RE-Xtreme RE-Location

RE-Xtreme has re-newed, re-freshed, re-aligned and re-started and most importantly re-located.

As the authour for more than 15 years, I wanted to make a new start and focus on more of my own contributions. This blog's subset of previous content shall remain unchanged as an archive however the new blog will continue the passion for Mazda's RX sports cars.

A passion for pure sports driving and expression of creativity will remain the focus.

If you haven't already,  simply re-direct you links to http://re-xtreme.blogspot.com/
(just add the "-")
RE-Xtreme is now using facebook's sharing functions to promote others.

Russ.

FD Ownership

A quick look at how long you keep your FD3s.

Version III.IV

7's day Drift and Maniacal Inspiration...

When building RE-Xtreme Version III, it was always my intention to get as close to this BN sports styled Drift Attacker as I could. At the moment I am unsure where my project is heading with my 400hp single turbo FD3s up for sale and ready to abort. But it's soo close that I can smell the insanity of it all by pushing that bit further.

Russ.

RE-Xtreme Version III

This is what it's all about. You. Your car. Your favourite roads.

Nothing like some winding mountain action.

But alas it's probably the last time. I'm reluctantly selling my single turbo FD3s due to life's priorities and realities. I've hardly driven it in six months. There were supposed to be shots like this every month.

Stay tuned for more. But for now, the 1920x1280 Desktop Image is Here

Russ.

RE-Focus

Hello everyone.

I'm back in Japan after a break and facing some issues like everyone else. What the future holds is unclear at this point.

My car's direction seemed clear 3 weeks ago, having finally settled on parts and committing to pursue the FD owners dream.

But now everything is based on an undecided future. Gasoline has inmmediatley gone from 143->169 yen per liter during this 2 week period.

In the few days after the earthquake in Japan, limited damage to the highway system was experienced. These roads are now re-opened.

Trucks and city traffic returned and life seems normal. However it's not exactly the same. The once vibrant tokyo has a quieter side these days.

I fired up the FD this morning and went for a little drive around the streets this morning in search of Sakura as it is the cherry blossom season. Not yet. Maybe next week.

I went for a drive around my area near Tokyo Disneyland (Urayasu City is actually badly effected by the quake) There are many visible signs of damage. But workers are out in massive numbers trying to restore normality.

I consider myself very lucky to have avoided the worst, but a strange feeling remains.

Don't expect too many updates from RE-Xtreme in the near future. I'll try to continue this site, but as Tsukuba is closed and D1 has been delayed, there isn't too much happening as you may expect.

Other countires seem uneffected. So there maybe a re-focus for the short term.

Russ.

New Year Check-Point

I did a bit of a photoshoot today, then I did some chops and I added a couple of posts over on the Version III blog. Have a vote and let me know what direction you guys prefer. I've pretty much decided to go with the below image, but it's good to get more opinions.

I love it when a plan comes together.
http://rextremeiii.blogspot.com/

Russ.

Happy New Year 2011

Plans are old fashioned. Do it this year!

Sunset 2010

As the sun sets on 2010, lets look at the year ahead. 2011 The 20th Anniversary Year.

Since the FD3s was release in 1991 It may be fitting that this becomes the last year of RE-Xtreme.

It seems the longevity has proven that Japan's best pure sports car has some real staying power. Certainly last years 7's day showed the community is still very strong in Japan and around the world. 9 years after the final production run of FD3s, the tuners are now looking to other things in search of direction. SE3P Rx8 are becomming more mainstream as the "quality" FD3s in japan are dissapearing. However the Rx8 is also in it's last year of production.

2011 brings a little uncertainty.

Super GT will have no FD3s Rx7 on the grid.
Super Taikyu? Teams still to confirm but highly unlikely.

Time Attack? There still seems to be activity here and it's a good source of development.
D1? Will it continue? What will it change to?
 
For privateers in motorsport. (most of us) Drift or Circuit
The FD3s is now becomming a cheaper option for entry. Although running costs remain high.

Drag.
Theres still a lot of tube frame rx7s out there with 1000+ hp. We may see more in 2011.

Show Scene.
Has the FD3s been done to death? Could it be a show stealer once more? As always, 2011 starts with Tokyo Auto Salon and I'll be there taking a slab of images for you all.

RE-Amemiya will be there with 5 FD3s, Revolution, RE-Wing, R-Magic, Etc etc
Auto-Labo are building a new 「air force +」 FD3s body kit with Super GT inspiration.
So there is still new life in the old dog yet.

Hope you all enjoyed 2010!

Russ.

Make your Xmas list!

Make your Xmas list. This Year Saint Nicky is doing the delivery rounds.

My List

1 x 5 Million Dollars.
1 x Full Tune 500hp Widebody FD Rx7. Advan RS-D optional.

I'll probably get a lottery ticket and a toy car.

Russ.

Hallowed FD3s

Halloween.... I don't know what that is. Something about pumpkins.

Btw, I've updated a lot of iPhone backgrounds.

Russ.

RE-Xtreme Theme

Created this theme for the iPhone4.

Download for IPhone4 size theme 960Hx640W for October and general.
Check this album in my online photo bucket.

I have created a few for Oct, Nov and Dec with a calendar background, so you can quickly check the day without having to go into the iphone calendar. I might keep doing this in the new year and add a desktop version also.

Russ.

RE-Xtreme Logos

New Logo. The idea is to reflect the image of a street and mountain pass in the logo.

I recently updated my helmet with some block stickers and it gave me some inspiration to create something more.

I think it works well with Mazda style fonts. There is a bit of Wipeout Fusion. a bit of flower and a bit of lollipop. all good things.

During my design of a street I ended up with something a bit retro. Anyone guess the influence. I may be putting these in production.

Then things got carried away as usual.

Russ.

RE-Xtreme Renewal

Recently, followers of my site will have noticed some changes to layout and content.

I tried to make the site content rich, but basically it became very slow with polls and ratings for posts. So I have relocated all the pretty stuff and I am currently still making some changes to the final designs. One big change is the TAB Menu at the top, It's not complete yet but I'm slowly including the style of static content things I want at the top.

If anyone has anything to add to my posts, please do so by comments. I enjoy reading them.

Now available in the Directory is the RE-Xtreme Map of Japanese Rotary Tuners! You can use the previous link, but its permanent home will be in the directory tab. It took a long time for what purpose? I already have all the links on my site. If anything, it gives you an idea of how spread out the tuners are. With Google's Street View sometimes you can get a look at the shops and an idea for the size of them also.

It's pretty slow due to soo many place markers, but have fun looking around Japan. I made another of driving roads, but it didn't work so well. Google's products have issues sometimes.

What are the plans for RE-Xtreme since I don't have one these days? I'm not sure. While I am thinking about purchasing, it won't be in the next few months. But there maybe some things in the works.

I'll still be covering a few things so stay tuned.

Russ.

Knight Sports - Since 1971

When I saw this T-shirt at Tokyo Auto Salon, I just had to have it. Both concieved in the same year, I share a little in common with knight sports and their philosophy. When you talk to the guys from KS and share their passion. Life is good.

I also love the Japlish. But I'm going to correct some small mistakes so you can better feel their passion.

"When you sit in the driver's seat and grab the steering wheel, you start to talk with your rotary.
Your rotary responds to a gentle pedal touch as your joyous heart feels the power.
A quick, powerful drive with cool looks. 'The Dream of Rotary Enthusiasts'
We wish to pursue our technical studies with experience and fullest passion to realize this dream."

-Knight Sports

Russell. Since 1971

Happy New Year 2010

Happy New Year 2010

Celebrate with a little magic.

RE-Xtreme Version III - Concept

Is this a possibility? I have started a blog to drain my brain of concepts and reality. Costs and estimates. Direction and stupidity.

Hmmm . RE-Xtreme Version III sounds good on paper, but what is the reality in as 2010 aproaches?

Russ.

Merry Xmas.

When you wake up tomorrow, unwrap your gifts, say merry xmas, but find time for a drive.

No matter how cold and No matter how much snow or no matter how hot it is.

Walk around the car and just look.

Look at you car the way you did on the first day of ownership.

Start it up. and just go. Be free!

Grab you favourite CD, turn it up till it drowns out the screaming engine and drive.

Press the pedal to the floor a few times and destroy some environment.

Some things always bring a smile to a driver.

Remember why you own it.

Merry Xmas.

from

RE-Xtreme

RE-Xtreme Beginnings

I blame it all on this picture from Mazda back in the early 1990's. The standard picture hooked me. It used to be my desktop on my massive 14" monitor in 640x480! When you chop it as I have done a million times (this version with 57 Accellerate Pro ), It just looks awesome.

Look away... you'll get addicted all over again.

Russ.

RE-Xtreme Logos and Stickers

I've just been playing around thinking about an actual logo for my site. I have been using a particular font for a while. So I thought a sticker might look good.

Another place I think would be great is the fuel filler cap which is commonly changed for carbon so an aditional feature may be the RE-Xtreme version or the rear pilar.

Initial designs look like these.

But in reality the Japan Map may be a little complicated. They do look cool though.

Hmmm. Would have been good on my old car.

Russ.

FE3s Concept

Whats the FE3s... E for (dare I say the word) Eco.

Tokyo Motor Show '09 and Tokyo Auto Salon '10 are going to feature "Eco" concepts. What does the FD have to become for it to be Eco friendly?

I will choose the following concept along the lines of recent Mazda Superlight weight reduction and recent Hydrogen Fuel cell concepts.

WEIGHT

There is of course the obvious benefits of lightweight for performance and the requirement for less fuel to propel lighter vehicles. This also assists in handling, braking, less wear on components etc etc. From the FD3s point of view of weight, the best we could hope for is approximately the 850kg mark. Going to extremes resulting in weight reductions from items like carbon brakes, prop and driveshafts, utilisation of titanium for all bolts and the previously tried Aluminium body panels in construction. LED lighting, thinner plastics(friendly versions) and removal of unneccessary items. All incredibly expensive of course.

Exterior modifications must include the following dry carbon items. Bonnet, front & rear bumpers, front fenders, doors and rear hatch. Mirrors, perspex windows and a thin front glass screen. Wheels would probably be similar to Dymag carbon magnesium items. Inside including a taiki style minimalist dash and carbon seats. All of these are currently available so you could look take the first step towards eco friendliness even if power remained kick arse Fuel Hungry Turbo 13b REW.

POWER

The RX-8 Hydrogen concept is good news for rotary engine lovers. This has been in testing for a while and these dual fuel cell vehicles, are extremely kind producing only H2O on Hydrogen (yes I know its unfriendly to make atm). The renesis rotary engines have the ability for electric assist turbocharging also which can bring back the performance lost to burning less dense Hydrogen. About 50% less power at the moment on the RX8. I do not think the electric motor is the answer for us rotary enthusiasts or anyone.

Lastly, a sunroof model should be chosen and filled with solar panels powering additional items and you can feel the earth's harsh sun roasting your head just to let you know you are helping.

So is a Hydrogen RE Turbo FE3s a possibility. Give it 20 years, then I might be retrofitting some crazy fuel cell powerlant into a lightweight chassis. Or maybe they could invite me to make the first one. Give me a call Mazda.

Russ.