Car Meet Starter Pack

CAR MEET STARTER PACK

 

As much as most of us want to be professional race car drivers and get paid millions to race our BRZ’s on a professional circuit, many of us must face reality. But that does not mean that we can’t cosplay as race car drivers, right? And the reality is, is that weekend track days are very expensive so there is a level of commitment you must face which is you’re pushing your vehicle to the limits. Your engine will stay in the upper RPM-range for long periods of time. You have the risk of wrecking the car you’re still making payments on, and you need to make sure all your fluids are fresh, your brake pads are in good shape, and how much tread are you going to lose on those all-season tires? Now before the righteous starts calling the author of this article all of the stupid behind the computer screen. The official disclaimer is that weekend track days even with the element of risk and anxieties aside, it is the best investment in terms of really knowing the limits of your car, and the limits of you as a driver. Truth be told if you find yourself in the category of wanting to make a race car vs actually racing your car, many of the guys who race on a regular basis have cars that are nearly stock, and have a good set of sticky tires, and decent brake upgrades. This is because power adders make more horsepower and the more power you make, the more prone to breaking you will be.

On the other side of the coin, there are many of us who enjoy having components on our cars that have been designed to withstand the perils of motorsport. Many of us will have Volk TE37s which are some of the strongest if not the strongest racing wheels on the market. Behind those volks might be a Brembo or Stoptech Big Brake Kit. And you might have a larger rear spoiler and some engine upgrades to bump up the power. For many owners, cars can be an art piece, where they take pride in knowing that their vehicle may have top-shelf components and they get satisfaction keeping their cars in their garage admiring it while wiping it down with spray detailer. Track enthusiasts refer to these owners as ‘hard parkers’, but as the saying goes, different strokes for different folks.

Nonetheless, for those who attend car shows with $5k wheels with not a scratch on them, freshly ceramic coated everything, and not one cat hair in the interior, building a show car can easily exceed the costs of what it is to participate in racing. But you want to still attend all of your local weekend car meets throughout the year, without feeling out of place when parked next to the other cars, you can do something about it.

If you are a new owner, or a novice, and want to make your car look worthy of your peers, we can show you what components are commonplace with the cars who attend these meets. Take a personal note and know that you don’t have to buy everything all at once. The biggest mistake one could make is buying the cheapest parts as possible for the look, but it is best that with whatever it is you choose to purchase, it is best to be patient and buy something reputable so that you are improving the drivability of your car, and not putting yourself at risk or in danger buy purchasing something used off the marketplace that you have no idea how many miles are on those components, or buying a replica of another component made with inferior materials. Buy the best you can within your budget.

Now as an example, let’s say that you just bought a 2022 GR86. Here is what it looks like in stock form:

 

Damn good looking car right? Off the showroom floor, the rear trunk has a duckbill-like contour, and the front fender slots resemble those that are in the R35 GTR and later used on other vehicles such as the newer Mustangs and on the Lexus RC-F. The 2022+ BRZ and GR86 are proper evolutions of the first-generation models in terms of aesthetics and powertrain although many who will argue that. But that is an argument that has been discussed in many previous blogs. For now, let’s stay on topic.

You just got your new BRZ or GR86, and you want to hang out with the rest of your friends, while making a visual impact as onlookers come with their critiques. What can you do to achieve that show car look?

Here, we will highlight some options for you in an order that you can start with first that complements the BRZ or GR86 without gong over the top. And yes, many are guilty of going over the top. The goal is to keep things clean. Those who go over the top get bass boat glitter wraps, wheels that fit horribly because it was a deal on marketplace, and windshield banners representing their local car crews that literally obstruct your view when trying to drive. Let’s get away from this stigma and customize your car without effecting the driving characteristics and especially the value of your car, while adding the proper parts.

 

COILOVERS

Some cars just need a clean drop and can call it a day. The BRZ and GR86 is one of those cars. On stock wheels and stock body, these cars look great with a proper drop. Coilovers are one of the most popular upgrades because of this reason. And the versatility of height and damping adjustment will improve the overall handling and chassis response during weekend track days if you decide to partake outside of car meets. But more importantly to the novice’s, don’t make your car too low for the gram, you don’t want to ruin your overall suspension geometry, and you certainly don’t want to damage the underside of your chassis just because it looks cool. Be sensible, and if you do have aftermarket wheels, make sure they are not rubbing the fenders otherwise you risk tire blowout while driving. Here are some fine examples:

 

Faction Fab FL-Spec Coilovers 2013-2024 BRZ/FR-S/86

 

BC Racing DR Series Coilovers w/Default Springs 8K Front/Rear 2013-2024 BRZ/FR-S/86

 

Fortune Auto Gen 7 500 Series Coilovers w/Front End Links 2013-2021 BRZ/FR-S/86

 

 

FRONT LIP

Front Lips are a great introduction on achieving that race-inspired aggressive aesthetic for the exterior because it makes the front bumper closer to the ground hence, making it appear more race car like. From relatively stock-looking cars to cars that have every imaginable exterior upgrade, front lips always deliver an undeniably great look while providing you with the aerodynamic benefits at higher speeds.

 

Greddy Gracer Front Lip Spoiler 2013-2016 Scion FR-S

 

OLM CS2 Style Carbon Fiber Front Lip 2017-2021 Subaru BRZ

 

OLM TR Style Front Bumper Lip 2022-2024 Toyota GR86

 

 

WHEELS

The majority of cars at car shows, meets, and cruises will more than likely have a set of aftermarket wheels. The key importance that we cannot express enough is to get a set of wheels that fit correctly. Although we are seeing a decline in the stretched “stanced” look, many opt to try and fit the most aggressive wheel and tire setup as they can on their vehicles. We are on board with this concept within the confines of safety. This means no excessive rubbing on the fenders because you got a too aggressive offset or too wide of a wheel, and if you did so, raising the car on coilovers will only make the car look funny.

 

For first-generation BRZ, FR-S, and 86 vehicles, here is a few wheel reference videos that highlight offset, fitment, etc.

 

 

 

Now with the 2022+ models, you cannot run as an aggressive offset as you could on the first gen models (2013-2021), so you will have to go with a deeper offset unless you wither cut or roll your fenders.

Fitment Industries executes a great job by researching, and taking the time to figure out what properly fits 2022+ models.

 

 

 

Because of these reasons, because the offsets are pivotal in a proper wheel fitment for first- and second-generation cars, you are taking too much of a risk by trying to purchase something on fb marketplace where you think you can make it fit just because it may be a good deal. But remember, just because something is a good deal, doesn’t mean that it will fit right, and more importantly, it will cost you more in the long run. Choose wisely.

 

Work Wheels Emotion CR Kiwami Deep Concave White 18x9.5 +38 5x100 (most aggressive)

 

Apex EC-7R 17x9.5 +40mm 5x100 Polished (great fitment)

 

Rays Gram Lights 57CR 17x9 +38mm 5x100 Gloss Black (awesome fitment)

 

 

TRUNK SPOILER

Now, you’ve got your coilovers, your front lip, and a proper set of wheels. The final garnish to this recipe is a rear trunk spoiler. Especially for 2022+ models where like the A90 Supra, the rear trunk has a duckbill-like shape. This will be one of the easiest mods you can do to the exterior because installation requires automotive-grade double-sided adhesive, and most examples will come in carbon fiber that will look great on any painted surface.

 

OLM S-Style Carbon Fiber Rear Trunk Spoiler 2022-2024 BRZ/GR86

 

Verus Carbon Fiber Duck Bill Spoiler 2013-2021 BRZ/FR-S/86

 

OLM TR Style Carbon Fiber Duck Bill Spoiler 2022-2024 BRZ/86

 

 

All looks like a car meet starter pack yeah? But there is a right way of doing things, and there is cutting corners that will get you nothing but criticism from those with an eye for detail. Get quality parts, quality wheels, and quality suspension components and you will be highly satisfied with the results to YOUR liking. Your BRZ or GR86 will look better obviously, but you get the improvements in handling, ride quality, along with more refined aero. Make a sound investment in your happiness from any quality part on our website.