Ryota ‘‘crashking’’ yuasa.

Imagine selling your beloved drift car, exporting it out of the country, and never expecting to see it again. Then, two decades later, discovering it has been resurrected on the other side of the world. Not in the U.S., but on the small island of Ireland..

This is exactly what happened to Yuasa-san and his iconic Toyota AE86 sedan. The car made its debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon, in collaboration with Bride and BN Sports.

Yuasa-san showcased drifting skills in the D1GP series. His hard-charging style earned him the nickname "Crash King" because of how often he tore apart his BN Sports body kit during competitions.

After Yuasa-san sold the car, it ended up in Ireland, where it continued its life as a drift car for a few years before being totaled in a crash. The once-legendary AE86 was left abandoned in a backyard, seemingly forgotten.

That is, until Paddy stumbled upon the remains of this iconic drift car and decided to bring it back to life. While the car's shell was too damaged to ever see the road again, many of the original parts were salvaged. By 2021, the car was "finished" and restored to its former glory days.

Thanks to the internet and the help of Neil Sheehan, also known as Juiceboxforyou, a well-known AE86 enthusiast and YouTuber, Mr. Yuasa found out that his car had been revived. The two planned a reunion for this year's edition of the event.

And what a reunion it was! Yuasa-san was welcomed like an absolute hero, spending the day signing autographs and posing for photos with fellow car enthusiasts and fans.

The most emotional moment came when Yuasa-san signed the inside of the trunk lid of his old car just as he had done before selling it all those years ago.

Though Yuasa-san has since traded drifting for sailing, his passion for cars remains strong. It was a special moment to see him reunited with his old drift car, reminding everyone at the event of the legacy of the AE86 and its lasting impact on the global car culture.

86Fest Ireland.

Neil Sheehan aka Juiceboxforyou his stunning Trueno leading the pack

As some people might know, I’ve owned quite an extensive list of cars, but the absolute favorite was my Toyota AE86. My passion for this iconic car first brought me to 86Fest in Ireland back in 2021, and I've been hooked ever since.

Just a week before this year’s edition of 86Fest, I found out that none of my fellow "Speedhunters" could make it. Determined to attend, I started searching for cheap flights while at my girlfriend’s birthday party.

parade lap lineup 

After sharing my last-minute plans with my friend Michael, he decided to join me, and 6 days later, we were off! We left Amsterdam Airport at 10 AM and arrived at Mondello Park just in time to do a quick walkaround before the 86Fest parade lap began.

The parade lap, featuring all the AE86s (and others) in attendance, was just the start. Throughout the day, there were constant grip and drift sessions, which gave the event a strong early 2000s Japan vibe, something any JDM fan would appreciate.

With the prices of AE86s and other rwd Toyota models continuing to rise, it’s a rare treat to see so many of them out on track, especially being driven as hard as they were. The event truly captures the spirit of old-school drifting and grassroots motorsport.

If you are into old Toyota’s or just old school grassroots drifting this event is an absolute must visit so be sure to write it down in your agendas.

pics won’t do it justice but I did give it a try.

the luftgekhult rollout.

Seeing cars at a show is cool, and watching them tear it up on the track is even cooler. But honestly, spotting cars like these out on the street is the coolest. That’s why I had to grab some panning shots of the Porsches leaving Luftgekühlt Poland.

Watching these iconic cars roll by with their engines roaring was exhilarating! It’s moments like these where my passion for these beauties really comes from.

Passion for Porsches: Luftgekühlt Poland.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved Porsches; there’s just something about their subtle design and the unmatched flat-six rumble that captivates me.

My passion for these iconic sports cars grew further at my first real job. After studying to become a mechanic, I started working at a local air-cooled shop called Kieft en Klok. Although they primarily focus on air-cooled Volkswagens, there was a wide array of Porsches coming through their workshop.

When it comes to Porsches, the name Luftgekühlt is inescapable. Organized by two Porsche-affiliated legends, Patrick Long and Jeff Zwart, this event began nine years ago in Los Angeles as a small gathering of like-minded individuals. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the biggest gatherings of air-cooled Porsches.

Their choice of locations and Jeff's artistic eye for placing every car in a designated spot make these events incredibly photogenic, attracting photographers and car enthusiasts alike.

In 2019, the Universal Studios backlot served as the backdrop for Luftgekühlt #6, and when I saw those stunning pictures, I knew I had to attend someday.

Traveling to America just to attend a car show wasn’t really feasible for me, so when I found out the event was coming to Poland, I immediately bought a ticket and booked my flight.

I had previously visited Wrocław for the now-famous Ultrace show, and I was familiar with the location of the old train station, "Dworzec Główny," because I had taken some pictures of my friend’s Ford Sierra there in 2019. The main hall of the old station has since been transformed into a trendy bar and food hall, while the outdoor area was decorated with colorful LED lights, wooden podiums, and various stands from renowned brands like Carbone, Singer, and Rennmeister.

It was incredible to connect with other Porsche fans, share stories, and check out the incredible artistry and engineering behind the air-cooled legends. This event wasn’t just another car show it was a celebration of the passion ‘‘we’’ all share for Porsches.