Kuala Lumpur introduced the warmth and humidity, however might SpeedFest 2024 convey sufficient modified Japanese vehicles to fill a decommissioned army airbase?
KL Base, proper within the coronary heart of Malaysia’s capital metropolis, supplied the right backdrop for this formidable 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 placement was as iconic as The Quick and the Livid ‘Race Wars’ scene, with limitless 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 supplied a gritty, virtually post-apocalyptic vibe that completely suited SpeedFest’s huge ambitions.
Malaysia’s automotive trade and fanatic base confirmed up in pressure, bringing every part from meticulously restored classics to the newest supercars and even some loopy stunning builds that I couldn’t have even anticipated . The juxtaposition of cutting-edge know-how 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 might match. The lengthy, open runways supplied the right canvas for drag races and drifting, whereas the expansive hangars housed a few of the nation’s greatest 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 a few of the authentic legends who grew Japan’s modified automotive scene is a chance that’s tremendous uncommon exterior of Tokyo Auto Salon or a shortlist of Japanese occasions.
Notable visitors included Daijiro Inada, founding father of Choice journal and Tokyo Auto Salon. Inada-san will not be solely a Japanese automotive tradition pioneer but additionally somebody who has formed automotive tradition globally.
Shoji Inoue from Star Highway is the wizard behind a few of Japan’s most jaw-dropping classical restomods, particularly his work on the enduring Datsun Z sequence. A mid-restoration Satan Blue 240Z was on show in the primary 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 likelihood to hang around with a few of the OG JDM scene influencers.
Over 1,000 vehicles formally entered the occasion throughout the present, drift, and drag levels. That’s excluding the numerous modified autos that made their method into the spectator automotive parks, too.
Impressively, over 50,000 visitors 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 large hangar, however listed here are a couple of show-stoppers.
Eight RWB vehicles made a huge effect. I can’t bear in mind seeing so many collectively exterior of Nakai-san’s RWB New 12 months Arduous Rock Tokyo Get together in 2018, eclipsing even 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 vehicles accomplished by Nakai-san throughout a mega build-a-thon.
Teoh from RWB Malaysia, one of many house owners of Miyabi, Malaysia’s first RWB, was readily available to offer me a fast take a look at the remainder of the RAUH-Welt Begriff show.
Elsewhere, the hangar was plagued by restored trendy classics, European supercars, competitors vehicles, and extra. Virtually all niches had been represented.
CraftLab offered 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 a fantastic addition to the present.
The Sudden
This brick scorching rod was one of many oddities I didn’t count on to see, however I used to be delighted to test it out in and out.
The native ‘Bricks’ group introduced two vehicles made virtually totally out of Lego-style bricks, and full with working doorways, audio system, devices, and even LED lighting. The yellow automotive is a 1:1 duplicate of an inexpensive purchase widespread native automotive, A Perodua Myvi.
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 vehicles 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 even perhaps 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 individuals’s consideration was this Mazda 13B rotary. The remainder of the automotive was inflicting a scene, too.
Though there isn’t a scarcity of Nissan/Datsun Bluebird 910s again dwelling in Australia, we don’t have any samurai-sword-wielding, R32-taillight-equipped, Japanese-police-liveried, and side-piped examples like Rotosun. Â
There wasn’t quite a lot of pure competitors equipment within the corridor, however it was represented. This carbon Ginetta G58 weighs simply over 900kg and is powered by a 6.2-litre V8. It continually had individuals absorbing its beautiful carbon fibre particulars.
General, the number of vehicles, the standard of the restorations, and the creativity behind lots of the builds had been wonderful.
The one factor higher than seeing a few of these vehicles 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:Â matthew_everingham
[email protected]
