Hey guys! I guess it would be a good idea to kick things off with a bit of an introduction, so here goes. Following up on Yogi’s warm welcome, my name is Taryn and I live in New Zealand. I know a lot of people reading this probably won’t know very much about my country, let alone our automotive scene and what goes on here ‘down under’. So during my time blogging on here I’m going to do my best to give you guys a bit of an insight into our culture and what we are all about.

I don’t think I’m really what you would describe as the ‘average’ car enthusiast. While most other females in their early twenties are busy doing regular girl stuff, I prefer to spend my time modifying my car, going to meets and daydreaming about wheel fitment. I also write a column in New Zealand’s biggest selling automotive publication New Zealand Performance Car magazine (Speedhunters #2 Automotive Magazine of 2011!) and run my blog iheartstance.com

Here are a few NZ cars that have made their mark on the international scene that you might recognise…

Joel from C’s Garage’s Onevia. Drift stance at it’s best!

If you haven’t seen Mad Mike’s FD before, there must be something wrong with you!

Hugo McLean’s bad-ass formerly F20C-powered, now 13B AE85 is always stirring up the haters. This is actually an older photo but I’m hoping to take some updated ones in the near future.

Last year I got the opportunity to travel to Japan, where RWB founder Nakai-san invited to the Idlers games and showed us through the RWB Workshop.

I was also able to meet up with Toshi-san and see his beautiful 993 Rough Rhythm!

As for what I drive, back in 2009 I went through a bB/xB phase but after a year of having my bB I found myself wanting more, and as I became more interested in JDM and drift culture I ditched the bB and bought a white Miata/MX-5.

I’ve owned my convertible for over a year now and have well and truly fallen in love with it – you can read up a bit more about it here. The above photo is from earlier last year – credit to David from DA Images.

… and this is how my MX-5 sits at the moment. Looking nice and clean after a new coat of paint! Here is some recent video footage, a big thank-you to Ben and David for putting this together:

Plans for 2012 include a new wheel set-up, new cage and I’m definitely going to need a Project G ‘G-string’ top in my life soon too. Japanese cars are my main passion, but I do also have a big soft spot for classic American cars and lowriders. Last year my partner and I restored this ’67 Fastback Impala which is our pride and joy…

That’s pretty much it about me, so thanks for reading and see you soon with some more of New Zealand’s finest and flushest!

T x