Spoon president Tatsuru Ichishima is now an icon in the Honda tuning world but there was a time when he once was a newbie; although, that was more than a quarter of a century ago.

Photo Gallery: 1985 Honda Civic – Spoon Sports – Super Street Magazine

Photo Gallery: 1985 Honda Civic – Spoon Sports – Super Street Magazine

When a customer offered Autokonexion a 1992 Miata as payment for one of their Fastback hardtops, Mike Burlas didn’t hesitate to accept. Mike isn’t new to the Miata, he’s owned several of them before. Like most Miata owners, once you’ve owned one, you really can’t let it go. It’s a whole different story when you actually own a Miata.

Photo Gallery: 1992 Mazda Miata – Mike Burlas – Super Street Magazine

Photo Gallery: 1992 Mazda Miata – Mike Burlas – Super Street Magazine

When you sit and think of the ever-growing industry of Honda tuners there is Mugen and then there is everyone else. In respect to Honda vehicles, there is the legendary flagship NSX and then there is every other car Honda has built. This begs a question: what happens when Mugen, for the first time in nearly two decades, creates a concept vehicle based on Honda’s pinnacle of performance? For Honda enthusiasts everywhere it can be summed up in three words – it’s a miracle!

Photo Gallery: Mugen Acura NSX RR Concept – Super Street Magazine

Photo Gallery: Mugen Acura NSX RR Concept – Super Street Magazine

D o race cars turn us on? When do they not? Some might’ve guessed “no” at the thought of a Corolla but chassis fabricators, apr, are about to change your mind. What we saw at the TRD booth at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon was a Corolla worth popping boners for. But it’s not the kind of Corolla you’re used to – nor will it be one you’re going to see on US roads, at least, not any time soon. This is based off the new Corolla Axio platform and according to Toyota Motorsport News, apr is working in conjunction with Toyota to use the Axio in the Super GT GT300 class after retiring last year’s MR-S, a winner from last year’s Round 3 at Fuji Speedway, as well as champion in the GT300 class in years ‘02, ‘05 and `07. Representatives from apr stated, “The MR-S racecar was an excellent performer for racing but we are looking for another car that’s even better. We chose the Corolla Axio because the chassis has good aerodynamics and is better than the MR-S overall.” Powered by a 300hp naturally-aspirated V6 motor, the apr Axio is set up on a midship layout chassis and it’s said that the biggest rival this year will be Lexus’ IS racecar. Since race season hasn’t started as of presstime and this particular car hasn’t seen an official event, it’s hard to say how well it’ll actually perform. But if we chart apr’s racing history, the chances are good that it can come out on top once again. In other Axio news, TRD will be offering GT models with a turbocharged 1500cc motor (www.trdparts.jp/parts_axio-turbo.html) and in July, TRD will be organizing a Corolla Axio N2 one-make race at Fuji Speedway (www.advan.com/japanese/motor_sports/fan/065/index2.html).

Photo Gallery: Toyota Corolla Axio GT300 – Super Street Magazine

Photo Gallery: Toyota Corolla Axio GT300 – Super Street Magazine