Hi there, there.
Within the (not that) well-known phrases of Aaron Lewis, it’s been awhile. The truth is, it’s felt like an eternity since I’ve final performed any actual Speedhunting in earnest. Certain, there was a day trip at Dubshed, however that was purely for my very own amusement.
A part of this has been right down to life being a bit completely different in 2022. I’ve been working as a full season photographer in Formulation E, photographing three different Irish motorsport championships, and capturing commercially for a bunch of manufacturers. Then there was a marriage, which when mixed with the opposite issues, took up a shocking period of time.
There’s additionally the hard-to-admit indisputable fact that I simply haven’t been feeling it as regards to modified automobiles and automobile tradition for some time. I’ve been deep into this world for effectively over a decade, and I felt like I had reached full saturation level with all of it.
Issues that ought to have excited me, simply didn’t anymore. This was worrying as a result of those self same issues have been thrilling others, so I felt I wanted to step away for a short while.
It was shocking then, that an American YouTuber can be the one to try to drag me again into the fold. Nicely, not Adam LZ himself straight, however his first worldwide competition, which might be held at Mondello Park right here in Eire.
Though I do attempt to reside underneath a rock as a lot as doable today, I used to be really conscious of Adam and his YouTube channel. I wasn’t, nevertheless, conscious of simply how standard he’s with a global viewers.
To place issues into perspective, the LZ Fest shattered the attendance report at Mondello Park. It attracted extra folks to the venue than some other drift, British GT, British Touring Automobile, British Superbike and FIA Sportscar occasion ever held on the circuit prior to now. For a race circuit which has been open for over 50 years, that’s a fairly spectacular feat.
This specific occasion was organised by long-time mates of Speedhunters, Drift Video games, they usually should have pulled in each favour they have been ever owed to lure so many high-profile visitors throughout a stormy Irish Sea for the weekend.
I felt that this ought to be the occasion to reignite that flame inside me for one thing I’ve spent so lengthy with earlier than. As a result of scheduling, I might solely afford to attend one of LZ Fest’s two days, however I used to be decided to make it work.
With no shopper pressures, I used to be solely in attendance to shoot for you and I. It was time for some quaint Speedhunting.
If there was ever an indication that this was going to be day, Phil Morrison‘s GT1-inspired Lamborghini Murciélago rolling menacingly up the pit lane and out into the present automobile paddock was most likely it.
The naturally aspirated V12 has been outfitted with ITBs and mated to a guide 6-speed gearbox, and that’s earlier than you get into the real Reiter Engineering GT1 wide-body, which has been completely crafted and smoothed onto the automobile. Truthfully, it may be one of many best issues I’ve ever seen on 4 wheels with my very own eyes.
The Drift Video games stand itself was host to a fairly robust number of automobiles, however these two PS13s have been the picks of the bunch for me. The darkish silver instance is certainly the OG Spirit Rei automobile.
Triple8 Customs introduced alongside just a few previous Speedhunters characteristic automobiles, and a sure future one as effectively. With a turbocharged Honda K24, that is an S15 I can not wait to shoot on the highway quickly.
Our mates at Juicebox, in their very own phrases, tried to place one thing skilled collectively for the primary time. They succeeded. I do assume we’re overdue a barbeque, nevertheless?
Josh Greene was presupposed to have his newly-built S15 right here, however he managed to interrupt the gearbox when leaving for the occasion. You’ll be able to preview the automobile on his Instagram account, nevertheless it’s one other S-body you’ll be able to count on to see right here quickly.
It’s a reasonably large deal when UK manufacturers make their means over to Eire, and it’s one thing which I feel ought to at all times be appreciated. A good mixture of Euro and Japanese automobiles actually added selection to proceedings.
Eire remains to be very a lot a haven for Japanese automobiles, nevertheless. It’s been some time since I’ve seen a Nissan Pulsar VZ-R within the metallic, and this one was a peach.
Whereas the drifters have been the star sights, they solely had restricted working on the Saturday, and within the rain. LZ, the Shanahan brothers, James Deane, Collete Davis, Becky Evans, Jimmy Oakes, Driftworks, NightRide and Low Origin have been simply a few of the sport’s ambassadors for the weekend. From what I’ve seen and browse elsewhere, they placed on one hell of a present on the Sunday.
The present itself remained my major focus for the day.
I nonetheless can’t consider this many individuals confirmed up on a Saturday (famend for being the ‘quiet’ day of a Mondello Park weekend) and within the worst climate possible. It didn’t cease raining all day, however the precipitation had no have an effect on on anybody’s temper.
In a type of sadistic means, I actually get pleasure from capturing automobiles within the rain, though I don’t get pleasure from getting moist. No firm has but to create clothes or outer layers which might be Eire-proof.
The primary decrease paddock featured the bigger portion of static automobiles for the day. It additionally prompted the realisation that Eire actually, actually loves 4 doorways. There’s a separate publish within the making on that specific topic.
It’s been a very very long time since I final attended a devoted Japanese automobile present in Eire (the Juicebox BBQ doesn’t depend as a ‘present’, for my part) so it was a nice shock to see how all issues JDM have been progressing.
For essentially the most half, there seems to be a a lot increased customary of Japanese automobiles being constructed. Higher elements getting used, higher consideration to element, and higher concepts and execution. That there seems to be much less and fewer reliance on duplicate wheels is one other good factor.
This S2000 on Enkei NT03+M wheels with Nitron suspension and an enormous ol’ Garrett turbo is working in extra of 500hp on the rear wheels.
Selection in approaches was spectacular, too. This PS13 on small wheels and that includes a massive ducktail-type spoiler was all types of improbable.
As was this 180SX on a set of traditional bronze RAYS Volk Racing TE37s.
I observed much more Japanese automobiles on air suspension at LZ Fest. I feel this may solely be factor, notably when attempting to tug off large, deep, polished wheels.
I simply hope they (all) have their driving heights and pressures dialled in, as how they roll is simply as necessary as how they air out. This S14A was a little bit of me.
A Rothmans-liveried MkII Ford Escort is at all times going to be standard right here. I’ve by no means smoked – I feel it’s an terrible habit – however race automobile liveries simply haven’t been the identical since tobacco promoting was banned.
One other welcome sight, a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution.
I recall Cian that includes one lately, however I can’t bear in mind the final time I’d seen one in particular person. The white O.Z. Racing rally wheels with all-terrain tyres are simply such mixture right here.
It’s an analogous scenario with this suspicious-looking Hilux with TE37Vs and Hoosiers. I’m undecided they might be a lot use round a chilly, damp Mondello Park, however they set off inner alarm bells that scream ‘finest to not f*ck with this.’
A lot the identical as automobiles with parachutes, or previous males driving automobiles with gas pumps louder than your exhaust.
I most likely wouldn’t have anticipated a 2JZ in a Ford Capri, nevertheless.
Regardless of the climate conspiring in opposition to us on this specific Saturday in September, it was a prelude to what was a genuinely particular weekend for Irish automobile tradition. I’m not fully positive if it was simply me that felt it, nevertheless it was a welcome shot within the arm.
Be at liberty to browse the remainder of the occasion gallery beneath at your leisure, whereas I get caught into the following story on this sequence. Oh, and earlier than somebody factors it out within the feedback, sure, a specific Audi is completed, and sure, we’ve already photographed it.
Paddy McGrath
Instagram: pmcgphotos
Twitter: pmcgphotos
paddy@speedhunters.com
