This one might go under the “not really nessasary but I want it anyway” catagory.  Mines partnered up with Mooncraft to produce a set of dry carbon door handle surround pieces that are supposed to minimize turbulent air after the door handle.  Does it really work?  Well this being a Mines product I wouldn’t be surprized if they booked wind tunnel time just to test these things…

In case you didn’t already know, Japanese tuner MINE’S has an arm in the US!  Also, as it turns out, they aren’t just about the Skyline either.  Check out this Titanium version of their “Silence” muffler for the 350Z.  It’s a lot like the previous Silence but lightweight (due to the titanium).  It’s also finished off with the classic blue flamed exhaust tips.  Titanium fresh!  Right now they’re sold out but keep an eye on MinesParts.com for the next shipment.

Rumors of a Falken shake up have been floating around the Formula D paddock for quite some time and Today Falken finally announced their 2009 plans.  Gone from Falken are Taka Aono and Hiro Sumida.  Replacing them is Dai Yoshihara who will be leaving Rhys Millen Racing and taking over Hiro Sumida’s Lexus IS350 while Tyler McQuarrie will be leaving the Hankook/JIC team and piloting an 350Z convertble powered by an Infiniti daytona prototype V8.

Vaughn Gittin JR., Darren McNamera, and Calvin Wan all remain with Team Falken for 2009.  Vaughn Gittin will be behind the wheel of the yet-to-be-revealed 2010 Ford Mustang.  Darren McNamera will remain in his V8 powered Saturn Sky and Calvin Wan will pilot a Nissan Silvia S15.

Fun Fact: The S15 that Calvin will be driving is the very same S15 that Dai Yoshihara drove for the Pac Rim/Rockstar team back in 2007.  Falken recently purchased the S15 from Pac Rim and got it battle ready for ‘09.

Check out Falken’s Press Release:

November 3rd, 2008

Supporting drifting since 2003, Falken has seen many drivers, teams and product manufacturers come and go within the sport. Proud to be the single longest standing brand and team in professional U.S. drifting, Falken Tire is pleased to announce the 2009 Falken Drift lineup.

The 2009 team will prove to be the most exciting, hardest charging and all-star clad team ever assembled in North America. Returning to the Falken team will be Vaughn Gittin Jr. in an all new 2010 Ford Mustang GT, Darren McNamara in a high-powered V8 Saturn Sky and Calvin Wan in a freshly assembled Nissan Silvia S15. To round out the five driver works team, new additions to Team Falken are Daijiro Yoshihara driving a lightened and completely rebuilt Lexus IS350 pushing over 500hp and Tyler McQuarrie piloting an Infiniti daytona prototype V8 powered Nissan 350Z convertible. With such a diverse group of talented drivers and driving styles, watching the Falken team grow into an unstoppable force will no doubt be 2009’s hot topic in professional drifting.

Driver Profile and Highlights:

Vaughn Gittin Jr.
Hometown - Glen Burnie, MD
Age - 28
Years Drifting - 7
Career Highlights
2008 - Formula D Round 7 Champion, 8th Place Overall in Formula D Series
2007 - D1 Grand Prix World Champion, 7th Place Overall in Formula D Series
2006 - 4th Place Overall in Formula D Series
2005 - D1 Grand Prix U.S. vs. Japan Champion, 4th Place Overall in Formula D Series
2004 - 10th Place Overall in Formula D Series

Calvin Wan
Hometown - San Francisco, CA
Age - 30
Years Drifting - 6
Career Highlights
2008 - 1st Place, Formula D Team Drift Overall
2007 - 2nd Place, Formula D Team Drift - San Jose
2005 - Formula D Round 4 Champion
2004 - 3rd Place, Formula D Infineon

Darren McNamara
Hometown - Cork Buttevant, Ireland
Age - 24
Years Drifting - 6
Career Highlights
2008 - 12th Place Overall in Formula D Series
2007 - 9th Place Overall in Formula D Series, 2007 Formula D Rookie of the Year
2006 - ProDrift Series Champion

Daijiro Yoshihara
Hometown - Tokyo, Japan
Age - 29
Years Drifting - 10
Career Highlights
2008 - 4th Place Overall in Formula D Series
2007 - Formula D Round 4 Champion, Formula D Round 6 Champion, 3rd Place Overall in Formula D Series
2006 - Formula D Round 7 Champion, 5th Place Overall in Formula D Series
2005 - 5th Place Overall in Formula D Series
2004 - 2nd Place Overall in Formula D Series

Tyler McQuarrie
Hometown - Danville, CA
Age - 30
Years Drifting - 4
Career Highlights
2008 - 2nd Place - Formula D New Jersey
2007 - 4th Place - Formula D Irwindale
2006 - 3rd Place - Formula D Chicago, 12th Place Overall in Formula D Series
2005 - 11th Place Overall in Formula D Series

Keeping each of the aforementioned drivers and their vehicles firmly planted in the perfect drift will be Falken’s Azenis RT-615. The 615, hugely popular among drift, autocross and road race participants, has time after time proven to outperform many “Japan Only/Non-DOT” competition tires.

Up until now there were “spy shots” and “teasers” everywhere of what many thought was the newest Z car but now Nissan has put the “official” stamp on some new pictures that surfaced today.  Unfortunately for the most part all we got were pics.  We do hear that it will have a shorter wheel base than the 350Z and possibly make around 350 horsepower.

Personally I’m not sure if I’m feeling the front end on this thing.  I was hoping that they would liken it to the GT-R facia but they wen a completely different way.  Although often times the lines of a car look different in person than in pictures.  So I’ll withhold my judgement until I see the new Z car face to face at the LA Auto Show next month..

Check it out.  Heres some video I shot yesterday of the Formula D practice session.  I’ll try to get some more video and pictures from tomorrow and have them up!  I’m loving the way Hiro Sumida’s Lexus IS350 drift car looks!

You have no excuse for saying in and playing Halo 3 this weekend.  There is just WAY too much going on.  First of all tomorrow over at Irwindale is the final round of the 2008 Formula D season.  It’s certain going to get dicey as there are technically at least 4 men still alive for the series title.  Right now Tanner is leading the points but two time champ Sam Hubinette and former champ Rhys Millen are not far behind.  Also while unlikely, Dai Yoshihara also has an outside chance should something catostrophic happen to the top three.   Saturday is going to get really intense!

Naturally after such a crazy Saturday night you’ll want to chill out on Sunday right?  In that case you should grab a few friends and cruise over to Irvine for the 4th Annual Japanese Classic Car Show.  This event is the Mecca of old school JDM rides.  And when I say “old school” I really mean it!  A 1986 Toyota corolla will be “modern” compared to some of the classics you’ll see parked in the grass.  It will definately be a great way to spend a Sunday.  Check out the thumbnail below for the flyer.

There I’ve officially let you guys know whats going on.  if your friends clown you on Monday because you missed out you can’t hold us responsible!  Have a great weekend!

Heres another glimpse into the future of wheel design by Five:AD.  This is their R6:F which is a new take on a classic 6 spoke design.  This look can go a lot of places but I’m thinking a set of these would look cool on a 350Z

Built VQ motors can get very hungry very quickly and as I’ve stated in previous posts, when you add power you have to add fuel to support it.  In the case of the 350Z, Cosworth has a great solution in their high-volume fuel rail.  Its CNC machined, comes with sleeved high pressure fuel lines, and an additional port to add an extra sensor.

Ever since I saw this front bumper on Bulletproof Automotive’s website I was completely enamoured with it.  After seeing the same bumper and body kit on Signal Auto’s car I was completely sold.  All I needed was to buy a 350Z! Which by the way I haven’t done yet, but enough about me! This bumper is hot.

Here is a bit of carbon fiber goodness from TiTek.  This is a carbon fiber shift cover for the 05-07 Nissan 350Z and it looks pretty fresh.  Best part is all the work is done for you its even clear coated, all you have to do is snap it in.  At $230 the price isn’t bad either.