Hrmm….notice a trend? Hope everyone’s okay, just had a 5.8 earthquake pass through Socal, not cool. Luckily it was just a short burst, but we haven’t had an earthquake for a while. Let’s hope it stays that way.
I might be totally weird, but the first thing I thought about was this song by Dru Down, called “Can You Feel Me.” Mad old school for all your Yay Area heads. If I remember correctly, this song had MEGA BASS as well, back in the JL Audio W1 (when they first came out) with Alpine “green button” headunit days.
While I’m on the topic, peep this other jam from Dru, “Pimp of the Year.” I don’t care what you say, the “Golden Age” was the best time for music, especially rap and hip hop.
Last weekend, I helped to pit for the Endless / D.O.M S15 at Cali Speedway for the Redline Time Attack. I’m not really into time attack (or grip events) at the moment, mainly because it requires skill, practice, and is downright stressful (ya trick ya!!!). My normal life’s already nerve wracking as it is, so when its time for the hobby (i.e cars), I need it as stress free as possible. Seriously though, it was nice to get out of my element for a bit, and experience something new for a change, which enlightened me to another form of motorsports (so I am not IG-NANT, like the guys who pass judgment on stretched tires and low offset wheels). D.O.M recapped the day’s events 
The ballin-est thing about Cali Speedway are the garages. I wish they had these up at Willow Springs, these things were clean, fancy, and even had air hookup. Helped to keep things cool, and make you look OFFICIAL. Someone musta pulled some strings (or had comfy kneepads), cause the car got a pretty sick garage position, sandwiched in between cars like the C-West S2000, Crawford STI, COBB GT-R, Focus Auto R34 Skyline, and other heavy hitters. Pic courtesy of Kent Stat.
At tech inspection, they shoe polished some letters on the window. I thought to myself, DUH, we know what motor it’s running, but what race class are we in? LOL, I’m such a Nissan nerd.
“No expenses spared”: the visual version. So many high end brand names on this car it looks like the Rodeo Dr. of the import industry. Don’t get it twisted though, these brands are getting put to some use and abuse!
“BLING BLING! Lorenzo’s on Yokohama tires!” Okay, not completely true, but stopping is provided by Endless 6-pot mini’s in “Race Alumite” finish, hiding behind some 17×9 low offset AME Circlar Spec R’s in Gold (rears are 18×10+15). Wrapping them tighter than snug fit jimmy hats are Advan Neova AD07’s. Fluid dynamics provided by some really high end Endless RF-650 brake fluid.
Hay D.O.M, how many hands do you think we can fit in between the tire and the fender? D.O.M was nice enough to give me a Japanese made Endless t shirt to wear on Sunday, I guess he didn’t want me to rock the 
…He be driving the whip too! D.O.M was able to drive one practice session, and I was a bit worried for him. Not cause I didn’t have faith, but he had previous to this NEVER driven Cali Speedway, much less driven the S15 in a full RACE situation. I mean, brotha is not bad at the go kart track, plays Gran Turismo aight, but I had no idea he could handle the car first time at Cali Speedway, especially at the high speeds and course layout. First time out to Cali Speedway, second time this car has seen a race, no racing background, and he pulled a 2:01. Not too shabby, all you haters need to shut your face (cause most likely you don’t even RACE your car). I’m just glad to see that he’s actually DRIVING the S15 himself, hopefully he can get seat time and become a competitive driver! He’s got the look, that fool is out for blood, look at the eyes! (Cue in Rocky music whenever you feel necessary…)
The homies from 
Tire machine AND tire balancer up in the back! Usually when City Tire comes out to the drift events, there’s no need for the balancer, but this is time attack son! I definitely enjoyed helping out Endless at the time attack, and I’d definitely like to give kudos out to 
Today was a pretty busy day in terms of media, both 
While Yoshioka’s known for being the 86 guy from Japan, it was only right that Antonio would interview him, being as he is known for being the 86 purist stateside. His Corolla reflects his modding ideals, and I can respect his dedication to staying true when it comes to the car. Corolla owners take notes: put down the rattle can and fake 15×8+0 knockoff wheels, it ain’t workin.
While I dookie my pants everytime I drive my 240, I am quite envious of modded cars that stick below the Woop Woop radar (that’s the sound of the police!). 5Zigen Border III + Sprinter tails + clean trunk spoiler + old school Work Equips = tasteful. Definitely my idea of a practical daily driver (that has character).
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! Congrats to the homey Yoshioka for his win last weekend at Formula D in Las Vegas! It was his 2nd 1st place finish in Vegas (in D1 USA, he won 2 years ago at D1GP in Vegas, and last year took 3rd). Unlike most of us, Vegas has been really good to Yoshioka, and this win will definitely give him great energy when he’s back in Japan for the next D1 at Autopolis! Picture is courtesy of Antonio of Speedhunters, peep 
Although I’m not into trucks, I’m most definitely into ANYTHING nostalgic. I’m getting the age where there’s some sort of a pop culture gap between myself and friends that are 2 or 3 years younger than me (i.e “Jar Jar Binks wasn’t in the original Star Wars?”), so some of you might not share the nostalgic value of my friend Danny’s 1988 Toyota pickup that he just completed. He now jokingly calls the truck “Danny Mcfly.”
This is the Toyota truck that Marty drove in (in the movie), notice the resemblance? KC light covers are the jam, luckily Danny was able to come up on the square ones (round ones are still made). For all the BTTF purists, it’s not an exact replica, but Danny was trying to keep it on a budget and work with what he had on this one. What’s great is that all the work was done by him, including painting the entire truck along with the chassis and bars. When he bought the truck, it came with lifting blocks, which he will remove shortly for a lower stance. On a side note, I guess due to Nike’s recent development of the Hyperdunk (esp in the BTTF edition), a lot of stuff revolving around the movie has seen a resurgence. But like most of the retro pop culture stuff that’s been recycled, I don’t know if the youth (god I feel old) are going to really appreciate how awesome the BTTF series was. You know you wanted a Mattel Hoverboard, sucka.
Since I am lacking a camera at the moment, I was not able to take pics while at All Star Bash 4 (last month June 28 +29). Luckily, there were a TON of more than qualified photographers on hand to document the action. The event was a two day affair at the Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, CA. The first day was at the Balcony, while the second was at Horse Thief Mile. Antonio Alvendia, Mr. Cipher Garage himself, came through and shot a gang of really breathtaking photos, including the one to the left. I’m no photography expert, so I’m not going to try to dissect why this photo is cool. Peep two of his Speedhunters.com posts on HTM 
Here’s a sick shot of my friend Aaron in one of the baddest S13’s in the USA. Unlike a lot of 240 owners these days, he uses high end quality parts, does the wrenching himself, AND beats the crap out of it at the track. Larry Chen of Drift Fotos was able to capture an awesome shot, and by the sheer amount of photos he took of Aaron, I’m sure he likes the car too.
Even Ruckuses were drifting! Oh wait, no, that’s just Al Lagura, aka 
Even I was out there doing something that resembled drifting. I recently changed to new wheels (Work Euroline N2, 17×9+0 F / 18×10+6 R), which were discontinued by Work Wheels (for good reason, cause they are UGLY!). I liked the way they came out on my car though, and also mainly because I was going for the “dare to be different” look, while the majority of 240 owners these days just use the copycat method (not that it’s a bad thing, just sayin…). Also added a new D Max roof spoiler and 3 piece trunk spoiler, painted by a good friend of mine Danny from Pink GodziRa. While we were at it, we also color matched my helmet, and I gold trimmed it up for extra blang blang points. Picture is by 
It has been said that “a friend in need is a friend indeed.” What’s awesome about (amateur) drifting is that (for the most part), no one takes it too seriously. So when you’re running tandem, and the lead car loses his bumper, the best thing you can do as a friend is to RUN IT OVER (like my friend Mattycakes here). Chomp chomp chomp! On a side note, don’t sleep on San Diego, a lot of the amateur drift guys are super troopers, and charge when it comes to drifting. These guys drive all the way up from SAN DIEGO to Willow Springs…and back….you Socal heads know how FAR that is. Pictures courtesy 
If you ever wondered how those bumpers end up like the ones I made on the t shirt below, this is how it’s done. It’s all love too, and all a part of (the fun that is) drifting. Moar pictures here by 
While most of you are wondering why the heck I am posting a picture of a tire machine and a tool drawer, I gotta show love to one of the most important companies that came out to support ASB 4. 
Disclaimer: If you aren’t into a) Grassroots drifting, b) Bill Murray in Rushmore, or c) Ziptied.com, you probably won’t find any of this interesting or begin to understand it. I don’t blame you. Anyway, the greatest / most anticipated / never duplicated / private drift event All Star Bash 4 has come and gone. A ton of fun, I’ll post a sort of summary in a bit, but in the meantime peep the shirts I made for the event.
Broken aero is a part of drifting, especially when you’re pushing it and going off track, dirt dropping, and hitting haybales. It’s no surprise that besides pouring in blood, sweat, and tears, we also spend mad cheese in our hobby. Concept was done by Brian “BH” Harte, and design is my handywork.
And if you needed a real life example of the shirt, peep the rescue truck from the event. Stacked to the brim, it’s like the drifter’s equivalent of a “lost and found.” What I love about drifting is that on a grassroots level, it’s just people out to have a good time. People need to RELAX when it comes to car stuff, it’s just a hobby, and often people take it WAY too serious. In addition, it’s definitely a community vibe at events like these…if you break something, usually someone can help you fix it, or possibly let you borrow/keep the replacement part needed. Once at a drift event a while back, I blew up my clutch on 3rd run of the day. Obviously, I was hugely bummed, but another driver (who until that point was a stranger to me) was cool enough to use his AAA card for me and get me towed home (thanks CFinch!). That’s the kind of help that makes you want to come back, and also in turn help others. Too many fuckin haters these days, y’all need to eat a DILZNICK if you aren’t CONTRIBUTING.
Here is the homie Flybert doing some course work …coincidentally collecting pieces of aero resembling that on the shirt he’s rocking. Thanks to all those that drove, spectated, and supported the event. Keep in mind that ALL STAR BASH 5 is coming up in November! If anyone missed me at the event, or just want to cop a shirt, email me and I’ll give you details on how to order one!