Umbra Noctis @icemanxe10 - Tumblr Blog

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Views from up and down Irohazaka, site of the famous jump by Initial D character Kai Kogashiwa in his SW20 MR2 during his battle against Takumi's AE86.

It's like someone laid spaghetti over a mountain - it winds and curves and turns in on itself, over and over. It was a soothing sight during a cool winter's day.

Source: @icemanxe10

#japan #intial d #motorsports #hill climb racing #cars #Irohazaka

hirocimacruiser

Pics I took of a local Mitsubishi Legnum VR4. Wheels are AVS Model 6. The front bumper has vents from an EVO Lancer and corner canards from a Super VR-4 Legnum. Recaro seats are a recent addition from another Legnum that is being parted out.

Jan 14th, 2024

At the throat of the entrance to Sportsland Yamanashi, deep in the countryside not far from Mount Fuji, sit a pair of N14 Sunny (Pulsars down here in Australia) GTi-R hatches, slowly decaying in the elements as nature reclaims them.

I've no idea who drove them or the accolades they may have earned, but it's somewhat bitter-sweet seeing these icons in such rough shape. I presume they were a part of a spec series, similar to those captured in the track's small gallery of history.

You feel the urge to restore them - to save them from their fate and hear those SR20 engines sing again. Yet somehow, their presence is comforting - an enduring symbol of the past. A reminder of how transient everything can be, yet no less memorable. I think I might prefer them, just the way they are.

Source: @icemanxe10

#japan #nissan #n14 sunny #sr20det #sportsland yamanashi #pulsar #gti-r #cars

One of my favourite photos of my 2024 Japan trip - Owner @inokuuuu3030 (IG) with his stylish Powerpuff/K-On themed Silvia itasha, and another S15 in tow.

I grabbed a cheap disposable wind-up camera on a whim in duty-free before departure, and it turned out to be a great decision. I hope I can take more photos when I go back.

source: @icemanxe10

#drifting #s15 silvia #itasha #nikko circuit #nissan silvia #japan

Ok, so it's been a while. To make up for that, here's some photos of Alley Cat - a 1975 Holden Sandman panel van with heavy modifications. The standard 308 V8 engine that powered the beginning of its life was ripped out in favour of a Jaguar V12. The body was widened, as was the tunnel. Cadillac tailights replaced the standard bricks, and a lush interior was revised more than once to keep up with its peers. Original builder John Strachan was the talk of the town upon its 1980s debut, and it's a build that has long since remained in the memory of Australian hot rodders.

Once adorned with a variety of Frank Lee tiger murals, the Cat is now in the process of being restored to its former glory: while the 'hotwire' wheels and paint remain absent for now, it still sports the Meteor nosecone and widened arches from its heyday. However, whilst remaining respectful, current owner Russell Smith has opted for small updates to modernise the build.

I, and many others, look forward to seeing the results once the pieces all come together. Alley Cat is an icon, well deserving of a restoration to inspire a new generation of builders and modifiers.

#motorex #street machine #alley cat #holden #sandman #vanning #wagon #frank lee

hirocimacruiser

JUN R33 Skyline GTR at Bonneville.

JUN Suka did it 375km/h!

49th Bonneville Speed Week

Enjoying the pleasure on the salt was Susumu Koyama, managing director and driver of JUN Auto Mechanics. A new record was a given, and with the goal of beating the 260 miles set six years ago with a 300ZX, he brought his 1,200 horsepower R33 Skyline GT-R, which he started building in May. The fastest challenge on Lake Bonneville, Utah, USA will be held for one week starting August 16th. As expected, the GT-R broke the class record with an average speed of 233.217 miles per hour. Photos&Report/Shogo NAKAO ●Interview cooperation/Travel Alice 06-341-1201

JUN is Bonneville's home run king.

When he first came here in 1990, he failed with a 300ZX, but the following year he used the same machine to hit a bullet liner of 260.809 mph and 419 km/h. In 1993, I brought an R32GT-R, but it rained.

The tournament was canceled due to standing water. Moving to Dry Lake in El Mirage, California, he set a class record of 194.961 mph and 313 km/h on a 2 km straight short course.

The aim this time is F/BGCC class. In the blown gas competition coupe, supercharged gasoline engine category below 3L, the previous record of 219.107mp/h was set by Thunderbird last year. First of all, Managing Director Koyama. The road surface was extremely rough due to the previous week's thunderstorm.

Even though I said, "I won't run straight," I ran 221 miles. Qualify now.

Normally, after this, I would run the 7-mile course in reverse and record the average value of the two runs, but on the evening of August 17th, when I qualified, it rained heavily and the course was closed until the afternoon of the 19th.

The rainwater did not dry up after the 3rd mile mark, making it an unusual record run in the same direction for 223 miles. At this point, I have achieved a class record. ``When I was a sophomore, there wasn't a big bench.

It was estimated that it had 1000 horsepower. This time, we have 1,200 horsepower, so according to calculations we should be able to cover over 260 miles,'' said Mr. Yoshida, the JUN public relations officer, with a red-hot face.

``The car was bouncing around so much,'' he says, so he loaded eight 18-kilogram salt bags into the trunk, for a total of 144 kg, aiming for even more speed.

However, the rain on the 17th did not dry up quickly and there were sloppy and slippery conditions.

Daijiro Inada, who is well-known for OPT magazine, rides the boat and pulls it an average of 233 miles.

On the second and final day, Managing Director Koyama aimed for a homer with the bases loaded by removing the salt bags and using thicker tires and maximum boost pressure, but he could not beat Daijiro.

I ended up spinning around in circles.

The members of JUN looked a little disappointed.

PIC CAPTIONS

The weight of the vehicle is 1500kg. It had been converted from a 4WD to a 2WD, but apparently ``a 4WD would have been better on this road surface.''

Traction was improved by placing 144 kg of salt bags next to the gas tank in the trunk.

A twin-turbo engine with 1200 horsepower measured on the bench. Great, you have a bench.

On the road this time, he was not able to tell how the aerodynamics were compared to the Z.

Tokyo Auto Salon 24.1.12, Part 2

Making my way through the labyrinth of stalls and displays, I passed Liberty Walk and their pair of Hakosuka Skylines; the famous Smurf themed one and a more subtle Kaido Racer looking counterpart.

Sayaka Shimoda's presence was also felt - her comic book style Hotwheels RX-7 sat gleaming in front of the Valino booth, and her D1GP machine even had a miniature version of itself on the dash.

Aimgain's kit for the Toyobaru twins improved on the GR86's already good looks. AME had a very clean S2000 on display. Finally, RWB had a very eye-catching advertisement parked on the street outside of the venue; a see-through trailer with one of their many 911's inside.

#tas2024 #tokyo auto salon #drifting #kaido racer #hakosuka #nissan #honda #porsche #rwb #rauh welt #s2000 #mazda rx7 #s15 silvia #aimgain #gr86 #toyota

understeerking

While visiting Wave, I saw there were two X90 MarkII's out front that had Night Walkers team stickers on them. I asked Yubo, who they were, and said they belonged to Yoshiaki Mori & Kenji Ishikawa. These cars were also setup similar to the B-Wave 180s and were tuned with "Boost Up" style in order to compete in another Old-school series. They just had oem style turbos instead of GT30s. I'll have to attend one of these events when I return to Japan, they sound fun!!!

understeerking

Yubo was kind enough to invite me to the legendary shop Wave. Being a huge 90s nerd, it was surreal being here. Walking around the lot, I noticed a pink 180sx on a tow truck, and I instantly knew what it was! The owner was there, and he was kind enough to pull it off the truck so I could get a closer look. His son was also there with his blue 180sx tucked away in the corner. It was really nice seeing the father & son, old & new generations enjoying this strang and exciting hobby. I will post part 2 that will go over their car setups.

toyotatumblin

ST205

Tokyo Auto Salon 24.1.12, Part 1

Makuhari Messe in Chiba has ample space to accommodate all of the vendors at Auto Salon, and it has to - I don't believe I saw every single booth, despite being present for at least 6-8 hours on Friday and Saturday.

There's plenty to see: Electrifying builds like the Moontech E30 M3 sporting a stroked 2.5L version of the I4, complete with ITB's.

Or Keiichi Nomura's R34 D1 machine, following in the footsteps of father Ken, famous for both his ER34 and the URAS brand.

Vertex also had plenty on offer to drain your wallet at their merchandise booth, and Work Wheels had a fantastic exploded model of their famous three piece S13P wheels.

#tas2024 #tokyo auto salon #subaru #r34 skyline #uras #vertex #work wheels #bmw e30 m3 #moontech #drifting #nissan #cars

It's been a while - forgive me. I was fortunate enough to travel to Japan for my first ever trip overseas, in time for Toyko Auto Salon and some surrounding events. Enjoy this preview of what I have to share ;)

Source: @icemanxe10