Midnight Mechanics – 2012 Season
The last twelve months has absolutely blown by, but for us Midnight Mechanics it has been a year of unforgettable drift events. Our 2012 saw more track time together than any other year, and as such we have been getting quite the collection of footage from each of our events. I thought it would be suitable to do a compilation of all of our events from this year into one video. I’m looking forward to bringing you guys even more footage for the 2013 season. With both Jasons now running high strung 4agte setups, Cass’s ae86 coupe build and his current 20v Ae86 hatch along with my Sr20 ae71 build, we are really looking forward to ripping up the track even more so this year! E!CM
Midnight Mechanic, Jason Murray, at the Queensland Raceway Morning Sesh
After two years of building and countless struggles to get the tune right, this Wednesday past Jason Murray finally justified all his hard work with a full day of drifting his beige 4agte Ae86 dubbed ‘Latte Lasis’ at the November Queensland Raceway Morning Session.
Our Obession With Drift – The Queensland Raceway Matsuri
Matsuri was bright and intense, it was fun and exciting with old friends and new. It was chaotic and still calm with people everywhere doing many different things yet an attitude of cool soaking over the QR paddocks. There was so much going on and despite the 2 day schedule there was so little time. Everywhere you looked there was something happening, mates peeling out of sheds in groups to hit a track in trains, newer drivers easing into things on the skid pan, pro level cars flicking toward short track wall at unfathomable angles and speed. All of this, all the time. We didn’t need 24hrs, we needed 2 weeks to take all this in.
Words: Jason Murray Pictures: Grant Scott Edited: Grant Scott
The Long Road To Matsuri – Midnight Mechanics
For 200 drifters in South-East Queensland the next two weeks will possibly be the busiest two weeks of their entire year. For the Midnight Mechanics drift team, there is no exception, and the roll will be called for all four of us on Saturday the 6th of October. Each and every one of us have a list of things we need to check, build and ready before this event as there will be no other track day this year that will put as much strain on our cars.
The Morning Session Experience
Filmed and Edited: Grant Scott Edited: Courtney McColgan
Ever thought about heading to a Queensland Raceway morning session, but struggling to find motivation for the early start? Well, having just come back from last week’s session, I can tell you that it’s so much fun, I’m already planning my next one.
Putting my GoPro to good use, I have created a video of myself and my good buddies Mereki Dawson (Blue ke70), Jason Murray (Red R31), and Nick Rombouts (Green S13) from our most recent track day. Watch it, and you’ll see for yourself what I mean when I say it truly defines the word FUN! Oh, and make sure you click the HD button to get the best viewing quality.
Remember, if you are thinking about getting out there and having a crack at drifting, a Queensland Raceway morning session is an ideal place to start. Now, stop thinking about it and get yourself out there!
E!CM
Midnight Mechanics Morning Session
A bit of a Midnight Mechanics video for you guys today. I finally edited my GoPro footage from the March 9th Queensland Raceway Morning Session. I seriously love these events for the people that turn up and the time we get on track. I’m really happy with some of the tandems Jason and I go on the day, I can’t wait for us to get back out there asap!
E!CM
Midnight Mechanics | Jason Sherring at Friday night QR
It’s been pretty rare for all of us Midnight Mechanics to make it to a drifting event at the same time, but even if we can’t bring our own cars we do come up to support our fellow team mates. A few Friday nights ago, after a two year hiatus, Jason Sherring brought his 4agte Ae86 up to Queensland Raceway to get some much needed wet weather practice in.
I couldn’t resist getting the GoPro inside the car for a couple of laps to help boost his ego for next time.
Make sure you hit the HD button for maximum awesome.
E!CM
Midnight Mechanic Rendezvous
We had a small rendezvous this week with fellow Midnight Mechanic; Cass. His blacktop 20v ae86 that you see here on the right hasn’t been running for some time now but after finally fixing it he dusted it off and came down to see us. Considering Jason’s Ae86 is nearing completion with its new body work and paint it seemed perfect timing to get some quick photos of the two cars.
Jason Murray | Almost Painted
Jason has been hard at work panel beating his Ae86 and is almost at the point where the car is ready for paint. A serious amount of effort has gone into the body work and it has been just recently primed up!
E!CM
Jason Murray | So Long Fanta Aids – The New R31
It’s very easy to become attached to certain cars on an emotional level when you spend as much time and effort on them as we all do. However, on rare and often painful occasions there comes a time where a re-shell is needed. For Jason, this has become the reality with his R31. The old Fanta R31, as you would have seen at the QR Matsuri, has had enough money spent on it and the time to upgrade has come.
Pulling Apart Jason’s 4agze
It’s a good feeling being near the good end of an engine conversion, isn’t it? I have been showing you guys a lot of the work Jason has been up to recently with his 4agze, but today I thought it might be good to show you where he has come from. As many of you would know; the 4age series of motors are getting quite old now with some of them getting around the 25 year mark. The 4agze that was sitting in Jason’s car when he bought it was quite tired and never really ran too well. Eventually it just gave up. These are some of the photos I took on the day we took it apart.
Jason Murray | Ae86 Work
Jason has been very hard at work on his Ae86 in order to bring it back sporting his new 4agte setup. The car has had some very serious modifications since it was last on the track. The motor aside, Jason has been busy sorting out a w55 gearbox conversion as well as an F series rear end with 4.6 crown gears to make the car fourth gear friendly. The car has recently come back from a workshop where a large amount of fabrication work has been completed.
The 24 Hour Drift Obsession | Jason Murray
It takes a certain kind of obsession to take part in drift events, some people have it, others think they do and very soon find out they don’t. A matsuri event will push you to that obsession’s breaking point better than any other.
Jason’s 4agte build
Jason has been incredibly busy over the past few months turning his tired out 4agze into an immaculately built 4agte. For most people good enough is good enough but for Jason’s engine builder, Mark, perfection is key.
