Photo credit: Tiny Turbo
In the Lone Star State, the 86 Matsuri has was held from the blistering heat of August to the more temperate climes of December. This has proven successful for the past two years, with this event being the biggest yet at the Houston Police Academy.
Thaison, flew Hiroshi, also known as runningfree86 or Kaicho. They drove from Austin with Samantha, and Dennis tagging along. Dedicating their Friday to fine-tuning the right-hand-drive 86 bought by Thaison for Hiroshi. Recognizing the scarcity of parts for these vehicles, Thaison hit me up if I had some spare brake parts. I gladly helped out, and gave my spare rotors and pads.
Photo credit: Thaison. Dennis and Hiroshi getting their first taste at waffle house.
At the shop, I made friends from Wisconsin who made the pilgrimage for this revered 86 gathering. I give props especially to the people that travel long distances, embodying the spirit of true enthusiasts. We had other people, from Arizona, Kansas City, Oklahoma, Atlanta and Florida come down for the weekend.
Photo credit: Thaison
Saturday unfolded with the 86 pre-meet at Moontower Inn. Nursing the effects of partying last night till 5am, I belatedly started my day at 2 pm, just in time for the 7 pm meet. Loading my 86 onto the trailer, Sammy offered me to drive his AE86 that he has owned for over 10yrs. I couldn’t say no. It’s an experience of nostalgia-infused ride of his meticulously maintained AE86. A rolling time capsule with tasteful modifications, it exuded a visceral charm reminiscent of a bygone era.
Photo credit: Max Galyen
Hanging out, I met old friends and made new ones. A chance encounter with another Dennis, a SoCal resident organizing the 86 Brigade, revealed we have common friends. Pec showcased his Tsuchiya’s inspired Street-Spec AE86. A very well thought out build with a blacktop 20V, clean wiring, and the elusive 3.5 gear, a feature showcased in Best Motoring videos on Tsuchia’s iconic AE86. For those of you that don’t know about the 3.5 gear, it replaces 5th gear, but its a ratio that is between 3rd and 4th gear. Therefore from 3rd gear you would shift up to 5th gear (3.5 gear) then shift up to 4th. With 4th gear being the final gear. Kind of weird up shifting 3-5-4 and then downshifting 4-5-3. I would think that would take some getting used to. But my guess its super quick ratio transmission suited of twisty touges.
Photo credit: Julio A. Pec’s Tsuchia inspired AE86 seen in Best Motoring.
The night extended until midnight. I was supposed to drive back to the shop to switch cars, but I got too tired. I ended up droving Sammy’s car to my house, and sure looked good in the garage.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. Sammy’s mint AE86
Sunday, I woke up early and headed to the shop. Today was the day of the actual 86 Matsuri event at the Houston Police Academy, a track frequented by autocrossers, and drifters. The layout provided a canvas for refining car control, with corners ranging from a sweeping 3rd gear opener to challenging 2nd gear turns, ideal for honing skills like left-foot braking, and weight transfer.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler.
Dan’s 4age powered coupe. Looking good with the livery, and baller wheels.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler.
Photo credit: Danh Phan
Photo credit: Danh Phan
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. Robert’s boosted 4age.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo. Hiroshi getting the hang of the course while drifting.
Photo credit: Pete Abreus. Phil’s beams swapped celica. He recently went with the Weir max grip LSD rebuild. He was driving the grip session. Looked like he was having fun out there!
Photo credit: Pete Abreus.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. This corolla is a sleeper. Has a fuel cell in he trunk, which would indicate something more serious up front. Beams swap. What is really interesting, this has a independent rear suspension, but not sure from which car though. I’m willing to bet the rear suspension has massively improved handling over the stock rear solid axle.
Photo credit: Danh Phan
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. He got a photo of my 80 series. Last weekend before 86 Matsuri it was on a 10 day trip to the Grand Canyon. I’ll post that adventure later on the blog.
Assisting in the grid, the grip sessions proved more manageable than the spirited drift sessions. The initial thrill of witnessing ten 86s drifting in harmony gave way to caution when four spun out at almost the same time, prompting a red flag and a necessary reevaluation of grid procedures. Dennis, and I eventually got the hang of it.
Photo credit: Pete Abreus. John Yim SR20DET swapped AE86 making over 400whp. He recently got the car fixed from a engine fire couple months ago. Can’t even tell it caught on fire. In the back ground, John’s museum quality red AE86 GTS hatch.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo.
The day, characterized by fun and positive vibes, faced inevitable hiccups as some 86s succumbed to mechanical gremlins. The unfortunate demise of Harris’s 20V motor giving up, and the rod knocking in Hiroshi’s RHD AE86.
Photo credit: Pete Abreus. Harris’s Green AE86, which later the 20V motor decided to blow a hole in the block.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. Harris thankfully had a buddy trailer his 86, and being a Houston local the drive wasn’t too far. He did come back in his Porsche Cayenne. Probably one of the underrated SUV in the market.
Photo credit: Pete Abreus. Branden’s 7AGE AE86. The sound of a 7AGE is a lot throatier then then 4AGE. You can hear the in the intake noise from the ITBs. This sure was a ripper. Branden street drove his 86 from Austin, about 3 hours away. He later one has electrical issues which turned out to be the alternator. Juan, and Branden got a replacement, and fixed it on the side of the highway. Love my friends and how resilient they are.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo. Thaison’s S2000 powered AE86. This car has been driven hard as you can see in the battle scars.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo
Photo credit: Apex Gr. Danny’s LS swaped S13. This thing has all the bells and whistles to be a hot boi drift car.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. Juan’s K20 powered AE86. He is also the owner and fabricator of Dream Maker Goods. Currently making headers for the Beams motor.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. The beautiful header work done by Juan.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. Lorenzo’s show quality red hatch. Beams swap on Dream Maker Goods headers.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. K20 swapped AE86. Although beams swap is the more popular choice.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. Matt’s GT-V AE86. This car was in the grip session, and was maybe the fastest out there. Matt was nice enough to set up a track map on his timing app. Also drove his car all the way from Florida!
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo.
Photo credit: TIny Turbo.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. John Yim’s other AE86.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. This driver was doing grip and drift sessions. He demonstrated excellent car control. I think this one has the 4agze motor. So its a supercharged!
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. Milton’s GTS coupe, going out for the drift session.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. 4AGE powered yellow coupe. Slammed on small wheels looks good. Seems like the over fender was professionally done to flow with the stock body. The deeps dish of the wheels suggests clues they are over fenders to look factory.
Photo credit: Danh Phan. LS swap BRZ/FRS. Mostly likely a drift build.
Photo credit: Pete Abreus. The owner of this 86 is from Austin, and recently came back in the 86 game after a 10 year hiatus. This is a 4AGE that is powered by Yamaha R1 bike carbs. You don’t see many carbed motors today. I think carb tuning will be a dying breed, unfortunately. People choosing the ease of ECU tuning, and fuel injection.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo. LS swapped AE86.
Photo credit Dennis Wheeler. Different generations of Corollas.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo. The Mustang owner later on the day, let Hiroshi drift his car. I wound what he thinks of V8 American cars.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo
Photo credit: Juilo A. Branden driving Donnie’s K swap civic. Kanjo style build. Branden, being Honda boy at heart, sure loved driving this thing.
Photo Credit: Dennis Wheeler. Michael’s super clean JZX90. Seeing this drift looked smooth.
Photo credit: Apex Gr.
Photo credit: Apex Gr. More JZX90 showed up.
Photo credit: Apex Gr.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo.
Photo credit: Danh Phan
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo. Hiroshi giving ride along to spectators.
Photo credit: Pete Abreus. Near the end of the day, Hiroshi’s coupe started to have rod knock, and Thaison let Hiroshi drive his s2000 powered 86. Hiroshi is hardcore 4age guy, but after the experience driving Thaison’s car might have convinced him to go to a different powerband. Jokingly saying “Fuck 4age” during dinner.
Photo credit: Danh Phan
Photo credit: Danh Phan
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler. I think this photo was captured during Thaison giving drift lessons in the skid pad.
Photo credit: Tiny Turbo.
Photo credit: Dennis Wheeler.
I did miss out on the NASA Super Touring 6 race weekend but, the unique ambiance, and shared passion of the 86 Matsuri make it a priceless experience. Looking ahead, with anticipation for next year’s 86 Matsuri, we have plans to expand into a two-day event. It’s a gathering of 86 enthusiasts, united by the simple desire to push their cars to the limits on the track, whether in drift or grip – a testament to the enduring fun and camaraderie that defines the 86 Matsuri.
Natsukashi Garage 