Sydney Daikoku PA — Motorvated

From not wanting to leave the comfort of my home to not wanting to leave the car meet, this Friday Night Catch Up was everything I wanted to see and more.

There’s nothing like the first time at a good event. Everything is new and exciting; and from a photographers point of view, a new location is gold! It’s moments like these that keep us coming back.

Annual events are usually worth getting excited for but this weekly meet up in an open carpark under an overhead concrete train line is just as good for a first timer. Of course, I’m referring to Friday Night Catch Up, Sydney’s equivalent of the Daikoku PA meet in Japan. Organised by talented photographer Joseph Hui and held at the Kellyville TWay in Sydney’s Northwest. It’s definately worth a visit!

After a long week at work, the last thing I wanted to do on a Friday night was head out into the cold to a meet I knew little about. Being my first visit to the catch up I knew it would totally be worth it, especially seeing what cars are displayed each week.

Joe posts photos of each Friday Night Catch Up and they never disappoint, there’s always something different to see but nothing could’ve prepared me for the people I met that night.

The only thing that could’ve made the drive there better was if I was driving something exciting. I decided to leave the Torana at home because of (A) the uncertain weather and (B) because I wasn’t sure what the crowd was like. Some crowds like attention and some of that attention is unwanted. Thankfully there wasn’t anyone out to ruin it for everyone. All it takes is one showoff to spin some tyres and boom it’s all over.

As I pulled into the Tway at 8pm I was admiring the huge open carpark and overhead concrete structure, a great back drop for some photography. I then realised that there were maybe 8 cars parked up. Despite the few cars, one captured my attention instantly, the B310 wagon. How sick is this thing. The owner is @malidrift and it sill runs an A12. The brakes have been upgraded and now sports a 5 stud pattern wearing none other than 15” Ford snowflakes! It’s a little rough but I love it!

Before too long the Humble crew rolled in. This was when I was able to recognise the Friday Night Catch Up from Joseph Hui’s photos. These guys were absolute legends. I was lining up a shot because it looked cool how they were all catching up chatting in front of the cars when one of the guys yells out “oi! get out of the way, he’s trying to take a photo” haha this cracked me up but I told them to please stay, they were the main subject of my photo. I spoke to a few of these guys throughout the night. Top blokes From modded Evo owners to the rare Corolla II GP. There are only 3 in the country! It runs a 20 valve 4age, has the shape of an AE82 with pop up headlights that make you think AE86. This thing was a real mind fk at first glance.

I’d really love to get more shots of this little beast! Definitely one of the favourites.

As time went on, more and more cars rocked up and I was able to get a real sense of Joseph’s goal for the meet, Sydney’s equivalent of Daikoku PA. I’ve never been to Japan and really want to go so I have to send a huge thanks to Joe for creating this epic meet every week. While there were mostly JDM cars around, I’d have no issues driving the Torana on my next visit.