Edward Uche
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CENTER STAGE> Bisimoto Turbo Hybrid Honda CRZ
As the owner of Bisimoto Engineering, and somewhat of a legend in the Honda community, Bisi is an overachiever when it comes to wringing every last ounce of power from any of the projects he accepts - often with ground-breaking results. MotorMavens crew members Antonio Alvendia, Herb Policarpio and I took a visit to his facility to see his latest masterpiece. We arrived just in time to see him adding the finishing touches to his Norm Reeves Honda purchased, 2011 Honda CR-Z.
As he went about his work, he took the time to explain his vision for this build which was to benchmark the CR-Z hybrid versus the newly released Porsche 911 GT3 hybrid which boasts a hefty 480hp at the crank and to do so while retaining the drivability, reliability, and eco-friendly nature of the original. In his own words: ìto really show them what Bisimoto Engineering could do.î In a matter of six weeks, not only had Bisi met his goal, he had exceeded the Porsche's horsepower numbers by 53 horses and developed 22 new aftermarket performance parts for the CR-Z. Did I mention he was an overachiever? Read more...
VIDEO> Pacific Grand Prix Drifting
Pacific Grand Prix Drift Invitational – May 19th, 2010 from Abbitt Wilkerson on Vimeo.
Last weekend, the smell of tire smoke penetrated the crisp Evergreen air of the Pacific Northwest. In the state of Washington, the MotorMavens Crew and friends attended the Pacific Grand Prix Drift Invitational, which took place at a go-kart track in the city of Kent. Many of the usual suspects were out there driving at the event, and you can be sure that out crew members Yoshi Shindo, Lucas Perez and Justin Shreeve will be posting up their stories from the event very soon, as they work to expose and blow up the Northwest car scene even further. Before we release the photos that Yoshi’s new Canon 7D captured from the event, we thought we’d post up Abbitt Wilkerson’s video from the event, which was also shot completely with a Canon 7D DSLR.
After watching this video, it makes me even more excited to return to Seattle to hang out with all our friends in the Northwest. I really like the Evergreen drifting scene; it has everything! Clean air, cool people, and stylish cars! Enjoy!
:: Edward Uche
VIDEO> VegasDrift Checkup: Mike Bolaños
VD CheckUp-Mike Bolanos from Robert Strohmeyer on Vimeo.
I just saw this “VD Checkup” video posted on the VegasDrift site. The VD Checkup is basically a “driver profile video” of sorts, which allows people to get to know the folks involved with VegasDrift. In this particular installment, AE86/S13 driver Mike Bolanos sits down for a quick one-on-one talk with AE86 bretheren (and MotorMavens chief editor) Antonio Alvendia, who just happened to be in Las Vegas for a bachelor party. This soft spoken individual (I’m obviously talking about Mike) briefly talks about his experience as a driver and a Vegas ProAm judge.
I always see Mike at drift events, and I think it’s cool that he’s so committed to fully living out his drift lifestyle. For those not in the know, Mike is also very much involved in Just Drift, thanks to JD event organizer Charlie Ongsingco. Want to learn more about Mike? Check out his website and add him on Facebook. While there, also be sure to add the new MotorMavens Blog Fan Page. Pleasure getting to know you Mike, you too are a true MotorMaven.
:: Edward Uche
VIDEO> Vernal Equinox of Drifting
VERNAL EQUINOX Test Shooting 2 from Clashproduction on Vimeo.
In case you haven’t yet heard, friend-of-the-MotorMavens Stephane Benini, the French motorsports film heavyweight from ClashProduction has just released a “test shoot” teaser of the new film he’s currently shooting – Vernal Equinox.
I’m not quite sure what Vernal Equinox means, but I do know that this video is pretty damn fresh. Antonio says he loves it and he thinks it’s being shot with Canon DSLRs, but whatever the case, the imagery in this video is just stunning. Big respects to the Clash camera crew in Paris! (And the driver, for drifting that S15 Silvia indoors!)
:: Edward Uche
WEBMINING> Savanna GT/Mazda RX3 Memories
I’m mad, seriously. Christmas weekend it is, but man….I can’t hold back this level of hurt. Friends of mine can vouch for the level of anger I experience when seeing a Mazda RX3. When I let mine go up for sale, I thought it might feel good to let something move on… WRONG. I now fully regret the transaction and wish life had a rewind button like that of a DVD player – call it seller’s remorse.
While I’m watching this video, gritting my teeth and wiping tears from my eyes, you can enjoy viewing this beautiful Mazda Savanna GT as it graces the country side roads of Japan. Take a closer look at the interior shots, and wish upon many stars that I may one day accomplish supreme levels of cool when building my next old school Mazda. Recaro front seats and Burberry-esque cloth covered rear seats. Observe the fresh RS Watanabe wheels which appear to be somewhere in the realm of 14 inches with a healthy tire side wall. Awesome fender mirrors? Check. Front lip with aero? Absolutely. If you own an RX3, please use this footage as a template and do not… I repeat, DO NOT sell your RX3. Unless of course I come knocking at your door inquiring about it. Then and ONLY then is it permissible. **sniff sniff**
: : Edward Uche
WEBMINING> SA22C RX7 vs DR30 Skyline
When a buddy of mine (thanks Royce!) first showed me this video, I was floored. It’s so cool that we get to see the Drift King Keiichi Tsuchiya “brapping” around in a circuit spec 1972 Mazda RX3 (Savanna GT) at the start of this vid. I felt so excited that a driver such as Tsuchiya, who we all know has driven some really amazing vehicles, found himself piloting such an iconic rotary – the legendary SA22C RX7!
Man, and does he drive this car! So dope. He smashed on that Nissan DR30 in full disrespct of it’s Skyline presence. It’s great seeing this type of performance on a race course from a Mazda.
Now I want a first gen RX7 haha….I’m positive you will too after seeing this. Observe Keiichi’s rotary aggression!
:: Edward Uche
COVERAGE> Old Skool & Rotary Turkey Day Run
What happens when you combine a national holiday and time off work with family and friends? ...a well devised plan for a cruise, that's what. During my Thanksgiving festivities this past week, I couldn't help but squirm with anticipation for this weekend's big rotary event, RX7Club.com's annual "Turkey Run." The meeting location launching the rotary/old skool massive would be RX3 owner and MMA trainer Savant Young's Fight Academy in Pasadena CA. There were so many varieties of cars to be seen; RX2s, RX3s, FCs, FDs, Miatas, and even Toyota TE21s and S13s.
Keeping up with the latest in grassroots events, the members of the Southern Cali Motor Mavens Crew were on a mission to bring our viewers a look into the organic Los Angeles car culture. Witness. Read more...
