I have to say I almost had a tear in my eye after this happened in the very early morning of our Meihan Day. This D-MAX S15 pushed a little too hard on one of his runs gaining too much angle on the transition into the corner causing him to wash out into the foam blocks through the concrete wall. It all happened so fast from a spectators point of view. The amount of debris that exploded into the air was unbelievable. There was a solid layer of dirt and dust not only me but all my camera gear. I was so glad to see the driver exit the vehicle safely. One thing I couldn’t get over is how fast the marshals and other drivers react when there is a situation just like this. In the second last photo you can see the amount of cars that came over to the sight to help out the driver and to get the car cleared in order to clean the track. 

It’s sad to say this D-MAX S15 didn’t leave the track looking as straight as it is in these above photos. Throwing down manly entries all morning lead him to push a little too far and clip the wall going straight into the foam blocks down towards the grand stand. I might be able to put a little video up of the car getting towed away.

As promised, I mentioned that I would be writing a small story from a foreigners perspective on a particular track in Osaka, Japan – Meihan Sports Land. 

So my first trip to Japan was with a group of Melbourne boys, however this time it was with a good friend of mine Erin from JDM Garage who runs a tour called K-Tours Osaka and this was the first legit tour with around 25 members. Meihan Sports Land has always been one of those tracks I’ve spent hours on the internet browsing through photos and videos of mind blowing backwards entries and tight battles that make you want to watch them over and over. I think I could confidently say when people think Meihan, Team Burst automatically clicks. Both of my trips to Meihan in the one tour were very special as we got to see the boys in Pink and Purple show us how they do it on their own turf. 

As mentioned above, the amount of videos and photos I’ve continuously viewed don’t express how thrilling it is in real life. This photo is of Naoki Nakamura riding along the wall next to a D1 member in the Mind Control S15. The amount of speed they enter this corner in is incredible. It’s amazing watching them avoid the wall (despite Nakamura) and steer the car around the apex lap after lap. I thought I would post this photo as most of the images you see come from Meihan are from the grandstand. With this particular photo I feel it gives a different approach to the viewer on the track itself.

Arriving to tracks as early as possible will always be a good choice, I believe you can never be too early, therefore you can’t miss anything! For this day we were awake at 3:45am. Being early for the Wreck `Em day I went out on the track before anyone did to get some detail shots of the wall and the track without any cars or people. The famous wall-scrubbing slab of concrete gives away evidence of some particular cars, I’m sure you can pick them just by looking at the colours engraved into it. The amount of bumpers, cars, spoilers and exhausts this wall has claimed would be uncountable, however it manages to be an addiction for most of the drivers that get the opportunity to drive it.

I have to say it was a pretty interesting feeling standing right were the cars initiate along the wall with complete silence. This photo is looking back up the track to where the cars come blazing around holding one continuous drift and then transitioning along the wall, centimetres away from the spectators. Without a doubt it would have to be one of the closest you can get to the action legally.

And here is what the it looks like with a bit of action and a few spectators shot through some gorgeous cherry blossoms! This driver was very talented and was doing some awesome battles with Jesse Streeter throughout the whole day, so stay tuned for some images very soon!

One of the craziest drivers alongside Team Burst and Nakamura was Kuroi’s D1SL S15 with a new shade of white, pink. This car has some very serious power! Note: the positive rear camber. I also love the contrast between the sky, trees and the vibrant pink!

I think it’s definitely one of the coolest tracks I’ve visited, in saying that I haven’t been disappointed with any tracks I’ve visited in Japan, each of them have their own special, unique features. I’d like to thank K-Tours for bursting my Meihan cherry, it was definitely an experience I will remember for the rest of my life without a doubt and I’m looking forward to heading back there in a few months. 

I can’t help myself but to post another shot of the NUMBERSIX NA-6 MX-5 from Meihan. After seeing all the dope photos Chris has put on his blog from a recent track day it’s just making me want a little Miata for myself even more.

I could easily stare at this photo all night and reminisce that Friday night in Nagoya. I love Mind Control!

Team Burst: Smiles, Laughter, Family, Cars, Passion, Sunset, Meihan Sportsland. These guys are one hell of a bunch. Need I say no more…

These photos are copyright, please do not steal them. If needed please email me at casey@shirtstuckedin.com, thankyou.

With the amount we did in Sydney I haven’t had much time to update the blog. Now that I’m back home I will try my best to keep the posts rolling. Whilst I was sifting through my Japanese galleries today I came across yet another photo off this amazing Zenki PS14 from a night in Nagoya. I can’t get over how much I enjoy looking at this car, it’s so spot on in every manner. I hope everyone has a safe and fun weekend! Casey x

As you may know on our Facebook we’ve constantly been posting images of this car every now and then, but now you deserve a closer look at this little EF Civic. Firstly, I spotted this car at Meihan Sports Land at the Wreck `Em day, it actually arrived quite late. As soon as it rolled in I was immediately hooked and managed to get a closer look before it hit the track.

The driver that arrived in this little machine seemed to be good friends with the Team Burst drivers. After a few sessions on the track Nakamura started to drive it on the track behind the Team Burst trains, managing to get it on 3 wheels into most corners. As you may know, I have a crazy fetish for older cars, one being EF Civics. This one is styled so perfectly it’s a car I would not change at all. The interior is completely stripped with only a few bare essentials such as this Bride drivers seat, also a full roll-cage. 

As for the exterior it’s very basic. I’m unsure on the wheels but they seem to look like a very old style of 14″ Enkei’s, maybe you guys might be know? Here it is parked up in front of the Team Burst PS13.

What’s a Civic without the authentic Honda Primo windshield banner? It’s the little things that count.

Back into the interior I noticed a little RAZO shift knob, such a neat change.

The standard dash and cluster remains, however that’s about all apart from an aftermarket dished steering wheel too! These types of cars scream out so much to me, I really wish I could explain how lovely it sounded. I really want to shoot more of these next time I’m in Japan.

After a huge weekend of Time Attack action I thought it would be a good time to do a post on the blog. The past weekend was completely packed with non-stop action, both days the team and myself were awake for over 20 hours and in that time we were shooting for about 11. As for the rest that consisted of editing and writing. So far we’ve been in Sydney just over a week and only have a few days left which is a little sad. As of today I couldn’t have asked for a better trip with the Speedhunters crew; Matt, Dino and Charles, it’s been very productive. This photo was taken this morning; a gorgeous winters day in Sydney City, over looking the harbour bridge and the Opera House right after we got breakfast at a little cafe` just up the road from this park. Surprisingly the cafe` we got breakfast from had quite a famous actor working behind the coffee machine. For those who watch Packed To The Rafters you might be familiar with the greek fellow who goes by the name of Nick ‘Carbo’ Karadonis.