Did a quick run through of the LA Auto Show that occurred last month during  Thanksgiving week. Pretty much if it was a hybrid, electric, or SUV vehicle it made a debut at this show. There was a small spattering of sporty compact cars though, so all in all it was an alright show. The aftermarket area was alright and we didn't even bother stepping into the showroom of cars we would never have a chance to obtain in my lifetime. Check out the gallery after the jump  to spot what's up and coming with the North American auto industry.

Southern California is by far Porsche's biggest market, so this move makes sense. Potential Porsche pilots will test the limits of adhesion on road courses, a drag strip and a skidpad wedged into the intersection of the San Diego and Harbor freeways. It'll be safer than driving on the freeway.

In addition to two road courses, the 200-foot skidpad and some low-friction surfaces, there will be off-road sections for trying out the Cayenne SUV. Also on hand will be vintage Porsches, conference rooms and a restaurant serving--we can only hope--schnitzel.

It follows an existing facility at the Silverstone circuit in the United Kingdom. Another Experience Center is planned near Porsche's new U.S. headquarters in Atlanta.

via autoweek.com

- infamousjj

Right now, DC Shoes founder/action sports star Ken Block is one of the biggest new names in motorsports. His YouTube Gymkhana videos have attracted tens of millions of views, and wherever he goes he brings a huge spotlight of automotive industry attention. Right now, his focus is on his new event – The Ken Block Gymkhana Grid Invitational, and some of the best drivers in the world have been invited to perform in the spotlight. However, there’s another side of this event that’s going to come into that same spotlight. It’s called Mass Appeal.

The Gymkhana Grid group contacted MotorMavens to help expand the reach of this event by opening Ken Block’s invitation to include the most stylish streetcars and show cars in the industry.The cars will be aggressively stanced street cars, the period correct nostalgic cars, the high performance track monsters, the rare exotics… the best of the best! Check it out if your in SoCal this Saturday. Special shout outs to livesockets!

-infamousjj

Rally Innovations presents another Dealer Showcase at the Ontario Mitsu & Subie Dealer. All cars are welcome, there will be free food and drinks, with Live DJs, models, and give aways. They're even having a STI vs EVO Dyno shoot out! That should be fun! Make sure to pass bye the Rally Innovations booth and tell them that ImportJunkiez says "HELLLLOOO"!

-infamousjj

click on photo above to view full album

special thanks to John P. and Jason F.

-infamousjj

-infamousjj

The Roach Coach Craze in LA began when Kogi's started making waves among the late night crowd, with some unfamiliar truck food. Korean tacos? Who'd have thunk - thus sparking a wave of various food trucks/catering companies mixing the traditional roach coach affair with some ethnic flair. Soon, there was a truck on every corner doling out gobs of upscale truck food that Angelenos willingly follow with a passion. Which leads us into this pinnacle event - the LA Street Food Fest.

The Los Angeles Street Food Festival occurred this past Saturday and brought together a good amount of LA food trucks in one spot for about 6 hours. Located at the LA Studios Center in Downtown LA, there were the familiar Fishlips Sushi Truck and the Grilled Cheese Truck, to the not so familiar India Jones Truck and CoolHaus Truck. Entry was $5 and most food samples ranged between $1-$6, from what we saw, so you could pretty much taste the best of a couple trucks for the amount of a full course meal at a local restaurant. Wonderful concept and for the most part did not disappoint with the amount of options available to the local foodies (30+ food vendors present!!!).

After spending the better portion of our morning here trying to fill up our bellies, we realized that the biggest gripe of the festival were the lines. The line to get in was already wrapping itself through the parking lot before the gates opened at 11am. By the time we left, it was snaking around the entire block and they ended up turning away folks hours before closing time. As if the line to get in wasn't enough, the lines inside became somewhat confusing and unbearable. Even more unbearable than just following a truck to some bar parking lot on a Saturday night. With an estimated attendance hitting far north of 10,000 people, most lines stretched 2-3 trucks past where you wanted to go, with most in line having no clue what they were in line for. Ask the internet - anything that has been posted in reference to this Food Fest will no doubt bring up the situation with the lines.

Next time this event does come around, which is said to be again later on this year, be sure to bring all of your friends and start early (before the doors even open). Each person takes a truck and orders for everyone else. Meet up in the middle and share war stories over Chinese Tacos from Don Chow's, Japanese Hot Dogs from Dogzilla and fried chicken from Ludo's. This is the only way to circumvent missing out on a truck you wanted to check out, it'll cut down your overall wait time, and will not spread out your munching time to every hour or so.

Surprisingly the truck that "started it all," the Kogi Truck, didn't join the festival. Asking around, no one really could tell us why. That, along with the absence of the infamous Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog Carts was a small let down also. Well, hopefully the good folks at the LA Street Food Fest crew can squeeze those guys in the next time around...that'd make me happy enough to go again.

-Tanker

More pics after the JUMP!

This came through last night and I haven't gotten around to posting it up, but tickets for the season opener of Formula Drift in Long Beach has just gone on sale through formuladrift.com, Ticketmaster, and the Long Beach Convention Center Box Office. The two day event will take place on April 9th & 10th along turns 9, 10, 11 of the Long Beach Grand Prix street course. Should be another great season for Formula D! Consider purchasing your tickets soon as this event has been known to sell out... (Tickets for Road Atlanta, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Infineon Raceway have also gone on sale!)

On a side note, Team Honda Research should be there with their RWD Element. You know, the Honda Element with the twin turbo Acura V6 pushing out 550hp? :drool: Count me in! Haven't heard of this monster Element? Check the video from Nation of Go that touches on THR and their Drifting Element:

Hit the split for the Gallery!