Event Coverage | Hot Import Nights 2012

Night Import: Photography and Words by William Lee

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Ah yes! It felt great going to a car show again after 2 months of being MIA. Well, actually, I've been going through blogs, sites, etc. to keep myself updated with what was going around in the car scene today. I really didn't notice a new 'trend' thing, so it seemed like nothing has changed that much for this year. One thing for sure though, were new rides popping up here and there and of course, aftermarket companies and just car enthusiasts buying the all new Subaru BRZ or/and Scion FR-S. I was looking forward to see some modded BRZs and FR-Ss at the next car show I planned on attending, which was Hot Import Nights that happened last Saturday.

I'm sure many of you guys know about HIN (Hot Import Nights). As I've mentioned in my previous coverages on HIN, HIN was the first show I've ever attended and this was back in middle school. My friend's sister was actually modeling so a few friends and I got in for free. I think during this time period was when Tila Tequila was trying to be an import model or something. All I remember, were shit load of lights from every angle, bunch of cars with lambo doors, and neon lights and other things in and out of cars. I mean...I thought those things were cool back then because seeing any car that was other than its stock form was awesome to those who just got into the car scene. Anyways, things have changed tremendously throughout the years and as of today, comparing the attended show cars for this year to back then in middle school, it's absolutely shocking.

Event Coverage | HIN 2011 (Pt. I)

Night Import: Photography and Words by William Lee

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It's here, it's new, and most importantly, it's back! I couldn't even believe HIN (Hot Import Nights) was happening yesterday after all the drama the event organization went through for few years. I don't actually know much about this event, except the fact that I attended one back in middle school, so that's about 10 years ago! (I'm not that old...). Listening to stories from close friends of mine, HIN was the biggest car show event of the year with well-known cars in specific regions coming up or down from miles away, just to participate. It wasn't only cars that took over the convention center, but tons of top-name models and celebrities as well. Having a reputation that literally left a mark in the automotive scene, HIN was 'the' shiet! Now I have no clue on why HIN left the show scene, but many were glad it came back with new people organizing the event.
A few of you guys already know I'm with crew Low N Slow in SoCal, and I was supposed to show with them at the event, but because of my car acting like a little biatch and not wanting to listen to me, it's in its worst phase, so I decided to give it a rest and cover the event like I always do with major car shows in CA. A lot of my friends participated at HIN with their sexy rides and I did get a chance to talk with many of them while walking around. It seemed as if roll-in was a pain in the ass because of staffs being unorganized, but because I wasn't actually there and don't want to speak my butt out, all I gotta say is give it another year and I'm sure it will get better! HIN is back with new people so I'm sure they're already aware of this and working on it. Anyways, just wanted to put that out for ya'll, because I wanted to (^-^)
Now before I get into the photos, let me tell you I had a really difficult time covering the event. Nor did I only miss an early access time for Media, but it was dark as fuk like every HIN event we know of. My flash wasn't working too well and I didn't want to use a tripod because of so many people walking back and forth. Luckily, and I mean very luckily (if that makes sense), the lights came on during the award ceremony, so I was running around the whole Hall like a person who had to use a restroom; squatting down, making awkward poses, and some positions I never thought of doing, taking photos as much as possible in a short amount of time. How did they come out? Well you be the judge. There will be a mix of horribe and decent photos, so please understand the change of flow throughout the coverage. To start it off, I used a photo I took when The Next Hot Import Nights Model contest was going on. I did take some photos of Models for a change, so you'll see them later on.