Well, this has been a great year. If you have been reading my blog.
Thanks even if I don’t know who you are because I leave my comments off. haha
Anyways, here are my automotive highlights of 2008. (in no specific order)
[BEST, WORST, TRENDS of 08]
BEST HIGHLIGHTS OF 08
-Debut of Speedhunters
[At first, I was skeptical because it was EA. But I'm satisfied by the way its running with the top photographers and bloggers.]
-Debut of the Nissan GTR and the controversies that came with it.
[validity of Nürburgring time, transmission, and launch control.]
-Debut of the ZR1, Camaro, and Challenger.
-One Ring to Rule them ALL.
[Nürburgring of course, what were you expecting? Lord of the Rings?]
-Debut of Powered by MAX/DMAX/SexyStyle in the USA.
-Ziptied/JustDrift All Star Bash
[East coast also made the same name but had different intentions of how it was originally done.]
-C’s Garage
[holy shit....Yellow S13 coupe + Purple 180sx = THAT'S how it SHOULD be done, take notes.]
-The exposure of Risky Devil through blogspot.
-ILL PHOTOGRAPHY
[awesome photos, no matter where the environment.]
-More car blogs are exposed in a good way.
[check the blogroll then check theirs.]
-Red Bull Drifting World Championship.
-Ueno’s last run in his Soarer to move up to the BMW 3 to be powered by a 1JZ.
-Don’t like Vespas? Go with the Ruckus.
[You can modify them too.]
-A bit redundant but the two raddest Porsche modifier and the raddest drift crew both starting in Rs.
[RAUH-WELT + RISKY DEVIL]
-Watching Geisoku GT on YouTube.
[Because I don't live in the land of the rising sun. YouTube user:kanburi777]
-Violent Running TV (http://violentrunning.squidd.org/video/)
+ T2Films (http://vimeo.com/user554238)
[One in CA, One in Chicago. Both have awesome execution of filming drifting.]
-Exposure of MSC Challenge.
[We need more of those here in the US. Why? people are taking drifting way too seriously, just like the internet. I thought drifting was driving and having fun hanging out with your buddies late at night at the track.]
-Lewis Hamilton wins F1 Championship
-Ken Block’s Gymkhana video
[FUCKING A....speechless.]
-VIP gaining more exposure
[with subtle Bosozoku styling from other tuners.]
-Exposure to Bosozoku to those that don’t know.
-Team Funky, Team Mouse, Team Magician, Team Spirant and Team Burst.
[The 5 teams that made an impact to me in Japan street style.]
WORST HIGHLIGHTS OF 08
-Max Mosley Scandal
-The Claw
[asks to test drive a R32 GTR, runs away with it, someone takes a picture of him...the rest is history]
-FreshFail
[uses someone else's picture to front in a Benz forum, original owner of the car posts his....the rest is history]
-JoeDono
[shop does $20K worth of work to his automatic Celica, turns out it's titled to his MOM, can't pay shit....the rest is history]
-Horrible body shop experience
[kit didn't fit on the 350z, tacks and screws, lots of money....the rest is history]
-C6 Z06 Engine not covered under warranty
[http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z06-discussion/2203669-c-6-z06-blown-engine-not-warranted-by-gm.html]
-Greddy (Trust) filing for bankruptcy.
[Sparked numerous counterfeit products vs. legit products based on price and priority debate.]
-Turbo Magazine, Luxury Exotics, and Sport Compact car getting the ax.
-Big 3 Bailout.
[The Big 3 were stuck, flew over in a jet, got called out for flying in a jet, came in cars, asked for money, they got it, now they have to pay it back within 102 days...the rest is history.]
TRENDS OF 08
-Windshield banner with witty phrases.
["I'M KILLING IT" got overrated because people started to make their own "I'M KILLING IT" If you aren't driving your car REALLY HARD, then don't rock it.]
-Wheel Fitment
[People have stepped up to the game and have been successful. Even Hondas joined in.]
-Vinyl wrapped cars
[For some, it was a cheaper alternative than just painting a car. It got interesting results. From DIY to Pros and from average cars to supercars joining in on the action.]
-WILD engine swaps.
[2JZ in a S15, LS1/LS6 in a 240sx, SR20 in a AE86, SR20 in a RX8, LS1 in a M3, 2JZ in a Camaro I'm sure there are more, let me check.]
-Rotas are still #1 for 350Z/EVO/STi owners.
[I don't get why...they spent $30K on their car now they want cheap shit. The wheels make or break the car. I think Rotas break them.....or should I say...shatter them. pun intended.]
-Volk Racing wheels on Muscle Cars
[Looks pretty good actually.]
-Rotarded owners.
[Volk Racing stickers on Rotas.]
-JDM Tyt3 yo stickers
[Not my cup of tea. + some of those stickers translate into a exhaust maker company. LOL. So whose more stupid? The buyer or the seller?]
-New Driver/Old Driver Japan Badges…[Umm. yea, this is the USA. Don't put that on your car. If you do, Japanese people here will think you are just a nOOb at driving or a old guy. If you rock one, the only perception I will have is "nOOb" or "old". If you got it just for the JDM approval....eh..You're doing it WRONG.]
R.I.P. Hideki Tanabe
[Founder of Powerhouse Amuse]
R.I.P. Andrea Pninfarina
R.I.P. Paul Newman
09 RESOLUTIONS FOR THIS BLOG
-More positivity
-Less Ranting and Blasting [only if there are HOT cars to make up for it.]
What’s in store for 09? who knows?
“SHIT IS EPIC.”
