However, when it came time for the Starlet to strut its stuff on the drag strip, it encountered a bit of a hiccup. An issue with the clutch caused the car to crawl on its belly at the starting line, leaving the driver kicking and screaming in disappointment.
Unfortunately, the problems didn’t stop there. The overeager traction control setting decided to spoil the party, cutting power and making the Starlet feel like it was dragging an anchor.
To top it all off, when this little beast launched after the traction control issue was fixed, it was like trying to tame a wild bronco.
Ultimately, we didn’t witness the Starlet’s full quarter-mile glory due to these gremlins under the hood. But we did see the birth of a legendary drag car that dared to combine the unassuming looks of a Toyota Starlet with the fiery spirit of a Mazda rotary engine. JD Tuning Motorsports should be able to dial it down to perfection on their next track day.