:Introduction:

Hey RL2,

I just got home from hanging out with quite a few members of your team for the better part of an entire team. The time I spent with you guys just reinforced the idea that I already had...and that was to formally apply to join RL2 as a recruit and eventually, hopefully become a member. Before we get into my car details, I'll just throw out some information about myself so everyone can know me a bit better.

For those that I didn't meet or forgot already, lol...my name's Jon Chou. I'm a 21 year old SoCal native that spent high school in New Jersey and attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta before I decided that I hate math and physics. While I was there, I had an Evo 8 with all the basic mods: drop, wheels, bolt-ons, tuned, Varis kit, etc. I crashed it in my first year at Tech as I was driving my Fraternity brothers back from a club and I put myself in a body cast for the better part of six months. I did get a fatty insurance check, though. After moving back to SoCal, I decided that I wanted to pursue a business degree instead and I'm recently finishing up some classes at RCC Norco before I transfer to a UC.

I'm 100% Chinese but I'm pretty damn white and I've been around the import scene for a while. I know random people from each team, from Hokori to Hybrid to Autobots and everyone in between. While I appreciate the show scene, at heart, I'm a track whore. I'd much rather be hitting the apex on a sweeper or shitting myself going through turn 6 at Seca then showing. But, I realized that with the way my car build is going...by the time I'm done, I might as well show it as well. Hence, that's part of my reason for applying. Before I ramble on even more, I'll get to the car.

:Car: 2008 Graphite Gray Evolution X GSR

:Current Mods On The Car:
18x9.5 +12 Time Attack 57 Maximum Gram Lights
275/35 NT05 Tires all around
Rays Red Lugs
CKS (Corner Konnection Systems) Track Coils with external reservoirs, custom valving and spring rates
Cusco Rear Strut Tower
Aligned and Corner Balanced by Evasive Motorsports
Motul Brake Fluid
AMS stainless steel lines
Prototype Takeda Intake
Perrin Turbo Inlet
MXP Catback Exhaust
Agency Power BOV
Tuned by HB Speed (*tune is off though...see below)
M1 Ralliart C/F Lip
ARC Magic Lip Spoiler Canards
Replica Jun C/F Side Skirts
Do-Luck C/F Duckbill Trunk
Rexpeed C/F Stubby Antenna
APR Vortex Generator
Mitsubishi OEM Window Vents
ARC Titanium Shift Knob
Sponsor Decals by Gen-X Graphics

:Mods In My Garage (waiting to be installed, test-fitting, etc):
Amuse R1 Catback Exhaust (getting a new one actually since my friend tore off my old one)
MXP Test Pipe
Gruppe M/Colt Speed C/F Radiator Shroud + Intake combo
T1R Matte Black LICP/UICP with Discharge Funnel
Nisei Black LICP/UICP
AEM Meth/Water Injection Kit
19x10 +15 Matte Black SSR Type F's (track rims)
275/35 RE01's and NT01's (track tires)
Cusco Rear-Member Power Brace
Cusco Rear-Member Rear Power Brace
Cusco Floor Center Power Brace
Cusco Floor Front Power Brace
Cusco 25mm Rear Sway
Veilside VSD-1 Reclinable Carbon Kevlar Seat
OMP Trecento Steering Wheel

:Mods On Order:
Full 2009 Varis Body Kit C/F Version (First in the states to order it and third in the world...supposedly)
Esprit Dry C/F wing - Track/Circuit Version
AMS O2 Eliminator Downpipe
Blitz Intercooler
Blitz UICP
JNZ Tuning Lime Green Spark Plug Cover
Momo Steering Wheel Hub

:Future Mods:
Cams (probably order some in the next week or so...going to see how Jay likes his Cosworth first)
Turbo Upgrade and supporting mods
Clutch/Flywheel
Endless or AP Racing BBK (depends on sponsorship possibility and pricing)
A second Veilside seat if Rene can find one for me
Seat Rails
ARC Intercooler
ARC Oil Cooler
Jun Mirrors
Whiteline Roll-Couple Adjuster Kit
Way too many mods to list...

*I did test fitting and prototyping for a few companies so my engine bay was constantly put back to stock and my ECU flashed back and forth which is why my tune is actually hurting my car's performance now since I don't have the correct set of piping, exhaust, etc. in. Luckily I'm done with all of that so I'll be installing all my piping and everything else within a week or two whenever I have time and getting it retuned again.

:Goals With The Car:
I'm really aiming to qualify and compete in the Redline Time Attack next year. Any track time I can get in is a good thing. At the same time, I'm building my car for me so any mods I do to it are purely because I enjoy this hobby. Anything that goes on the car is for my enjoyment and happiness. Eventually showing it at an HIN/Spocom/etc. is also a goal. I'd like to be able to show with RL2 and not feel like my car is lacking in amount, quality and professionalism of mods. I will be going to SEMA next year with CKS to demo their coils so that goal has already been fulfilled. Besides all that, I really just want to drive my car and have fun doing it.

:Choosing RL2:
I knew the team back when it was still called Sadistic and I always remember seeing some clean rides that were modded tastefully; yet, still managed to grab everyone's attention without being over the top or tacky. Plus, to be perfectly frank, you didn't seem like total egotistical cocks and unfortunately, that seems to be an attitude that several teams that I won't name seem to have taken up.

After meeting Rene and spending some time with him, RL2 started to appeal to me more and more. I signed up on your forums and began lurking around, checking out all your topics, pics, etc. Everyone seemed really down to earth and of course, the cars are amazing. Then, Rene told me to come out today to Formula D at Long Beach and at first I was hesitant since I feel like my car is no where close to ready yet for anything but I said, "Fuck it" and came...and I'm really glad I did. It was great hanging out with everyone today and thanks for letting me hang. I felt really welcome right away and clicked with several people. So...here I am right now after getting home throwing up my application.

:Why You Should Recruit Me:
Besides the fact that I'm a badass white-washed Asian who's addicted to boba...

I think my car can bring a nice blend of hardcore-track-yet-still-good-for-show to the team. My car won't be the prettiest one or the cleanest one - I can guarantee you that - but I'll also guarantee that people will know I use it for what it was built for and that's to be driven hard at the track. My build has a focus and that'll be clearly reflected in the end result. I'm hoping people will be able to tell and I can spread RL2's name to the track as well, letting everyone know that you don't just show.

As a person, I believe I'm fairly laid-back and easy to get along with. While that may seem like a generic answer, I stand by it. I handle sarcasm, criticism and feedback well and I'm always down to roll anywhere or to help a buddy out whatever the case may be. I enjoy kicking it with friends and just having a good time doing what we all love to do and that's modding the absolute shit out of cars.


I want to thank everyone and anyone that reads this application and considers me for recruitment into RL2.

Cheers,
Jon


Some of you have already seen my car and I guess the rest will see it tomorrow/today after the photoshoot at Boiling Crab but here's a quick pic. I'm missing my APR vortex generator and ARC fins in this pic.

nice ride and a nice list of mods