With a longer than normal pause and a big >sigh< you always know when it’s story time… So, grab your marshmellows, chocolate and grams… because it’s Story Time with Crutch!
Bathurst or Bust!
Check out the full review that Mike C and Chrissy C did on their trip to Australia! Meanwhile, enjoy this video of “a lap of Bathurst”
Kiwis & Koffee
(FROM 2019) – I have been back state-side for a few weeks, but I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about the massive American Muscle Car car show I went to in New Zealand run by the Moonshine Car Club. Being in a foreign country, it was actually both nice and surprising to end up in the middle of that slice of Ameri-car-na. Yes, New Zealand has had it’s own slice of American car brands with Ford and Holden, but there is also a sizable following of good-ole American sourced iron.
Being a right hand drive country, the latest model of the Mustang is the first they can buy from the factory fitted to drive on New Zealand roads, but that hasn’t stopped the influx of even modern muscle cars into New Zealand. They obviously don’t have any restrictions like our 25-year import ban into the US. I saw everything up to a C6 Corvette, and current gen Camaros back to a first gen Mustangs, Camaros and GTOs.
Not only were they celebrating the American cars, they also had a slice of old-school American culture to go with it. 50s and 60s music, fair food, pinup contests (no, not a bikini or wet T-shirt contest, classic “pin-up” style clothing). Check out the shots from the New Zealand car show that Mike went to while stationed there in 2019 (ABOVE).
#tbt Mike’s Original GTM Bio!
(JULY 1, 2014) – I started doing HPDE events in mid 2012 and became an HPDE instructor in 2014. I have worked with several DE organizations over the last few years but a majority of my time instructing is with HookedonDriving North East Region and Summit Point Friday at the Track. Back in 2006-2008 I also had the pleasure of living in Germany and made frequent trips to the Nurburgring and Hockenheimring. Â
2003 VW Turbo Beetle S
1993 BMW 325i
I have driven an interesting smattering of cars on track that has given me experience with both FWD and RWD vehicles to include an 07 Rabbit, 08 135i vert, and an 11 Jetta Sportwagen TDI. Because there aren’t many instructors with FWD experience, you will often find me in the right seat of VWs and Minis on track.Â
| “Well, I already know a few of you and Eric just invited me to join the group today. I have been tracking state-side* since Fall 2012 in my 2007 VW Rabbit (slush box :() and just started instructing this year with BSR (Friday at the Track), Hooked on Driving, Track Daze and SCCA.  I was actually Tania’s instructor this weekend, and then made the mistake of soloing her, which is obviously how she broke her car lol.  Eric then gave me some pointers throwing my Rabbit around Shenandoah and I also lost my axle heat shield during one of the sessions and I think it cut a CV boot so I need to get under the car tonight and double check that (And that is a brand new freaking CV Axle).  Need it ready before the Friday at the Track in just over 3 days.  I also bought an E36 325i to eventually turn into a track car (and that is a manual…yay!) My site has links to all my photos and videos, so just start there. http://www.mikecrutchfield.com/ – * 2006-2008 I lived in Germany and spent a lot of time and money at Hockenheimring and Nurburgring.” |
