2NR: It was the coilover system that started it all for SkunkworksDH: That's correct but we wanted to diversify in all areas of vehicle performance. We were shooting for several areas, not just coilovers or intake systems. I believe we are good at building a project vehicle from the ground up regardless what kinds of car it is.
2NR: Tell us about the debut of the silver Beta Integra (DC2) a few years back that eventually set the fastest all motor record in the import drag scene.DH: The first time we brought the car out was at the Battle of Imports event in Palmdale [Calif.] and I remember we kept breaking clutches throughout the day. I can honesty say the car wasn't running to its full potential at the time but was able to post a low 13-second run even though it shattered a clutch during its best run that day. The Beta car would basically do one burnout and break the clutch leaving us with the next few months to figure out our clutch problem. After the clutch issue was resolved we took the car to Sacramento races and ran 12.8 e.t. when everyone else was still stuck in the 13.1 to 13.2 e.t. range.
2NR: From what I recall, wasn't the Beta car specifically setup for road racing purposes?
DH: That's correct. Our first ever drag race at Battle of Imports, the Integra showed up on road racing tires and was basically built as a road race car (laughing). If you look at our newest 2004 catalog, we have images of the same Beta Integra speeding through the corkscrew at Laguna Seca. So the car was really built as a thrasher track vehicle but for fun we decided to bring the car out to the drag strip see what it could do. To our amazement the car posted 13-second time slips on Toyo RA1 radials which are DOT approved road race tires on 15-inch rims. The next event we campaigned was at Sacramento when we ran the first 12 second e.t. We upgraded our tires using the old school low profile 14-inch slicks. At that point the crowds were overheard saying "Who the hell are these guys?"
2NR: What about other drivers? Were they amazed you guys came out of nowhere to hit 12s on all motor?
DH: I recall at the time Sheng Chao had the fastest all motor Integra (DC2). He really appreciated how the Integra was built and how quick the car was. Sheng's a really down to earth, all around nice guy. After Sacramento the next event was the very first NIRA event which took place at Bakersfield where we switched our tires over to the 13-inch gumball slicks. The change propelled us to a 12.5-second e.t. By the end of the day we had brought down our times to a 12.2 e.t. which I think was the start of people and other drivers really beginning to pay attention to the Skunk car.
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