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Scott's
review:
“YES!!!”
Raised hands, clapping, laughing, big smiles, and
a quick jolt that forces my body up from the couch,
while at the same time feeling relieved that I’m
home alone. This is the scene and my genuine reaction
to some of the footage I just witnessed while watching
the latest release from the crew at Best Motoring
International. I received my demo copy in the mail
only hours ago but just couldn’t wait until
lunch to throw it in the VCR and get my fix of BMI
action. Maybe I’m a bit over enthusiastic;
maybe I’m slightly a car nerd (maybe?), but
I just have to say that I honestly believe this
is the best issue so far of the Best Motoring International
video series that has come available to us here
in the U.S.
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I realize in each review
I say the same thing, but I just can’t find any other
words that describe my feelings other than to say that these
videos are just better and better after each new release.
I was thoroughly at the edge of my seat during the battles
at the same time laughing and watching with a stress that
can only be rivaled by watching Formula One live on Speedvision
or being at the track and in your own car. The BMI videos
just have a knack, uniqueness, and personality that captures
you and brings you right in where the action is while giving
you an objective overview of all the cars and drivers featured
on the screen. Good stuff for sure, and this particular
issue appeals to me in that it features tons of great content
on one of my all time favorite cars…the Honda/Acura
NSX. You will also witness direct battles between the NSX
and other JDM machines, as well as a full feature on some
of Japan’s best highly tuned VTEC machines, while last
but not least be subject to a great battle of highly tuned
and race machines that scream all the way to 10,000RPMs.
The first and opening to this issue is the introduction
of the 1995 NSX GT1 that was developed to rival the McLaren
F1 and competed directly in the 1995 24 hours Le Mans race.
Unfortunately the NSX GT1 retired early on with gearbox
problems, and until now has all but been forgotten. Tsuchiya
san takes the NSX GT1 onto the track and gives a great full
impression of it’s handling and power capabilities.
The 600+ HP Turbo charged NSX GT1 is surely impressive on
paper and judging by his comments, Tsuchiya san confirms
the character and prowess of such a great machine, but you’ll
have to watch in order to really get a feel for the car…and
I can assure you, it IS impressive!
Along with the other great cars in this issue the NSX has
a special following and life all it’s own. BMI’s
introduction to the newly revised and restyled 2002 model
year NSX is the first and will probably be one of the best
with the direct comparisons between the new NSX Type-S and
the older models; NSX Type-S, NSX Type S-ZERO, and the race
bred NSX-R. First you will run on the winding road impression
with Tsuchiya san as he gives you a first hand look at how
the new-faced NSX’s slight changes have turned the
Type-S (Japanese market only model) into a much better car
than the previous generation Type-S. Tsuchiya also compares
how the new car feels versus the older NSX-R and it’s
successor the NSX-Type S ZERO. It’s a very interesting
outcome for sure and one not to be missed by any NSX owner
or fan. The huge impression test continues past the winding
hills, and onto the track for a full 1/4 mile acceleration
test between the four NSXs. However, due to the varying
drivers and launches it’s tough to tell which car has
the overall advantage, but there is a new 1/4 mile record
set by one of the production spec NSXs being tested, but
I won’t give away which one. ^_^
Next get ready for the four NSXs to go head to head with
a limited edition and very fast Mazda RX-7 Type R Bathhurst
R and the Lancer EVOLUTION VII GSR. By watching the previous
issues of the Best Motoring International video series you’ll
be wise to guess the outcome of this battle, but I’d
have to warn you that I know you’ll be very surprised
by the outcome. This is my favorite section of the whole
video, as I was literally at the edge of my seat, and attentive
the whole time. The beginning of this article refers to
my reactions while watching this part, as this is one of
the closest and heated battles of all that I have seen from
the Best Motoring crew. Full of great personality from the
drivers and nail biting action as you watch the 5 lap battle
between the machines and see who comes out on top! NSX fans
hold your breath the competition is tough.
Next up is Hot Version view on VTEC Tuning and features
some great machines. You’ll see how different tuners,
including Spoon sports and the famous JUN have turned normal
everyday cars into fast and super handling monsters through
craftsmanship and technology. The cars included range from
former Honda CRX, Prelude, to an AE86 Corolla. “What’s
an AE86 doing in a “VTEC” performance session!?”
you might ask…well I won’t tell you, but the answer
is VERY Impressive, as Hattori and Tsuchiya confirm. The
myth of the Honda Prelude being slow and heavy is put to
rest as Hattori and Tsuchiya blow around the track in a
highly tuned and great sounding 4th generation Prelude.
Tuners and fans of automotive performance technology won’t
want to miss this!
The final program of Volume 4 is the “Battle at 10,000RPM”
as we are witness to an on track battle between some serious
firepower. The Esprit NSX, Jun Civic-R, Spoon Sports S2000
(GT3 anyone?), SS Works CRX, Redline Altezza (Lexus IS 300
in the U.S.), and G-Force City go head to head in a tough,
exciting, and surprising battle where speeds of the Engine
revolutions and velocities are on the brink of each car’s
capabilities. Again the outcome is very surprising.
Overall I was thoroughly excited and this is only from watching
the video one time. In my experience I tend to love them
even more as I can re-watch and absorb everything I can
from each viewing. The winning formula of original Japanese
dialogue and English language dub is preserved from Volume
3, with my only problems being that on first viewing it
can become a bit overwhelming at times. By this I mean,
there were times when I just could not keep up with reading
a few lines of the subtitles and would have liked a concise
English language track over some of the evaluative summaries.
However, I won’t watch this only once and I doubt anyone
who buys the video will either and I don’t see this
as a real problem. The in-car race dialogue is best kept
in this fashion where you get a full reveal of each of the
driver’s personalities and are brought in close to
the excitement and feeling, just like you were in the cockpits.
I believe that the BMI crew has nearly gotten the mix of
English language dubbing and original Japanese language
tracks 95% perfect. Non Japanese speakers may miss some
of the small nuances in translation, but from what I can
hear you are getting top-notch translation and nothing technical
or essential is being left out for you to get the same experience
that the cast has while actually driving. It really is the
next best thing from being right there yourself and the
Best Motoring International video series has become my all
time favorite way to get a hit off the “Go Fast Crack
pipe” without actually getting out to a track event.
Even though this particular
issue (Volume 4) is geared more towards the large NSX owner/fan
population and the Honda fans around the world, and even
if you don’t particularly care for Japanese automobiles
or their allure, you will be doing yourself a huge disservice
by missing this video! There is plenty for the average auto
enthusiast to respect and have fun with the raw track excitement,
personality and quality of driving regardless of which domestic
market car preference you might have. Another winner in
my book!
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