Author: Kai Her (@spoonin.ap2) - October 15th, 2024
Photographer: Kai Her; Kong Xiong (@kongo_nsx )
“Bonds are thicker than Blood.” - Brandon Kyle Goodman
I was thrilled when I found out the Import EXPO / Cali Creaming indoor car show at the Fresno convention center have been postponed to a later date. Although, I was going to attend the show anyway before the postponement, my goal was to just spectate and capture some good content to share on the site. However, when they have altered to a later date, I knew I had to get the S2000 ready for the show. That meant redialing in my ride height, double checking my brakes, and ensuring my side skirts weren’t going to fall off like it almost did when I drove it to San Jose for Wekfest.
With my newborn approaching just a little over a month old, Aimee was fine with me attending the show. So I woke up extra early, fed my daughter, washed some bottles, and made sure all was prepared for Aimee’s convenience before I left home. It was exciting to drive down south to meet the NnovatioN brothers for a long overdue indoor car show local to us. We’ve been so used to traveling to big indoor car shows up the bay and down Socal plenty of times, it almost seemed normal. Therefore, to have one next door seemed ironic, but also felt like an underwhelming drive for us since the show was only about 20 minutes away from home.
Excitement is always in the air when the NnovatioN brothers get together. Although a few of them only lives down the street from one another, life and family does get into the way (in a good way) so they barely get the opportunity to meet up and chillax at someone’s house for a barbeque or watch a game together. Everyone is incumbent to their own work and all that we really get to do to stay connected asynchronously from time to time is to message each other before heading to work and getting off work. However, we still manage to come back and update each other about our day or simply vent and share our complaints we experienced when were on the clock. It’s almost innate for us to update each other regularly when the group chat gets a bit too quiet.
I began this coverage with Goodman’s saying: “Bonds are thinker than blood” because in reality, I unknowingly feel the relationships I have built in the past decade are some of the most important I ever assembled. Newly formed relationships continue to evolve into a lifelong era of brotherhood amongst NnovatioN. The memories and moments we share together rests in our heads as we hit the replay button in wanting to go back in time to just relive those hours.
NnovatioN was never meant to be a car club when the “original four” first initiated it. We were so discouraged of ourselves after continuously losing to our competitors at big shows because we only went as a group of friends with no identity either than our Instagram handle. LOL. After some time and hearing the same award results of an annual show Simon, Kong, and I competed in, Kong brought up the idea of just coming up with a team name so next year we can have some representation that our cars could stand behind. As crazy as it sounded, Simon, Kong, Xue, and I got to the drawing board and we finally came up with the NnovatioN name.
We never really wanted to expand it further out than just the four of us because we all believe it was something for us to get by and hopefully help us attain awards. That’s what I thought it at first, at least. As time progressd, the name eventually became more than that. The NnovatioN name somewhat represented the brotherhood we shared amongst each other and it stayed like that for a good year or two. We will remind ourselves the greatest moments of achievements for us was not to win awards, but the chance to drive our cars up and down California to car shows to enjoy our time with each other and an escape from reality. Although, winning an award would be nice, I can attest we all look forward to catching up with each other and building new memories more than car festivities. We were a tight knitted group.
That is why it was hard for us (or especially me) to expand what we planted deep down into the ground already; but when things are planted, they eventually grow when you nurture it diligently. When we decide to reach out to the other car friends (now also NnovatioN brothers) on what they thought and how they felt about NnovatioN, their energy as well their personality and values just aligned with others. I know it sounds extremely corny to say it, but it’s like we were destined to just be lifelong friends. We kindly asked Tou, Mee, and Brian to see if they wanted to be a part of our brotherhood and just like that, we were now a group of seven.
Not too long after that, we reached out to Jackson as well and he committed and dug his roots in the same ground like the rest of us. However, I think he only wanted to be a part of us because he and I were rival competitors at the shows we attended before we knew each other. Jackson would say I’ll always outplace him when my S2000 and his Civic competed for the same category. So I wonder if he joined NnovatioN just to be on the winning side. LOL! That’s a bad joke! Jackson definitely joined and was sought after for the right reasons. BUT, that’s a snippet of the type of bullsh!t we entertain ourselves with when were together or chatting. Trust me, that’s just the outer layer of the onion. It’s actually worse and a lot more entertaining when we spare no feelings. Like Simon’s “rhino” wheels he spent so much money on to just get made fun of by Kong continuously. LOL!
I don’t know, but I feel like it’s an unexplainable and unknown feeling when it comes to expanding the NnovatioN brotherhood. I remembered there were people asking to see how they can be a part of NnovatioN and it was difficult to explain how it’s really not a crew, but just a group of good friends who happens to share the same interests in automotive whilst possessing the same values. Like if we don’t click and our values don’t align outside of cars, NnovatioN is probably not for you.
As I would think that this is the conclusion of our expansion with Nnovation, bonds are meant to be expanded and roots are meant to sprout. Just recently, Sua have been adopted to become an NnovatioN brother among us. Sua, we welcome you and know that your presence in the group will only ripen our bonds with each other. I personally agree with Goodman. When those bonds are well nourished and wisely chosen, those relationships can outweigh those related by blood.
This was suppose to be an Import EXPO / CALI Creaming coverage, but as I began writing, I just felt like it was a better fit to be on the Xplicit blog series. I didn’t get a chance to take a lot of photos because as soon as we staged our cars at the Import EXPO front stage, we ubered to get sushi. When we arrived, the show was nearly over and we barely had time to take more photos around the show because there were so many acquittances and old friends at the show to catch up with. By the time we had a chance to actually roam around, CALI Creaming made a 15 minute warning about the awards announcement. After the show, I wanted to grab more content, however, we met Sean (CALI Creaming) and Brett (Import EXPO) and chatted while congratulating them on their success in throwing the show in Fresno. Thereafter, Sean also wanted the NnovatioN brothers to stay behind so they can film our cars for their promotional video.
Thanks for reading all of that, but here’s are the highlights of our day!
THe Nnovation coverage / Calicreaming / Import expo
Something quite ironic about car enthusiasts is that we barely get to see our cars from a different point of view or it driven because were always the ones driving it. The amount of time, blood, sweat, and maybe even a few tears put into our builds can only be harnessed to complete the build. So it would be nice to see it driven than just parked at a show or always in our garage.
Fortunately for me, I got to see my car driven down southbound of highway 99 to the convention center because Kong thought it was be a neat idea for us to swap cars. It was quite peaceful sitting in the driver seat of Kong’s NSX as I drove it. However, it was more pleasant to see my S2000 in action rolling down the freeway in front of me. It really pays off to see all the work you have done to your build!
The bronze Mugen MF10’s have already been swapped out and back to the holy grail: the OG Desmond Regamaster EVO’s. Running a staggered fitment, the NSX looked so sexy with the white wheels.
Mee also swapped out the Ce28n’s he ran to Wekfest and was already eager to run a new set up too. Now, with some 15x8 Magnesium Blue finished Te37’s. I was planning on seeing the front Spoon Sport spoiler switched over to the few new spoilers he recently purchased. Perhaps another show, but for now, the EG Civic remained the same. Still a very beautiful set up.
If you haven’t seen the newest addition to NnovatioN, it is Sua’s very clean Integra in a green pearl finish. Sua is still running the Te37sL’s and well under way to an NnovatioN build routine. I sense a collection of wheels is about to grow!
Like the rest of the NnovatioN guys, Simon already swapped out the silver Mugen Mf10s and now currently running the matte bronze 17 inch Mugen wheels.
Another angle of the EM1 as we calmly waited in the line to enter the convention center. Simon’s car looking real proper in this angle!
The S2000 still rocking the Arms Grey/Nardo Grey Te37sL’s. The car looked purple under the shade here. The 18’s in the front and rear is my new to-go-to wheel formula!
Here is a better view of the S2000 in direct sunlight. It was about 12 p.m. during this time so the sun was at it’s highest. I’m grateful to see that the Fresno convention center is a lot easier to enter and exit. So I didn’t need to worry about maneuvering my way out after the show.
Once in awhile, Kong and I will talk about which set up looks best on the NSX. The Regas are definitely one of my personal favorites. Kong is having second thoughts about it being his prized set up. I think he still personally prefers the bronze mf10’s. Just look at how amazing these wheels look on the NSX. It definitely has my vote!
I love how OEM-plus Sua’s DA is. I can tell that he definitely babies the Integra. That thing is flawless! With the Wilwood front calipers for his brake needs, it’s a perfect late 90’s and early 2000’s look for sure.
Glad to say the S2000 made it past the driveway just fine. As the NnnovatioN brothers got out of their cars to get some fresh air while we waited to get directed into the convention center, I was occupied capturing some content; like exemplified in the photo above.
I had to reinstall the rear Spoon monoblocks because my old rotor started cracking. Since I wasn’t be able to order a new rotor on time before the show, the only last thing to do is run the big brake kit again, which was something I was avoiding since I wanted to run a different set up to the show. It’s an amazing feat on the S2000, but tedious to run when your wheel and suspension geometry aren’t the best of friends.
The S2000 looked perfect with these wheels from the side view. Also a good angle capturing the front and rear monoblocks!
A huge shout out to Brett’s and his team from Import EXPO! They directed me and the rest of the NnovatioN attendees to park front and center at their staging area. Simon’s EM1 still rocking the J-Blood bumper and First Molding hood to accompany the “rhino” bronze MF10’s.
Again, NnovatioN’s newest addition! Sua’s four door Integra! Super simple and clean! The early 90’s era continues to make a come back no matter how far we are getting away from it and Sua is holding it down!
I used to think I was a very meticulous individual when it comes to ensuring my S2000 is dust and debris free. Then I met Mee. Slowly dressing up the engine bay and double-checking the engine bay is rigorously wiped down to the tee. How do you guys feel about the Magnesium Blue Te37’s with the red?
Kong and I sharing the Import EXPO stage! The NSX just simply looked amazing with the Advance kit and the right combo to the OG Regamasters! Talk about a perfect execution.
After the show and only being a block away from the beautiful downtown Fresno buildings, we decided to do a quick photo op. Plus, it was approximately 5 p.m., so it was the perfect time to capture some pictures with some golden glare as our backdrop.
It was a great time to escape from reality for a bit to just hang out with the brothers again before driving back home to Merced. The time just flies when you’re having a good time and that’s always the case when I’m hanging out with these guys.
To summarize, it was a great time being around cars, food, and the presence of people you cherish and love. NnovatioN welcomes Sua into the family and we only hope relationships are elevated, just like how we see our builds everyday. May our bonds continue to forge the brotherhood of NnovatioN and those after us!
A huge thanks to Kong for sharing his photos with me. I didn’t take good pictures when I was inside the convention center. It was a good thing I reminded Kong to bring his camera with him. Half of the photos in the gallery are his and it made it so much easier for me when Kong is out personally taking his own photos and sharing it with me to post them on here. Thanks bro, much appreciated it.
Import EXPO and Cali Creaming, it was an honor to be at your show. We wish nothing but big successes in your future. Thank you for putting this up for the central California community and looking out on us little guys. We hope this is not the last one and next year, it’ll even be bigger and beyond what you would expect!
Lastly, check out the gallery. There were a lot of photos I didn’t include in the blog. It gets a bit repetitive with the same handful of cars since we were a bit late back from lunch to actually cover the whole venue. I’m sure you’ll enjoy browsing through them as much as I did!
Signing out and see you on the next Xplicit Series!
