Contents R U K U S
S e p t / O c t
2 0 1 8
14
Marie Madore Sept/Oct Cover Model
20 questions with Marie
Photography by OG foto Hair & Make-up by Marie Madore
On The Cover Photo by OG foto
On The Back Cover Photo by OG foto
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
3
8
All Access
The Latest Albums Reviewed Albums Reviewed: Logic YSIV
By Silas Valentino
Cypress Hill Elephants on Acid
By Silas Valentino
12
All Access Spotlight
Artists/Bands Featured: lil Wayne Tha Carter V Disturbed Evolution (Deluxe) Good Charlotte Generation Rx By Samuel Wendel
4
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
22
Contents R U K U S
M a y / J u n e
2 0 1 8
Pit Pass
Get In The Driver’s Seat Featured Event: Formula Drift, Round 8 Irwindale, CA
50
Game On
The Latest Games Reviewed Games Reviewed: Forza Horizon 4
By Jesse Seilhan
Marvel’s Spider-Man By Jesse Seilhan
54
Game On Spotlight Games Featured:
Red Dead Redemption 2 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Just Cause 4 By Jesse Seilhan
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
5
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Andrew Gates All Access Editor
Silas Valentino Games Editor
Jesse Seilhan Art Director
Andrew Gates All Access Contributors
Silas Valentino & Samuel Wendel Pit Pass Contributors
Andrew Gates, Juan Estrada & Greg Emmerson Game On Contributors
Jesse Seilhan & Joshua David Anderson Contributing Photographers
OG foto, Andrew Gates, Juan Estrada & Rupa Begum Social Media Guru
Rupa Begum Contributing Make-up Artist
Marie Madore
Contributing Hair Stylist
Marie Madore Advertising
Andrew Gates
info@RUKUSmag.com Mailing Address
RUKUS MAGAZINE 3115 e. Olive st. #42153 Las Vegas, NV 89116
Copyright Š 2008-2018 RUKUS, LLC. All Rights Reserved! September/October 2018 issue, Volume 10, Number 5. ISSN 2161-4369 (print) ISSN 2161-4377 (online) Visit https://www.RUKUSmag.com for more images and content.
Still Logical Words by Silas Valentino
Logic released the Young Sinatra mixtape, the debut entry into his Young Sinatra project, in 2011 when he was 21 years old, broke, floating between basement couches and known more by his birthname Sir Robert Bryson Hall II than his stage name. The mixtape was a lowercase-b breakthrough; it was the first time he linked up with producer 6ix, a crucial collaborator and now his in-house producer, and their union catapulted each other into the rap game. A year later they released Young Sinatra: Undeniable and its success enrolled Logic into XXL’s “Top 10 Freshmen List.” Def Jam Recordings called and signed him in April 2013. The following month saw the release of Young Sinatra: Welcome to Forever, which has been downloaded for free via the online distribution platform DatPiff nearly 2 million times. Then came his debut album Under Pressure, then his cross-over hit single “1-800-273-8255” and now he’s been dubbed “the voice of his generation” by Ellen DeGeneres. Logic’s Sinatra series reaches its conclusion with YSIV, or: Young Sinatra Four. The girthy album tops 76 minutes and encapsulates the last seven years of the Maryland rapper’s rise. The critiques on his critics come with barbed wordplay while the praises for his fan clan (nicknamed “The Rattpack”) are numerous and genuine. However, Logic has reached a career crossroads. He’s no longer a freshman, not much of a pop icon and too popular of an artist to be for those trendy, in the know hip-hop heads. He’s plateaued. And it’s up to you to infer if that stagnation means he’s on a misty mountain top of acclaim or if he’s still lining up dominos for his next goal in an ever-perpetuating cycle of success begetting success. YSIV begins with the gracious ode “Thank You” where Logic reveals that “In many ways it still feel like I ain’t made it yet/For every goal I attain, I set like ten more.” It’s a short window into his paradoxical psyche where his drive keeps him going but won’t allow him to stop and smell the millions. He seems lonely on “Thank You” rapping over a smooth boom-bap beat (recalling Japanese producer Nujabes who he gives a short shout out to) but Logic knows the number to call when he feels like a zero in a world of ones. The last four minutes of “Thank You” include dozens of snippets from fans all over the world – including Colorado, Palestine, Kenya and even a U.S. Navy man out in Japan – which creates a chorus of voices promoting Logic’s philosophy of “Peace, love, and positivity, baby.” It’d be nauseating if it weren’t so positively encouraging. He has love for his fans, love for his family, love for Rick and Morty but no love for one particular, popular trend in today’s rap music. “Fuck a mumble let’s make America rap again” he says on “The Return” and later, on the full Wu Tang Clan-assisted highlight “Wu Tang Forever”, he goes for the jugular: “You cannot defeat my Wu-Tang style, I leave ‘em all dismembered/Fuck a mumble rap, that shit won’t never be remembered/Not even a contender, no, pretender, best surrender.” There’s no place for Mumble Rap in Logic’s purview and he’s using his platform to sling daggers. It’s an easy target (everybody minus your try-hard cousin or teenage nephew rep Soundcloud rappers) but it’s a surprising twist into negging from an artist who bleeds for positivity. It’s like discovering that Jesus Christ disses on The Kardashians. YSIV concludes with a new standard for Backpack Rappers: the last call song. Kanye West did it first, then J. Cole and now Logic steps up to recount his story. Logic’s “Last Call” is a self-aware odyssey projected on his rearview window where he narrates the slips ‘n’ rises he had on his journey into success. It’s a victory lap and its position as the album closer suggests that Logic is stuck in a Twilight Zone episode. No ribbon of success is ever enough to quench his motivation; his drive is all he’s got, and the road is never ending.
8
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
9
10
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
On the Hill
Words by Silas Valentino
So you like drugs, do ya?! Well put this album in your pipe and hit play. Iconic hip-hop veterans Cypress Hill, an LA group that’s done more for promoting medicinal marijuana than the entire vicinity of Venice Beach, have returned after an 8-year hiatus with a simple concept for their ninth album Elephants on Acid: “I wanted to create a record that gives you the experience of tripping without doing any drugs. I want to open the mind. You need a touch of madness to create a masterpiece and you can’t have a masterpiece without the madness,” Lawrence “DJ Muggs” Muggerud, Twitter, June 2018. Two minutes into the album and you know exactly what he means. Following the cinematic instrumental and album opener “Tusko” the drugs take ahold and kick in with “Band of Gypsies.” The fun-yet-disconcerting feeling of drug abuse is augmented with a beat that’s part Sgt. Pepper, part hookah lounge. A reverberating guitar hook screeches to the crescendo of Middle Eastern melodies while lead MC Louis “B-Real” Freese manages to make, “You paranoid in the paragraph when I paraphrase” while name dropping Don Cheadle. The track is supported by Egyptian duo Sadat & Alaa Fifty Cent who provide blazing versus sung entirely in Arabic. It’s a refreshing addition to Cypress Hill’s already-global influence. Later is the downbeat “Jesus Was a Stoner” which is perhaps the most controversial song title on the album (although there is another entitled “Stairway to Heaven”). Deploying studio tricks like heavy echo and sounds in reverse, Cypress Hill craft a slow-moving religious referendum: “Jesus was a stoner/Born in southern California/ Lying out on the corner/ While they’re tryna stone us.” The audacity in claiming the son of God rolled blunts teeters the line of mockery but this is Cypress Hill’s trip and we’re just the guest. Hold the comments until the end of the tour. Not to be confused with Rihanna’s “What’s My Name?” is the buoyant, bubblegum pop number “Oh Na Na” which – hold your horses – begins by rhyming “na na” with “marijuana” and “smoke the ganja.” Banalities aside, “Oh Na Na” is an album highlight where New Orleans horns flutter to the rhythmic pulse of a simple piano lead. B-Real reminds us of Cypress Hill’s motto: “I make shit simple/We smoked all the most potent weed for the temple/There ain’t no example/Here we cultivate for the mind and the mental/Just breathe that in.” Whereas other artists might hide their drug influences in their songs (ever noticed what the first letter of each major word in “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” spells?) Cypress Hill is for the layman, everyman and the you and me, man. It’s just weed and psychedelics – keep it simple! We push play on Cypress Hill for a reprieve from the world’s complications. The second act in Elephants on Acid dips into “bad trip” territory with more abrasive beats and subject matters. “Falling Down”, “Insane OG” and “Warlord” are a few tracks where the sunny side of a high falls into the depths of insecurity or paranoia. But the album’s narrative is guided through the interludes and after “Thru the Rabbit Hole” things start to look up. “Crazy” ensues with a Tom Waits-worthy beat as brazen horns complement B-Real while he grapples with a potential tombstone inscription: “‘He’s so insane,’ that’s what they say ‘He hit that bong too hard one day.’” Elephants on Acid concludes with “Stairway to Heaven” which manages to pull off a delicious trick of sampling (or at least replicating expertly) the melody of Led Zeppelin’s iconic rock classic without paying a single writing credit for the Englishmen. But trivia nerds will know that Zeppelin themselves were accused of ripping off “Stairway to Heaven” from an obscure, forgotten group. Like an anonymous joint passing by you in a crowded concert, this “Stairway to Heaven” melody has no beginning nor end and might burn on in eternity.
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
11
instagram.com/liltunechi
Words by Samuel Wendel
lil Wayne, Tha Carter V
Better late than never, Lil Wayne has finally delivered Tha Carter V, the latest installment in the series of albums that helped establish him as one of the most prolific figures in modern rap music. Years in the making (Wayne originally said it was done in 2014), Tha Carter V arrives with plenty of hype and expectation, and thankfully Lil Wayne hasn’t lost his touch. In fact, he gives listeners more than enough to dig into, with the album running nearly 90 minutes. And it’s not a slog to get through either, even though the album starts off a bit slow. But Tha Carter V picks up considerable momentum in the second half, where you’ll find an inspired sounding Lil Wayne dropping bars like it’s 2008. Although Tha Carter V isn’t an instant classic, it finds one of rap music’s most unique figures defying conventions once again and leaving listeners curious to hear what else Lil Wayne has left in the tank. Standout tracks include “Dark Side Of The Moon”, “Dope New Gospel” and “Mona Lisa”, which features a guest spot from Kendrick Lamar.
Disturbed, Evolution (Deluxe)
instagram.com/disturbed
Nü metal veterans Disturbed are in the mood for ballads. Their seventh album, Evolution, finds the group frequently dialing back their trademark heavy riffs and powerhouse vocals in favor of more subdued tracks. It’s not a surprising move. Disturbed’s latest LP comes on the heels of scoring an unlikely hit in 2015 with their haunting cover of the Simon & Garfunkel classic “Sounds of Silence.” It was a left turn for the group, and eventually netted them a Grammy nomination. Now, with Evolution, they seem eager to further explore a softer sound that’s clearly influenced by the success of the cover. Still, despite a slew of ballads, they don’t completely take their foot off the gas. Disturbed still find plenty of opportunities to deliver tried and true nü metal anthems, which should please long-time listeners. Fans of Disturbed’s “Sound of Silence” cover may enjoy the slower numbers, but Evolution shines most when the group sticks to what they know best. Standout tracks include lead single “Are You Ready” as well as “No More” and “Stronger on Your Own.” instagram.com/goodcharlotteband
Good Charlotte, Generation Rx
Pop punk stalwarts Good Charlotte are still fighting the good fight with their seventh album, Generation Rx. Now, more than 15 years since their breakthrough single “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”, Good Charlotte have returned to deliver another dependable collection of radio-friendly pop punk. It’s a short album, but each song manages to trot out a big hook — the very kind that Good Charlotte made their name on. Generation Rx may be sonically similar to their previous output, but the band seems keen on exploring more current subject matter, such as the opioid crisis. Meanwhile, the group does add some minor EDM flourishes here and there, but it’s not enough to disrupt the status quo they established as pop punk poster boys in the early 2000s. Ultimately, Generation Rx shows that Good Charlotte haven’t forgotten their roots, but are mature enough to keep the nostalgia to a minimum. Standout tracks include “Self Help”, “Shadowboxer” and “Actual Pain.”
12
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
Marie Madore
M
Photography by OG foto Hair & Make-up by Marie Madore
arie Madore is from Long Beach, California although she currently resides in Dallas, Texas. She is a very popular Asian American model with almost a million followers on Instagram. She started her career by doing photoshoots and runway shows in her local area. In 2014, Marie made semifinals for MAXIM Hometown Hotties and was published in the magazine. That same year, she won Miss Hot Import Nights Dallas, an import car show. That’s how she kicked off her modeling career. She took her crown and ran! Marie ended up winning Miss HIN Dallas once again in 2015 making her the first back to back winner. She started touring
14
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
with the car show and met so many people which turned into loyal fans, who she calls “Madorebaes” her fans love how real she is and connects with her on another lever and she isn’t afraid to show her personality. Marie also broke the internet with one of her iconic photos she posted to Instagram of her eating IN-N-OUT topless. It got so viral that Playboy contacted her to do an exclusive shoot and video. She mainly tours with car shows to meet her fans and make appearances, but she is also a hardworking mom, business owner, and marketing director. During her spare time, she dances, and helps teach alongside her sister and her dance classes. The future seems bright for Marie. One of her biggest goals is to run an empire. Whatever that may be, we bet it’ll be amazing!
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
15
16
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
17
18
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
20 QUESTIONS
being a mom on top of that. Definitely an inspiration.
1.What’s your Ethnicity? Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Chinese.
10.If you could change one thing in the world what would it be and why? Equality. For everyone to have the same education and opportunities.
2.What’s your zodiac sign? Scorpio. 3.Where are you from originally? Long Beach, CA residing in Dallas, TX. 4.What did you like most about growing up in Long Beach, CA? I had the best childhood with friends and family. Always at the beach. 5.What kind of mischief did you get into while growing up? I would go into my older sister’s closet and wear all of her clothes and expensive shoes to go out with my friends and meet with boys. Lets just say her clothes weren’t very appropriate for a 14 year old girl. 6.If you could have a super power, what would it be and why? The power to heal. I would love to take away any pain. 7.What’s your favorite hobby and why? Dance. I was a dancer my whole life. I actually auditioned for the Dallas Mavericks Dancers and made the finals. I now help my sister teach her dance classes. 8.What’s your guilty pleasure? Guilty pleasure is definitely chocolate and wine. I can’t say no. 9.Who do you admire and why? I admire my mom for being so strong as an independent woman and single mom raising 3 kids on her own. I admire my dad for his ambition and teaching me to chase my dreams. He’s a rockstar! Celebrity wise, now that Kylie Jenner is a mom, I love her. I respect her for being so young and having one of the most successful businesses out there. And
RUKUSmag.com
11.What’s one of your personal goals? To make an impact on people’s lives for the better. To do good. 12.What do guys compliment you on the most? My smile. 13.What’s your favorite body part on yourself ? Legs. 14.What do you look for in a guy? A gentlemen. Respectful, attentive, knows what he wants in life and goes for it. Not afraid to step out of their comfort zone. Has a big heart. 15.What’s the first thing you notice about a guy? How he carries himself. 16.What’s your ideal first date? A nice dinner with wine of course and a nice talk, getting to know each other. Maybe a walk on the beach or park while we talk. Ending with something fun, something outdoors with a nice view like horseback riding. Can’t forget about dessert!. 17.What turns you on? A gentlemen. Doing the little things that are thoughtful. Something that I wouldn’t expect that’s sweet. 18.What turns you off ? A cocky man. Nothing I hate more than a man who thinks they’re better than others. 19.What’s your biggest pet peeve? When people talk over you. 20.Who’s your celebrity crush? Matthew Mcconaughey. Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
RM
19
20
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
Continued on page 44 >>>
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
21
JAMES DEANE IS CROWNED 2018 FORMULA DRIFT PRO CHAMPION IN THRILLING SEASON FINALE Photography by Andrew Gates Words by Greg Emmerson
As Formula DRIFT returned to Los Angeles for the season finale, drivers, teams, fans and the series organizers were delighted to be back at Irwindale Speedway – the House of Drift. With only the Auto Cup decided at the previous round when Toyota amassed enough points to claim the title, there’s was everything to play. By Saturday evening we would all know the names of the 2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Champion as well as the 2018 Formula DRIFT Link ECU Pro 2 Champion, Rookie of the Year and the Tire Cup winner. In what has been one of the closest season’s in Formula DRIFT history, it was as if Hollywood had scripted the most exciting event possible for the fans. There was drama in qualifying, unexpected lightning storms and title chasers watching from the sidelines as the action unfolded. This was, without doubt, the most exciting Formula DRIFT weekend ever witnessed in the series’ 15-year history. PRO QUALIFYING With so much on the line, qualifying for the final round of the 2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship was guaranteed to be intense. The 2017 FD championJames Deane (Ireland) had a 40-point lead and his Worthouse / Falken Tire Nissan Silvia S15 had been virtually bulletproof all season. However, second place Fredric Aasbo (Norway), the 2016 FD champion driving the Rockstar Energy Drink / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla, wasn’t going down without a fight. Qualifying started relatively slowly until 2013 FD champion Michael Essa (USA) took to the track in his Essa Autosport / Achilles Radial BMW M3. He committed early to the course and stayed on the power throughout, earning 93 points from the judges and cheers from the knowledgeable crowd.
22
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
Essa would soon be eclipsed by Ryan Tuerck (USA) in the Ryan Tuerck Racing / Gumout / Black Magic / Nexen Tire Toyota 86 who scored 96 points with what appeared to be a perfect run. At least, that’s what everybody thought until Piotr Wiecek (Poland) in the second Worthouse / Falken Tire Nissan Silvia S15 put in a text book run and scored 98 points. With the tension escalating, Aasbo pulled up to the start line. He had a clean run but didn’t attack the course with the same vigor. He was awarded 94 points and would soon regret his conservative approach when Deane put up another 98-point run to drop the Norwegian to fourth. In the second qualifying runs, rookie Federico Sceriffo (Italy) in the FFF Drifting Department Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Drift Spec “Fiorella” would stray offline and collide with the wall as he attempted to transition onto the banking. The impact was hard enough to damage the rear suspension and break a wheel. Fortunately, his first run was good enough to ensure he qualified 24th. The top 15 drivers would all score 90 points or above as the 2018 championship continued to be one of the closest ever. Essa improved his score to 95, matched by Chris Forsberg (USA) in the NOS Energy Drink Nissan 370Z on Nexen Tires. Aasbo also improved to 96 points but 2011 FD ChampionDaijiro Yoshihara (Japan) in the Turn 14 Distribution / Falken Tire Subaru BRZ put in a phenomenal drive to score 97 points. It put Dai in third position behind Wiecek, who would concede to Deane after the Irishman set the stadium ablaze with an almost perfect 99-point score on the final run of the day. And with that he put the series organizers on notice to start engraving his name on the championship trophy. Seeming to increase Deane’s advantage was the number of drivers who failed to qualify. With Ryan Litterall (USA), Kyle Mohan (USA) and rookie Kevin Lawrence (USA) being excluded, the top five qualifiers got bye rounds in the Top 32 heats. This made Aasbo’s hill even steeper to climb as it ensured Deane would get into the Sweet 16 at the very least, receiving additional points even if he failed to continue – a scenario few could imagine. PRO HEATS The rain that impacted the Pro 2 championship runoff the night before greeted the Pro teams and spectators on Saturday morning. The forecast suggested it would move away before the main event but the schedule was reshuffled to help the track officials dry the racing surface before competition began. The Top 32 would be the appetizer for the entrée to follow and saw some early retirements. Matt Field (USA) in the Wish / Borla / Falken Tire Chevrolet Corvette, for example, took a five-minute Technical Timeout before his first run against Forrest Wang (USA) in the Vapetasia / Achilles Radial / NRG Innovations Nissan S15. Field would take the start but retire early as a result of mechanical gremlins, handing the victory to Wang. The 2009, 2014 and 2016 FD Champion, Chris Forsberg (USA) in the NOS Energy Drink Nissan 370Z on Nexen Tires, would also experience technical difficulty. Engine problems had prompted the team to drill out the nitrous nozzles, injecting a greater but unknown quantity of nitrous oxide into his engine. He would publicly admit his mission to retain the original “Z” engine was over and he’d investigate a new powerplant for 2019. In the meantime, he pushed the car hard on the first run against Matt Coffman (USA) in the Coffman Racing / Thunderbolt Racing Fuel / Achilles Radial Nissan 240SX S13. The lack of power presented itself in the transitions and Forsberg took a Technical Timeout before the second run, in which he’d spin at the final clipping point to give Coffman the win. Michael Essa set a blistering pace on his first run against fellow BMW driver Faruk Kugay (USA) in the Wreckless Racing E92 BMW. Kugay struggled to get close to Essa on the first run so left the start line on the second run with extra gusto. Unfortunately, he hit the wall at the top of the first banking, causing Essa to lift and follow Kugay into the wall, hitting the front corner and then the rear. Even with Essa on a flatbed, he was given the win because Kugay was adjudged to have created an “unchaseable lead.” In other words, his collision meant his run was incomplete and Essa’s reaction after the fact was inconsequential. However, it remained to be seen whether Essa’s BMW could be fixed in time for the Sweet 16 runoffs. With all the attention focused on who would become the 2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Champion, six drivers were in their own battle for Rookie of the Year. The fight had come down to Matt Vankirk (USA) in the Driftmatic Nissan 240SX and Dirk Stratton (USA) driving the Lingenfelter Performance / Achilles Radial / Stratton Chevrolet Corvette C6. In the Top 32, Vankirk would line up first against 2010 FD Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr in the Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR. Despite a valiant effort, Vankirk couldn’t match Gittin Jr’s experience and would go no further. Stratton faced Jeff Jones (USA) in the Doc / Falken Tire Nissan 370Z. It was Stratton’s first time on the Irwindale Speedway track and he drove hard to give the judges a difficult decision. However, it went to Stratton who claimed Rookie of the Year by two points over Vankirk.
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
23
Following the Top 32, Formula DRIFT traditionally takes a short break, allowing teams to address any damage incurred. The action recommences with US Air Force inductees being sworn in. The national anthem is played, and at Irwindale this was a recording of Kelsey Quayle’s beautiful rendition in honor of the Falken Tire team member who tragically lost her life a few days earlier. It was followed by a spectacular fireworks display before the cars returned to the track. With the Rookie title settled, the Pro championship could be decided in the Sweet 16 heats. Aasbo had a mathematical chance of clinching the 2018 title if he came in first place and Deane was knocked out of the Top 16 – something that hadn’t happened to Deane since FD Orlando 2017, which was ironically the year he won his first Formula DRIFT championship. Deane had been on fire in qualifying and expectations were high for him to win his Sweet 16 round and subsequently the title by beating Forrest Wang (USA) in the Vapetasia / Achilles Radial / NRG Innovations Nissan S15. However, Wang was reading from a different script. Both drivers were on maximum attack, with Wang getting great proximity to the champion-elect on the first run. On the second run, Deane struggled to initiate his drift into the first banking and lost ground to Wang. A collective gasp could be heard over the screaming engines below as the unthinkable unfolded. It didn’t take long for the judges to award Wang the win and eliminate Deane. It would emerge he had a power steering issue, which explains the outcome and the huge upset. The result made the 2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship Aasbo’s to lose.
The tension was turned to 11 as Aasbo pulled up to the start line against Jhonnattan Castro (Dominican Republic) in the GPP Toyota Racing / Falken Tire Toyota 86. Both drivers gave it everything in a round that was almost too close to call. However, the judges gave the win to Aasbo by virtue of a single mistake by Castro. This was typical of the 2018 season – there were no easy rounds, every driver stepped up their game, producing incredible competition. This was exemplified by the Sweet 16 matchup between third-placed Wiecek in Deane’s Worthouse sister car. Wiecek was coming off a win at the previous round in Texas and faced Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis (Lithuania) in the Falken Tires / Maxxoil / Drifz Wheels Nissan S14. He had qualified 15th but wasn’t about to be intimidated. Instead, he pushed Wiecek hard, with both drivers contacting the walls in their effort to dominate. It seemed too close to call but the crowd was expecting Wiecek to reach the final against Aasbo. However, the judge’s decision went to Odi after they reviewed the live drone footage and found the Pole had dropped back slightly on his chase run. By this point people were fainting in the grandstands and grown men were crying but the action continued. Gittin Jr would narrowly beat Coffman despite being slow to initiate on his chase run, but the speed of his first meant he got the decision. Yoshihara would have a dramatic round against Stratton, with the 2018 Rookie of the Year pushing hard and brushing the wall on the first run. This would knock him into Dai, damaging the BRZ. After a short break to check the car, Stratton would again hit the wall on his second run, allowing Yoshihara’s unflustered driving style to win the round.
24
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
In the Great 8, Wang beat Kenshiro Gushi (Japan) after his GPP Toyota Racing / Falken Tire Toyota 86 was forced to retire from the second run with mechanical issues. Aasbo would defeat Dean Kearney (Ireland) in the Oracle Lighting / Achilles Tire Dodge Viper after two runs where the Norwegian failed to put a tire wrong. The intensity jumped up another notch when Gittin Jr faced Odi. The pair was incredibly close through the first banking, so close that Gittin Jr’s rear bumper was knocked off by Odi’s front bumper as they maneuvered for the first transition point. With bodywork flying, the Mustang’s bumper went under Odi’s front wheels, causing him to spin. Gittin Jr stumbled but was able to gather it up and continue. The pair went back at it on the second run but the Ford driver had done enough to win. Earlier in the evening, Vaughn had announced, “This has been the worst season in my Formula DRIFT career,” but he was driving hard and intended to reverse his fortunes. Meanwhile Deane told the crowd, “It’s incredibly difficult to watch this from the sidelines but Fredric is driving so well. I think he deserves to be Champion if he can withstand all this pressure,” which is typical of the constantly understated Irishman. In the final Great 8 heat, Yoshihara would be drawn against Chelsea Denofa (USA) in the BC Racing / Nitto Tire / Ford Performance Mustang RTR. This would be a hard scrap, with the judges calling for OMT as both drivers maintained excellent proximity. Unfortunately, Dai’s car continued to be battered by his opponents and on the fourth run he was unable to keep pace with Denofa, relinquishing the win.
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
25
Stepping up to the Final Four, Wang would meet Aasbo as the crowd was whipped into a frenzy. Wang drove hard but Aasbo was in control, making no mistakes and reaching the Final. It seemed impossible to believe at the start of the day, but who would he face? His opponent would be in a Ford Mustang RTR, but would it be driven by 2010 FD Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr or teammate Chelsea Denofa? With identical machinery and neither driver wanting to take prisoners, the deafening V8 bellow was only broken by gasps as Denofa hit Gittin Jr’s rear bumper in the first transition. Both drivers were able to continue but it meant Chelsea would have to be faultless on the second run. Unable to squeeze out an advantage, the decision went to Gittin Jr and the Final was decided. With his car under assault, Gittin Jr returned to the pits for hasty repairs to his Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR. The alternator was robbed from his teammate and rear bodywork was replaced. With the minutes ticking past, Aasbo had time to collect himself and head to the start line in his Rockstar Energy Drink / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla. When the lights blinked, the two champions didn’t disappoint. Aasbo’s smooth driving was perfectly matched by Gittin Jr’s aggression, leaving nothing between them. The judges called for “One More Time” to the delight of the capacity crowd who were on their feet. They ran two more times but still couldn’t be separated. The judges again needed them to run “One More Time” before they could reach a decision.
26
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
The fifth run was a repeat of the previous four, with both drivers fully committed and inseparable. By the sixth they were getting tired, adrenaline was running low and the cars were hot. Both brushed the wall on the second banking and had to correct. Gittin Jr was judged to have recovered better and took the call. The worst year of his career turned over a new leaf, he was the Formula DRIFT Irwindale winner. And James Deane, who watched 30 rounds from the pit wall, was the 2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Champion. It was an incredible result that represented a miniscule four-point lead over Fredric Aasbo in one of the closest finishes in series history. He becomes only the second FD driver to win consecutive titles since Tanner Foust in 2007 and 2008. “This has been the most ridiculous night of my life. It was so intense,” said a stunned Deane. “I had 100 percent faith in Fredric to go all the way. I have so much respect for what he did because this track is so hard to drive without any pressure, and he almost made it. I also have so much respect for Vaughn. He drove so well and was amazing to watch. I put years on my life by watching tonight but it was so entertaining. All the FD drivers have really upped their level and I can’t even imagine what next season will be like because the level is getting ridiculous.” Following Deane’s trophy celebrations, FD Irwindale winner, Gittin Jr, addressed the crowd, “I’ve been doing this for 15 years because all the teams continue to push and make it a constant challenge. The fans are amazing and bring such great energy every time we’re on the track. I’m so grateful to all of them and the teams. I’m also extremely grateful to our team because
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
27
there’s something humbling about our fall but we’ve made a lot of changes and continued to fight. This win represents how we keep fighting. I’m extremely proud of Chelsea who has added a lot to the team. And Fredric – we had some epic battles tonight. And congratulations to James and his entire team – I’m looking forward to battling with you next year.” Fredric Aasbo looked back at a whirlwind season: “It’s been an incredible night. We’ve fought really hard all year. I’ve been through the entire spectrum in Formula DRIFT from being a nobody to a rookie, a contender, champion and now a veteran of the sports. But we went back to the drawing board last year and built a new car because we realized we needed to be better. I practiced on the frozen lakes at home and Steph [Papadakis] built an incredible car. Thanks to all our sponsors, and the team who made me go back out there and take on this badass (Deane), and to all the fans.” In addition to the 2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship and Rookie of the Year, the evening also decided the 2018 Formula DRIFT Tire Cup, which was won by Falken Tire. They join Toyota, which took the 2018 Formula DRIFT Auto Cup at the previous round. As the dust settled on the evening’s intense competition, we caught up with Formula DRIFT president, Jim Liaw to get his final thoughts for the season. “Tonight was bananas. You just couldn’t write this degree of drama and excitement into an event. The competitors were so intense and it came down to the final run of the final round in our 15th season. There was such great driving all weekend in both classes and it’s left everybody involved in the sport and all the fans looking forward to Long Beach 2019 when it all starts again!” Pro 2 coverage begins on page 38 >>>
28
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
30
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
31
32
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
WINNING STARTS IN THE GARAGE All The Horsepower In The World Won’t Get You To The Finish Line If Your Electrical System Is Not Up To The Job. Stacey David Trusts Painless To Deliver Professional Quality And American Made Dependability Every Time.
All New 2014 Catalog Online At:
painlessperformance .com
American Made ®
PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS Find Your Dealer 800.54.WIRES
American Proud FOR 24 YEARS
Tech Line 800.423.9696
34
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
35
36
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
37
PRO 2 HEATS The Final round of the 2018 Formula DRIFT Link ECU Pro 2 Championship got off to an exciting start. With Travis Reeder watching from the grandstands, he would soon know if he’d be 2018 Pro 2 Champion or whether Dylan Hughes would take the crown. Hughes simply needed to beat Crick Filippi in the Top 16 heats and it was all over for Reeder. But if Hughes failed to get through, Reeder would win. And in an astonishing twist to the story, Reeder had cannibalized his racecar to ensure Hughes could compete after a collision in practice left Hughes with a disabled Nissan. The tension was palpable as the Top 16 heats got underway and it wasn’t long before Hughes and Filippi reached the start line. After their two runs, with both drivers pushing hard, the judges awarded the win to Filippi. With Hughes out, Travis Reeder was the 2018 Formula DRIFT Link ECU Pro 2 Champion and it was a question of where would everybody else finish the year. Top qualifier Garrett Denton faced Trenton Beechum (USA) in his Roush Performance / Nexen Tire Ford Mustang in the Top 16. Making a single mistake on his second run, Denton was eliminated and Beechum progressed. In the Top 8 he would meet Troy Manners (USA) in the Neo Motorsport Nissan S14.5. Manners had beaten Ola Jaeger (Norway) in the Team Japan Auto / Nexen Tire Toyota Supra but would fall to Beechum after he failed to initiate on his second run. Photography by Juan Estrada Words by Greg Emmerson
38
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
His opponent in the Final 4 was Sebastien Gauthier (Canada) in the Magicolor Carrossier / SSG Motorsport Nissan S14. Gauthier had initially faced Adam Knapik (Poland) in the Knapik Racing / Achilles Radial Nissan S14. Knapik struggled to put together a good run – straightening on the first and failing to initiate on the second. Gauthier then faced Schmidt and the weather in the Top 8. Despite daytime temperatures in the 80s, atropical storm had blown in from the Pacific Ocean and would play a major part in the proceedings. Formula DRIFT doesn’t stop for rain and after a short pause to clear the grandstands when lightning threatened spectator safety, the heats resumed on a very slippery track as the water sat on a thick layer of rubber. On their first run, Schmidt ran off course, giving the advantage to Gauthier. This played to his favor when both drivers ran off course on the second run, struggling to find grip in the rain. Gauthier would then beat Beechum on an increasingly wet track to take his place in the Final. His opponent would be fellow Canadian Riley Sexsmith driving the NV Auto / Achilles Radial 2JZ Subaru BRZ. Sexsmith took a protracted route to the Final, first meeting Jonathan Hurst (USA) in the Dynosty Infiniti G37 in the Top 16. On their second run, Hurst experienced car problems, colliding with Sexsmith who subsequently brushed the wall but did enough to move on to the Top 8 where he met Brody Goble (Canada) in the Frankenstein Speed & Custom / Achilles
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
39
Radial Nissan S14.75. On a wet track, Goble had a torrid time. His first run was ruled incomplete and spin on the second put an end to his challenge. Moving onto the Final 4, Sexsmith’s opponent, Filippi, required a five-minute technical timeout. Unable to make an effective repair, he retired and guaranteed himself third place by virtue of being the highest remaining qualifier. In the Final, Sexsmith and Gauthier got off to a difficult start. Both Canadian drivers were judged incomplete on the first runs and the judges called for “One More Time.” On the fourth run, Sexsmith had a lurid slide on the treacherous surface and hit the wall. This put him out of the contention and handed the Irwindale win to Sebastien Gauthier in the Magicolor Carrossier / SSG Motorsport Nissan S14. With the final places determined, Travis Reeder was the 2018 Formula DRIFT Link ECU Pro 2 Champion. He was a mere 18 points ahead of second place Dylan Hughes, with Irwindale winner Sebastien Gauthier jumping up to third. Ola Jaeger and Riley Sexsmith would round out the top five positions. We caught up with Gauthier as he stepped off the podium: “I feel good, happy and excited to be number one,” the French-Canadian told us through a translator. “At the beginning of the season we were struggling. We went through four engines and two gearboxes but things slowly improved as the season progressed. With the rain today, there was a lot
40
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
to overcome but we’re used to the weather in Canada and we’re happy to finish the season in third place after so many obstacles,” he said. We also spoke to the 2018 Formula DRIFT Link ECU Pro 2 Champion, Travis Reeder: “This reminded me of last year in Texas where I went into the round about 40 points ahead, got knocked out of the Top 16 and Kevin Lawrence came from behind to win the championship by two points. So, it feels good to have the cards fall in my favor this year,” Reeder said. “It’s great to win the championship but it’s a little bittersweet because my good friend Dylan Hughes could have also taken the title. He wrecked in practice so we put my car on jack stands and tore it apart to help him continue. The last thing I wanted was for him to lose and I was bummed when he was eliminated, but then I realized I’d won!” he laughed. “I’m ecstatic because we’ve had a great season with a great crew and it’s great to have my best friend finish second in the championship. This is the spirit of drifting and that’s why I love it.” NEXT SEASON The schedule for the 2019 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship and the Formula DRIFT Link ECU Pro 2 Championship are still being finalized. The series organizers will announce the new schedule at SEMA 2018 and post it to formulad.com – the place to find event details, ticket info, driver profiles, and Livestream information. RM
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
41
42
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
43
<<<Continued from page 21
44
RUKUS â&#x20AC;¢ Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 â&#x20AC;¢
RUKUS
45
46
RUKUS â&#x20AC;¢ Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 â&#x20AC;¢
RUKUS
47
"" Doing the little things that are thoughtful.
48
RUKUS â&#x20AC;¢ Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
STATS: Birthday:
November 21
Height:
5’6”
Weight:
138lb
Measurements:
It’s a Mystery
See more of Marie at instagram.com/marie_madore
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
49
Tis The Seasons Words by Jesse Seilhan
Simulation versus arcade. This is an age-old battle in almost all video game genres, but sports, and specifically racing, has had to choose one or the other since the dawn of digital time. Go too far toward the hobbyists and you lose the joy of doing dumb car stuff with your friends. Lean too much into wackiness and car purists won’t touch the game at all. The Forza franchise has had it both ways, taking turns pleasing both crowds year after year, putting out Forza Motorsport on odd-numbered years while throwing in a Forza Horizon every even one. This year, we got Forza Horizon 4, the latest giant open-world racer from Playground Games, built from the ground up for high-end PCs and the Xbox One X. It is, without a doubt, the best looking racer to ever hit the market, chock full of hundreds upon hundreds of vehicles and just as many hours of gameplay. But is there more under the hood? If you’ve played or seen one of the Horizons before, you know the general structure: there is a gigantic music festival taking place and it’s up to you to drive around the world, racing, drifting, and tearing up the roads one kilometer at a time. This year, the structure is the same but the progression is drastically improved. Prior games never forced you to play a certain way, but FH4 actively rewards you for trying just about everything. Each event type (head to head race, drift zone, speed trap, etc.) has its own progression available. Every level you hit earns you some sort of goody, from a stack of cash to spend on cars or a chance to spin the wheel of car fortune, which can grant everything from cars to dances. Yes, you can now customize a character and equip dances to perform after you’ve won a race or pulled off to the side to check out the returning Beauty Spots. It’s silly to watch your dude or lady floss next to a pond, but why not give it a whirl? What makes this year’s entry so special are seasons. While other games have instituted weather effects before, they’re never so bold as to completely transform the world for seven straight days, altering the events and environments in a fundamental way. Each Thursday, the leaves change and you go from one season to the next, regardless of your level or location. Lakes freeze over in the winter, drift zones become mud pits in the spring, fields become lush in the summer, and brown leaves fill the road in the fall. Your vehicles can be modified for each season, if need be, but most high-end vehicles perform well no matter what time of the year it is. This baked in switch-up does give you a good reason to play with new toys week to week, trying out thick tire trucks in the winter and slick foreign speedsters in the summer, each with their own unique handling and feel. The rest of the package is as stylish as usual, with great radio station diversity letting you rock out in Edinburgh or rave through the English countryside. Showcases return, where players can race against completely unique vehicles such as BMX bikes or a train. One of them is an awesome nod to fans of the Halo franchise, putting you in the driver seat of a Warthog while you and Cortana race to outrun a Covenant fleet before they destroy the planet. Mini-storylines are also present in a few events, including a love letter to racing videogames. A 10-stage journey lets you air out some of the most famous video game vehicles of all time, from the Outrun Ferrari Testarossa Spider to the Porsche 911. This trip down gaming’s memory lane is awesome and should be a joy to anyone that grew up with Namco, Sega, and more. Most gamers know if they are into simulation or arcade, but Forza makes the case that you can do both. There is realistic damage modeling, but nothing that truly affects your ability to drive. You can ride in a litany of insane cars both old school and modern, but you don’t need to know a lug nut from a wrist watch to have fun. There are tuner options and an extensive car detailing system, for those with that touch, but the game never makes you feel bad for not dabbling. Throw in a top-notch photo mode and you have the recipe for the best racing game of the generation and a high water mark for years to come.
50
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 â&#x20AC;¢
RUKUS
51
52
RUKUS â&#x20AC;¢ Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
Webhead Returns
Words by Jesse Seilhan
Spider-Man has become one of the toughest superheroes to get right in the gaming universe. Whether it’s his free flow traversal or 360-degree combat, something innate to Ol’ Webhead makes him the victim of dozens upon dozens of mediocre games throughout nearly the entirety of gaming’s history. That trend was bucked in 2004, when Activision finally got it right and entered the annals of quality licensed games alongside a couple classic X-Men and Batman games. But then we entered another decade and more of darkness until Ratchet & Clank creator Insomniac Games decided to give it a go, with an exclusive, expensive, and slick PS4 title built for fun. Is that enough to keep you swinging through Manhattan or will you hide this one from your family and friends this holiday? First off, the visuals are insanely high quality. From Spidey’s various suits (of which there are dozens) to the cool new villain Mr. Negative’s special effects, you can see this game’s budget in every reflective skyscraper and taxicab. And the sense of speed you feel while zipping through Manhattan is aided by the fidelity of your surroundings, adding a touch of realism to an unrealistic and exhilarating experience. But the swinging itself is the most important piece of the puzzle, as getting that right is the difference between enjoying your time and hating every second of it. Luckily, Insomniac nailed this aspect in almost every way. You can get across the different districts so quickly with just a pull of a trigger. There are little zip lines you can create as well to increase your speed, or nose dive into traffic before pulling up at the last second. It’s always fun and makes fast travel nearly useless, as you’ll most certainly find something to do between point A and point B. Those random events and encounters are what make up most of this game. Yes, the main storyline isn’t too bad and will last about five or six hours, but all of the collectibles and battles across the world will keep you busy, including a couple DLC expansions coming throughout the year. The typical stuff is present: beat up thugs, stop car chases, and the like. But also included are Arkham Asylum-esque stealth sections where takedowns are the way to go, not brawling. Those never let you fully takedown everyone, but at least help thin the herd before the fighting starts. While in combat, the range of tools at Peter Parker’s disposal are numerous. Beyond the standard web shooter and ability to throw pieces of the environment around are much more elaborate webbed weapons, like a zip line that smashes two things (or thugs) together, or a flying drone that accompanies you in battle. Each suit also has a special ability, such as regenerating health or shooting webs all around you to help wipe an entire fight in a single press of both thumbsticks. Combing suit powers, web abilities, and Spidey’s natural traversal makes for a chaotic and rewarding combat experience. The story is your standard comic book fare: bad guys do bad things, Spidey tries to save the day, but fails to do so for the majority of the game before prevailing and setting up for a sequel. The first half focuses heavily on the new villain mentioned before, Mr. Negative. His alter ego, Martin Li, is a friend to Parker and his Aunt May, so you know that is going to backfire in a few hours. While not in the suit, you’re going on dates with Mary Jane Watson, helping Miles Morales, and even working for Dr. Otto Octavius, which most fans will recognize as Doctor Octopus. Once that transformation occurs and the rest of Spidey’s greatest villains are unleashed (Shocker, Scorpion, Rhino, and more), the action kicks into high gear, delivering some truly awesome boss fights and cinematic sequences. While the game isn’t perfect, Spider-Man is as good as it gets for comic book experiences with a controller. The story isn’t the main appeal, so go in looking for fun elsewhere, but stay for the plenty of clean-up you’ll have ahead of you after beating the game. The writing is really good, as is the voice acting, adding even more depth and joy to a game built to be picked up and enjoyed one day and set down the next. It never gets overwhelming, you always know where to go, and when you get there, combat is so enjoyable that you’ll often toy with the enemy just to play around with your abilities. That’s the hallmark of a really fun game and you should definitely dabble in Spidey this year, even if you were hurt before by bad versions of the same franchise.
RUKUSmag.com
Sept/Oct 2018 •
RUKUS
53
Words by Jesse Seilhan
Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar doesn’t do anything half-assed, so expect one of the most anticipated sequels in modern history to be as clean and polished as possible. This prequel puts you in the role of Arthur Morgan, a rough customer following in Dutch van der Linde’s footsteps. You’ll hunt, fish, rob, steal, and galavant your way across the Old West in search of whatever truths tie this game to it’s very popular progenitor. The visuals look stunning, especially on Xbox One X, as each leaf shines as the sun hits it and the footprints left behind by tracked animals are unique. Deadeye, the bullet time mechanic, is back to ensure you can get your headshots off, but the variety of weapons and thrilling nature of the narrative should make for a wonderful sequel.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
In what should be the biggest gaming event of the holidays, Smash is back and literally bigger than ever. It’s tough to pick a starting point when talking about this release, but why not begin with the roster: over 70 characters will grace this game, including every single one that has ever appeared in the franchise. Add in a few new foes, hundreds of assist trophies, thousands of “spirits,” and you’ve got more than enough to keep you busy for years to come. For those without buddies, there is a robust single player mode called World of Light, complete with an overworld map, modified battles, and lots to unlock along the way. Every little detail of the game can be customized, from rulesets to playlists, including an awesome music player that has tunes from the entire history of Nintendo. This is a love letter to gamers and should be swooped up on by anyone with a Switch come December 7th!
Just Cause 4
If you’re planning on feeling down this holiday season, Just Cause 4 can help you out. Back again for another insane adventure, Rico Rodriguez is looking to dopple another private army, this time with a leader who can control weather. Combine that with JC’s normal array of insane weaponry and the over-the-top action the series is known for just got crazier. Luckily, we are getting a new engine to power the high-octane offense instead of the same old physics we’ve seen before. The biggest change is with the weaponry, as players can now utilize secondary fire on most firearms and modify their grappling hook to do some crazy stuff. Give it a shot this December 4th on Xbox, PS4, and PC!
54
RUKUS • Sept/Oct 2018
RUKUSmag.com
RUKUS
Digital Subscriptions
MAG.COM