"Get the feeling" is Toyota's current marketing tagline and the numerous fan clubs and forums on the web dedicated to Toyota marque vehicles are proof that many of us do. This is especially true with owners of any of the four generations of Toyota Supra that have carved the meanest roads of the world. The North East Chapter of the Supra Owners Group International is a perfect example of the most dedicated of hardcore Supra enthusiasts. For the second year in a row, the chapter, headed by Co-Founders Al Stanek, Dan Mac, Steve Vitek, and Howard Hutchinson, spent months to put together an impressive program at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park for Toyota enthusiasts.

     

Unlike last year's inaugural "The Meet" which was an all Supra party, "The Meet II" was opened up to owners of any Toyota or Lexus model. Thus, the staging lanes and the autocross track featured Supra's, MR-2's, IS300's, Solara's, and Matrix's (including our own Project Matrix) alike.

     

Besides the dozens of giveaways made possible by sponsors like Toyota of Morristown, Performance Factory NYC, Suprasport.Com, Coximport.Com, BullishMotorRacing.Com, Jay Marks Toyota World, The Tire Rack, Paisley Automotive, Speed World, Sound Performance, Carspetics, and SPI (whew!), Meet II attendees were treated to a small manufacturer's midway. Toyota of Morristown and Freehold Toyota were both on hand with an impressive amount of parts and accessories for Toyotas, including the biggest collection TRD parts we've ever seen in a single spot. Toyota of Morristown offered (and continues to offer) discounts to the Supra club members and offered event specials as well.

     

With their respective businesses sponsoring the event, it was no surprise to see both Supra god Vinny Ten (Performance Factory NYC) and Solara king Ara Arlslanian (Bullish Motor Racing) in attendance to take in the event as well as to chat with fellow enthusiasts. Vinny is preparing to debut his revised Toyota of Morristown sponsored Supra to the racing circuit while the Ara's Bullish Racing Team have just come off the debut of their twin Pro Import Solaras. Neither Ten nor Arslanian brought along their cars, but the new Performance Factory NYC trailer was found on the grounds.

     

The three-day event included Dyno test and tune sessions at SPI's facilities but the main test of power came on the black top of the Englishtown drag strip. Spectators and participants were able to enjoy run after run of all Toyota match-ups. A Quick-8 was part of the drag racing program and featured some ten second smokers.

     

The autocross was expertly run by the Northern New Jersey chapter of the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) and featured a challenging course laid out in the back lot of the expansive Raceway Park grounds. Lawrence Wong's MR-2 proved it's not all about horsepower on the autocross track as his 24.977 second run marked the best time of the day.

While on the autocross track, we were able to coax Ara Arslanian, an experienced drag and road race driver, to take our Project Matrix for a trip around the short but challenging course. We wanted to see what Toyota's part SUV, part sports car crossover would do against some real sports cars. The result was pretty impressive as Ara was able to coax the four cylinder powered four door around the track quick enough for a second place trophy in Class A. What did the driver of a 1,000 HP Supra and 1,300 HP Solara think about our still stock, 130 HP Project Matrix? "Surprisingly sporty and very fun to drive!" Our Project Matrix kicks off next week with the introduction into a series of upgrades that will transform our stocker into a one-off TRD outfitted showstopper. Check back for the whole scoop!

     

The drive also turned into a friendly wager between Ara and Turbo Magazine photographer John Prescott, who is also an experienced autocrosser in his 12 sec. Supra. Although we don't have the photographs here, but you just might be able to read about the whole scandal in a future edition of Turbo. (Ara was seen giving John a greenback or two). What does a Turbo Magazine photographer look like on the other side of the lens? This - at least in his 12 sec Supra.

     

While not at the autocross track or at our own UrbanRacer booth, Project Matrix could also be spotted making a few exhibition passes down the dragstrip. We'll release all the figures in our upcoming Project Matrix introduction but we can tell you now that the 130 HP Matrix XR was surprisingly quick. Joining Project Matrix in the vendor lanes was another unique Matrix. If it looks familiar - it's because the silver TRD treated Matrix built for and on display at the past New York International Auto Show. Toyota of Morristown arranged for its guest appearance at the track.

     

Although already unique in styling and menacing in stature, many Supras now sport even more aggressive postures thanks to the multitude of body kits and appearance options available on the market.

     

Celica owners are also exposed to a tremendous aftermarket support from both Toyota, through TRD, and other manufacturers. This brand new Celica from Freehold Toyota featured many popular aftermarket options a Carbon Fiber Hood, aluminum wing, a strut tower brace, and TRD wheels.

     

Just like any large group of individuals, Toyota owners are a diverse bunch, as evidenced by the style and models choices of their tuning efforts.

The events activities rounded out with a show-n-shine and announcement of giveaway contest winners on Sunday. If a trophy was out of reach, an event t-shirt was always a good second for an event memento. In the end, all who attended, including many that traversed several states to make the event, left with yet another unforgettable weekend.

For more information on future NE SOGI Supra events or to become a member, please visit www.nesupras.org.