Event Coverage | 2014 HKS Premium Day

February 3, 2014

Night Import: Photography by All That Low (Charles Zee Zayas) | Words by William Lee

HKS (12 of 74)

One of the most biggest events after Tokyo Auto Salon is an event held by a very well-known tuning company called HKS. I'm pretty sure for those who have been in the scene for quite a long time know this company by its reputation of high-end performance. As always, their event was held at Fuji Speedway and a good amount of spectators and participants crowded the location.

This event is not like any other events that are held in the states. I would say the only event that reminds me of both displaying your car and actually driving it on the track was Sideway Sundays. Most of the events are only known for displaying and that pretty much sums up everything when it comes to a car event. However, HKS takes its event to another level. Not only do other prestigious aftermarket companies participate at this event, but they also get an opportunity to track their car on the track, competing with each other for the fastest lap. You can pretty much tell that it's not only about the looks of your car that matters in Japan, but everything is well modified internally and externally. To experience that feeling, HKS Premium Day is a must-to-attend event in Japan.

Event Coverage | D1 Grand Prix 2012 Odaiba Round 1

April 18, 2012

Night Import: Photography and Words by William Lee

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Hello again NI fans (^-^)v
The weather is finally getting better here in SoCal. It's definitely a good sign for all the enthusiasts because that means...clean your ride and bring it out! While those who are living in CA are enjoying the beautiful weather, the other side of the world is being hit with thunderstorms and heavy raining, such as Odaiba, Japan where D1 Grand Prix was held last week. It really is bothersome when you plan on attending a grand event and the weather pretty much messes up the whole mood, but D1GP was different.
You guys took a look at Brain Kato's coverage last week, and for today, you'll be seeing a coverage by our official contributor Charles. He was actually updating all our staffs on what he was doing, how the weather was, who crashed, etc. Because I've already explained on the history on D1GP, I'll jump right to the coverage.

Random NightLife | Weds Grand Catalog

November 16, 2011

Night Import: Photography and Words by William Lee

It's really a pain driving low and knowing the fact that one day, your car's axle will snap off or CV boot will rip causing grease to spread around your axle area. Yeap...that's what happened to me 3 days ago. If you read my post at the bottom, all this crap happened once I hit the freeway and it wasn't pleasant at all. Recently, whenever I had a problem with the car, I've been taking it to City Tires Online because of their quality work and service, so as usual, I drove my rattling car early in the morning to get things done asap!

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I like how this place has some name-brand wheels on display, like this Gram Light 57 Pro. These were my first set of wheels when I started modifying my car.

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Work Emotion Cai and Work VS-XX.

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After walking around the area like a loner and checking out some magazines, I realized a pile of catalogs on the front desk. The one that caught my attention was this Grand Catalog from Weds Co. LTD.

Nightlight | Lucky 32

October 23, 2011

Night-Import: Photography and Words by William Lee

Robert's Do-Luck R32 Skyline
The story starts last month when I visited Irwindale Speedway to attend Dubfest 2011. While walking around doing coverage like every week, I came across a Midnight Purple car that looked pretty familiar from far away. As expected, it was this Skyline R32, but not your ordinary stock ones like you rarely see on the streets. Sadly, the car was parked so tightly between booths I didn't have a chance to look at the details. With disappointment, while heading back to my car to avoid the sunny and hot weather, I hear the MC saying a R32 was being raffled out, which struck me instantly with an outrageous expression. I'm pretty sure what I heard was true, so coming home and writing up the coverage, I mentioned what I heard and the conversation happens online with the owner of this beautiful Do-Luck Skyline R32, Robert Elias, from Los Angeles, CA. What sounded so good to be true was actually correct. I'm sure the MC was mistaken with another car or I had some potential hearing disability, but from then on, Robert and I have been talking actively online about his car and the untold story. Today, not will this R32 only amaze you with its looks, but also the history that has led this car to fame starting from Japan and now soon to be in the US.

Spotlight | It's not the Tires Screaming, It's the Asphalt

June 3, 2011

Night-Import: Photography by CFD Productions (Dan Purpura), Words by William Lee

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Almost reaching a year of being active in the automotive scene, I've encountered builds that were outrageously exceptional to a point where I stood around a car thinking how much money and effort was put into it to its final running state. I'm not talking about cars that were built only for shows, but including the ones that were built to track, drift, rally, etc. and from the many model/brands, I was always impressed with those who owned and built a Nissan Silvia.
There are basically 2 routes you see many Silvia owners go with when it comes to motor work; sticking with the KA motor trying to squeeze out every single bit of its power, or an upgraded SR20DET, a much powerful and reliable piece when it comes to any automotive sport. Let's be honest here, what's been mention is a typical path for many Silvias. Don't get me wrong, I love both; however, there will be someone amongst the Silvia crowd unsatisfied with the power given out by either of the two or just tired of doing the same thing like all the others. That's when Steve Klopman and his 240sx come into the Spotlight. What do I mean? Read and see for yourself...

Nightlight | Heavenly Supra

May 15, 2011

Night-Import: Photography by Jim Davis, Words by William Lee

Ryan's 738HP Supra
Back in the days, I disliked the purpose of modifying a car. Matter of fact, to be straight forward and honest, I didn't know much about cars as well. While you guys were impressed with an exotic car passing by your school or neighborhood, I was playing games on my PSP or talking with my friends. However, there was one car that I did like without knowing the history of it; a Toyota Supra. Something about the lines made it a sudden attraction and even after I learned about all the cars that were famous for modifying, a Supra was still in my top list of 'wanted' cars.
Today, this Supra owned by Ryan from NY shot by our photographer Jim Davis, just triggered my greediness and a step closer to selling my own car to get one. A fully functional-purpose built 1994 Toyota Supra is what we call today, a 'Heavenly Supra'.

Nightlight | RB Brothers

March 17, 2011

Night-Import: Photography by Joe Alonzo

RB5

If the horsepower wasn't enough for 240sx owners to drift or track their cars, probably the first choice the majority will make is to swap in a SR engine, but for those who want to take that extra mile, you meet these two guys who go all out in power, putting in a RB25DET and pretty much set with all the engine modifications.
It's been awhile since we did a double feature, but we are glad and excited to bring back the title with these two beautiful 240sx's from Florida.

Random Spotlight: Clean and Stanced IS Enough

October 29, 2010

Dat IS350 - 1
I'm always excited to see our facebook fanpage increasing its number with fans and it's pretty awesome to see those fans having sexy rides.
I came across Dat Nguyen's Lexus IS and liked how the ride was kept clean and stanced.
Dat is planning to do more modifications to his ride, but I'm still satisfied with how it looks as of today.

Random Spotlight: SC Appreciation Day

October 14, 2010

Taki's Lexus SC300

I don't remember how it started when my love for SC's became crazy.
First of all, the overall exterior look of the car, even purely stock, just looks amazing. Now imagine a stanced, hellaflush black SC with white rims rolling through your neighborhood.
Imaginations can come true.

Here's a twin-turboed SC300 owned by T.K. Kapous from St.Pete Florida.
Yes, you read it right. This beauty went through a critical surgery, an engine swap to a 1jzgte twin-turbo motor. Result? A success!
It even got better when I heard the ride was daily driven.

RX7 FD3S Ready..Set..GO!

September 15, 2010

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Today's featured ride is not about stance but about performance and overall look. This sexy white 1994 RX7 FD3S belongs to John, a good friend of our sites new photographer Andy Nguyen.
I am speechless when I see a RX7, especially the one Jonathan owns.

Supra looking 300ZX

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The best part about having an oldy car is to fix it up like crazy. Forget about the resell value. :)
I remember reading an article about the 300ZX's and was astonished about how much potential it has to become such a nice car.
So here's a 300ZX that I've been eyeing for quite a long time, but never had a chance to talk to the owner.

Never seen such a nicely stanced and modded 300ZX.
I first thought it was a Supra.