Speedhunters
Mr. Jay Bryan, you are my hero.
I didn’t have the balls to say it up until now, so I had settled for venting to Jay on my own, but seriously, what’s up with Speedhunters? Is Need For Speed trying to piece together legitimacy or do those NFS guys genuinely like cars? If it’s the latter, then why aren’t they the ones doing all the writing? I’d totally like to know what the real ulterior motive is behind that site. Because as it is, Speedhunters appears to exist / have been created for no apparent reason.
Sure Speedhunters has great photos and pretty extensive coverage, but I am NOT a fan. I do NOT read it regularly. In fact, the only thing I like on that site is this. What annoys me the most though (Jay agrees with me on this) is that Speedhunters killed some of our favorite blogs. The most depressing death to me is Auto Otaku. Mike, you gotta write for Auto Otaku more (or better yet, ONLY). Your blog remains on my blogroll even though the last update was back on June 5th. Your blog had real heart and soul.
I get it to a certain degree though. People create hype and get together, it creates something larger. But you know, when blogging becomes an obligation or a job, it’s no longer a blog. It’s just a poor excuse for journalism.
Comments are on, so if any of you guys wanna write some obscene rebuttals then feel free. Just remember that internal solidarity is a function of external threat.
Oh and it looks like Jay wasn’t finished.
July 25, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Jay is a scary guy. Str8 up 187um killa. Auto Otaku is a good blog though, I definitely think that Mike should continue his efforts. If Mike reads this, get in touch with a brotha, I need to talk to you about a photo you took of my car a while back!
July 25, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Ditto to what you said, and I’m especilally saddened by the current state of Auto-Otaku too.
July 26, 2008 at 3:06 am
Haters.
-Al not a hater Lagura
July 26, 2008 at 12:00 pm
screw need for speed, its all about gran turismo!! hehe just kidding
July 26, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I have no idea what speedhunters was born from? Can you or Jay (shot! – also read his musings) please offer some insight? It appears to be very obvious to me now that while i may enjoy their content/photos – it’s a one-stop-shop for motorsports coverage – i don’t understand the whole story about how it came around and what its purpose is.
July 27, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Personally, I don’t know all the details either. I just know that certain people were recruited / hired to write for the site which is owned and/or operated by NFS (or people from NFS, whatever). Why they do it, why they created it, or what their ultimate intention is, all remain to be unknown. However, one may speculate the answers to those questions, especially if there’s money involved. And Jay and I are pretty sure about the money because; one, it doesn’t make sense without it and two, we’ve heard it from one of them directly.
Jay and I were indifferent about Speedhunters at first, simply not fans. We were just bummed that some of our favorite blogs died. Then, we started to become annoyed by certain aspects of the site. But what pushed Jay over the edge far enough to actually say something was what he mentioned in his posts. I chimed in because I wholeheartedly agree and wanted to support him. That and I figured I’d get my two cents in as well.
But who knows really? Maybe their intentions are completely innocent. Perhaps there’s not one ounce of malevolence or underlying intentions (although with money in the picture, it’s hard to see how that’s possible). Ultimately, Speedhunters isn’t really hurting anyone. They’re churning out coverage about car stuff from around the world. Quickly too. Myself and a few others think it’s actually overwhelming.
The short and simple summary is that Jay and I disagree with HOW and WHY they do it. Jay has his qualms that he’s voiced and I’ve voiced that I disagree with certain aspects of their inferred principle. However, Jay and I are merely two strongly opinionated people (obviously). I think I can safely say that we were simply getting things off our chest, not attempting to stray people from reading their site at all. If any of my readers takes anything from what we’ve said, I hope it’s that they’re more critical of what people say and the potential motivations/intentions behind their words.
I think I’ve taken my Sociology degree too far. j/k
July 27, 2008 at 11:09 pm
^Ok. This makes sense. I our world full of purists, racers, ricers, impersonators, jock-riders, lovers, haters et al, i appreciate your honesty Dom. you opinion is worth it (and this is you blog after all.)
July 28, 2008 at 1:18 am
Wait? I talked shit? Oh yeah. Whoops. Sue me. I think everyone should read Speedhunters. Mike Garrett is King of the auto blogs. Antonio is my homie also. But yeah, I got a few probs with them. No biggie. I voiced my opinions and Dom agreed with some and there you have it. I don’t think were being haters. People talk shit to me on my blog everyday! Fuck it. I heart haters!
Oh, and Al lets not forget you rantings on Allen Chu’s blog about Formula D. Threats of violence If i remember correctly. LOL! Everyone needs to settle down a bit. Blogs are dumb let’s all remember that sometimes.
JAY
July 28, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Jay, what’s going on with your blog, I go to it, and it says it’s protected and I have to log in, so I try, and it doesn’t change. This blog works fine, so is it like a personal thing, or WordPress. Whatever is happening, it is stopping me from getting my good dose of a good blog! And I don’t know if other people are experiencing it too. I couldn’t find any other way to contact you… So yeah, just to let you know if you didn’t already
July 28, 2008 at 3:39 pm
His blog was hacked into / his password was stolen. I’d suggest changing your password just to be safe.
July 28, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Thanks man, I wasn’t sure if it was due to the whole speedhunters thing or something stupid like that… well, I guess it is stupid. And thanks for the advice too
July 29, 2008 at 11:22 am
@Jay – Threats? I don’t think you know me personally that its all a joke. Its copy and pasted from all the shit I’ve collected on the internet when people make threats and ethug.
Check it out here.
http://www.google.com/notebook/public/10543718196144787725/BDRkjSwoQu8W04YYi
Its all a JOKE. and Allen is a fucking idiot. I told him that in person. I don’t like you either so tone down the disrespect.
-Al
July 29, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Calm down people. Both Jay and Al are dope as fuck in my book.
You two would get along just fine in person so let’s tone down the e-hostility. Be happy folks.
July 29, 2008 at 4:01 pm
no FU dom!
August 7, 2008 at 2:40 am
Benson i love you. So much hostility. Well if I’m being hated on I must be doing something right. I’m sorry you hate me Al. Funny none the less.
August 16, 2008 at 6:05 am
Damn what’s up with all the hating? Calling it Speedcunters? I’m over at Tsukuba right now (actually just had dinner with Mike Garrett), and checked my email to find that a homie sent me this link…
Man, I’m pretty disappointed that people were talking shit about our project. I personally havent seen WHAT people have been saying or WHERE people have been talking shit (been busy traveling so I haven’t spent much time browsing the net lately, except for Speedhunters and my facebook, etc) but apparently some people are doing it…???
It’s especially disappointing to know that some of the people apparently saying this shit (haven’t read it yet, just heard about it) are people I consider to be friends in real life. So yeah, I’m just a bit puzzled.
Honestly we’re busting our asses over here getting to events that many people can’t get to, shooting photos that many people don’t have the ability to shoot, shooting the videos that most people can’t produce with their own equipment, and we’re not even fucking charging anyone any money for it!!!
So why all the hating?! Speaking for myself personally, I’ve been busting my ass to put up all these pics on Speedhunters (Since it’s online, I now have to produce stories/images 20x quicker than I did when I was shooting for print mags)… I know everyone else is working super hard as well…
So again I gotta say, what the fck is up with all the hating? Especially those talking the shit, you guys have personally known me for years… so if you have some shit to say, why don’t you email me DIRECTLY and give me a piece of your mind..? Instead of posting it on the internet somewhere, that’s lame as fuck.
Call my cellphone when I get back to the US on Sept 3, or even hit me here in Japan if you feel like it..? 090-2950-5653
BTW: Al may be an ethug, but don’t worry. He’s hated on all forums in like 30 different languages, but I still think he’s cool. Allen Chu’s a cool guy too! Damn yall, whatup with all the haters? Let’s just organize some shit after FD Sonoma so you guys can box. Hows that? That would be funny as hell.
Or you can race, Ruckus vs Fixie vs Scraper Bike.
Peace out from Tsukuba, all you haters…
August 16, 2008 at 12:37 pm
To address your feelings and comments, the blog post wasn’t specifically against you. It’s not you or Mike or anything like that, it’s the blog I don’t agree with. I realize that you put your own hard work into it, which sort of makes hating the blog a personal issue, but it’s not meant that way. Trust me, if I had something against you personally, I wouldn’t be writing this. And I sure as hell wouldn’t put you on blast specifically on a blog. That WOULD be super lame.
I recognize that you guys are busting your asses, traveling all over and posting content quicker than Chinese companies can copy JDM parts. That’s cool, which I actually said in my post. I wrote that there’s great coverage on that site, and that I didn’t mean to discourage anyone from reading Speedhunters.
So what’s the deal with me and Jay’s posts? Jay had issues with content consistently being repeated from his site. Whereas I’m suspicious of the site’s intent. Stuff like where the funding comes from and why there’s even funding. There’s gotta be serious cash involved though, with you guys doing what you’re doing. So who’s putting up that cash and what are they trying to get out of it? If everything about it is truly benevolent, then that’s me being me. I don’t trust easily. In which case, me posting that about Speedhunters makes me the fool, not you guys. If you wanna set it straight, you’re more than welcome to.
I dunno dude. In the end, I can see why you’re upset, but it’s not an attack against you personally. If you choose to take it personally, that’s your choice and I respect that. I just hope you realize that wasn’t my intent.
And yes, my blog shows hate sometimes, but it’s a personal blog. If someone doesn’t like it, all they have to do is not read it. But hey, everyone knows that hatred is just a sign of insecurity, so I think the wise won’t even pay it any attention. Who cares about one dude saying he hates something on a blog? Pretty insignificant if you ask me. So keep doing what you’re doing, as long as you truly believe in it. That’s something that you’ve always done, which is why I respect you. Don’t let internet haters like me ruin your day, even if we weren’t trying to.
August 16, 2008 at 12:55 pm
LOL ! Goddamn haters. LOL! Yeah, My shit wasn’t directed towards Mike Or Antonio. But I’m not gonna censor myself either on my OWN blog. If you don’t like me or what I have to say and you take it personally than don’t be friends with me. Censorship is weak as fuck.
August 17, 2008 at 6:34 am
Yo Dom,
We just got back from the MSC event at Honjyo Circuit. And I just got your email and saw that you made it a blog post right now. Wordup, thanks for the email, and clearing that up.
I understand you werent saying anything against me or Mike, and I am definitely glad you sent me the email. Your comments towards Speedhunters in general was probably just some sort of random thought, I understand how things sometimes get misconstrued on the internet… but I know you and me and Jay are homies in real life, not just some stupid internet forum or something. So yeah consider all that mess completely squashed and over. Of course we’re cool. Everything is good between all of us!
In fact my original post was just kinda one of bewilderment in terms of people not being down with the site… but hey I guess you can’t please everyone out there. Anyways… yeah dude honestly we produce and post content mad quick. Insane…
But in terms of the site’s intent… I really shouldn’t and CAN’T speak on behalf of EA or NFS… but it’s like an outreach program to connect to the scene, and to connect the scenes worldwide. Serious resources have been put into this project, so of course we all take it seriously.
I know for sure that you and Jay weren’t trying to do any sort of personal attack! Of course! But yeah to address what you said… I do believe in the project. I wouldn’t be working on it if I didn’t truly believe in it. I’m glad you know me well enough to know that. Respect! So yea, the whole Speedhunters team puts alot of our heart into our work – photos and stories and whatever… so yeah it did kinda suck to hear not everyone was down, but I understand your point dude. Wordup.
Anyways, yeah I hope you saw your car on the site…??? And I always try to link back to you and even “DropJay” whenever I can, even though I drove all the way out to OC at like 5am to meet up with him and Karen at a GTR meet and the bastard doesn’t even make it out of bed! LOL
So yeah man everything is cool, you didn’t ruin my day brotha. Cause guess what, I recently had some expensive ass Tokyo Banana again (I think it’s so dope that you like that stuff too, I’ve been down for years!). and some super oishii peaches, which are humongous and in season here in Japan. WHUT!!!
August 17, 2008 at 6:42 am
BTW Jay, last week I drove an R35 GTR at Ebisu West Course… damn, that thing is bananas. But hmmmmm I still think I like the LOOK of the R34 better, so I hope you’re not even thinking of selling ur 34 for a 35. One car I’m kinda digging is that Nismo 380 Z33… saw a white one on the street the other day, and it looked sick as hell.
August 18, 2008 at 11:59 am
Tokyo banana!
INCREASE THE PEACE
September 23, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I adore SPEEDHUNTERS!