Tag Archives: staff

Sunday was a Funday

Posted on by

This is not one of our normal posts but these are some of the staff at TEIN USA – West.

The staff here at TEIN USA try to have a Summer BBQ at least once a year. Yesterday was our out of the office funday. There was grilling, eating, 3 on 3 basketball, kids running around and more eating.

 

Our Operations asst. manager, Paul, hosted and served as grill master.

Our BBQ included current and ex-staff members. I think everyone was most impressed by the diversity in food which included:
Korean short ribs, Ribeye steak, Pork Belly, Asian style BBQ chicken, Portuguese sausage, Ceviche, 2 kinds of Enchiladas, assorted rice balls, Chicken Adobo, Lumpia, Pancit, mixed green salad, Japanese cucumber salad, homemade guacamole, spinach Empanadas, baked donuts, assorted fresh fruits, and multi-layer cake.

 

Air Marc. He’s from Hawaii so he does everything in slippers.

Brian, also with slippers. It was like 90 degrees so flipflops were the footwear of choice.

Our accountant, Hirayoshi playing some catch. Both these guys are from Japan where American football is not a popular sport. I think this was the first time Hirayoshi had thrown a football.

The boss and his wife playing some catch.

The kids even got in on the sports. Jaydean here is taking it in for a touchdown!

One of our operations staff doubles as a Yokohama Globe Trotter.

Our accounting assistant, Mirelle, putting it up and in.

Hirayoshi playing some basketball. He said the last time he played was about 20 yrs ago. He is actually a good surfer and downhill mountain biker.

Our engineer, TK, taking our accountant off the dribble.

Paul driving to the hoop.

Sergio, aka Gonzo, going up for the easy 2.

Some of the staff enjoying the sun and some cool dessert.

Taking a break and enjoying the day.

Good times were had by all.

Fun Times at ButtonWillow Raceway

Posted on by

This past Saturday was Industry Track Day 6 at ButtonWillow Raceway. Six of the TEIN staff drove at the event in cars ranging from a stock 2009 Civic Si to a modified Lexus ISF. For two of the staff this was the first time they had ever been to a real road course. It was fun to see everybody’s lap times getting quicker throughout the day and hearing the light-hearted trash talking.

Staff cars lined up and waiting for the sessions to begin.

Ryan – 2009 Civic Si. All stock except for when he swapped to 17″ Gram Lights with Advan Neova AD07s in the second session. Best Time of the Day 2:29

Drifting an FF?

Birthday boy Jon – 2010 Evo X. Mono Flex coilovers, EDFC, SuperPro RCA. Best Time of the Day 2:20

“It’s my Birthday and I’m 2 yrs old.”

First time at the track with the new car. So Clean.

Paul – 2002 WRX. Engine bolt-ons and S.Tech lowering springs. Best Time of the Day ~2:19

Paul resembling Subaru ace Roger Clark with the open face helmet and mask.

Philip – 2006 EVO 9. 365WHP and lots of mods. Best Time of the Day 2:09

Cruising around.

Nakai and Hirayoshi – 2008 Lexus ISF. Performance version Comfort Sport coilovers, EDFC, LE-37s, Neova AD07s and a few minor bolt-ons. Nakai’s Best Time of the Day 2:11, Hirayoshi’s Best Time of the Day 2:27

Cooling off between sessions. This thing sounds mean with custom Fujitsubo exhaust and paddle shift 8 speed.

It was a fun day to hangout outside of the office, joke around and DRIVE. Everyone is already looking forward to the next event.

Checking Tire Pressures and comparing driving lines between sessions.

Paul keeping Birthday Boy Jon behind him. Jon’s cries of “Let Me Pass” could be heard from the pits.

Fun Times.

Go to the OctaneReport to see more coverage of the event.

Photos courtesy of Joey Leh of the Octane Report, Jonathan Velasquez, TEIN staff and wives.

A staff of enthusiasts

Posted on by

The TEIN USA staff is filled with automotive enthusiasts from different age groups, backgrounds and levels of interest.  Tuning philosophies, budgets and experience vary greatly but it makes for some interesting conversations. It also gives our product development section a chance to hear feedback from a wide range of opinions. Here are just a few of the staffs cars’.

Philip’s EVO 9 SE. Street/ track toy with the main goal being balance of all parts. Utilizes many parts in which TEIN USA distributes including Carbing, Defi, Takata, SuperPro and rocking Super Racing coilovers. Basically built/ tuned like a traditional shop demo car in Japan (trying something different than the normal US build).

Paul’s WRX. Custom valved TEIN FLEX with 8kg/ 5kg spring rates. Nothing crazy here but lots of bolt-on parts with total tuning in mind. Mainly a street car with an occasional track event.

Jon’s FC. A true do it yourself build including motor rebuild, tranny rebuild, paint and all the maintenance. Mono Flex dampers keep this a fun track toy while still maintaining good ride comfort for street driving.

TK’s Eclipse. Not the most popular model in the Eclipse family but purchased because this car was not offered in his home country of Japan. TK has previously owned an Integra DC2, JDM GC8, Skyline GTS-Type M, D32A, and Opel Omega. This daily driver uses Super Street dampers.

Ryan’s Civic Si 4dr. This daily driver features Super Street coilovers, Fujitsubo Legalis R exhaust, and a host of bolt-on parts. Ryan has been tuning his car on the local mountain passes and will be soon hitting the circuit for the first time.