SP Rides

SP Rides: Building the Dream

Zamie Budollo, age 26, is the owner of this sleeper — an incredibly clean 1998 Honda Civic DX that could blow the doors off many an unsuspecting competitor.  Born in the Philippines, he was already a fan of Hondas, which happened to be very popular in the local scene there, only 30 minutes away from Manila. Now firmly established in Hawaii, he’s a part of Team Elusive (Chapter 2) and has already made a mark in Hawaii.

SP Rides: Sultry and Sophisticated

It’s been awhile since I’d seen Jonathan Natividad. The last time was on track at the Super Lap Series where he was busting out times in his Subaru STi at Hawaii Raceway Park. But of course, that was awhile back. Times change, and now along for the ride is his significant other, Malerie Ibarra.

SP Rides: Adding American Muscle

Gavin Dixon has been a long-time fan of the lifted truck scene. He’s owned quite a few lifted examples and even uses one as a daily driver.  It wasn’t until a friend, Steven Bolosan, rolled up in an LS1-powered 240 that his interest in sports cars piqued.

SP Rides: The Blue Devil

Raised in Waipahu, Benjamin Mamuad’s first experience with cars was when he was 16 years old. All of his friends were rolling in Challengers, Chargers — you name it, the scene was pumping.

SP Rides: Four Doors with the Works

Although this isn’t Jaxiel Batista’s first modded vehicle, it quite simply is the one with the works. Quite fitting considering this is a Subaru WRX STi, one of the most powerful four door vehicles on the market.

SP Rides: Nothing but Freedom

Originally from Jersey, Michael Horn fell in love with the Corvette after taking a cruise with his father at the young age of 4 in his baby blue 1963 split window. One ride is all it took and since then, the Vette has been the dream.  

SP Rides: Blue Brilliance

Originally from Shanghai, Liu Xiang was exposed to vehicles of a certain stature and level. The car scene is very popular and there’s a focus on luxury and exotics. Known as China’s commercial and financial center, per Xiang, most of his friends in his hometown were well off — driving Lamborghinis, Mercedes and BMW.

SP Rides: Wide is the Word

Jason Helm has been surrounded by and modifying cars since he was 16 in 1989. The beginning of the import craze was just about to begin. In the early days, it was all about the Honda Accords and Preludes that were beginning to set the scene on fire.

SP Rides: All The Right Angles

Back in the 1960s, as a child, Junior Alimoot would play football in the middle of the street in his neighborhood. On occasion, he’d egg on his neighbor to bring out his Ford Anglia and do some burnouts for him and his friends. 

SP Rides: Clean and Simple

Anthony Thipphavong is an import enthusiast. It just so happens he became a Nissan enthusiast by way of calamity. Thipphavong was once the proud owner of a limited-edition Mazda Miata that just so happened to float away one day.