I wanted to create a thread for people to talk about their interests, passions, hobbies, etc. other than reptiles. There is more to all of us than just herps, even if they are, at least in my case, a big part of my life.
Aside from reptiles, I have 3 major passions/hobbies, and one that I dabble in.
My hobbies/passions are:
1. Cars and racing cars
2. Cigars (smoking and aging)
3. Collecting high-end liquor, mostly whiskey and scotch.
I'll address each.
Cars and Racing
I have loved cars since before I can remember. I have been a Porsche guy since age 3 when our neighbor got a Porsche 911. Cars aren't transportation for me, they are not an a to b thing, they are an experience where the drive is as important as the destination (if I even have one). Katie loses her mind when I talk about over-steer and under-steer and throttle input and tires can only do 100% of anything, etc. I recently bought a new car and I talked about it, a lot. Let me be clear, I love all cars, and I love the differences between them, but I like fast cars and yes, I've been driving stick shift since before I got my license.
In 2008, knowing my kidneys were failing me (for those that do not know, I had a transplant in 2012 and I am doing as well as can be expected - still a work in progress) I bought my dream car, a black on black 2004 911 Turbo with a 6-Speed manual.
I spent 2008-2011 modifying her into MY 911 Turbo. Modifications include:
Suspension and Brakes: Aggressive street suspension, sway bars, pucks vs. rubber bushings for the suspension, 350MM (13.7in) two piece rotors vs. 330mm (13in) rotors, 6-Piston racing calipers up front, and lighter wheels (19 inch versus 18 inch) with larger tires (235 up front and 305 in the rear).
Transmission: Stage 3 clutch, short shift kit, and 1st and 2nd gears from the GT2.
Engine: GT28 Hybrid turbos vs. K16 stock, inlet houses, plenum, boost hoses, etc. all to 3 inch, miltek exhaust, upgraded intercoolers that are 30% more efficient than stock, and diverter valve to aluminum from rubber. I also have a custom tune on the car from one of the top tuners in the world. Custom = tuned on dyno with all upgrades on the car. 1/1 tune.
She now makes 685HP (approximately) and 717 lb/ft of torque (approximately) at the engine. That's 551 Wheel/HP and 592 wheel foot pounds of torque. She was about 3,400 pounds stock, but with wheel, brake, and exhaust upgrades, she's closer to 3,310 now.
She is lovingly referred to as "The Beast".
She runs a sub 10.5 second quarter mile at about 137mph.
And she's daily drivable. Comfortable and capable and I average about 19mpg in normal driving with better than 22mpg on the highway. Not bad for 700hp.
Also, and again, knowing life is short, I joined a race track and bought a race car. She's a Formula Mazda. However, she's not stock either. Her 13b rotary is ported and she now makes about 237hp vs. 185 stock and has 10.5 inch rotors with 4-piston wilwood calipers. She has a stock MK9 gearbox, but I go through it every 8 hours or less. She weighs 1,140 pounds, and 1450 with fluids, and me. At 150mph she generates 1,500 pounds of downforce. I could drive her upside down at that speed.
In corners she pulls about 2.5G and brakes at that too - at 140mph.
Cigars
I have been smoking for too long, but limit myself to 2-3 a week and stop for periods when I don't feel well, etc. It's both a social and enjoyment thing for me. I age and collect cigars and have over 1,200 in my collection currently. I smoke mostly medium to full bodied cigars, but will smoke a full flavored mild-medium cigar. On my birthday, I smoked a 13 year old Fuente Don Carlos Anniversario. Rare and now very old. YUM.
High end alcohol: I collect mostly whiskey and scotch, but also tequila, rum, barrel aged gins, etc. Scotch is my favorite and I specialize in mostly non-peaty (highland, speyside, lowland, etc) scotches with unique casks, ages, and mostly cask-strength. I do not mind peat, but want it balanced, not the only thing I taste. The same for bourbon and american whiskey and rye. I love cask strength and unique casks, ages, etc.
I know I ran on with the cars, so I toned it down for the liquor and cigars.
Let us know what your passions are!
Pictures
The Beast:
Formula Mazda
Janet - My Daily Driver, a 2015 Audi S4 with 7-Speed DSG
She's named after Janet Guthrie, the first woman to race in the Indy 500 and Daytona 500.
Birthday Cigar and Humidor
Liquor Closet
Originally Posted by dakski
I wanted to create a thread for people to talk about their interests, passions, hobbies, etc. other than reptiles. There is more to all of us than just herps, even if they are, at least in my case, a big part of my life.
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