TZ: Well the Urban Legend is finally ready to go for the 2005 season (or close to it) - care to elaborate on where the name came from?
Art: For the past 2 years I was building the car, I never showed anyone pictures of it. So people were starting to wonder if I really had a car, or it was just a myth I made up. I named it the Urban Legend because people would talk about it without ever seeing it. Giving the car a name was a marketing tool and I think it has worked out pretty good. I now see people calling their car an Urban Legend which I think is pretty cool. Like they say, imitation is the highest form of flattery.
TZ: For those that aren't familiar with you at all, can you give us a little insight on your previous drag racing endeavors and how your project came to be?
Art: I've always been the "behind the scenes" guy. I've worked with the JL Audio team in 2002 before leaving mid season. I was really burned out and didn’t really want to help anyone out until Earl Laskey of Laskey Racing asked me to help them out. I wasn't really sure if I wanted to help anyone because of how things were run on the previous team. So I thought about it and talked with my girlfriend at the time and I made the decision to help Laskey Racing out. It turned out to be a good decision because Mike Laskey has become one of my best friends and almost a brother to me.
After Laskey Racing came in 3rd in NDRA during the 2003 season, and had no financial backing for 2004 they decided to sit most of that season out to build their new car. At this point I also wanted to build a car since I figured it was the right thing to do. So here we are in 2005 and my team and I are ready to go!
TZ: Looks like you're going to have a handful on the Integra, why did you pick this platform to go with? We all know it's a pretty rare chassis when it comes to the class.
Art: I love the Integra chassis. I've had this car since it was new, with 33 miles on it and I wanted to be a little different. We have really dropped a lot of
weight on the car with using aluminum parts, carbon fiber intake (4 lbs), cast stainless steel manifold (around 10 lbs) and so on. I weighed everything that came off the car, then weighed again when going back in and it should be around +-2400 lbs if I still remember how to add and subtract. 1 + 1 is still 2
right?
TZ: What are your plans for 2005? Which events do you plan on attending?
Art: At this point that is still up in the air. I know I'll be at the NDRA opener in Arizona. Neither NDRA nor NHRA came back to Texas so I'll be like Willie Nelson and On The Road Again. It will all depend on how the points in NDRA are looking early in the season and how close NHRA is to us at that point in time. I wish I could go to all of them, but my budget won't allow for that. So anyone looking to sponsor me with some traveling money feel free to contact me. (Shameless plug)
TZ: Do you mind giving us a brief (or lengthy) description about the car? The entire foundation and power, numbers, etc that you're willing to share
Art:
Engine: B18C1, Endyn Roller Wave pistons, Crower Rods, Endyn Head with their valve train.
Turbo set up: Precison T4 GT35R, InlinePRO T4 manifold, Endyn/AIR carbon fiber intake manfold, Precision intercooler, Intercooler piping by Tony Palo, Wiggins Clamps, Tial wastegate and blow off valve.
Suspension: Omni-Power coilovers, SPC front and rear camber kit.
Electronics: Autronic SM2 and a custom harness built by me that uses Raychem DR-25.
Fabrications done by Tony Palo.
TZ: What's your personal opinion about the Turbo 4 and Sport FWD class this year? Who are you going to be looking out for?
Art: One of the main reasons I enjoy the class is because we are all friends. I consider Jason Hunt and Brian Ballard really good friends and they have been the front runners through out the years.
There are so many racers to look out for, even from Texas. But I think the people to watch will be Brian Ballard in the Saturn, John Ferguson since he has a lighter chassis and Fernando Chuna. Fernando can drive! Now that Jason Hunt is pro it opens up a spot. I wouldn't doubt if someone comes out of the woodwork and starts tearing things up. Regardless you have to be ready for situations like that.
TZ: So... why do you frequent Honda-Tech?
Art: Honda-Tech is my home and it’s a great tool for other things other than tech. Plus, I guess it helps that I am a moderator of the best and largest Honda forum. I know of so many "big dogs" in the corporate world who are on there. Even corporate drivers who drive things other than Hondas are on here, like GM. "Correct!" as a certain Hot champion driver would say.
TZ: We've also heard several foundations that you work with in terms of donations, do you mind elaborating on this?
Art: I've done several charities in the past, even when I wasn't known. I have a passion and love for people who are less fortunate. In high school I used to volunteer to feed the homeless on Thanksgiving. In college I did a Halloween party at the Local Children's hospital.
Here recently, I grew my hair 12" and donated it through Locks of Love (www.locksoflove.org) to children who suffer from long term or permanent hair loss due to medical conditions such as alopecia, cancer and severe trauma or injury. Ironically, my uncle was diagnosed with cancer 2 weeks ago and he will overcome it. He is a strong person and one of my heroes.
TZ: Who's had some of the greatest impact on you as a drag racer (inspirations, etc)? Why drag and what's your take on the other forms of motorsports (track, GT Live, drift, etc.)?
Art: When people grow up usually they look up to a sports star, racer, or even someone in the spotlight. My greatest impact in my life has been my parents who are my heroes. In my eyes they are my everything. I have a very close bond with my family and they are all my heroes and best friends.
As far as other forms of racing, I enjoy IRL when it comes to the Texas Motorspeedway. I've never been to a drift event but I would really like to. I have JGTC set for next year for sure!
TZ: Who would you like to thank on the entire project?
Art: Jesus Christ, My family (Ortiz and Zambrano), Larry Widmer and Josh Farris at Endyn, Chris Stein my crew cheif, Ben Strader www.efi101.com, Paul at SPC, fast-turbo.com, Precison Turbo and Engine, Adam Weeks at lighterfaster.com, Tony Palo, Pat Lierley, Jason Herrera and Shami, Mike and Earl Laskey, Scott and Tina Miller, Geoff at full-race.com, Jason Hunt, Leslie Durst, Marty Ladwig, C Squared Motorsports, Mike Ho, Chris Graf, Brian Gatlin, JokerLuv, RR, Tommy and Naz, Ryan Birgelaitis, Job Estrada, Ross Baird, Johnny Cash, Dustin Moltree, Erik Ramon, and Mark Coons. There are so many who helped out on the car and I thank everyone. I hope I got everyone! Please forgive me if I did.
TZ: Thanks for giving us the first look at the Urban Legend, we're very excited to see it tear up the track in 2005.
Art: Thank you for giving me this opportunity to say a little about myself and the Urban Legend. Let's all support each other for the love and growth of the sport. Race on....