Life Ramblings

Natsukashi Garage for me has always been about more then just the cars. Since a lot our lives are spent around them you develop more of a relationship with the cars and the people behind them than you anticipate. Sometimes however we need to take a step back from everything in our lives and re-evaluate everything that’s going on our them. These past couple of weeks I have been going through a bit of a struggle and though this site has always been about the cars I’d like to take this time to address the people and life in general.

Judging people about their cars is something that everyone does. On the outside a car can look beat up, super clean, have expensive parts, or even have parts that others would laugh about. To me I think cars are like people. Everyone is different on the outside from clothes to body type to even race or religion. These visual queues leave us to make assumptions about people or cars right off the bat when really we know absolutely nothing about them. I think it’s a serious problem that has always been apart of our society regardless of how much we preach about getting to know a person or even a car first. What I ask of our readers is to have everyone take their time more to get really get to know people or their builds before we pass judgement. It’s a problem I know that I myself need to address especially since I have at times been considered a purist (ie no fake wheels, fake parts, etc). One of the problems with making such judgement is that people are always growing. I myself have grown from my hatch which started out with only fake parts to slowly filtering them all out until things were the way as I saw fit. I see my progress continuing with the SI. Now I would rather save for that part that means so much to me rather then just go out and buy the knockoff at half price. After all, patience is a virtue. Growing is all a part of the process and if we constantly ridicule people for their cars or who they are we may never get to see what they can really become. I want to see everyone grow. I want to see builds grow. You can have the biggest POS on the road and if you love it to death and drive it all the time just to drive it I want to meet you. I want you to tell me your plans and dreams for your car. We all start somewhere and I’m just glad that you are starting and keeping this society that I love alive. I’m sure at this point I’m just rambling and I’m sure all the context of this post has been lost but if you made it this far into reading I thank you.

Lastly, I would like to take this time to tell all of you how much I appreciate you. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. Everyone that I have ever met, especially through Natsukashi Garage, has made a great impact in my life. It’s everyone out there that is working hard to achieve a goal that inspires me and, if I may say so, us of Natsukashi Garage to keep pushing on in life whether it be cars, careers, or whatever. Stay true to who you are and don’t let people tell you that you can’t when you can. See you all at Wekfest tomorrow.

Cheers,
Branden

 

Tuesday Video Time

I’m trying to make sure we have great content all the time, so now on Tuesdays I will try to post a video of mine that I absolutely love. Some may be old, some new. It’s a surprise every time.

p.s. I am still going to post part 2 of CCM14 so hold tight!

This video really got me interested into the EK body style. The fact that I could make this type of power and still have a car that clean was baffling to me. Traditionally, the though of turbo was seeded in my mind, and one day I plan to do my own turbo build on at least one of my Honda’s. Happy Tuesday peeps and shout out to Team Rice for the inspiration.

 

-BChaisorn

CCM14 Dallas

Here we are again. This time the Natsukashi crew decided to head out to CCM14 in Dallas which was hosted by Tiffany Troung and Ty Nguyen as usual. The trip was one that was to be full of great times and surprises and the creation of the first Natsukashi Games.  Though we kept to our usual antics we did not forget the main reason why we came up there, for the meet. I love going to these things. The people you meet and friends you make last a life time and those are things I never want to change. The downside of this meet was the heat. It was a blistering 105+ on the pavement but, as the boys and girls of Natsukashi Garage will tell you, I sucked it up to get some shots of some great cars for you all. My apologies this round for not getting every car, but due to the heat and the amazing turnout that was there I had to limit my shots. Again these are unedited much because I still haven’t had time to learn much about photo editing, nor do I like highly edited photos much. On to the show!

Things started as usual when we travel north which resulted in us meeting at my place over in Round Rock. This time we had some other great friends of mine join us which made the trip all the more enjoyable. Please excuse my good friend David for being a creeper.
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CCM13 Part 2

To our readers I need to apologize. I know myself have been extremely busy with many things in life. To inform you all I just recently purchased a 2012 Honda CBR250r to commute to school and work. In addition I’ve been spending lots of time at work and school and yes….. playing Diablo 3. For neglecting you all I sincerely apologize and am making  a promise today to create more frequent updates!

But back to the cool stuff. I finally am ready to show you all the second installment to our CCM13 OKC adventure!

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After much anticipation, I present CCM13 part 1

Sorry for the long wait guys and gals, I had a final I was studying for on top of being busy with all of the end of the semester things. So here it is. I want to break this up into at least a two part ordeal since we have TONS of photos. My apologies for things not being edited, but I don’t want to make you all wait anymore. If you use/take any of these photos please tag us, and give us credit! Thanks!!

So for the journey we all decided to meet up at my place in Round Rock the Friday before. To my surprise Thaison had gotten in the stickers which we thought weren’t going to make it in time. Since they did we slapped them on before rolling out. This was my favorite picture which just happened to be on Cody’s sweet wagon. Don’t you just love the sparkles?

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track day — more to come!

So this past Saturday, Branden and I went down to Harris Hill Road for the “Mazda Raceway Outlaw Autocross.”  Essentially, a higher speed autocross, where we got to run a section of Harris Hill Road with a couple slaloms down the side straight, back straight, and before the dam turn.

Here’s a look at the track:

A really fun, technical course with elevation changes.  There was a slalom between 3 & 4, 5 & 6, and 7 & 8.  Gridding was in the pit and the finish was right before turn 9.  Needless to say, it was a suuuuuper fun day.

More to come on this event soon!

tearing up the slaloms!

tearing up the slaloms!

Houston Gods

I spent the last 3 and a half days of my spring break in Houston. While being there for a school event, that doesn’t mean I put my car life on hold. This car was at the event and was later seen at the Saturday night meet. It also happened to be my favorite and for good reason.

Simply Beautiful

-BChaisorn

clutch job cont.

Stopped by David’s house to see Thaison and pick up a few things for the Si (more on this to come). After getting the car into the garage by pushing it over the concrete (car was soo low) David and Thaison got to work raising the car up for this Saturday’s Harris Hill Autocross event along with replacing his clutch.

Natsukashi Nights

CHARGE

cut cut scrape scrape

We don't need hangers

"Do work" fitment

Spacers and a new clutch!

Thaison never cleans his interior

 

-BChaisorn

Good Lord!

Here at Natsukashi Garage we love good builds. We appreciate anything and everything, but quality and a love for racing is always key. In addition, we are obsessed with ITB’s as seen on Thaison’s Corolla. This next car in fact has ITB’s and then steps it up another level with a k20 and all around Type R finesse. I always heard of the term Hype R, but I’m all about the Hype on these cars. Check it!

Good Lord