2009 D1GP Drivers
Daigo Saito - Ranked #1 and winner of 2008 D1 Japan.
Yoichi Imamura - Ranked #2 in 2008 D1 Japan season and winner of 2008 D1 Tokyo Drift. Also has the most D1GP wins.
Ken Nomura - Ranked #4 in 2008 D1 Japan season. There will be a monkey in the madness.
Takahiro Ueno - Ranked #8 in 2008 D1 Japan season. As owner of Vertex he's gonna be pissed when he see's your knock-off kit.
2009 D1GP Judges
Keiichi Tsuchiya - The "Drift King" himself.
Daijiro Inada - The founder of Option Magazine and Tokyo Auto Salon
Manabu Suzuki - One of the original three judges from the D1 series.
Two American Judges - TBA
Source: www.d1gp.com
Last Of The S2K
Originally envisioned as a limited-edition tribute to Honda's 50th anniversary, the S2000 production was stretched extra long due to high consumer demand. But now Honda has decided that the nine-year stretch was long enough. 2009 will be your last chance to buy a brand new S2000, not to mention the limited edition CR model. This car will indefinitely go down in history as a classic. From the streets to the Tsukuba Time Attack, S2000s have dominated all over. Over 65,000 S2000s have been sold alone in the US. Source: www.honda.com
F-Sport Expansion
Lexus' F-Sport product line currently only supports the IS 250 and IS 350. Very soon this year, F-Sport will expand to include the current Lexus GS and the upcoming IS C (convertible). Products include brake upgrades, forged alloy wheels, lowering springs, lowering struts, under chassis bracing, sway bars, exhaust systems, intake systems, carbon engine covers, floor mats, shift knobs, short shifters and even high performance clutches. Source: www.f-sport.com
WWJD?
Sean Klingelhoefer
Dear Jesus,
What's it like working at such a sweet job? What challenges and obstacles did you have to overcome to be a part of the best tuning mag? Also, what advice can you give to someone interested in working in the tuning/import journalism industry? Have you met Tetsu? What do you think of his tuning knowledge? I think he is funny, but it seems to me he should have a bigger role at SS. Maybe once he can do some prank calling.
Thanks for you help,
Chris Lusebrink
Kansas
Chris, sorry I had to cut some (actually most) of your letter out, unfortunately I'm not a big enough deal around here to get that much room. But I will answer your questions in order - As for the job - it's really amazing, I honestly can't believe I get paid to do this job. Prior to working at the magazine I did all sorts of other jobs, ranging from full-service mechanic to photographer for online skateshop to tech support for a shipping company - but I think in one way or another, each opportunity I had gave me important lessons to build on and ultimately got me the job I have today. As far as advice to others, I get asked this one a lot and my basic answer is - if you love what you do, people will take notice. I know a lot of times in the industry it's more who you know than anything, but as with my case I was not a SoCal local, nor was I barking up every magazine's editor asking for a job - I was just some kid from Arizona that Jonny seemed to think had something to bring to the magazine. As for Tetsu, yes I met him in Japan (as you will see documented in this issue) and he's a real badass. I DEFINITELY think he should have more of a role in our magazine. For example, did you know he's a certified racecar driver!? Anyway I wish you the best of luck and hope you continue to follow the build on my EK (as mentioned in a deleted portion of the letter).Sincerely,Jesus