Words by Matt Willis

If I had to give credit to HIN in any particular aspect, it would be the models. Models are not the main reason I go to any car show, but I think most guys will say its a definite bonus and they do have an active role in the import scene. HIN 2011 hosted several big names and a great go-go competition (minus some technical difficulties) hosted by Jeri Lee and Nikita Esco. I’m still learning names on some of the new ones…but I’m sure they’ll be on the magazine covers before long. The music is the same as every other show…smashed-up hit songs and Ghosts n’ Stuff. But I also give them credit for keeping their main stage the loudest and spreading the other DJs out. I still have nightmares about the EAF Remix show in San Diego where there were a dozen DJs all trying to out-DJ one another.

Anyways…

Lily Wang (right) has always been a favorite of mine. She’s now in Vegas and is part of the CAME (Celebrity and Model Expo) group.

Kae Bae…also from Vegas and part of CAME…

Kat Reil…

Nikita on stage, either yelling at somebody or just rocking out…

Kae Bae rocking a Hello Kitty top…

Like a boss…haha…

Random chicks then began dancing with hula hoops…here we have the Thundercats title pose…

The DJ talking with the media up front before everything got started…couldn’t hear a damn word…

Jeri Lee getting votes for Lily…

Ashley Malia…

Hit with the flash…Michelle Yee…

No idea who this was, but everybody loved her…she’s from Australia I believe…

…however this chick danced like crazy and ended up taking home the win…AND the respect…

Once the chaos up front ended, everyone filtered back into the show floor to check out more cars.

Flush and kitted Z33…

I don’t mind the style so much on high-end sedans, but not feeling it on the Z chassis…

If you were wondering about the school bus in the back…it’s basically gutted and ramped like a trailer…

Tastefully done Audi S4…

…as well as this A3…

Beautiful Miata “fastback”. Love the rear fenders, love the black wheels, and of course the extended hardtop…

Might regret saying it, but I like the new Chrysler 300’s. They’ve refined it quite well. Now it doesn’t look so much like a mafia car anymore…

Fiestas’ are already getting popular…

Acura NSX on aggressively fit TE-37s…

LS-powered Silvia from Mastermind…great car to see in person.

Nice widebody S2000. Love the flares near the headlights…very similar to the M3 GT2’s shape. Also some Naruto graphics on the side…

We saw this Panty & Stocking-themed G at the SEMA show…

We came across this Camaro hood over by the ViS Racing Sports booth. ViS specializes in true carbon fiber parts/panels…see the irony here? “Yo dawg, I heard you like carbon fiber so we wrapped your carbon fiber with more carbon fiber, so you can carbon fiber while you carbon fiber…”

Loved this G! So perfectly executed.

That’s a wrap. Hope you enjoyed the coverage. Please check us out on Facebook for more photos…

In the meantime…Autocon is coming down the pipeline fast. This Saturday folks…get your tickets if you haven’t already, and we’ll see you there! – Matt