. Saw this over at the Riverside blog – well deserving of a repost. Come on, it’s a teal C33. .
Category: Automotive
RC Lounge: Tamiya Tamiya
. Progress on my car build is going slow to say the least; changing the axles yesterday was the most exciting thing all month. On another less important note, my new Tamiya RC is off […]
One Shot: BMW GT
. I know, I know, it’s not Japanese. It’s still awesome though. One of my favorite Le Mans GT cars – the M3. It’s also one of the fastest; at least in Long Beach. The […]
One Shot: Familiar RX7
. I got a select few shots at the Formula D event here in Long Beach; but if you’re looking for in depth coverage, head on over to Speedhunters. Drift fans should recognize this Mazda […]
Event: 2010 Super GT Test Day at Twin Ring Motegi
Ah, Monday. Hope you all had a good race weekend; congrats to Sebastian Vettel for his second 2011 season win! As promised, I’m posting up some shots of a Super GT Test Day at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit. While these shots may be dated a bit, they are still awesome. This post will be followed up with some race day shots as well. Unfortunately, the Super GT series has been delayed due to the tragic events in Japan. I know we’ve heard it a lot, but let’s hope Japan can bounce back and things can return to normal soon. Thanks again to JDM Clips. Check out the NSX GT-R FR – looks so mean.
Preview: Super GT Test Day @ Twin Ring
. In lieu of the recent events that have taken place in Japan, you can imagine that gathering content for a site that focuses on Japanese motorsports is quite challenging. To be honest, I’m not […]
Encounter: Snowy R33
. Here’s another good find from Jack. I’ve always liked the flush side-markers in the fenders. Are those OEM S14 wheels? Seems that the aero is too aggressive for OEM wheel offset; what do you […]
Encounter: Freeway 7
. I finally hounded Jack enough to send me some random snaps of cars in Japan. This morning my inbox received this Time-Attack styled wide-body FD on Advan’s. I like the wing. I’ve started experimenting […]
Locale: UP Garage Aobodai – Wheels Highlight
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of UP Garage – if you’re a fan of JDM motoring, how couldn’t you be? I’ve been to several locations, and while you may not always find something that catches your eye, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll find a nice set of wheels. The new headquarters in Aobodai isn’t a wheel specific location, nevertheless I was surprised to see so many wheels and tires on site. Check out a few past the break.
Video: Calsonic Impul GT-R Test Run
. . Here’s a quick video from JDM Clips of the Calsonic GT-R testing a new set of Bridgestone’s at SportsLand Sugo. Be sure to watch it in HD, and turn your speakers up! You […]
Shout out!: shirtstuckedin.com
. Casey Dhnaram is a great photographer, and friend of Japan. I check his blog weekly and I’m usually not disappointed. Check out his blog here シャツはタックエン – this shot is of the PV S14. […]
One Shot: Project Back to Boost
. Those of you who know me probably know my car as well. Those who don’t; let me introduce you. This is my car. For 10 years it has gone through close to a dozen […]
Event: 2011 Mugen Circuit Challenge v.2
Due to some unforeseen trouble with my own car (i.e. broken driver side knuckle), it took me a little bit longer than expected to get this second part up; sorry ‘y’all. In the last post, I mentioned a little bit about the breakdown of classes and regulations for the Circuit Challenge. So for this one I’ll just let the pictures do the talking. I really like this shot, with the CR in the background. As I was taking a second look through some of the shots, I noticed a few EK chassis that were worth putting up. Check um’ out past the break.
Encounter: Tokyo CTR
. Spotted this CTR looking good in traffic somewhere in Tokyo. Untouched; preserved in all it’s OEM goodness. .
Locale: ASM Yokohama
One thing that continually amazes me about Japan is the sheer density of the place. You can spend a month contained in a one mile radius and still not see everything. I find myself in Yokohama quite often and was surprised that I had never been to ASM before. Under the arm of the Autobacs flagship name, ASM Yokohama offers not only specialized S2000 parts and tuning, but probably the best selection of Recaro seats you’ll ever find; short of catching a flight to Germany. I took a brief tour of the shop last time I was in the area – check out the pics past the break. “To the stage that no one could reach. Yes, we can!”
Encounter: Rundown R33
We were walking around some neighborhood in the evening and I happened to see this four-door Skyline in an apartment parking area. Upon closer inspection it looked like it hadn’t moved in a few weeks; which is no surprise because the Japanese drive far less than we do. I snapped a few pics.
Close Up: Mugen FN2 (European Type-R)
Thought I’d break up the photos from the 2011 Mugen Circuit Challenge with a closer look at Mugen’s attempt at the Honda FN2; Europe’s offering of the Civic Type-R. I remember when this model was released it garnered mixed opinions among the Honda community. After giving it a few years to soak in however, I think I kinda like it. Not only is it a very unique chassis design, it seems to be quite rare as well. Let’s check out how Mugen modified it.
Event: 2011 Mugen Circuit Challenge v.1
Anything doing is worth doing right – and Mugen does track events right. Open to anybody with a Honda, enter into the Circuit Challenge and you are graced with four 15 minute runs on Tsukuba 1000 circuit, professional instruction on and off track, ride alongs with current professional racing drivers, the opportunity to drive one of three Mugen built machines, and the option of trying out Mugen products during your track time for free. This year there were 86 drivers in attendance, including JDM Clips own Taka. Check out the action below.
Preview: 2011 Mugen Circuit Challenge
. Alright! Taka just sent over a boat load of photos from the 2011 Mugen Circuit Challenge at Tsukuba Circuit. This open track event is full of awesome grass-roots built track machines. Just my style! […]
Feature: KoyoRad/D-MAX S15
Sure, we all know Naoki’s purple/pink S13 coupe, but some aren’t as familiar with the S15 he was to drive in D1. This purpose built drift machine was fully race spec, and just as crazy looking as the older coupe. I wonder if he will be driving it in the new series,‘The Drift Muscle’? Check out the pics.
Feature: Brothers in Arms
This past weekend I ventured over to the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana to attend the Speedventures open track day, and to check out Big Mike’s Hontune event. This was the first Speedventures event I’ve been to, and although I didn’t track my car, I had a ton of fun walking around the facility shooting photos. Despite the bone chilling wind and uncertain forecast, I’m glad I went because I ended up meeting some great people and getting to shoot their awesome cars. Case in point; the two track ready S2000’s you see before you. I saw this pair sitting unattended in the garage, so I ventured in for some pics; click past the break for more.
Encounter: R35 at Eneos
. I actually heard this R35 before I saw it. This is an intersection near みなとみらい (Minato Mirai 21), pretty close to the base of the Landmark Tower. Actually, if you’re on the upper walkway […]
Event: Weksos Wekfest 3
. Wekfest is probably the fastest growing annual car show in California, maybe the nation. The third installment of the Northern California show took place last week in it’s new location in Fort Mason, San […]
Encounter: Street Chaser
. I’ve been gone for four days straight and it’s been great. I promise some more content in the next couple days. I’ll start off with this run-of-the-mill 6th gen. Chaser rocking a fat intercooler. […]
Feature: Kawabata’s Magical RPS13
I know you’re thinking right now, “Two back to back featured car posts?! I don’t believe it.” Well, believe it. That’s just how awesome we are. All jokes aside, I’m not sure why it took me so long to post this car up, as it has massive popularity among drift fans. D1-GP reverse-entry guru Masato Kawabata is the man responsible for piloting this ridiculously hot, 600 horsepower 180sx sideways through all the corners. I spotted the S all alone, basking in the light at the Toyo Tires booth as we were getting ready to take off from the Auto Salon in search of another UP Garage. So I decided to get up close and personal with it. Sit back and enjoy the shots!
Feature: Eneos SC430 Super GT
JDM Clips comes through again with some great media of the Eneos SC430 Endurance GT Racer. We’ve all driven this car at one point in time…right? Well, in Gran Turismo at least. So you already know how awesome it is. This car is unique in many ways, especially because of the rarity of the platform in racing. You don’t often see SC430’s competing in organized motorsports. I can only think of the other 4 which competed in GT500 also. So, if you haven’t driven it, and don’t know how awesome it is, click past the break and I will tell you.
Encounter: Neighborhood R33
. Hey guys, sorry about the lack of updates. I’ve been in Vegas the past couple days with the love of my life…losing all my money. Anyway, I’ll kick off the next combo of updates […]
Video: 峠 Touge Battle Royu 芦有
. . Alexi at Nori Yaro posted a link to this really old video that TwinTurboRS uploaded to You Tube recently. It’s basically an abnormally large group of Kanjo racers in EF hatches ripping through […]
Break: UP Garage Aobodai
. UP Garage moved there main store from Machida to Aobodai, so last time I was in Japan I decided to go check it out. I think time stopped for Addy because we must have […]
Encounter: Z33 vs. Non-Step Bus
. These guys were racing…seriously. The bus was pulling on him. Ha, I like how laid back both drivers look. Taken somewhere in Yokohama. Anyone know what front bumper that is?! .
Encounter: Untouched R34
In the same lot that I spotted the FD I posted last week was this completely stock R34. I can’t even remember the last time I saw one of these without any modification. Looking at it from the side, it looks a little too tall for my tastes – but how perfect would this thing be if it were lowered just a bit? I got a few more shots past the break.
Close-Up: ASM in Orange
I recently visited the ASM showroom in Yokohama to snag some shots for a ‘Locale’ post, and happened across this orange highlighted AP1 sitting out front. Simple, but tastefully modified with a choice of ASM parts; tow hook, vented hood, Recaro’s (of course), rear wing and wheels. The white body makes the orange painted parts stand out even more, and although not my style, doesn’t look too bad. At least it’s not way overdone. Click past the break for a few more.
Encounter: B120 Sunny
. I saw this B120 towards the back of Masaru Tanaka’s photostream. The B120 was introduced in the late 70’s, and it was based off of the B110 car chassis. I’m a sucker for old […]
Encounter: Matsuya Miata
. I can’t believe I haven’t posted this yet. This was taken in Tokyo sometime back in 2007 when CE28’s were just coming onto the scene. I spotted this clean hard-top roadster in front of […]
Encounter: Work RX-7
Saw this mildly tuned FD upon leaving Autobacs one morning. Although I’m not a fan of Work Emotion CR-KAI’s because of the lack of lip, they do look alright here. The rear could use some spacers though. Click the break for a rear shot.
Video: Meihan Residents – TEAM BURST and Friends
. . Found this from a quick search on Vimeo; shot by InertiaMS. It’s a great video with some cool editing, and great clips. .
Feature: Nakamura’s S13
I like Team Burst. You probably like them too. I’d even venture to say that out of all the organized drift ‘teams’ in Japan, that Team Burst is the most recognized. This is largely due in part to Naoki Nakamura’s drift skill and media attention; whether it’s wanted or not. I’m sure that you’ve heard by now all the recent news that has surrounded Naoki, but if you haven’t click here, and then here. With that in mind, I thought it would be cool to do a little spotlight on the cars he drives in regularly, and for D1SL. I shot these on the last day of TAS, and you can see that the D1 banners have been removed already. Click past the break for the gallery.
Video: Gazoo Racing LFA at Fuji Speedway
. . Told you I’d find it! Turn your speakers up and thank NihonCar for bringing us such a cool vid. The sound this car makes leaving the pits (@ 1min. 10sec.) is incredible. .
Close-Up: Super GT at TAS 2011
OK so I lied about the whole ‘no more TAS’ thing; but I never got a chance to post up the Super GT Special. TAS is a trade show, and what better way to market your product than to slap it on a full blown, competition race car? There isn’t really, so, to my pleasant surprise, the Salon grounds were sprinkled with Super GT cars; like the Nismo built Motul/Autech GT-R. Super GT is a fairly unique series that puts excitement first. Only allowing pit stops during certain time frames, mandatory ballast for winning cars, and intake air restrictors all add to competition. Click past the break for more Super GT.
Encounter: Cream of Fit
Saw this Fit when we were walking towards Autobacs Yokohama and decided to snap a few pics. It was pretty beat, but I think it added to the charm. It had this rear lip, but the sides, front and wing were missing; and it was rocking some straight thrashed TE37’s. Click the break for a few more.