R.I.P Boyd...

Tonight I have just heard some terribly sad news...Another legend of the car scene has passed on! Boyd Coddington is a well known name all across the car world. Majority of his fans heard about Boyd through his TV Series American Hotrod, but surprisingly I had grown up hearing his name long before the show was ever on TV. Through old Hot Rod magzines, shows and word of mouth from the much older generation, I followed Boyd's work and passion for designing and building cars. Not everyone liked him, or how he did things, but that's life, nothing can take it away from him that he loved the cars, and always raised the bar of custom Hot Rod building! R.I.P...Legend

Sayonara Baby...

Well everyone know's how much I love my cars, and when I finally got this Nissan Skyline, nicknamed in Japan by Yuichi as my 'Baby', I was a very happy man! I waited, and worked very hard to get it here, then legally on the road! But now she has gone to another place. I had to sell, Why? Am I crazy?...YES, but needs must, and it had to be done! I loved the car, everything about it, spec, condition, performance, handling, looks. Hand on heart it is one of, if not the best, cars I have ever drove on the roads. Truly Amazing. From my time spent in Japan, I have a vast knowledge of the cars, the people, the scene, and it has made me learn many things. I know cars are just metal, and can always be replaced, and should never become more important than the loved ones around you. But, once in a while a car comes along that is something special. It has a hold on you. I strongly believe some of these cars are more than just metal. They have a soul. Maybe its because of the passion and love for a particular car, or the specification it has been tuned to, but I think all that put together with the history of the car gives it a soul. Every so often there's one out there that you fall in love with. This was mine...but there will be another im sure! So here's to my Baby, who will always be known on these shores for the great Skyline that it is...さびしくなるよ.

Tribute time...to the TRIAL R32 Skyline...

Here she is in all her glory...TryForce Aero

Many years ago, but still looking GREAT!

Now for the real tribute. Many people didn't know about this, and I wanted to post this a while ago but didn't find the time. I think this is the perfect time. We know she loved the camera and took a great photo, but was also famous on TV...Check out Toshi's JDM Insider Kansai Adventure Part 1 DVD...you know you want to!

Forward to the TRIAL shop chapter...

Look who's sitting parked up in the carpark...

Yes, it's definetly her...My Baby!

This was filmed when she was in for her big build...

Looking great, now I know why I love this car...

Driving along...awsome stance R32 Skyline!

How she looks on Irish Tarmac...long trip,still going strong!

Catchup...

Time to catch up on things, the last few weeks have been VERY busy! Business/social, many friends to catch up with, many events/things going on, and a permanent cold that just never seems to goes away, sometimes gets worse. Everytime I change continent I always end up sick for a about a month! Crazy! So what have I been up to? Hanging out with the special and important people in my life...you know who you are! Finally got a chance to watch plenty of movies...which I love! Enjoying the start of the car scene and the Skyline! Chinese New Year was also celebrated this year, for the first time, very interesting and a great time of culture...many dinners with friends, and also Valentines, very happy times! Just a quick update on a great start to the Year 2008 so far! More soon...

Farewell...

My last update from the trip, and my last day in town! A day of relaxing, tie up some loose ends, and visit some old friends. Last stop on the list...Veilside! On my last trip to Veilside (click here) it was busy and doing well, but this time was different...it seemed very quiet! I was welcomed as usual by the very friendly Yoko, she wasn't too busy so we had a very long chat about things, including past, present times, but especially the future. Unfortunatly Yokomaku San was not in Japan, he had just flew to Universal Studios LA, for a very important meeting. Which I can now reveal as Veilside securing the deal to build the new Fast and Furious movie cars. GREAT NEWS indeed! This is why it was quiet today! Expect some big things from Veilside over the next 2 years! Exciting stuff...

Good to catch up with some old friends...

and of course some old cars...

Veilside...still going strong!

A big thanks again to Yoko, as always, friendly, smiling and great fun! Arigato for the gifts too, honto ni! They are very special. I will keep in touch yo! Afterwards myself and Ed hit up my local bar the 'Green Sheep', for a farewell beer. Always fun times here, and many memories, see you soon lil Yumi Chan and Takashi San!

Next morning its on the flight...no sleep this time!

Great flight home, LOTS of space, due to only half full plane, good food, plenty of movies and music...Flying over Europe!

Tsukuba Circuit...

One of the last full days left. There has been an event/location in the back of my mind this whole trip...should I go or not?! Its far, It's expensive, Im tired, and broke, but it's somewhere I've always wanted to go and see...Tsukuba Circuit! So I made me way to Akihabara Station, not for the usual crazy stuff, but just to catch the Tsukuba Express Rapid. Many tell me Tsukuba Circuit is not accessable by train, but after some research I thought I would give it a damn good try! Tsukuba Circuit is located in the small town of Shimotsuma, Ibaraki-Ken, but the nearest station is even more deeper though...Sodo Station to be exact. How you get to there is a different story...Many transfers and using local Joso lines that only call every hour...but it DOES get you as close as possible to the circuit, which is then only a short taxi ride from the station...well worth it in my opinion! Here is me complaining about the not so expensive ticket, it's just that I was broke, but will I regret it?!...

The local Joso line...hhmmm let the adventure begin!

Umm, are we lost?! When I said DEEP, I really did mean it. About 45minutes of this...with an average of 5 people on the train haha, this really is the boonies of Japan...Shimotsuma! Pretty cool...

But, suddenly its all worthwhile...Tsukuba Circuit!

The famous Dunlop Bridge...amazing circuit!

Plenty of great cars on track, this Altezza was fast...

Alot of Euro cars, including this BMW M3...interesting...

One of the fastest had to be this FD RX7...stunning car!

More Euro...Ferarri too, a nice variety of cars today!

Also a new Mk5 Golf GTI, which was nice to see in Japan!

My overall favourite...Nismo BNR34 Skyline!

Mobara Circuit...

This whole time I've covered very little, if any, drift action! But after a long assed trip on the slow local train to Mobara, Chiba-Ken I stopped by one of the most famous and best 'local' circuits...Mobara Twin Circuit. On arriving at the circuit, the cars were just signing on. I didn't expect too much like a full D1 day, but already knew that, and being honest thats why I chose this event. To see a local, down to earth, casual drift practice day, and check out the facilities! I then met up with Tada, the owner and manager of the circuit, and had a brief chat and guided tour! Really is a great place to drive!

A VERY cold day to photograph Drift action at Mobara...

Time to start...the locals tearin' it up on track...

This S13.5 was doing good...plenty of smoke action!

One of my favourites...JZX100 Chaser.VERY fast drifting!

Best on the day was this AE86...Crazy no fear drifting!

Route 16...

On the way back from Saitama to Yokohama, it was time to relax some more and kill some time. So I stopped off at Minami Machida area, just off Route 16 Tokyo! Plenty of car tuning shops and dealers here to check out and buy some parts etc...such as Up Garage!

Directly beside Up Garage is car restorer's Fly Rat...

Always plenty of old school cars and Skyline's at Fly Rat...

Wacky Saitama...

Back on board the Shinkansen again for an early morning blast back to Kanto...Yokohama! After checking into the hotel it was off again on train to Higashi Tokorozawa, in Saitama-Ken to meet my good friend Shino! It's been a while since last seeing Shino, so we had alot to catch up on. She pops up quite alot on this blog We met at the station with Shino and her co-drifter boyfriend R chan and went off for a great big feast of a dinner, maybe the best I've ever had! It was great to talk about old times, and future too, and nice for us all to switch off from cars, even though the 4 of us are so immersed in the tuning scene. It was just a great relaxing time for us all.

Here is Ed out cold on Shinkansen, and a very tired me...

At Shino Kouba 'Amazement' Garage...
After dinner and a few too many beers and chu hi for Ed and Shino, they became a little umm 'drunk' which could only mean one thing...Karaoke! How my ears survived I will never know, but WOW Shino can sing, I had no idea haha! For me, I played it simple and safe, but Ed went all out, blasting out some Led Zeppelin for all of the Saitama prefecture to hear... it really was CRAZY stuff!
Farewell and off to work again...See you soon Shino, arigato!

Sun Line Auto...

After Tokyo Auto Salon, its been go go go! Now in Kansai, things really do feel a little more relaxed/easy going compared to Tokyo! Which is understandable of course. Next step was Shinkansen to Okayama, in West Japan! Reason being? Sun Line Auto tuning shop! We had been invited there by Piers and Sato San (owner of Sun Line Auto) After arriving in Okayama for the first time I realised just how beautiful it really is...so nice and relaxing, a very simple place! It was a great day too, with plenty of warm sunshine! After meeting up with Okayama resident Piers we then made our way to the Sun Line shop (Arigato)...Here are some quick photos from the day!

Here is Piers' own R34 GTR Skyline...full carbon! Stunning!

Sun Line's current race spec Nissan 350Z...

..and the new 350Z project.More carbon/Aero...Looks Great!

The latest version of the famous Sun Line S15 Silvia...

The new car...Brand new R35 GTR...in traditional Sun Line RED!

It was a very busy day at Sun Line , but the boss, Sato San, took time out from making the new R35 GTR exhaust system, to chat with us. This is VERY rare for him to do this, as he is always busy, and pretty shy! But not when it comes to cars!...It turned into a long chat. From the time spent here talking to Sato San, I could really learn alot about Sun Line Auto and Sato San himself. His beliefs, goals, respect for cars and knowledge of tuning them. Every so often we meet someone like this. He really is a very intelligent man, with deep personality. His drive for the best and perfection is the way others should be. The little things, and attention to detail in research and development, and production of parts really reflects from Sato San's personality. I always say you can tell alot about the person/driver from his or her car, and this proves it! With Sun Line its all about the BEST, the QUALITY, for both the customer and the car! A perfect example is the 'sample' Aero we talked about on the 350Z car. It was an amazing fit to the car, but Sato San then explained thats only the first copy, and the real finished piece will be even better...AMAZING! Its this kind of attitude we need more of in the Tuning Industry! I see big things in the future for Sato San and Sun Line Auto and I really do look forward to it! >Sunline website<

TRIAL...

A bit late with this update, but I've had a very busy time this week, which I will write about soon. Back now, and lets continue with my latest entry...TRIAL. Located in the Sakai area of Osaka, TRIAL Tuning Spirit is one of the longest running and biggest tuning shops in Japan. I arrived a little late, due to my umm 'not so punctual' friend Ed, but made it just in time to be met by my good friend Yuichi San. We had a good chat with Makihara San, the boss and founder of TRIAL aswell as all the staff of the shop, and TRIAL Gal Chihiro. As it was evening, and things were winding down we could all relax and enjoy some drinks and exchange some old stories. I didn't take so many photos, as I was here for business meeting, not photography work, but I will post up a few from the shop...

Walk inside to be greeted by this...Interior of TRIAL shop...

The famous TRIAL R32 Skyline on display now too...

The shop is busy as always, even late at 8pm...

Outside and we see the real reason why TRIAL is so good! Huge setup of 10 pit bays, Dyno's and carpark to hold 50-60+ cars,. But what I like most about business at TRIAL is the very professional service, but also friendly, family feeling. Very welcoming and easy to deal with, which makes it a joy to be a customer, or business partner. You really have to visit to understand what I mean about the 'vibe/atmosphere', but once you do, you won't look back...

Mean R32 Skyline...2.4 with GT2835R Turbo!

I really love this Wide Body Evo, runing Evo 8 gear and Recaro interior, cool graphic scheme, which is now under experiement at TRIAL on a few cars. This Evo is now on export, bound for Cyprus!

Keisuke San, my good friend and parts supplier showing my one of the latest customer car projects...Drift S15 Silvia, getting a new heart...RB26 Power! Should be a great car when finished!

Afterwards we went into Osaka city for dinner at TRIAL's local favourite restaurant. Although this was a business meeting, it was all very relaxed and fun. Amazing food at this Brazilian restaurant, all you can eat meats, beers, everything, and great salsa music...I will definetly come here again! Huge thanks to everyone at TRIAL