“Cliff Notes” - Calvin Leung, v1.7
Name:
Calvin Leung
Username(s):
PoppinPhresh, p.phresh
Age:
1 billion
Occupation:
Web Developer
Current Ride:
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Past ride:
2003 Mini Cooper S
How long have you been in ZuCru?:
Unofficially, 1999
Officially, 2001
How did you first hear about ZuCru?:
Allan, one of the founding fathers of Zucru is my god brother, and i’ve known him my entire life. When he started zucru, i barely understood the idea of a good import car. But as I grew up and looked up to Allan, i learned a lot more about the import scene. And then Zucru started growing bigger and included friends i met in university. So eventually i started gravitating towards it because of all the people involved.
In the past you owned a pretty sick looking Mini Cooper S, what made you decide to buy that as your first car and why?:
I’ve always been a big fan of the old school Mini Coopers. I enjoyed the styling of them, but never considered it a car I could acquire because the only ones in Canada were old Minis that were restored. As time progressed, i began acquiring a fondness for Volkswagens (thanks to Allan’s old Corrado) and German vehicles because of the cars my dad always drove. I looked at VW Golfs, but was disappointed with the lack of quality i was so used to from all the years of riding and driving Mercedes Benz’s. And then i learned that BMW was making a new Mini. It had all the qualities i was looking for, hi-quality fit and finish and the quality of a german vehicle (although it’s supopsed ot be britsh), and a hatch back like the VW Golfs i was admiring, i decided right then and there, that was gonna be my first car!
Out of all the cars you had to choose from, why the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X?:
I wanted a car that had AWD, i was tired of plowing around in the Cooper in the winter. I had considered a few different things, and the allure of the Evo just drew me in. I wanted to have a car that could keep up with the rest of the pack. In addition i wanted something that wasn’t a two-door car anymore. I am grown up so i thought that an Evo was a good car to transition me into the new stage in my life.
Having driven a European car and growing up with German cars all my life, driving and owning a Mitsubishi was like sacrilegious. But i am happy with the choice i made. This car is as good as the say it is, and i’m happy that it lives up to its reputation.
The evo is tenth in a long prestigious line of race vehicles. It has a competitive heritage, and owning a car in that lineage is somewhat satisfying.
Do you have any plans for your car in the future?:
Plans for the future is somewhat limited. I’m sort bounded by time and money since my priorities have changed. At this point i’m just concerned on having a safe and reliable car.
But barring these restrictions, i’d go with the basic upgrades, suspension, wheels, engine management and exhaust. Basically i’d like to go with a Cobb AP and go to stage 2.
What does it mean to you to be part of the ZuCru Team? and what have you learned so far?:
Zucru has been my other family. They are my support group. Whatever you take from zucru you have to be willing to put back in. When you are down and out there will always be someone to put you back on top, and i’m glad to have a network of friends that are willing to do that for you. Some members are like brothers to me, through thick and thin, it’s unconditional love, and that’s what i most appreciate. When you first join zucru, you learn that it goes a lot deeper than cars, but you have to put in the time and effort, and you will receive the undying support from all the members whenever you need it.
You’re dad owned a Porsche Boxter S and also a 911 Carrera many years ago, tell me about that and what was it like driving those cars?:
Well if i’ve learned anything from this, it’s that i’m truly a fan of European cars. I enjoy the lines that german cars have, the Porsches have flowing lines that mask a powerhouse beneath. Driving these cars has definately given me a taste of a fine precision vehicle. I have since become a huge fan of Porsches. Driving a Porsche is like nothing else i’ve ever driven. It’s refined power. The power band is smooth from low RPMs to screaming high RPMs at wide open throttle. The sound of the engine right behind your head in an open air Boxster really allows you to appreciate the sound these things make. The power of the Carrera as the rear tires plant and launch the car from stop really shows you how much power these have when configured right. Plus the sheer shock factor from other people that see you when you’re rolling in a Porsche.
Most memorable moment in all your years in ZuCru?:
The most memorable moment has to be those cruises when we’d have 20+ cars rolling down the street and when you get to a cloverleaf, you look behind and you see a huge line of cars all rolling together…. and you think… “yah that’s all us”.
If you had a choice to be a celebrity for a day, who would you be and why?:
I’d be Jack Black, i’d run around and shout “NACHHHOOOOOoooooooo…..”
Can you tell the readers something that they don’t know about you?any special skills?:
I’m pretty good with a pistol.
Finish this sentence for me, “Roses are red, violets are blue…”
Natural Disasters,
I am Tugboat and he is Typhoon!
We all know you’re going to be a first time father next year, any words you’d like to say to your baby before he or she arrives into the new world?:
“i’m gonna love you no matter what. You will always have parents that love you… i can’t wait to play Lego with you.”
Any special shout outs you’d like to say?:
Shout outs to my number 1; Candace, i love you for supporting me and my crazy hobbies, and for being car crazy with me.
And shout out to my zucru brethren… thanks for helping me out when i needed it. You are more than my friends, you are my family. You will always have a brother in me.
Tags: Calvin Leung, Cliff Notes, ZuCru