The SEMA Show is finally over: I’m physically drained, my wallet’s empty and the industry parties are now a blur. Mention the words “Las Vegas” to me and I’ll probably shiver with fear. I do, however, have a few more memories to close out another superb year of debauchery and auto(motive)-erotica:
Kenji Yamanaka is Returning to Formula D in 2015
Having disappeared from the public drifting eye for some time now, Kenji Yamanaka announced a couple weeks ago his return to drifting, now under Team Rocket Bunny (yes, more!) crew.
The car was finished just in time for the show and livery applied throughout the week. This is actually one of the first kits I’ve seen for the S15 Silvia, and it appears the motor powering this will be a Dodge R5P7 engine with power normally reserved for NASCAR. Can’t wait to hear this start up next April at Long Beach…
Lexus RC F GT3 Racecar
I’ve only been able to drool over this in photos but to finally see the Lexus RC F GT3 in person is mind-blowing.
It debuted earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show and with over 540hp on tap, this wider and clearly lower version of the RC F will be primed for GT3 racing action in 2015.
Ken Block’s AWD “Hoonicorn” Mustang
A secret project car that took two years to complete, the ’65 Mustang you have no doubt heard of by now is Ken Block’s next Gymkhana missile car.
Fitted with an 845hp Roush Yates 410 Ford V8, it’s also been custom mated to a Sadev AWD transmission – but as if that wasn’t bad-ass enough, the retro silhouette mixed with ultra-modern technology is something that drew me in right away. You can bet that I’ll be waiting for the release of Gymkhana Seven…
Chad Castelo’s NSX
Sometimes you think you’ve found automotive perfection – well, Chad Castelo’s Acura NSX will change all of that. Truly a sleeper project that took years of parts searching, this is the only NSX in the world that’s been able to see all of Mugen’s back catalog on one chassis.
Most of it was largely unheard of and finding past references virtually nil – but Chad managed to pull it off, finding parts from around the world through various Mugen fanatics. Truly a masterpiece.