Tokyo Auto Salon...Part 3

Part 3 of Tokyo Auto Salon and I'll finish up by posting some Booth photos! For me personally, I thought some of the biggest news of the year was the return of APEXi Japan after 5 years away. With the absence of some of the bigger tuners (HKS, Greddy etc) during these hard economic times, when I spotted the APEXi stand, it was hard to stop grinning. Good times are returning even during this 'recession'. It's like I said previously in my posts below, the Auto Salon 2009 had a feel or vibe like that of the past, it's like the scene is going back to what it was before, maybe back to its best? Time will tell of course, but good to see everyone staying positive, not giving up, and introducing and still developing products. After a long chat with APEXi it was clear to see they are determined to stick around, with new electronic parts, mufflers, suspension and even more in the pipeline, including a return to motorsport! Certainly is interesting news!

New selecton of APEXi exhaust products...including R35 GTR

All the classic electronics return alongisde the new products!

Bomex were there also with some very cool Demo cars..

Project Mu brakes booth was very busy as usual...

MiNES had a big display, especially of new GTR parts...

No Tokyo Auto Salon is complete without Top Secret is it?

Blitz had the bigger booth with ALOT of cars and products!

HKS Kansai were there to represent the HKS brand!

Ark had some very trick and impressive products to show..

This is just a small selecton of the many, many trade stands and Tuning Companies booths. Alongside all the show cars, live drift action, talk shows, interviews and the MANY racequeens, Tokyo Auto Salon is still a show to display and debut companies new tuning products for the future. Recession time has certainly changed the style and approach to tuning, but I can't help but think that its slowly turning into a good thing, and reaching out to people the way it did many years ago. Are we on the verge of another tuning BOOM over the next few years like in the 90's? We will see, it definetly was a 'smaller/clsoer' more 'down to earth' Show, but great in this way! Big thanks to Ed and Joe for working on the Press side, roll on next year!

Tokyo Auto Salon...Part 2

Another blog entry of Tokyo Auto Salon 2009. I'll continue with another selection of photos, especially of the cars that got my attention most! There was a very 'different' vibe about this year's Auto Salon, maybe it's the whole economic situation, but things took a step back, it felt like going to a show maybe 5 or more years ago, but that's a GOOD thing. It felt like the whole tuning scene in general has came back down to earth, which felt good, and I noticed ALOT more people could relate more to it, and enjoy more everyday style, and quality tuned cars! One final post about the Auto Salon soon!

Really was good to see more cars like this EF race Civic..

MiNES brought out their even more advanced R35 and new 370z

BIG news, was Ueno Takahiro's new D1 spec BMW..

Cars like this is what made it a great show for me...AMAZING!

One thing got my attention was the Rotrex charged R35 GTR...

Outside as always the D1GP drivers were keeping the crowd happy!

Possible Overall Car of the Show?? Mugen NSX...

Again, quality old-school cars, got plenty of attention...

I couldn't possibly post all the girls,haha but for example...

VIP scene gets bigger, along with the addition of Import AutoSalon

Tokyo Auto Salon...Part 1

Rather than bore you all with a huge write up about TAS, I'll blog about it over a few parts, with a conclusion next time. For now I'll let the photos do the talking...As always, some stunning cars on show!

Zele brought out their fresh 370z and matching R35 GTR

Always something for everyone at the Tokyo Auto Salon...

Daigo Saito, D1GP 2008 Champion, and new '09 car...Mustang!

Yoshioka's D1 car now completed after last years debut...

ORC always bring out an impressive display and friendly stand...

One of my favourite cars...Orido Style/Varis built Aristo!

Again, a hugely impressive display and build by RE-Amemiya..

Outside the D1GP were tearing up the carpark, awsome show!

Nice to see some more AE86's this year...TRD N2 spec..

Overall favourite for me had to be the Impulse AE86...

Back again...

Seriously lagging in the updates lately, but I have just had no time at all for blogging. So tonight I decided to make time, and get caught up. Back again from Japan, for another while, big developments, but more on that later, I guess it will all unfold as I start blogging again. Plenty of my own car (AE86) updates aswell coming soon. It's currently being prepared for more upcoming trackdays. For now I'm going to start on some blogging about the latest time spent in Japan...First stop Tokyo Auto Salon 2009 at Makuhari Messe.

Long way, but flying with Virgin Atlantic was great! Recommended...

Really great service, LOTS of entertainment, including Top Gear...

Another Year Over...

After my quick Christmas post below, Due to everyone telling me to, I'm finally doing a proper blog update. It's the end of 2008, so let's start by wishing everyone a very Happy New Year 2009. Another year over, and yet again time has gone VERY quickly. Where do I start, good and bad I guess as usual, but that's this crazy life we live. Personally it's not been the best year, but hopefully 2009 will make up for it. Car wise, it has been pretty good, but this year '09 im carrying on with my Hachi-Roku AE86. Here is a quick update on the '86...

Painted up the Cam covers, and complete engine bay...

Looks so much better and cleaner than before...

Been plenty of racing and drift action, and have to say I'm loving it. I'm happy with the car side of things for now, so New Year 2009 will be focusing more on other things. Im taking a back seat from the spotlight and media of the Tuning Scene. To be honest I think everyone is, maybe its the quietness due to economy, but I think most just need a break to recharge and bring the tuning scene back to what it really is. You know, for me taking a break is probably not what most think. I just want a break from the media/coverage end of the scene, not the actual scene in general. So I guess you could say Im emerging myself more into the scene again, to enjoy and find the fun factor that we all used to have and get from cars and tuning. First stop is back to Japan, Tokyo Auto Salon, some business, see plenty of action, but mostly to unwind, recharge and enjoy time with friends, see some nice places, eat some great food and restore my faith in the world after an up/down 2008. This will be a very important time, so lets hope it goes well and is the beginning of something big. Remember, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. So let's see how things go. To then it's back from Japan for a short time here, hit up as many tracks as possible and race/drift action in the '86 and enjoy life some more. If you see me at Auto Salon or anywhere come over and say hello...Peace

Good luck to all in 2009, be healthy and happy! Talk soon..

Greetings...

メリークリスマス

Merry Xmas & Happy New Year '09

Don't worry, proper update coming soon...

Quick update...

Just a quick update, I think its soon time to start really blogging again, if I can find the time. Been pretty busy, and then when I'm not, any time is put into the '86. Recently was time to get some new parts, tuning and free the car up again with TRUST 4-1 manifold header, new gaskets, Zacetec Japan decat pipe & baffle removed!

Its LOUD, but in a good way, and driving really well...video soon.

TRUST 4-1 Ex Manifold...

Had a little trouble the last month, and finally got to the bottom of it! Car was pi$$ing me off, running the battery flat constantly...Had a new battery put in then everything tested, alternator was weak, so got new regulator put in, Just when I thought this was all solved and seemed fine, it was only prolonging the problem, and it was then running flat every 2nd or 3rd day...Dead, no lights on dash, nothing! No warnings along the way, or Battery light on dash...weird! Got in touch with a friend of mine, who was VERY good and thorough, took the car for 3 nights to let her run flat, checked electrics front to back, everything, and I mean EVERY wire, fuse, light etc, but again, pointed back to the alternator...strange I thought, after having all this done, but I would try anything at this stage to solve it.


Ripped all apart, as this was not going to beat us...He rang a contact of his, inspected the alternator, and as much as parts had been replaced it turned out to be a little diode inside that was the problem. Upon turning off the car and locking up, the alternator itself was not storing/going off correctly and losing all the power/running the car flat. Tedious, annoying, frustrating work, especially with no normal alternator problem signs, but seems to have been sorted now! Big cheers to my buddy Cloko for replacement Alternator, and everyone else for their help. Lets hope thats the problem sorted, will know in a few weeks for 100%...so far, so good! Fingers crossed!

Also purchased some new winter wheels..SSR Mesh Formula, with Bridestone Potenza tyres, although they are just a winter wheel, they are looking really cool. Here is a quick pic below...more soon!

Japanese Car meet...

The local club had a 'Japanese car' meet this week. There was a GREAT turnout, of so many different makes and models, old and new. Of course it would be rude not to have called in...Here are some pics before my battery died. Lots of great cars, favourite being this 600+ bhp Supra! Hopefully this will become a monthly meet for us!

A few of my local crew...Team Toyota out today!

Of course a quick pic of my AE86, then batteries died :(

There was an awsome convoy from location to location, some great tuned Japanese motors invading the highway, the sound and sight of it all was great. Of course the '86 was blasting along too! ...

AE86 Update...

Been a while since I did an update on the AE86, I guess I have just been too busy enjoying driving it! Awsome car! Here's some photos of the project 86...More Hachi-Roku tuning updates coming soon!

Now Undersealed to keep it's clean, mint condition...

Midnight, underground...awaiting some late night Action!

EDC Crash!

This is the video I have been waiting to post. EDC at Silverstone! Shane and Danny from Team JapSpeed. Very nasty crash, but both were ok and walked away. It really is a tribute to how far drifting safety has come on, but also proof that it can still indeed happen, and is part of drifting! Stay safe everyone - drift on! Awsome video!

BIG DRIFT CRASH
Uploaded by darkandier

Update...

Just a quick update. VERY busy times recently, and I really have not had the chance to 'blog' to now. But I really thought an update was long over-due. Brought the AE86 to A.I Autosport today for some work. Was pretty good chat about the car, and catching up on some old/new times. I find it very very different here, compared to Japan and anywhere else, I have alot of thoughts on that, but will mention them another time. I find it very hard to trust anyone here with my cars, which is why I do alot of the work myself. But A.I Autosport are the guys I trust with my cars. Always top class service and quality work. Here's some pics from today...check out A.I Autosport website

The 86 in amongst the 'Giants' above, including Phil's TVR...

Oh did I mention the A.I Autosport Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X? Just thought I would grab you all a quick photo...more about this car soon!

Back...to the Future!

Sorry about the lag in updates recently. I have been VERY busy! Where do I start? ALOT has been going on in the Tuning World. Alot of huge news, but more on that soon. First is a quick update on whats going on in my own life. Busy yes, but also enjoying. Car has changed once again, as you maybe read in previous posts. Now it is unveilved. With the whole economy in Europe in a poor state, it was time to make a big decision. Sure I can buy/drive any car, but could I justify the cost of it all? Short answer...NO! So I made the decision to buy this new car. It is easy to run, parts are cheap, easy to tune and work on by myself. But the main factor; it is just as much fun, if not more, than all the other previous cars I have had/got to drive.

Step up 'AE-Hachi-Roku'. This car needs no introduction, so I will let the photos do the talking. Built to 'Masuda Street Drift' spec in Kansai, Japan, it really is an awsome car. It has been a while since I enjoyed driving so much, so lets hope that can continue. With the whole economy factor do we have to go Back, to get to the Future?

HDR

Well I finally got round to trying some HDR Photos, well one! This is my first time using the HDR software, and I just used the Skyline for a practice shot, It turned out pretty well, but I want to try more!