History:

The Name:  Some often ask where the name Flying Turd 2 came from.  The reason for the "two" in the name was because of a slight mishap with the original Flying Turd.  The original Turd started out as a car that was hidden away in a “shady” part of town.  The bug was filled with miscellaneous car parts, nine batteries, and most uniquely had bullet holes in the door.  It was multi-colored and did not look that appealing.  The plans for the car were to make a race car, not paint it or change the look of the car, and from there the name “Flying Turd” evolved.  As the project

continued, Joel, being an attention oriented sort of person, couldn’t stand it looking as bad as it did and later painted it a primer grey.  Nevertheless, the bullet holes were not filled to keep it unique.


The Original Flying Turd:  The Flying Turd project started when Joel was 17 years old.  After about a year and a half the car was complete and the racing began.  However with less than a full year of racing and under 50 passes on the car, Joel had the aforementioned “small mishap.”  One night while racing in his hometown of Yakima, Washington, Joel lost control of the car at the end of the track and spun the car in a 360 degree rotation while rolling it at the same time.  Joel walked away with sore muscles, but the car was much worse.  However the parts that could be salvaged weren’t enough to justify the resurrection of the Flying Turd.
 
Birth of the Flying Turd 2:  Not being discouraged by the wreck, another car was purchased and the Flying Turd 2 started taking shape.  This vehicle started out just like the original Flying Turd:  hideous and barely recognizable as a Volkswagen Beetle.  Although the project took a little longer than expected, Joel's top-notch fabrication led to a winning racecar that was well worth the extra effort.  In 2006, the Flying Turd 2 was finished but only a handful of test passes were made in the new car.  In 2007, the car made a full season, over 150 passes, numerous testing sessions, broken motors, and over 15,000 miles were traveled to compete in racing events.  In 2007 the FT2 crew traveled to all of the PRA (Pro Racing Association) events and ended up taking the first place in the Super Comp, 10.90 class and Joel was awarded the rookie of the year award.  Not bad for a race car on its first year.  Along with competing in the PRA, the FT2 team participated in all of the NIDRA (Northwest Import Drag Racing Association) races.  In 2007 Joel ended up taking third in this association as well.


FT2's transformation after one and a half years of work
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