Exploitation of the Strong by the Wek
Years ago before ILE and the means to build a car worthy of any photographers attention, I scoured the pages of tuner magazines drooling over West Coast features much like I do today. But unlike the past, this weekend I am blessed with the opportunity to drool in person alongside my friends over some of the highest quality builds in the World, no exaggeration. This is our second year transcending the country to admire NorCal’s finest at Wek’Fest SF and I’m as eager as ever to see what changes were made to last years titlests. Stay tuned for coverage or “like” or FB page for instant updates tomorrow
Cheers,
FRENCH
Will You Be Mine?!
While some of us argue why it’s better that they spend the evening alone, others like myself prepare to wine, dine and … enjoy the company of our complements. With that in mind I thought I’d update you on the status of my S2000 as it has been underneath the knife for a little bit now.
Sincerely,
FRENCH
Green Tea Metallic NSX Concept
I couldn’t help myself. CRV Green Tea Metallic NSX concept lowered on SSR wheels.
FRENCH
Does Emma Watson like the new NSX?!
Tis’ The Season
With the weather reflecting the likes of Spring incredibly early this year, Amodei managed to photograph his new/temporary XXR wheel set up. The phrase ‘needs more low” does not apply.
FRENCH
Vacation
This past weekend I had the luxury of taking a short 3 day cruise to the Bahamas with the family.. After returning we met up with some family in Coral Springs, Florida.. I then get a message from Sheldon saying he lives 10 minutes away.. This lead to us meeting up and me snapping a few photos of his nicely put together AP1… Enjoy!
Full set can be found HERE!!!!
-Chris Amodei-
Full set can be found HERE!!!!!!
FC’d Up
Occasionally, I come across a car that results in a frenzy! Searching Craigslist and scouring forums for model specifics and deals I lose myself for a bit discovering and satisfying my curiosity. As you can imagine I’m busy beasting on rx7club right now because of the FC below… DAMN YOU MAZDA!
FRENCH
Photo credit unknown
Round 2, Ashley’s Mini
Austin Powers: Your spy car’s a Mini?
Nigel Powers: It’s not the size mate, it’s how you use it.
Testifying to the “it’s not the size of the ship, it’s the motion of the ocean” phrase, Ashley has been sending waves throughout the internet with her Mini. Often times mistaken for her boyfriends car, don’t get it twisted, this gem is absolutely hers. Having already been featured by The Arthus, Here, the close knit community that is our own frequently sees reptition of cars of this caliber for obvious reasons.
Happy Holidays,
FRENCH
photos by the Amodeo formally known as Chris Amodei
Marion’s Evo X
As much fun as it is to identify irrationality with women, truth be told in the spirit of competition men, myself included, a gentleman and scholar, are guilty of the same charge. How-fucking-so you argue, as most of you followers are males, right? Well in the world of automotive tuning there can only be one of each of the following; lowest, fastest, rarest, loudest, widest, jdm’st etc but regardless of that fact we pursue which ever category appeals to us most by compromising the reliability of our cars and or wallets. This is obviously inconsideration of value and budgets needless to say, so the money is no object individuals GTFO 
That being so having carried out many of Marion’s purchases she was probably the most pragmatic individual I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with, all things considered. Never once did she impulse buy to compete with someone or satisfy her urge, she always did her research, and this is my personal favorite, she never once felt the desire to bug the shit out of me when things took some time to arrive as she had faith that when I said “two weeks” it didn’t mean one week and 2 days, it literally meant two weeks. Paying homage to the ideal client, Chris managed to get together with Marion and shoot her beloved Mitsubishi EVO X on Wed Sports, Marsh or something along those lines.
FRENCH
Sorry no pictures of Marion for you creeps!
Stolen
As much as I’d like to have a “daily” gum scraper like the EG bubble below or the Acura Integras I’ve been sharing, the idea of having it stolen at every moment is incredibly discouraging. SMH
FRENCH
photo credit: unknown
Guide Post
“Success isn’t measured by the position you reach in life: it’s measured by the obstacles you overcome.”
-Booker T. Washington
I like to believe this Honda Civic initially developed to be an economical commuter car is a proper example of the quote above. Often a joke to the car enthusiast outside the Honda community it’s the underdog that was the foundation for an entire generation of tuners. True story, this Summer at a Watkins Glen circuit day with the PCA a gentleman driving a 996 GT3 Cup was more than enthusiastic about a turbo Civic at the clubs last outing. G’night
FRENCH
Photo Credit: Unknown
Seat Time
If you ever thought about going to the circuit you’ve come across the uninviting costs of doing so and like any competitive activity practice or in this case seat time it is what separates “the men from the boys” or is it? There has been a growing discussion among the Honda-Tech community regarding video games such as Gran Turismo 5 and Forza 4 and the idea that consciously playing them has benefited individuals when tracking in reality as the game physics are relative to that of the real World. Clearly not the only persons to think so as the television show, GT Academy was produced, note the word produced. In any case, the cost of becoming a respected driver ,if you do happen to believe the idea of simulators, has drastically been reduced and the Winter… well E and I are going to Miami for a few months :shrugs: Can anyone comment on Palm Beach International Raceway?
FRENCH
some more Integra influences
photo credit: unknown
Exercise Knowledge
“We seem to collect information because we have the ability to do so, but we are so busy collecting it that we haven’t devised a means of using it. The true measure of any society is not what it knows but what it does with what it knows.” -Warren Bennis
FRENCH
In an attempt to display my know how and being that I’ve always had an interest in DC2s, my younger brother and I have to decided to pick up an Integra. BAWSEEESSs
photograph by Nelsmar
Yo BRO!
Ugh after hours of traveling, Spilner and I have returned from the BudLight Port Paradise Cruise. Three words can define the adventure; Beer, Bros and… this requires very little thought, HOs, young and old. “Like” our Facebook page to see the few shots we managed to get.
FRENCH
P.S. I am getting everyones’ submissions for posts. They will be shared! 
Photo Credit Dexter Sanchez
Happy Halloween!
Island Import Day October 23, 2011
It’s hard to believe that the season is approaching its conclusion. With the warm weather behind us, the cold weather present and the very cold looming in the near future, we’ve been attempting to cover every meet, race and “gathering” within reason. With appointments to roll 3 cars’ fenders earlier that morning Spilner and I were a bit discouraged as to if we would be able to attend Island Import Day’s season finale. But the inability of a BMW 135i to hold their appointment provided us with an opportunity to go and doing so I made sure to go nuts and shoot every f$%kin’ photo-worthy gem insight.
FRENCH
Do you have it, guts!
Photogenic much?
Kevin Markland has a mustache
Not something you see everyday, on air
The character behind the Jag
The instigator
Millan’s “race car”
No fires will be put out with these old extinguisher bottles
But tattoo artist Anthony Mealie’s GTI will be laying low
The Arthus helping Kevin make some adjustments
“Ass, ass, ass…” -Big Sean
Hip…ster.
Anthony’s little tree collection
“…Ass, ass, ass”
Red IS300/Altezza on polished CCWs
This guy was walking around with his daughter… Animale
First Class Fitment…
It’s a fact. Some car shows are just better than others. Case in point: Canibeat’s First Class Fitment. Over 150 cars were in attendance. Some of the best the East Coast had to offer. VIP, Euro, JDM with every sort of fitment you could imagine. Static and air. There was plenty of scraping going on. The show was held at Princeton Airport in Montgomery Township, New Jersey. In addition to the beautiful blue sky, the airplane hangars and runway were a perfect backdrop for the event. It definitely strayed from the typical parking lot events we are used to attending. Car after car lined the driveway into the main event. A hangar stacked with some of the best vehicles in the show with Liberty VIP’s crew surrounding the area just outside. The competition was fierce but my buddy Vince ended up going home with the “Best Fitment” award for his 300ZX on VIP Modular wheels. Congrats! Here are a few shots from the day.
|brian|
Flickr set HERE.
IDGAFOS…
Having attended Wek’Fest San Francisco a handful of months ago reality struck and the idea of ever getting featured in a magazine given the caliber of cars in attendance and the slow extinction of print was killed. And it didn’t really matter but the thought of magazines truly disappearing considering the quality of information the medium communicates is tragic to say the least. Yes there is heaps of information on the internet in the form of “DIYs,” reviews and such but few times are they as informative, suggesting tips and insight, as let’s say, HondaTuning. Many times I’ve encountered incongruences with user write ups on forums and I’m sure you have as well but the point is magazines of which we/I discovered JDM tuning and all things related are vanishing. Do yourself and the industry a favor and subscribe to whatever tuning magazine you read while sipping your large latte at Barnes and Noble with your girlfriend as it is about 25% the cost of the yearly subscription. It’s not about the money though, it’s about the reach and without that we are doomed to read poorly written posts, such as my own (you know this is a joke my posts are award winning), about how someone’s family member or friend inspired them to begin modifying cars so he/she stanced the shit out of there Suby. Derp
FRENCH
photo by Sean Bradford Photography
Follow Your Heart
“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” - Steve Jobs
FRENCH
Vyets S2000 from Felix A. Lim and Simon Nguyen
Covered: Evo Vs. STi at Englishtown October 17, 2011
Englishtown Raceway, NJ once again played host to Evo vs STi. Although the event was scheduled the same day as First Class Fitment, competition always sparked our interest as creeping on another bro’s fitment isn’t as eventful as one would think. That being so the usual suspects, sans the Arthus and Huy who photographed FCF, and I advanced towards the 1320 early Saturday morning. After Spilner, Dirty, and F.Millan made respectable passes and quelled the doubts of a few, we packed up and made way to Atlantic City for an evening of debauchery and risk.
FRENCH
Opportunity
Today marked the last day of my employment at NoLimitMotorsport. Not because of a vicious “blow out” or maltreatment but because I’ve grown as a person. Upon reception of the news some have apologized but I quickly silenced their concerns and expressed to them that my time is another resource that I’m able to utilize in pursuit of my dreams and goals.
With Evo Vs STi scheduled for this weekend as well as First Class Fitment the team has been split. Huy and Brian Arthus will be present at FCF and Amodei, Spliner, E and Your’s Truly will be in attendance at Evo Vs STi, and Atlantic City shortly after 
…To a new beginning.
FRENCH
Pocono Raceway 2011
Just how many track days can we get in before the season concludes is the game that many of us are gambling on. As much as we admire the fine art of hardparking, it requires a great amount of restraint for many of us at IvyLeagueEast to pass up on a circuit day, auto-x or the classic, a quarter-mile. Having managed to put enough coin aside to hit Pocono Raceway with the PCA once again, E, Jamie and I met up with a few other S2000s owners to add a bit of color to the usually monotone roster 
FRENCH
H20i featuring Scraped.Crusaders.
Although the weekend was filled with rain, thousands still traveled down(and up) to Ocean City, Maryland for one of the biggest VW shows on the East Coast. I met a lot of new people and had the chance to see some old friends. I got the opportunity to meet some of the guys from Scraped.Crusaders. Having been a fan of Gill’s Legacy for some time now, it was exciting to finally see it in person. If you haven’t already, you will definitely be seeing Matt’s, who goes by DeathLens on Flickr, photos floating around the net. He put together an impromptu shoot on our last night down there to really give the event a nice closing. Here is the result…
brian | arthus
Check out DeathLens’ Flickr HERE.
http://scrapedcrusaders.com/
Dynamic STI
Having already shared BBS LMs on about every make and model, it is of no surprise that this black 04-05 STi looks so appealing. WINNING
FRENCH
photo credit: unknown
Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance
With Fall officially here as of today it incurs serious angst as few track days remain and Winter build plans begin. Having managed to destroy my Amuse front fascia within a few weeks of painting the OEM AP2 look and fitment is again looking very appealing. With a shopping list consisting of a super charger, hardtop and wing (for racing… smh and hardparkers with wings) it’s going to be a very, very costly few months.
FRENCH
photo credit unknown
H20i…
I am a man of impeccable timing. Just one week prior to departing for Ocean City my center differential decides to let go. No in it’s defense it has been warning me for the past year with it’s constant whine, so suffice it to say it’s been a long time coming. But why now?! The optimistic me says, “At least it didn’t happen 300 miles from home.” But broke, pessimistic me says, “Just my f@#kin’ luck.” My mood isn’t too soured though because, after all, I am heading down to Maryland tomorrow for the festivities. The drive down. The meets and get togethers. The parties. Even the drive home. It’s a weekend I look forward to each year. You get to see friends from all over. That is, if my car comes together tonight. It’s currently up on jack stands in the garage, nothing too unfamiliar. Parts are expected to arrive today so I am staying positive. It will all work out. So here are a few shots I took last year while I was down there. I am looking forward to capturing a lot more. Myself and Amodeo will have plenty to report on once we return.
brian | arthus
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