Thailand, the force to be reckoned with when it comes to performance and tuning in the South East Asia sub-region. JDMs aren't the only toys they fiddle with. Just like here in Malaysia, there's a good mix of the old and new, clean and bling. But with the culture that is Thai, even low-riding pickup trucks live harmoniously within the car scene. We were there to witness.
While most people are oogling at the girls from the Bangkok Motorshow, we'd prefer what they have to offer locally as they are pure and unadulterated. Seemingly bordering underground illegalities, the elaborate car scene thrives in a self-monitoring manner. There seem to be some sort of a tuner's discipline where if something is to be done, it's done right. If you're going to swap an FR engine of any car, it better be clean, has to be a Toyota JZ and with nothing less than an aftermarket intercooler.
The Songkhla Aquarium Gymkhana is just one of the sub-urban held events attracting not just locals but Thais from other states and even Malaysians. It is simply a large car park with cones arranged in high-speed Gymkhana manner. We're not just talking about hot hatches, but FR cars in excess of 600bhp like some of the A31 Cefiros here, tricked out and boosted diesel pickup trucks vying to complete the course in under a minute.
Same same but very different. Thai manufactured TE37 knock-offs fit for most cars and pickups for cheap. How about that? The aftermarket products industry is huge there and car parts manufactured there can pretty much self-suffice catering to the Thais alone.
Set aside your taste. Funky graphics and grammar are still a way of life, but it's the meat on the inside where they spend the most passion for perfection.
An immaculate Supra in subjective Thai garnishing.
They'd plonk a 2JZ in that Lady if they could. Stock wheels for battle and Amuse bodykit no less
Now, This pretty Fatlady is in fact 2Jz powered. I stumbled on it, my last visit to Hatyai. (below)
Some say the RBs are more of a paper-weight in Thailand than a legendary powerplant.
Cleanest A31 in the world!?
Team Goodyear Hatyai
Representing. Jackson from Kedah sponsored by What's Good, DC Shoes Malaysian distributor
Timothy from Kuala Lumpur with an NA S15 Silvia. Yes, Naturally Aspirated.
Not Bukit Jalil.
Not TE37s but a very juicy alternative
None of the above are poseurs.
Queuing for battle
Expect 1000s of Thai fans at any car event, any time, all the time.
What they win at the end of the day (night) apart from the satisfaction of burning rubber
Last minute strategy briefing
No bumper but still cleaner than any I've seen here in KL
Originally fake?
