PASMAG - Tuning Essentials - JDM Vol. 2

BUYERS GUIDE: JDM EVERYTHING! TUN I NG ESSENTIALS CHIBA CANNONBALL FESTIVAL COVERAGE

BOSOZOKU, KYUSHA & ROCK 'N ROLL

E D I T I O N

→ A PEHAC RF HI EC -R T S OKU TO RM

GOLDZILLA KUHL RACING'S GOLD ENGRAVED GT-R

PASMAG.COM

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

MASATO KAWABATA: D1 CHAMPION & FASTEST DRIFTER IN THE WORLD ANDREW BRILLIANT: WORLD RENOWNED AERODYNAMIC DEVELOPER

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Daijiro Yoshihara

2011 Formula D Champion

congrats

to Dai Yoshihara on placing 3rd in Rd 2 of the Formula Drift Championships

STREET TUNER

STREET POWER

STREET ELITE

STREET SUPREME

The Supremacy line by Mc Leod now gives sport compact and European car owners legendary quality at a very affordable price. Available in different performance levels to suite different driver needs.

McLeod world-class quality backed by the best service in the industry equates to the best clutch choice for sport compact and European car owners.

@mcleod_racing

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McLeod-Clutches

McLeodRacingClutches

mcleodracing.com

2016-05-20 3:56 PM

Lifetime Warranty LEDs

© 2016 OSRAM SYLVANIA

www.sylvania.com/zevo

Light fuels creativity Change your interior with new ZEVO® MINI bulbs Get creative and customize your vehicle’s look with ZEVO® MINI bulbs, a collection of over 75 LED products from the leader in automotive lighting. ZEVO® MINI bulbs are designed to add whiter style or color choices to your interior, and every bulb comes with our LIFETIME WARRANTY*. Learn more at Sylvania.com or stop by your local auto retailer.

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* See package for details

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REAL COMPETITORS USE REAL POWER When real power is in need, you can rely on the best performance amplifiers in the market.

ORION XTR AND HCCA SERIES WITH REAL RMS POWER AT 12.6 VOLTS AND 0.5 THD

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For dealer inquiries: www.orioncaraudio.com - info@mdaudio.net T: 305-593-8361 F: 305-593-8413 Toll free: 1-855-475-6048 Exclusive Canadian Distributor: Clarion Canada Inc. | 3800A Laird Road Unit 6, Mississauga, ON L5L 0B2 | 1-800-668-5612

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O F F I C IA L S U S PE N S I O N O F F O R M U LA D R I FT CA N A DA Riley Sexsmith

FormulaD PRO2 Drifter RWD 2JZ powered STI

MADE TO WIN PHOTO BY DAVID MULLIS PHOTOGRAPHY

C O M P E T I T I O N B R E D 1 5 WAY R E B O U N D A N D C O M P R E S S I O N A DJ U S TA B I L I T Y

HIGH QUALITY MONOTUBE DAMPERS

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

FULLY ADJUSTABLE DAMPING

PILLOW BALL TOP MOUNTS

The HSD MonoPro coilover is what the performance tuning scene has been crying out for. The MP series coilovers offer the most features and the best quality for under $1350. HSD Coilovers use a Monotube damper design favoured by high end suspension companies and each kit is TUV approved. This level of quality and performance is usually found on much more expensive suspension products.

MOST POPULAR APPLICATIONS ACURA RSX AUDI A3 AUDI A4 + A5 BMW E36 + E46 FORD MUSTANG 05-14 FORD MUSTANG 15+ FORD FOCUS ST FORD FIESTA ST HONDA FD (06-11)

FOR YOUR LOCAL AUTHORIZED HSD DEALER PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE

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HONDA FB (12-16) HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE MITSUBISHI EVO 8/9/10 NISSAN 350Z/370Z - INFINITI G35/37 NISSAN SKYLINE R32-R35 SCION FRS SUBARU WRX STI (02-16) TOYOTA SUPRA VW GOLF MKS/MK6/MK7

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2016-05-12 11:33 AM

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INTRODUCING

KW-V820BT MULTIMEDIA RECEIVER 6.8� CLEAR RESISTIVE TOUCH CONTROL

JVC Mobile Entertainment

@JVCMobileUSA

APPLE CARPLAY

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iDATALINK MAESTRO

HI-RESOLUTION AUDIO

@JVCMobile

#JVCMobile #QualityBuilt #Since1982 CarPlay and its user interface are trademarks of Apple Inc. For safety, various touch-screen functionality is disabled while the vehicle is in motion. See your local authorized dealer for more details. All logos are registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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CDR875G_PASMAG_FULL.pdf

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Full HD Dash Cams The road is a wild place, where anything can happen... Anything.

The CDR 875 G is the first and only Bluetooth® and GPS enabled dash cam that connects to your smartphone, unlocking incredible new features.

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866-910-3295 ©2016 Cobra Electronics Corp.

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6500 W. Cortland St.

Cobra.com

Chicago, IL 60707

Department: PAS

2016-02-24 10:48 AM

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Pure.

Natural.

Immersive.

INTRODUCING FULL DIGITAL SOUND Clarion’s revolutionary new Full Digital Sound maintains audio in an uncompromised full digital form up until the moment you hear it. Designed to eliminate fidelity loss, the system is also exceptionally efficient despite delivering performance comparable to traditional systems many times its size. With built in LSI processors in each speaker and a custom-developed and intelligent all-digital sound processor managing the system, it’s not a surprise that what you hear is as pure, as natural and as immersive as imaginable. Brace yourselves for an audio experience that will move you like never before.

To learn more, visit clarion.com/us

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THE AMBULANCE THAT PEOPLE ARE DYING TO GET INTO

64

Goldzill KUHL RACING’S ENGRAVED GOLDEN GT-R

50

THE CLEANEST AE86 EVER?

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ANDREW BRILLIANT:

MASATO KAWABATA:

WORLD RENOWNED AUTOMOTIVE AERODYNAMIC DEVELOPER

P A S M A G

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D1 DRIFT CHAMP & FASTEST DRIFTER IN THE WORLD

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2016-06-07 4:37 PM

Audio Excellence Wherever the Road Leads

CUSTOM SOUND No matter what you drive, a Kenwood eXcelon Mobile Audio System can put the sound of a live performance in your car. eXcelon is an advanced array of precisely matched components that work together to transcend the many challenges of the automobile listening environment.

It’s our most advanced series of mobile audio products, and delivers the kind of uncompromising sound that true audiophiles demand. Contact your local authorized Kenwood dealer today at http://locator.kenwood.com/usa/ and discover audio excellence.

LIVE CONNECTED. DRIVE CONNECTED.

kenwood.com/usa

Š 2015 JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

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PASMAG (ISSN # 1710-1573) is published 6 times a year by Performance Auto & Sound Inc. 100A-219 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON, M6K 3J1, Canada SUBSCRIPTION RATES: (10 issues) Canada and USA: $24.99 (20 issues) Canada and USA: $34.99 (30 issues) Canada and USA: $42.99 Toll Free: 1 (888) 564-SUBS [7827] subs@pasmag.com pasmag.com/subscribe GROUP PUBLISHER & CEO Tim Rutledge PUBLISHERS Blake Breslin & Perry Breslin FOUNDER & SR. VP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Frank Spezzano

EDITORIAL EDITOR Micky Slinger EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Michael Bettencourt ASSOCIATE EDITOR Adam Gordon TECHNICAL EDITOR Garry Springgay DIGITAL COORDINATORS Nick Jambrosic, Adam Steinberg

C O N T R I B U TO R S Andrew Brilliant Taryn Croucher

Peter Kelly Jean-Christophe Pepino

Adam Zillin

A RT + P R O D U CT I O N CREATIVE DIRECTOR Queue Gonzalez PRODUCTION + SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Patrick Dinglasan SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Edward Shintani SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Patrick Beltijar GRAPHIC DESIGNER Mike Chan

S A L E S + A D M I N I S T R AT I O N DIRECTOR, AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT Randi Bentia DIRECTOR, CLIENT SERVICES Richard Robles DIRECTOR, SALES & MARKETING Frank Maguire MEDIA SALES COORDINATOR/PRODUCT EDITOR Kevin Tay DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Craig Sweetman SENIOR SALES ASSOCIATE Ken Rule CLIENT SERVICES Nicole Winters Performance Auto & Sound Magazine welcomes unsolicited contributions including stories (typewritten), photos, club news, events, etc.

(Forward to PAS, 100A-219 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON, M6K 3J1, Canada) Canadian Publications Mail Products Sales Agreement #40069655 PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT NIAGARA FALLS, NY AND AT ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. U.S.P.S. # 022-608 U.S. OFFICE OF PUBLICATION: 1855 Maryland Ave., Niagara Falls, NY, 14305 U.S. POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CORRECTIONS TO: Performance Auto & Sound, Box 1082, Niagara Falls, NY, 14304 Occasionally, we make our subscriber list available to carefully screened companies whose products and services might be of interest to our readers. If you prefer to have your name removed from this list, please write to us at the address below and include your mailing label.

For any subscription inquiries, including change of address, call 1 (888) 564-SUBS.

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SEMA Member

2016-05-24 12:03 PM

! o s o k o Y

ISSUE PREVIEW

I

THAT MEANS “WELCOME” IN JAPANESE. IT TOOK ME A LOT OF GOOGLE SEARCHING TO CONFIRM THAT THAT WAS RIGHT.

There were also some eyes out

f you haven’t gathered

lettering. This Hachi-Roku is

Nissan Caravan that a group of

from the cover and what

probably something Takumi from

students at WIZ Custom Builder

at the D1GP at Odaiba, as well as

you’ve seen thus far, this

Initial D would have made if he

put together as their senior

some other sets at Cannonball in

is our Japan special issue

were going for show points.

school project. Why not take

Chiba, so flip th ough for some

of PASMAG! We hope

In the most desirable exterior

a utility vehicle and transform

coverage on sliding rides and

you’re as excited to read it as

and interior choices, plus some

it into a chopped and stanced

custom kyushas.

we were to make it. This issue

very nice updates, this could be

ambulance? Read on to get the

is an excuse for us to find the

the most impressive Eight-Six

full story on “Goldzilla” and the

seasoned the issue with some

coolest stuff from the glorious

we’ve seen.

“Danger Ambulance.”

exciting trending pieces and interesting articles, so pull up to

Nippon every year and act like

Of course, we’ve got to bol-

total otakus (or in some cases

ster the Panda with some other,

of a couple exclusive interviews.

your plate and dig in! We hope

weeaboos) during the course

equally impressive features, so

Both D1 champ and planet

you enjoy this issue as much as

of production.

we got some pretty awesome

Earth’s fastest drifter Masato

we did making it.

examples of the JDM landscape.

Kawabata, and world renowned

One is the engraved and golden

aerodynamic developer Andrew

Itadakimasu!

Kuhl Racing R35 GT-R. We’ve

Brilliant took some time from

MICKY SLINGER

your attention with the addition

seen the silver one before, but

their busy schedules to talk

of the Trueno Sprinter AE86

the gold iteration is that turned

about their craft and their arenas

on the front, sans tofu delivery

to eleven. The other is an old

of competition.

Anyway, let’s fill you in on what’s in store here.

Our cover probably snagged

CONNECT

pasmag.com

We also managed to get ahold

Of course, we’ve also

PASMAG EDITOR

MAKING IT EASIER TO STALK US THAN EVER BEFORE!

tunerbattlegrounds.com

facebook.com/ pasmag

twitter.com/ pasmag

P A S M A G

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instagram.com/ pasmag

J A P A N

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S P E C I A L

pasmag.tumblr.com

blogs.pasmag.com

youtube.com/ pasnation

Download the iTunes app PASMAG+

E D I T I O N

2016-05-24 12:05 PM

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TSURIKA-WHAT? Tsurikawa means "hang" (tsuri) “leather” (kawa) in Japanese and, in this case, relates to the strap and loop train handles that hang from the ceilings of trains in Japan.

Somehow, some young Japanese gangsters looked at the handles and thought, “If I stole that and put it in my car, it would perfectly show my disrespect for the authorities.” It was probably said way less eloquently though.

These young Japanese gangsters, also known as bosozokus, stole tsurikawas to throw the fin er to cops, and were originally attached inside cars so passengers could slide their wrist inside the ring and “safely” hang their body outside the window. Later, the handles were hung from the outside of the car, usually from the factory tow hook location, to show off the ow ride height.

Tsurikawas quickly became the symbol of reckless youth and hardcore Japanese car enthusiasts are still flaunting them to express their freedom, though now you don’t need to commit a crime to get your hands on one. A husband and wife team in Japan have taken to making tsurikawas by hand to give enthusiasts a legal

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alternative. At JDMTsurikawa, they offer classicstyle train handles, as well as modern takes in different colors and finish s. For example, their “Kyoto Edition” tsurikawas are made from bamboo rings and genuine Japanese cloths associated with different items, landmarks and areas from Japan. They’re also limited edition and packaged with a certifi ate of authenticity, as such.

JDM Tsurikawa also makes a line called “Bad Romance,” which is inspired by the legendary heart tsurikawa of Kirara, Kyoto. The railway company there has installed a unique, pink, heartshaped tsurikawa in one of its 22 carts, among all of its 1,028 other regular handles, and considers it a game for passengers to fin . They even change the position every few days to keep things interesting!

People believe that fin ing it has signifi ance to their love life, and while that may be true, JDMTsurikawa is making no such claims about their heart-shaped line – though, you never know.

So, whether you’re chasing love, want to feel like a gangster, or just plain love this part of the Japanese automotive scene, JDMTsurikawa is a great place to get your train handles safely and from a legit source. Check them out at JDMTsurikawa.com!

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FORM THE FEET AND LEGS!

Anime fans of the mid-1980’s will be pleased to hear that one of the all-time greats will have made its triumphant return to television screens as of June 10, thanks to Netflix DreamWorks Animation kicks off the n w iteration of Voltron: Legendary Defender with an hour-long premier on the 10th, followed by ten 22-minute episodes to make up the fi st season of the new series.

Executive producer Joaquim Dos Santos and co-executive producer Lauren Montgomery have stated that their goal is to remake the Voltron show that their fans remember, as opposed to the one that actually existed. For those unaware, the original Voltron: Defender of the

Universe series that aired from 1984-1985 was actually cut and pieced together with redubbed dialogue from an adult-oriented Japanese anime series called Beast King GoLion, a darker, more violent series.

While many characters in the new show will be familiar to fans of the original, the producers wanted to start the new series with a clean slate for new viewers, which means more backstory and less indirectlyimplied plot. “Our characters are as unfamiliar as a new viewer would be to Voltron,” Dos Santos says, offering up what little information he can give away. “They’re living on a version of Earth in the distant future that hasn’t made contact with alien life forms, but they’re going to the equivalent of space camp.” Early in the show, the plot will turn towards the origins and purpose of Voltron, marking the beginning of a familiar journey for past fans, and a new adventure for viewers new to the Voltron universe.

tr. トレンド

Japan’s KitKat Craze Includes Sake

While most of us here in North America are familiar with two or three variations of KitKat, the land of the rising sun has a seemingly endless line of flavors, with new ones being added periodically.

The most recent addition to the KitKat flavor fi es is a little unorthodox. Sake-flavored KitKats hit the shelves in early February 2016, mixing the delectable chocolate with the aftertaste of sake, a popular Japanese rice wine. The sake-flavored KitKat is just one of several flavors unique to Asia. In the past they have seen odd flavors including - but not limited to – Purple Sweet Potato, Matcha Green Tea, Edamame, Bean Cake, Cinnamon Cookie, European Cheese, and Pear. The KitKat craze has even paved the way for KitKat boutiques and cafes in the cities of Tokyo and Kyoto. Some places even go so far as to serve KitKat sandwiches, which typically consist of a KitKat bar, orange peel slices and whipped cream. Hey, Nestle…

Send us some strange KitKats!

Nissa and Mitsubishi: A Love Story In the wake Mitsubishi’s financial allout due to a fuel economy cheating scandal, fellow Japanese automaker, Nissan, has stepped up to Mitsubishi’s plummeting stock prices with a helping hand and a plan. With benefi s for both parties in sight, Nissan invested a whopping 237 billion yen, or approximately $2.2 billion USD, for a 34 percent controlling stake in Mitsubishi Motors.

Thankfully, to the joy of Mitsubishi fans everywhere, this means that the Mitsubishi brand won’t disappear entirely – at least not for now. Nissan CEO, Carlos Ghosn, says he believes in the potential of Mitsubishi Motors, and even goes on to say that despite their controlling stake in the brand, they do not want to overhaul the brand. “We are not going to change Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi is going to change by itself,” Ghosn tells the media. “We are going to support Mitsubishi to do that.”

The Nissan-Mitsubishi infusion is poised to be a win-win for both parties. In addition to giving both brands the opportunity to jointly develop technology and collaborate on purchasing decisions, the move also gives Nissan better access to the Southeast Asia market, an area where they have historically failed to gain traction while Mitsubishi boasts impressive sales numbers. In exchange, Mitsubishi gets their muchneeded boost in cash-flow from Nissan. For now, enthusiasts will have to wait to see where production models from the two brands overlap down the line.

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JDM EVERYTHING

326 POWER 326 Lug Nuts

326Power.co.jp / StanceNation.com 326 Power lug nuts are made with lightweight aluminum in four different length options: super small, small, medium, and large (1.4-inch to 3 5/8-inch). Features the 326 Power logo over a rising sun. Available with either 326 crown caps, or 326 skull caps.

326 POWER Yabaking Mesh

From $2,400 | 326Power.co.jp / StanceNation.com CONSTRUCTION: 2-piece SIZE (in.): 18, 19 WIDTH (in.): 7-12.5

BOLT PATTERN: 5x100, 5x114.3 FINISH: Custom

AIMGAIN

Aimgain GT Body Kit for Nissan GT-R $12,000 | Aimgain.net Designed and manufactured by Aimgain, this wide body kit includes a front bumper, front under spoiler, side under spoiler, rear under spoiler, rear diffu er, front wide fender (50mm wider), rear wide fender (80mm wider) and a rear wing with gurney flap.

AT POWER X BULLETPROOF AUTOMOTIVE Gold Edition Throttle Bodies for R35 GT-R $1,750 | BulletproofAutomotive.com The joint project throttle bodies’ 72-mm diameter provides 59% increase in cross sectional area over OEM. The shaftless technology, as well as the 2-mm knife-edged throttle blade, provide minimal disturbance to airflow. Plug and play install, utilizing standard throttle internals and connections. No aftermarket ECU required. Suitable for all power levels.

CUSCO

Comp-X Gymkhana & Gravel Coilovers From $9,387 | CuscoUSAiNC.com

Designed and manufactured in Japan by D1 Grand Prix driver Takashi Haruyama’s company, Car Modify Wonder, Glare aero kits feature high-quality and durable FRP construction.

Featuring a unique design, the Glare lineup will set your car apart from the crowd.

Strictly designed for professional competition (Rally, Gymkhana, Tarmac, Dirt Trial), this standard coilover suspension features a large piston valve mono-tube shock absorber tailored to take the abuse. The 36-way rebound + 24-way low speed + 24-way high speed compression adjustment makes this an ideal kit for world class professionals.

D-MAX

D-MAX

From $120 | DMAX-CS.com

From $870 | DMAX-CS.com

D1Spec power arms from D-Max are drift-ready and, as you may be able to guess from their name, they live up to the tight standards of D1 drift tech inspection. Just bolt up and abuse as needed.

Straight from one of Japan's most respected aftermarket names, the D-Max coilovers are ready to lock and load for the most hardcore drifting abuse you can throw at it.

CAR MODIFY WONDER

Glare Aero Complete Body Kit for Nissan S13 $1,699.99 | CarModify-Wonder.net

D-MAX D1SPEC Power Arms

D-MAX Coilovers

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ENDLESS

Racing Mono 6 Brake Kit $ 7, 3 3 0 | E n d l e s s U S A . c o m The Racing Mono 6 has been created using several thousand tons of pressurized forging. Four years in the making and after extensive testing in race conditions, Endless has fina ly produced this caliper to achieve their extremely high rigidity and lightness standards. Available for various applications including, but not limited to: R35 GT-R, Skyline, 350z, 370z, Infiniti G35 and G 7.

ENKEI

Enkei Tuning Series TSP-5 Enkei.com CONSTRUCTION: MAT cast SIZE (in.): 17, 18 WIDTH (in.): 8-9.5

BOLT PATTERN: 5x100, 5x112, 5x114.3 FINISH: Silver, Matte Black, Gold

GREDDY

EVOlution GT Exhaust $ 8 7 5 | G R e d d y. c o m The EVOlution GT for the FR-S/BRZ features dual angled Evo mufflers for a stylish and aggressive layout. Large 76mm (3-inch) piping is carefully routed through a large resonator in the midpipe and around the rear differential to a centralized Y-section for even flow.

The system is finished off with p ished piping and GReddy's classic Evo 115mm laser-engraved tip.

ENKEI

Enkei Tuning Series TX5 Enkei.com CONSTRUCTION: MAT cast SIZE (in.): 17, 18 WIDTH (in.): 8-9.5

BOLT PATTERN: 5x100, 5x108, 5x112, 5x114.3, 5x120 FINISH: Platinum Gray, Matte Black

GREDDY

Full Pandem 240Z Widebody Aero Kit $ 3 , 6 0 0 | G R e d d y. c o m TRA Kyoto-designed Pandem widebody Aero Kit for the S30 240Z. A new take on previous years' 240Z Rocket Bunny kits, the Pandem kit appeals to JDM enthusiasts seeking a sleek widebody solution.

HKS

FR-S / BRZ V3 Supercharger Kit From $3,800 | HKSUSA.com The HKS V3 Supercharger kit is an easy way to bolt-on the power to the FR-S and BRZ that it should have come with! Easily make over 250 WHP on pump gas or over 320 WHP on E85.

Choose the optional Flash Editor and skip the hassle of getting your car tuned on a dyno!

JUN MACHINE SHOP

JUN MACHINE SHOP

$1,332.96 | JunAuto.co.jp

$1,614.43 | JunAuto.co.jp

JUN’s connecting rod for the FA20 adopts the I-beam form in the pursuit of lightweight strength. The rod cap and bearing inserts are high strength, preventing any warping or pulling due to inertia and weight of the pistons.

This piston kit was designed by JUN and was made by Capricorn in Germany. The R-series piston kit will be able to install easily in tandem with stock cylinders without machining, because the bore diameter is the same as the stock piston. Made from forged aluminum, these pistons can take a beating, improving compression and durability.

I-Beam Connecting Rod FA20 for BRZ/FRS/GT86

Piston Kit R-Series FA20 for BRZ/FRS/GT86

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JDM EVERYTHING

JUN MACHINE SHOP

ODX

JunAuto.co.jp

ODX.ca

Designed by JUN and made by Capricorn in Germany, the R-series piston kit for the R35 GT-R’s VR38DETT is JUN’s forged aluminum solution for those seeking to build for more power. This high-end piston boasts reliability and performance well into high power numbers for the mighty VR engine.

ODX’s newest 4000 Lumens LED Series offers a fully-adjustable light beam, a removable base, is fan-less and is manufactured with a rugged all-aluminum housing. The use of 8 to 16 LED chips per bulb makes them the most powerful on the market. Every kit is backed up by a 12 year warranty.

Piston Kit R-Series VR38DETT for Nissan GT-R R35

4000 Lumens LED Series headlight bulbs

PASSWORD:JDM

Dry Carbon Fiber Gurney Flap $199.99 | PasswordJDM.com Increase downforce with the full lineup of dry carbon fiber urney flap that conforms to your factory rear spoiler. Available for Honda Civic and Prelude, Acura Integra Type R, Subaru WRX/STi, Mitsubishi Evo X, and MazdaSpeed 3

PASSWORD:JDM

Dry Carbon Fiber Engine Bay Dress Up Kit for 2015+ Subaru WRX STi From $109.99 | PasswordJDM.com Dress up your engine bay with a variety of dry carbon fiber omponents that includes cooling plate, battery box cover, fuse box cover, engine cover, and much more.

READY GO NEXT

Peripheral Port Intake Manifold for 13B 2-Rotor $1,476.60 | Glow-jp.OnlineStores.jp Ready Go Next offers an intake solution for all 13B 2-rotor owners mad enough to opt for peripheral porting. Typically a race-built application, this intake manifold will help your 2-rotor effectively scream high into the 5-digit RPMs for a respectable boost in top end power.

ROWEN

Exhaust System for Mazda MX-5/Miata ND From $1,194.63 | Rowen.co.jp Japanese tuning house, Rowen, steps up to the plate to offer an all-encompassing exhaust system for the fourth generation MX-5/Miata. With quad tips, this exhaust kit promises both beautiful form and promising performance.

SEIBON CARBON

Seibon CSL-Style Carbon Fiber Trunk Lid for 2003-07 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO

ROWEN

Style Kit for Lexus RC-F

$880.00 | SeibonCarbon.com

From $2,939.67 | Rowen.co.jp

Designed by a team with over 15 years of experience working with carbon, comes Seibon Carbon’s hand-crafted Mitsubishi Lancer EVO CSL-style carbon fiber trunk id. Constructed with a consistent weave pattern and crafted to allow exceptional carbon/resin ratio, creating superior stiffness and xtra strength. The trunk lid is finished with a lossy clear coat that does not chip or flake. Shed some unnecessary weight without sacrificing s yle.

Rowen is pulling no punches with their new body kit for the Lexus RC-F. Aiming to make a bold statement, the kit drastically transforms the look of the Japanese luxury sports coupe.

Available in FRP or a carbon fiber ariant, the kit includes a front under spoiler, side step, rear bumper extension and diffu er, and a trunk spoiler.

P A S M A G

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THE ULTIMATE IN ADJUSTABILITY

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E D I T I O N

JDM EVERYTHING

SEIBON CARBON

SSR WHEELS

$580.00 | SeibonCarbon.com

SSR-Wheels.com

Seibon Carbon’s hand-crafted Lexus IS 250/350 F Sport OP-style carbon fiber f ont lip is fabricated with a flawless weave pattern. Crafted by experienced professionals, this lip is finished in a high loss that will not chip or flake. Meticulously crafted to allow a consistent carbon/resin ratio, which creates extra strength, this performance-oriented product will help achieve proper aero-styling and will fit just ike OEM.

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SSR WHEELS

SUMERU

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Seibon OP-Style Carbon Fiber Front Lip for 2014+ Lexus IS F Sport

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Wet Carbon Body Kit for Lexus GS-F The Sumeru body kit for the Lexus GS-F was the first ae o kit debuted for the platform at SEMA 2015. This kit is subtle, yet it transforms the looks of the GS-F. This kit is also available in FRP or dry carbon fiber onstruction. Includes front lip spoiler, side skirts, rear center diffu er and rear side diffu ers.

BOLT PATTERN: Custom FINISH: Custom

SYLVANIA

SCHROTH

$54.99 | Sylvania.com/Auto

$575 | SchrothRacing.com

Enhance your vehicle’s style with ZEVO Pulse, a universal LED product that adds colors to your headlights.

Simple to install, ZEVO Pulse attaches to the outside of the headlight lens and connects directly to any 12-volt source. Using Bluetooth technology, one mobile device can control color and mode of one or multiple systems using the free SYLVANIA ZEVO app.

The newly available Schroth Flex is paving the way for the next generation of head and neck restraint devices. Developed with comfort, fi and flexibility in mind, the device's articulating collar and rate responsive bump stops work independent of your seating angle or position. Designed to work with 2- and 3-inch belts, the Schroth Flex offers a tailored fit or almost every application.

TAKATA RACING

TANABE

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Takata Wallet

Tanabe Medalion Touring – Lexus RC350 F-Sport RWD & AWD Exhaust

$ 5 9 . 9 9 | Ta ka ta R a c i n g . c o m

$ 9 9 0 | Ta n a b e - U S A . c o m

Manufactured by Harvey’s in California, the Takata Wallet is one of the most distinctive wallets on the market. A collaborated effort between Formula Drift and Takata, the wallet is hand made out of the same Takata Green Webbing used in our racing harnesses. More than just green in color, the interior is made out of recycled plastic bottles; Harvey’s way of making sure we can drift for centuries to come. Expect nothing but the best quality, as every wallet comes with a “tough for life guarantee.” Limited production.

P A S M A G

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BOLT PATTERN: 4x100, 5x100, 5x114.3 FINISH: Dark Silver, Flat Black

J A P A N

Tanabe's new axle-back exhaust compliment the aggressive engine note of the RC350 by adding a deeper, more elegant tone, as well as optimizing the exhaust flow for improved power. All Medalion Touring exhaust systems are tested to be under 93 db, utilizing a double walled tip design and Advantex packing material in the muffler.

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E D I T I O N

JDM EVERYTHING TOMEI

Exhaust Manifold for MX-5 Miata NC $ 4 5 0 | To m e i P owe re d . c o m After extensive testing we’re fina ly able to deliver a no-compromise exhaust manifold that offers signifi ant performance gains especially at the top end. The new EXPREME manifold for MX-5 MIATA NC improves upon the stock version in every way.

TANABE

Tanabe Sustec Pro Comfort-R F ro m $ 9 9 0 | Ta n a b e - U S A . c o m The new Sustec Pro CR coilovers are brand new coilovers designed to provide the maximum amount of comfort with a balance of performance and height adjustability. With advanced dampers produced by KYB, the Sustec Pro CR aims to deliver a smooth ride quality without sacrificing st ength or handling.

TOMEI

VR38DETT ‘VALC’ Profile Camshafts $ 4 4 0 | To m e i U S A . c o m Available in a range of specifi ations, the all new 'VALC' profi e VR38DETT camshafts are the latest high performance camshafts from TOMEI USA! The drop-in PONCAM version offers hassle-free performance gains with pre-set valve timing that integrates seamlessly with the factory valvetrain. The higher lift PROCAM version is designed for even higher spec/ power VR38DETT builds with upgraded internals/valvetrain.

VARIS

Kamikaze Z Wide Body Kit for Nissan 370Z F r o m $ 9 , 0 1 7. 2 5 | V a r i s . c o . j p / B u l l e t p r o o f A u t o m o t i v e . c o m The latest 370Z body kit from Varis goes by the name of “Kamikaze Z”, and it looks just as extreme as it sounds. Available in FRP (Kit C), or a carbon fiber and FRP ombination (Kit D), this body kit adds wildly aggressive styling to the 370Z platform.

VARIS

Varis Magnum Opus Cooling Bonnet (Hood) $3,195 | BulletproofAutomotive.com Unveiled at the 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon, the Varis Magnum Opus cooling bonnet / hood features large ducts to quickly evacuate excess heat, as well as add a dramatic, more aggressive look to the RC-F. Available in both a half-carbon fiber ersion, as well as a full VSDC (Varis Semi-Dry Carbon), extra-lightweight option.

VOLK RACING Volk 57FXX CJ Spec M a c k i n - I n d. c o m CONSTRUCTION: Cast SIZE (in.): 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 WIDTH (in.): 6.5-9.5

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BOLT PATTERN: 4x100, 5x100, 5x114.3 FINISH: Rising Red/Rim Flange DC, Dash White/Rim Flange DC

P A S M A G

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BOLT PATTERN: 4x100, 5x100, 5x114.3 FINISH: Black Japanesque (KX)

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BOLT PATTERN: 4x100, 4x114.3, 5x100 FINISH: Pressed Double Black

E D I T I O N

2016-05-24 1:51 PM

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E D I T I O N

JDM EVERYTHING

VOLTEX

Voltex Type 7 GT Wing (Swan Neck) From $2,250 | EvasiveMotorsports.com

VRS

VRS M4 Widebody Kit

Voltex is world-reknowned for their aero design and fabrication. Their latest version GT Wing is hand crafted from carbon fiber and uti izes “swan neck” mounts. Inspired from recent designs from Le Mans Prototype race cars, these wings are designed to maximize downforce while keeping air flow stable underneath the wing foil.

VRS-Aero.com Varis Japan’s Euro-focused brand VRS debuted their widebody kit for the F82 M4 this past November at the 2015 SEMA show. Drawing influence from BMW’s GT race cars, the VRS M4 widebody kit provides some of the most aggressive styling currently available for the F82 platform!

WILLIANS

Bulletproof x Willians FIA 4-point Racing Harness $495 | BulletproofAutomotive.com

The WMD Apparel collection is made to celebrate the diehard drift fan – those who live the lifestyle, not just follow it. Made of 100% pre-shrunk cotton and printed in the USA.

Bulletproof approached Willans to produce the ultimate street & track racing harness for the most discerning drivers. The specifications demanded of this project are identical to the specs found in the Willans produced Nismo racing harnesses, a harness that is used in Japan on both street GT-Rs and full Nismo GT race cars.

Custom configurations and colors are available.

WORK WHEELS

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BOLT PATTERN: Custom FINISH: Custom

YOKOHAMA

YOKOHAMA

Yokohama Advan Racing RS-DF Progressive

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M a c k i n - I n d. c o m CONSTRUCTION: Forged monoblock SIZE (in.): 18 WIDTH (in.): 8-12

M a c k i n - I n d. c o m CONSTRUCTION: Flow-Formed SIZE (in.): 15, 16 WIDTH (in.): 5-7

BOLT PATTERN: 5x100, 5x114.3, 5x112, 5x120 FINISH: TBK: Racing Titanium Black, MHB: Machining & Racing Hyper Black, DBM: Racing Dark Bronze Metallic

P A S M A G

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BOLT PATTERN: 5x100, 5x114.3 FINISH: Silver, Burning Black

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BOLT PATTERN: 4x98, 4x100, 5x100, 5x114.3 FINISH: GBR Racing Gloss Black & Ring, HBR Racing Hyper Black & Ring, IBR Racing Indigo Blue & Ring

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ガイド E D I T I O N

B Y P E T E R K E L LY

Although most readers will have a fairly good understanding, there’s no denying that the term bōsōzoku and the many subcultures that link to it can be c onfusing, and there might be different definitions of each, depending on who y ou speak to.

While we could fill pages with all the different labels and sub-sets, let’s take a brief look at the most commonly referenced terms.

Bosozoku

Zokusha

Kyusha

Zokusha would be a better way to describe what someone might call a Bōsōzoku-style car. The term came about as thanks to the Bōsōzoku’s tendency to modify their cars as they would their bikes - loud, outlandish and extremely in your face. So the term Zokusha simply means “gang car.” or more literally “tribe car.”

The wo d ‘kyusha’ in Japanese simply means ‘old car,’ so this can refer to any nostalgic or classic car – modified or not.

Shakotan

Gurachan

KaidoRacer

The te m ‘shakotan’ translates as “low-down” and can refer to both a car’s ride height, and the specific style of ca , which usually describes ‘80s era cars with stock or subtle fenders, super-low ride height and mega stretched tires (hippari) over small-diameter, but very wide wheels.

Gurachan or Granchan is a term used to describe cars, usually of the ‘70s and ‘80s vintage, that have been styled to resemble the grand championship Super Silhouette racers of the era. That means super-wide, b xy fenders, big body kits and small, wide race-style wheels.

This could be conside ed one step below the all-out crazy that are ‘Kaido Racers.'

Kaido Racer is a term that is not used very much anymore, but it simply means “highway racer” and describes the all-out, over-the-top crazy machines that you’ve no doubt seen videos of on YouTube, with their massive mile-long front splitters, huge fenders and wings and ridiculous exhaust pipes, known as takeyari.

You tend to see a lot of people mocking these cars and their builders online, but people fail to understand that these people aren’t taking themselves seriously - it’s not as though the guys in this scene don’t know the cars are way over the top - that’s why they do it!

Although some people complain about the term’s misuse, you could consider “Bōsōzoku” an overarching description of the lifestyle, the bikes and the cars, and while that wouldn’t be 100 percent accurate, it’s not far off. Bōsōzoku more specifically refers to the bike gangs/clubs that saw a huge upswing in membership during the ‘70s and ‘80s, and practiced a philosophy that can best be described as “f**k society, and f**k the cops.” Though these groups, like the famous Specter and Black Emperor clubs, were often considered part of a feeder system into the big leagues - the Yakuza - the clubs were and still are about the great love for the machinery that helped formed life-long bonds.

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tr. EVENT – カーショー

Cannonba !

TRENDING

WHEN KYUSHA, BŌSŌZOKU & ROCK ‘N ROLL COLLIDE

B Y P E T E R K E L LY | P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y P E T E R K E L LY & TA R Y N C R O U C H E R

This isn’t exac tly news, but... Japan is an odd place .

ers and driving rain on the expressway, only to come to a sudden halt and settle into a good two hours’ worth of standstill traffic outside the venue as the local constabulary wrought havoc. In fairness, it was a far more interest-

W

hile it might be pretty easy

ing experience than your average traffic jam,

to show up to the annual

thanks to all the limiter-bashing cars and

Tokyo Auto Salon, or check

weaving Bōsōzoku riders. We did eventually

out a round of D1G P at

make it through the gates, and after seeing all

Ebisu, many other events

the machinery packed into the car park, not

in Japan require a whole lot more digging to

even the prospect of soggy shoes and satu-

even find out about, let alone attend. Though

rated camera gear could put us off.

things are slowly changing with the wider adoption of Facebook here, a lot of meets are still only promoted in magazines, or by word of mouth. But, if you do your homework, network with the right people and ask enough questions, you could find yourself at an event like the Chiba Cannonball Festival, a heady mix of slammed vintage cars, screaming bikes and greaser rock 'n roll - what you might broadly term as Bōsōzoku culture - held at a convention center somewhere in Chiba Prefecture, north of Tokyo.

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Our day at the Cannonball Festival started off slowly as we battled kei cars, people mov-

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2016-05-24 11:49 AM

Unlike most of the cars at the Cannonball Festival, this beautiful four-door Gloria 230 didn’t have over-fenders so you could really appreciate its natural body shape.

Although “G-Noses” aren’t unheard of in the west, the elongated Fairlady ZG front definitely enjoys more popularity in Japan.

As is so often the case at any

find the most interesting mix of

event, some of the coolest ma-

styles - kyusha, gurachan, zo-

chinery can be found parked up

kusha and shakotan - displayed

outside, and as the bad weather

on a range of makes and models

turned itself into something of

from the ‘70s and ‘80s. With that

an all-out storm, we began check-

said, the most popular choice

ing out some of the incredible

by a long way is anything with

vehicles littered around the huge

a Nissan badge and a barking

area, all while dodging packs of

L-series

weaving bikes, complete with

ing down air through Mikuni

crazy custom paint, huge fairings

sidedrafts under the hood.

straight-six

suck-

and protesting rev limiters. It’s

A few minutes in, it quickly

at events like this one that you’ll

became obvious that this isn’t the sort of event where you’d usually find foreigners, and we

IT’S AT EVENTS LIKE THIS ONE THA T YOU’LL FINDTHE MOST INTERES TINGMIXOF STYLES DISPLAYED ON A RANGE OF MAKES AND MODELS FROM THE ‘70S AND ‘80S.

caught plenty of stares from nearly every group of people we passed. But, as is the norm here in Japan, no matter how sketchy anyone looks, a friendly head nod normally results in a smile

There were plenty of Mazda CD Cosmos in attendance, all of them sporting crazy color schemes and gigantic over-fenders

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2016-05-24 11:49 AM

tr. EVENT This Mazda RX-3 might’ve been the loudest car there. The highly strung rotary and its distinctive pulsing idle could be heard before we even got through the venue gates.

and a nod in return, plus the occasional request for a photo. As a whole, the crowds were older than your average car meet, which is a fairly accurate representation of the culture. Sure, there are plenty of younger people that enjoy the kyusha lifestyle, but the vast majority of attendees were all originals - people that have been immersed in this scene and its cars and bikes since they were wild teenagers. The

Cannonba !

traditional full-blown Bōsōzoku

C10 Skylines, AKA Hakosukas, are rare these days and have skyrocketed in price in recent years, but at big meets like this in Japan you wouldn’t know it. Many have been owned and modified by the same owner for decades, or bought and sold between members of the same club since the ‘70s and ‘80s - back when they were near-worthless.

This style was inspired by the Super Silhouette racers from the Fuji Grand Championship Series back in the late ‘70s to early ’80s (which is why this style is often called garuchan or grachan).

uniform is gone for the most part,

machines have been the work-

now replaced by simple team

horses for these guys and girls

jackets, but the free-running, anti-

since they first got involved in Bo-

establishment motorhead spirit is

sozoku lifestyle, which, for many

still well and truly intact.

of the people in attendance, dates

If you enjoy looking at clean,

back to the movement’s peak in

unmolested classic cars, an event

the ‘70s and ‘80s. It was a time

like the Cannonball Festival prob-

when the literal translation of

ably isn’t for you. Some might call

bōsōzoku - “violent running tribe”

it a travesty to see so many rare

- held a lot of truth, when dan-

and valuable cars in such highly-

gerous feuds between rival clubs

modified states, but icons like

could result in serious conse-

the Hakosuka and Kenmeri Sky-

quences. Although the volatile na-

lines just aren’t viewed the same

ture of the scene has since dimin-

way in this community. These

ished, the clubs and their vehicles are most definitely still around, with most having a presence at the Cannonball Festival, including

This S30 Fairlady is known as the ‘Muto Z.’ The original owner of this car was one of the elders of an infamous bike gang, but he passed away not long ago.

Some credit him as being a core influencer of the gurachan-style movement.

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two of the biggest rivals - Specter and Black Emperor. The latter of which is the subject of a famous documentary filmed in the ‘70s called G od Speed You! Black Emperor - check it out on YouTube if you’ve got a few hours to kill.

E D I T I O N

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2016-05-10 10:32 AM

Cannonba !

tr. EVENT

There was no shortage of Kenmeri (C110) Skylines; this was just one of many beautiful examples.

One super-low Hakosuka with a race-inspired livery, big fenders and rare Japanese wheels is cool enough, but how about five? These guys rolled up together as a team.

Touring car drivers and their cars were the heroes of the era, and as such, tribute liveries like this are common.

This Kenmeri Skyline livery is probably the most commonly seen, though interestingly, it’s the one livery of the era that never actually saw any racing, thanks to the KPGC110 GTR’s sudden production halt due to the oil crisis of the late ‘70s.

but with inch-perfect vehicles and dancing rock ‘n rollers replacing the gum-chewing shirtless dudes This clean four-door C110 Skyline (Yonmeri) runs a well-executed long-nose bonnet conversion, sparkly magenta paint and very rare Hayashi Yayoi wheels. The owner had also driven all the way from Shikoku for the event - a casual 11-hour journey.

and overflowing trash cans we’re more used to. Here you could spend a little more time going over the cars without having to worry about being taken out by a passing mile-wide bike fairing. These were the kyusha machines we had come here to see, and it perfectly represented what makes this culture so great. Everything was there, and everything was appreciated equally - full-blown race Starlets, stock-

We could have spent hours

fendered and beautifully restored

Daikoku PA, Fuji Speedway and

traipsing around the car park

Yonmeri Skylines, slammed ‘80s

your favorite workshops - but, if

looking at tough street-driven

granchan Toyotas, plenty of way-

you want to see something dif-

Zs, Skylines, Laurels and a smat-

out-of-the-box extreme bodywork

ferent, something a little less

tering of Toyota and Mazda ma-

and of course, a treasure trove of

exposed to the western world,

chinery, but at some point we

rare and expensive vintage wheel

put some effort in, travel off the

had to go inside, where the show-

porn. Whatever your taste, this

beaten path and find yourself an

quality builds were to be found.

scene has something for you.

event like the Chiba Cannonball

The scene could be likened to

If you ever decide to visit Japan;

a western summer music festival,

sure, hit all the usual spots like

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L6-powered Nissans - Zs, Skylines, Glorias and Laurels - definitely rule the scene here, and outnumber their Toyota and Mazda rivals by at least three to one. This particular high-comp motor is stroked to 3.1-liters and runs big 50-mm Mikuni Solex carbs.

Festival. It might just turn out to be the highlight of your trip.

E D I T I O N

2016-05-24 11:47 AM

Untitled-2 1

2016-04-29 4:53 PM

tr. EVENT – カーショー

TRENDING

r D i f t 1 D at

Odaiba ALL THE SLIDING AND DRAMA THAT HAPPENED UNDER THE 1:1 GUNDAM STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM ZILLIN

Round one of the 2016 D1 drift series kicked off as usual at the tight and technical c onfines of the Odaiba venue, just outside central T okyo. On behalf of the readers of P ASMAG and Toyo Tires as one of the sport’s main sponsors, I was there to cover the main event.

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A

s a guest of Toyo, I received special access to the Trust R35 compound, and as you’ll see else-

where in the magazine, some quality time with Kawabata-san, who endured my 20 questions just for you guys.

E D I T I O N

2016-05-24 11:52 AM

The main event itself is typically held on the Saturday instead of Sunday, with the main prizes being handed out for top 16 finishers that evening. In a weekend full of surprises, some more expected that others, both Masato Kawabata and Daigo Saito squared off against each other in the final.

Kawabata in particular, looking to put his stamp firmly on the 2016 championship and Saito, with new sponsor, the Chinese rubber manufacturer Wanli, now in the mix after quitting Formula D at the end of 2015.

It was a final that saw Saito emerge victorious, but not without contention from certain ranks of the establishment. With the competition concluded, the drivers lined up in front of the judges for the presentation and it was clear that Kawabata was furious with Saito; hands on hips and throwing well placed glares at the former teacher while the two traded words.

With a very close first run under the belt and even splitting in the judges’ points allocation, during their second run, Saito, who led out, appeared to lift off midcorner, whereby Kawabata was forced into a spin, thereby handing the second run and overall victory to Saito.

In defeat, Kawabata was phlegmatic about the outcome, but the true extent of the 2016 rivalry is only now just starting to play out. Now that Saito is back for the full season, one can only wonder what we will see in the rounds to come.

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tr. EVENT

The semi-finals produced an

NEITHER extremely popular and unlikely COMPETITOR protagonist in Yusuke Kusaba in his D-Max sponsored SEEMED TO who, Onevia, managed an impresGIVE AN sive string of wins through the INCH ACROSS preceding rounds against Tomokazu Hirota and Yusuke Kitaoka THREE to go heads up against KawaTHRILLING bata in the second of the semiRUNS, WITH finals. It wasn’t meant to be for the grinning “Bucky,” as the raw BOTH DRIVERS power of the Trust R35 simply ON EACH overwhelmed the Onevia, but it well deserved and a first for OTHER’S DOOR was Yusuke in D1 to reach that level.

HANDLES, PUNCH FOR PUNCH.

In the other semi-

was a spectacle of sorts, but

final, Saito, having

was punctuated by some ma-

dispatched a valiant

jor changes within - tweaks to

and popular Tetsuya

the scoring system and tire al-

Hibino in the JZA80

location easy to see - but with

Supra

the

even fewer rounds on offe and

quarter-final round,

a number of noticeable absenc-

squared off against

es from the driver lineup, one

Hideyuki Fujino in

has to wonder where D1 is ac-

the 180SX. Hibino,

tually heading. Scoring issues

it must be said, suf-

aside (which have plagued

fered as a result of

drift for years), the obvious

a poor second run,

lack of international drivers

handing an easy win to Saito.

present was in stark contrast

Fujino, on the other hand, proved

to years previous, with all but

a much tougher opponent, keep-

Daychapon Toyingcharoen ab-

ing Kawabata honest in what was

sent from the event.

during

an inferior car on top-end power into and out of corners.

In a sport that seems to be struggling with identity and

Undoubtedly, the battle of the

stagnating in growth, one

tournament took place between

tends to think D1 and drifting

Daigo Saito and Naoto Suenaga in

in general needs all the help

the Team Orange S15 Silvia. Nei-

it can get if it is to survive as

ther competitor seemed to give an

a legitimate, open-minded and

inch across three thrilling runs,

progressive-thinking

with both drivers on each other’s

national top class formula for

door handles, punch for punch.

budding drivers to aspire to.

inter-

In closing, the opening round

While the action may often

to the 2016 campaign in Odaiba

be thrilling, the sport of D1, as a whole, seems far too closed as a society for those outside the country to appreciate on a consistent basis, not least of all due to restrictive media regulations allowing only the inner sanctum of Japanese media cartel to head proceedings in media output, which

Dr D1 at ift

Odaiba

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in turn, leads to detrimental effects for fans of the sport all over the globe. We can only hope for change and an even better event next year!

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MA KAW A

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M ASATO W ABATA GETTING TO KNOW THE GT-R-SLIDING D1 CHAMP STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM ZILLIN

E D I T I O N

It’s not every day you get to sit down with a D1 champ and pick his brain with a bunch of questions; some trick ier than others, but that’s exactly what I did when Toyo Tires invited me to lunch with Masato Kawabata at the 2016 D1 kickoff event in Odaiba.

I

f you know anything about Masato Kawabata and D1 in particular, you’ll know he worked for and drove a GP-Sports-sponsored 180SX during what many consider to be the golden age of D1. I asked Kawabata to sum up the experience.

“When I fi st started as an employee with GP Sports, I worked my way into becoming a contracted driver and Toyo Tires was, at that time, on board with the team as a supplier, so it was natural to be working together, but my relationship with GP Sports and Toyo is now very much a separate thing.”

On a more sober front, many of you will know that D1 lost a great competitor and fellow S13 driver in Atsushi Kuroi back in 2010 after a motorcycle accident. Kawabata-san and Kuroi-san had been close friends. I asked him to sum up the relationship.

“When I was just a high school student, at the age of 18, I took

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on a part time job at a gas station where I met Kuroi-san.

We hung out together a lot after that, drifted together and became good friends. From the time we met, he was always something of an important teacher to me and I miss him being involved in the sport always.”

Putting aside the personal tragedy for a while, I asked what made drifting so interesting to the young Kawabata.

“When I was in junior high school, I used to watch F1 and Group A racing, and that was cool, but when I was 13, I saw my fi st drifting video and it immediately left a huge impact on me. I couldn’t stop thinking about it after that.”

One of the natural follow-up questions in response to that was to ask about the Drift King, Keiichi Tsuchiya.

Kawabata went on to say, “He was a huge influence on me and would sometimes come to visit me at competitions to see how I was getting on.

We have been mutual friends since those days.”

Crucially, motorsport is something that is passed from generation to generation and Kawabata said on the passing of the torch, “The most important matter right now is that there is a big decline in young people’s interest in what we do, so I encourage them to make friends with those who are into motorsport and cars or those that participate with and tune them.”

So, what exactly had changed about the sport from when Kawabata was a young person interested in drifting?

“A lot has changed. Primarily it involves a huge increase in technology, which affects power and handling, but the same applies to driving technique with drivers getting closer and closer every year in battle."

When I pressed on what hadn’t changed, Kawabata stated unequivocally that, “… the feeling is still there. Pulling off a killer drift is still an awesome feeling, being in battle still gives the same rush and the energy from the spectators is alive and well. We simply want to put on a good show.”

2016-05-24 11:52 AM

MASATO KAWABATA

E D I T I O N

GETTING TO KNOW THE GT-R-SLIDING D1 CHAMP

One question I really wanted to ask Kawabata related to his massive accident at Fuji with Daigo Saito and how it affected him. He refle ted that, “...nothing really changed. I wasn’t afraid since I wasn’t aware of the moment, so getting back into a car was no issue, but the remorse, and even guilt I had, when I realized the car was totaled was heavy enough.”

So were there no reservations then, I wondered?

“Of course I have reservations, but I can’t hold back. If I do, everything else suffers, so I have to have trust and have faith in myself that I can push through that (psychological) barrier.”

Naturally, safety is and will always be an important topic in D1 (or any motorsport for that matter) so I wanted to pick the champ’s brain on the subject…

“There have been a lot of safety improvements regarding roll cage construction, which has defin tely helped.

We also have many more officials n w than ever before and the process of safety is an ongoing one, naturally.”

One question that predictably caused a little discomfort involved Keiichi Tsuchiya and Daijiro Inada’s split from D1 back in 2010. I asked, “Do you think that D1 is better off with or without them?”

“Personally, I feel that it would be better for them to be among us because they are founders of the sport and their acknowledgment is important, but there are a lot of factors that currently prevent that.”

Knowing how important this discussion had become, I pressed further and asked what the biggest factor might be. With a laugh, Kawabata continued, “There’s a difference in perception between the goals of D1 and Tsuchiya’s personal goals.”

Heady stuff. Without wishing to derail the current line of thinking, I asked Masato what his personal goals for the sport were.

“I feel that while (speaking specifically about D1) driver techniques are evolving, the judging is still lacking and has a long way to go. That’s what seems to be holding things back. We have to do better in points allocation and in creating technology (hardware and software) that better measures our performance.”

I then moved onto the comparison between Formula D and D1.

“Formula D is about speed and power.

The judging is also interesting in that it involves three guys who evaluate different aspects of the performance, so it might be an easier sport for fans to understand.”

Personally, I feel that it would be better for them to be among us because they are founders of the sport and their acknowledgment is important, but there are a lot of factors that currently prevent that.

To add the cherry to the icing on this cake for that question, I asked what are Kawabata’s thoughts on a global championship?

“It would be great to have such a thing, but those involved are people running small companies so they might not be at the right level to create the regulations around it. Of course, we need standardized global regulations that work for every level of the sport, but it hasn’t happened yet because we simply aren’t ready.”

Pressing on with what I knew to be a highly contentious issue, I wanted to know what Kawabata thought on how the sport could be made “fairer” for competitor and spectator alike.

“There’s defin tely room for improvement. Right now, we are using what is referred to as a D.O.S.S. It stands for D1 Original Scoring System. The tech is not where it needs to be right now.”

So, what are the drawbacks?

“One of the major drawbacks is that, in a tandem run, the D.O.S.S data applies only to the lead car and the chase car is then subject to judge opinion and not hard data. I feel that the tech has a long way to go.”

It is beyond doubt that drifting is still in its infancy with responses like this from one of its biggest ever competitors, but every competitor needs some down time and I asked what Kawabata does to unwind.

“I love to sleep.”, came the dead pan response.

“Is it safe to say that your hobby is sleeping?”, I joked.

Kawabata quipped that, “Oh of course not only that - I love working on my own cars, too! I have a Silvia, a 180SX and a Celica.”

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Perhaps the biggest question for fans of the champion is whether or not he would like to, or is going to compete in Formula D. His answer was absolute. “Defin tely.

I want to be the world’s best.”

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2016-05-31 4:31 PM

FASTEST DRIFT

EVER

IN APRIL, 2016, KAWABATA PULLED OFF THE FASTEST DRIFT IN HISTORY THUS FAR. PILOTING A NISMO GT-R TUNED BY GREDDY TRUST, KAWABATA SLID INTO A 189.49 MILE PER HOUR (304.96 KM/H) DRIFT THAT SMASHED THE LAST WORLD RECORD BY 54.05 MPH (85.99 KM/H).

SHINGO NAKAGAMI PART 2: MECHANICAL ENGINEER

With the interview with Kawabata-san finished, it was time to spend a few questions with Shingo Nakagami, one of the people behind the mechanical aspects of the fire-breathing D1 GT-R beast.

Last year, you launched the Trust Toyo Tires R35 D1 machine. What was behind the decision to use this platform over others?

“We had built cars like the Silvia in the past, but the timing was right for a car like an R35 because we were already developing parts for the platform on multiple levels so it makes sense to use it in competition as well, right?”

He continued, “I’m sure you know how special the GT-R brand is to people in general. Even though we did evaluate other platforms, the passion that embodies the GT-R brand was a major factor in the decision to run an R35.”

1,000 reliable horsepower with the mods we have for it.

For us to try and squeeze that out of an RB26DETT… it would have put way too much stress on the engine and reliability, as well as drivability, would have suffered as a result.”

While talking about engines, I was curious to find out whether or not they run different turbos for different tracks.

“Well, we’ve optimized the

car for the full season now, having spent last year going through a range of different turbo sizes. Right now, we have a setup we can use pretty much anywhere, including tighter places like Odaiba. The turbos are actually smaller now, but more efficie t and still produce the same power.”

Amazingly, even with smaller turbos than last year, the car can still

I wanted to know more about what was underneath the car itself, so I asked about the main mechanical merits.

“The engine is the biggest factor. Trust already manufactures a load of parts for the VR38DETT, but it’s equally important to realize that our current engine easily makes

So besides the engine, what else were standouts for the build?

“The R35 chassis itself is special. Despite being a little heavy, the rigidity is amazing; even when completely stock, which our car is. There’s absolutely no fl x at all.”

In conclusion, I wondered what all this muscle weighed in at?

“It comes in at around 1,300 kilograms. Even with 1,200 horsepower, we don’t need to modify the chassis. You might be surprised to learn that even G T3-spec R35 bodies are neither seam- nor spot-welded!”

On behalf of PASMAG, I would like to thank the kind and generous people of Toyo Tires and Trust for their time and enlightening discussion.

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make in excess of 1,200 horsepower! I wanted to know how drivability was affected as a result.

“Last year’s setup gave the engine a very peaky powerband and made it more difficult to drive, but these new turbos extend the torque curve and make it easier on the throttle at low RPM. Boost comes on much earlier now.

The response is totally different and we even increased reliability as a result.”

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IS THIS THE CLEANEST AE86 IN THE WORLD? S T O R Y & P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y P E T E R K E L LY

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This is the sort of place that you’d blow straight past in a matter of seconds, without so much as a second thought. You wouldn’t even stop here for a snack at a convenience st ore, because, well, there isn’t one. Hidden in this small farming community near Gobo in Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture, surrounded by muddy rice paddies and lush green forest, you can find a small, nondescript grey building, not unlike the hundreds of thousands of other nondescript grey buildings dotted across rural Japan.

There is no sign above the roller door, no tell-tale stacks of used semislicks sitting outside and no patchwork of oil stains on the pavement out front, but make no mistake; automotive magic takes place here .

This is the home of Inazuma Worx.

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hirty-three-year-old Ikeda Masataka is the brain and the hands behind Inazuma Worx. He’s the sort of guy that, despite not speaking a word of english, manages to make you feel welcome in his shop with a wry smile and a nod, even if his sharp features and traditional top knot hairstyle make it hard not to picture him as a hardened samurai warrior, had he not been born a few hundred years

too late. Ikeda-san has always loved Toyota’s iconic AE86, and he’s owned and built dozens of

特集

them since turning 18, enough to warrant eventually opening his small business. Inazuma Worx is split into two workshops; a pristine body and paint shed and the more traditional mechanical workshop around the back. Inazuma translates as ‘thunder’ in Japanese, and is Ikeda-san’s nod to the Trueno and Levin nomenclature, which is ‘thunder’ in spanish and ‘lightning’ in middle english, respectively.

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2016-05-24 12:07 PM

not until you take a closer look that you begin to understand the quality of craftsmanship involved.

Ikeda-san stripped the car right back and worked from a bare-metal shell, slowly but surely restoring the body to a state far beyond Amidst all those Hachi-Rokus

This is probably about the right time to address the elephant in the room for those who know their 86s and are screaming “how?!” For the nonHachi-Roku nerds; these cars run a solid beam rear axle, which means you will never see any form of camber out back, unless you’re looking at Ikeda-san’s car of course, which now houses an entire S15 Silvia rear end under its ass.

what Toyota would have required

bought, built and sold over the

back in 1983 come final inspe -

years, Ikeda-san picked up one

tion time - it’s millimeter-perfect

particular example about a decade

from front to back. The panels are

ago; a genuine panda-scheme

dead-straight, and the paintwork

1983 Zenki Sprinter Trueno, com-

can best be described as incred-

plete with reddy-orange interior;

ibly crisp to look at in person.

the most desirable 86 combina-

Peek through the glass and that

tion, thanks to a certain anime and

famous so-ugly-it’s-beautiful

it’s choice of tofu delivery vehicle.

interior remains, though a few

“The car looked really bad,”

small improvements have been

Ikeda-san explains. “I bought it

made with the addition of neces-

for ¥100,000 [around $1,000] and

sary instrumentation, a supportive

the exterior was not good, but

driver’s seat and electric windows

it doesn’t matter what it looked

pulled from a later Zenki 86.

like on the outside, because the

This is probably about the right

chassis itself was perfect - that’s

time to address the elephant in

what’s important.”

the room for those who know their

Ikeda-san slowly began working

86s and are screaming “how?!”

on his Panda 86 in between other

For the non-Hachi-Roku nerds;

projects, and while those other

these cars run a solid beam rear

cars would be aggressive, super-

axle, which means you will never

loud, super-wide weapons like his

see any form of camber out back,

“other” current 86, a widebody jet-

unless you’re looking at Ikeda-

black monster used for touge driv-

san’s car of course, which now

ing and track days, this machine

houses an entire S15 Silvia rear

would be built to show that you

end under its ass.

don’t need all that aero bravado to

“It was a very difficult job.”

build an amazing Hachi-Roku. You

Ikeda-san says. “The Silvia is a lot

simply need precise, attention-to-

wider and I wanted to run wide,

detail perfection.

low-offset wheels, so I spent

At fi st glance, the Panda 86 is somewhat unassuming, and it’s

a long time measuring, getting everything right and fabricating parts to make it work. I built it all off the car and then installed it and the suspension now works as it should... But tire wear is probably not going to be so great.”

Ikeda-san is also well aware that the excessive camber he’s dialed into the Panda isn’t great for handling either, but that is what his other is 86 for. This machine was built as a pure show-worthy streeter that sits super low over super-wide (and straight-up gorgeous) SSR Longchamp wheels,

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all without the help of a bodykit to

ECU now controls the individual

certainly isn’t supposed to be

big-winged monster of a car. It’s

make it look lower than it is.

coilpacks, and the loom has been

hidden from view. Go on, pick up

subtle, refined and surprisingly

routed through the crossmember

your phone right now and find an

quiet (though the lumpy idle does

sion to IRS is, it’s the engine bay,

to hide it from sight. With every-

image of a stock AE86 engine bay

tend to give a few things away)

where the concept of minimalism

thing else either being deleted or

and compare.

and yet, it might just be the best,

and simplicity reigns supreme,

relocated - the wiper motor, brake

that is undoubtedly the star of

booster, master cylinders - the

to someone standing in front of

in the world. Not that you could

this car. Though the 86 is still

entire bay was then shaved and

this engine bay and asking: “does

ever tell someone like Ikeda-san

4A-GE-powered, the forged,

reshaped to absolute perfec-

this thing actually run?” But stand

that, he’d simply smile politely

high-compression engine build is

tion. Sure, the obvious things like

there long enough, and you’ll start

and shake his head, then go back

based around a newer generation

the perfectly flat firewall stand

to really appreciate the artistry

to his workshop in the middle of

20-valve version (from the AE111

out, but look closely at the little

and the craftsmanship involved in

nowhere to settle into another few

Levin) sucking down air through

touches - the strut towers and

creating something like this.

years spent creating pure automo-

a set of beautiful FCR motorbike

inner arches aren’t supposed to

carbs. An Australian Haltech

be symmetrical, and the radiator

As impressive as the conver-

At face-value, this all equates

This Hachi-Roku is not a

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1983 TOYOTA SPRINTER TRUENO (AE86) OWNER: Ikeda Masataka BUILT BY: Inazuma Worx LOCATION: Gobo, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan ENGINE:

Toyota 4A-GE 20-valve 1.6L I-4

HORSEPOWER: 200hp

DRIVELINE ∂ Toyota T50 5-speed gearbox ∂ Exedy Super Single clutch ∂ Tomei Nissan Silvia S15 2-way 4.3 final LSD ∂ Nissan Silvia S15 axles ∂ Custom shortened

Toda (forged high-comp 82-mm pistons, 288/288 cams, HD valve springs, adjustable cam pulleys, 0.8-mm metal gasket) ∂ Rising H-beam lightweight connecting rods ∂ Ported & polished head ∂ Keihin FCR 41-mm carburetors ∂ Haltech ignition ECU ∂ Nismo fuel pump ∂ Individual coilpack conversion ∂ Alloy race radiator ∂ Custom (billet intake manifold, full bay shave & wire tuck, wiper motor tuck, radiator tuck, symmetrical inner fenders, reshaped strut towers, radiator support)

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION ∂ Inazuma Works (custom coilovers, adjustable suspension arms) ∂ Nissan Silvia S15 (rear subframe, rear IRS suspension system) ∂ Custom

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fenders

pillow ball camber plates

INTERIOR ∂ Nardi Classic 330-mm steering wheel ∂ Works Bell quick release ∂ Bride Zeta III driver’s seat ∂ Sabelt harness ∂ Defi gauges (water temp, oil temp, oil pressure, exhaust temp, voltage) ∂ Innovate gauges (AFR, fuel pressure) ∂ Toyota Kouki electric windows ∂ Custom rear floor

WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES

∂ SSR Longchamp wheels – 15x9 -27 (f), 15x10 -42 (r) ∂ Toyo T1R tires - 195/45 R15 (f/r) ∂ Endless (brake calipers, rotors)

exhaust manifold, 2.5-inch stainless exhaust system)

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EXTERIOR ∂ Toyota (Zenki splitter, Zenki mud flaps) ∂ Panda scheme paint respray ∂ “Pumped” factory

driveshaft

EXHAUST SYSTEM ∂ Inazuma Works muffler ∂ Custom (stainless

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tive perfection.

monstrous, flame-belching,

ENGINE MODIFICA TIONS ∂ 12.5:1 compression ratio ∂ Blueprinted block ∂ 特集

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Goldzill THE ARTISAN JEWEL OF JAPANESE CAR CULTURE

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STORY BY ADAM GORDON PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN-CRISTOPHE PEPINO

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Pushing the envelope in the automotive aftermarket of today’s world requires some outside-the-box thinking, especially if you want to make a breakthrough in style.

These breakthroughs are often surrounded by controversy, which can help the proje ct garner attention and go viral.

Take this Kuhl Racing and ARTIS collaboration proje ct for example.

In 2014, Kuhl Racing partnered with Izawa Takahiko of ARTIS, a J apanese cust om paint artist, to put together a Toyota GT86 with an intrica tely engraved silver metal paint job , seemingly taking a page out of the classic l owriders playbook for inspiration. The proje ct garnered a little bit of a buzz and a few customer inquiries for both Kuhl Racing and Izawa, but after a while, they both decided they needed to take the idea to the big leagues.

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2016-05-24 12:10 PM

Goldzill

T

heir next step forward was an engraved silver Nissan GT-R, revealed at the 2015 SEMA show to a mixed bag of reactions from fans.

Between Kuhl Racing’s wild body kit design and Izawa’s ARTIS paint and engraving work, the GT-R had been radically reimagined. The project gained a significant amount of attention among automotive media and enthusiasts alike, both good and bad, but there was still more to come from the Kuhl-Izawa partnership. For

RESEMBLING A FINE WATCH OR LUXURIOUS GOLD JEWELRY, IT IS TRULY A WORK OF AUTOMOTIVE ART IN THE MOST LITERAL SENSE.

their third and most recent engraved project, Kuhl Racing developed their magnum opus, a second version of their extreme GT-R body kit, once again to be fit on a car designed in partnership with Izawa Takahiko.

Takahiro Kataoka, the boss at Kuhl Racing, designs the body kits himself. Having previously done full kits for the Mazda MX-5, Toyota GT86, Suzuki Swift, and Prius models, he had certainly amassed a respectable amount of experience before tackling the GT-R project. The end result of several years of experience and expertise is one of the most wildly eccentric body kits available for the GT-R, which quickly became one of the Japanese shop’s most popular products. With the popularity of their version one kit rising after the debut of the silver GT-R, the team knew they had to go above and beyond with the

Both share the same front and

niques. Enter Izawa Takahiko. To

craftsmanship on Goldzilla’s version two.

rear fenders, as well as a stylish

achieve the show-stopping look

At the 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon, Kuhl Racing

custom swan-neck GT wing, but

that both sides of the partner-

and ARTIS revealed one of the most intricately

the gold iteration differentiates

ship were looking for, the custom

designed GT-Rs of all time. Their in-house

itself with the help of brand new

engraving of the body was taken

version 2 body kit is a drastic alteration to

front and rear bumpers with some

a step above that of their previous

the R35’s body styling on its own, but the

wildly aggressive styling cues.

projects. Where the silver GT-R of

kit is only the beginning of a long list of

For the crew at Kuhl Racing,

the previous year’s SEMA show

customized touches and details. The second

modification of this project was

was selectively engraved, the gold

version of the kit shares some similarities

intended to showcase Japanese

version would be engraved top-to-

with the predecessor kit of the previous year.

“delicate and high quality” tech-

bottom and front-to-back. Almost every square inch of exposed body was met with Izawa’s skilled hand and scalpel.

Carving intricate patterns as deep as these into FRP panels is one thing, but working with aluminum and steel parts presented its own challenge. “We could carve deep into bumpers made of FRP, but it was impossible

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Goldzill on aluminum and steel. We learned

carving by hand, so this is a real

by trial and error and finally used

challenge to make it symmetrical!”

a thick layer of putty," recalls

After presumably hundreds

Kataoka, thinking back to some

of hours of engraving work

of the project’s early challenges,

completed over an impressive

refle ts in every direction. The bodywork and

such as Izawa needing to make

two-week timespan, the GT-R

paint combination could be examined in detail

a custom putty to engrave into.

went in for eight layers of paint,

for hours on end, as any onlooker is sure to get

“We tried many types of putty,

which starts with a silver metallic

lost in its intricacy. Resembling a fine

and selected the best one which

coat as a base. The final esult is

or luxurious gold jewelry, it is truly a work of

kept the original shape even after

an eye-popping, shimmering gold

automotive art in the most literal sense.

engraving. Also," he adds, “we are

paint that catches the light and

atch

Off-the-shelf wheels just weren’t an option for a build so heavily focused on custom style, so a special forged set of one-off wheels were commissioned through WORK Wheels Japan’s Special Order Program, SION. The wheel design was taken directly from a drawing by Kataoka, and turned into an aggressive looking set of concave 21-inch WORK Wheels. Other neat custom touches include Lexus RC-F LED projectors, beautifully retrofitted for the GT-R headlight housings. Kataoka was never really blown away by the GT-R’s factory headlights, and has been modifying them since the first engraved GT-R was in the shop. With his flawless fitting of the Lexus lights, the car’s look is taken that extra step further into genuine artisanship.

Setting the golden GT-R even further apart from its silver predecessor required some engine work in addition to the artisanal craftsmanship. Thankfully, Kuhl Racing is pretty handy when it comes to tuning. Where you once

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Goldzill

opened the hood to a mostly stock motor on the

panels and other Kuhl Racing products,

silver GT-R, you are now met with Kuhl’s custom

suggesting that ARTIS Izawa’s involvement

turbo setup, which utilizes a pair of GTX3076R

with Kuhl projects is far from over.

turbochargers. With the help of some other

The pair have already informed us that

Kuhl Racing goodies, 800 horses bellow the

they expect to experiment with a metal and

VR38DETT’s signature song out of a handmade

candy paint combination for their next project,

tri-tip exhaust, which is integrated into a center-

reaching further into the low-rider styles of

exit within the massive rear diffuser.

yesteryear for influence. They also tell us they

Part of good artisanship is knowing when to

have big plans for Acura’s next-generation

put the tools down, so for now, this spectacular

NSX, intending to design and fabricate

build is done. In the short time since the car

a comprehensive body kit, which will also

has seen the spotlight, it has certainly carved

receive Izawa’s special touch. Until their next

its mark into the automotive world. Inquiries

project, you can catch the Goldzilla at this

have been pouring in at Kuhl Racing, and they

year’s SEMA show. We plan on getting lost in

will soon be selling engraved wings, interior

the details for a little while, ourselves.

2012 Nissan GT-R ENGINE: Nissan VR38DETT twin-turbo 3.8L V6 HORSEPOWER: 800 hp BUILT BY: Kuhl Racing & ARTIS

ENGINE ∂ Custom turbo system w/ twin GTX3076R turbochargers ∂ Custom Kuhl Racing (aluminum intake piping, aluminum breather tank) ∂ Tial wastegate ∂ Trust (intercooler kit, surge tank, injectors, transmission oil cooler) ∂ Koyo radiator

EXHAUST ∂ Kuhl Racing (stainless steel exhaust system, titanium muffler)

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION ∂ Airrex digital air suspension kit ∂ MCR front upper control arms

WHEELS/TIRES/BRAKES ∂ Work SION custom forged wheels – 21x11.5 -30 (f), 21x12.5 -70 (r) ∂ Yokohama Advan Sport tires – 255/35R21 (f), 295/30R21 (r)

EXTERIOR ∂ Kuhl Racing (Full Version 2 wide body kit, front fenders, rear fenders, swan neck GT wing) ∂ ARTIS Izawa custom engraving ∂ ARTIS Izawa original metal gold paint ∂ Kuhl Racing custom retrofitted RC-F triple angel eyes LED projectors

INTERIOR ∂ Recaro bucket seats

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W AT C H O N

2016 SEASON SCHEDULE ROUND 01

ROUND 05

JPN ROUND 01

APRIL 8-9 LONG BEACH, CA.

JULY 15-16 MONTREAL, CANADA

MARCH 12-13 MIE, JAPAN

ROUND 02

ROUND 06

JPN ROUND 02

MAY 6-7 ATLANTA, GA.

AUGUST 5-6 MONROE, WA

MAY 21-22 FUKUSHIMA, JAPAN

ROUND 03

ROUND 07

JPN ROUND 03

STREETS OF LONG BEACH - LONG BEACH GP COURSE

ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP - ROAD ATLANTA

CANADA - AUTODROME ST. EUSTACHE

THROWDOWN - EVERGREEN SPEEDWAY

SUZUKA TWIN CIRCUIT

EBISU NISHI CIRCUIT

UNCHARTED TERRITORY - ORLANDO SPEEDWAY

SHOWDOWN - TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

SEPTEMBER 9-10 FORT WORTH, TX.

AUGUST 20-21 OKAYAMA, JAPAN

ROUND 04

ROUND 08

JPN ROUND 04

JUNE 17-18 WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ.

OCTOBER 7-8 IRWINDALE, CA.

OCTOBER 15-16 SHIGA, JAPAN

JUNE 3-4 ORLANDO, FL.

THE GAUNTLET - WALL SPEEDWAY

FINAL FIGHT - IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY

OKAYAMA INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT

OKUIBUKI STREET

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5/11/16 11:54 PM 2016-05-13 4:49 PM

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THE AMBULANCE THAT PEOPLE ARE DYING TO GET INTO

BY MICKY SLINGER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN-CHRISTOPHE PEPINO

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Usually, when you spot an ambulance, you’re jo stling to get out of its way.

Move over to the side of the road, wait for the lights to pass and hope that whoever they’re going to retrieve or drop off is going to be okay.

But WIZ Custom Builder has taken the idea of the helpful ambulance and turned it on its head. If this low-riding Caravan were to come rolling up behind me, sirens blaring, I’d be pulling over to hop out of my car and head into the middle of the street in hopes of them plowing me over and picking me up so I could spend some time in the aptly-named “Danger Ambulance,” instead of pulling over to get out of its way.

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S

o, what exactly

WIZ’s VW Beetle, which had been

is it about the

chopped and converted to an

WIZ Custom’s

electric drivetrain, won an award

ambulance that

for best concept!

have people

For Tokyo Auto Salon 2016,

dying (I am both proud and sorry

WIZ’s group of eight students

about this joke) to get into it? To

(vehicle production members) and

begin to understand the cool fac-

two teachers (vehicle production

tor this vehicle has, let’s start at

masterminds) chose a 1988 Nissan

the beginning – the builders. WIZ

Caravan as their vehicular canvas

Custom Builder is a unique shop

to turn into a spiced up ambulance.

in the fact that all of its projects

And while one may wonder why

are built by a team of students and

an enormous utility van from the

their teachers. That’s right, the

late ‘80s would be the choice here,

Caravan you see here was built a

especially considering all that’s

class project. Makes you feel so

available over in magical JDM land,

much worse about the time you

I, for one, am so glad they didn’t

spent in school, right?

go with a Supra or GT-R and did

WIZ is a school dedicated to car mechanics, maintenance and modific tion. Students are taught

something different. It just makes the build all that more special.

With the Caravan carrying the

the basics during their initial

Nissan nameplate and having an

years enrolled in the school, with

FR layout, like most of Nissan’s

the option to move on to more

most popular tuning platforms,

complicated areas, like tuning and

WIZ wasn’t afraid to do some dig-

racing, available as they become

ging in the family parts bin. They

seniors. In fact, every year, senior

swapped out the Caravan cross-

students are encouraged to build a car to show off at Tokyo Auto Salon, something that the school has successfully done for 10 years now. And not only are they building some cool projects, they’re also building winning ones. In 2013,

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members for replacements of the S14 variety and even ripped out the sluggish, 90-horsepower diesel engine and swapped it out for a singleturbo SR20 engine for about 130 more horses and way better noises.

Actually, the SR20DET is one of the most interesting parts of this build. For one, It’s been copper electroplated, like the bumpers outside, for a truly unique appearance. It’s also been mid-mounted in the van. The students at WIZ decided to move the heart’s location, and instead transplanted the SR20 behind the front seats and in front of the patient; something the team says was the most challenging part of the whole build.

They swapped out the Caravan crossmembers for replacements of the S14 variety and even ripped out the sluggish, 90-horsepower diesel engine and swapped it out for a single-turbo SR20 engine for about 130 more horses and way better noises.

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Accompanying the engine in the back is a custom fabricated, slammed stretcher with meaty tires stretched over some seriously small, dished wheels. At least you’ll look rad while dying on the leather upholstered pad, complete with WIZ’s logo stamped at the top.

特集 E D I T I O N

1988 Nissan Caravan (E24) BUILT BY: WIZ Custom Builder ENGINE: Nissan SR20DET turbocharged 2.0L I-4 HORSEPOWER: 220 hp

ENGINE MODIFICA TIONS ∂ Nissan SR20DET (black top) swap

∂ Copper electroplated engine components EXHAUST SYSTEM

∂ Custom side-exit exhaust system SUSPENSION

∂ AirREX Nissan S14 complete air suspension system ∂ Nissan S14 crossmembers ∂ Relocated suspension mounts WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES ∂ WORK Seeker NX wheels (Transgrey polished dish, bronze rim) – 18x8 -4 (f), 18x9.5 +25 (r) ∂ Luccini Buono Sport tires – 215/40 R18 (f), 225/40 R18 (r)

EXTERIOR ∂ Ambulance paintjob ∂ Copper electroplated bumpers ∂ Chopped roof (10 inches) ∂ Sirens INTERIOR ∂ Custom fabricated stretcher ∂ Leather upholstery w/ WIZ Custom Builder logos ∂ Cut floors

Accompanying the engine in the back is a custom

Caravan’s fenders squat down over a set of 18-inch

stretched over some seriously small, dished wheels. At

WORK Seeker NX wheels, sporting a bronze barrel to

least you’ll look rad while dying on the leather uphol-

match the electroplated copper bumpers, and tilted

stered pad, complete with WIZ’s logo stamped at the

slightly in the front and then much more aggressively

top. Beside the stretcher, on either side, are cutouts in

in the rear.

the floor or the lower custom suspension mounting

The ambulance is finished ff in a custom medic

points, so you can watch the air billows on each of the

paintjob, with a special section on the rear that is

air struts fill or em ty of air as the terrain changes.

reserved for each of the build team’s names. And yes,

You can even see the AirREX management behind a

the sirens up top totally work.

clear glass panel, where important medical tools and

The senior class at WIZ Custom Builder has done it again and built something show-stopping for their 10th

supplies would normally sit.

From the outside, the Caravan looks like an ambu-

year at Tokyo Auto Salon. A source from WIZ tells me

lance that might be sent out onto the battlefield fter a

that an 11th concept is in the planning stages, but if it’s

Mad Max battle. The roof has been chopped 10 inches,

not an ambulance-themed vehicle, what exactly are

in true hotrod style, and the air system paired with

they supposed to take the judges home in once they

the relocated suspension mounts gives the Danger

knock ‘em dead?

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Ambulance a seriously low-slung stance. Each of the

fabricated, slammed stretcher with meaty tires

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AIR BENDE INTO THE WIND TUNNEL WITH ANDREW BRILLIANT

BY MICKY SLINGER | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ANDREW BRILLIANT

A

ndrew Brilliant is, well, brilliant. With his company, AMB Aero, he has worked on some of the most noteworthy Time Attack cars ever, like the “Nemo” Evo, which forced WTAC (World Time Attack Challenge) rule changes it was so good, and the Under Suzuki S15, which holds multiple lap records at Tsukuba Circuit in Japan, even with an “amateur” driver and team behind it. This is someone who knows the true worth of aerodynamic development, and has seen its evolution fi sthand. With aero becoming more and more a part of both OEM and af-

termarket development, we thought it would be a great idea to have a chat with Brilliant about his process and endeavors. He graciously accepted! Tie yourselves down, guys – we’re headed into the wind tunnel.

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DER

インタービュー

How did you find yourself getting interested in automotive aerodynamics?

E D I T I O N

When you started out, was CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) even an option for you, or did you work your way up to that?

I originally had not paid much attention to

Tell me about your Eclipse!

How did you decide that it would be your guinea pig of sorts? What were the most important lessons you learned from developing on that car?

aero. I was working for my fi st real race team

In those days, back when I was in school, CFD

doing the sort of work I started in, vehicle dy-

was something the post-grad students were

namics. I was doing some lap simulation and

just getting to work with. It was very primi-

Ah, my poor eclipse… I think the biggest

then I suggested to the team that we could

tive, unreliable and you had to have access

lessons I learned were about what it is like

use that simulation to work out how to get the

to a massive supercomputer. When desktop

to run a team and what sort of challenges

most from the off-season development. The

computers could start to do really basic CFD,

the team managers are up against. What it

sim would let us compare various factors, so

I started out testing parts on makeshift car

is really like to run a program from design

things like the center of gravity, engine power

models and it took a couple days to get a sin-

to production and racing end to end. That

or weight reduction. We put a cost to each op-

gle result back. Now, we have an office full of

was defin tely the school of hard knocks for

tion and compared the lap time results. The

big computers and a wind tunnel. Sometimes

me. We were fig ting outside of our weight

result pushed us toward downforce.

I think about what we started out as… It’s a

class with that car.

We had no idea how to get that downforce

bit surreal, even now.

Really, it became the guinea pig out of ne-

back then, even small numbers, so we start-

cessity. In Time Attack, nobody really be-

ed out with silly ideas and really quick and

lieved in aero yet. We changed the whole

dirty bits, but then it made a huge difference

game like that one step at a time. My fi st

in the car. We started hunting for more effec-

professional race team saw the work I had

tive stuff and it snowballed. It wound up be-

done with the Eclipse and that's what got

ing all we developed and we advanced in the

my foot in the door.

field. Eventually we won. Everyone started

We felt we had a really good result on that

doing way more aero after that.

car, but there were moments, bitter defeats,

It was a lot of fun. It felt a bit like we struck

men crying, sleepless nights for months on

oil! Really, we had discovered what people

end and emotions fl w sometimes. It was a

in Formula, LMP and that sort of category

labor of love and I made friends and memo-

had known for a long time, but nobody had

ries that will last a lifetime.

worked out how to do it in lower categories, especially affordably.

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AIR BENDER

インタービュー

I understand that you helped develop an aero kit for the Evo “Project Nemo” that actually forced a WTAC rule change. Can you tell me about that?

Nemo was the fi st time that I got a

E D I T I O N

Some of your best known work may very well be the Tsukubarecord-smashing Under Suzuki S15.

How did you get involved with that project? How is the S15 so effective?

What do you think is the most misunderstood thing about aerodynamics?

I think it’s when people ask you what the perfect angle is for a diffuser or what the “best” wing is. You haven’t even seen the car in person, let alone put it in the wind tunnel or known

chance to design a car where I could really run wild with the design. The

I met Suzuki-san through Ian Baker,

anything about the project, but I think

team had enough budget to build

who runs WTAC. We were all out for

some people have this idea that there

aero parts out of composite mate-

drinks one night in Tokyo and Suzu-

is one perfect shape and we just

rials with complex shapes, and that

ki-san was asking some questions

don't want to tell anyone about it. The

was new for me in Time Attack. Re-

about aero. He struck me as eager to

reality is that we spend thousands

ally, there were the best people run-

learn, humble and very hard working.

of hours analyzing the fl w field

ning and setting up the car. That was

I gave him some advice and eventu-

around a car, and then optimizing the

really how we were able to see so

ally won him over as a customer.

shapes. That's why there are teams

much of its potential on its fi st ever

I think there are a lot of factors to

spending massive amounts on test

time around a race track. I think you

give credit to as to why the car is

methods - tens of millions on wind

have to really cherish a moment like

successful. For example, the team

tunnels and computers.

that, where you can change the way

has done a lot of things well. They

It’s an intricate dance between the

cars are built. I may never get that

built a fantastic car and it also had,

packaging and all the details that are

kind of an opportunity again.

for most of the years it ran, a trou-

custom to a car and a team. It is, I

Even though the regulations spe-

ble-free engine. I think the budget

think, the thing on the car that has to

cifically sought to handicap Nemo’s

gap made it hard to compete power-

be custom, more than anything else.

downforce, it left behind so many

wise with better-funded teams, but

As an example, a customer of mine

aero concepts that I think you can see

they did a fantastic job in spite of

changed his wheel offset. We had

clearly on every winning and top car

that. It also helps that Suzuki-san is

to redo the entire front aero design

since that day. That car changed my

a jewel among amateur drivers. It’s a

for the car as a result. Aerodynam-

career path. I am not sure I would have

top group of guys. There are things

ics is not a black art or some kind

been as involved with Time Attack in

I’ve seen them do well that some pro

of magic, it’s scientific process and

the years after that or been able to

teams struggle with.

learning through experimentation.

grow AMB Aero at the rate I did.

After we got more involved with the

You are always learning.

program, the team relied heavily on aero innovation to stay ahead. Over the years, the competitors were getting to be lighter than we were, and some teams were packing 450-plus horsepower or huge advantages like four-wheel-drive. Things have changed on the car, but the big thing, as far as lap time to date, has been the aero. That is what catapulted it into being the fastest tin top in Japan and kept it ahead of more financed teams with pro drivers. It helped make it the quickest RWD car to ever lap at WTAC and very nearly toppled the mighty Tilton in 2014.

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AIR BENDER

インタービュー

What would you say is the proudest moment of your career thus far?

I think that has been working with my mentor Yoshi Suzuka (of Suzuka Racing). There is a project we did, designing and building a wind tunnel,

E D I T I O N

Let’s say one of our readers is looking for some easy ways to activate more grip, or make themselves a little quicker. What would be your advice be?

Where do you see (or where are you hoping) aerodynamic development (is) heading in the future?

I expect that aero is going to become even more of a driving factor in the

and I learned a lot. That project had a

design of all kinds of vehicles. I see it

major impact on the way that Nissan

I think if you are looking to get

spreading into every form of trans-

designs the aero for their road cars.

more out of a car aerodynamically,

portation. Until now, only aircraft

That is what I am the proudest of.

I would say try to think of your own

have been defined by aero. Aero is

It’s not easy to make a meaningful

ideas and study a lot, you have to

really just getting started. I think

change to a company like that.

mix those two. If you are looking at

many forms of transport will reach

racecars that are out there, you re-

to aero trying to improve efficien y

ally need to know about the rules

and even road cars will become in-

that drove them to use the shapes

creasingly aero driven.

When you fi st start developing an aero system for a vehicle, where is the fi st place you start? What are some of the most important factors?

Take me through your process.

they do and think about how to ap-

What’s next for you?

ply those ideas, not just copy the shapes you can see. It is always a lot of research. Be prepared to spend

As far as Time Attack, we have an

long hours reading, and above all,

exciting project in the works to de-

testing your ideas. It doesn't need

sign a car for HKS, which I think they

to be expensive or high-tech testing,

have announced by now. As for G T

but without that process everything

racing, we have a car in design very

The cooling system, for sure. You

is just a guess. A lot of knowledge is

soon, but that is all I can say about

have to sort that out fi st. You need

out there, and that’s the base, but it

that project, unfortunately!

to have a good plan in place, or it will

won’t give you a fast car until you

screw up all the other aero you try to

learn from applying it.

design. It really is about how much heat you need to get rid of and what packaging compromises you have to make. That's where the details of things like the engine, inlet or turbo system are most important. Those are the type of things that people don't realize affect the shapes that aero can take. It is very easy to get upside down. Even as high as F1, Red Bull struggled aero-wise a couple years ago. The cooling requirements weren’t what they expected and they had to choose between the engine or the aero. They couldn't win with only one of them working.

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