Author: Matt Haugness

Matt created ImportMeet.com in 2011 after noticing a lack of media websites dedicated exclusively to import cars. Although he's employed as an engineer and has no formal training in journalism, his skills continue to develop as the editor for the site. He enjoys writing feature car articles, technical build/project articles, and organizing events. Matt drives a 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road and a 1990 LS-swapped Mazda RX-7.

I’m happy to introduce the latest project vehicle for ImportMeet.com – my 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road! I picked up this truck in October 2017. The main reason was so that I could have a reliable/safe daily driver in the winter months and vehicle to use for events. It has significantly more storage space than any of my other vehicles and can tow a small enclosed trailer in the future. As an import enthusiast I’ve always had admiration for the Tacoma. I knew that if I ever got a truck that it would be hard to pick something different. I…

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Entering it’s fourth year, our DriftCon series held at Evergreen Speedway continues to grow both in size and scope every season. DriftCon Afterdark was no different – except for the inclusion of a significant amount of PNW rainstorms. Despite the horrible weather we almost surpassed attendance numbers from DriftCon in June which was incredible! Photos by Eddi Hughes. Video by Tony Hamblin / Hamcreatives. Text by Matt Haugness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7tm6hzUXq8 This year DriftCon Afterdark consisted of a Great 75 Car Show, Pro Am round 5 on the 3/8th’s bank, the Hoon-off Burnout Competition, and our DC Drift Games. ProAm competition was…

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One of the most labor-intensive maintenance items for an S2000 is a clutch job. It’s a long process and depending on who is performing the work it can get expensive quickly. With around 74,000 miles the clutch on my Honda S2000 was starting to show signs of being near the end of life. The engagement point was higher than stock as noted by my technician, Guillaume Marceau of Agile Concepts, during my last valve adjustment. Since it is 2001 model year it also had the notorious “Clutch Buzz” that all early AP1 owners will experience at some point or another.…

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Entering it’s fourth year, our DriftCon series held at Evergreen Speedway continues to grow both in size and scope every season. With a record number of spectators and drivers this was our largest event to date! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At46wjUaGXg Photos by Eddi Hughes, Nick Jacober, and FSX Photography. Video by Tony Hamblin / Hamstik Media. Text by Matt Haugness. This year DriftCon consisted of a Great 75 Car Show, Pro Am round 2 on the 5/8th’s bank, the Hoon-off Burnout Competition, and our DC Team Tandem Competition. For a full breakdown of the drifting competition be sure to check our sister site…

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Five years. That’s how long it has been since we took over this annual tradition. While this year was more challenging than usual we survived and a huge number of people attended. It’s our start of the show season in the NW and we’re glad to partner with Triple XXX Rootbeer to host it. Photos by Zahn Schultz and RangerRingor Foto. Video coverage by Derek Riddle / Artifact. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqgifsD2nSs This year the weather forecast called for snow the week leading up to the event. Thankfully, this didn’t happen but we did have rain, sun, and light snow throughout the day.…

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This year marked my fourth time attending the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this time the economy has improved and created a shift in the industry. Compared to years past it seemed like the primary focus of 2016 was trucks and domestic cars. Of the imports that were there most of them were exotic or European makes. Photos by Robert Haugness and Conrad Jordan. Text by Matt Haugness. Although I was a little disappointed in the lack of Asian import cars this could probably be attributed to fewer “tuner” style cars being released in general. In 2013 and…

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Holding the last large outdoor car show event of the season in September is always a gamble. With the weather in the NW being so unpredictable the success of the event hinges completely on what Mother Nature decides to do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESl2JXteuRc Photos by Kenny B. and Nick/Melissa Poirier. Text by Matt Haugness.We lucked out again this year and DriftCon Afterdark was amazing from a spectator turnout and driver standpoint. Almost 30 drivers showed up to compete in the Round 5 ProAm competition which was only bested in turnout by DriftCon in June. For a full breakdown of the drifting competition…

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A common question that you will find on S2000 forums/Facebook groups is owners asking for others to help them diagnose some strange engine noise. While there are many different things that can contribute to noises at idle the most likely culprit is the OEM timing chain tensioner. The tensioner is basically a spring loaded pin that pushes on the timing chain giving it tension. When these start to wear out they sort of sound like a card in the spokes of a bicycle and the sound is usually worse when the engine is warm. The annoying part is that it’s…

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