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 and drove a pretty good racing line immediately. Toby also got in a couple short sessions with … Continue reading Oliver First Karting Session

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 Lightning McQueen Bed

22 years!!! Mom and Dad’s 1998 ES 300 fully lived up to Lexus’ legendary reliability, but all good things come to an end. While Toby visited Mom and Dad in Montreal, they went on test drives.  First stop was at Mazda – one of Team Shum’s favorite brands! Mom found the CX-3 easiest to get in and out.  Dad and Toby test drove the car, … Continue reading Zoom Zoom 2

It took all of 22 months for Theo to get behind the wheel. He has been riding alongside Oliver.  But as Oliver was distracted with something else Theo took over and promptly found the “go pedal”. Another Natural! Continue reading Theo’s First Drive

Toby could not wait to take Kate out on track so he immediately signed up for the Labor Day DE at Virginia International Raceway.  Jonathan and June also signed up to make it a “Team Shum East” outing. Kate was still completely stock when she arrived at VIR.  We gave her racing brake pads and GT3 brake cooling ducts and off she went!  Unfortunately Jonathan’s … Continue reading Kate’s First Track Day

After an 18-month hiatus, Toby began to look for his next fun car. After much research and many WhatsApp messages with the rest of Team Shum, Toby found Kate, “Dirty Molly’s Dirty Sister“. Kate is a 2009 Boxster S. She retains a balanced mid-engine layout with track worthy Brembo brakes, but gets the (then) new direct injected “9A1” engine and significantly revised rear suspension. Toby … Continue reading 987.2 (Speed Yellow, of course)

For Kenny’s “Bachelor’s Weekend”, Team Shum met in LA for the Porsche Effect exhibit at Petersen Automotive Museum. The exhibit was the most comprehensive outside of The Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen.  It included many Porsche street cars as well as its most iconic race cars: 550 RS Spyder 906 908 910 917 935 Kremer (K3) 1983 956 (in Toby’s favorite “Newman” livery) 1985 959 Group … Continue reading Porsche Effect – Petersen Automotive Museum