Thanks Scion and wow this car is just fresh!!!
So as the sign says, do so and witness “Behind the scenes of the 1st ever Scion FR-S commercial” the new Scion FR-S the car I call “The Game Changer”

When in the bay area I have to see some peeps, have some GREAT beers and food!

Car service and hang out sesh with Tyler “The Rock” McQuarrie…
(BTW, he is NOT on Scion program just a bay area homie)

Swung by Fatlace Paddock & RWB USA to see the homies…

Get to see the main man of Fatlace, Illest, Slammed Society, ALL THINGS fresh and living up to FATLACE’S slogan, COLLECT EVERYTHING! My birthday brother Mark Arcenal..

Just KAWS Henny, numerous bottles btw…

NBD…

Lunch is served, Pliny the Elder down and some double IPA after that yum!

Only one design has graced his head, The Rock McQuarrie…

Got to catch up with the LIFEBLASTERS fellas Geoff and Andrew but no pics of them just their stuff and the awesome late night Chinese food, which was an adventure in itself

She needs a hip replacement that amount of dancing she does!

J-Rod smash!

Agenda is CLEAR!
FR-S Launch commercial!

Site!

SIGHT!

Mount…

The Armageddon will be captured…
aka “The Russian Arm”

Can I borrow some cable…

These 2 guys are solid gentlemen and make things happen behind the scenes at Scion, Owen runs National Marketing & Communications and Scion VP Jack Hollis!

“Video Village” is where everybody reviews footage either live, taped, audio, etc…

The commercial director Simon chatting with Jack…

Here’s looking at you kid!

The new Pioneer Bespoke system that’s launching in the FR-S…

The driver behind the wheel of the FR-S in the commercial will be Ken Gushi, not just a drift driver anymore, now stunt driver and….

a hand model! He puts the man back in MANicure as he got a manicure for his hand close ups!

Myself, Gush & Jack…

LUNCH!

The Russian Arm operator catching some bites as he’s been working the camera from the rear seat! Talk about back seat driver, LITERALLY!

The spread was sick…

So much equipment, I love seeing the inner workings of commercials and productions of this magnitude…

This Firestorm Red FR-S does have the 1st ever TRD lowering springs on it, they’re prototype and DO NOT, I repeat do not come standard!

Another interior shot, while Gush’s helmet rides shotgun…
BTW, the floormats will NOT be tan like that, just some mats to keep it clean!

These are a few of my favorite things, cyclists were going up & down the road we’re on, it’s a VERY popular cycling road… I was jealous of them to be honest riding or maybe of Gushi because he’s driving regardless, I’ll keep blogging!

Bring your own signs just in case!

A moment to reflect on the magnitude of the Scion FR-S, my life and all life has to offer…

Screeching tires…

Simon with his weapon!

water trucks on hand to wet the road for aesthetics, not needed it rained the day before plenty

Gotta love craft services on site! Bangin lunch…

Gushi working it!

Owen & Simon scheeming on the copter shots!

Simon (Director), Gushi (Drifter) & Owen (Marketer)…

Simon rapping with the helicopter pilot…

Double your pleasure!

Spot the “T Pattern”… It’s repeated through the car…

“T Pattern” on the gauge cluster…

“T Pattern” on the dash…

“T Pattern” on the doors…

This badge WILL go down in history, I promise..
Notice the boxer pistons, the “86″ of course and check this out the 4 “holes” in 8 and 6 mimique the sideways action of a drift vehicle…

Storyboard…

Even coyotes like the new FR-S…

Tale of the tape, interior exterior…

Performing surgery on Capturing interior shots

So much going on…

The door opens wide, looks like they took it off from this angle but it’s there…

Helicopter and the nose camera…

Peek a boo…

Checking the footy!

Captain my captain, wish I could’ve taken a ride but had to ride off…

Yeehaw sky cowboys…

Adios muchachos…

2 devils in the night!

I’m out, thanks Scion for the good time, creating a rad car that I know people will love and just for the experience…
Until next time, Golden Gate bridge at 4am…

Beat ya sun!

Scion corporate did BLOG their own version of ‘Behind the scenes’ if you wanna see it, check it out HERE

Camelback mountain is the mountain you always see when you land and take off…
I’ve lived here for 7 years and haven’t climbed it until now!

Starting the climb…

I like the matte green crib…

Where’s Warty?!?!

Made it! Almost 4 miles roundtrip…
Cold can of Simpler Times, not a great beer but tasted good, it’s Trader Joe’s house brand…

Great view!

Blogging the Instagraming…

Weeeee!
Mike will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa next month so this climb was nothing, go get em!

Sweet crib right near the trailhead…

So FFWD to yesterday, Thursday, burgers at Joe’s Farm Grill, Bikes in Scottsdale and beers at Papago Brewing, not bad for a Thursday!

I was riding my STATE Bicycle FGFS and Mike was riding my 29″ SE Bikes Big Ripper…

Free Museum visit at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts...

There goes the neighborhood BLOODMASTERS!

CLICK HERE for the video, Bloodbath Part 1!

Check it out!
The scenery driving from the Phoenix area to Park City was stunning, different colors, shapes and backdrops covered the land!

We arrive to Park City and rendezvous with our friends and are staying with our friends The Block family, yeah that gentlemen Ken Block and his family were nothing but awesome & their house is an amazing piece of architecture, design and livability with a great sense of function= fashion!
This is a bad cell phone pic of the “mud room”…
Gear, mid century modern furniture and a sweet Siberian Husky, RAD!

Hit the mountain with our other friends who we rendezvoused with Vaughn Gittin Jr. the soon to be Mrs. Gittin, Abby & JacobChills…

Wifeys…

Homies..

Let’s get lifted, the snow wasn’t amazing but it was nice weather, warm, decent blown stuff but all good for a SoCal kid…

Night time was dinner time, hit a place that’s BANGIN!
Wahso on Main St and it ripped!

One of many awesome dishes, pork belly in a Vietnamese bun …

One of many awesome deserts…
Coconut Creme Brulee’

Hit the bars and saw some Banksy hits from last years Sundance attendance…
Plexi’d for security and even framed in the next instance…

A separate night we hit the St Regis via the Funicular...
Fire, fire fire!- Beavis & Butthead

Ken & I…

JR & PJ, 2 peas in a pod!

Sledding with the dogs & fam…
What up dog?!

You can’t see me!

Great time with the fam!

The final night was spent hangin with the whole gang, my family, Blocks, Gittins, Jacob, & the MWRT team Ron, Matt, Mike, good times!
Here’s the living room, pong/dining table, yep that’s function=fashion at it’s finest + Ken WILL smoke you LEFT HANDED at pong!

You canna canna roast them marshmallows!

A crappy cell phone pic, with a not crappy friend and also an amazing piece of artwork in the back HAROSHI’s moose that Ken acquired a while ago, rad right?!?!
Ya like the ‘TIRE SLAYER’ tee? Peep HOONIGAN’S page now to acquire!

The drive home was just as beautiful of course!

Grand Canton rim in the distance…

A great week came to a close as the sunset on the way home!
Thanks to my family & friends, #HomeLife can even be experienced on the road!
Thanks to The Block family, The Gittins, Jacob, Ron, Mike & Matt, you guys and gals all rule!

Check out what I’ve been getting into lately…

Parker & I hit the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Races…

My old homie Robert hooked up the tickets & the hospitality…
Thanks Robert!

Robert offered to Parker & I to ride in the helicopter, oh word?!?!
Parker just wanted to see it, but i went high to check out the bird eye view!

Here’s the birds eye view o fthe Top Fuel boats hitting 240 MPH on the water, nuts right?!?

Will, the pilot & I…

What’s up AZ…

Saturday caught a burger at Zinburger with some homies Marc & Karl…

Fast forward to today, finished my long standing tattoo piece, bout 2 years in the making if I can recall…
Mike Roper finished it off, stoked on it…
Remember this was taken just a few hours after the spotting and stuff was put on…

This is Mike’s studio…

Speaking of more bicycle goodies from my last post of State Bicycles; Today on more door step, my friend hooked up the LOADED Precision products goods, they make primarily some killer mountain bike components & products but my homie Anthony hooked up some parts that are applicable for road cycling, spacers, skewers and chain ring bolt kit even a tee…

+ of course a part that’s good for all souls! a pint glass, CHEERS to Loaded!

Whipping around in Joes convertible Aston Martin makes the drive proper like…

1st stop,
Lola Coffee, downtown Phoenix owned by Daniel Wayne…

Legit Latte…

Daniel hooked up a bag of FRESH still warm bag o’ beans, it’s EPIC!
Seriously craving it in the morning, Thanks Daniel!

2nd stop for a crepe..
Jobot Coffee Shop…

Liked this sticker…

Rad piece by El Mac…

Stop #3
Headed to the Phoenix Food Truck spot where all of them park, no pics bummer focused on eating…
Had Short Leash Dogs, Joe and I split the Aiko…

Gotta love the old architecture around PHX…

Stop #4
Next and one of my faves, Pane Bianco…
Yes the same Pizzeria Bianco you’ve heard about…

Great build out, vibe, etc..

Met Chris’ brother Marco who’s the man behind the dough and the baking, GREAT guy!

So the market sandwich of the day was lamb something or other, but it was AWESOME!!!!!!!

Marco hooked up some awesome essentially desert bread with cheese, red onions and a fig jelly, phhew! Bangin!

Stop #5
Ventured next door to LUX for a man drink…

Mixologist went to work and…

voila a My Michelle…

Joe gets down!

What, camo bike tires, NEED!

Stop #6
Hana Japanese…

Yes, that happened, salmon, + some baby thai snapper and cant recall what else, but wow GREAT fish, fresh sooo good!

Cruising the strip on Veteran’s day we saw some peeps leaving the parade, check it…

Then some people that wanna leave the country!

Stop #7
Sun Up Brewery Restaurant

Cheers big ears…

There’s a RED modern furniture spot on Camelback that’s rad, yep RED Modern furniture

Who’s towing who?!?!

Last stop, Gore Design Co./Concrete Cartel/Hard Goods/Good Dude!

He makes EPIC stuff, like the erosion sink! Save your pennies, well worth it!

Fast FORWARD to TODAY, Wednesday Nov 16th,
San Tan Brewing collab between Joe & David of Liberty Market & San Tan Brewing,
12 DAZE…

There’s the 3 dudes that made it happen..
David, Anthony & Joe…

Pork Sandwich using the beer to compliment, yum!!!!

I’ve been attending since 97 or 98 I think, + I even met my wife at SEMA 12 years ago this SEMA!

Flying into Vegas from AZ you get to see the “mega bridge” and also the Hoover Dam where Megatron was held captive, haha

Ford & Ford Racing hired me for the week to MC, announce and heckle attendees to come experience ‘Ford Out Front’ which had the 4 different drivers that are part of the Octane Academy, Gittin Jr., Block, Deegan & Foust…

The 4 piece “man band” called Octane Academy, no musical instruments or singing here just loud pipes and attitude!

Here’s one of the members now, Ken Block a great friend over the years + Matt Tuccillo of MWRT…

Another long time homie over the years Bucky Lasek, my man!

There’s plenty of great SEMA coverage out there I just caught a few here & there…

ICON 4X4 makes sweet sweet cars including this old school Bronco with some modern hits…
LOVE!

Love the colors + the matte color under the hood, nice touch!

Mr. FATLACE and oh soo much more, Mark Arcenal, my birthday brother!

Jake & Andy drifting their imaginary cars into the drift-o-meter….

Here’s Block & Gittin hitting up the Drift-o-meter…

SO here it is,
The Official HOONIGAN Keg Launch Party of the brand…
PARTY dude!
Rented out the Kingpin Suite at The Palms, had a keg party and launched the brand the way a HOONIGAN would, at this point this pictures are evidence rather than coverage!
HOONIGAN facebook for more info!!!!!!

The gift bags all nicely arranged ready to be given out to the only 100 people invited or so…
REMEMBER this pic and see the aftermath!

Welcome to the ‘dorm room’… Your fraternal Hoonigan President Brian Scotto! My brother from another mother!

The latest brand is Hoonigan, where the cars are dangerous, the food is fuel and Ron is the best!

Too many epic people to mention in this party pic…

This would be the last time time beer pong was played on this table!
WRECKED!

Vaughn & Beard Life himself Hertrech aka BG!

Oh Linhbergh!

Matt getting NUTS!

Keg, dudes pole dancing, it got nuts!

Scotto, Josh Barnett & Vaughn Gittin Jr…

Oh it’s on!
Hoonigans know how to party!

Jenny I see your cast in the air, wave it like you just don’t care!

Interview with a Hoonigan vampire & Handsome James approving!

STRIKE!

That’s a WRAP!
Hoonigans, came saw & conquered, it’s OFFICIAL HOONIGAN IS ALIVE!!!!!!!
GET SOME!

HOONIGANS!

The gift bags had a limited edition tee, each numbered and marked with 11.1.11 the official date of launch!

BACK to SEMA!

Got to ride with my friend and VERY experienced pilot Tanner “GoldenChild” Foust I love this dude!

Here’s a video riding shotgun in the 600+ hp lil Ford Fiesta!

This day it was both Deegan & Foust putting on an AWD Fiesta demo, did a lil Gymkhana kind of race set up, impromptu…
Was fun!

Here’s Metal Mulisha General himself Brian Deegan…

See ya buddy, until next time. T. Foust…

Oh yeah cars…

Headed to the hotel, ran into Arcenal again and one of the legends as of recent Nakai-san of RWB infamy!
Now with RWB USA being announced he’s a BUSY MAN!
He’s seriously all time, GSD, DGAF legit!

Thank you HRE Wheels for the pre-party drinks in your suite, nice primer for the nights…

Up & comers, Corey Hosford, Nate Lil Tex Hamilton & Jeff Lane!

Yo is party dude, Kenji of Greddy, muah, Jasper, Yo, forgot her name sorry & ACP…

Tommy Milner & I, what up buddy! Good chat, lets get you sideways sooner than later…

The final day of SEMA…

Friday walking into the show I saw somebody who looked familiar as he was inspecting some paint samples at a booth, yep it was him…
I introduced myself to him and long story short I met, had a lengthy conversation about drifting, cars, North Idaho, design and some other odds & ends including animals throwing poop.

His name is Tinker Hatfield an icon in the shoe world, his impact on the footwear world and even the progression of modern shoes and fashion in general is overwhelming…
People aspire and have even been compelled to say “I want to be Tinker when I grow up”
I’ve admired Tinker from a distance and his work. As I grew up a lover of unique sneakers before it was a REAL cash cow, I admired cross trainers, Agassi’s, Flights, Air Max’s, Bo Jacksons but I admittedly NEVER owned a pair of Jordan’s but many unique Nike’s and have said that the Jordan V’s are my favorite because of the clear sole and lace lock, all the kids in my middle school basketball team had them, yet I didn’t play basketball so didn’t want to front!
Regardless I grew up with Nike’s on my feet and my favorite pair of Nike’s I probably have today are Air ZOOM Havens but in all black! But of course have others on ice…

Long story short I met Tinker Hatfield, nice guy, invited me to the campus and of course I invited he and his associates to attend anything I’m involved with especially a shotgun ride in a Formula DRIFT competition vehicles…
Thanks for your time and convo, it was my pleasure…
So come on Tinker, let’s get you sideways!

Back to the cars…

I’m a sucker for camo…

My man, Sean Smith Designs killed it with this one, he designed it for the Ring Bros…

Here she is RWB X HOONIGAN, EPIC! White yes, matte yes, wide yes, sexy yes, just AWESOME!!!!!!
Congrats on the whip, was seriously many peoples favorite of the show!!!!!!

The proud owner Brian Scotto, psyched on taking her home now…
So much he drove it in the snow, if you havent seen it, he drive it from the Bay Area to Vegas then back home to CA through SNOW!!!!!!

Rad booth…

Monsters Pikes Peak record holding ride in the sick GoPro booth…

Really liking the new Hyundai Veloster, Millen’s RallyCross ride is sick, like the roof scoop…

Ridic and awesome at the same time…

Roland Sands Designs aka Honey Badger doesn’t even give a …

Sick…right?!?!

VERY impressed with 2 companies I’ve worked with and respect, Scion X 686, the pictures don’t do it ANY justice it’s a MUST SEE in person!!!

That’s fabric with zippers wrapping the exterior…

Raw metal I’m a super sucker for then throw the engine in the rear, why not!

That’s a wrap on SEMA 2012, so much good stuff, the industry is alive & well!
Stoked on all the friends, family and fans I have in this world.
It’s very rewarding after all these years a kid from San Diego that grew up street racing has parlayed it into a an actual career…
Thanks to all and to all a “LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!!!!”

BUT right before SEMA I ventured to Jakarta, Indonesia AKA The Big Durian for the 1st ever Formula Drift Indonesia round of the SE Asia Formula Drift Championship….

Yep, I carry on even when I fly International, that way no chance of losing my sweet Incipio luggage…
Check the INCIPIO goods, Expat backpack, Weekender bag, f38 headphones, feather case on iPod and Kickstand case on the iPad…
INCIPIO’d OUT!
WWW.MyINCIPIO.com

First leg, well PHX to LAX then LAX to Hong Kong…

Next leg…
International = free beer & booze…
Caught up on a few documentaries & flicks…

Lonely island…

Touchdown in Jakarta 2pm on a Friday afternoon, head straight to the track…

VISA…

SCOOTERS ARE everywhere and the most popular form of transportation in Jakarta…

Marcus, the BOSS MAN for Formula Drift SE Asia, thanks for everything buddy!

Robbie “Bushido Blade” Nishida in the mix…

Ryan showing off Millions!

A large field of up & coming and very talented drivers…
SE Asia is a hot bed of talent…

The last we’d fortunately see of rain and it let loose!

“The CHAMP” Formula Drift 2011 Champion Dai Yoshihara is in the building!
Hooked him with a new Incipio iPhone 4 STEP case...

Scooters everywhere!

Our hotel view…

This is Cheryl Tay, she is a hustlin maniac in SE Asia…

The J Crew even in Japan, Robbie, Gushi & Daigo…

Ryan suited & booted!

Now Ryan getting BEATS!!!
Ryan and I spend the most time together around the world, working at FD events, Voiceover etc. He’s a good adventurous type to see the world with, he’s become a great friend and somebody I can have some great conversations with, thanks Ryan!

Track is HOT, literally & figuratively, it is SE ASIA!

Sunsets get me every time…
Especially in far off lands, I can’t believe drifting has taken me around the world! UNREAL!

Sunday morning school children working out…

Some of the crew…

Homeboy hooked up some shirts even for my son!
GANBATTE WEAR.com

It’s all OVER Daigo from Japan wins…
For more on track coverage that I can’t snap because I’m MC’ing CLICK HERE on the SPEEDHUNTERS.com site with Cheryl’s coverage…

Knock off tee’s make me laugh…

Congrats Achilles Radial for the podium sweep and look forward to seeing more of the Purple & green next year in FD USA…

19 years old! Youngest FD drivers to ever podium congrats buddy!
(correction Ken Gushi was 18 years old when he podiumed at Formula Drift Houston in June 2005- Thanks Jacob)
Dido Armando

Celebratory beers…

Now, homeward bound to catch Halloween with the family!!!

I was literally in Jakarta 58 hours and I was traveling longer than 60 hours, haha Oh well not complaining just facts!
Home for 12 hours for halloween then NEXT STOP Vegas for SEMA in the next blog post!

3-2-1 Let it rip!

My wife caught a cute lil monster!

Hit sushi at home with wifey, son and my friend Nic…
Escolar is our new favorite fish, it sits on top of spicy yellowtail with a sweetened jalapeno, yum!

Nic laced me with a sweet bottle of Peligroso Anejo tequila..

Then Friday night had a banging concept party, beer & wine tasting party, was a blasty blast!!!!!!

Usually I take a gang of pictures but ya know what I didn’t because I just wanted to enjoy it, sometimes it’s just about the experience and the memories!

Packed DeAnda Dojo!

Thanks again to everybody this years birthday was a blast!
It was just 33 so it’s not THAT special, go ahead & listen to one of my favorite comedians Patton Oswalt’s piece on only 20 Birthdays allowed!!!!!!!

Can home some fun with some R/C Cars like this beast from HPI…
1/5th scale off road truck from HPI Racing Baja 5sc
Check the custom body just for Vaughn, rad! I want one!

2nd place overall in the 2011 Formula Drift Championship, Justin Pawlaks telling me whats up…

These guys having some fun in the shadow of Sam Boyd stadium in Vegas…

J. Brad & Nick hanging and drinking Monsters that match Falken colors, convenient huh J Brad…

Vaughn’s set up is pretty legit, custom rig, trusts and wraps etc…

Crazy steady cam set up then a GoPro atop it, haha

Hanging with JacobChills, GAndy and doing burnouts for the heck of it in the Mustang RTR…

This was the finale, both cars and Nick Apex the stunt bike rider on track smoking em out…

After the demo we got to watch the race, Ryan Villopoto put it down, caught the million as I caught a plane home!

The track set up was crazy, kind of whacky to be honest but looked fun!

Whats up…

So now Monday, Parker and I got some time just us to hang and kick it, we had a great day at the Arizona Science Center downtown Phoenix…

One of the 1st motorcycles…

IMAX saw Hubble 3D narrated by Leonardo Dicaprio was really good, made ya feel real small not the screen I’m talking about the images that the Hublle catches…

For lunch we hit, Pizzeria Bianco, some say the best pizza in the country…

Yum…

I LOVE MY SON!
He’s soo funny

What’s up cat..

Victorian style in AZ, Historic building in AZ once owned by the mayor built in 1890′s…