True Calling
Hiding From the Past Ain’t Easy
By Joey Lee, Photos by Rodrez

Expect obstacles in life. Even a 9-year-old can tell you that. What defines us is how we overcome those obstacles. This is especially true in the car-modding game where things hardly go as planned, even when carefully thought out. Some often find themselves saying that it’s just not worth it, scrapping projects mid-build. There’s always that crossroad where we can give it another go or stop playing altogether. This is where passions are tested. Is the juice worth the squeeze? Does the respect of one’s peers mean anything? If your heart is in the game and the love of the craft is strong, then even if you quit, eventually the game has a way of finding you. That hobby that is locked away, like skeletons in a closet, will manifest itself one way or another. How this happens varies; it could be through an inspiring magazine build or just a phone call from a friend.
    Gilbert Corona knows this scenario well. “I was supposed to be out of the Honda scene after I blew up my fully built 1,842cc stroked engine in my first ’88 Civic,” the San Diego county native recalls. Built in 2000, Gilbert’s street-drag–themed Civic made regular appearances at the then-booming San Diego street races. Sorrento Valley, Kearny Villa Road, the infamous “Firehouse,” you name it, Gilbert and his ride were there. Unfortunately, daily driving and regularly scheduled 9,500rpm pulls led to the engine’s untimely end, which convinced Gilbert that the catastrophic event was a sign. “All my money invested into that engine was trash, including my precious Port Flow head,” Gilbert says. “I told myself I was done, no more building for me. It just wasn’t worth it anymore.” Pick up a copy of the August, 2008 issue of Honda Tuning for more.