I live in AZ aka Arizona and in the Phoenix area pronounced Fenix…
Well last Friday, Nov 11 My friend and restauranteur Joe Johnston follow him on twitter he’s always on the go, great dude, took me around to some of his favorite spots in downtown PHX…
Man Date is on…
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!
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…
After spending only 12 hours back home in AZ after returning from Jakarta, Indonesia I’m off…
to Vegas for another annual installment of the SEMA SHOW…
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
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!
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!
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…
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!!!!”
Long time no blog,
For good reason, I’ve been a traveling and busy…
So last week was obviously SEMA if you have oil in your veins like most everybody that’s reading this…
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!
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!
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!
Last Wednesday was my birthday, thank YOU all for the birthday wishes, calls, messages and greetings in person if I saw you…
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!
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!!!!!!!
Headed out to Vegas this past Saturday for the Monster Energy Cup 1 Million dollars winner takes all motocross race.
I was out there MC’ing for Vaughn Gittin Jr & Justin Pawlak tearing up some Ford Mustangs on Falken Tires, pounding Monsters for the fans…
Literally flew in & out the same day, hit it & quit it…
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…
I LOVE Halloween!
October in general is awesome, for one the colors, black & orange, the fall colors, smell, it’s my birthday month and of course it ends with Halloween!
I’ve loved decorating for Halloween since I was a kid, dressing up, etc. now as an adult I find other ways to enjoy the holiday here’s another one…
I found these Spooky Town Villages by Lemax, (yeah like the Christmas ones) at Michael’s one day years ago and now my Spooky Town Village is growing every year…
Here’s the overall picture of it…
Now close up of Dr. Stretch & Pull’s Torture Factory & The Shooting Range…
The Grinning Goblin Brewery… Just got this as an early birthday gift from my inlaws, thanks Fran & Garland
So rad!
The Mausoleum…
Here’s a video of all of it in action…
Listen to the different audio on all of the buildings…
This past Saturday night was historic on so many levels, a new Formula Drift Champion was crowned, the action was some of the best driving we’ve seen collectively, record breaking numbers for the The House of Drift and just overall the evening was ELECTRIC…
The whole weekend was a blast!!!!!!!!!!
Plus,
I have to show you this video by Larry Chen, he rips!
So creative and fun!
BTW, I was riding my bike with Matt Powers on my pegs giving a course description for livestream!
The long road from AZ to CA…
I got a new toy from GoPro, stoked I’ve never owned one before thanks GoPro!
Stunning sunset as I drive through rain entering the IE in CA…
Swung by the Alpinestars office, got laced for the banquet…
Track time on Thursday….
Just for a few things…
Ill TSX wagon huh?!?!? too bad FWD…
Had to do VO for a couple episodes of Formula Drift TV on Versus channel…
Dinner & some beers at a banging place called Lucky Baldwins, 2 locations one in Pasadena and one in Sierra Madre, I’d hit both locations this trip, haha Great beer selection!
Friday practice…
So much rubber shrapnel…
Will Roegge making movie pictures see, with the RED! somebody grab a burrito and shoot it slow mo!
Ryan watching the DriftStream making sure all is good…
This would be Tony Angelos last event being a Formula Drift judge…
Sunset on practice & qualifying day…
IT’S GAME DAY, SATURDAY for the Final Fight!
Final Drivers meeting
Awesome camera for a burrito toss!
Can’t wait to see it in use…
Before the gates opened…
These stands and the whole venue in hours will be packed, sold out and standing room only!
SPOILER ALERT!
You’re new 2011 Formula Drift Champion, Dai Yoshihara!
A gift from Mike Macare thanks buddy, you can see him waving in the background haha
Homeboy Heath of LUCKY 13 came out and experienced FD 1st hand for the 1st time, he’s a new fan!
My brother from another mother the HOONIGAN honcho… Scotto!
minutes after Dai was announced 2011 Champion…
I was honored to have the 1st interview with Dai moments after he won in front of the crowd and DriftStream, congrats buddy!
Obligatory, I’m closer than you pic…
I’ve held every single trophy in FD history yet don’t get to keep ANY of them haha
Dai the CHAMP!
rooftop party!
Sunday morning even after staying up til 4am, I was up at 7AM for the Tour de Formula Drift with the Lycra loving bike riders… including the winner of Irwindale Tyler McQuarrie…
30 miles with a hangover, homies and some burritos was a great way to reoup after an amazing event!
Pics by Rad1…
Old homies Chux and Rad1 Rodney Wills, we’re of TMR M’zine fame if ya don’t know, ya should!
Sunday night the FORMULA DRIFT Banquet 2011…
Look at how much fun our FD family is, I got everybody to do this for my blog and Jose got it too, rad huh?!?!
Except Olfert & Treebeard, I see you guys! You punks!
Jim Liaw FD President, 2011 Formula Drift Champion Dai Yoshihara and 4th overall in FD D Mac
J Brad the Falken Tires Motorsports Manager made a bet if he loses he has to do the “Cat Daddy” here he is paying up…
Blurry picture of the top 3 finishers, JTP, Dai & Forsberg…
I wanna but I dont, see these guys go toe to toe…
Stephen-sten versus Sergenstein!
House party at The Forsbergs, no evidence was taken just say it was epic…
We were joined by a gang of friends one of which X Games Gold Medalist Liam Doran
I laced him up with a new INCIPIO case for his iPhone 4 the Feather to be exact….
That’s a wrap on 2011 Formula Drift Championship, but the train doesn’t stop plenty more drifting action to follow, Vegas this weekend for a demo with Vaughn Gittin Jr. Indonesia, Malaysia and a quick break as the Middle East should be happening again!
Sushi rips!
I love sushi!
My favorite sushi spot in the world is Sushi on The Rock in La Jolla, ripping!
But unfortunately I live in Arizona, well sushi has been good, decent and sometimes lack luster UNTIL NOW!!!!!!
Shimogamo in Chandler, AZ is awesome, great feel, vibe, and the fish is on point!!!!!!
Japanese owned, nice sushi chef Al was nice and welcoming of us being new there…
Al flaming some Escolar, white dense fish that I’ve never had until a few weeks ago…
Up close Escolar
Food porn
bangin custom Poke salad…
My lil PJ had surgery last Friday on his tonsils, adenoids and tubes in his ears, he was so brave, recouping great and hes gonna be all better… Love my lil guy…
Got this picture right before he went into surgery…
My homie Ryan & I brewed some bangin custom pumpkin beer that’s gonna be epic, kind of stout porter cream pumpkin running name is “Jack o’ ALL trades Lantern” any other suggestions?
Maybe “Pumpking”
Our new brew buddy, Hooch, he’s awesome!
Caught a sweet package from my homie SEAN SMITH DESIGNS, he’s super talented and you’ve probably seen his work if you attend SEMA, play video games, are into anything cool!
Check it he did this…
And this…
And these…
If I see ya around I might have some of these stickers for ya…
Thanks SS!
By the way, THIS WEEKEND is the FINAL ROUND of Formula Drift 7 stop championship, the closest race for the championship, unreal competition, a new track layout, new VIP seating, the same if NOT BETTER FANS AND CRAZINESS at The House of Drift Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, SEND IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The final round of XDC happened this past weekend in Texas, Chelsea Denofa reigned supreme and did it in top fashion, 1st place qualifier, 1st place overall, 1st place EVERYTHING!
Congrats to all the drivers, fans, staff and sponsors good times with good friends in Texas…
Arriving into TX…
The Stockyards welcome us…
Rad sign…
Billy Bob’s the countries largest Honky Tonk Bar…
This is inside the bar…
Hands all over Nick, he’s in heaven!
YEP!
Even Mich got into the spirit with her rental truck, bumper sticker not included but she wanted to get into it!!
The Pupusa Posse in full effect again!
Boot shopping with the gang!
Lobster Bear found some BANGERS!!!!!!!!!
DECISIONS DECISIONS!
Petty found his and did the boot scooting boogie!
Back of the truck!
We’re just big kids at heart!
Best Motel 6 you’ve NEVER stayed at, IKEA Motel 6 for real!
Nick’s Elite JDM S13 out front, drive it around town and takes it to a 3rd place finish!!!!!
Party dude!
Serious business on track!
“The Lumberjack” George Marstanovic shirt proved to be bad luck and ironic at the same time, he blew up not 1 but 2 cars… Sorry buddy! Timber!
Hooked up the beer heads with an INCIPIO Case, these guys like GOOD BEER you should too!
Lil Miss Tex Hamilton, liking her new INCIPIO NGP case for her iPhone4, boom!
The Lil Tex homies…
Our crew high above the action!
My cousin Kyle got to hang with us high above! Get me a water would ya!
Podium ceremony!
Champagne time…
Trophy jammers…
SOMEBODY photoshop steam coming out of his head please!!!!!!!!!!
Thats Texas hospitality, handing me a Maui Brew in Texas, thanks bro!
Street Life Tour, has come & gone this year 2011, it was a blast thanks to the ZeroLift Autolab fellas especially Mike for having me, great driving, fun off track antics and just a good time in Xenia, OH!
PHX to CLT to Dayton, OH!
Didn’t wanna leave Charlotte after I flew over this awesomness…
Landed in Dayton and it looks kind of like PHX but lil older…
Here’s the track Kil-Kare Speedway…
I show up to see 2 familiar faces I’ve been traveling with all year…
Petty & Schneids…
That’s when they say, “we gotta show ya something!!!”
We’re on a golf cart mind you, see this hole, we go in… watch the video and see below for after hours session!
Friday night was practice til 10pm, good times, very cool and fun track…
Petty giving tips and showing some crack…
Peep the Mustang looking S13, he’s got a Mustang engine, wheels and looks…
GAME DAY Saturday at Street Life Tour, I hooked up James Evans for the Sikky Fabrication team with a New iPhone4 Incipio case and a HOONIGAN sticker TIRE KILLER because he literally did kill some tires on track at this event, he made the MOST smoke for real!!!
James ended up getting 2nd in the event, he drove the best I’ve seen him drive over the years for sure!
Brian Peter says “Don’t hate my V8″
Scion sponsored the event so they had an event called Scion Exposed with a gang of Scions even having them join the TOP16 on track for opening ceremonies, was cool…
Check out this xB, and if ya look close it’s running on hamster power, the car kind of looks TRON’ish which is a win in my book…
Here’s the military vehicle that won last year at SEMA…
Like the paint work… headlight is the eyeball of the squid…
See this CRAZY looking dude, he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll meet Kris Hackenson his blog is crazy but seriously super nice and funny yet scary looking…
haha
Thought the HOONIGANS would like this pic, Cramps X Tire Killer!
Moments later we saved Kris’ car burning to the ground, the dipstick arced with the fuses and started a fire, Petty sprung to action and put it out…
Check the Hyundai on 18 BMW wheels…
Look whos here, Aasbo, Team Fred and Stephan’s head…
my lil buddy, Fred and I…
Drivers meeting so serious, how can you be with an upside down jack o lantern track?!?!!?
Gridding up!
Kris not looking great but only run he really got in because clutch went out…
Julian Casablancas, just kidding I mean Mike Skudlarek from MI, good dude so I hooked him up with an Incipio case too…
The judging tower was fun for real!
Your final 4…
Your winner “Magic” Mike Pollard celebrating after his smoky burnout…
Blurry pic of cart dragging…
Back to the carting track! AT NIGHT!!!!
Congrats Mike…
I bought Aasbo a jello shoot and a bud light, fine drinking in OH…
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