Photoshoot: Ford Contour SVT

I haven't had much time this year to do any individual car shoots.

I drive by this quarry every day on my way to work, so I figured it'd make a nice location for a shoot.




- Phuong

LVMOC.net - The Drive to Survive, Exton, PA - 10/4/09

I'm a little behind in updating the site with event photos. Better late than never!

It's over and done with, but October was breast cancer awareness month. Each year, an estimated 40,000 women die from breast cancer. With better awareness and detection in addition to improved treatment methods, this disease can be fought. In the United States alone, there are over 2.5 million breast cancer survivors.

Each year, the Lehigh Valley Miata Owners Club gets together to help raise money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, an organization dedicated to both prevention and research. BCRF utilizes an amazing 85 cents for every dollar donated, the money going directly to prevention and research.

This year, the LVMOC once again raised over $10,000, an amazing number for such a small group of people. Special thanks to all the businesses and companies that donated items for the raffle in addition to the members of club who also donated items and money.




- Phuong

Formula Drift 2009

Formula DRIFT 2009 Champion Crowned and Round 7: Judgment Day Results;
Ryan Tuerck takes the event victory and Chris Forsberg wins the championship title

Long Beach, Calif. – October 17, 2009 – Formula DRIFT entered the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale for the final event of the season. Ryan Tuerck takes the Round 7: Judgment Day victory, while Chris Forsberg takes the overall championship and the Tires.com Triple Crown bonus prize.

The Toyota Speedway at Irwindale hosted the final event of the 6th season of Formula DRIFT. The sold out crowd was not disappointed as the drivers provided non-stop action throughout the event weekend. The event also provided plenty of additional entertainment for the fans including the Jtuned Auto Gallery, Famous Stars and Straps stunt bike demo, and a performance by the “Far East Movement.”

“Given the state of the current economy, Formula DRIFT and the sport of drifting have continued to make strides forward," said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “This has been made evident tonight and a great way to cap the season to a sold out venue.”

The final event of the season lived up to all the high expectations with the drivers putting it all on the line to win the coveted championship. 2-time Formula DRIFT champion Tanner Foust met rookie and privateer Matt Powers with his Nissan 240 in the consolation round for third place. Foust outmatched the rookie and secured his third place finish. The finals came down to and Ryan Tuerck in the Gardella Racing / Mobil 1Pontiac Solstice and Tyler McQuarrie in the Falken Tire Nissan 350Z. McQuarrie tapped the wall and spun on the 2nd run giving Tuerck the victory and 2nd place overall in the final championship standings. McQuarrie finished the season overall in 3rd place for the highest finish of his career.

“It feels amazing,” said Ryan Tuerck, winner of Round 7: Judgment Day. “To be able to relish in this win for the next 6th months is truly awesome.”

Heading into the final event, Chris Forsberg in the NOS Energy / Maxxis Tire Nissan 350Z maintained a healthy lead in the championship standings, but not a guaranteed title. Forsberg clinched the 2009 Formula DRIFT championship by beating Doug Van Den Brink in the Top 32 portion of the event giving him enough points overall to be crowned for the first time as champion. Forsberg also won for his second time in his career the Tires.com Triple Crown bonus prize and was awarded a check for $10,000 and a custom wheel trophy and also became the first driver to win both in the same season. This marks the first time that the champion has come from a purely drifting background whereas previous champions had other motorsport experience.

“We've been chasing the championship for the past 6 years since Formula DRIFT first started and everyone is out here to do the same thing. We just run as hard as everyone else and did the best we could,” said Chris Forsberg, 2009 Formula DRIFT champion and Tires.com Triple Crown bonus prize winner. “Coming into this last round I saw that Tuerck was just crushing it in practice and I knew that if we didn't get enough points we would lose the championship and Tuerck would take the event and the title, so I'm proud of him doing that and I'm totally psyched for what my team was able to accomplish to win the championship.”

For more information and details visit the Formula DRIFT website at: www.formuladrift.com

Formula DRIFT Professional Championship 2009 Point Standings
1. Forsberg, Chris: NOS Energy Drink / Maxxis Nissan 350Z 527 Points
2. Tuerck, Ryan: Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Pontiac Solstice 521 Points
3. McQuarrie, Tyler: Falken Nissan 350Z 485 Points
4. Hubinette, Samuel: NuFormz Dodge Viper 462.25 Points
5. Gittin, Vaughn: Falken Tire Ford Racing Mustang GT 451.50 Points
6. Foust, Tanner: Rockstar / Hankook Scion Racing tC 447.50 Points
7. McNamara, Darren: Falken / Sears Auto Center Saturn Sky 426.50 Points
8. Nishida, Robbie: Hankook Tires / Dynamic Autosports Nissan 350Z 425.25 Points
9. Pawlak, Justin: Bergenholtz Racing / Nitto Mazda RX-8 416 Points
10. Gushi, Ken: RS*R Scion Racing TC 388.50 Points

Thanks, Micrososft

A few months back, I went to New York City for the AXF-24 Challenge held by Audi/XBOX 360/Forza 3 [LINK]. I guess they were happy with the event coverage and returned the favor by sending me a copy of Forza 3 before it's officially released to the public on October 27. I'll toss a quick review up in a few days.



- Phuong

Ferrari Challenge @ New Jersey Motorsports Park - 9/20/09

In 1993, Ferrari created the Ferrari Challenge to allow grassroot Ferrari owners to compete on some of the world's greatest tracks. With minimal modifications permitted to the vehicle, the series focus less on the car and more on the driver. The car retains the stock 490 horse power but removal of the unnecessary necessities on the street version strips the weight down to 2700 lbs.

This past weekend, the Ferrari Challenge made a stop at the New Jersey Motorsports Park on the Thunderbolt Raceway, a 2.25 mile, 14-turn race track. I was there chilling and hanging out with just one body, one lens. I wasn't planning on doing a full event coverage, so don't expect the normal shots you'd see from me.

Full gallery: Click Here

- Phuong

Models & Bottles @ The Party Block, OC, MD - 8/28/09

It's been about 5 weeks since I've been able to pick up the camera and snap a few pics, so a little rain wasn't going to stop me from hanging out with the Models & Bottles Tour crew, who made a stop at The Party Block.

Click here for the full gallery.





- Phuong

Models & Bottles @ Josephine, Washington, DC - 7/24/09

The next stop in the Models & Bottles Tour was at Josephine in the heart of DC's K Street nightlife. Josephine does a nice job in blending the elements of nightclub and lounge into its 5500 square foot facility. Whether it's hanging out in the Gold Room's hip-hop or in the main lounge's house music, there's a little bit of everything for everyone, just remember to bring your groove and wallet (I forgot mine!)

Amy Marie, Kaylee Marie, Lana Takaya, Nicole Moser, & Raluca were some of the models in attendance. You can see these ladies and others at the next stop at AQUA in Baltimore on August 1.

Click here for the full gallery.





- Phuong

Playboy Models & Bottles, The Party Block, OC, MD - 7/10/09

The Playboy Models & Bottles Tour made its next stop at The Party Block in Ocean City, Maryland. I was able to tag along to snap a few pictures.

Women, booze, and music, what more do you need?

Click here for the gallery of images.






- Phuong

Mazdaspeed MX-5

It's been awhile since I've been able to snap a few pics of my MSM. Since the weather has been nice, I took her out for a few shots.




AB800 left, ABR800 right, powered by a Vagabond II and triggered by Pocket Wizards.


- Phuong