Garcia and the Tony Performance crew got a special treat or provided a special treat, depending on how you look at it. As the Lexus project was in its final stages they received a call from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "There was a 16-year-old kid with cancer who had a dream of getting in a race car and doing a pass on the strip so we didn't hesitate," Garcia says. "Our guys jumped on the phones." Titan Motorsports quickly helped get the parts for the second seat and seatbelts. They only had two days before the race so they had to work overnight to get everything ready. The racetrack found out about the wish and prepared a special spot for the exhibition pass.
"The time came and I was very nervous," Garcia says. "I was worried that the kid had never been in a race car and not to mention we were doing the first pass ever with the Lexus. The family of the kid told me to take it easy so I lowered the power on the car and believe it or not, it ran 10.64 at 139 mph. We were more than pleased with the numbers and happy we made a kid so happy. He loved it and didn't miss a beat. So we are confident that next time we're at the track we will be laying down some 9s in my street Lexus."
We asked Garcia about his future plans for the black luxe-coupe and in true Puerto Rican bravado he snapped, "We are working on becoming the fastest street Lexus in the world." Lofty goals for sure but if our coverage of the Puerto Rican scene has uncovered anything it is that the island is savvy and these enthusiasts aren't playing with the traditional old-school cars anymore. Look out 9s.
1993 Lexus SC300
Power Output: 838 Whp
Engine
Toyota 2JZ-GTE
Ross custom pistons
Carillo rods
Stock headgasket
ARP studs
GReddy T88-H turbo kit
Veilside intake manifold
Veilside 100mm throttle body
Tial 60mm wastegate
Tial blow-off valve
GReddy four-row FMIC
Electromotive TEC-II
Innovate boost control
HKS 272 cams
Ferrea valves
Nitrous Express nitrous system
Koyo radiator
Drivetrain
Turbo Hydramatic 400 by North
Caribbean Transmission
The Driveshaft Shop driveshaft
The Driveshaft Shop rear axles
TRD limited slip
Suspension
Tein Flex suspension
Supra brake calipers
Wheels & Tires
Volk GTC wheels
Dunlop tires
BFGoodrich drag radials
Body
Custom paint job and body by Extreme Auto Body
Interior
Sparco EVO 2 seats
Sparco seatbelts
Sparco steering wheel
O'Neil Race Cars rollcage
Specialty Leather interior