Quick Touge

After coming back from the Tokyo/Tokushima area Yuki and I met up with Tim as he stayed with me for about 3 days. After grabbing some AWESOME Nepalese curries and Indian tandoori at Himalaya we headed back to Kameoka to hit up the touge. So the three of us jumped in Masa’s 86 , Takachan’s Carina, and Kenichi’s 34 Laurel.

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We just made a quick 3 runs (as Masa’s car doesn’t have shakken/plates/insurance) to make sure we didn’t run into the police. I really need to get a decent video camera so I can film some of this stuff. It was an awesome time, I always love just chilling and talking there with people.

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So Kenichi kept breaking his exhuast since the Laurel is so low, so he solved the problem by using some rectangle shaped pipe…HAHAHA Hardcore!

Weekday trip

Just got back from a quick little overnight trip up to the north of Kyoto. We (14 of us) made the 3 hour trip in 4 cars and we stayed in this cozy little cabin (we actually had 2) that overlooked the Sea of Japan. You can check out the full album, here.

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The view out to sea:

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No trip of this sort is complete w/o plenty of drink:

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And plenty of fireworks after said drink:

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Another view of the ocean on the way home:

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Remember, you can check out the full album, here. I’m off to Tokyo tomorrow to meet up with some old freinds, some new ones and meet up with Yuki and her family. Busy busy

Some hotness

I ran across these shots of Tony’s SE3p over on ZT and just had to throw them up. Yet another example of a car that just comes to life when you add BN aero. The white CR Kai’s don’t hurt either. The car is right up there with two of other favorite RX8s of JIC and Ings. You can catch this car in this months issue of Import Tuner. I’ve never been a fan of home-brew 787 liveries but Tony took his time and did it up proper. Looks fantastic.

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Awesome weeking in racing!

My man Daigo took D1 Autopolis! He was already in the points lead for the’08 season, but this (his 1st ever) win has really solidified his chances at a series championship.

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Leob continues to kill this year, taking 1st (yet again) at Rally Finland. He is still 2 points behind Hirvonen in the points race, so I suspect it may go down to the last few rallies. Like the video says, this win for Loeb marks only the 4th time EVER and non Scandinavian to ever win at Rally Finland. Be sure to watch the video…I love wrc 🙂

I had picked Heikki to take this weekends Hungarian GP, and to my delight he pulled through. Although his win wasn’t really the highlight of the day, but rather Massa’s insane pass in turn one at the start to overtake Hamilton. Simply awesome:


Oldies

Phil’s post sent me wayyyy back, and so I threw together this playlist of songs that remind me of Jr. High and High School summer breaks. Sitting at home watching Daisy Fuentes on The Grind and just riding the bmx everywhere. Good times.

OG

Impromptu touge

6:24 : I send Takatori an email wishing him luck next week at FD Seattle, and asking if he was going out at all.

6:30 : He replies, nope its too hot and he doesn’t have a/c in his new lhd 180 yet.

6:32 : I give him crap thats it not that hot.

7:00 : He replies back asking if I care there is no a/c in the car. And if not, if I’d like to head out.

7:20 : Yea I’m down

7:29 : He replies  “OK! let me throw the engine back in” and sends me this:

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7:32 : Wow….ok good luck!

9:41: “Engine started, I’ll change my tires and be there soon” along with this shot:

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10:45 : “be there in 30mins” (I’m thinking, “WOW this is too hardcore” lol)

11:25 : he picks me up at my apartment and we head to the mountains…

I gave Masa a call to see where he was at, and sure enough he was also headed to the same place, so we met up with both Masa and Taka-chan (who bought Masa’s Carina being that Masa got another 86). Over all a dope night. Got to sleep around 3am. Good times.

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Lazy….Thursday?!

This past Thursday Masa gave me a call to see if I wanted to go up to a lake in Fukui, it seems it was a slow day at work and his boss decided to load up his two jet skis on his truck and take the rest of the day off. It was a two hour trip up, but was well worth it. I had a blast.

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What’s a day operating personal watercraft with out alcohol?? (In the case, my favorite, Tantakatan!)

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This was actually the 1st time I’ve ever been on a jet-ski, I spent most of my time on this one but later in the day tried riding a stand-up model…it’s a lot harder than it looks.

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And this song just fits well:

Chicago cars!

As of late there have been a rash of sick cars back home. I have to say however….guys need to lay off the vinyl!!! I mean, I know you guys get it for next to nothing from TF but the cars look sooooooo much better w/o the haphazardly placed reflective stickers all over. Let’s take a look at what I mean:

Earl’s STI is way hot. SBC Enkei RP03, VS Aero, GT Wing, plenty of power and that sick BRG off of the Austin Martin  DBR9.

Before:

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After:

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I do have to say however, the JAMS sticker is ultimate bad-ass. Next, Josh’s 180…this car is HOT HOT HOT. V:S oem aero, perfect fitment on the SSR SP1, those hot Origin “fender pull” look rear fenders…makes me jealous! But again, the stickers….

Before (ish…):

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After:

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Still, either way the thing is hot…but it would be more-so cleaned up! Now, when I heard of the wheel combo Chob was putting together for his S14, I was less that optimistic…but damn was I proved wrong. The aero, wheels, stance, everything compliment each other so well. And of these three cars this one is the one that I REALLY wish would go back to a clean, no sticker look:

Before:

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After:

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 I really hope this post isn’t taken the wrong way…consider it constructive criticism. Either way, with vinyl or without, the cars that have been coming out of the Midwest as of late are some of the best looking in the country as far as I’m concerned. I understand that guys are just trying to rep those who have helped with the cars as well..so in a way its a double edged sword of sorts. Either way, keep up the work guys….and lets get some more action shots! haha

Oh and Bruce…don’t fall prey to the free vinyl machine in the room next to you 😉 Keep the FC clean!

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Also..I realize maybe I’m being a bit hypocritical…but my vinyl was stealth mode 😉

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Congrats Clinton!

I just got word from Edgar of Drift Indy, that Clinton took home 2nd at this weekends US Drift Pro-AM event at VIR!

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Clinton made the trip out with all of us Midwest guys to the Pro-AM last November to Laughlin’s Pro-AM but sadly didn’t get a license, but it looks like he is well on his way this year! Clinton is one of the most genuine guys at events, and is always excited about driving so its really kick-ass to see him on the podium. I always enjoyed driving (or drinking) with him. Best of luck for the rest of the season Clinton.

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Green Machine(s)

This is Stuntman Dave’s S14 in Iowa. If you know Dave, then you know this car has been a project of his for over 2 years! Words can’t describe how excited I am to see this car finally out under its own power, let alone sideways at an event soon.

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18″ SSR Sp1 all around, Origin Type2 hood, V:S V3 full aero including front and rear overfenders. Whats that coming out of the rear quarter you ask? Yes that is the exhuast, and yes this car has some of the most insane fabwork all done by Dave himself in his own backyard. Power? Yea he has that:

And another Midwest green beast; Bryce’s S13. If your from Minnesota or Chicago you knew this chassis as Lee’s old pink car. Bryce snagged it up, and put some work into it…and it looks nice. Nice and low…the only way to be.

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Oh yea thats not paint either, the car is wrapped in vinyl. Badass