Two adults, no kids, so easy choice for Toby to take the Boxster for her first road trip after 2 years! For Toby and Mary’s nineth anniversary, Mary’s sister was kind enough to fly in to babysit for them so they can go on a long weekend getaway. Despite intermittent rain (so top stayed up) it was a beautiful 3-day driving through beautiful Virginia country … Continue reading (Overdue) Boxster Road Trip

While visiting Grandpa and Grandma in Illinois, they suggested Oliver could go go-karting. Toby wondered about covid risk of sharing helmets, but a quick check confirmed they were not required so it was a go! It was a quiet evening and he had the track all to himself. Having watched racing all his life he needed little introduction and drove a pretty good racing line … Continue reading Oliver “Go” Karting

During the covid-19 pandemic, Toby, Mary, Oliver and Theo spent a week at super secluded Big Stone Beach in Milford, Delaware. The 4Runner’s big toe hitch receiver got a new use. Big Stone Beach is famous for horseshoe crab spawning. It was cool for us to see it. On our way back, we also made a quick detour to visit the Monster at the Dover … Continue reading Quick Monster Mile Detour

The 4Runner’s AC had a slow leak and wouldn’t blow cold air. Toby ignored it for a long time (lucky to own another car with working AC). But with instructor’s help, diagnostic equipment, and parts at cost, it was time to fix it. Hooked up to the a/c system tester, and filled with fresh florescent dye, Toby’s instructor Aaron found a tiny small leak near … Continue reading 4Runner AC DIY Repair

After all these years working on his race cars on jack stands, Toby learned from his neighbor that Arlington County offers a “DIY Auto Mechanic” class that includes lift time! The shop was VERY WELL equipped with Snap-On everything, laser alignment rack and Hunter tire mounting and balancing machines. First project was to replace brake pads and rotors. It’s been years since the wheels last … Continue reading DIY 4Runner Brakes

Second time a car rode on top of Toby’s 4Runner. Perfect timing that Oliver and Theo needed to move to bigger beds. Toby found a family selling their Lightning McQueen across town and easily took it home with a couple rachet straps onto the roof rack. Oliver was a great mechanic putting his new bed together. Additional race cars and monster truck accents (including canvas … Continue reading Another Race Car Bed

After a challenging start in PCA Simracing Series 1, Jon and Jacob steadily improve their race craft and their results start to improve. In Series 2, Jon and Jacob raced the high downforce (and arguably easier) Porsche 911 RSR. Click link for YouTube replays: Team Shum got off to a great start with Jon’s 17th-place at Laguna Seca. Jacob soon achieved TeamShum’s first top-10, with … Continue reading iRacing Year 1 Review

Toby’s Boxstet got a screw in her right rear so Toby loaded the flat and a new tire to take to the tire shop. Never thought the new tire could be so useful in an emergency 😂 Continue reading If Life Gives You Lemons