Track.One's Shop Build

[koop]

How did you fasten posts to the concrete? This is a great thread!

 

[ct96ek]

Mike I loved watching your Civic build as I was building my H22 powered EK at the same time. I sold mine and have moved on. I was watching your shop build on some of the other forums and never thought to email you a link over to this site. Glad to see you are doing so well

 

[Track.One]

whats the dimensions of the garage? Maybe i missed it..

40x60 with 16ft ceilings

No kidding! I'm digging the quality of cars that go through your shop. And good luck to Nick on his quest for his FD license, with enough determination he'll get that under his belt. Walker Wilkerson is a friend of mine, this year is his first full year of pro drifting. His car if you don't know of him.

Anyways, sorry for the thread jack, haha. Respect for jumping into the deep end and doing your own thing. I hope to see more Track.One cars out there tearing it up on the track and getting into magazines.

Thanks man! Yeah we have definitely heard of Walker...big fan! Nice to see him still being very competitive with the SR20 as well! Nick used to have a built SR but couldn't resist the V8 haha. Appreciate it!

wow, i cannot give you enough props. That is absolutely amazing! Sometimes you just never know what will come out of taking a step into the unexpected. My brother has the same dream as you, but fabrication building custom frames for bagged and body dropped pickups. I know he could do it, finding the money to start somewhere especially with this part of Ontario, Canada so dumbfounded by customized vehicles you couldn't make it anywhere, and that is the set back.

With that all being said, I am thinking that your fascination with cars was only a hobby to start out as a teenager, how do you like turning your hobby into a job?

i would love to support you in any way... is there anyway you could send out a couple stickers or something towards Canada?

For sure! Just shoot me a message at [email protected] and leme know what you want

As far as turning my hobby into a career...well...I'm still smiling! Many people I know lost interest in their hobby once they made it a career but I feel like I couldn't ever get sick of doing this for a living. I'm ADD and one thing I hate is doing the same repetitive task over and over again...I'm always needing to mix it up. Luckily being the boss has those perks...so I'm never always doing the same exact thing everyday. For me, I love being a part of this industry and bringing something to the table. I'm not in this for the money, this is what I'm passionate about and what I enjoy doing.

How did you fasten posts to the concrete? This is a great thread!

6x6 Post Anchor's with some large concrete anchor's. Thanks man! I'll be posting up more details this weekend if I get a chance

Mike I loved watching your Civic build as I was building my H22 powered EK at the same time. I sold mine and have moved on. I was watching your shop build on some of the other forums and never thought to email you a link over to this site. Glad to see you are doing so well

Thanks man! I do miss the car but I also moved on as you can see...the Civic build came to an end...and the real build started: My Future


Appreciate all the kind words guys!! I have a update as well with the shop. As I posted the other day I was in need of re-stocking my tools after my friend had to reclaim his tools/box that he had been storing here. Went out to Sear's tonight and made a little debt

Really didn't have to get too much thankfully...mostly just replacing what was in the Cornwell box...and left out some stuff I can live without for now.

Here's the one Cornwell tool that was mine But a damn useful one!

O and I scored some awesome craigslist gold tonight as well....the ad said "Wooden Storage Rack" 6-1/2ft tall and 8ft long. $50 Only one picture in the ad of it was the front of it and it was kinda blurry. It was about 30min from the shop so I decided to check it out.

SCORE! and for only $50!! Super solid hard wood...heavy as **** too haha. It's definitely old...has that old smell too I'm going to clean it up and give it a little TLC and fresh paint this weekend...I have boxes of hardware I can finally organize now

I really like the shelf separating the top and bottom boxes...good little work area to put stuff down while trying to find the right sized bolt.

I also saw a metal storage rack in the corner and he threw that in for $25...I'm gonna give it a little restoration this weekend too.

LS1 E30 had it's motor pulled back out right after the event so we could finish up plumbing and wiring. Still has to go back to the body shop for a bit to finish a bit more rust repair as well.

I'm finishing up this Porsche tonight...came in for some basic maintenance and to wire up some "Audi" style L.E.D.'s in the bumper lol.

I'll have some updates on the other car's soon whenever I get a chance. In about a week the new motor goes into Nick's drift car...should be making a good 550whp Gotta install the fuel cell and new fuel system as well to keep the new motor well fed. Plenty of stuff going on over here...I'll be back to update soon. Thanks guys!

 

[408Chevelle]

Looking forward to updates. How well does that finish on the floor hold up?

 

[Track.One]

The stain is permanent...but I wish I had put down more coat's of sealer. Lucky for me I can always re-seal the floors if I want....whenever I'm not busy I think after I frame out the downstairs under the second story I'll re-seal the rest of the shop floor again.

 

[ishiboo]

O and I scored some awesome craigslist gold tonight as well....the ad said "Wooden Storage Rack" 6-1/2ft tall and 8ft long. $50 Only one picture in the ad of it was the front of it and it was kinda blurry. It was about 30min from the shop so I decided to check it out.

I hate you.

That wooden rack is probably a hardware store cabinet, used by hardware stores to sell screws/nuts/bolts/etc. I fell in love with one only to find it was like $15,000.

Great find! Don't molest it

 

[Track.One]

Theres another one there...except its over 7ft tall...12ft long...and 4 foot deep...double sided. He said he would take $75 haha...only issue is how huge it is...and it seems to be supporting the second story above it...lol. Ill get some pictures

 

[webbs2jzgte]

i followed the shop build on NWP. but the story on this site is way better. hope business stays busy for you. just goes to show what you can do with motivation and determination. I myself plan to run my own business but college is in the way and once thats done money wil come and than its time to begin. any more pictures of the parents house looks nice.

 

[nickw86au]

Nice work. You mentioned you did an electrcian apprenticeship. Where did you pick up the car related skills?

 

[-Brent-]

That storage bin is AWESOME, great score. Man, they don't make them with character like that anymore.

 

[Track.One]

i followed the shop build on NWP. but the story on this site is way better. hope business stays busy for you. just goes to show what you can do with motivation and determination. I myself plan to run my own business but college is in the way and once thats done money wil come and than its time to begin. any more pictures of the parents house looks nice.

Appreciate it! I tried college for about a year but that didn't end up turning out so well...way too distracted with cars and women...skipped class a bit too much lol. You live and you learn Yeah I can get some pictures of it..my dad designed the plans for the place himself.

Nice work. You mentioned you did an electrcian apprenticeship. Where did you pick up the car related skills?

I've pretty much taught myself pretty much everything I know along with having some mentors in the industry that have taught me some things as well.

That storage bin is AWESOME, great score. Man, they don't make them with character like that anymore.

Yes, this definitely was made back in the day when people built things to last. I still haven't figured out where I wanna put it..it's huge! lol Going to get it on some wheel dollies (this thing is very heavy) and roll it outside so I can get it cleaned up and get some fresh paint on it.

 

[nickw86au]

I've pretty much taught myself pretty much everything I know along with having some mentors in the industry that have taught me some things as well.

Nice! Thanks for sharing, too - like others have said, it makes you want to go out to the shed and start doing something!

 

[EVOSTi]

Great thread. Have been browsing for a little while and its good to see someone with similar tastes to mine

What's happening with the AE86?

 

[SiGmA_X]

So glad to see you post this up Mike! I'm almost entirely positive I've seen this posted on r3v/SA before, or at least a few pictures of it. Nice work sir, beautiful shop! Keep up your good work sir.

 

[wrigh003]

Good on you for chasing what you want to have- looks like the hard work is working out. Shop looks crowded already with customer cars, so you must be doing something right.

I like the $1000 Lincoln!

 

[Outlander]

Bravo....especially for finding time between your dream job and your garage build to lend a hand to those in need. I suspect that's why you have friends willing to help you

 

[JB22]

amazing man, keep up the good work!

 

[illmatyk]

Awesome shop! I was following this shop build on NWP as well!

Where can I get a Track.One hat or sticker?

 

[ambenz]

Cool stuff...you are doing in years what most of us couch potatoes would take a lifetime to do...just awesome to see you doing something meaningful that and when your 60 yrs old, you can say "Yup, I did all that!"
Great future memories with the event banners too, don't ever take them down, they will bring it all back...in the future!!!

 

[zencyl]

Congrats on living the American dream man that is awesome.

 

[red92s]

Put simply:

Your shop is really impressive. Your story is even cooler than the building.

Much respect for starting a thriving small business in the teeth of a major economic downturn. You obviously spent way more time focusing on being good at what you love than you did listening to the gloom and doom from major media about small businesses failures.

Best of luck going forward.

Cute dog.

 

[ed_v]

Great story. I really enjoyed reading that. Thanks for sharing.

Ed

 

[Dara]

Just read through the whole thread there...your garage is awesome mate!!
Im tryin to set up my own business like yourself but breakin cars for parts silvias skylines ae86's civics integras etc anythin japanesse really with good power

 

[welder4956]

Wow, young man. Fantastic story, spectacular shop!

You've obviously got a sterling work ethic, an outstanding family and some exceptional friends. My hat is off to you and I wish you the very best in your endeavors.

+2 This says it all. Thanks for sharing such a great experience!

 

[JC23]

+2 This says it all. Thanks for sharing such a great experience!

Make that 3!!! You make it easy to believe in people like you and have my admiration.

 

[tig]

40x60 with 16ft ceilings

LS1 E30 had it's motor pulled back out right after the event so we could finish up plumbing and wiring. Still has to go back to the body shop for a bit to finish a bit more rust repair as well.

LS1 E30?!?! Do tell! (Check out this E30 xi that I helped my friend 'save'):

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1569913&postcount=157

 

[The J]

Really impressive! Love the cars and the LS swaps into the Silvia & E30.

That track.one green is catchy. I like it. Tennesee Takata?

Awesome cars, dog, shop, and most of all, that's a great story. Your hard work is paying off and your attitude and enthusiasm is incredible.

Keep posting updates - it's a great read.

 

[ishiboo]

The E30 transmission tunnel looks completely stock, at least as far as I can see without shadows (to the back of the drivers seat?)

You didn't have to enlarge it at all?

 

[webbs2jzgte]

The E30 transmission tunnel looks completely stock, at least as far as I can see without shadows (to the back of the drivers seat?)

You didn't have to enlarge it at all?

I believe thats before. looks like its completely stripped so he can start making cuts.

Hey mike, do you guys do wiring services? if so where do you get heat shrink in long lengths and braided sleeving. trying to find some for some cars of mine

 

[red92s]

LS1 E30?!?! Do tell! (Check out this E30 xi that I helped my friend 'save'):

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1569913&postcount=157

There are a couple people selling bits and pieces to shoe-horn the LS into the E30.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/BOARD/showthread.php?t=177608

 

[patlalande123]

For sure! Just shoot me a message at [email protected] and leme know what you want

As far as turning my hobby into a career...well...I'm still smiling! Many people I know lost interest in their hobby once they made it a career but I feel like I couldn't ever get sick of doing this for a living. I'm ADD and one thing I hate is doing the same repetitive task over and over again...I'm always needing to mix it up. Luckily being the boss has those perks...so I'm never always doing the same exact thing everyday. For me, I love being a part of this industry and bringing something to the table. I'm not in this for the money, this is what I'm passionate about and what I enjoy doing.

Hey man! I happened to throw you an email the other night, maybe I typed the wrong email adress in, or you havent checked it! Let me know whether or not you got it! Thanks!!

 

[scott37300]

Great story man! That is one nice shop you have built with your hard work!

Keep up the good work. You also seem to be a real down to earth guy, taking time and money to help out a good cause.

 

[latency]

Subscribed! This could turn into the AF1 shop post from Micah on the aprilia forums that I have been tracking for years.

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87119

He started with his shop, then shares his builds, repairs, racing etc...

Nice work, great story. Looking forward to more posts!

 

[A_Pmech]

Looks like you're off to a great start! As a small business owner in his 20's I can relate to a lot of what you face every day. I also turned a hobby / passion into a business and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Good luck and keep posting!

 

[v7guy]

Really impressive, thanks for posting up and look forward to more details about the shop

 

[Track.One]

Nice! Thanks for sharing, too - like others have said, it makes you want to go out to the shed and start doing something!

Thanks! I've always loved reading about shops and seeing pictures of what their working on...always made me want to go out to the garage and work on something. Glad my story on here can do the same for others!

Great thread. Have been browsing for a little while and its good to see someone with similar tastes to mine

What's happening with the AE86?

Thank you! We have a f20c from a S2000 that we are building to swap in...plans are 300whp n/a, widebody, caged out, track/drift car

So glad to see you post this up Mike! I'm almost entirely positive I've seen this posted on r3v/SA before, or at least a few pictures of it. Nice work sir, beautiful shop! Keep up your good work sir.

Appreciate it man!!

Good on you for chasing what you want to have- looks like the hard work is working out. Shop looks crowded already with customer cars, so you must be doing something right.

I like the $1000 Lincoln!

Thanks! Can't mess with the stinkin lincoln haha

Bravo....especially for finding time between your dream job and your garage build to lend a hand to those in need. I suspect that's why you have friends willing to help you

Thank you I'm glad I am able to use my dream job to be able to help others...I've always loved helping people.

amazing man, keep up the good work!

Thanks!!

Awesome shop! I was following this shop build on NWP as well!

Where can I get a Track.One hat or sticker?

Shoot me an email at [email protected] man!

Cool stuff...you are doing in years what most of us couch potatoes would take a lifetime to do...just awesome to see you doing something meaningful that and when your 60 yrs old, you can say "Yup, I did all that!"
Great future memories with the event banners too, don't ever take them down, they will bring it all back...in the future!!!

Appreciate it!! Thats the way I look at it...all I ever thought about in highschool and college was car's and having a shop one day. When the opportunity popped up...I couldn't pass it by. Despite my age I have been proving a lot of people wrong who have doubted me I still can't believe how far we've come already.

Congrats on living the American dream man that is awesome.

Thanks man!

Put simply:

Your shop is really impressive. Your story is even cooler than the building.

Much respect for starting a thriving small business in the teeth of a major economic downturn. You obviously spent way more time focusing on being good at what you love than you did listening to the gloom and doom from major media about small businesses failures.

Best of luck going forward.

Cute dog.

Thank you!! The risk was huge but so far it has definitely been worth it! I'm just glad in this economy..people still like spending money on going fast! I truely love what I do everyday..even with the 15+ hour day's..7 days a week.

Great story. I really enjoyed reading that. Thanks for sharing.

Ed

Thank you! glad you enjoyed it!

Just read through the whole thread there...your garage is awesome mate!!
Im tryin to set up my own business like yourself but breakin cars for parts silvias skylines ae86's civics integras etc anythin japanesse really with good power

Thank you! I have a friend who does the same thing local to me..he makes great money parting out performance cars.

+2 This says it all. Thanks for sharing such a great experience!

Thank you so much!

Make that 3!!! You make it easy to believe in people like you and have my admiration.

I really appreciate that...reading everyone's comments always put a smile on my face...even know when I'm finally responding to everyone at 2am on a sunday night haha. Thanks!

LS1 E30?!?! Do tell! (Check out this E30 xi that I helped my friend 'save'):

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1569913&postcount=157

I'll be posting up more on it soon! It will be retaining all factory options like A/C, powersteering, cruise control as well That e30 turned out amazing! great job!

Really impressive! Love the cars and the LS swaps into the Silvia & E30.

That track.one green is catchy. I like it. Tennesee Takata?

Awesome cars, dog, shop, and most of all, that's a great story. Your hard work is paying off and your attitude and enthusiasm is incredible.

Keep posting updates - it's a great read.

Thanks man! Smiling everyday! Well.. some days I'd say I'm not always smiling haha...but not everyday can be winners lol. Green isn't our color..but just a color the driver of the s14.5 loves haha...he paints all of his stuff green.

The E30 transmission tunnel looks completely stock, at least as far as I can see without shadows (to the back of the drivers seat?)

You didn't have to enlarge it at all?

Nope...the Ls1 sit's in there with only cutting a small bracket off the side of the transmission. Looking in the e30 bay you wouldn't think it would fit so easily!

I believe thats before. looks like its completely stripped so he can start making cuts.

Hey mike, do you guys do wiring services? if so where do you get heat shrink in long lengths and braided sleeving. trying to find some for some cars of mine

www.wirecare.com

And nope we had already had the motor in twice..we were pulling it out again to finish up some more stuff. Next time it goes in it'll be running

There are a couple people selling bits and pieces to shoe-horn the LS into the E30.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/BOARD/showthread.php?t=177608

Yep...the customer had bought a swap guide and a few of the swap bracket for the motor mounts from someone on the forums.

Hey man! I happened to throw you an email the other night, maybe I typed the wrong email adress in, or you havent checked it! Let me know whether or not you got it! Thanks!!

I got it! sorry i haven't been able to respond..I'm going to make sure I reply to you tomorrow. We have been so busy lately it's been hard to keep up!

Great story man! That is one nice shop you have built with your hard work!

Keep up the good work. You also seem to be a real down to earth guy, taking time and money to help out a good cause.

Thanks man!!

Subscribed! This could turn into the AF1 shop post from Micah on the aprilia forums that I have been tracking for years.

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87119

He started with his shop, then shares his builds, repairs, racing etc...

Nice work, great story. Looking forward to more posts!

Wow!! That thread is huge!!! When I get some time I'll have to look through that. Would be crazy if this thread grew to that size.

Looks like you're off to a great start! As a small business owner in his 20's I can relate to a lot of what you face every day. I also turned a hobby / passion into a business and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Good luck and keep posting!

Thanks man! I'll be keeping this updated!

Really impressive, thanks for posting up and look forward to more details about the shop

Appreciate it man! I'll be updating soon!

 

[Track.One]

Here's a quick update...want to get to sleep before 3am for once haha.

Been a crazy past 2 weeks over here, the amount of call's I've been getting is crazy! I'm currently hiring right now and trying to get some more help in here to keep up...thus my lack of updates haha. Hopefully I find someone worth keeping on soon, friends working for me does not work out...I learned that the hard way this past year.

On another high note, the shop was shot for a feature in Speed Hunters this past weekend!! I can't wait to see how the pictures turned out, one of my friends and favorite photographers Michael Burroughs shot the shop on Saturday. I'm sure some of you have seen his bmw "rusty" before online...http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rusty-Slammington/109774129114613

Speedhunters is my favorite website..period. I probably go on there everyday haha. I can't believe my shop will be on there for the world to see!

Well I'm about to pass out..gotta get up early and open up for a busy busy week. I'll be back soon with more updates

 

[Jawn]

Wow.

That is one hell of a shop. I'm quite envious. Lots of cool toys to work on, too. If only I'd had a little more business sense when I was in my late teens/early twenties.

 

[Ryan S]

Sent you a PM. Not sure if it went through - there is no record of it in my "sent" box. Let me know if you didn't get it.

Nice shop. I'm here in Franklin as well and wanted to ask you a couple of questions.

 

[Wardy]

Not sure if it has been mentioned in the thread yet, but I saw the Track.One LS1 240 on a recent E3 Spark plugs commercial during the Power Block....nice to see fellow Mid TN'er doing well.