JK: Not known to stay in the high rpm range, the Mitsubiishi EVO will be running in the 3000 to 3500 range. If your turbo is too big then the time it takes to reach full boost will be a little slower when recovering out of a turn. With an EVO and AWD it's a little easier to get away with a more responsive turbo. On an FWD car if you go with a turbo that's too responsive you'll be coming out of the turns with too much wheel spin which will affect your overall times. The main goal is to slow up the turbo response or alter it so full boost will come in at the high rpm. Ultimately you'll be able to get out of those turns quicker.
2NR: The drift scene seems to cater to turbocharged vehicles. What do you recommend when setting up a turbo system for drifting?
JK: Again, it all depends on the setup and layout of the track. Drifters are always in high rpm range when driving on the track. The beginners will have a harder time because they won't be coming into the turns or Apex at higher speeds than a more advanced driver, so they have to make sure they are in a higher gear and revving higher to compensate so they can break the wheels and pitch the car. On the higher horsepower engines such as the SR20DET [Nissan Silvia], we've used a number of turbos, such as our HKS GTR-S and GT 2035, with great success.
2NR: Over the years, the name FastTrax seemed to come full force into the industry and just as fast, it took an exit. Whatever happened?
JK: You know, if you say the name FastTrax to the younger generations out there in the import industry, they've never heard of the name and the brand is considered done and gone. The older generation, or the ones who knew me from when I made my name with FastTrax, always wonder whatever happened to it. Well at the time, competition was difficult because I bought parts from Garrett Turbos. From my standpoint, if I sold a turbo and it took three months to build it because parts were on backorder, I can't blame the manufacturers, but it still took three months. During that time the customer doesn't care and asks why I can't deliver. That puts me in a bind with the manufacturer and customers. It was a big part of the issue. It was difficult to compete with the larger companies such as Turbonetics and TEC Turbo, which were a lot bigger and had the buying power over a smaller company such as FastTrax.
2NR: So what was the other reason for the gradual demise of FastTrax?
JK: I wanted to expand and start building turbo kits and new products within the company. I was introduced to a business investor in 1999. This individual came to me stating he had the capability to build a lot of carbon-fiber products, such as carbon-fiber strut bars and exhaust systems, just to name a few. What I didn't know at the time was this investor's intention from the get-go was to steal the FastTrax name and associated business. I became a victim by working under his control. To sum things up, he basically took everything. As time progressed, the business was stagnant and I managed to get away from that nasty situation and his shady scheme, but all the time and effort to break the ties and bonds with this investor left me drained financially as well as mentally. After the whole ordeal I was approached by HKS USA to work with them and had the opportunity to bring my expertise to HKS. My part was to learn more about HKS products was well as promote the company. It was a little too hard for me to pass up and I took the job.
2NR: Wow, that's shady! How much did you end up losing or spending during that time when this so-called investor was around?
JK: This investor's main job was to file and document of all the invoices for the company and purchase products. What I didn't know was this was a one-sided deal where he would receive the products and stiff the manufacturers without paying. The bills began to pile up in excess of $50,000 dollars and it was suddenly brought to my attention. After I realized what he had done he comes up to me and says, "I'll buy you and your company out for $50,000 dollars." Basically the payout for all the debt from the invoices was what he was willing to buy the company for and I would be dead even after the purchase. Also written in the deal was a contract for me to work for him for four to five years.