Here’s another tale of my dedication. On Sunday I woke up at 4am to meet up with our good buddy Cam. I headed over to his house to head down to Taupo for Pickets 21st at Taupo. I haven’t been to Taupo raceway in at least 15 years, so shooting there would be very new to me. 
Lets just say I’m glad I went. Very glad.

\r\n

\r\n

Early mornings mean early fuelling at Gull. They have some pretty sweet gas, an it’s Cam’s choice of gas for his R32. As you can see, it was pretty foggy at 8am in Atiamuri. 

\r\n

\r\n

It didn’t take long for cars to get out on the track. This Mark II was out going nuts. The driver obviously wasn’t a learner.

\r\n

\r\n

Another car that was going nuts was this 86. The car is very Japanese styled, the classic wheels set it off. More on this car later in the post..

\r\n

\r\n

By this point I realized that the cars here were much different to the cars we usually see in Auckland. There was a lot more ‘Hellaflush’ styling and with a few other different influences. The driver of the S14 seemed to have a very good idea on how to drift. 

\r\n

\r\n

Matt had his FC RX7 out going nuts. This car is built for one purpose, and boy it does that purpose well, it looks awesome doing it too.

\r\n

\r\n

I don’t want to sound sexist, but I was amazed when I saw a girl pop out of this Chaser. She was giving the boys a crazy run for their money, I think she should do D1NZ. She surely seemed good enough to.

\r\n

\r\n

Like I said in the Garage H post, I don’t think we’re going to run out of 86/85’s any time soon, with more getting restored all the time. This one however is a bit of a veteran in the scene.

\r\n

\r\n

I started to get a bit mixed up when I was told there was two Max’s both with red S13’s.. This Max has a 1JZ under the hood in his S13. Some may not like the cross branding, I for one love it. It’s different no doubt, but awesome too.

\r\n

\r\n

This Max’s S13 has a highly modified SR20DET under the hood, with 19″ wheels with crazy dish. The body kit was scraping around some corners which lead to..

\r\n

\r\n

…Massive amounts of cable tie stitching. Cable ties are part of a drifters diet, they save lives you know. Well.. bodykit’s lives.

\r\n

\r\n

Ben was out with his S13 ‘Zombie’ giving it his all. I really love the tri spoke Advans he’s running. Sadly he tapped the wall on one of the last runs of the day to give a dent. No doubt we’ll see this car back out soon enough.

\r\n

\r\n

With many different means of entry into the first corner, some floored it and ripped the handbreak, others clutch kicked it. This R32 4 door was swinging itself around corners easily and even had the passenger holding up a sign for us!

\r\n

\r\n

I’ve seen this Sileighty out at a few events now. I think it’s following me somehow. Not that I’m worried! The driver seems to know what he’s doing behind the wheel.

\r\n

\r\n

I’m probably going to get in trouble for posting this. Lets just say..Don’t try this at home kids?

\r\n

\r\n

As the day moved on, I checked out the pits for a further look. I’m pretty sure your tow truck isn’t as sick as this.

\r\n

\r\n

However, the Hilux Collective was also here. There was at least another 3 of them chillin’.

\r\n

\r\n

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe… I can’t choose.

\r\n

\r\n

Some cars just stand out with that awesome afternoon lighting. 

\r\n

\r\n

These are the wheels I was meaning. They’re awesome. That’s all.

\r\n

\r\n

Keeping it simple! That’s the best way.

\r\n

\r\n

I will forever love this car. Great to see it gets used to.

\r\n

\r\n

Cam gave us all a lift round the track by the end of the day. Cam knows how to smoke tyres and mutilate them.

\r\n

\r\n

He went through every set he brought along, along with two from Max. Cheers Max.

\r\n

\r\n

As you can see in the background, that’s what Cam did to Max’s tyre. He somehow turned it into a motorbike tyre..

\r\n

\r\n

Sadly the day did have to come to an end. But with the rest of the track being opened for some last minute laps, a lot of fun was had. 

\r\n

\r\n

Cheers to Cam and the boys for an awesome day! I’ll be back into Taupo as much as I can. You guys have an awesome scene and cool people. I hope Picket had a mean day and will have another day soon!

\r\n

More photos will be up on Facebook when I’ve finished sorting them.. There’s too many.. 

I told you this was a big post.

\r\n

–Chris