Latest news with #drifting
Auto Car
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Lexus IS200: the driftiest car that £2000 can buy
Years back, a mate and I used to amuse ourselves watching Japanese drift videos. The sport of attacking bends at improbable oversteer angles was big stuff in Japan at the turn of the century, young guns drifting their Corolla AE86s, Skylines and Mazda RX-7s illicitly in the Hakone Hills and licitly, on specially prepared tracks. The drama of watching this was heightened – considerably – by the sight of synchronised drifting, often of impossibly large and sedate saloons, and by near-hysterical Japanese commentary. It was into this world that Lexus, until 1998 a maker of large, subtly-functioning and somewhat baroque premium saloons launched the lithe, revvy and rear-wheel drive IS200. This pleasingly compact saloon was powered by a 2.0 litre straight six, just like a BMW 3 Series, presented a noticeably short front overhang, just like a 3 Series, and like most engines with half-a-dozen in-line pistons, was strong on smooth and weak on earthmoving luggery. It needed revs to make it go hard. The need for quick-spinning crank speed was driven by a lot more than a lot more than the need to extract torque, the IS200's entire character folded around the goal of creating an entertaining sports saloon. This was radical stuff for Lexus, which had previously specialised in comfort-oriented, low effort, premium sedans slushing about at the low revs favoured by the torque converters of their automatic transmissions. The big-engined, soft-sprung GS300 and LS400 were ideal for loping along the American Interstate. The IS200, on the other hand, was created with a more invigorating approach in mind. Apart from being compact, Lexus's pert new rear-driver had been developed under the control of one Nobuaki Katayama, who led the creation of the drift-focused AE85/86 Toyota Corolla coupes before working on Toyota's Le Mans and rally campaigns. This was a man who knew what a driver's car should be, and knew how to make cars that would yes, drift. Sure enough, the IS200 had just the kind of chassis balance you'd hope for from a sporting saloon, and better still, determined revving and tight-turn attacks produced deliciously entertaining oversteer moments. Especially if your IS was fitted with an optional limited slip differential This was an entirely different kind of Lexus, a Lexus to raise your heart-rate rather than sink it, a Lexus more in the mould of a European car. That was no accident, its creation very clearly inspired by the BMW 3 Series – Lexus was happy to admit as much – a car of fast-rising popularity both on its home continent and in the US. But the IS was far from a shameless copy. It had distinguishing features of its own, in particular a pair of rear lamp-clusters that would create an entire cottage industry of copyists selling 'Lexus-style' lights. They look a little tame now, but the lamp-within-a-lamp, three-dimensional nature of these cluster sets certainly accelerated the trend towards ever-more elaborate rear lights.
The Drive
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Han's Tokyo Drift VeilSide Mazda RX-7 Just Sold for $1.2 Million
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Time has aged The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift into a classic, and rightfully so. A spinoff with new characters that wasn't really folded into the series' overarching narrative until years later, the 2006 movie further popularized JDM culture and, specifically, drifting in the U.S. and around the world. The cars in it have become icons in their own right, too, though perhaps none as strongly as Han's orange-and-black FD Mazda RX-7 equipped with a VeilSide Fortune bodykit. One of the running examples built for the film was just auctioned this past weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it sold for an eye-watering $1,225,568. This RX-7 is the real deal, Bonhams says. It wasn't one of those fakes built to take a beating, like an R34 GT-R shell with a Beetle powertrain. Universal Studios commissioned this car from VeilSide, and the Fortune kit touches every exterior element on the RX-7 aside from its roof and tailgate. They also slapped on some 19-inch Andrew Premier Series Racing Evolution 5 wheels, which look stunning in full polished aluminum. Next, the coupe was handed over to tuner RE Amemiya, who lavished the same TLC on its engine. Han's ride also received a Blitz exhaust, as well as a new clutch, brakes, and coilover suspension. The whole package is said to weigh about 2,315 pounds, and is tuned for stock output. That means an 'official' figure of 276 horsepower, but we all know how underrated these cars were from the factory. Bonhams Clearly this RX-7 wasn't abused for Hollywood; Bonhams reports it was used only for static and stunt scenes, and never for drifting. In other words, it wasn't the car that actually ripped a big, fat powerslide through Shibuya Crossing with no permission—it just looks like it. Because no 2000s tuner car was complete without a heavy-bass aftermarket sound system, this RX-7 has an Alpine setup 'twin amplifiers and multiple loudspeakers,' and you can see the goods through the split rear window. There's even a prop to keep the gate lifted, to show it all off. Hey, we laugh, but over-the-top audio counted for a lot in street cred back in the day. Also note the separate screen on the passenger's side of the dash, though there's no telling what it actually does. Maybe you can hook an Xbox 360 up to it, for the ultimate 2006 experience. Bonhams When modified, this RX-7 had about 61,000 miles on it; afterwards, another 5,000 were logged. A few years after filming wrapped, a U.K.-based importer took the car. Hopefully the new owner doesn't consign it to a museum piece, but they should know that, given how long the car has sat still, it should probably get a checkup before reenacting any events from the silver screen. Got a tip? Send it our way at tips@
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Luminous Life' Review: A Breezy and Melancholic Portrait of a Portuguese Zoomer Looking for Love, Plus a Steady Job
Films about 20-something characters drifting aimlessly through life have a tendency to drift themselves, but that can also be part of their charm. Not every movie needs to be a nail-biter, and not every plot needs to be engineered like a Maserati. Some of the best examples of the genre — Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, Frances Ha, Fellini's I Vitelloni — convey that feeling of endless drifting while remaining altogether captivating. In a sense, the drift becomes the crux of the story. Nicolau (Francisco Melo), the shy and shaggy protagonist at the heart of Joao Rosas' debut feature, The Luminous Life (A Vida Luminosa), feels like the quintessential drifter of our time — or at least as such a time exists in a contemporary western European capital. Lovesick and forever looking for gainful employment, he wanders around Lisbon in search of something he can't quite name or put his hands on. Maybe it's hope? Or a viable career? Or a new girlfriend? Whatever it is, he doesn't seem very motivated to find it, yet his meandering quest manages to intrigue all the same. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'Broken Voices' Review: A Girl's Dreams Are Shattered by Sexual Predation in an Artful Drama From the Czech Republic Karlovy Vary: 'Sentimental Value' Star Stellan Skarsgård Will Record THR's 'Awards Chatter' Pod in Front of Fest Audience 'When a River Becomes the Sea': An Archaeologist Digs Deep to Uncover and Confront Sexual Trauma Both breezy and melancholic, the film reveals hints of Eric Rohmer with its series of random romantic encounters — including one in which Nicolau crosses paths with a French girl, Chloé (Cécile Matignon), who becomes a love interest. But it also bears the forlorn aimlessness of Robert Bresson's Four Nights of a Dreamer, going so far as to cite Bresson's writings during a sequence set at the Cinemateca Portugesa. Although French cinema may be the inspiration behind much of The Luminous Life, the film feels Portuguese through and through, blending a dreamy sadness with moments of surreal comedy and sensuality, not unlike the work of late auteur Joao Cesar Monteiro. Still living with his parents when the movie starts, and still attached to a girl he broke up with a year ago, Nicolau doesn't seem to have any real goals except, perhaps, getting out of his rut. 'You're letting life pass you by,' someone warns him, to which he replies: 'I just can't see myself doing anything.' He manages to get a two-week temp job counting bike riders on city streets, lands an interview at a fancy advertising firm, and finally winds up working at a stationary store, where he's obliged to dress as Santa Claus in the middle of spring. In his spare time, he plays bass in a band that never seems to get along, putting a damper on a music career that he hasn't taken too seriously, anyway. It's not much to build a film on, but Rosas sustains our interest through the sincerity of the encounters we witness, most of which involve Nicolau hanging out with women his age — women who, for the most part, are a lot more focused and career-oriented than he is. They're attracted by his good looks and laid-back charms, but also aware of the fact he isn't going anywhere. At some point we start wondering whether Nicolau's ex felt the same way, moving on in life while her boyfriend was still figuring out what to do with his. To complicate matters, we also learn that Nicolau's hardworking dad is being cheated on, making his son question the value of a sustainable job if it ultimately ruins your marriage. The director and cinematographer Paulo Menezes capture these queries in colorful vignettes set against an urban backdrop that never feels touristy. We see the city as it exists for regular people — and hear it through sound design that amplifies the quotidian movement of cars, buses, trams and bicycles. When there is music, it comes from Nicolau's band as they rehearse numbers that channel the mood of the lead character and the movie itself: relaxed, thoughtful, a bit pop and a bit aloof. The plot thickens in the closing reels when Nicolau drifts closer to Chloé, who's in town writing a thesis on cemeteries entitled 'The Architecture of Death' — a subject that seems diametrically opposed to her free-spirited, sensual demeanor. Is it possible Nicolau has finally found the love he's been searching for? The answer could be yes, but Rosas also suggests that he may be repeating the same mistakes from before. If there's perhaps any moral to this wistful journey toward nowhere, it's that the only luminous life worth living is the one you've built for yourself, once you figure out what that is. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drifting with Passion! Hong Kong's TRC Team Advances to Top 16 at FDJ2 International Drift Championship
HONG KONG, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Formula Drift Japan 2 (FDJ2) international drift championship is heating up, with the third round concluding successfully on 7–8 June 2025 at the Ebisu Circuit in Japan. The Hong Kong-based TRC team delivered an outstanding performance, standing out among the world's top racers through skill and teamwork. KCM Trade x TRC racer Ken Yeung stormed into the Top 16, while teammate RSR x TRC racer Timmy Woo advanced to the Top 32, marking another proud moment for Hong Kong's drifting scene. Star Line-up Shines on the Track TRC entered this year's FDJ2 with a diverse and elite team that quickly drew attention. At the helm was Team Manager James Tang (Tang Chi Lun), a veteran with over 20 years of motorsport experience, including appearances in top-tier races such as the TCR International Series. Each racer brought a unique background: Hubert Li, a wine merchant; Ken Yeung, founder of AGM Motor; and Ryan Tsui, CEO of a fintech group, are all experienced racers. Adding to the mix was two-time RC Drift World Champion Timmy Woo, making his mark on full-scale circuits. This eclectic lineup made the TRC team a standout on the track. Drift Battles at the Limit – Scores That Prove Their Mettle Ken Yeung, behind the wheel of a Toyota ALTEZZA (SXE10), delivered a dominant solo run with scores of 25 (angle), 22 (style), and 26 (line), totaling 73 points, securing his place in the Top 32. He then advanced into the Top 16 with technical finesse during the tandem battles. Timmy Woo, driving a Toyota GR86 (ZN8), also impressed with a powerful solo run in the Top 36 qualifiers. Leveraging his remote-control racing experience, he converted it into real-world performance, scoring 21 (angle), 23 (style), and 29 (line) — again totaling 73 points, securing his advancement to the Top 32. Additionally, Ryan Tsui in his Toyota CHASER (JZX100) and Hubert Li in the Toyota GR86 (ZN8) also delivered commendable solo runs, gaining valuable experience for future competition. 5-Minute Countdown to Victory – Pit Crew Delivers Under Pressure During practice, a TRC vehicle experienced a sudden mechanical failure, triggering a brief crisis. Rising to the occasion, the support crew swiftly replaced and tuned the faulty component within just five minutes, enabling the driver to rejoin the competition and continue fighting. Taking on the World – Hong Kong Drifters Open a New Chapter By travelling to Japan for the FDJ2, TRC's Hong Kong drivers stood shoulder-to-shoulder with international rivals from diverse industries, injecting fresh momentum into the Asian drifting scene. Excitingly, TRC is set to field 14-year-old Julian Kwok in the July round, continuing to pursue excellence and proudly carry the Hong Kong spirit forward. About TRC (TYPE R CLUB) – Hong Kong Drift Team Founded in 2000, the TRC team is dedicated to promoting motorsport culture, from touring car races to drifting. Based at Zhuhai International Circuit, the team comprises cross-disciplinary professionals from Hong Kong, including race managers, entrepreneurs, and seasoned drivers with rich international experience. TRC has actively competed in premier Asian events such as CTCC and CEC, claiming the International GT4 Class Championship at the 2019 CEC and achieving strong results in the 2024 CTCC season. Through partnerships with KCM Trade and RSR, TRC continues to expand its global footprint, foster the next generation of racers, and advance the sport of drifting. TRC FaceBook: Email: driftteam@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE KCM TRADE x TRC
The Drive
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Formula D Car Taken Out by New Jersey Storm
The latest car news, reviews, and features. A nasty storm tore through parts of New Jersey Thursday afternoon, causing chaos at the Formula Drift event at Englishtown. It was particularly gnarly for Jeff Jones, who returned to the paddock to find a tree had fallen on his Z, puncturing the windshield and crushing the roof. Nobody was hurt in the incident, but the damage to the car was enough for Jones to rule out its participation in this weekend's event. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Formula DRIFT (@formulad) Jones shared photos and videos of the damage on Instagram, and even took over the official Formula D live stream to let fans know he was unharmed ( Warning: the clip above contains some colorful language ). He even jokingly asks if anybody has a spare drift car that he can enter into the event on Saturday. From the up-close pics, it appears that the culprit was a mature but diseased oak tree. It crushed much of the roof over the Z's passenger compartment and blew out the windshield entirely. Enough of it was resting on the car to completely bottom out its suspension. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jeff Jones (@jeffjonesracing) The good news is that the entire front clip of the car appears relatively undamaged, so everything under hood should have survived relatively unscathed. Even the driver-side door still opens. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jeff Jones (@jeffjonesracing) According to local weather forecasters have ruled out the likelihood that the damage was caused by a tornado, suggesting instead that it was caused by simple (but no less dangerous) straight-line winds. Local observers reported gusts exceeding 60 mph between 4:00 and 4:30 PM Thursday as the system moved through. Got flora crashing through your drift car's windshield? Let us know at tips@ .article-sidebar]:pt-0>
