One step forwards, two steps back
Its been a long time coming.
For some time now, the Dtown kids have been out in the wilderness. Entering comps cost us all dear; building comp spec cars took the fun from it as we didn’t really have the money. Everyone's been through massive changes in their lives, be it finishing uni, changing jobs, waiting for driving bans to end, having to move from the area, buying a house or just having no money, drifting has taken a forced back seat. For me, finishing uni has taken over everything. I've owned some cool cars in the last three years but in the end they had to go to fund my education.
The time has come though, the gangs all here and we've taken it back a few years. Back to when drifting was fun.
A few years ago, we rolled in simple cars and enjoyed them to the full most nights out on the hills around derby. Everyone had simple, slammed, street tuned cars that were used hard. These cars were underpowered and taught us lots, like not to use the wand. Ever. To drive above and beyond. We'd meet up at night and not be home until the sun rose. Sometimes we even had a support van.
Well, we're going back to these simpler times.
With the rest of the Dtown kids back in E36 BMW's, Ford Sierra's and E30 BMW's, it was about time I went back to my battle weapon of choice.
So, let me introduce the murdered out swede.
Lowered on 2" lowering blocks and cut front springs, the suspension is getting over hauled in two weeks. New custom front springs, new thicker damper oil, 3" lowering blocks and uprated rear dampers. Rolling on weller steels, 13 x 8, -10 offset with 165/55/13 tyres and a welded diff.
A MK1 golf splitter is waiting to go on.
After the suspension is on, the plan is to use it as much as possible and fit a 2.3 turbo engine from a 940 over the winter.
This car is in great condition. On the inside is a bucket seat, harness, steering wheel, with the rear stripped and the sound deadening removed and a bang up-to date tape player.
The kids are back, and with whispers that the old streeto sessions are restarting, Dtown is back to it's best.
For some time now, the Dtown kids have been out in the wilderness. Entering comps cost us all dear; building comp spec cars took the fun from it as we didn’t really have the money. Everyone's been through massive changes in their lives, be it finishing uni, changing jobs, waiting for driving bans to end, having to move from the area, buying a house or just having no money, drifting has taken a forced back seat. For me, finishing uni has taken over everything. I've owned some cool cars in the last three years but in the end they had to go to fund my education.
The time has come though, the gangs all here and we've taken it back a few years. Back to when drifting was fun.
A few years ago, we rolled in simple cars and enjoyed them to the full most nights out on the hills around derby. Everyone had simple, slammed, street tuned cars that were used hard. These cars were underpowered and taught us lots, like not to use the wand. Ever. To drive above and beyond. We'd meet up at night and not be home until the sun rose. Sometimes we even had a support van.
Well, we're going back to these simpler times.
With the rest of the Dtown kids back in E36 BMW's, Ford Sierra's and E30 BMW's, it was about time I went back to my battle weapon of choice.
So, let me introduce the murdered out swede.
Lowered on 2" lowering blocks and cut front springs, the suspension is getting over hauled in two weeks. New custom front springs, new thicker damper oil, 3" lowering blocks and uprated rear dampers. Rolling on weller steels, 13 x 8, -10 offset with 165/55/13 tyres and a welded diff.
A MK1 golf splitter is waiting to go on.
After the suspension is on, the plan is to use it as much as possible and fit a 2.3 turbo engine from a 940 over the winter.
This car is in great condition. On the inside is a bucket seat, harness, steering wheel, with the rear stripped and the sound deadening removed and a bang up-to date tape player.
The kids are back, and with whispers that the old streeto sessions are restarting, Dtown is back to it's best.
A new beau
It's no secret, and is even something of an inside joke with some of my friends, about how much of a fan I was of Matt Powers and his now infamous S14. Everyone has their opinion on the new look of his car. In a nutshell, this is mine..
It's just no where near as cool as it used to be.
I loved the old school JDM street styling of the car. I loved the fact he was the home-built underdog in a crowd of big money machines. That was so much a part of it for me. So what if you're not winning every event!? Just to be there, having fun, mixing it up with the big boys, that was what it was all about for me. I can't relate to Rhys Millen and his über engined, Hyundai. I could relate to Matt and his father and son built Nissan, making the most of the KA24DE. I guess the never compromising with style massively always appeals to the graphic designer in me too. All things very much at the heart of the ideals of Sweet Oblivion.
It's here I take a pause to think how ridiculous it is that the specific arrangement of a few bits of metal and rubber can stir up such equally ridiculous thoughts and feelings in myself and other people haha! Most people get in a flap when the phrase "sell-out" pops up. I don't believe this phrase applies to Matt in any shape or form. Yes sponsorship is progress, there's no denying that if you're taking part in competition. More than anything he just compromised. I guess it makes no difference with someone who doesn't have anything to say or have any integrity in the first place. He and the car did for me. Matt made a real positive impact on the drift world. He's made some decisions about what he wanted to do this season and went with it. Fair play to him! Makes no difference to me and my life. I just don't think his computer game advert car is cool. Same as John Lydon, lead singer of the Sex Pistols, now advertising butter and Iggy Pop selling car insurance with a bloody puppet.
However, I'm not about to shed a tear about it haha! I'm sure he won't loose any sleep over it and neither will I. Instead, I find myself on the rebound already. With my eyeballs firmly set in the direction of the R32 of Ian Fournier from Drift Safari, a new privateer who was taking part in the last round of Formula D at Long Beach.
And the balance of the (my) universe is restored :)
It's just no where near as cool as it used to be.
I loved the old school JDM street styling of the car. I loved the fact he was the home-built underdog in a crowd of big money machines. That was so much a part of it for me. So what if you're not winning every event!? Just to be there, having fun, mixing it up with the big boys, that was what it was all about for me. I can't relate to Rhys Millen and his über engined, Hyundai. I could relate to Matt and his father and son built Nissan, making the most of the KA24DE. I guess the never compromising with style massively always appeals to the graphic designer in me too. All things very much at the heart of the ideals of Sweet Oblivion.
It's here I take a pause to think how ridiculous it is that the specific arrangement of a few bits of metal and rubber can stir up such equally ridiculous thoughts and feelings in myself and other people haha! Most people get in a flap when the phrase "sell-out" pops up. I don't believe this phrase applies to Matt in any shape or form. Yes sponsorship is progress, there's no denying that if you're taking part in competition. More than anything he just compromised. I guess it makes no difference with someone who doesn't have anything to say or have any integrity in the first place. He and the car did for me. Matt made a real positive impact on the drift world. He's made some decisions about what he wanted to do this season and went with it. Fair play to him! Makes no difference to me and my life. I just don't think his computer game advert car is cool. Same as John Lydon, lead singer of the Sex Pistols, now advertising butter and Iggy Pop selling car insurance with a bloody puppet.
However, I'm not about to shed a tear about it haha! I'm sure he won't loose any sleep over it and neither will I. Instead, I find myself on the rebound already. With my eyeballs firmly set in the direction of the R32 of Ian Fournier from Drift Safari, a new privateer who was taking part in the last round of Formula D at Long Beach.
And the balance of the (my) universe is restored :)
Medicine make better
Got lock?!
I'm loving the huge dose of old school taking part in BDC this season.
Photography by Ross of DORISTARS
Garage peekaloo
Cars in their build spaces. Without realising I've accumulated a lot of pictures like this. There must be something to them that I like so much. Anyway, I just thought I'd share a few of the good ones. Some old, some new, exciting cars lurking. Some happy sitting done, some almost there, about to be unleashed.
Effsee
This is Jord of Okishima Program's latest tasty acquisition. Already clean and low, there's not much that needs doing to it.. other than add the SSRs he has lurking. Can't wait to see them on!
Matt Powers
With Matt powers.
Well over 400hp from a KA just adds to the awesomeness of this hero spec car and it's driver. Can't wait to see Matt tearing it up with the big budget boys this new season.
Well over 400hp from a KA just adds to the awesomeness of this hero spec car and it's driver. Can't wait to see Matt tearing it up with the big budget boys this new season.