By Antonio Alvendia

Antonio Alvendia

I can’t remember the last time I was in Las Vegas when I wasn’t covering an event or taking photos for work. It seems like a re-occurring thing when it comes to traveling for me – I never have time to hang with friends or just kick back. However my recent trip to Vegas was non-work related and I basically had the whole weekend to do whatever and go wherever my heart desired! After receiving a phone call from my dad asking if I would like to accompany him on his business trip to Vegas for the weekend, it didn’t take me long to respond with an enthusiastic “Yes!”. Once I arrived in Vegas I wasted no time getting in touch with people, while making sure I contacted a certain Internet celebrity!

Enter Josh Herron. This young and talented videographer has made some of the most creative drift videos I’ve ever seen, while also averaging 200,000 views on each video, and reaching the acclaimed Internet celebrity status all before the age of 21. And I thought I was a media prodigy. Continue reading and view more photos at MotorMavens!

By Antonio Alvendia

Antonio Alvendia

As one of the more prolific tuning platforms on the market today, the Z33 even in stock form provides an excellent combination of power, handling, looks, and relative value. The RWD sports coupe can be found in nearly all forms of motorsports and has particularly excelled at drifting, capturing back to back championships for Tanner Foust in 2007 and 2008.

The long awaited introduction of the 370Z has many 350Z fans scratching their heads, however, as Nissan took away the flowing lines and sleek styling in lieu of an overly edgy and incoherent design. For many of us here at Motor Mavens, the 07-08 Z still stands as arguably the best looking Z of the past generation and fellow Maven Mike Maez unequivocally agrees.

Mike’s take on the Z33 is one that caught our eye for a number of reasons. For one, it isn’t too over the top with a flashy body kit or a wild graphics scheme. There is attention to detail with the fitment and the wheel selection, which is always a plus, but furthermore it represents a very specific paint and wheel combo that we’ve never seen before on the 350Z. Combined with a solid ride height, an Akebono brake setup borrowed from the aforementioned 370, and just the right amount of bolt-ons, we were convinced that this was one Z that easily takes Center Stage. Continue reading and view more photos on MotorMavens.

By Antonio Alvendia

Antonio Alvendia

Not too long ago, I scheduled a rendezvous with Mike Paganik, the owner of this pristine 1996 240sx. Mike, who happens to be a friend who I have known since the 9th grade, tells me he’s getting a new car, and I’m thinking “great… another one?” This guy has more vehicles then a dealership’s used car lot, so out of curiosity, I ask him what the car is and the obvious question of “can I drive it?” He answered “it’s an S14″ and the obvious answer of “you definitely can not drive it.” Continue reading and view more photos on MotorMavens.

By Antonio Alvendia

Antonio Alvendia

The latest round of the Formula Drift Championship took place this past weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was sooooo incredibly hot in Las Vegas this past weekend; the Formula D teams had to work hard to make sure the drivers remained hydrated enough to perform at peak levels (last year, I remember seeing one of the drivers pass out because of the intense heat inside the car).

As a member of the media with a trackside photo pass, I remember being extremely uncomfortable because of Formula D safety rules requiring us to wear long pants instead of shorts at the track. However, just think about what the drivers must be feeling like – wearing full fire suits and Nomex underwear and HELMETS, sitting inside hot cars without air conditioning; with hot metal roofs working like a broiler due to the lack of headliners and insulation in a professional drift car.

Nevertheless, the crowd at Formula D remained upbeat and excited, due to the level of driving prowess they were treated to. Vegas drift fans are hardcore! Regardless of the heat, these fans were down to sit outside in the stands, sweating and cheering as their favorite professional drifters slid past them, dousing the grandstands in a bath of tire dust.

Continue reading how Formula D Brings Heat to Vegas

CLICK HERE for more MotorMavens Coverage of Formula D Las Vegas (Stories, photos, and videos)