Tag Archives: Five Axis

RedBull Soapbox Racer

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Over the past few weeks I have been helping to build a soapbox cart chassis. The project all started about 5 weeks ago when Import Tuner magazine decided it would be cool to enter into the 2011 Redbull Soapbox race in Downtown LA. Import Tuner mag wanted something that represented the import aftermarket car/parts industry and still be appealing to the masses. After some debate, it was decided, a Choro-Q or penny racer. It would be fun, not too serious and the dimensions fit the rules. I made the initial drawing to get the ball rolling.

Other than the Import Tuner mag and Source Interlink staff. Gary from Design Craft fabrication jumped on board to build a chassis and Troy of Five Axis was in to build a body.  Import Tuner convinced Dai Yoshihara to pilot the cart and I volunteered to help do whatever.

Most of the team members. From Left. Scott  of Import Tuner, Dai the Pro Driver, Me, Troy of Five Axis, Elliott of Source Interlink and Gary of Design Craft. There were a lot more people who helped and they are greatly appreciated.

The end result is a cool double A-arm chassis with push rod suspension, disc brakes and many man hours. The body is just as ridiculous. Scion FR-S concept turned cartoon racer.

The real Scion FR-S concept car at the New York auto show.

Choro-Q inspired FR-S next to chassis at Five Axis.

With everyone having CRAZY schedules we were able to test the chassis 2 nights before the event. Dai got to get behind the wheel 2 hrs before the event registration.

Testing right before the event. Dai had just flown in from Japan. He went from LAX straight to our test hill.

The event is more than a race. It compasses a 10’x10′ display at the event, a 30-second skit performed by the team members and of course the downhill race. The combined scores produce a winner. In case you did not already know – we did not win BUT I think we had the best looking soapbox racer ever built.

Our 10’x10′ booth display was comprised of stereotypical Japanese items.

Dai taking the banked turn right under the judges.

Right after the race all the people involved in this cart were talking about what improvements would be needed to win and what theme would be fun. The Redbull event was definitely a blast. Our cart probably had more money in it than any other but we worked just as hard to build it. In the end, it was fun and we would all definitely do it again.

Special thanks to Troy S., Elliott M., Carter J., Gary C. and Joey L. for the images.

A lil FUN @ the office

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Thanks to Troy from Five Axis everyone at the office gets to have a little fun.

One of our Authorized Dealers, Five Axis, just happened to drop by to pick up some TEIN Product and had a little surprise. It seems that HPI Racing manufactures a RC car copy of the Scion xB with Five Axis lip kit and wheels. The original vehicle that Five Axis produced had our Basic Coilovers.

Everyone wanted to play with it the first day and I had opened it and unpack it. It felt like Christmas morning all over again. I was excited to actually take it out for a spin but unfortunately the AA batteries for the controller were not included and I could not find any in the office. 🙁 eeeerrr I had to wait one more day to have a little fun.

Thanks to our Marketing Manager we got batteries the next day (thanks Phil). Everyone got a chance to have a few laughs and enjoy the RC car.

I unfortunately did not have great control of the car and was accidentally crashing the poor car into poles and pallets in the warehouse, thankfully no damage was done to the vehicle. I will practice to get better handling the RC car. I think we are planning to make a time attack course in the warehouse or parking lot.

We had a good time with the car we even put it on a Dyno….lol, sort of.

HYBRIDS

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Compact Hybrids are a growing trend here in the states especially with the soon to be released CR-Z. In Japan the Prius is the number one selling car and a lot of the famous tuners and manufacturers own CR-Zs.

The automotive industry has been pushing the hybrid models and now you can find many models with a hybrid version. I do not consider these real hybrids as they were not designed to be hybrids from the start. The hybrids that were designed to minimize drag and maximize fuel economy are in my opinion, ugly (with the exception of the Porsche 918 Spyder, drool). I get the reasoning but that does not mean it makes for a good looking car. However browsing through Japanese magazines I have seen some nicely modified hybrids that I have opened my mind (I guess almost anything looks better slammed).

Honda Insight from Nisei Showoff this past weekend. Photo from www.speedhunters.com

Mugen CR-Z in Japan. Photo from www.autoguide.com


Tommy Kaira Prius. Photo taken from www.autoblog.com

However in the US, there are VERY few examples of modified Hybrid cars maybe because owners do not think there are aftermarket parts readily available here. TEIN actually manufactures coilover kits and lowering springs for some of the hybrid vehicles (Prius lowering springs are actually a stocking item). We just finished up test fitment and roads tests for the US version CR-Z as well. S.Tech lowering springs, Super Street and Mono FLEX coilover will be available later this year.

Honda CR-Z with Super Street coilovers.

I got a chance to drive the CR-Z and I immediately compared it to my 1988 CR-X. I have had my HF CR-X for a few years and I love it. Sure it does not have any of the amenities of a newer car like power steering, power windows, power mirrors, CD player, bluetooth, etc… but I get  50 mpg (city) and 56 mpg (highway). My 22 year old car actually gets better gas mileage than the CR-Z and Prius. Admittedly it is not as fast or has as much torque but I really like the styling.


My 22 year old Honda CR-X with BASIC coilovers and aftermarket wheels.

One day I might consider purchasing a hybrid but until then I will enjoy my ’88 CRX.

Revue hosted by 5Axis and Scion Evolution

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Attended the Revue event at Five Axis over the weekend (May 1st). The event was held at Five Axis in Huntington Beach, CA and organized by both Five Axis and Scion Evolution. The weather was perfect, the atmosphere was laid back and there was a great mix of cars.

The event included giveaways, raffle, vendor area, food trucks and of course cars.

Typical Southern California beach city weather. Gathering of mainly Scions and Lexus with a little bit of everything else mixed in including Porsche GT3, Aston Martin, Vette ZR1…

The Scion xB DJ 2.0 which was blasting tunes all day long.

RAFFLE RAFFLE RAFFLE. Proceeds went to a great cause, JDRF – research leader for type 1 diabetes.

We represented with an EVO 9 and provided a few items for giveaway which went into “The Claw” xD.

TEIN Sponsored EVO 9 SE complete with SRC coilovers, Voltex body kit, Diamond Black TE-37s, Carbing Flip Up Tow Hook and Mini Dampachi Doll.

Aston Martin
Aston Martin with a Veilside Bodykit. This thing sounded awesome.

Vendor area which included booths from Auto Fashion, Island Motorsports, ARK, Greddy, Bowls and many more…

Troy of Five Axis also opened up his facility so people could check out their many demos cars, his personal vehicles, garage sale items and his 5-axis CNC machine.

From left to right – xD, Prius, xB, tC and IS250. Most of these cars are outfitted with TEIN coilovers as Troy has been a supporter for a few years now. (The tC which is actually turbo charged is actually for sale – contact Five Axis for details).

5-Axis CNC Machine. This is one of the reasons why Five Axis products and vehicles always have perfect fitment. Off to the side of this machine was a mold of an entire compact car.

Lexus GS-F that debuted at SEMA 2008. The matte paint is awesome.

Garage Sale area which is usually where cars are assembled and dis-assembled. The natural light and overhead lighting ensures you can see everything perfectly.

For lunch or an afternoon snack the organizers arranged for the Kogi truck and The Shrimp Guys to come. The line was about 30mins for the Kogi truck.

TheShrimpGuys serving up variations of garlic shrimp and rice plus Hawaiian style fruit punch.

Thank you to Troy, all the guys at Five Axis and Scion Evolution for putting on a great event.