Editor’s Note:
This blog was based on a race recap shared by Kelvin Arreola, driver of the Mighty Morphin No Power Rangers team. They use MaXpeedingRods T7 coilovers as part of their 24 Hours of LeMons endurance racing setup.
Endurance racing isn’t just for factory-backed teams and six-figure builds, it’s also a playground for passionate gearheads with a sense of humor, a tight budget, and a love for competition. Just ask Kelvin Arreola and his team, the Mighty Morphin No Power Rangers, who recently took first place in Class C at the 24 Hours of LeMons in a humble—but heavily prepped—2000 Toyota Corolla.
Racing Roots, Budget Build
The No Power Rangers campaign a stock Toyota Corolla with a 1ZZ engine and 5-speed transmission, not exactly the type of car you’d expect to see dominate a wheel-to-wheel endurance race. But for Kelvin and his teammates, that’s the point.
“We wanted to get some wheel-to-wheel racing done while having fun,” Kelvin says. “It’s not about having the fastest car, it’s about being consistent, prepared, and enjoying the chaos that is LeMons.”
Preparation involved replacing a blown transmission, mounting fresh tires, and installing MaXpeedingRods T7 coilovers, a suspension upgrade that would prove critical to their success.
The T7 Coilovers
“We were looking for something budget-friendly but also something that could take the abuse,” Kelvin explains. The T7 coilovers are designed for both street and occasional track use.
“The car handled amazing,” he says. “We were able to carry enough corner speed to pass faster cars. The alignment and tire wear were perfect, and the coilovers survived 25 hours of abuse.”
In a series where budget limits are strictly enforced, the T7 proved to be the perfect blend of performance, durability, and affordability. “It’s definitely the best bang-for-the-buck suspension system,” Kelvin adds. “Especially for a budget-limited series like LeMons.”
Mid-Race Mayhem and a Late-Night Rally
Of course, endurance racing isn’t without its unpredictable moments. “Everyone fell asleep at 4 a.m. and there was no one supporting Jon while he was out driving,” Kelvin laughs. “Gene woke me up when he got black flagged, and I stayed up from there.”
Despite the fatigue and chaos, the team pushed through the night and crossed the finish line with a class win.
What’s Next?
With a first-place finish under their belts, the No Power Rangers are now setting their sights on bigger challenges. “We’re looking for a new engine upgrade since we’re moving from Class C to Class B,” Kelvin shares. “We’ll need a little more power. We might not race again until the end of the year in Sonoma.”
Until then, they’ll be wrenching, upgrading, and proving—once again—that you don’t need a massive budget to have a great time and win races.
