Drifting

All things sideways.

IAMknighted: A Site For Petrolheads

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I am delighted to announce my part in the superbly presented and interesting automotive site, IamKnighted. The main focus is on motor sport and car culture. As you know, I’m a massive fan of both, particularly car culture and the effect automobiles have over people.

I will be writing articles and have great faith in their ability to grow into an influential publication. Please look them up and check out their site and what they have to offer. My first piece is on drifting and how the drift community manages to bring different car groups together as one: Drifting: Bring Car Communities Together

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Kei To The City: MCM is Back!

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Yes! Finally, the MCMs boys are back with season 6. The wait was well worth it with the premiere being an another feature film set in Japan. Kei To The City is 62 minutes of pure culture, comedy and… drifting. Just to make things clear from the beginning, Kei isn’t a typo; it’s a Japanese term for small vehicles that comply to certain tax and insurance regulations.

The Aussie lads manage to capture the Japanese JDM vibe through the universal love that is messing about with cars. Just like their first film, Temples & Turbos, the drift crew known as ‘The 88s’ show off their garage and some of their mechanical skills.

 

Accompanying the entire film is Moog’s new album of the same name. Moog is a talented writer/producer, and this electronic music is a match made in heaven.

You can buy it here on  iTunes

 

Go watch and see what you can achieve in Japan with just $300.

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Hipster Appeal, Petrolhead Heaven

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If you’re unsure as to what a Hipster is, just think ‘Hippy’ with a little extra cash and a better haircut. The Hipster subculture takes elements of 1940s fashion and is derived from a movement from the same era. Hipsters are usually aged between 18-34, including the middle-class adult. You’ll never see a Hipster wearing mainstream clothing; they prefer thrift/vintage stores for that authentic look. Indie bands and labels are their choice of music. Sustenance would come from an independent sandwich shop or cafe and most definitely not a McDonalds or Burger King.  In one sentence, a Hipster is an independent thinker, possess progressive political opinions, appreciates art and creativity, intelligence and witty banter.

Most Hipsters prefer bicycles (especially fixed wheel) for transport, however, those selecting an automobile go for 80s, boxy and usually European. Mercedes are a good choice, but the king of the Hipstermobile is the Volvo. Take an 80s Swedish car (preferably a wagon/estate), remove the hub caps, add ironic bumper stickers and voila. Those willing to spill a drop or two of oil onto their vintage tweed or chequered shirts may even slam it.

Now this is where the second part of the title comes in. I agree the 80s boxy cars are fantastic looking and becoming fashionable again – think BMW E30 – and whilst I like the Hipster fashion and some of their attitudes and perceptions on the world, one of my biggest Hipster downfalls  is my lack of sympathy for the environment – the closest I’ve come to the whole wagon revival is owning a tuned 235-bhp Subaru WRX wagon.

Hipsters are P.C. in every way; they are open-minded and carefree. They wear sensible trousers, and horn-rimmed specs are a prerequisite to join the club.

So how would I fit in with my need to hoon whilst maintaining that Hipster vibe?

Okay, that’ll do nicely…

What Are Your Car Plans For 2014?

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Right, that’s Christmas done with and all the family stuff out of the way; now I can get back to writing about cars. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, it’s just I love cars more.

2014 is only a few days away and I know what I want to achieve car-wise (nothing else really concerns me enough to think about a change), so with this in mind, what are my fellow auto-lovers up to? Are you in the middle of a build, considering new modifications, or even buying a new car?

The biggest box I want to tick is the NEW CAR category. As you know from my previous posts, I have a thing for the Skyline R32 GTR, so I want to sell my WRX and find a clean example, preferably black. I want to make it look evil, staying away from the whole ‘murdered-out’ matte effect.

I also want to take drifting to the next level, but as the R32 is AWD like my WRX, and it will be too nice to crash, I’ll have to think about a cheap second car, one I can just repair with rip ties and not worry about it.

Secondly, I hope to post a lot more and even add some DIY photos/videos of any mods I undertake.

Thirdly, keep reminding myself that, whilst I’m trying to boost Gargling Gas’ profile, I have to write articles for auto publications so I can pay for stuff.

So what are you guys up to in 2014?

I Used To Be Indecisive But Now I’m Not So Sure

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GTR32
I’m sorry for that ridiculous title but it sums up one of my many character traits. Anyone who knows me well would be fully justified in saying phrases like “when he gets a bee in his bonnet” or “it’s just another one of his five minute wonders”.

I’ve been toying with the idea of another e46 M3, an EVO VI or even a WRX STI, but now I’m totally smitten with Godzilla. Not the computer laden modern versions like the GTR R34 or R35, but the Nissan GTR R32.

Okay, so the R33 and onwards boast more technology, but I love the retro styling of the R32. It has aged well, unlike the R33, and its simple lines really appeal to me. Black on black makes it look extremely evil, too – another massive bonus.

I’m a big drift fan and wanted a car I could occasionally be a little silly with around bends. My WRX is hard work because of its AWD. The EVO would suffer the same, where as the Beemer would cost a fortune in both tyres and and any transmission or clutch issues.

Yes, I have a bee in my bonnet, but this is one five minute wonder I hope lasts an age.

 

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A Little Education, Culture & Total Carnage

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If you are able to sneek away from the Saturday night Rom Com with your significant other, grab your mobile device, kickback on your bed or hide in the toilet, and behold this 94 minute movie on the origins of drifting.

Outsiders Japan Movie is filmed by the guys at Driftworks – and they know a thing or two. With 10 years sliding cars, Phil Morrison and James Robinson hit Japan and soak up the culture, the filmmaker Al Clark capturing the vibe through his discerning lens.

If you want to go straight to the action, start the vid at around the 30 minute mark. After watching the entire movie, it only makes me want to go to Japan even more. It looks like quite an intense and surreal experience, and I think a couple of weeks would probably be enough… but, then again, they feature a hi-tech heated toilet, so maybe a little longer?

Paul Walker Really Loved His Cars

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Every car site has reiterated the terribly sad news about the death of Paul Walker, but I want to steer clear of all the tragedy and touch upon his genuine love of cars.

Thanks to the Fast & Furious franchise, the world of Japanese tuner cars opened up to the globe, where kids idolised the movie’s characters and started modding their own cars (mainly Hondas). The Tokyo Drift instalment revealed how the kids in Japan drive, and with the help from a certain Ken Block, drifting exploded in the States.

To a lot of people the Fast & Furious scene spells trouble, hooligans that drone around the streets with their big exhausts looking for races. In reality, this is an entirely false perception as kids who modify their rides usually have to work hard for the parts and then labour over them in their spare time. It brings people together who have a common interest and gives enthusiasts something creative and positive to do.

Paul Walker was a main character in the Fast & Furious movies, a chiselled and good looking man who could drive like a rally champion.

Like his character on screen, Walker loved cars off screen. He had an impressive collection and knew what he had tucked away. Not only knowledgeable about his cars, he also drove them… hard.

Take a look at this article I wrote for Motor Ward after Fast & Furious 6 and see just what Paul Walker had tucked in his garage.

R.I.P