Last Saturday was another HIN Nightshift but it wasn’t just another one of those carshows. There’s something special with that event and that special ingredient was the premiere of an underground motor sport, Super Gymkhana.
Gymkhana is a mixture of auto cross and drifting with a very intricate and complicated course. I was lucky enough to have been invited and host the event as well as Judge it. It’s really hard doing both at the same time. I witnessed some very precise driving and amazing control on these cars.
There was a good mixture of drivers in the competition ranging from D1 and Formula D drivers to Amature and Gymkhana professionals. We got some sponsored vehicles as well as some privately owened ones. You’ll be surprise on how this event ended up and if you missed it last Saturday, I am very sorry for your loss. To show you the complicity of this course here’s a pic of the course layout.
Yea pretty complicated right! And to tell you the truth, this is actually a watered down version of the usual course these guys go through because of the location’s limitation.
There were crazy ass pot holes and hills on the road course so we setup the track to avoid these as much as possible. Still it was an awesome show.
Now how do you judge an event like this? It’s not that easy. Sitting on the staging area sharing some thoughts and comments with Mr. NOS Man, Ernie Manansala and Judging with Shino from BRIDE USA, Toshi from BLITZ, Keith from NUKABE/CUSCO, and Andy from AERODYNE. We all based the points from their Speed, Angle, Line and Time. Pretty tough for my part since I was commentating and judging at the same time. It’s hard to see and explain all the action all at the same time. My brain can only process so much.
The event’s bracket consist of 19 cars ranging from professional to amateur drivers. These guys showed their all but only one will prevail and get the crown. 
The last four drivers were Omar Godinez driving the white FC backed by Federal Tires going up against Quoc Ly with his amazing S14 running with team Drift Speed. Next on the bracket was Ray Diaz with his boosted 240SX and Jonathan Hardenthorph with his NA 240sx Hatch.
Omar dispatched Quoc with one of the closest match of the evening while Jonathan won against Ray with his excellent entry speed and consistent driving. Quoc and Ray battled for the third with Quoc gaining the advantage as Ray spun out in the last corner. This leaves us with an epic battle between Omar Godinez and Jonathan Hardenthorph. Both these guys has showed us tremendous speed and amazing angles all throughout the day. Surprisingly enough the winner of the event is Jonathan “THE CONEMAN” Hardenthorph. No Sponsors whatsoever and also running a NA K24 Motor. Private driver beating professionals. This guy is no joke. Such a close race between the guys and it gave me goosebumps just watching them race side by side heading to the finish line almost the same time. Props to all the drivers and congratulations to the winners.
All in all it was an awesome event and actually the final event of Than from HIN since he’s leaving all of us to go live at Texas (WTF) Way to go out with a bang sir!! Again thank you to everybody that helped made this event happen. To Blitz, Mines, Cusco, Aerodyne Industries, Tomei, NOS Engergy Drinks, Bride, Apex-i and High End. To All the Drivers you guys put up an awesome show and I can’t wait to do this again!!! Thank you especially to Andy and Quin from Aerodyne Industries because without you guys, we wouldn’t have this event.
Check out some of the photos and click on them to launch the mini gallery.
Here’s a quick Panorama of the Pit Area
