The Amazon Kindle™ is an amazing new product - and you wouldn't expect anything less from an amazing company like Amazon.com itself. It's a wireless reading device that makes use of electronic reading technology and a specially optimized high-res screen. That means you can carry your purchased books , newspapersd, blogs, and magazines around with you on the device. And with the Kindle Wispernet, you download new materials wirelessly (and free, included in the price of the Kindle) via a modern 3G 'net.
With a newly reduced price (thanks to even higher levels of production), the Kindle is even more attractive. You'll find all sorts of books available for download onto your Kindle. What's even better is that there are many for Driving Enthusiasts, all priced very atractively!
The Kindle is perfect for road warriors waiting at the airport, on the plane, or in your hotel room; track weekends when you need a break to relax or when you're in the car on the way there; or if you are just at home and want to easily and quickly pick up the spot you left in your favorite book. As a road warrior myself, I especially appreciate the ability of Kindle to quickly download new books and reading materials (even daily newspapers) when I'm away on a trip. And I don't have to carry my usual assortment of books and magazines with me!
Best Motorings are one of the greatest aspects of the hobby for Japanese car enthusiasts, but also one of the most frustrating. Why? Because it's been almost impossible to get original copies of them, and even harder to get them when they come out in Japan.
In case you're not familiar with Best Motoring, it's a monthly Japanese "car magazine" - in video form. The emphasis is on performance cars. There is usually a "battle" comparing several cars on a roadrace track. There is also testing on winding roads, on the Touge course, with drifting, and on occasion special tests such as a notable 0-300 KPH test. All the latest Japanese performance cars are tested, and occasionally they are tested against similar performance cars from Europe and North America. There is extensive in-car multiple-camera video and analysis; it's very clear which cars work better and why.
It comes in DVD form only, and that's one problem: it's region code is not compatible with 99.9%of DVD players sold in North America. DVDs worldwide are not all compatible, each geographic region has it's own "region code" and players sold in those regions can only play DVDs of the same region. So, if you want to play a DVD from Japan, you need to buy a region-free DVD player. That's not hard to do, nor is it expensive: you can get one from JList.com here in the United States. By coincidence, I bought a $30 dollar DVD player in my local food store that was unlocked. You can also find sites on the web showing how to unlock some models of players.
The drivers speak in Japanese, most of the text is in Japanese, but the performance numbers and most of the specs are all in English. Have patience and you'll learn a lot about your favorite cars.l
I've made it easier for my readers to get the real Best Motorings, as well as other videos such as Option and Hot Version as well as a large selection of Japanese magazines and books. Look at the top of my site for an Amazon store button and follow the link:
See my links for the items relevant to your particular area of interest
Read my special "how to" section about how to order on the Japanese website of Amazon (with screen-by-screen examples)
Follow the links to order.
Amazon makes it easy for you by handling the transaction - ordering is the same process as it is with any other Amazon site in the world.
Start your collection today! In my collection, I've got over 40 Best Motorings going back 10 years, as well as a large sampling of Option, Hot Version, and a number of special edition videos. My first Best Motoring was from 1998, which featured a 0-300 KPH battle of several tuner cars including Supras and GT-Rs. It was won by an 800-HP GT-R. Needless to say, I was hooked.
It's that time of year again: Driving Enthusiasts have run our last event, our race cars are put away in their garages, our helmets, suits, and shoes are put away in the closet, and this month's car magazines are all read.
In our case, the car was put away in the garage dirty from our last event - which thanks to the Texas climate was just last weekend!
Now it's time for our thoughts to turn to the meaning of the holiday and to best wishes for others.
And, thanks again to the time demands of our wonderful hobby, to last minute shopping.
I've put my gift suggestions for Driving Enthusiasts on my website under the "Store" section. Featured are books and videos I've enjoyed owning in my own library, as well as some parts and other collectible items you may enjoy for yours.
Amazon.com has started an online store devoted to automotive goods. They are building a large index of various parts, accessories, and tools. You can't order a new engine yet for your El Camino, but you can order a set of floor mats. Or a carbon fiber faux spoiler wing, for your 1987 Cavalier.
Best Motorings are one of the greatest aspects of the hobby for Japanese car enthusiasts, but also one of the most frustrating. Why? Because it's been almost impossible to get original copies of them, and even harder to get them when they come out in Japan.
