Kuala Lumpur introduced the warmth and humidity, however may SpeedFest 2024 carry sufficient modified Japanese automobiles to fill a decommissioned army airbase?
KL Base, proper within the coronary heart of Malaysia’s capital metropolis, offered the proper backdrop for this bold occasion. Locals talked about that the empty airbase is slated for redevelopment quickly, making this competition doubtlessly a one-time expertise within the distinctive location.
On arrival, I felt like we had been driving onto a film set. The situation was as iconic as The Quick and the Livid ‘Race Wars’ scene, with infinite rows of car-filled pavilions and a whole bunch of banners flapping, all set towards one of many world’s most spectacular metropolis skylines.
The venue offered a gritty, virtually post-apocalyptic vibe that completely suited SpeedFest’s huge ambitions.
Malaysia’s automotive trade and fanatic base confirmed up in drive, bringing all the pieces from meticulously restored classics to the newest supercars with the. The juxtaposition of cutting-edge expertise towards the backdrop of weathered army constructions added a component of surrealism to the occasion.
The warmth and humidity had been relentless, however they couldn’t dampen the spirits of the enthusiastic crowd. It was a testomony to the fervour that drives Malaysian automotive tradition.
The sprawling airbase supplied a novel setting that few different areas may match. The lengthy, open runways offered the proper canvas for drag races and drifting, whereas the expansive hangars housed among the nation’s finest automotive builds.
Collectively As One
Friends from Japan added a novel flavour to the occasion. Rubbing shoulders, sharing automotive tales, and even simply posing for a selfie with among the authentic legends who grew Japan’s modified automotive scene is a chance that’s tremendous uncommon outdoors of Tokyo Auto Salon or a shortlist of Japanese occasions.
Notable company included Daijiro Inada, founding father of Possibility journal and Tokyo Auto Salon. Inada-san is just not solely a Japanese automotive tradition pioneer but in addition somebody who has formed automotive tradition globally.
Shoji Inoue from Star Street is the wizard behind a few of Japan’s most jaw-dropping classical restomods, particularly his work on the long-lasting Datsun Z collection. A mid-restoration Satan Blue 240Z was on show in the principle hangar.
Sakamura-san from Storage Energetic ran out of ink after signing so many diecast fashions of his all-carbon R32 Skyline GT-Rs throughout the weekend. His quest to push the restricted and redefine the ‘good’ GT-R actually struck a chord with native fanatics.
These legends introduced a novel vibe to SpeedFest, giving everybody the uncommon probability to hang around with among the OG JDM scene influencers.
Over 1,000 automobiles formally entered the occasion throughout the present, drift, and drag phases. That’s excluding the numerous modified autos that made their approach into the spectator automotive parks, too.
Impressively, over 50,000 company handed by the gates. I spoke with fanatics from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Brunei, Thailand, and even the UK.
Hanging Out
It was sensory overload inside the massive hangar, however listed here are a number of show-stoppers.
Eight RWB automobiles made a big impact. I can’t bear in mind seeing so many collectively outdoors of Nakai-san’s RWB New 12 months Exhausting Rock Tokyo Celebration in 2018 or the RWB movie debut in Melbourne in 2016.
This ultra-wide 997 is the youngest member of Malaysia’s RWB household. Accomplished only a few weeks in the past, it was the final of six automobiles accomplished by Nakai-san throughout a mega build-a-thon.
Teoh from RWB Malaysia, one of many homeowners of Miyabi, Malaysia’s first RWB, was available to provide me a fast take a look at the remainder of the RAUH-Welt Begriff show.
Elsewhere, the hangar was affected by restored trendy classics, European supercars, competitors automobiles, and extra. Virtually all niches had been represented.
CraftLab introduced three rally legends – a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III, a GC8 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, and an ST185 Toyota Celica GT-4. Regardless of all being works automotive replicas, they had been an ideal addition to the present.
The Surprising
This brick sizzling rod was one of many oddities I didn’t count on to see, however I used to be delighted to test it out inside and outside.
The native ‘Bricks’ crew introduced two automobiles made virtually completely out of Lego-style bricks, and full with working doorways, audio system, devices, and even LED lighting.
Bonus factors for the lovable Panda passengers. I’d like to see certainly one of these hit a wall at velocity whereas being filmed in super-slow movement.
The standout automobiles included some unapologetically personalised rides, like this Honda Prelude with a full customized carbon fibre bodykit designed and made by its proprietor, Kevin Lim. Carbon replaces a lot of the cabin and floorpan, too.
There are some apparent styling cues taken from well-known physique package makers and maybe even GT500 or time assault builds.
A Garrett turbo helps the labored H22A engine produce 300hp when VTEC kicks in, yo!
One other engine that caught folks’s consideration was this Mazda 13B rotary. The remainder of the automotive was inflicting a scene, too.
Though there isn’t any scarcity of Nissan/Datsun Bluebird 910s again house in Australia, we don’t have any samurai-sword-wielding, R32-taillight-equipped, Japanese-police-liveried, and side-piped examples like Rotosun.
There wasn’t numerous pure competitors equipment within the corridor, nevertheless it was represented. This carbon Ginetta G58 weighs simply over 900kg and is powered by a 6.2-litre V8. It consistently had folks absorbing its beautiful carbon fibre particulars.
Total, the number of automobiles, the standard of the restorations, and the creativity behind most of the builds had been superb.
The one factor higher than seeing a few of these automobiles parked up was seeing them in motion. And SpeedFest 2024 ticked that field, too. Keep tuned for half two of my protection.
Matthew Everingham
Instagram: matthew_everingham
matt@mattheweveringham.com
