Recap: Big Mike and the worlds most famous Prelude

Big Mike and AutoLife TV have experienced one another grow in many ways. AutoLife TV first shined light on "Big Mike" over a year ago when we interviewed him at the Annual Eibach Meet. At the time his Prelude was that awesome wine color...

In the video "Big Mike" warned us that he would be bringing the car out hard for the following year and he did just that. With a fresh engine bay, color change, nutty interior along with numerous customizations that are now standards for coming builds...don't front like you had already done that tucked radiator set-up, or thought to do the custom bandana interior in your own personal "edition". Big Mike pushed and changed the "game" and that can not be questioned. Well you can, but it probably wouldn't be worth your time.

During my long commute Big Mike and I had one of our typical long conversations, sometime during the convo we realized how many awesome things the car and Big Mike did after the unveiling of the new version of the Prelude...

- Best Honda, 1st Place; WEKFEST

- Best Daily Driver, 3rd Place; RPM Show

- Best Honda, 1st Place; Nisei Showoff

- Best Honda/Acura, 1st Place; Redline Time Attack and Showcase

- Cleanest Engine Bay; Mass Appeal car show & Ken Block Gymkhana Grid event

- Best Honda, 1st Place; Battle Of The Imports 20th Anniversary

- Finest Driven Honda, 1st Place; AutoCon charity car show

- Best Prelude; Norm Reeves Honda Cerritos Car Show and Toy Drive

- Best Of Show; Norm Reeves Honda Cerritos Car Show and Toy drive

Coverage on TONS of blogs a few of those being:

- www.stickydiljoe.com

-www.maydaygarage.com

-www.skunk2.com

-www.autofashionusa.com/blog/

- www.speedhunters.com

- www.motormavens.com

- www.urbanracer.com

- www.autoimportcraze.com

You get the picture...

And finally, one of the greatest honors one could have asked for, was to be a display car at the 2010 SEMA convention.

He has appeared in a ton of my videos, for what reason? I don't really know, and frankly I'm kinda sick of hearing his voice in my videos, on my phone, and seeing his AIM messages pop up on my screen asking me where I want to meet for lunch, HAHA! Kidding, well only some of it. Props friend! No Homo.

I can't wait to see what 2011 brings for Big Mike and his passion for cars!

Oh, as for AutoLife TV and 2010... well there are a bunch of people that are "video makers" and "covering" things with video, lame. We have great relationships with some great people within the industry, we bought a banner, it got dirty, we're getting T-shirts made, hoping to get our store up soon, we're looking into new cameras and we will be aiming our sites on some new projects for the enthusiasts rather than doing what everybody else is. Don't get me wrong, 2010 has been an awesome year, with WekFest being on of the most EPIC trips of the year. Cheers!

K1 Speed with the "hood'z"

Remember that Black "Buru" I posted that belongs to my boy "Naughty Nat-Nat"? Well we all got together for his birthday and hit up K1. It's been a while since I've been able to do a track day in the hatch, so the idea of having a chance to "do work" with the homies was exciting, peep the pics.

Ricers....

"Dem Hood'z"

I went home and slept with nothing but my 1st place metal on. Fastest lap time and average lap times also... dizzaaammm!

Kody aka "Monster Kody"

Went to visit the parents... found this dude in my place. Meet Kody aka "Monster Kody". He might look cute but he is already a bully. He's only a few months old and he is already trying to put his weight on people, nudging folks with his head, and standing on peoples feet... If you know your "Bully" breeds, you'll know what those behaviors are all about... I had to check him. Of course my parents would name him after an gangster.

Found a little something in the garage

For a few seconds I thought about documenting the "Little Red Wagon" build, for some reason I thought it would be possible to boost both the cars, then I realized I had kinda lost my mind. Then the old lady and I contemplated getting our hands on a CR-X and slapping it together for her to zip around in, that idea would leave us with 3 "project cars" and none of them being near finished... so now I'm just hoarding go fast parts... bad idea? Who knows? Boosted SOHC's are super fun for the street and "merging" onto the freeway... quick and dirty! Heck, maybe I'll just sell it...

Fun Month

With the new wave of "video makers"(and I use that term VERY loosely), most if not all of which have no formal training or real experience, yet they have a Canon T2i, 5d, or 7d an editing program, and they are at all the events "covering" them... I'm now in the process of some redirection. When video production is what you have gone to school for, earned a degree, gained REAL TELEVISION experience in, earned award recognition, it makes no since to have to work for free (ALL THE TIME), kinda like that friend you have that works at a auto-body and paint shop being asked to come over to your garage to rework your panels for free after he has worked a full day for a respectable pay rate, after the 5th, 6th and 7th "homie" wants your "best work" and then frowns when you ask if he can at least make a small donation (gas, food, tapes, few bucks to put to a new camera) one may realize its time for change... I guess that makes this post more of a tantrum/rant as is has NOTHING to do with new videos, or cool productions, this one is just about LIFE.

McMaui Turkey Burgers (Pineapple, grilled onions, spinach, turkey burger patty)

Shagday brought some of the best red velvet cupcakes I have EVER HAD IN MY LIFE!!! Thanks bruh!

Christmas party lunch, the homie Schneider iPhone'ing, he looks like a skinhead... but he's not...

Rained for a week straight, made my 160 mile commute HELL! This dude almost made me late to work...

The 20 year-old "Little Red Wagon" project made the trek and kept me safe. Hondas... proven.

At the end of the day this is a profession for me/some, my bills need to get paid, I have to eat and I have cars that I'd like to finish sooner than later. AutoLife is life, respect ones profession as you wish yours to be respected. Sometimes supporting the arts means the artist needs to be "covered" for their talents... recognize the HACKS!

I'll come back with a positive post later, lol!

Nat-Nat's Stanced 2005 Impreza STI

Peep game on my boy Nat-Nat's whip. This thing sits NICE!

She's also for sale HERE

Featured Elite: Karl Basa's Track Built Civic EG

As promised, here is Karl Basa's "Featured Elite" video feature. Take a moment to steal the embed code from the Skunk2 or the AutoLife TV vimeo page and post it up on some of your favorite blogs or forums. Also don't be afraid to leave comments.

For the full article click HERE

Featured Elite: Karl Basa's Track Built Civic EG from Brandon Mc. on Vimeo.

Karl's Civic Hatchback is such an awesome and functional build it was hard to stop shooting it. I just wanted to shoot it from every angle possible. Hopefully this coming season we will all get a chance to see it go down the track, word on the street is the car is going to be receiving a new heart! We'll just have to wait and see.

Interesting.

A few days ago I was trolling facebook, I usually scroll through my feed pretty rapidly, but this seemed to catch my eye. I was a bit pissed at first, but as I learned more about where the flyer came from I wasn't as upset... I'm still not sure what to think. Beware, if you come across something that does not look AutoLife TV spec, but says "AutoLife" it might not be us... I can see this being a problem...

I'm a little worried...

This is from a forum that I frequent. It comes from a thread created by an enthusiasts that was trying to figure out of his Rota Slipstreams were fake or not. I never knew people shopped for "Genuine Rotas"... I've owned PLENTY of Rotas during my college days when I had to daily my hatch and leave it in all kinds of sketchy neighborhoods, however I never forgot they were replicas. This thread however, kinda tripped me out. Are the younger enthusiasts not being guided the right direction? Will people be trying to verify if they have genuine ebay bucket seats next?! Threads like this make me wonder how much longer the Honda/Acura portion of the industry will be able to last or what the future holds. Blah...

NomiS - On Behalf of the Silenced (Official Video)

I've said it before... this is not a music blog, but when you live the "AutoLife" you have no choice but to love music, it's just one of the elements. If my good friends NomiS sounds familiar it's because we've featured his music in a LOT of our videos. This music video was done by my other long time friend J. Encabo (he also did the AutoLife TV website, shout out to Encaboblends! Rad music video guys! I'm getting on the next one, there has to be room for the loud, pushy producer, HAHA! All jokes aside listen to the lyrics and be prepared for NomiS to make you think. Feel free to share or embed the video, my boys work from their hearts.

NomiS - On Behalf of the Silenced (Official Video) from Jason Encabo on Vimeo.

Kraftwerks Sneak Peek!

There is no need to beat around the bush. There are a LOT of people demanding this supercharger kit. Oscar Jackson Sr., the original mastermind behind the innovative Jackson Racing, is proving that he has not lost his touch. I don't really know how any of the 06+ Civic crowd could doubt him, hell, the guy has been racing Hondas since the 70's (NO THAT'S NOT A TYPO, THE FREAK'N 70's), many enthusiasts were not even born yet. The new crop of "enthusiasts" are probably googling "Jackson Racing", lol. Anyway, let's talk about the supercharger.

Kraftwerks and the Jackson's use a Rotrex unit in the kits, they stand by them and HATE when I use the word "turbo". The 06 Civic pictured in the post was the second Kraftwerks powered car I have been in, the first was an S2000. The set up on the 06 Si made over 300 hp, on an otherwise stock car. The test car had a stock exhaust, stock header, and stock motor and internals. Jackson Sr. took me around the block and ripped it a few times, it was NUTS, 1st and 2nd... wheel spin, 3rd barely grabbed and it kept pulling harder and harder until he'd shift. It wanted to just keep building power, INSANE. Basically felt like an all-motor car on steroids. When his foot wasn't mashed to the floor, the car felt like my mom could drive it all around town like a stock, quiet, mellow civic. Props the the Kraftwerks family, the kit will be worth the wait, start saving your pennies folks.

Karl Basa: Elite Feature COMING SOON!!

The beginning of December is nearing and that usually means that a Skunk2 Featured Elite video release might be right around the corner. Some may remember this shot of Karl and I pushing his car around the parking lot, matter of fact is was just before Nisei Week. It looks like December might be Karl's month (I could be wrong), be on the look out for his "Elite Feature", I sense it's release being VERY near. On a side note, word on the street is that this privateer racer is switching up his engine set-up.... hmmm could it be another B, an H... or maybe it's a K! What ever it is I'm sure it will be making booty clinching power. One thing I do know is that I'm pretty happy with the edit, I really feel like I "put my foot" into this one, basically meaning I think it's a pretty entertaining edit. I have a feeling folks might have to watch it a few times just to see how intense some of the cuts are. For those that support/live the "AutoLife" when it comes out do me a favor and embed or share it, I know most of you are internet/ forum whores so take a moment and leave it a couple places, lol!

Access Granted: Inside the Skunk2 Workshop

I worked on the video over the last couple weeks. The Skunk2 Familia is really making efforts to be extremely transparent with the enthusiast's. I have no reason to hate on ANY company, but I can say that it is really cool to see them doing things like this, not to mention awesome to be a part of it. Videos like this are a true test testament to there customer service and place in the "game". I don't know of many other parts companies that are opening up to the customers the same as Skunk2. I wonder what the haters will have to say to these gestures... Enjoy and be on the look out for more of these video segments.

Access Granted: Inside the Skunk2 Workshop from Brandon Mc. (aka Lost IS BLaCK) on Vimeo.

Sir Mix-A-Lot "Carz"

Sir Mix-A-Lot is clearly living the "AutoLife". From "Baby Got Back" to this new track "Carz", it seem like the guy still has "it". I was initially expecting to turn the video off after about 30 seconds, but I have to admit, there is something about this video that kept me watching. You be the judge.

Death Package

Got a special delivery from our buddy Steve over at DeathMachines.net. Sure hope you folks are going over there every now and then. Since I'm so selfish I rarely post others vidoes, the DM folks always have cool stuff and they show a TON of love to your boy B. Thanks for the care package Steve!

Black Friday Savings at Skunk2

I just received notification that the Skunk2 familia is offering "Black Friday" savings. You won't have to wait in line for anything as the sale is being offered through the website with a coupon code. Check it out HERE

AutoFashion VIP Meet 2010

It was a really nice Sunday, so I decided not to be a flake and rolled to the AutoFasion VIP Festival. I washed the "shit box" just so I didn't look like a complete lame rolling up in my 20 year old Wagovan, which doesn't really matter being that I was going to a FREAK'N VIP gathering. I didn't shoot any video, because I just wanted to hang out, plus I expected 358403 other cat's to be lurking around "covering" the event...

Last year most of the activity was in the AutoFashion parking lot, this year it was MASSIVE, kinda made me wonder if the last years AutoLife TV video coverage helped at all...lol

This Previa van was ILL!

When I rolled up I was behind the old school Skyline, this was a clue that I was about to have my self esteem shart'ed on... thing is DOPE! I actually got some shots of it at the 5&aDime Motor Union

... take a wild guess at to who this belongs to.

Ruckus scooters were on the scene. I still want one, lol

Freddie of AutoFasion USA

Buttery!

This is the interior of an Odyssey van...

I wasn't kidding... I've actually been trying to follow this build, awesome people mover!

"Everything did"

Enrique always has a fresh line-up

Alex brought out the family.

SEMA 2010 Day Trip

Day Trip to SEMA with Skunk2 from Brandon Mc. (aka Lost IS BLaCK) on Vimeo.

I have a feeling a lot of people think we might be a little nuts, especially after we rolled to SEMA for just one day. I left San Diego around 4:45 in the morning to meet up with the rest of the fellas. 4 hours of car conversation or snoring coming from the back seat. Many may not take pride in "hitting it and quitting it" but that is exactly what we did to SEMA... my Vans Chukkas put a hurting on my feet, LOL! It was good meeting a lot of new people, along with a bunch of folks I have heard of but never had the pleasure of meeting, one of my favorites being Nalani Whatley, the other bunch coming from the S3 Magazine camp. I felt no need to post "coverage photos" as everybody and their mom claimed to be "media". I rolled in ready to "run and gun" and got NO RESPECT from some of the personnel running company booths. I tried to get a shot of some of Weld's new drag wheels and one of the guys running the booth looked at me like I was worth less than the dirt on the bottom of his "Payless" shoes... then didn't want to move so I could get a shot of the wheels hanging on the wall... maybe it's because I didn't have a 5d or a 7d in my hand, or a slider rig with three additional people to run it, at events like SEMA you really shouldn't disrespect anyone, but it really seemed to have an "I'm better than you vibe" at times, unless I was standing shoulder to shoulder with people I knew, then it was all HOOD, LOL!

Tony, Iphone'ing
The Honda Display
We all loved this CR-Z

Every time I see the offset racing stripe I'm reminded of 1995 trends...

Smug
Joe- S3 Magazine, good meeting you!
Nalani and Tony... "Negggeeeeeeeeee"
Aaron and Gregg. Aaron giving ninja techniques

Gearheads UNITE!!!!