Getting Again Into Speedhunting At LZ Fest

Hiya, there.

Within the (not that) well-known phrases of Aaron Lewis, it’s been awhile. In actual fact, it’s felt like an eternity since I’ve final accomplished any actual Speedhunting in earnest. Certain, there was a time out at Dubshed, however that was purely for my very own amusement.

A part of this has been all the way down to life being a bit completely different in 2022. I’ve been working as a full season photographer in Method E, photographing three different Irish motorsport championships, and capturing commercially for a number of manufacturers. Then there was a marriage, which when mixed with the opposite issues, took up a shocking period of time.

There’s additionally the hard-to-admit undeniable fact that I simply haven’t been feeling it as regards to modified autos and automotive tradition for some time. I’ve been deep into this world for effectively over a decade, and I felt like I had reached full saturation level with all of it.

Issues that ought to have excited me, simply didn’t anymore. This was worrying as a result of those self same issues have been thrilling others, so I felt I wanted to step away for a short time.

It was shocking then, that an American YouTuber could be the one to try to drag me again into the fold. Properly, not Adam LZ himself instantly, however his first worldwide competition, which might be held at Mondello Park right here in Eire.

Though I do attempt to dwell beneath a rock as a lot as potential lately, I used to be truly conscious of Adam and his YouTube channel. I wasn’t, nevertheless, conscious of simply how well-liked he’s with a global viewers.

To place issues into perspective, the LZ Fest shattered the attendance report at Mondello Park. It attracted extra individuals to the venue than some other drift, British GT, British Touring Automobile, British Superbike and FIA Sportscar occasion ever held on the circuit prior to now. For a race circuit which has been open for over 50 years, that’s a fairly spectacular feat.

This explicit occasion was organised by long-time pals of Speedhunters, Drift Games, and so they will need to have pulled in each favour they have been ever owed to lure so many high-profile friends throughout a stormy Irish Sea for the weekend.

I felt that this needs to be the occasion to reignite that flame inside me for one thing I’ve spent so lengthy with earlier than. On account of scheduling, I might solely afford to attend one of LZ Fest’s two days, however I used to be decided to make it work.

With no shopper pressures, I used to be solely in attendance to shoot for you and I. It was time for some quaint Speedhunting.

If there was ever an indication that this was going to be a great day, Phil Morrison‘s GT1-inspired Lamborghini Murciélago rolling menacingly up the pit lane and out into the present automotive paddock was most likely it.

The naturally aspirated V12 has been outfitted with ITBs and mated to a guide 6-speed gearbox, and that’s earlier than you get into the real Reiter Engineering GT1 wide-body, which has been completely crafted and smoothed onto the automotive. Truthfully, it could be one of many absolute best issues I’ve ever seen on 4 wheels with my very own eyes.

The Drift Video games stand itself was host to a fairly sturdy collection of vehicles, however these two PS13s have been the picks of the bunch for me. The darkish silver instance is certainly the OG Spirit Rei automotive.

Triple8 Customs introduced alongside just a few previous Speedhunters function vehicles, and a sure future one as effectively. With a turbocharged Honda K24, that is an S15 I can not wait to shoot on the street quickly.

Our pals at Juicebox, in their very own phrases, tried to place one thing skilled collectively for the primary time. They succeeded. I do assume we’re overdue a barbeque, nevertheless?

Josh Greene was speculated to have his newly-built S15 right here, however he managed to interrupt the gearbox when leaving for the occasion. You may preview the automotive on his Instagram account, but it surely’s one other S-body you possibly can count on to see right here quickly.

It’s a fairly large deal when UK manufacturers make their method over to Eire, and it’s one thing which I feel ought to at all times be appreciated. An honest mixture of Euro and Japanese vehicles definitely added selection to proceedings.

Eire continues to be very a lot a haven for Japanese vehicles, nevertheless. It’s been some time since I’ve seen a Nissan Pulsar VZ-R within the metallic, and this one was a peach.

Whereas the drifters have been the star points of interest, they solely had restricted operating on the Saturday, and within the rain. LZ, the Shanahan brothers, James Deane, Collete Davis, Becky Evans, Jimmy Oakes, Driftworks, NightRide and Low Origin have been simply among the sport’s ambassadors for the weekend. From what I’ve seen and skim elsewhere, they placed on one hell of a present on the Sunday.

The present itself remained my major focus for the day.

I nonetheless can’t imagine this many individuals confirmed up on a Saturday (famend for being the ‘quiet’ day of a Mondello Park weekend) and within the worst climate conceivable. It didn’t cease raining all day, however the precipitation had no have an effect on on anybody’s temper.

In a type of sadistic method, I actually get pleasure from capturing vehicles within the rain, though I don’t get pleasure from getting moist. No firm has but to create clothes or outer layers which might be Eire-proof.

The primary decrease paddock featured the bigger portion of static vehicles for the day. It additionally prompted the realisation that Eire actually, actually loves 4 doorways. There’s a separate submit within the making on that exact topic.

It’s been a very very long time since I final attended a devoted Japanese automotive present in Eire (the Juicebox BBQ doesn’t depend as a ‘present’, for my part) so it was a nice shock to see how all issues JDM have been progressing.

For essentially the most half, there seems to be a a lot greater commonplace of Japanese vehicles being constructed. Higher elements getting used, higher consideration to element, and higher concepts and execution. That there seems to be much less and fewer reliance on reproduction wheels is one other good factor.

This S2000 on Enkei NT03+M wheels with Nitron suspension and a giant ol’ Garrett turbo is operating in extra of 500hp on the rear wheels.

Selection in approaches was spectacular, too. This PS13 on small wheels and that includes a massive ducktail-type spoiler was all kinds of implausible.

As was this 180SX on a set of basic bronze RAYS Volk Racing TE37s.

I observed much more Japanese vehicles on air suspension at LZ Fest. I feel this may solely be a great factor, notably when making an attempt to tug off massive, deep, polished wheels.

I simply hope they (all) have their driving heights and pressures dialled in, as how they roll is simply as vital as how they air out. This S14A was a little bit of me.

A Rothmans-liveried MkII Ford Escort is at all times going to be well-liked right here. I’ve by no means smoked – I feel it’s an terrible habit – however race automotive liveries simply haven’t been the identical since tobacco promoting was banned.

One other welcome sight, a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution.

I recall Cian featuring one recently, however I can’t bear in mind the final time I’d seen one in particular person. The white O.Z. Racing rally wheels with all-terrain tyres are simply such a great mixture right here.

It’s the same scenario with this suspicious-looking Hilux with TE37Vs and Hoosiers. I’m unsure they’d be a lot use round a chilly, damp Mondello Park, however they set off inner alarm bells that scream ‘finest to not f*ck with this.’

A lot the identical as vehicles with parachutes, or previous males driving vehicles with gasoline pumps louder than your exhaust.

I most likely wouldn’t have anticipated a 2JZ in a Ford Capri, nevertheless.

Regardless of the climate conspiring towards us on this explicit Saturday in September, it was a prelude to what was a genuinely particular weekend for Irish automotive tradition. I’m not totally positive if it was simply me that felt it, but it surely was a welcome shot within the arm.

Be at liberty to browse the remainder of the occasion gallery under at your leisure, whereas I get caught into the following story on this collection. Oh, and earlier than somebody factors it out within the feedback, sure, a specific Audi is completed, and sure, we’ve already photographed it.

Paddy McGrath
Instagram: pmcgphotos
Twitter: pmcgphotos
paddy@speedhunters.com