BIG JOHNNY PLAYER

Thanks to the lack of public transport infrastructure in the smaller towns and cities scattered throughout this country we call home, the freedom we seek during our teenage years is often based around automotive ownership. For many, that quickly leads to modification, especially in smaller cities such as Whangarei, which was, and continues to be, a real hotbed for the modified car scene. It’s a place that has always punched above its weight, especially when it comes to drifting, and, for those growing up in the thick of it, that budding scene leaves a long-lasting impression.

Born and bred there, Brad Wright was right there, soaking it all in during what you’d call the height of the scene. Brad was into anything low, loud, RWD, and obnoxious in the ported rotary sense. It just so happened that, fresh out of high school, a good mate Ryan purchased this particular FC RX-7 and was never afraid to pop the clutch and bang the lock stops.

“I’ve got so many memories of this car,” Brad tells us. “Back when gas was well under $2 a litre we would cruise around all day long getting up to all kinds of antics, many