So You Think You Can Stance?

Words by Matt Willis

So You Think You Can Stance? was a unique event – or competition, rather – put on by the guys over at Its JDM Yo!. With the success of their 1-year anniversary meet last year, and their 2-year meet coming up soon, Tim and I definitely did not want to miss this little precursor. Overall, it was a fantastic event. A nice, moderately-sized turnout. Nothing got out of hand, the venue was great, and there was a variety of well-built cars that I’d never seen prior, which is always a good thing.

But this wasn’t just a show. As mentioned above, it was a competition. The goal: to see who could pull of the best stance without going out of their means. And the winner was determined through a series of driveway ingress and egress; where drivers would have to navigate and angle their car properly so as not to damage the car or components, get stuck and have to back up, or hit the edges of the driveway or center marker. It was interesting, to say the least…I’m not big on the whole stance movement. In fact people constantly have to remind me what it’s all about…but nonetheless, it was a refreshing change from your every day car show.

Loved this beautiful New Formula Red S2000 from Infinit Wheels. I think the fenders and hood are great little touches, and I think the wheel fitment is damn near perfect. Just goes to show cars can still fit into the “stance” category without going too overboard.

Well-presented red NA1 NSX…

…equipped with Stop-tech calipers up front and garnished with some carbon canards.

DPK David’s EJ1…being an EJ owner myself, his car has always been an inspiration of mine…

I was 50/50 on this car. I love Z33s, but this one – other than the wheels – seemed very plain to me.

The VIP Modular TL we’ve been seeing a lot of recently…

…as well as their root-beer colored Matrix.

This is an AE86 2-door with an S2000 swap-easily my favorite car of the show. Everything on this car was so brilliantly restored. Love the HRE wheels too…don’t think I’ve ever seen ’em on a Corolla…

Of course, that’s beside the engine, which was replaced with that of an S2000…

As boring as I am when it comes to color, I didn’t mind the blue wheels against this crisp white S2000. Great combo.

Armand Pranadi’s notable MR2 was in attendance and also participated in the competition. A GoPro was fitted to the rear panel to catch some of action…

Loved this two-tone VIP LS…

Neo-chrome-tinted bug shield on this EK.

I like the BMW 1-series a lot. The problem is they’re overpriced and most people go by way of the M3, which offers a V8 at only a few thousand more (compared to the 135i). With the next-generation M3 going back to a six-cylinder turbo, though, we might see more of these 128s and 135s rolling about. This one was brought out from Arqray Exhaust, and had was probably one of the better 1’s I’ve seen to date.

The spoiler fits well here. On a 3- or 5-series, no…I think because the 1s are narrower, it looks more “correct”.

Dimpled brake rotors…

Bojix Focus…

And their Fiesta as well…

The nearly infamous green S2000 from DTM Autobody…one of my favorites ever since I saw it at SEMA.

Tim spotted this tasteful Element parked out back…

EvoX from PVR Motorsports…

Brilliant VIP GS from Infinit…

There were a couple of Ruckus’ running about the show…

Sharp-looking IS350…

Free NOS kept us going through the afternoon. I think it’s funny more people nowadays recognize NOS for the energy drink rather than being a nitrous oxide supplier…haha…

Joey Lee of The Chronicles talking with Milt Salamanca of Low n’ Slow. Milt was first up to tackle the driveway and everybody began crowding around to watch.