TokyoPop Street Fury Series - Critical Viewing

TokyoPop brings you the Street Fury series, detailing the import car scene. Each video is 60 minutes, and there are numerous editions to choose from. This month we review its Blue Edition, hosted by Asia DeMarcos, the hostess with the mostess. This six-part video covers the car show arena, drifting, models, drag racing and the 2002 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Street Fury starts off at Hot Import Nights on a steamy California evening. We see numerous cars, breakdancing, a hydraulic suspension hopping GS300, as well as plenty of footage of the local hoochies in attendance, and notably two who start making out in the middle of the floor.

We are treated to a series of interviews with import models including: Tina Nguyen, Veronica Berrera, Natasha Yi and Sharon Soto. The creativity in the interview questions needs to be worked on. Examples of the highly informative questions include: "Which food would you want eaten off you?" and "If you play an animal in bed, which one is it?" Nonetheless, viewing their "assets" is the highlight of this section. We then proceed to an interview with DJ Donald Glaude, a frequent DJ at import events. Finally, the Teckna Californian car crew is interviewed.

Part two brings us to Buttonwillow, Calif., for some track drifting sponsored by SpeedTrial USA. Coincidentally this event was covered in the pages of Turbo back in 2002. More information about the event is gathered from interviews withTommy Chen from SpeedTrial USA and D1 drifter Alex Phieffer.

Also thrown in is an interview with participant and former Import Tuner cover car owner Richard Tang. Finally, Jason Steinhart tells us about the International Border Series in Mexico in which he races an '89 Suzuki Swift. Now before you start laughing at his vehicle of choice, realize that he'll smoke you with his 310 horsepower. Finally, a Ferrari 360 Modena owner is interviewed.

The drifting action around Buttonwillow is only so-so in pedestrian-like hachirokus and 240s. More footage of Japanese drifters Shinji Minowa and Hiroshi Takahashi, brought out to give lessons, would have been appreciated. The highlight (or lowlight) of this section is seeing a BMW M3 flip. Try explaining that to your insurance company.

Part three is an interview with Candace Michelle, Blue Edition's cover model. Having her roll around in bed is worthy of her own feature. But wearing fewer clothes.

Next up is yet another series of interviews. This time they feature drag racers such as Bisi Ezerioha (All Motor Class), Scott Kelly (VW Fastback), Ron Lummus (VW Beetle), Ed Bergenholtz (his old CRX), and finally, Ray Lockhead in his RX-7 that pulls 2.7 g off the line. That will smash your brain into the back of your skull! At the end of this section is footage of some old drag racing action from Palmdale, California's quarter-mile track.

Second to last is a section called, "Girls on the Scene" where they interview random girls at the Hot Import Nights event. Our personal favorite is the woman who admitted that her profession was that of an escort. Can we bring you home to meet the parents?

Last up is show coverage of the 2002 Tokyo Auto Salon. Always of interest are the cool concept car features. However, they are slightly less interesting when they've been aged two years. Always fresh are the Japanese car models dressed in vinyl. Granted you could bench press five of them, but their lack of weight in the passenger seat helps when you're racing. Someone give those poor girls a cheeseburger.

Speaking of the Tokyo Auto Salon, we hope you guys and girls can make it with us for Turbo's annual tour of TAS.

All in all, the Blue Edition is decent viewing. You get a variety of show cars, drag racing, drifting, and models.

For more information on the Street Fury series, check out www.tokyopop.com.