EMMA SG & EMMA ASIA 2011 - HOTstuff Magazine

0:28 IR DRIVE
OUT!
While Ryuji Miki currently represents Sparks
Motorsports in drift races with his Nissan
S15 ride, we take you on a blast from his
past with his former smoking side winding
ride - the Apexi RX-7.
Who could forget the excitement of our
very first Formula Drift Singapore in 2008?
With all the tyre smoke, gorgeous cars
and impressive displays of skills from the
participating drift-drivers, it was worth
standing in the scorching sun to catch the
action live. After many crowd-pleasing
rounds, where the drift driver fights for the
place of champion, Ryuji Miki clinched the
title as he out-drifted all the competition.
We present to you his former gorgeous
Apexi RX-7 for your viewing pleasure.
ORIGINS
Ryuji Miki, a racing and drifting driver from
Tottori Prefecture, Japan, was the 2004 D1
Grand Prix champion. Miki also competed
in the Net’z Cup, a one make series for the
Toyota Altezza between 2005 and its final
season in 2006 and is nicknamed “Doki-
Doki kun” due to his drifting style. Taking
part in many competitions, he has left a
trail of outstanding wins in the history of
drift driving. Throughout the 2007 season,
despite having to adapt to driving a left
hand drive car for the first time, not to
mention within a full season of racing,
Ryuji managed to finish the Formula D
season with great results. Reaching the
rank of top 16 within 4 events, Ryuji finally
adapted to the car, finishing 14th overall
for the season.
UNDER THE HOOD
With Apexi as its performance workshop,
you can be sure of this RX-7 having the
full works done. To encourage the car to
breathe better, an Apexi air filter was
installed. An Apexi AX75F82 Turbo Kit, plus
an Apexi V-mount intercooler, coupled with
an Apexi Titanium R95 SPL Exhaust System,
gives the car maximum performance. There
is also an Apexi Power FC ECU, combined
with a Sard fuel pressure regulator and 6
Sard 550 Injectors, maintaining a constant
pressure of fuel. Changing to an Ogura
single plate clutch for smooth take away
and gear changes, handling is improved by
the inclusion of Apexi N1 PRO SPL dampers,
a Cusco 8-point Roll Cage, with the added
grip of Goodyear tyres and Rays Gram Lights
rims. All these add to the ear-piercing lawn
mower sound when the engine starts up.
AESTHETICS
This RX-7 stands out from the crowd with its