Wow, what more needs to be said about these exquisite Recaro seats? I really want a set for my car in red or tan!

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Popularity: 12%

So what exactly makes an aero kit quality? Just what makes the price so high that you have to resort to thinking about buying knockoffs because didn’t give enough thought into the process of making quality, track proven, aerodynamics?

Take a look:

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Yeah thats right, the good ‘ol windtunnel! Besides the obvious near OEM fitment, and quality materials, the higher end aerokits are track proven through time attack cars.

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Popularity: 11%

I know this isn’t the norm for many if not most Japanese car shops but check out this execution. I mean, how can you not be dumbfounded? Can you imagine walking into a store like this in the USA?

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Popularity: 10%

How is this for an awesome key from Snap-on Japan?

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Aparantly they are not available in the USA. Check this thread out on Club 4AG if you are interested in more information.

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Popularity: 9%

I know there has been a lot of chatter floating around the net regarding the Bay Area Summer BBQ. If you are not familiar with what I am talking about, we are currently working on setting a Bay Area gathering free of charge on May 24th, 2008. The event will be a BBQ and will be open to all types of auto enthusiasts. Old school, new school, Japanese cars, European cars, American cars, mild or wild, you are welcome.

The date is May 24th, but the location is still in the air as far as I know. I brought up the fact that at the currently planned  location (Coyote Point in San Mateo), you have to pay $5.00 to get in and parking is pretty scattered about. So with that in mind, other options are currently still being explored.

It seems like the event may instead be taking place at a local middle school in the Bay Area that Junior’s kids go to. They will be opening up the school just for our event and it will remain fairly private. No need to worry about cops, random people messing with our cars, etc. Bathrooms should be opened to use as well.

At the same time, this also means we have to take extra caution to respect the school and their equipment. This is a place where our family and friends get their education so things like doing donuts and launching cars will not be tolerated.

More info to come at a later date, stay tuned!

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Education–Learn how Ray’s wheels are made:

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Hot Import Nights (HIN) San Mateo 2008 just passed and needless to say it was a great weekend. The event started informally on Friday with the typical vendor setup and exhibitor roll-in. Almost all of the exhibitors were able to get into the event and setup their vehicles without a hitch except a few unlucky individuals who had more than a quarter tank of gas. These individuals were stuck trying to think of creative ways to burn off their gas. Several people were able to just drive around and burn it off. But, what do you do if you have way too much gas to burn off by driving? Bust out the hose and gas can! You can siphon or as Henry Chan, owner of the Supermade S13 (which was incidentally on the March cover of Modified Magazine) did, flush the fuel from the fuel system directly before it hits the fuel rail.

Saturday rolls around and I entered the venue a few hours before the event started to begin coverage. My initial reaction to the venue was the sheer lack of exhibiting vehicles. In years past, the San Mateo expo center was jam packed from corner to corner with crazy cars but this year, there was maybe 75% of the norm, if that. Upon first thought, I was thinking that the day would be slow but my thoughts could not have been farther from the truth. As soon as 5pm hit, the lines were full to the brim with eager people to get in to check out the Hot Import Nights San Mateo cars and models.

After walking around Hot Import Nights San Mateo, it became obvious that many sport compact tuners are definitely beginning to grow up and move onto new vehicle platforms. But don’t get me wrong, there was beyond doubt, a good mix of all types of vehicles you could want to see. From the wild Acura Integras, Honda Civics, and Mitsubishi Eclipses which were prevalent during the late 1990’s, to the European BMW’s, Mercedes, and Porches and the Japanese VIP/EXE style cars that came from VIPStyleCars.com everything was able to be witnessed and absorbed in one area.

And now onwards to the part that most of you guy and gals are probably looking forward to…the Hot Import Nights San Mateo models! Models were definitely out in full force. The models that most people knew including Jeri Lee, Christine Mendoza, Justine Jaro all could be found at the JDM Theory/Fatlace J’s Best of the Best display. In addition, there were definitely a lot of unknown and/or new beauties spread through out the event that I am really looking forward to seeing more of in the future. Speaking of J’s Best of the Best, wow is all that needs to be said. The crowds were swarming in by the masses for the attractive females and cars.

The event was a great success and I actually wish there was more time to wander around and meet new people. The funny part was that I was not alone when it came to the thought of there not being enough time (even though I came in before the gates were officially open). I surely am looking forward to attending another Hot Import Nights in the future and meeting old friends and fans as well as networking with new individuals.

To view the full Hot Import Nights San Mateo 2008 gallery, click here!

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Popularity: 20%

You know, normally I don’t care too much about the models with attitude problems. If I do run into them and I had already taken pictures, I just delete the pictures and move on. But, Pam Rodriguez seriously pissed me off at Hot Import Nights San Mateo 2008. I asked Pam for a few pictures at Hot Import Nights San Mateo around 9pm and she said sure. She just sat there in her chair for some reason so I asked her if she would mind standing up. She gives me this, “Fine, whatever” look and stands up. And now here’s the kicker…I asked her if she could turn to her left a little so the shadows on her face wouldn’t be as harsh (I did not have a flash with me) and she gives me this instant snap back attitude and tells me, “Come on honey, I’m doing the best as I can!”

Are you serious Pam? You do realize I’m here to take pictures of you right? Does my media badge mean nothing to you? Does free promotion mean nothing to you? Do you really have that big of an ego problem? I’m not a random person with a DSLR. Maybe if you had turned a little, the picture would have come out nice enough to feature in my upcoming Hot Import Nights San Mateo article.

I don’t care if you didn’t know I was media or not. That’s not an excuse to act like a bitch. For that, I crown Pam Rodriguez with the assclown of the night award…congratulations!

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Popularity: 9%

Hot Import Nights San Mateo 2008 is officially a wrap and the Hot Import Nights San Mateo picture / gallery / event coverage will be online shortly. In fact, since there were so many people at Hot Import Nights San Mateo that showed me love, I am returning the kind gestures by working on getting all of our content online today. I got home a little after 3am (stupid time change forward), talked to a few friends about their thoughts on Hot Import Nights San Mateo and their pictures, took a 2.5 hour nap and here I am, hard at work for our 30,000+ unique monthly fans who help this website grow.

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If you are a new visitor to this website, rest assured, we know what we are doing behind a camera. You will rarely find typical style Hot Import Nights San Mateo pictures that EVERYONE has on our website. Instead you will find our own unique photo journalistic flare and some of the most unique Hot Import Nights San Mateo pictures on the internet.

Come back later today for more of our unique Hot Import Nights San Mateo pictures. You will not be disappointed!

EDIT: Click Here for pictures and text of the San Mateo Hot Import Nights 2008!

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Popularity: 17%

Hot Import Nights San Mateo 2008 is just a few hours away and so far everything seems pretty good. Friday roll-in for displaying vehicles and vendor setup was as hectic as usual. Nothing new has stood out to me so far but then again, I have yet to truly walk around the event. One definte thing was truely obvious though, the lack of displaying vehicles. In years past at Hot Import Nights San Mateo, all the halls were literally jam packed including the outside halls. This year, the two large main halls are semi empty with only a few of the outside halls being open.

I was discussing with a few people what the reason might be but it was hard to pinpoint a specific reason. Gas prices, high exhibiting costs, rising inflation levels, etc. are just a few of the factors that came to mind.

But, I will say this, Hot Import Nights San Mateo 2008 surely has some great looking cars and there seems like there is going to be a ton of models around in a small condensed area. In our building, we are going to have three beauties about 10 feet from my car. I’m not sure if I am excited about that idea or not because that means a lot of foot traffic around my car which makes me nervous with people touching, and brushing up against my car.

Anyways, it’s time to get some breakfast and get ready for the day. More on Hot Import Nights San Mateo 2008 to come late including lots of pictures of Hot Import Nights San Mateo models!

To view the full Hot Import Nights San Mateo 2008 gallery, click here!

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Popularity: 13%