Hyper Car Style Battle Magazine, aka BM.

The second largest drifting focused Japanese magazine from the early 90s to mid 2000s.

It actually started out as motorcycle magazine with a focus on Touge racing, but as drifting grew popular in the 90s they started featuring some cars here and there. And by 97ish it became primarily car/drifting focused. Comparing it to DoriTen, the other popular drifting magazine. It was definitely made in smaller numbers which makes it a bit harder to get nowadays, the magazines themselves usually have less pages as well.

But that doesn’t mean they have less content, BMs usually have less ADs and more event coverage, specifically BM’s own BM Cup drift events. BM also seems to have less DIY/Unusual articles, and more focus on new car builds and new up and comer drivers.

All this results in BMs being very heavy on cool car content and over all cool stuff in them, I might or might not prefer BMs over DoriTen but who can say for sure haha. Anyways, let’s get into the first BM issue coverage. Felt it would be fitting to start from the exact same point. 2000 January!

DRIFT WORLD 2000!!

“At last, we’ve entered the final year of the century — 2000.
Even now, AE86 drivers continue to take on new challenges. Their relentless driving, surpassing both time and power, is the very essence of the drifting spirit.
Let’s keep the drift soul burning into 2000!”

It’s now Y2K, the world of drifting is on the stepping stones of becoming a mainstream sport across the nation. But that still hasn’t happened just yet. So for now, let’s take a look at what drifting did look like less than a year before everything changed.

Koichi Yamashita of RUNNING FREE!

“The title of champion isn’t just for show! The man who continues his unstoppable charge with invincible drifting.”

“Since winning the AE86 Unified Championship competition several years ago, drift legend Koichi Yamashita has been affectionately known by the nickname “Champ.” While Champ Yamashita is now strongly associated with the AE86, he actually drove an 180SX for about four years prior. Even then, he was a man who built legends on various mountain passes and circuits. Many likely remember his image as a brilliant 180SX driver. Yet now, Yamashita-kun is head over heels for the Hachi-Roku. “Before the 180SX, it was the Hachi-Roku. That’s when I started gripping through the mountain passes. It was one of the cars I got really into, even competing in Hachi-Roku endurance races. Because of that, even while driving the 180SX, I was thinking about getting back into a Hachiroku. Now I own two Hachirokus and am enjoying the Hachiroku life.” Besides this red Hachiroku, which he calls his Ferrari, he also owns a fully tuned white Levin introduced in the previous issue. This red Hachiroku is GOOD LINE’s demo car, which was also displayed at last year’s Auto Salon. The bumpers for the Hachiroku sold by this shop, where Yamashita-kun handles PR, were designed with Yamashita-kun’s own involvement. Naturally, they’re fitted to his Hachiroku too.”

“Recently, at the The Generational Drift Con competition held at Ebisu Circuit’s South Course (see the article starting on p.108 for details) Yamashita-kun pushed aside numerous strong contenders to become the unified age-group champion. In fact, Yamashita-kun was actually eliminated in the first round. However, he fought his way back through the losers’ bracket, displaying perfect driving and powerful drifts. Consistently high speeds and flawless lines, making his first-round loss seem like a lie. He launched a remarkable comeback from the losers’ bracket, securing the championship and the title of age-group unified champion. Even in a single-run showdown, his driving remained flawless, without a single mistake. The gallery and judges were in awe the entire time. That’s how unparalleled his precision drifting is. This time, Yamashita-kun was seriously aiming for the win. During the tournament, he gazed at the trophy under the control tower and muttered, “I really want that big championship trophy.” This competition featured many formidable opponents. Defeating them all was practically synonymous with being the true champion, as drifters from every generation had gathered. Of course, there were also rising drifters eyeing the top spots, aiming to sweep past everyone and leap straight into the elite class! His victory came after breaking through these towering barriers.”

“After the second round, Yamashita-kun engaged in a fierce drift battle with Ebisu manager Kumakubo-san in a pursuit race. These two drove right up close, bumper-to-bumper, attacking relentlessly! Their intensity radiated an absolute refusal to lose. Judges even shouted, “This match is impossible to judge!” Multiple rematches confirmed it was a legendary battle. Ultimately, champion Yamashita, who had fought his way up from the losers’ bracket, showed no sign of slowing down and clinched the victory. It was a victory befitting the seasoned veteran Yamashita-kun, the oldest participant in the tournament. The level of drifting has been rising steadily lately. Moreover, consistently winning among the top class is no easy feat. That alone shows what a great presence he is in the drifting world. Yamashita-kun says he wants to “participate in more BM Cups next year.” It looks like Champ Yamashita’s golden era will continue for quite some time.”

Koichi “Champ” Yamashita is a very well known and respected 86 drivers from that era, his influence on the Running Free team is obvious and his driving style was truly remarkable. I enjoyed listening to some of the stories about him told by Hiroshi Takahashi on the Sileighty Mania podcast.

Link for anyone interested, highly recommend listening to it, but after you finish reading this!

Hisashi Kamimoto of RUNNING FREE!

“The Chūgoku–Shikoku Grand Champion continues to chase even greater ambitions!”

“In ’98, Kamimoto-kun was the drifter who shot to national prominence across various competitions. Driving his red S14, he electrified the nation with his speed and technique. In ’99, Kamimoto-kun switched to a Hachiroku. Recently, in that Hachiroku, he clinched victory at the “Vehicle Grand Championship Battle” held at Bihoku Highland Park. This event gathered participants competing in the BM Cup and CB Drift Contest national championships. He admitted that while driving the S14, he felt the Hachiroku just wouldn’t cut it. His reasoning was that without a certain level of power, you couldn’t win in today’s high-speed drift era. However, once he started driving the S14 himself, the car he dreaded facing in tournament battles was the Hachiroku. Of course, no drift competition judges based on potential handicaps. Within that context, for Kamimoto-kun, who had driven the S14, the Hachiroku appeared as a formidable presence. For Kamimoto-kun drifting wasn’t about flashy runs or high-speed drifts at shallow angles. It was about leaving something behind for the spectators; that was the theory of winning. Kamimoto-kun, in his S14, was said to have a very particular way of doing things. In ’98, he drove prioritizing achieving results on the big stage above all else. After the ’98 season ended, he agonized over what to do next while still driving the S14. Staying the same meant nothing would change.”

“To challenge with the S14, he wanted to upgrade the car to a higher spec. But that cost money. After pouring everything he could into drifting for results in ’98, his debt had ballooned significantly. “I can’t take on any more debt.” That was the honest truth. What popped into his head then was the car that had been such a thorn in his side at competitions: the Hachiroku. Even before driving the S14, I’d thought the Hachiroku was an easy car to express yourself with. The S14 is a great car, of course, but this time I wanted to switch from being the one being chased to the one doing the chasing. Kamimoto’s Hachiroku was supercharged. Kamimoto-kun said people might say a supercharged Hachiroku isn’t a true Hachiroku, but “To compete with high-level drivers, the skilled ones, you need a supercharger.” Aim high! he declares.”

“With Yuasa-kun, who forms a twin-driver duo under the team name Princess Princess.”

“Even if you beat a stock 86 with a supercharged one, it should be taken for granted—he seeks drifting at an even higher level. “Honestly, I’m happy I won this Grand Championship battle. But this is still just a regional event. I want to face the best in the nation, win, and double that joy. The national stage won’t just hand me a win. There are plenty of guys way better than me. I’m not perfect yet. This win also involved tournament luck and my opponents’ mistakes. That’s why I always want to win with what I consider perfect drifting.” He wants to drive in a way that satisfies himself. And he wants to do it in the car he’s driving now, the 86. When he achieves that, the glory of being the best in the nation will be within Kamimoto-kun’s grasp.”

I really admire the dedication and commitment of 86 drivers, 86s would continue to be competitive for a few more years but as with all sports. Things continue to develop and change, for the better or for the worse. Achieving the goal Kamimoto wanted to achieve today would probably prove to be even more difficult.

Drift Class: All-Gals Special Feature

“Here is a paradise forbidden to men! Stomp, slide, and drive with all your might!”

Female “Gal” drifters were a lot more common back then than I expected, even more common than today maybe? Nevertheless it’s cool to see, especially when some of these Gals had some very well styled machines!

Continuing with the Hachiroku theme, the dual 86 drivers featured, Yurie Ito and Ayaka Yamasaki. Got my took my interest.

“Their twin-drifting combo is being put to the test!”

“Ms. Ito from Shizuoka Prefecture and Ms. Yamazaki from Mie Prefecture are challenging themselves to twin driving. Though they live in different areas, when they first met, they hit it off because they shared the same approach to driving. That’s how they decided, “Then let’s team up as twins and take on the challenge!” Though they belong to different teams, when doing twin drifting, they call themselves “Jya-i Korē-shin-gu.” They only belong to it when doing twin drifting. These two could talk all night once they start. Their shared dream is to beat turbo cars with a stock engine. “The engine is stock, but we have an oil cooler. We added it to the Hachiroku because the engine’s already pretty worn out, so we don’t want to break it,” says Ms. Yamazaki. Ms. Ito is the action-oriented one, heading out to tracks like Nikko Circuit. If she finds something interesting, she’ll go anywhere for it. That intensity reflects in her driving too. These two competitive spirits have teamed up, aiming for the national stage in twin drifting.”

NIGHT MINX Yokohma Drift Team

“We happiest when we are running to drift. It’s make up of girls” Love the Japanese-English team stickers haha.

Night Minx is probably the most well known female drift team. Made up of 7 members during the time of this article.

“They’re always out riding. Occasionally they hit the circuit too. Most of them have that “once we start riding, we can’t stop” personality. It’s common for some of them to casually say “I’m just going for a bit,” then ride nonstop for over 30 minutes and not come back. Even so, they get along great—it’s a fun, friendly, close-knit team. So, their goal for 2000 is plain and simple: “Enter a competition!” Even if they’re not the best, they just want to enjoy themselves.”

“The last time we featured “NIGHT MINX” in this magazine was in the June ’97 issue. Over two and a half years have passed since then, the members have changed, and they’ve reopened with a new look. Yet, their passion for driving and their dedication to the sport seem to carry on the team’s legacy. They occasionally run together at the same spots, but usually they split into two factions: the mountain pass crew and the grassland crew.”

The most well known member of the team I’d say is Ohkubo Kayo. Her Nexus 180SX has been featured in multiple magazines since ‘97 all the way up to ‘05! Which is pretty cool to see, I’ve come across it a lot which shuffling through magazines and it’s very interesting to see how her 180 would change and develop throughout the years.

Although I suspect the ownership might have changed sometime in the mid 2000s, it’s very cool to see the car throughout an almost 10 year long period.

More of the Night Minx members, and a G-Corporation ad.

G-Corporation known for their wild aero kits and later on flashy car liveries (literally ) were pretty new to the scene by then I believe. From Chiba prefecture, they would continue to be a frequent feature in the drifting scene for years to come.

Hipposleek JZXs

“Hipposleek, renowned for its JZX-series aero kits, has released a NEW aero kit for the JZX81. This unprecedented style is truly astonishing. Let’s explore the appeal of JZX-series customization, including the JZX90 and 100.”

I’m not very familiar with JZX lore so I’ll leave y’all with the translation from the main section. Maybe one day I’ll learn more about them but for now I’m a Nissan guy through and through.

“First off, if everyone bought a JZX8, 90, or 100, where would they start modifying? I bet most people would say, “Start with aero, right?” After all, leaving the exterior completely stock just screams “dad car,” and you’d probably get looked down on by the two-door crowd like the 180SX or S14. Plus, if it’s a 1J engine, it’s got decent power to begin with.”

“So, let’s add aero. But for those who want something completely different from everyone else, here’s some great news! Just look at this JZX8 Cresta – it’s obvious at a glance. Hipposleek, the go-to brand for touring car enthusiasts, has released an entirely new concept in aerodynamics.”

“The keywords are DTM and box-shaped. Rather than forcing it into a modern look, it has been given an old-fashioned image. One of its features is that it makes use of the angular design of the Hachiichi, adding slits to add accents. It mixes in the bad-boy vibe that is unique to the Hachiichi, yet is innovative. It has a dignified look, while still retaining a sporty feel. The Hachiichi is quite cheap and in good condition, so it might be a good idea to spend the money left over on a full aero kit. The lineup will be completed with the Chaser and Mark II in due course.”

“Next is the aero for the JZX80 and 100. The front is a lip type instead of a bumper type like the 81, so it looks cool without ruining the stock lines. I think many drift enthusiasts consider bumpers to be consumables, so I think a lip type that can be easily replaced is a better choice.”

“In terms of styling, it doesn’t look too much like a drift car, but is designed to be suitable for city driving as well. The area around the wheel wells has also been designed to ensure that it doesn’t look too empty even when fitted with the trendy large wheels. This is quite important, isn’t it? As for the JZX100, it emphasizes the presence of a “sports sedan”, as symbolized by the flared sides and raised fins. It’s the perfect specification for an aggressive ride.”

“I think this new aero for the JZX80 can be said to be a new challenge for Hipposleek. They are not just going for the ordinary, but are challenging themselves to create something new, so we’ll be keeping an eye on them.”

Two more JZXs from Cool “D” and Side Slide.

Good Line and Car Make T&E ads.

More OG aero brands, Good Line known for their 86 bumpers as run by Running Free members of course.

Car Make T&E also known as Vertex, super popular since back in the day. Most of the kits in this ad are still available today!

YZ Circuit BM Cup

“The life of a Hachiroku driver, constantly honing my driving skills to the highest level!!”

Team I.C.B.M’s Yoichi Imamura:
“Where does Imamura-kun’s power come from? That’s what you can’t help but wonder, his driving is that incredible. This past year, he seemed to be on a warrior’s journey, transcending the limits of the Hachiroku car and focusing solely on how to unleash his own technique.”
“A man should be greedy for victory! This phrase perfectly captures Imamura-kun’s drifting. In this year’s BM Cup, while he only took the win once, he dominated most events with one runner-up, two third-place finishes, and one fourth-place. On this day too, he repeatedly executed drifts that could easily be called perfect. Though he finished third, he constantly drove with an all-out winning mentality, refusing to be beaten by anyone. That’s where the coolness of the drifter Yoichi Imamura lies. Today’s run reminded me once again: he’s a tough, strong drifter raised in the mountains who genuinely loves racing and nailing those drifts.”

These are the events I mentioned at the start of this post, BM would hold their own drifting competitions all over the country, attracting new and old drivers alike!

“Enjoy the street vibes on a real circuit!! Ebisu Circuit course guide”

Yep, this is the famous Ebisu “Touge” course back in 2000, looks pretty different yeah?!

“Have you all been to Nihonmatsu’s “…” touge yet? It’s so safe there, you’ll never get caught by police and there are no oncoming cars. You can even drive around in broad daylight…”

“What!?! You’re wondering if there’s a touge like that? Yes, there is. It’s the new touge course at Ebisu Circuit. I’m sure some of you have already driven there, but it really feels like a street! What’s more, I decided to test drive it at night this time, and it was just like a real touge.”

The moment I arrived at the course, the atmosphere of the streets was in the air, and I was excited even before I started driving. Although I’m an editorial staff member, I’m also a hardcore street drifter, so courses like this are irresistible.

It’s great that there are both uphill and downhill sections. But the steep uphill sections are a bit tough for a Hachiroku. Especially when exiting a corner with a tight radius, if you drop the RPMs, you won’t be able to climb at all. I think you can basically do one lap on this course by holding in second gear, but in some cases it might be better to use first gear as well. But it’s hard to shift into first gear while still in second gear. Try not to drop the engine speed too much, and just keep going.”

“The descent is awesome. It’s thrilling to take a long left turn and then turn around and go downhill. However, the corner is a bit of a reverse bank, so if you don’t keep up with the line, you’ll drift further and further out. Also, on the downhill hairpin, you have to slow down while turning from the front, so it’s dangerous if you don’t skillfully use your side e-brake. The course is surprisingly long and has a variety of corners, so I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

“But to be honest, it might be a little dangerous for beginners who have never driven on a mountain pass before (especially at night). There are almost no escape zones, so if you lock the brakes fully or mess up while turning around, you’ll definitely end up crashing into the bank. There are also many blind corners, so if you get spun out in front of you, there’s no escape route. It’s best to drive only after you have a certain level of technique and crisis avoidance ability. But the fact that there are no regular cars or oncoming vehicles makes it much safer than practicing on a public road on a mountain pass. Plus, you can experience a different atmosphere from a regular circuit, so be sure to go and try it out!!!”

BM Cup Nakayama Circuit, last event of ‘99

With the championship in sight and lots of prizes, motivation was at an all time high!

Ryuji Miki, 1st place winner

“The S14 in Silver Green Pearl raced through dramatically. Depending on the light, the Silvia, which looked like a cream color, put on a flashy performance in front of the main stand and received enthusiastic cheers from the gallery. The drifter who came all the way from Tottori brilliantly decorated the last stage of the 1999 BM Cup. There was no pressure on an unfamiliar circuit. He said he was able to drive more smoothly than he had expected. The day before the tournament, he stayed at the home of Kamimoto-kun, the leader of the local Okayama Outface team. During the event, he drove while getting advice from Kamimoto-kun and others who came to cheer him on. That advice started showing in his driving around the semifinals. Miki-kun started in the second semifinal group. Even before driving, he was thinking, “I’m going to nail it with a big drift!”

“He would face Ikeda’s R33, who had fought his way up from the losers bracket after being eliminated in qualifying, who has since been thrilling the crowd with his powerful, full-throttle drifts. The crowd was buzzing. The spectators were thrilled by the massive drifts that pushed both cars right up to the wall. In the end, Ikeda’s R33 crashed into the wall and retired, but the intense battle between these two cars was also quite a sight to behold. And then came the final. Miki-kun was hesitating. Should he go with the same driving style as the semifinals, or change his approach?”

“Immediately after Ikeda R33’s crash, the gallery had fallen completely silent. “Then I’ll get them hyped up again with my driving,” Miki-kun resolved, taking on the challenge with the same powerful, large-scale drifting style that had earned him second place before. The gallery erupted once more. His driving shone with an intensity that seemed to say, “Is this enough?” His words during the winner’s interview stuck with me: “It’s all thanks to Mr. Kamimoto, who let me stay and gave me all kinds of advice.” That sheer power is bound to explode on the national stage.”

The Generational Drift Con

“Fiery Youth VS Old Power!”

“Most recent drift competitions are divided into classes based on skill level, right? Beginner & Expert, Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced—that kind of division (though some are by car type) is pretty standard, right? This time, the familiar team “Kuma Kazoku” held a groundbreaking drift contest that divided classes by age! Unlike usual, you had to battle and win against competitors of the same generation, so some seriously intense battles unfolded!!”

“Which generation will become the unified champion?”

“This was probably the first attempt at a Drift Con in history, with participants divided into four age groups: “Under 22,” “23-25,” “26-28,” and “29 and over” I thought it might be a festival-like Drift Con, but I was surprised to see that everyone was there seriously aiming to win.”

“The tournament begins with a battle between fighters of the same generation, divided into classes. There are first and second rounds, and the winners, including a loser’s bracket, advance to the unification match. Furthermore, in the first round, participants selected by lottery will act as judges, and the contestants will judge each other. In other words, if they survive, they will be judging the opponent they will eventually face. The kids from the under-22 class who ended up judging the 30-something class were quite confused, saying, “Are we going to be judging people like Kumakubo?!”, but it seemed like things were going to be exciting from the start.”

“Also, this time, “This is the All-Star game.”

“Drifting celebrities from all over the country gathered together, so many that you might mistakenly think they were in a “Drifting World!”. Everyone was smiling, but their eyes were serious. They were competing against their usual friends, and it was a battle between people of the same generation, so they seemed very fired up. Manager Kumakubo, who was taking part for the first time in a while, seemed nervous and uneasy, even muttering things like “This is bad for my health…”. It was a very interesting and entertaining spectacle. it ended up appearing on the front page of this month’s issue.”

“RUNNING FREE, the oldest of the participants, was mostly in their thirties, showing the dignity of a veteran. It seems that the older guys are good at not making mistakes and know how to impress others. However, there were a lot of participants in the under 22 and 23-25 ​​age groups, and I think they put up a great fight. I hope they keep racing and do their best to catch up and surpass their seniors. I also hope that the older guys will continue to race and lead the drifting world.”

“I’m very interested in this battle between the old and the new. If it ever happens again, I urge everyone to participate!”

Top3 winners of each age bracket

22 and under: “As expected of the youngest class, many up-and-coming drivers participated. Many had already reached a considerable level, with Igarashi-kun from Dōraku GROUP and Ida-kun from the Tundra Climate Team, who won this class, showcasing stable driving. Beyond these two, everyone seemed to be enjoying drifting—starting with Rabby-chan from HEY MAN!, who drove with a beaming smile throughout. I’m really looking forward to seeing them energize the drift scene going forward. (Incidentally, Aoyagi-tan from the Gunmoto group, who was a top contender, retired today due to oversleeping).” lol

23-25:“The standouts in this class were familiar faces like Rowdy Nakamura, Marionette Asamoto, and FreeDom Tezuka. Tezuka-kun impressed everyone with his bold driving, showing no signs of being a first-timer on this course. Win’s Kitazawa-kun and OUTRUN Nakakiyo-kun’s clean runs also shined brightly. Yuki’s as well. Asamoto-kun charged with determination on four semi-slick tires, but his signature sharp-edged driving style led to a wheel hit, forcing an early retirement. RUNNING FREE Suzuki-kun also put up a good fight, but he slammed into the concrete wall, suffering a painful crash.”

26-28: “That class was a parade of celebrities, a real battleground. Alongside Rapid Hiraoka, RUNNING FREE’s Hiroshi Takahashi, Magic Style’s Hoshino, etc., there was even that terror, the Kasado Corps’ leader Kasahara and Noki, who we hadn’t seen in ages. As expected, everyone knew the South Course, and I was just a mere spectator, unable to keep up. Amidst all that, Rapid’s Hiraoka-kun nailed the one-handed donut, totally on fire. Hachiroku otaku Hiro-kun got the crowd hyped with his aggressive driving, hitting the wall with his rear (though he claims it was just the tires slipping and he couldn’t stop). Unfortunately, Marionette Imamura and FLUKE Fukuyoshi weren’t participating this time.”

29 and up: “A gathering of drift masters who could be called the Don of drifting. Their seasoned driving was truly impressive. The young guns in the under-22 class, who had to judge the beasts, must have been scratching their heads. Standing out especially were CAUTION’s Kumakubo, attacking relentlessly despite looking like he couldn’t be over 18, and RUNNING FREE Koichi -kun. Then there was the R33 GT-R driven by the Response Izumida, whose driving was less skillful and more violent, overwhelming the others. Others like Rough Tanaka, NIGHT WALKERS Mori, and FCR Maruyama were also contenders. It was a clash of wills where anyone could have won.”

“One machine from each age group that won the first and second rounds (including losers bracket) advanced to the unified tournament transcending age. Opponents were determined by lottery, resulting in a knockout-style competition. The first round of the tournament was divided into Block A and Block B, with each group having one practice round and one official round to narrow the field to half. Here, in every match except one, the older driver won. Is it the mental toughness for a single decisive moment that bridges the age gap? Then came the second round. This round featured a pursuit format with two cars racing side-by-side without changing positions. The outcome depended not only on how close one could get to the car ahead but also on how well they could showcase their own unique driving style.”

“Surprisingly, the older competitors won every match here too. Since Block B had more cars, a final survival match was held between Manager Kumakubo and Running Free Koichi-kun. This battle was intense, with no clear winner emerging. Judge Kazama, even gave up judging, saying, “I can’t decide this!” Ultimately, Koichi -kun, who constantly pushed the manager hard in a neck-and-neck chase with the two cars swapping positions, emerged victorious. Once again, the older driver snatched the advantage.”

[Cover car]

Couple of cool 180s

“As expected, the 180SXs in Tohoku are really low-slung! As you can see, the car of Doraku Group’s Takahashi-kun’s is also really low… I’m impressed.”

Bihoku’s No.1 Drift Decisive match!!!

“The BM Cup Regional Tournament and the CB Drift Con Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Qualifier were held at Bihoku Highland Park in 1999. A total of 14 drifters representing Chugoku and Shikoku (7 did not participate) won these tournaments and qualified to compete in the national tournament, and they gathered for a full tournament with one corner, one shot.”

“The tournament was selected by lottery. It started at 3:00 p.m. Even though it was October, it was beginning to get cold. The tires were not yet warmed up enough when the race started. This may have been the reason why many made mistakes, making it a tough Grand Champion competition.”

“The man who emerged victorious from this was Kamimoto Hisashi from Okayama Prefecture, who was introduced at the beginning of the issue. This man, who had said that he was not always lucky to win in these Grand Champion races, managed to emerge victorious. Like the other drivers, he struggled a little at first, but after that, he showed impressive drifting skills that were truly impressive, never losing his form and securing the victory.”

Mitsuru Murayama of Club Man’s and Ryota Yuase of Front Row!

STREET MACHINE CHECK

lastly, each issue features a machine check with the readers rides. The readers can send in photos of their cars and a short story. And if they get picked they’ll be the next issue+get some BM stickers!

We got a few cars in this one, a purple 180sx, the owner mentioned that “The newspaper delivery lady said, “What a classy color, haha!” and “I thought you were a delinquent” said my boss when he saw it.”

The Soarer’s owner is a new father, he hasn’t been able to drive as much lately but hopes to get back into it soon!

The red 180’s owner bought the car brand new 4 years ago and has been working hard on it. Plans on learning new driving skills soon.

The black C33’s owner used to work part time at a factory, his manager had a R32 N1 GT-R so he snagged a photo of both cars together.

And that’s a wrap! As you can see, I felt like there was slightly more stuff worth talking about in this magazine issue than DoriTen maybe. Although DT has more car features per issue, I tend to prefer the styling of the ones in BM more often. So look forward to more posts on some of the other BMs I’ve scanned. Believe it or not, it gets even better than this!

-Malek

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