The Road To Mantorp

SPECIAL FEATURE

By: Paddy McGrath

18th June 2012 75 Comments

Although I’ve been lucky to experience the mayhem at Gatebil before, I somehow thought I could cope this year when I visited Mantorp Park last weekend. I was wrong. You see, Gatebil is like no other series of events that I have ever attended before, or since for the matter. There are just no rules, it’s automotive culture unleashed. It has been a long couple of days since I landed in Sweden last week, so I guess I better start this story from the very beginning …

It’s never a good way to start a trip by losing your most precious possession. My 5D MKII sadly passed away somewhere between Dublin & Stockholm Arlanda airports. I loved this camera like you would love a child. It’s been with me every step of my speedhunting life so when I discovered it had quietly passed on in its sleep, I thought the very least I could do was pay it some sort of a small tribute. Shine on my friend …

Wiping away my tears, I made my way outside to the incredibly clean and modern streets of Hammarby, a new suburb of Stockholm. Rod lives here somewhere – I’m quite jealous of his life in this sort of health spa utopia.

However there would be no time for sight seeing, a quick rendezvous with Mikael Jaronsinski, owner of Superior Imports AB and all round nice guy saw us take to the roads almost immediately. Our destination was of course Mantorp Park, the Swedish racing circuit which would be host to the Gatebil festival when it arrived in town.

Mikael has been importing cars from Japan into Sweden for some year’s now and his knowledge of Japanese cars is almost encyclopedic. This Soarer which belongs to a friend, hides in his garage …

Another quick rendezvous saw us meet up with a strangely familiar S15. Although it has now been vinyl wrapped in the Superior colors, the car would be instantly recognizable to our US readers in particular.

Here’s a big clue – anyone care to take a guess?

With the car safely strapped down, it was time to take to the road again to make our pilgrimage to Mantorp.

You see some pretty strange things on the road in Sweden, this was my favorite however.

The journey flew past, Mikael’s Soarer making short work of the 200KM journey.

The iconic Gatebil color schemes always get me excited, as you know something big is about to go down.

With the event not due to kick off until the next day, the place was surreally quiet.

There was however some eye candy on display like this carbon fibre clad Evo X…

… and this Supra which would take part in the drift sessions over the course of the weekend.

Danne’s R32 GT-R was really tasty. Running 400+WHP (most Scandinavians reference wheel horsepower over brake horsepower) whilst retaining all creature comforts.

This R30 Skyline was another member of Camp Superior, where we would call home for the duration of the event.

With the sun setting (sort of, it never seemed to get fully dark) we made our way back to our hostel for night’s rest before the mayhem really kicked off on Friday morning.

The next morning started a lot better than the day before. No broken cameras is always a good thing, but being told that this would be your office for the weekend …

… is a pretty good feeling.

From the off, the cars were rolling in. This trip has reignited my guilty pleasure of R33 GT-Rs.

A large inspection area had been setup at the bottom of the paddock, where any cars that wanted to go on track needed to pass scrutiny. It’s around this point that things start getting a little silly.

At Gatebil, nothing is ordinary and everything is extraordinary.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Lancer Evo II, I wonder what’s under the hood …

… oh my. I’m sure the V8 haters will have a field day but to be honest, the Scandinavians don’t care. They build their cars for themselves and no one else although this Evo put a massive smile on my face.

Raido Power’s S14 was also packing an LS motor, this time with induction of the forced variety. Nothing is ordinary.

The event was open to anything with four wheels – be it dedicated race car or street cruiser.

There was even some love for the three pointed star.

There was a lot of love for the bunny wing at Gatebil, something I approve of. I’d have one on my office chair if I could figure out how to fit it.

The big powered Audis play a huge role at Gatebil.

I always find it interesting how far forward the engines sit …

… but with a build this complex, I’m sure it’s well accounted for.

I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface here, be sure to keep an eye on our social media feeds and on the front page when the next part of this story continues tomorrow. In the meantime, I should have a spotlight together soon on the 1 Series at the top of the page …

–

Paddy McGrath

Gatebil Mantorp 2012 on Speedhunters

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75 comments

1:04 pmJune 18, 2012 GraysonParker

is that dai's s15?

Author2

1:11 pmJune 18, 2012 PaddyMcGrath

@GraysonParker Nope, keep guessing!

1:24 pmJune 18, 2012 bradjh

Desktops please! And include the 1M, thanks!

1:26 pmJune 18, 2012 bigmac69

is it the drift speed s15?

1:33 pmJune 18, 2012 Cheese

It looks like the Driftspeed s15 that Katsuhiro Ueo used to drive?

1:35 pmJune 18, 2012 Sir_Pierre

GREAT Pics , And it was really nice meeting you =)

// Pierre

Author7

1:51 pmJune 18, 2012 PaddyMcGrath

@bigmac69 Bingo!

Author8

1:52 pmJune 18, 2012 PaddyMcGrath

Yup, Drift Speed / Wise Square S15 that Ueo used to compete in FD.

Author9

2:10 pmJune 18, 2012 PaddyMcGrath

@bradjh Desktops of the 1 Series coming with its spotlight at 1800HR PST

2:26 pmJune 18, 2012 AlexanderEvensen

Sorry to hear about your camera :/ I get that feeling when I've had to sell to upgrade. It's hard when you use them a lot.

2:35 pmJune 18, 2012 pirela_007

Sweet! I've just received my free minecraft giftcode! >> Minecraftcodes.info <<

3:10 pmJune 18, 2012 NilsGunnarsson

Great shot Paddy!
And again, had a great time with you this weekend

3:15 pmJune 18, 2012 Thomas Pettersson

I Know that S15 relly nice to get to know you a bit Paddy, hop seeing you in norway at gatebil rudskogen ? keep up the good work!!

3:21 pmJune 18, 2012 NilsGunnarsson

Great shots Paddy!
And again, had a great time with you this weekend

3:59 pmJune 18, 2012 bradjh

@PaddyMcGrathSH also of the red r30, beautiful machine

4:44 pmJune 18, 2012 Autolegend

Being just as much aviation enthusiast as car and bike, love the SAAB 29 Tunnan and SAAB A32 Lansen

5:17 pmJune 18, 2012 Ranisfoto.se

Nice pics Paddy. It was really nice meeting you =)

5:22 pmJune 18, 2012 ThatWhiteBG

Peter Griffin radiator FTW!

5:49 pmJune 18, 2012 johnei

I'm sorry you lost your camera, but it looks like it was a fun event. The unconventional builds are great!

6:33 pmJune 18, 2012 wheatgod

They done bubbafied those EVOs.

7:45 pmJune 18, 2012 LevonZiroyan

Very interesting report, Paddy! Don't worry about 5D, "shit happens".

10:49 pmJune 18, 2012 inspector_exacto

I can't say I've ever seen or thought of an EVO of any generation with a Corvette V8. Just imagine the possibilities...

11:26 pmJune 18, 2012 KAG

I am digging the BMW E28 M5, you guys should do a spread on it.

12:51 amJune 19, 2012 SebE90

Can't wait for the rest of the coverage. Hammarby suburb is my favourite in Stockholm. Gatebil Rocks!!

1:31 amJune 19, 2012 MickeSuperiorimports

Nice to see my day is already made, really excited about the next parts- this is indeed just scratching the surface!

/Micke @ Superior Imports AB.

1:31 amJune 19, 2012 MickeSuperiorimports

Nice to see my day is already made, really excited about the next parts- this is indeed just scratching the surface!

/Micke @ Superior Imports AB.

1:41 amJune 19, 2012 Kielan Prince

It was great meeting you Paddy, hopefully I get to see you again in Ruskogen for Gatebil in Norway? Great shots as always, your coverage of the paddocks blows mine out of the water haha.

2:31 amJune 19, 2012 EvolveWRC

An Evo with a Chevy V8? I don't want to live on this planet any more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhnN54tHjkI&feature=player_detailpage

3:31 amJune 19, 2012 Nikhil_P

whhaaaaaaat an LS in an Evo 2?!
Gatebil is goning to be awesome!!!!

Author30

4:06 amJune 19, 2012 PaddyMcGrath

@Thomas Pettersson Sorry I didn't get to say goodbye, hope you had a good day afterwards!

4:18 amJune 19, 2012 Sean

more R33s pleeeeaseee

5:12 amJune 19, 2012 Henrik Oulie

Lovely pictures paddy! It was really nice to meet you and have a chat about the photography life im sure Daniel sends his regards as well even if he didnt make it

5:51 amJune 19, 2012 bmw325_num99

I love this post, thanks for the view into an exciting drive to Gatebil! Keep these types of posts coming...what a paddock of cars already!

6:40 amJune 19, 2012 David Johansson Superior

It was a pleasure to getting to know you a bit Paddy. I was a really fun weekend as usual at Gateil Hope to see you again, maybe at Rudskogen?

6:50 amJune 19, 2012 MickeSuperiorimports

I think I accidentally deleted my previous comment...

Awesome "intro" Paddy, just scratching the surface of this weekend and still putting a lot other features to damn shame. Really looking forward to the next part, it was a pleasure to have you here and let you meet all of "my family". I know they all appreciated your fellowship as well. Whens next time ?!

6:50 amJune 19, 2012 MickeSuperiorimports

7:44 amJune 19, 2012 JohnColombo

OMG more of that Mercedes please! That thing looks beastly

8:18 amJune 19, 2012 MarcusEisenhut

Great witeup so far Paddy, getting excited to read the rest of the coverage! Nice talking to you aswell at the meet!/Marcus with the grey Integra.

8:31 amJune 19, 2012 Lukew360

Any chance of a desk top for the R33? <3

Author40

10:39 amJune 19, 2012 PaddyMcGrath

@MarcusEisenhut Thanks Marcus, was nice meeting you too!

Author41

10:39 amJune 19, 2012 PaddyMcGrath

@MickeSuperiorimports I hope 'next time' is sooner rather than later - I miss my Swedish family already!

1:29 pmJune 19, 2012 David Johansson Superior

@bradjh @PaddyMcGrathSH the Dr30 was my ride for the weekend. A cool old car with it's own special character =). It's for sale if someone is interested. The owner is Micke owner of Superior Imports.

1:31 pmJune 19, 2012 Thomas Pettersson

@PaddyMcGrathSH
No worry Paddy !, hop our ways cross again, sunday went along allgood, had lot of fun,, and the drifting just got better hers is a clip fron the three last runs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Ot6Orz5wk

Author44

1:39 pmJune 19, 2012 PaddyMcGrath

@Thomas Pettersson You're killing it! Awesome!

9:29 pmJune 19, 2012 Zeus

@EvolveWRC I was waiting for someone to spew this garbage. Name one reason why an LS isn't a good swap into an EVO...please. Theres always one guy who says this bullshit and they never have a solid reason for why the engine is bad other than "pushrods." Do your homework LS > 4G63

2:42 amJune 20, 2012 EvolveWRC

Didn't said it's a bad engine, it isn't at all, buy the Evo's chassis it's not made for a V8, think about the weight distribution...
Anyway it's my opinion, everyone has it's own.

3:44 amJune 20, 2012 TylerS13

the evo is an AWD car from the factory, it was made for grip and i seriously doubt that they kept it AWD, it's probably just some other stupid formula drift wannabe car, but let me ask you this zeus why don't you give me one good reason why the LS IS a good swap into an evo

11:28 amJune 20, 2012 Zeus

@TylerS13 Ok...how about this: http://vegaslsx.com/vbulletin/showthread.php/690-LS6-for-sale

$2000 for 400bhp and 400tq. How much money is it going to cost to take an EVO and reach 400 lbft / tq. Remember HP is nothing but a calculation based off torque (RPM x TQ / 5252 = HP ). Remember also the EVO uses a turbocharger to achieve 280bhp. I'm not saying NA is better than turbo because I understand it all depends on the type of racing being done, altitude etc.

11:29 amJune 20, 2012 Zeus

@TylerS13
The LS will make those power figures all day long with absolutely 0 doubt in terms of reliability and longevity.

Aftermarket is so readily available for the LS. You can get stupid levels of power on an LS for dirt cheap. Add a good turbo system and you can easily hit super car power levels.

11:29 amJune 20, 2012 Zeus

@EvolveWRC
Weight distribution? The LS is only ~100 lbs heavier than the 4g63 WITHOUT the turbos and intercoolers attached. Figure 50lbs heavier for sake of argument. almost doubling the power output is a good trade for 50-75lbs added weight.

11:31 amJune 20, 2012 Zeus

In summary, you take the EVO and almost double it's power output for the cost of an aftermarket turbo kit. Gain reliability. Way more torque. Power for cheap. It's a very intelligent decision.

11:32 amJune 20, 2012 Zeus

@EvolveWRC If you ditch the AWD components you are probably losing 80-100lbs to begin with so installing the 100lb heavier LS basically puts you right at the weight you started. Think about it...

4:42 pmJune 20, 2012 wheatgod

@EvolveWRC I have one, Chevy products are for white trash country bumpkins.

4:50 pmJune 20, 2012 jcor87

Wow

10:07 pmJune 20, 2012 Zeus

@wheatgod @EvolveWRC Just like I said...no one can give a reason rooted in fact. 98% of people who post replies on Speed Hunters are some of the most uneducated people I have ever spoken to in my entire life being in and around the automotive scene / industry.

I would say the average age of people on this site is 15-20 and probably a lot of Super Street / Import Tuner fans here. The educated people get it. Sorry if you're not one of them Wheat...

10:07 pmJune 20, 2012 Zeus

10:12 pmJune 20, 2012 Zeus

@wheatgod I'm no fan of Nascar as a sport by any means, but Bubba knows how to build an engine...do yourself a favor and read this. If you don't understand something google it and take the time to educate yourself:

http://www.epi-eng.com/piston_engine_technology/comparison_of_cup_to_f1.htm

10:12 pmJune 20, 2012 Zeus

5:07 amJune 21, 2012 wheatgod

@EvolveWRC I could care less. Its still redneck trash.

11:53 amJune 21, 2012 Zeus

@TylerS13 I wrote a good reply to you, but it looks like speedhunters deleted it. $2000 will get you a used LS6 with ~30k miles. You're doubling the power of the evo (LS6 = 400bhp / 400 tq ) and only adding about 50-75lbs as the LS is all aluminum and only weighs about 100lbs more than the 4G63. Delete the transfer case and you're probably around the same weight you started with. Over 2x more torque and almost double the horsepower. Not to mention how cheap the LS is to build good power on. It's a cheaper way to make more power.

3:18 pmJune 21, 2012 will

@wheatgod @EvolveWRC
In what way is it redneck trash? If rednecks started driving stock eveos would they become redneck trash too? The LS is leaps and bounds better than almoast any engine ever built. If being redneck trash makes you not want to own one then that just means all you care about is looks and status. For the people who like performance, pick up an LS and shit on people like a boss.

4:32 pmJune 21, 2012 wheatgod

@EvolveWRC Because thats what rednecks are into. Uh, ya, what ever rednecks are into is redneck, trailerparks, domestics, nascar. Do you really need this explained to you? Um, ya Im not into trashy redneck shit. Is that a problem?

9:39 pmJune 21, 2012 Zeus

@wheatgod @EvolveWRC So I guess Team Corvette dominating Le Mans is redneck because they use an LS in their cars? You don't need to explain anything to me, I've met plenty of people like you in my 8 years in the automotive industry. Youre just dumb and you have no idea why you're saying the things you say. Honestly...youre just dumb dude. It's that simple.

Anyone with half a brain who understands engines knows about the LS' track record. You're just ignorant and it's sad. It really is. Read a book. Go learn.