BILL RENKART
1993 TOYOTA SUPRA TWINTURBO
Finally!! After months of stalking, chasing, leaving messages, hiding in the bushes outside his house (okay maybe not all of that) we’ve finally gotten a hold of the elusive BJ “Wild Bill” Renkart. I must say, catching this busy man is no easy task. With a full time job installing mobile security and audio systems, working on and racing his infamous 93 Toyota Supra TT, doing numerous side jobs for friends’ cars, it’s a wonder how this man finds time to sleep. Nevertheless, we were able to corner him for a few minutes and put him through the 3rd degree in order to get a bit more familiar with him as well as the record breaking beast that sleeps in his garage. REVTECH RACING contributing member, Kuljeet Kasuri sat down with BJ for an interview RR style…over the internet. God Bless Instant Messenger.
RR: When did you buy your car?
BJ: “I bought the car in May ’03 and ever since I’ve been modding it a little at a time and I have tweaked each mod before buying a new one. I didn’t just buy lots of stuff and slap it on, I thought long and hard on what and why I bought each part.”
RR: How many people are responsible for the work done on your car?
BJ: “Me, Me, Me and Dana and her dad. D&J Auto Body of Middlesex, NJ did the paintwork.”
RR: What modifications in specific have you done to your car?
BJ: “As far as mods done to the car, there are way too many big and little things to list. As I am typing this, more are being added. Some are just tricks and secrets for my special combo of knockout mods.”
RR: What do you like best about your car?
BJ: “I think the thing I like most about my car is how rare and unmolested it was when I bought it, and still is. I didn’t buy it because it was a hyped up Supra; I bought it at a smokin’ price from my neighbor, an older man who ordered it from day one. It just worked out that way; I didn’t go looking for a Supra, nor did I even want one…it just fell into place.”
RR: What would you like to improve on your car in the future?
BJ: “In the future, I want to keep a close eye on detail and all the little things to keep it clean looking and running strong. No body kits, just the O.G. style that it was intended for.”
RR: Tell us about your past cars. Any stories you want to share? What was your first car, etc etc?
BJ: “I didn’t have many cars to speak of. I’ve had my share of ‘Hoopties’. I’ve had many broken down $100 rides that blew up from old age and I was too piss poor to even fix them. But I had a ’02 Mazda Protégé MP5 wagon that was great, but too slow. Then a ’02 Subaru WRX that was also a great ride, but still too slow and all too common to modify.”
RR: And your first car??
BJ: “My first car was a fully loaded ’90 Mazda 626 that I didn’t take too much care of, but I was young and dumb then. I bought the car in full with cash since the bank wouldn’t let me get a loan on an old car for that much money.”
RR: How did you get involved with Revtech Racing?
BJ: “I was always in the Revtech eye. We all grew up together, but I was more into sound systems. Since I was so close with so many members, Eric (Dimayuga) and Marc (Enriquez) asked me to join. The rest is history. It’s like a huge family when we are all together. Plus me and Eric help each other with one another’s cars. I’ve helped Eric with his Supra since the day he brought it home and we exchange knowledge and experiences.”
RR: How did you get into the whole Import Scene? Did you have a passion for cars as a child?
BJ: “I always liked to mess around and change things on cars from early on. I was a huge car thief when I was young and from then on I learned how to make improvements on security and mods…it runs in the family.”
RR: How much passion do you have for your car right now?? Do you treat it like your baby??
BJ: “I love my car and I don’t abuse it, but I don’t baby it either. I won’t let it sit there and collect dust like some people may do. I will drive it and enjoy it to the fullest since I have spent so much time and money on it.”
RR: Do you like to race?? Street or Track?
BJ: “I love to race a lot on and off the track. But the street thing is fading due to the effort that has gone into this car. I couldn’t get bagged at a street event and lose this car or have it wrecked or worse.”
RR: Best Quarter Mile Time, since you say you like to race at the track.
BJ: “Best time for now is 11.10@125MPH...for now.”
RR: Any awards you want to brag about?
BJ: “I hold the current record for fastest MK4 Supra on stock turbos – 11.10@125MPH; I hold the record for fastest Supra on street tires (18inch Toyo Tires) full interior and pump gas – 11.7@124MPH. I also won The Supra Shootout ’03 at Englishtown and Survival Series 1 this year at Englishtown.”
RR: What made you start modifying your car? What influenced you?
BJ: “I like change, stock just won’t do. Adrenaline influenced me. I love the feeling of having a great import car and how it makes a large impact on people, it just feels good. Its lots of fun being a Revtech Racing member and being in the scene.
RR: Any future plans/mods in the works??
BJ: “I have a huge turbo upgrade with nitrous in the works.
RR: Any ideas on what car you might want next??
BJ: “My next car may be a Jag. I just always like the Jag, too bad Ford owns it now, we’ll see. The Crossfire is sweet too, but lacks a real motor for its great body.
RR: Any special Thank You’s or shout outs you want to give to anyone??
BJ: “My Family, Dana, my girlfriend, for being my inspiration, my pit crew, supporter and friend. Her dad Eric D., Marc and the whole Revtech Racing crew for their support. And me for my hard work and determination…without me pushing myself with everyone else’s help this would never have been possible.