N1 Concepts Grand Re-Opening
Hayward, CA
The scorching summer heat in Hayward, Calif., couldn't stop enthusiasts from coming out to celebrate the re-opening of N1 Concepts at their new facility. Normal shop openings don't see this type of a reception, but N1 carries an outstanding reputation throughout the country. Regarded as one of the top importers of Japanese domestic market parts within the Honda community, they have the resources to get you pretty much anything you can imagine from the land of the rising sun.inline_mediumwraptextright25386200/events/htup_0910_2009_inline_four_meethtup_0910_03+2009_inline_four_meet_and_n1_concepts_reopening+n1_concepts_js_racing_s2000.jpgTrue

Spocom 2009
As car shows and industry participation have both steadily declined over the past few years, the Spocom group has done their best to secure a foothold on both sides of the hill. Their car show registration has continually grown along with the increase in vendor support. Both are critical elements in helping our industry prosper. Though not nearly as big as the SEMA show each year, Spocom has a similar feel, with vendors littered throughout the event displaying their project cars and new products for attendees to peruse. This year's event seemed to spread out a bit more, giving more room to both show competitors and booth occupants.

2009 Integra Type R Expo
When people get together for any type of convention, it's usually done in extravagant fashion. For comic book lovers, they have the annual comic conventions where people dress up as their favorite costumed super heroes and interact. For the adult video connoisseur, there are events like Exotica LA where adult video stars finally get to meet their stalkers and have awkward hugs and hopefully non-threatening conversation. By far, one of the biggest events has to be the Star Wars conventions where men and women alike gather to pay homage to the classic movie series and adorn Storm Trooper costumes. Events like these are always fun because they build a sense of unity and camaraderie and bring people together with a love for one common interest. The average automotive enthusiast shares this in the form of car shows and local meets. Integra Type R owners however, have their own event that caters to them specifically, and explores their love of the infamous red "R". This event is known as the annual Integra Type R Expo.

East Coast Honda Meet 2009
Richmond, VA - May 30th
G-Force Karts in Richmond, VA opened its doors to hundreds of eager East coast Honda fans. The 2nd annual event went off without a hitch after months of careful planning. Attendees had the option of investigating any one of the 700 plus cars in attendance, or they could opt for a few laps in the G-Force 270cc karts. With help from Meguiar's and Competition Clutch, the sophomore event doubled in size in comparison to the last year's shindig. 500 horsepower street cars, some sporting right hand drive and K power, sailed through the parking lot in search of an open spot. With such a successful event, expect part three to be even better. Stay tuned to your local Honda forum for information on next year's meet.

May has unofficially been designated as the month of the Honda. Every year, Eibach Springs' Corona, CA, facility plays host to the largest Honda meet in the world. After months of planning and online word-of-mouth advertising, the day finally arrived, and spirits were high. After a slight drop in attendance during the 2008 event, this year seemed to carry more hype and interest than ever before. The pre-registered VIP and General parking slots sold out in record time, and over 500 cars made their way through the facility gates, some directed to double park in an attempt to squeeze in additional cars.

A Meet For The Socal MassesPower Honda of Costa Mesa took a day out during the Christmas holiday to host a meet and greet event and officially open the doors to its OEM and aftermarket parts counter. Dubbed "Power Honda Performance," or PHP for short, the dealership's new wing offers just about any optional OEM piece you could imagine, as well as an inventory stocked full of goodies from the likes of Buddy Club, Hasport, AEM, and more. Due to the hectic holidays, PHP's event didn't bring out as many of the regulars as its September gathering did, but that's okay.

Like SEMA and the PRI show, the Tokyo Auto Salon is held once a year. But it's so much different. You might say it's the Mecca for the Japanese car enthusiast--not so much for the Honda fan though. Still, every Honda enthusiast should attend, if only once in his lifetime. While the brand is all but overlooked by most of the country's well-known tuners, those who do cater to the brand do so in big ways. The Auto Salon's Honda content may seem limited to the likes of J's Racing, Mugen, and Spoon Sports, but that isn't where it all ends. Companies like Jun Auto Mechanic showed off its K-series goods, FEEL's had its track-prepped FD2 Type R on display, and there was more than a few random Honda chassis splashed throughout the arena. If you're only interested in Honda content, then don't waste the trip. It'd be easy to run through the show in less than two hours and not miss anything Honda-wise. But if you're easily entertained, plan a trip to TAS. It's one that you'll never regret.

It's November 16, the hills are on fire just a few cities away, the atmosphere is littered with ash along with the distinct smell of burning brush, but somewhere in the middle of Cerritos, California, there's a car show going on. Despite the shut-down freeways and smoke-filled sky, some of SoCal's finest braved the 2008 firestorm just to make Norm Reeves Honda's third annual car show. The Norm Reeves Honda dealership crew knows how to bring together high-quality cars and combine them with friendly faces yet never lose sight of the laid-back vibe this place has become famous for. Organizer and Norm Reeves accessory parts manager Brian Khou, along with the rest of his team, pushed forward with the event despite the uncontained blaze just a few miles away.

The Japanese Classic Car Show (JCCS) is nothing short of amazing. Showcasing some of the cleanest pre-1985 (with a few exceptions) imports in the world, both stock and modified, the event has become a staple for import lovers both young and old. Until now, the show's taken place at the famous Queen Mary Park in Long Beach, California, but was relocated this year to Irvine's Hidden Valley Park. The result was more space, more vendors and, of course, more breathtaking restorations. Well known for displaying some of the sickest old-school Toyotas and Nissans in the country, JCCS also caters to a group of pristine Hondas. Restored Civics, Accords, first-gen CRXs, and even a few first-gen Integras make their way to the event each year. While some are faithfully dedicated strictly to OEM equipment, others prefer a slight aftermarket touch.

To some Honda fans, the salt flats and Bonneville Speed Week are as familiar as pushrods and V-8s. But that's changing, especially as the Honda faithful continue to make the trip and the "old guys" finally concede that Honda engines are capable of serious power. I partnered with Hasport's Brian Gillespie for a closer look as the company debuted its K20-powered Insight on the salt. Considering the small class and the low record to beat (less than 150 mph), Hasport should've had no trouble. Should've.

Under The Radar
Six Ways to Avoid the Man
It's common knowledge that modified Hondas receive more attention from the cops than any other make or model out there. This is especially true in California. We've all heard the stories of the pesky no-front-plate fix-it ticket that turned into a hood-pop and vehicle impound. Don't give 'em a reason to pull you over in the first place. Read on, fly under the radar and postpone the inevitable, if only for a while.

SEMA 2008
Some say that if you've been to SEMA once, you've been to it 100 times. Some say that the articles about SEMA are no different. People come and go and the products change-sometimes-but the show goes on, year after year, and the articles spew out, one after another. Yes, I was there for the 2008 SEMA Show. But this is not one of those articles.

Little Tokyo, Big MeetCar shows can be fun both for attendees as well as competitors. While some shows offer extra entertainment, like dance competitions, DJs, motocross exhibitions, and skateboard demos to bring people in and keep them there, Nisei is a bit different. Its reputation is that of tradition and trend setting, and it's all about the cars. Many competitors build their cars strictly for Nisei, and many made the trip to downtown Los Angeles from as far away as Oregon, Arizona, Las Vegas, and even Seattle. Northern and Southern California joined forces with crews like Kosoku, DPK, DOODS!, and Plus One, displaying high-end builds with one-off custom wheels and fab work. As you'd expect, the competition gets tougher each year and 2008 was no different. Honda Civics, S2000s, and Integras dominated the sweltering parking lot, with trends leaning more toward hard-to-find Japanese wheels and race aero once again. The Volk RE30 was by far the wheel of choice this year, with competitors steering clear of the wild-colored wheels common in the last couple of years and instead opting for subtle white, bronze, or the now infamous Mag Blue hues. K swaps are still the power choice for most, though thoroughly built B-series engines could be found down just about any aisle, both boosted and naturally aspirated. Of course, old-school Hondas like the EF and DA chassis always make their presence known at Nisei and, like a proud platoon, they helped fill a number of spots at this year's show, which was no surprise to us. It's amazing to see some of these models reaching their 20-year marks and looking cleaner than the day they rolled off the dealer lots. Nisei is OG when it comes to SoCal meets and fortunately is showing no signs of slowing down. If you didn't make it out this year, make sure you get yourself there in 2009!

J's gathering events have proven to be wildly successful in Northern California, so the speculation and rumors of a SoCal-based event that had been circulating for months came as no surprise. Finally, after careful planning, the guys at JDM Theory managed to pull off a huge car show at Fontana's Auto Club Speedway. There weren't just 300-plus cars packed in the NASCAR track's parking lot, these were high-caliber street, show, and race cars from crews like ATS Garage, JerkWrench, Phaze 2, and a host of others. As you might expect, the Hondas overwhelmed the other makes, what with their high-dollar wheels and pristine engine bays. To be sure it was a Honda lovefest, an entire side of the parking lot was dominated by a group of immaculate S2000s from nearby San Diego. The roadsters' high-end aero parts and mortgage-payment-equivalent rollers were the makings for neck-snapping double takes from just about everyone. Providing some additional incentive to the cars on display was a host of JDM Theory models, including the one and only Miss Christina Mendoza. The main thing that separates a JDM Theory show from the rest is the camaraderie. JDM Theory's Jeff and Ernesto are car guys, and beyond that, two very down-to-earth people. Combine that with a knack for finding the best cars in California and you no doubt have a winning combination in any region. Want more info? Go to www.jdmtheory.com.

Honda Meets Michigan

The West Michigan Honda Meet has been the Midwest's premiere Honda/Acura gathering for the last eight years. Held for the last five years at South Haven's GingerMan Raceway, the event has grown from a humble barbecue at a local park to a major track event marked on calendars by enthusiasts from all around the Michigan/Indiana/Illinois area. This year's festivities included a weekend featuring camping, outdoor movies, and Friday night socializing at the track. Saturday was reserved for track laps, featuring some of the area's most experienced instructors, and ending with a barbecue and raffle featuring high-end products donated by the event's sponsors, like Lovefab, THMotorsports, PIC Performance, Memoryfab, and GT motoring. Other sponsors included www.ef-honda.com and www.mwir.net. Mother Nature didn't send much sunshine toward the several hundred Honda lovers on Saturday; rain fell for a good 12 hours, which resulted in a steep learning curve for track beginners but, despite the wet conditions, track time is track time and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The sun peeked out on Sunday just in time for the parade-lap/photo-op session with dry lap times to follow-needless to say, times dropped and spirits soared. Those who attended got wet, some even ended up with dirty cars due to off-track excursions, but nobody left without a smile. West Michigan Honda meets are a time to hit the track or simply watch, to make new friends or meet old ones, to work on cars, and to push econobox hot rods the way they were meant to be pushed. It's not about who's the fastest, who's got the cleanest car, or who has the most expensive side moldings, it's about friends and fun and getting back to the real reason we all play cars. Visit www.wmhm.org for info on next year's event.

ITR Mecca
Virginia International Raceway (VIR), bordering near North Carolina, seems to be a place of specialty when it comes to the ITR Expo. You see, the Expo's been held at VIR for the last two years. It could be the inviting location or perhaps it's the fact that VIR features a 3.27-mile road course and, for the price and considering the locale, it's arguably one of the best venues when it comes to successful turnouts. But never mind all of that. Caravans from as far off as Ontario, Canada, Nebraska, Texas, Mississippi, and even California made their way to VIR and probably would have no matter where it was held.

Fresh Meet
Another Kind Of Show
It was hot on June 22, even in Long Beach, Calif. The air conditioned convention center where the annual SpoCom event was held gave anyone nearby who was wavering as to whether or not they should go just one more reason to pay the fee and step inside. Yeah, there were silly things like a fashion show and a couple of dance competitions, but nestled among all of that were some pretty cool Hondas, which is after all what we came for. Ah, the days when car shows actually revolved around cars... Upon entering the massive venue, row upon row of the industry's finest imports and most established vendors could be seen up close and personal. By far the most interesting part for us Honda folk though was the line of heavily modified Hondas and Acuras parked in a two-lane row stretching across the hall's north end. With well-known tuners like DPK, Phase2, Hasback, and Kosoku on hand, it's no surprise that this group of head turners drew plenty of attention throughout the day. One thing that was surprising was the noticeable presence of B-series power. With the majority of Honda swaps leaning toward the K for motivation these days, it was nice to see some old-school engineering. Tough-to-find Japanese race wheels, super slammed suspensions, and exquisite paint jobs were the main players, while tucked engine bays and customized valve covers remain atop the list of must-haves for serious competitors. Along with the massive car display was a healthy selection of quality vendors like Eibach, Rotora, Mishimoto, K&N, Skunk2, and many more. If you couldn't find something to peak your interest at this event, you may want to check your pulse. SpoCom offers a little more than the typical car show, and the demand for a third event is already apparent. One is already slated for next June. It's obvious SpoCom is wasting no time in preparing for another blockbuster. Get your dance shoes ready.

Fresh Meet
Another Kind Of Show
It was hot on June 22, even in Long Beach, Calif. The air conditioned convention center where the annual SpoCom event was held gave anyone nearby who was wavering as to whether or not they should go just one more reason to pay the fee and step inside. Yeah, there were silly things like a fashion show and a couple of dance competitions, but nestled among all of that were some pretty cool Hondas, which is after all what we came for. Ah, the days when car shows actually revolved around cars... Upon entering the massive venue, row upon row of the industry's finest imports and most established vendors could be seen up close and personal. By far the most interesting part for us Honda folk though was the line of heavily modified Hondas and Acuras parked in a two-lane row stretching across the hall's north end. With well-known tuners like DPK, Phase2, Hasback, and Kosoku on hand, it's no surprise that this group of head turners drew plenty of attention throughout the day. One thing that was surprising was the noticeable presence of B-series power. With the majority of Honda swaps leaning toward the K for motivation these days, it was nice to see some old-school engineering. Tough-to-find Japanese race wheels, super slammed suspensions, and exquisite paint jobs were the main players, while tucked engine bays and customized valve covers remain atop the list of must-haves for serious competitors. Along with the massive car display was a healthy selection of quality vendors like Eibach, Rotora, Mishimoto, K&N, Skunk2, and many more. If you couldn't find something to peak your interest at this event, you may want to check your pulse. SpoCom offers a little more than the typical car show, and the demand for a third event is already apparent. One is already slated for next June. It's obvious SpoCom is wasting no time in preparing for another blockbuster. Get your dance shoes ready.

2008 marks the fifth year of Eibach's annual Honda meet in Corona, Calif. Events held in May typically bring hot weather and dry air but this year was different. Temperatures reached boiling points and beyond with the day's high at just over 100 degrees F and no sign of a breeze for miles. Nevertheless, die-hard Honda guys and gals weren't about to let Mother Nature deny them from attending what has become the year's most anticipated Honda event ever.

What's the recipe for the country's premier Del Sol get together? How about mid-April Vegas temps, 80 Honda heads, and a good 40 Del Sols? "Sol trains" arrived in Sin City on a Friday from places as far off as Arizona, California, even Washington. Attendees reacquainted themselves with one another and talked of all things topless at AZ Sols' meet and greet pre-meet party. Those looking for more action headed over to the Las Vegas Raceway for Midnight Mayhem drags. Vegas Invasion VIII peaked with Saturday's meet held at the Bonanza Lounge Bar and Grill. From 10 a.m. until the end of the day Sol aficionados came together to partake in the most exclusive Del Sol meet around. Participants checked out each other's mods, showed off their rides, and voted for awards. A record amount of prizes were offered this year, including goods from Eibach, Neuspeed, and AEM. Activities were topped off with a scenic Red Rock Canyon cruise where Solers got the chance to roam topless. Vegas Invasion ended with Sunday's ceremonial Goodbye Breakfast at The Orleans' French Market Buffet where Solers got a chance to say their goodbyes and start making plans for invasion number nine.

East Coast, eighth-gen Civic lovers got together on Feb. 24 for an all-Florida Civic meet. The event was organized by Tommy Lewis of www.8thcivic.com, a forum for eighth-gen '06-'08 Civics. Sponsors for the event included Tire Rack, CorSport, AutoCity Imports, ShowStoppers USA, the Florida Honda Crew, Strut King, and www.wesellcarparts.com-companies generous enough to also donate great items for the raffle. Tommy says he expected about 40 cars but is pleased to announce that they ended up having close to 60. Many people from other states have expressed interest in the event on the forum. For those of you who missed out on this year's meet, Tommy is planning another one for Feb. 2009. "With all the hype from this one, I'm expecting double...I would say 100 plus," he says.

Feb. 23 began with ideal driving conditions for the GReddy Sale and Performance Festival as the ex-military base in Irvine, Calif., was lined with cars ready to get some TRACK time. This event had something for everyone.

A More Powerful RL
The Chicago Auto Show played host to Acura's latest RL unveiling where the revised big-buck sedan showed off its new looks, better and smarter interior, and more powerful V-6. The brand-new 3.7L is, in fact, Acura's most powerful V-6 ever offered in a sedan. It pumps out a healthy 300 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque thanks to VTEC on both cam lobes-a first for any SOHC Honda engine-a higher compression ratio and a dual-stage intake manifold for improved low-end grunt. But you wouldn't know any of this looking under the hood-the '09 RL's engine bay features what Honda calls the new "surround panel assembly" designed to reduce "visual distractions." The six is mated to a Sequential SportShift five-speed automatic-like we expected-and is once again paired with Acura's SH-AWD system, also like we expected. There's also a cool "smart" F1-style steering wheel with paddle shifters as well as a console-mounted gear selector that alone makes the RL worth a testdrive. For '09 the RL features higher rate coil springs, larger diameter stabilizer bars, stiffer subframe mount bushings and better steering rack components. To further help handling and looks, new 18-inch seven-spoke aluminum wheels are matched with more aggressive tires. Outside, the RL features an in-your-face front grille and blow-formed aluminum hood for reduced weight. The '09 RL will be offered in three trim levels, each featuring the 300hp V-6 and AWD architecture we care about.

Feb. 2 was an important day for the Honda crowd. Eibach and www.nwp4life.com managed to put together yet another packed parking lot meet all the while managing to set that elusive car show tone for the next year or so. As Eibach graciously opened its Corona, Calif., gates ahead of schedule-just before noon-a line of eager Honda aficionados, as well as a few other makes we won't bother mentioning, began piling into the suspension manufacturer's mega facility. The visitors continued to arrive well after noon and the sheer number of attendees was simply staggering, which peaked at well over 400 cars. The droves of spectators trickling in throughout the day should go without mentioning. A quick glance at various license plates revealed Hondaphiles from as far off as Arizona, Washington and Nevada, as well as a group of die-hards who made the trek from Mexicali.

JDM Theory returned for yet another "J's Gathering" at San Francisco's Japan Center last January, starting off the 2008 show season right. Taking place in an underground parking structure, the J's event continued to bring out the best that NorCal has to offer. To add to the flavor, even SoCal peeps made the northward trek in hopes of representing their region. The standout trends this year continued to stem from the infamous K swap. From basic bolt-ons and ITB-equipped high-compression setups to fully built and boosted terrors, the swap that is sweeping the nation continues to make an impression at just about every event that matters. Wheel choices haven't changed dramatically, though the wild colors have certainly toned down since last year. As expected, custom plated engine bay parts, wire tucks and race-inspired insides and outsides remain at the top of most everyone's to-do list.