It’s that time of the year again. Another Final Bout is in the books and, as usual, it was a great weekend. Normally I put a ton of effort into a single post, which ends up taking me a couple of weeks to write. Instead, I’ve decided to release a series of smaller posts covering a particular aspect of the weekend.

I’m going to start things off with my favorite type of picture to take, the profile shot. Why do I love them so much? Not sure, maybe it’s the symmetry? Either way, my new camera equipment allowed me to get some great ones.

Let’s get things started with the C33 Laurel of Team Breaking’s Jordan Tippman (@tippman.on.44s)..I was intimately familiar with this car before it ended up in Jordan’s hands, and I’m thrilled that it did. He’s a sterling example of how to grow as a drifter. Start with a reliable car with basic upgrades and get as much seat time as possible. When the car starts holding your driving back, then start making more upgrades.

I’m done with the terms 240SX, hatch and coupe. From this point on I’m calling every S13 I see a Silvia or 180SX. Team Breaking’s Jon Lewis (@jonxxlewis) recently moved on from an E36 BMW to this KA turbo powered 180SX. John is Breaking’s rookie driver, but he certainly doesn’t lack the confidence of a veteran. He even took on Leigh Roto from Proceed in the Individual comp and drove his ass off, despite being outgunned.

I managed to get a shot of Mike Martino’s (@vsmartino) S15 on an elevated section of the track. It made for a great angle. Nice livery. but I guess it should be considering he does this stuff for a living at Design Shop React.

Matt Degroot’s (@illmatic.bs) 180SX might just be my favorite car in the US. He not only nailed early 2000s Japan styling, he perfected it at a level I’ve never seen reached. I was in Japan in those days and I don’t remember any car being this nice. He does great work over at Reveal Design Shop (@reveal.ds). I think I might be begging for his help next season…

The TF-Works Onevia has been around for a while, but I think this is definitely it’s best look. I’m not sure what blue this is, but in person in looked like VooDoo blue.

Damon English of English Tune (@damon_english) brought out his Chaser, which deserved as much attention as the Charme JZX100s. I have always been a fan of silver cars on black wheels. The blue livery is the icing on the cake. It sounded as great on track as it looks as well.

For a minute I thought Nakamura had shown up to USAIR. Turns out it was some dude from Texas who runs a series called Knuckle Up that people seem to dig. All kidding aside, Jimmy (@jyw0rld) built one hell of a Silvia that is absolutely BURSTING with style! Get it? Because it looks like a BURST car!?! I don’t think you’re appreciating the level of comedy that is happening here…

If you aren’t paying attention, you might not notice that Leigh Roto’s (@terboboost) leg sticking out below the door of his BRZ. I never managed to get one with the door closed, and I thought this one was too good not to include.

I’ll wrap things up with one of the legends of US drift cars, Derek Bianski’s (@breakingbianksi) FD3S RX-7. The year started off with a bit of a style refresh and it sounds like it’s going to wrap up with a serious performance refresh. He showed up to USAIR running a new PAR dog box

Stay tuned for more Final Bout 7 content!