Bushido

Bippu Beginning

2012-02-24T13:33:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I helped my really good friend install a set of coilovers on his Nissan Y50. He chose to go with KSport suspension because they are the only manufacturer who apparently makes a set of coilovers that use the double wishbone design bottom mount on the front struts. For a car that weighs so much, I wouldn't trust a single piece of metal versus the OEM double design either. Install was pretty straight forward, and almost identical to my Z33 coilover install, so I was having fun with it. Next up is a set of wheels, and I suggested he get a roof spoiler and trunk lip, then the car would pretty much be set. Here's some shots of the install and after. We'll be doing a full shoot of the car in the upcoming weeks when weather is nice. Bushido!

The Hour Of The Tiger

2011-11-18T11:10:00.000-05:00

Just a quick snap someone special took for me the other day during the 3 day span of beautiful weather and all the drastic leaf colors. Bushido!

The Mechanics of Seduction: Hosted by Art Whino

2011-10-25T01:04:00.003-04:00

Every time I've made my way down to the National Harbour just outside of D.C., I always make it a point to stop at this gallery, Art Whino. As I'm on their mailing list, I found out about an exhibition which they were hosting this past Saturday including the artwork of Glenn Arthur. Since I love stopping by there and wanted to do something different for a weekend night, my friends and I decided to shoot down there and check it out! This is kind of a change of pace from our regular automotive related postings, but I thought some of you might appreciate it! (FISHEYE BEWARE!!)

What you see as you first walk up to the Art Whino store front..

Before you even walk through the doors you'll see artwork popping out at you..

Your senses become overwhelmed while walking through this place..you have great live music to one side..drinks being served to a noisy crowd on the other..and bright colors and media hanging in every which direction. The two fine ladies directly above on the right are just two of the pieces by Glenn.

A shot from the back of the room..although the workspace doesn't end here. There are plenty more pieces stored behind the faux walls, either taken down for the show or waiting to be shipped off to a new home.

I was surprised how many skate decks they had hanging on the walls. There was also plenty of merch to be fumbled through. All in all, I am really glad that we got a chance to make it down there. Personally, I still haven't made a decision on how I feel about the art from the solo show, however I can't say much because I'm not an artist. The graphic look of Glenn's painting is sick though, and I like the fact that he uses different types of media. There is another solo show coming up in early November, which I'm now interested in attending, so look out for another artwork post then! Bushido.

South Baltimore Shoot - BMW

2011-09-19T14:37:00.000-04:00

I kind of helped out my friend Kevin (KC Image) yesterday with finding a spot in Baltimore for him to shoot a car for EuroTuner. In return I got to tag along and shoot the car as well, but I can't really post any photos since this car is getting a magazine feature. The car belongs to our friend Max, and is absolutely immaculate. I was super happy to help out a good friend and get the chance to shoot this car as well. Anyway, here is the only photo I'm going to post, enjoy! By the way, this is how a HDR photograph should look! Bushido.

Coverage Of XDC / REMIX Car Show In PAS Mag

2011-08-19T13:38:00.001-04:00

This is why we couldn't post all of the pictures here on the blog - the photos were being published by Performance Auto and Sound Magazine in print and on their website. Pick up a copy of their most recent issue in book stores to see the photos in print! Bushido.

Link to PAS Mag website:

PAS Mag - Xtreme Drift Circuit: Round 3

Petrol Heads!

2011-07-22T02:24:00.000-04:00

Enjoy Motoring and Motor Spirits!!

Xtreme Drift Circuit: RD3 @ ORLANDO (TEASER)

2011-05-19T13:16:00.002-04:00

It was HOT. It was BRIGHT. It was LOUD.

IT WAS WORTH IT...

This past weekend in Orlando, Florida, many spectators, enthusiasts, racers, models, and all different breeds of people had a chance to enjoy some of the top drivers from the still uprising world of drifting. Over 30 drivers competed for a spot in the top 16 qualifers, which was pretty intense given the caliber of drivers present. Watching Matt Waldin, driver of the Helix / Mishimoto turbocharged Z33, was like watching a sniper pick off his enemies one-by-one on a battlefield. There was a brief scare proceeding the battle of Waldin v. Moen's "One-More-Time." But luckily, Matt walked away victorious.

Although I think many of us believed that Waldin and DeNofa should have had a "One-More-Time" battle in the fight for 1st and 2nd place, we can all agree that it was a good show and we got to see some top-notch skills. Congratulations to the Top Four Drivers!

Fourth Place:

Nate Hamilton

Third Place:

Jeremy "J-Lo" Lowe

Second Place:

Chelsea DeNofa

First Place:

Matt Waldin

Unfortunately, I can't photodump all my coverage just yet, but here are some teasers of the happenings from Round 4 in Orlando. Enjoy, Bushido!

^^^Shout out to the guys at V2Labs! Good meeting you, and definitely going to stay following you all.

Kakimoto Racing GT1 OZ Racing Exhaust Video

2011-05-10T11:39:00.002-04:00

Alright guys, finished up the video this morning. Here is what it sounds like for the most part! Bushido.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSd-0mMzRow

Sakuya Blur

2011-05-06T13:22:00.000-04:00

Just some snaps from our good friend Kevin Choi, taken last night. Enjoy, Good Motoring! Bushido.

XDC / REMIX Car Show in Orlando, Florida

2011-05-03T11:20:00.000-04:00

This month, we'll be headed down south for some drifting fun, and switch up from our local car show scene! Photos will shortly follow our return back home! Bushido.

Kakimoto Racing GT1 OZ Exhaust System

2011-04-26T19:14:00.002-04:00

Just the thing to straighten out a boring and tough day at work, is to come home to this:

Product reference:
http://www.kakimotoracing.co.jp/01-02_gt10z/01-02_gt10z.html

This is for our member Paul's Z33. First one we have ever seen, and hopefully will remain rare. Gets installed tomorrow, so look out for another set of photos, and an exhaust clip to follow shortly after! Bushido

DATE CHANGE FOR MEET N' CRUISE!!

2011-04-12T13:33:00.000-04:00

Just a reminder that the date for our Spring Meet N' Cruise switched from the orginal date to this coming up Sunday; April 17th! So far the forecast of weather conditions looks promising, so we hope for a great turn out. Hope to see lots of familiar and new faces there! Bushido.

Shogunate Warrior GDB

2011-04-07T05:23:00.000-04:00

Our newest team member Matt drives this Subaru Impreza STi on the regular. Surviving almost a 1,000 mile road trip this past weekend to Charlotte, North Carolina, we just had to take the opportunity to do a shoot of his car at this amazing spot near their light rail system. HARD PARKED.

Being able to drive this car around town for just 5 minutes was so pleasant; the driver feeling so in touch with the car and the road. Matt put a lot of time and money into this car - specifically the engine, and one can definitely tell. I believe I remember him saying this was his third motor he's on.

Future plans include Bride Vios full bucket seats, and some more interior goodies. Also he plans to eventually grab a set of Work wheels to use as a summer-only set. We're unbelieveably happy to have him on our team now, and can't wait to see what's next with his car.

Look out for another shoot of this car later down the road! Bushido.

New Version Stickers Available!

2011-03-09T11:29:00.002-05:00

Our buddy Gareth over at Touge Automotive turned out these fresh new vinyls for us! They're available for sale to everyone, and keep an eye out for some limited edition colors in the near future! Bushido.

Bushido Decal - CLICK TO PURCHASE!!

Fell's Point - Of The Floating World

2011-02-16T11:47:00.000-05:00

Snapped a quick one the other evening after the Auto Show in Baltimore, MD. Hopefully some significant changes coming very soon!

I'm hoping for a big turnout at our Meet N' Cruise on March 27th! Find us on Facebook and definitely add the event to your calendar! Get ready for some fun back roads...Bushido.

2011 Spring Meet & Cruise!!

2011-01-26T01:17:00.003-05:00

Here's just a little more information about where we're meeting etc, etc...

Where:
Annapolis Harbour Center - Bowtie Cinemas Parking Lot
2474 Solomons Island Rd
Annapolis, MD 21401

Date:
Sunday, April 17th, 2011

Time:
Meet will start around 9AM. There is a Starbucks in the shopping center so feel free to run over and grab some coffee or a treat before we head out. The Cruise portion of the event will begin around roughly 10AM. We will make the departure time lax to allow the stragglers to get there in time.

Who:
Everyone is invited. Bring your friends, family, dog, significant other - Just as long as they're ready for some fun driving! Any - brand - car - import - domestic - fast - slow - big - small

Prepare yourselves for about an hour of spirited, back road driving. The route will take you through Southern Anne Arundel County, and back up through Prince Georges County, to end in Bowie. The Cruise will end at the shopping center at the corner of Annapolis Rd / MD-450 and Highbridge Rd. There are several restaurants to choose from for an early lunch, such as Texas Roadhouse, East Moon Asian Bistro, or Dunkin Donuts. DRIVE AT YOUR OWN RISK!! Please don't exceed your own limitations, and be careful considering you may not be familiar with the entire route. It is suggested that you bring a passenger or navigator to help direct your route. Route directions will be handed out during the Meet portion of the event, as well as drivers divided into driving classes (ie: Aggressive, Brisk, or Calm).

It's Official

2010-09-30T22:33:00.000-04:00

Check the new business cards!

Our first batch of Team Bushido T-Shirts got sent out today! Will post photos of them when they come in too!

In the meantime....TEASERS!

Go Rin No Sho

2010-09-06T15:48:00.000-04:00

Just figured I'd throw a short little post up here, since we're now in the month of September. Things seem to be rolling quickly now; Business Cards, Banners, and other Bushido swag is now in, with more on the way. Official Bushido T-Shirts are on order and should be here within 2 weeks! Just a few more small steps to make and Bushido is in full-action!

Shoots of member cars are soon to be published, and keep an eye out on the Team page, as there is now an abundance of interest in Bushido.

The weather is changing, days are getting shorter, and hopefully an adequate amount of gatherings and meets will pop up before it gets too far and cold into the season! Hope everyone has a good week, and keep it classy! Bushido.

In the Shadow of the Leaves

2010-08-20T12:58:00.000-04:00

So I know there hasn't been a post in over a month now. I am starting to get sad over the fact that I haven't had time to get another shoot posted up on the blog.

However, lately I've been reading a book written by a man, and samurai, of his century, Yamamoto Tsunetomo. The book, Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai, has really been opening my eyes a lot more and reminded me of the whole reason we chose the name Bushido for our team. I am reminded that we are a well balanced, Yin and Yang, group of people who display the same characteristics we live by through the modification of our vehicles. Throughout the book, filled with anecdotes of various samurai, Buddhas, scholars, scribes, and Lords of their time, I find many quotes that I can relate to my daily life and thrive from.

"Throughout your life advance daily, becoming more skillful than yesterday, more skillful than today. This is never-ending."

-Words of Yamamoto Tsunetomo from the First Chapter of Hagakure.-

Bushido should be in full-motion soon, with more media on the way, and higher attendance to shows and events. Be sure to look for us on the daily and stay active with our Facebook page. We ARE still recruiting and looking for valuable team members, so if you think you have what it takes, and have the right mind-set, be sure to get in contact with us! Bushido.

HyperFest | XDC | Remix 2010 @ Summit Point, WV

2010-06-27T08:57:00.001-04:00

Well it was one insane day in Summit Point, WV June 19th, 2010. HyperFest, Remix, and XDC worked in conjunction to pull of a synergistic effect and resulted in one crazy car show, drift party with racing on the side! HyperFest had things going on from the Xtreme Drift Circuit, to 24 hours of Lemons, the car show, to also NASA Racing and HyperDrive ride-alongs.

Chelsea Denofa killing it through the turns. This is one CRAZY sounding E36.

Team Sun Works' LS1-Powered S13 by PowerFab. I freaking loved this car.

There was some crazy stuff to see over in the Paddock where the NASA drivers were hanging out, including this awesome Porsche. 944's where also high in attendance.

More NASA Racing.

Definitely a good mix in the field for the car show and vendor booths. Here is Re:Vision Auto Salon's race-prepped RX-8, peaking out of the Mischief.tv tent.

Team Solo's little line-up. I really love how you can see the detail of the insane aerodynamics on the Amuse Superleggera Front Bumper in this picture.

Complete Spoon S2000. This car was to die for; definitely done right.

I would have liked to see these two run on the track though!

Later, there was another yellow S2K that had crashed while racing, resulting in a demolished front bumper, head light and fender, and his rear passenger wheel hub and axle completely bent. So sad to see. I also feel bad for the one guy who happened to flip his DAILY DRIVEN Honda DC1 in the last turn of the track while racing. Wonder how he got home...?

More S2000's! I believe the offset on these rear wheels was something dumb like -34!

I give mad love to the Team Emotion guys, who REALLY know what they are doing.

NOW, for the drifting of the day..

1JZ-Powered GReddy S14. The car was VERY sick. But the driver seemed to be having trouble with turn one.

Loving the detail in ths photo.

Steve Angerman was TEARING it up, even during practice. His V8 Solstice had smoke pouring off the rear-end.

Another V8-Powered JDM.

Doug VanDenBrink clipping the inside and throwing up some dirt. One mean Mustang I must say.

Chelsea Denofa, tailed by Stuart Leask.

The sky looking super crazy in the background of this photo, but Steve Angerman tailed by Chelsea Denofa.

Another shot of VanDenBrink. Smoke just filling the air and leaving a cloud behind him down the track.

Down on the track after the last battle. I think Doug is excited for a reason...

Congratulations to Doug VanDenBrink for taking 1st at XDC and winning the $3,000 top prize!

Congrats to Miro Ovcharik and Chelsea Denofa as well for landing in the top 3, and Steve Angerman coming in fourth place.

Once again, congratulations to all the drivers who placed!

Ahhh...the Daisy Duke Contest!

Stacey Acevero, local celeb it seems like!

Congrats to the winner of the Daisy Duke Contest!

I definitely enjoyed the whole entire day. From the drive to meet up with our crew before we went to Summit, to blistering in the sun and getting annoyed by the nats out in the field while watching the drifting. It was one great event, and I'm glad it came together so well. I can't wait now for XDC Englishtown, NJ on August 7th! We will for sure be there, as well as Firebird Raceway for the XDC Finals on October 16th in Phoenix, AZ!

Enjoy the rest of the coverage!

Bushido v1.0 Stickers Are In!

2010-06-21T15:21:00.000-04:00

Tell us what you think! Look out for the v1.1 stickers coming soon!

OC Car Show Spring 2010

2010-06-09T21:07:00.002-04:00

We were able to get to the OC Car Show this past Sunday held at the Ocean City Convention Center in Maryland. Definitely a pretty good turnout, and a wide variety of, err, tastes present. I was there with my buddies from Revision Auto Salon, Mischief, and Race Apeel. Anyways, check out the photos.

John's S13 on AME's which actually took Best Engine in Show.

Here's a snap of the K-1 Attack Car (seen in the Mischief Dynasty movies) driven by an owner of Race Apeel, hiding away in the Revison trailer before it came out for the show.

This dope Suby was brought to the show by the Aaron Vaccar Signature Series Tour. The car is sick, with some HRE's and a set of insanely shiny Endless brakes peeking out from behind.

HPi Racing was present at the show with a small track set up showing off their Micro RC Cars. Too bad they didn't have a bit of a larger section available to show off some of the Drifters and get some more attention to the hobby. Check them out: http://www.hpiracing.com/.

A few IS350's were bunched together, two stanced out on some Linea Corse wheels and looked so clean.

Shout out to Mala Sisengthong for modeling on my boy Goofball's freshly painted Z33. Thank you!

And I would give some recognition to the next two models (and Goof's phone number) if I knew their names! But either way, thank you as well!

These guys brought their Rail-Car to the show. Had to be one of my favorite things there. Just check out the paint job!

...And a view of what it might look like from the driver's seat.

My new friend Kellie repetitively got in my way while I was trying to shoot. -_-

There we go!

Loaded Gun had a small section setup inside the convention center with a few crazy bikes. This one here was definitely my favorite.

"CUSTOM CYCLES, CAFES & CARS"

A truck lifted enough to walk under...

Rockford Fosgate had a "rally" Evo in the show....Look a little closer at those "headlights."

Enjoy the rest of the coverage. Bushido.

Psst...And just in case you never knew what the "SF" in the SF line of Volk Racing wheels stood for.

First Feature: Airbagged Corona

2010-05-19T09:26:00.011-04:00

We were finally able to do our first semi-official photoshoot, and tag it as our own! This dope S2000 belongs to one of our very own Bushido members, Andrew, and this guy totally deserves the credit too for all the insane things he pulls in his daily driver. It has to be the first S2K I've ever seen (or heard of) on airbags, and if you meet him just once, you'll be able to tell that he loves to just slam the hell out of this thing.

Andrew is rocking an old school set of Work Equip Anhelos that he polished down himself by hand from the original silver paint. Wheel dimensions are 17 x 8 e36 in the front with 50mm spacers (yes that's 2"), making a true offset of -14, and 18 x 10 e38 in the rear with 5mm spacers, making a true offset of +33. The airbag kit is actually just a generic Airbagit.com kit, but with a lot of extra little goodies, and TONS of custom work with plenty of time put into planning out placement in the trunk.

There are also a generous amount of tasteful little modifications to this car, such as the floor-mounted 10-Inch subwoofer in the passenger footwell, and the custom self-made headrest speakers. Andrew's old setup consisted of TEIN Flex Coilovers bottomed-out on stock wheels, and he just decided, "Meh, it needs to go lower," apparently.

Grabbed a little bit of lunch, and we decided to show off the retarded offset in the front with a little corona bottle stuck in the wheel. He wanted to leave it in there...

This car is all about stance. It definitely handles like a Go-Kart, and with mostly just the suspension being the main focus of modification, it doesn't need to be fast in a straight line to get away from you on the back roads. Andrew actually plans to return his suspension back to coilovers, simply to save weight and have a more reliable means of a lowered car. Look out for more features of this car further down the road. Bushido.

Bushido Status About to Begin!

2010-05-03T15:20:00.000-04:00

Alright guys, Bushido is half-way up and running. We will be publishing the FB page soon, so be sure to "Like" it and we will keep everyone and everything posted between here and Facebook! Look out Mid-A, Bushido is upon you.