Stereophonics - Dakota

"I don't know where we are going now"

One of the best all time songs for bobbing your head to. I like driving to this song at the start of a trip.

Check out the video here.

"Wake up call, coffee and juice
Remembering you
What happened to you

I wonder if we'll meet again
And talk about life since then
Talk about why did it end"


Russ.

1998, The NSX and the Green TE37 story.

In '98 the FIA Free JGTC All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship test NSX was born. I believe it is the best looking NSX ever. The shapes highlight the squareness of the car and the low widebody is awesome. The way the rear diffuser incorporates into the rear fenders on the car is very cool too. Later models became very very wide and more round.

In 1998 the introduction of the RAYS TE37 MAG wheels was also aligned with Honda motorsports.

The story of the Green TE37 is an interesting one. Who can say whether these are "Takata Green" or "Castrol Green" or "BP Green". Three of the NSX entries in 1998 were to run the green wheels. Starting with the Mugen and Dome collaborations. The predominantely White Dome Takata NSX with BP sponsor and the Mugen Black Red and Green Castrol NSX, The raybrig car also adopted the wheels later during the season to match their BP sponsor also.


From this observation of Castrol and Mugen having all the money. I would say that they are "Castrol Green". The colour is an almost exact match on the Mugen car. But it has been the Dome Takata team that adopted the Yellow and green livery in the following years and later the all green car and kept the green wheels all the time. The Mugen Nsx later adopted a different sponsor and dropped the green livery.


Watch the warm up lap of Round 5 JGTC 1998. 4':02 its the Mugen Castrol entry on pole with GREEN wheels.

Check out the Dome teams car museum. You'll find all the green wheeled beasts

So I'm going with the Castrol Green RAYS TE37. Judge for yourself.

Pics from Akira and Dome

Russ.

Rugby Bledisloe Cup 2009

October 31: Qantas Wallabies v All Blacks in Tokyo

I'm not a huge fan of Rugby, but when you get a chance to watch top level sport with your national team involved the result is always good.

My keen Japanese friend already has a ticket lined up, so come and join me cheering on the Wallabies.

More info on http://www.rugby.com.au/


Russ.

TGRacing Prelude

I am currently spending all my cash to participate in an endurance race with a bunch of friends in Japan. So my other car projects are on hold. The roadster shouldn't really be modified anyway, so it's a good excuse.

The first event is a 12hr endurance event that I photographed last year. This time I want to get involved. I have designed the graphics for the car and slowly getting them sorted.

The car is a Prelude 2.2 Type S and is currently undergoing transformation to production car race spec. It should prove a solid and reliable car.

Wish us luck and follow the preparation and action here on the TG-R Datalog blog..

I have a new Arai GP5 WP Helmet on it's way and that should be handy for future track excursions.

Russ.

Gackt

Gackt has been around for years in Japan and is one of the most famous male singers transcending all kinds of genre. I'm not a huge fan, but I am recently digging a couple of tracks.

His music has been featured in Gundam and other Anime like final fantasy and covers sweet ballads to Jpop and Rock with a heavy edge. It's the heavier songs I like most.

Like "Returner", I like the imagery in this clip. Black and white with blood red creates a pretty cool look.

Also "Redemption" creates a certain gothic look.

Recent release is a more J-Pop style, "Journey through the Decade"

Russ.

Ibanez Chrome Boy

As a Guitarist. I used to dream of becoming a Joe Satriani like figure with radical chops and screaming riffs with deft touch and ultimate guitar control. However these days I rarely pick one up.

Part of the dream was always to have the ultimate guitar. While a few take my fancy, like a PRS flying dove like Santana plays or a Zemekis semi-acoustic. It's the Ibanez chrome boy that sits atop all.

See it and Joe in action here.

The JS10th Aniversary Chrome boy represents 10 years of collaboration with Satriani and Ibanez. Check the registry if you feel like buying one for me. go ahead, I'll take good care of it.

The 20th edition is recently released. cool, but it's got nothing on the 10th. Cool video on the site.
Note: Marty Friedman is in Japan full time these days. Often rippin it on Japanese TV.


Recently, I'm missing music. Support my old friend Cam and the Daisycutters.

When i was playing a lot, I created my own version of a "Black Dog" years ago when I had an Ibanez RG series. Paint pens did the trick. Would match well with this Jemini distortion pedal.

Bow to the legends.

Russ.

Eco Eco Eco

It seems the future of car tuning can't be ignored. Trial Sports have recently purchased a New Prius. I must admit the car looks pretty good.

But, There is so much rubbish though, about Eco this and Eco that. The whole car is eco unfriendly plastic and correct me if I am wrong, it still has a petrol engine, doesn't it. The batteries must be thrown out after ??klm The tyres are still rubber that who knows what happens to after consumption.

Lets wait another 20 years before we start calling cars eco friendly. Japan is offereing huge rebates for "Eco cars" that has virtually killed the conventional new car market and the used market is hit very very hard. Gasoline is creeping up again.

It seems all you have to do to save the world is buy a PRIUS or INSIGHT, so save the world everyone.We'll still be fighting over gas somewhere.

Bring on the MAD MAX scenario. Maxbe the next movie will feature this.

"Two days ago, I saw a vehicle that would haul that tanker. You want to get out of here? You talk to me."

Russ.

What's a Hunk o' Junk?

Welcome to Hunk o' Junk.

This is the place where my brain will dump with all sorts of Junk.

The blog will have no regular theme, just a collection of stuff that you would find strewn around a house.

Enjoy.

Russ.