My Favorite Foreign AE86 Drifters, pt 1

I love lists, and I love hearing about people's opinions on things. That is unless, of course, I totally disagree with them. Anyhow I'll try posting up at least one cool list a week to refelct how I feel about a certain topic that week, because lord knows my tastes constantly change. This week will be my favorite foreign AE86 drifters since I am an AE86 fanatic.

10) Djan Ley

Oddly enough, my #10 driver comes from Malaysia. Tengu Djan Ley was virtually unknown until a few years ago when he came over to compete in the D1 international round at Irwindale. I must say, he was shockingly good. The thing that inspires me about him, is that hardware wise his vehicle is very simple. I spoke to him a bit about his setup and really, he has a car that really isn't any more built than most fully fitted AE86 race machines including my own. The difference is, he can harness every single ounce of function out of those parts and deliver a stunningly good show. What he also showed me is that regardless of continent, some things stay constant among AE86 drivers, and one of those things is tanacity and fearlessness (or complete insanity, but call it what you will). Take for instance his battle against JR Gitten at the world battle a year ago. They went against each other in tandem, and Djan more than held his own. As a matter of fact I believe he even passed JR on one occasion, and on a reverse battle held his line to secure his place. He had the "I'm coming, and you'd better move out of the way" attitude that baisically gives the middle finger to 700 horsepower. Can't really argue with that.

9) Hisashi Kamimoto

He's one of the first pro drifters in D1 to consecutively place well. Back in the days of tight circuits and attainable power goals, Kamimoto used his supercharged Levin coupe to run with the big boys. He later moved onto a Trueno hatchback with an HKS stroked 20v engine, which in my mind was his best machine. He later moved onto using the Veilside S15 with huge horsepower, but never attained the success he had in his AE86. He now acts as D1 staff.

8) Toshiki Yoshioka

Some of us remember him way back when he was using a side-draft carbed 16v powered orange Levin. Those days are long gone, but his driving style still continues to impress. He is perhaps one of the only guys to carry on the purists AE86 mantile (until recently with his switch to the new Lexus chassis) but in our hearts and minds (and probably his) he's an AE86 guy. He's proven that in the United States, it is still possible to win in an AE86. He's proven that with the right setup, you can take down just about anybody. Just look at his Vegas FD performance! He took out 2 previous FD champions, and not just champions but factory backed champions. He also drove 2 of them to crash. With the momentum he's got right now, he's bound to make believers out of even more people.

7) Gen Terasaki

Gen is one of the most O.G. AE86 drifters out there. I remember one of the first Option videos I watched featured him and his jet black AE86 Levin. He was one of the few who would consistantly make best 16 and posed a real threat to all of his competitors. He's an engineer by trade, and also had a relatively simple and orthodox setup. If I remember correctly, he used an AE101 injected 16v with high lift 304-304 cams. The setup was good for roughly 200fwhp, which was enough back in those days to put the hurt on those S chassis guys. He drove with a very clean style which wasn't too flashy, but his steady nature put him in the top most of the time. After he switched to the AP chassis Honda, things just haven't been the same.

6) Yoichi Imamura

Really though, who doesn't love this guy. He's one of the very few AE86 guys that were able to jump into another chassis and be just as sucessful if not more so. Most of us however love him most as the driver of the doo doo brown AE86 Trueno. He had one of the most fully built and nice looking AE86's back in the day with good power to boot. He had the traditionalist setup and even only ran an aftermarket front bumper. His style is what defines most common street AE86's these days with the mesh wheels, aggressive offset, and minimalist aero. Then you get to his driving. Oh boy, his driving. This guy could really run with the best of them and he had a relatively unique and flambouyant style. While appearing wild, he always seemed to reel it back in and made it look like he intended to grind the underside of his car on a burm and run with two wheels off the ground. Really though, if this guy is #6, I know I'd think "this guy better have a good explanation for those guys that rank higher". Guess you'll have to wait for the next post to find out!

Monterey Historics '08

There are certain things you must do as an automotive enthusiast, and one of them is to visit the Monterey Historical Races. If you're a car nut and especially a race car fanatic, then this is definately the place for you. I must admit that its only been over the past few years that I've become enamored with vintage race machines (partially because some may consider my car "vintage") but the Monterey Historics welcome anybody at any enthusiasm level.

There are thousands of people who come to this event, and often times they travel from all around the globe. This even is pretty much the closest thing we have to the "Goodwood Festival of Speed" and it actually has a flavor all its own. We saw multiple celebrities, including Kazunor Yamauchi, the creator of the Gran Turismo racing series, Mario Andretti, and Timo Glock. Vic Edelbrock was even there racing his vintage Corvette in the Trans Am group, and to see an owner of a performance parts company enjoying himself and racing truely does bring warmth to my heart. Considering how many passionless buisnessmen there are in the industry, its refreshing to see that some people are in it because they love it.

Aside from some of the celebrities at the race, it was perhaps most exciting for me to see vintage Formula 1 cars. I'm not sure you can really consider yourself to be a race fan if you don't in some way shape or form drool at the sight of the Tyrell 6-wheeler or perhaps cry in glorious ecstacy at the sound of a 1960's Ferrari V-12.

Ever since I became friends with Alex Pfeiffer, I became interested in Porsches. That guy has so many race stories and a lot of them revolve around Porsches. In addition, since Steve McQueen's Le Mans is easily one of my favorite films of all time, it only followed that Porsches started to peak my interest. The Historics were full of vintage race Porches. Some were mildly prepared, and some were fire breathing weapons of mass destruction.

I also have a fetish for race car interiors. Something about spartan-esque, stripped down interiors, mechanical instrumentation, and medevil metal adorning the cockpit of vehicles that excites me. Is it a wonder then that I enjoy leather clad women and bondage?

Its cars like this that inspired the color scheme of my car.

I really can't express enough how much of a blast this was. Please check out the rest of the gallery and let me know what you think!

The rest of the gallery can be found here

No Haruguchi?

Speedhunters recently posted a list of their top 10 drift cars of all time. I realize its all for fun, but in my elitist opinion you really aren't a hardcore fan of drifting unless this guy's car is AT LEAST somewhere in the top ten. I'm not sure I have total faith in their staff anymore.

A wise man once told me that to make it in Formula D, you need three things:
1)Big Wheels.
2)Big Wing.
3)Big Aero.

Take a look at this car and you'll get it.

HKS Time Attack Evo Beat!

The HKS time attack Evo competed here in the states and completely obliterated any competition (if you can call it that). In Japan, they've had the Tuskuba recored as well, which is something like 54 seconds. The car really did seem to be the single greatest time attack machine in racing, that is until a Malaysian team put them out.

This car that you see before you is a Lotus Exige 300RR. It is the instrument of destruction that defeated the HKS Evo. Tipping the scales at a lightweight 1580 pounds and powered by a GM V6 producing 400 horsepower, I'd say this is more than a match for the HKS machine.

Read more about it here

For the complete gallery, go here

GT Live/Formula D Pro-Am

Wow, what a weekend ineed. For the third year, GT Live has put on quite a motor sports festival with just about everything you'd want to see. From the cute umbrella girls to the tire shredding action, there was lots of action to be seen.

Redline Time Attack was part of GT Live again this year, and they certainly didn't fail to bring some excting battles. As expected, Tyler McQuarrie pilot the CWest/BC S2000 to an overall victory in the unlimited class. Even with some slight tune issues, they managed to pull out the win.

On the Pro-Am side, fourty amatuer drifers came from all over the western United States to complete and earn a change for a full year's competition license to run with the big boys. Several California favorites including Jeff Jones, Cyrus Martinez, and my long time auto mentor Alex Villareal were all in attendence and also earned their ticket to compete in the finals later this year. Some local drivers also made it out into the fray, but many were sent home getting a taste of what's needed to run with the elite.

My driving time was cut short unfortunately due to some oil temp issues. I always knew that 4AG's ran hot, but 250 degrees F after only 1 lap? I think that's a little outside of the realm of safe.

For the complete gallery, go here

Thanks Alex V for the pics!

First Drive: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX

Few cars have the same motor sport history that the Subaru Impreza WRX has. With the WRX, Subaru has won multiple manufacturer’s and driver’s championships in the WRC, and has also jumpstarted some of the greats like Colin McRae and Peter Solberg. Today’s’ stars in the USA, namely Ken Bloc and Travis Pastrana, pilot the new generation of these machines and are looking forward to a repeat of their successful seasons last year. 2008 marks the second coming of the WRX in the United States, and the bar is indeed set high by the previous generation model.

The new 2008 model has some pretty significant styling changes. Our 2008 model is a 4-door, and doesn’t share any of the same body lines that the previous generation had. It seems that where there were angles there are now bends, and where there was bends there are now angles. While the styling change isn’t a total departure from what we’d expect, it definitely is different and takes a while to get used to. The headlights for example are much closer to the last iteration than they are from the model’s best headlights, which they mistakenly only made for one year (2006). Overall the styling is still clean and attractive, and it certainly stands apart from its competitors.

Wheelbase has also changed and is increased overall, and weight has also been slightly reduced. This increases handling stability and overall agility, but also sacrifices some of the quick reflexes that the previous generation had. Suspension also seems to have been softened up a bit, which is a welcome departure from any motor sport infused system designed for track usage. This is true for the majority of WRX owners, as they’ll mostly pull street duty for hauling kids, groceries, and luggage for most of their life. Those who wish to tighten things up a bit have no shortage of aftermarket support which will likely be released sooner than later.

The interior is certainly a nice place to be. While Subaru may not win any styling awards, it is definitely attractive, and gives the driver a feeling of confidence. The sport bucket seats are wrapped in an upgraded cloth material, and give plenty of lateral and lumbar support to make long drives comfortable. All of the gauges and switches are within easy reach, as are the cup holders. Speaking of the gauges, Subaru has outdone themselves with their clever styling of the gauge cluster. Everything looks beautiful, and is easy to read with a clear display. Absent from the gauge cluster however was a boost gauge to help me in my geeky assertion that I’m driving a force fed beast, but in reality any stock vehicle equipped with a turbocharger doesn’t necessarily need one.

The back seats are also comfortable. There's plenty of headroom, in addition to leg and hip room being at a premium. The extended wheelbase not only added to vehicle stability, but in this case also allowed the interior cabin room to become more comfortable.

What hasn’t changed is the sweet, sweet engine and all-wheel drive system. The whole WRX package, which increases horsepower from a meaty 170 hp in naturally aspirated trim to a hearty 225 hp is easily felt. You defiantly feel the difference between the two, and know exactly where your extra money went. Power is direct, and there is almost no indication of any turbo lag, thanks in part to Subaru’s turbocharger design and size choice. The transmission shifts easily (although slightly notchy, which some may like) and gave no indication that it was fragile, as the previous generation transmission seemed to be notorious for (but I guess 5500 rpm clutch drops will hurt anything).

Driving the WRX on city streets is actually very comfortable. With the quick and torquey power delivery, passing isn’t a problem at low speeds or at freeway speeds, and the clutch effort is very, very easy (which wins points in LA traffic for sure!). The dark interior sometimes make you feel like you’re in the bat cave, but still feels higher quality than the Mitsubishi counterpart. Potholes are soaked up yet there’s still enough bite to have some fun on freeway on-raps.

Some may say that the WRX has lost some of its edge. Gone are some of the raw and brutal characteristics that attracted thousands upon thousands of American fans throughout the country, but new owners do have to look forward to one thing: refinement. Where the old WRX might have made you feel like a rally champion all the time, the new one does so only when you don’t feel like being in a comfortable cruiser. My vote? Definitely the one with the split personality!

Torc (Toyota Owner's And Restorer's Club) brings out all the Toyota enthusiasts from around the country. This year, a few friends and I decided we'd actually enter our cars into the show! We all had no intentions of winning anything (we're all track guys with dirty, beat up cars) but we still thought it would be fun to show and hang out with other people that share our passion for cars, even though it may be in a different manner. Oddly enough though, Andy Yen took 2nd place for best AE86! Its really no suprise though since he's the only one of us with real paint (and a nice job at that) and he's also got tons of cool little doo-dads like the Stack digital display gauge and the Autronic stand alone system. Congradulations Andy!

For the entire gallery, go here:

thanks alex V for the pics!