewhere.
My daily drive is whichever car I fancy getting into when I walk out into the drive. The choice is a 1987 Range Rover Classic 3.5L EFI Auto or a JBA Falcon Tourer 2L which I built in 1994. I never drive the JBA with the hood up unless it is actually raining.
Jack Rosen
Retired from the Broadcasting and Textile Engraving World. Now I just build, maintain, modify, and play with race cars. Will mainly race the Formula Continental again this year, but will have some track time with the Ultima.
Spent the first half of my life in Canada, and all my first cars were British, as were my bicycles when I started racing at 13.
Always wanted to sail the Atlantic, but never had that much time, so started to fly my Mooney across.
I'm a WWII aviation buff, and one of my biggest thrills was to land my plane at Biggen Hill knowing that I was in the same airspace as those thousands of pilots who helped to defend England. Returning across the channel and seeing the White Cliffs of Dover I could imagine how the lucky ones who were returning felt as in many cases they were nursing their aircraft back.
Oh, by the way, I hope to have my CanAm finished by May.
Have met and talked to a lot of great fellow builders thanks to this forum.
Jack
>> Edited by USCANAM on Friday 31st January 01:25
Retired from the Broadcasting and Textile Engraving World. Now I just build, maintain, modify, and play with race cars. Will mainly race the Formula Continental again this year, but will have some track time with the Ultima.
Spent the first half of my life in Canada, and all my first cars were British, as were my bicycles when I started racing at 13.
Always wanted to sail the Atlantic, but never had that much time, so started to fly my Mooney across.
I'm a WWII aviation buff, and one of my biggest thrills was to land my plane at Biggen Hill knowing that I was in the same airspace as those thousands of pilots who helped to defend England. Returning across the channel and seeing the White Cliffs of Dover I could imagine how the lucky ones who were returning felt as in many cases they were nursing their aircraft back.
Oh, by the way, I hope to have my CanAm finished by May.
Have met and talked to a lot of great fellow builders thanks to this forum.
Jack
>> Edited by USCANAM on Friday 31st January 01:25
Hi!!
I'm Keith Lein and I live in Mechanicsburg PA. I am 42 and a Mortgage loan officer. I do not have an Ultima Kit as of yet but as soon as I finish remodeling my house then its time. I'm into all things automotive. I am married with one son, who is 8.
I haved owned everything from Chevy Camaros to Triumph TR3's. My friends either restore, race, wreck own or alter anything automotive. Anything from restoring a 1966 Porsche 356 German police car, to fitting a 1996, chevy V8 and 6-speed transmission into a 1991 Toyota Supra. Still being worked on.
My father and step mother use to live in Chichester UK for seven years. They currently live in upstate NY. As a result I was fortunate enough to attend the Goodwood festival of speed in 96. It was very funny seeing a large US semi-truck full of Harley Davidson motorcycles on display. How they drove it onto the grounds through the narrow roads I will never know. The final assembly plant is only a 20 minute ride from my house so I see black and orange Harley transport trucks about ten times a week on the local highways.
My location is only 15 minutes from Hershey Pa and 20 minutes from Carlisle. This is the home of one of the worlds largest antique auto shows. The Hershey show has 26 miles of vendors. Yes, that's correct, if you walk through all the people with stands selling old and new parts you would cover 26 miles. I also live within a 20 minute drive time of five racetracks, 4 dirt 1 drag. The nearest track is Williams Grove speedway, a half mile dirt banked oval. It has been in continuous operation even prior to WWII. The sound of 750HP, acohol fueled V8's thundering through the valley during the summer is a sound that would bring smiles to this crowd. I can even hear it when i'm lying in bed with the A/C on and the windows shut. We have a nice combination of agriculture and development. One of the local jokes in this area is. " I smell cow manure and hear race cars, I must be home."
For fun I ride a large off road bike. It is an 85 Kawasaki klr600. It has only 7000 miles on it and is equiped with large dunlop knobby tires. It is registered for the road and completely legal. I ride in an area called the Michaeux state forest. It covers hundreds of acres and has numerous dirt roads, paved roads, and logging trails. Most of the dirt roads are marked by signs that read, unimproved road travel at your own risk registered vehicles only. This prevents motocross or ATV's from using the roads. It also does not have a speed limit, so 80mph through the woods is perfectly legal but not recommended. Trees, boulders and the occasional 4X4 truck tend to curtail such activities. It is possible to cover over 100 miles on dirt roads and crossing over only the occasional paved road.
I hope to read other stories of people that enjoy this site. Remember, if anyone is planning to visit one of the car shows in this area please drop me an email. Lunch is on me.
I'm Keith Lein and I live in Mechanicsburg PA. I am 42 and a Mortgage loan officer. I do not have an Ultima Kit as of yet but as soon as I finish remodeling my house then its time. I'm into all things automotive. I am married with one son, who is 8.
I haved owned everything from Chevy Camaros to Triumph TR3's. My friends either restore, race, wreck own or alter anything automotive. Anything from restoring a 1966 Porsche 356 German police car, to fitting a 1996, chevy V8 and 6-speed transmission into a 1991 Toyota Supra. Still being worked on.
My father and step mother use to live in Chichester UK for seven years. They currently live in upstate NY. As a result I was fortunate enough to attend the Goodwood festival of speed in 96. It was very funny seeing a large US semi-truck full of Harley Davidson motorcycles on display. How they drove it onto the grounds through the narrow roads I will never know. The final assembly plant is only a 20 minute ride from my house so I see black and orange Harley transport trucks about ten times a week on the local highways.
My location is only 15 minutes from Hershey Pa and 20 minutes from Carlisle. This is the home of one of the worlds largest antique auto shows. The Hershey show has 26 miles of vendors. Yes, that's correct, if you walk through all the people with stands selling old and new parts you would cover 26 miles. I also live within a 20 minute drive time of five racetracks, 4 dirt 1 drag. The nearest track is Williams Grove speedway, a half mile dirt banked oval. It has been in continuous operation even prior to WWII. The sound of 750HP, acohol fueled V8's thundering through the valley during the summer is a sound that would bring smiles to this crowd. I can even hear it when i'm lying in bed with the A/C on and the windows shut. We have a nice combination of agriculture and development. One of the local jokes in this area is. " I smell cow manure and hear race cars, I must be home."
For fun I ride a large off road bike. It is an 85 Kawasaki klr600. It has only 7000 miles on it and is equiped with large dunlop knobby tires. It is registered for the road and completely legal. I ride in an area called the Michaeux state forest. It covers hundreds of acres and has numerous dirt roads, paved roads, and logging trails. Most of the dirt roads are marked by signs that read, unimproved road travel at your own risk registered vehicles only. This prevents motocross or ATV's from using the roads. It also does not have a speed limit, so 80mph through the woods is perfectly legal but not recommended. Trees, boulders and the occasional 4X4 truck tend to curtail such activities. It is possible to cover over 100 miles on dirt roads and crossing over only the occasional paved road.
I hope to read other stories of people that enjoy this site. Remember, if anyone is planning to visit one of the car shows in this area please drop me an email. Lunch is on me.
Im Rob(sorry for not posting my last name but Im a little paranoid)
age: 20
Occupation: Mechanical engineering student
Hobbies: Cars mainly, Im interested in getting one of those new GTOs but that wont happen for at least a couple years. Im hoping to start an Ultima project in the next 5 years.
age: 20
Occupation: Mechanical engineering student
Hobbies: Cars mainly, Im interested in getting one of those new GTOs but that wont happen for at least a couple years. Im hoping to start an Ultima project in the next 5 years.
Andy Gladwin
I'm a Systems Accountant, work for part of a Defence electronics company which specialises in Research. I am based in Essex, but live in Suffolk (UK).
I have been married for 10yrs this june (or is it July?) and have four lovely daughters aged 8,7,2 and 1yrs.
My Can-am was SVA'd just after my 31st birthday and have had the car on the road for 6 months, I can't say its finished as I will continue to tinker until I sell it, as that's the way I am!
Obviously I have a passion for cars, but I also have a passion for building things and like to have a go myself. One of my other passions is Martial art's (I do Wing Chun), but I don't follow the politics at all on this subject as often anoys me.
I am currently in the throws of finishing building my House and Garage which I started before the Ultima, the current concentration is on the Bathroom, that I have to finish before I can do the portch roof, before I can finish screeding the lounge floor, to allow me to start the kitchen..........etc.......
I'm a Systems Accountant, work for part of a Defence electronics company which specialises in Research. I am based in Essex, but live in Suffolk (UK).
I have been married for 10yrs this june (or is it July?) and have four lovely daughters aged 8,7,2 and 1yrs.
My Can-am was SVA'd just after my 31st birthday and have had the car on the road for 6 months, I can't say its finished as I will continue to tinker until I sell it, as that's the way I am!
Obviously I have a passion for cars, but I also have a passion for building things and like to have a go myself. One of my other passions is Martial art's (I do Wing Chun), but I don't follow the politics at all on this subject as often anoys me.
I am currently in the throws of finishing building my House and Garage which I started before the Ultima, the current concentration is on the Bathroom, that I have to finish before I can do the portch roof, before I can finish screeding the lounge floor, to allow me to start the kitchen..........etc.......
Steve_D said: Andy
Is that the same 'three letter' Defence Electronics company in Chelmsford as the one I work for in Broad Oak Portsmouth? If it is we will have to meet as I spend 2 days a week up there.
Steve
I suspect so, I thought I found you on our internal E-mail but had no reply so I suspect it wasn't you. If you are down this way give me a ring, I'll send you my mobile no privatelly.
Thought I would take the opportunity to say hello. I have been watching the board and made a couple of posts but haven't introduced myself
I have just finished a GTR with some help from the factory. Progress on the car slowed up since our baby was born so the factory finished it for me. I have a 380 hp American Speed engine and most of the standard parts.
My prior build experience is approximately none ! About 20 years ago I had lots of motorbikes and rebuilt them on a daily basis. Since starting work I have had company cars and have to confess I haven't even changed the oil in a car in about 15 years.
I work as a marketing manager for an US Industrial Automation company. Although this is mainly an electronics business I studied mechanical engineering at college. My main hobby used to be offshore and inshore sailing (racing) but this all changed when we started a family. I wanted something to do closer to home so I built the Ultima.
based near Northampton so it is pretty easy for me to get to the factory. Hope to meet up with the local Ultima crowd at some point. I didn't fancy the VW trip because of the grit on the roads. I have only done 150 miles so I am trying to keep everything dry and clean. I will try to catch up with people at the next meeting.
I am interested in getting on the track at some point so if anybody has any plans let me know. I may try going to Bruntingthorpe as one of my neighbours organises track days there
Richard
I have just finished a GTR with some help from the factory. Progress on the car slowed up since our baby was born so the factory finished it for me. I have a 380 hp American Speed engine and most of the standard parts.
My prior build experience is approximately none ! About 20 years ago I had lots of motorbikes and rebuilt them on a daily basis. Since starting work I have had company cars and have to confess I haven't even changed the oil in a car in about 15 years.
I work as a marketing manager for an US Industrial Automation company. Although this is mainly an electronics business I studied mechanical engineering at college. My main hobby used to be offshore and inshore sailing (racing) but this all changed when we started a family. I wanted something to do closer to home so I built the Ultima.
based near Northampton so it is pretty easy for me to get to the factory. Hope to meet up with the local Ultima crowd at some point. I didn't fancy the VW trip because of the grit on the roads. I have only done 150 miles so I am trying to keep everything dry and clean. I will try to catch up with people at the next meeting.
I am interested in getting on the track at some point so if anybody has any plans let me know. I may try going to Bruntingthorpe as one of my neighbours organises track days there
Richard
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