Taryn Croucher I mean, whose M-I-L wouldn't want their MX-5 Rocket Bunny'd?

Slappy_Pistons CharlesChris15 Frieswiththat R34M8 Semantics.

mrwicksy Damn, that's a pretty shitty accusation to make. Nobody told me or asked me to shoot this car. I shot it because it's the first RB NA MX-5 street car that we know of and whilst overfenders aren't really my thing, I know it appeals to a lot of people. It's just a spotlight too, rather than a feature. A spotlight is simply intended as a quick look at something interesting where as a feature is far more in-depth. There's every chance that this could pop up again in the future when it's finished with bridge-ported rotary powers.

If those MX-5s were at Mondello last Sunday that you speak of, I would have shot those too.

@Drive Circles I'd imagine it's to promote oversteer. When you have just 100hp, R888s are going to be a struggle to unstick

Paddy McGrath I apologise man, it was largely tongue-in-cheek but I withdraw it nonetheless. 
I'll explain why I commented however, and where it came from. Sarcastic b*stard I may be but I'm not one to needlessly snark and snipe online.
I know websites gain more hits than they do comments, so not everyone who reads passes comment beneath articles. I know plenty of my mates read Speedhunters and we talk about it offline, but it seems like its only me from my group who comments on anything (and I was a longtime reader before I started with the comments). 
You've probably heard all this before, but offline myself and my friends worry that commercial influence holds too great a sway on journalism and culture in general, and that it's pernicious. I was raised to question everything I read and to dig further - not to the degree of paranoia or conspiracy, but just not to be spoonfed, and not to take everything at face value. Having read your stuff I can tell that you were, too.


I also know the money to run this place has to come from somewhere, and it's usually advertising. Which I'm fine with - I understand commercial activities and motivations. 
The thing is though, after a while it becomes difficult to separate the adverts from the genuine articles on here, and that's for feature cars - I'm not even talking about some of the other things seeming like a big "jolly" for the Speedhunters staff - The NASCAR trip through the EA affiliation, all the stuff you do in conjunction with various Monster drivers and so on. Rocket Bunny are a partner, and it seems that if Rocket Bunny or Mr Miura is in any way involved with a vehicle then a Speedhunters article surely beckons if its the first of any new kit. Fair enough.

In print media (I subscribe to both Evo and Rouleur and read many more) they're obliged to stick "Advertisement Feature" at the tops of articles which makes it easy on the reader to establish the motivation but there appears to be no such requirement online. Even The Guardian is guilty of blurring the lines. 

So I see an article you've written, and it features a Rocket Bunny kit and little else besides some (very cool) wheels which would likely fit under stock arches. Despite not knowing you for real I feel I've got a bit of a handle
on how you think because you put your point of view across so well. Through reading your stuff, it strikes me that you're a man who doesn't like overfenders and crazes and hype and internet fame, you do what you want and so on, and that you've an undoubted eye for detail and the little things. So I see this article and I think; out of a place of genuine respect for what you do, and based on what are basically advertorials elsewhere on here; "ah f*ck, they've got to him as well." So tongue in cheek, I said so. 
I know, I know, this isn't Pullitzer Prize-territory, "it's mucking about with cars FFS, lighten up and all that", but it's difficult for the longterm reader of this place to see past the advertorials sometimes and to not question the merits and motivations of what we see, especially when comparing how it is today with how it used to be. It's why I no longer bother with PVW anymore as it just seemed like the same old people and matey backslapping and rolling adverts. It's not come from being upset about not being involved, personally I couldn't care less, I don't care about hype or likes or internet fame. If anyone asked to feature the Caddy I'd say no. I just remember how things were and have been, that's all; and am a little sad that things have gone the way they have.

The MX-5 does sound seriously cool based on the plans though so it's nice to have had it brought to my attention, and I personaly look forward to a full feature when there's something more to it. That was why it didn't sit right with me, as Spotlight or otherwise there just didn't seem like enough done to have caught your considered eye.


I apologise once more and I hope "directions from the top" never suppress your subjectivity. If I see you about at any of the shows I'll say hello and get you a pint in (though it's all hype and air-and-wheels in the VW scene and I got tired of that, but hey, stranger things have happened.). 
I'll keep reading, and keep my trap shut to boot.

Trentworth mrwicksy Paddy McGrath I appreciate you guys taking your time to elaborate your points and raise your concerns. I do think transparency is hugely important, especially as media continues to transfer online. 

I guess I can only speak for myself - I only concern myself with my own work and responsibilities around here - but I honestly can't recall ever been asked or instructed to do a story to appease a partner on Speedhunters. I've wrote stories of my own choosing that happened to feature a sponsor (we can get access to information much easier if there's already a relationship in place) and I've wrote stories about companies who would become sponsors or partners further down the line. I know there's a difference between a sponsor and partner, but I couldn't tell you what it is. It's not my business. 

Each month, I pitch some story ideas to the editor, some get accepted, some get rejected and I work from there. I pitch these stories with consideration to what cars or events I might have access to that month. I've pretty strong opinions about what I think should or shouldn't be featured here, so I tend to lean towards more humble and home built cars, but every now and then I like to check out something different as well. It can be really difficult because I know that I personally put a lot of myself into every feature shoot and every story I write, I don't just do something for the sake of it. Sometimes people love it, sometimes people shit on you for no apparent reason which really sucks but you just have to get on with it.

On reflection, choosing this car to spotlight (I originally pitched to spotlight it back in January but the car wasn't finished at the time, but I knew it was being built), I wouldn't change my mind to shoot it again if I had the choice. It's simple and pretty basic but it's an interesting car. 

I've always said that the beauty of Speedhunters is that we will showcase pretty much anything interesting and I would hate us to become biased to one particular style or automotive sub-culture. As such, we're going to post cars you hate and post cars you love. It's just the way it has been and will always be. 

That being said, I'm glad we have readers like yourselves and others who keep us in line, so to speak. If you ever think we're veering off course, absolutely shout at us and call us out on our shit. We don't always get it right, but I can promise you that we always try our best. 

If you ever have any questions, my e-mail is at the bottom of every post I write. Feel free to use it at any time. Again, thank you for coming here and contributing.