Articles

PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT: RICKY TRAN, ADELAIDE

Jun 29, 2026Jesse Herbert

Ricky Tran is a passionate automotive photographer whose lens captures the soul of modified cars, with a deep love for BMWs and Nissan Silvias. Over the past two years, he has invested more than 400 hours into shooting and meticulously editing images, transforming raw moments into striking visuals that celebrate car culture. Currently in his final year of high school (Year 12), Ricky balances academics with hands-on fun. He is slowly building his own E36 while still making time to enjoy the scene. His photography is driven by genuine connection, he thrives on talking with car owners, hearing their stories, and learning about their journeys. For Ricky, the greatest reward is seeing the final images come together after countless hours of work, turning passion into powerful visuals that resonate with fellow enthusiasts. Looking ahead, Ricky’s goals reflect his love for performance cars. Within the next two years, he hopes to add a BMW E-series 335i or 125i with the N54 engine to his collection, while aiming for a classic S14 Silvia (God saying that makes me feel old) in the next five years. To make this dream a reality, he plans to pursue university and secure a solid job that supports his automotive ambitions. Whether it’s the raw aggression of a modified BMW or the iconic lines of a Silvia, Ricky’s work highlights the dedication and personality behind every build. Get in touch with Ricky Instagram @rixky_tran | Email: RickyTran2nd@gmail.com | Phone: 0406 244 160 His work showcases not just cars, but the stories, late nights, and passion that define the community. Keep an eye out for more from this rising talent in the Clubhouse Works photographer spotlight series.

PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT: RICKY TRAN, ADELAIDE

STATUS: THE FD3S

Jun 23, 2026Jesse Herbert

I have owned a few cars over the years, but the FD3S has always been one of those that stays with you. This particular example is a 2002 model, imported from Japan in impeccable condition. No sunroof, factory blue paint, and still fitted with its original ETC toll machine. Small details that remind you where it came from. Under the bonnet sits the well known 13B REW twin turbo rotary. These later Series 8 cars left the factory producing 280 PS (206 kW) and 314 Nm in stock form, with the characteristic high revving nature that made the FD famous. It is paired with a 5 speed manual transmission, which is exactly how I prefer to run it. The current setup includes a Bride Zeta IV drivers seat, Works Bell Rapfix quick release, Dasai steering wheel, slotted brake rotors, Trust coilovers, and Work Meister S1 wheels. The Car Shop Glow LED tail lights and Option Howakan extras round out the look. It is a clean, usable street car that still wears its age well. The FD3S was always one of Mazdas most focused machines. Lightweight, sharp handling, and built around that unique rotary character. At just over 1,280 kg in standard form, with double wishbone suspension front and rear, it remains one of the best balanced sports cars of its era, and still sets and holds TimeAttack records around the world to this day. Right now the car is undergoing a significant amount of work. Over $30,000 worth. That story will come in future updates. For now, this is simply an introduction to the car that sits at the centre of what we do at Clubhouse Works. It is not a show queen and it is not finished. It is a living project that gets driven, modified, and documented in real time. There is something honest about these cars. They demand respect, they punish mistakes, and they reward proper maintenance. That is the kind of relationship we understand here. More to come.

A New Chapter for Clubhouse Works

Jun 18, 2026Jesse Herbert

After more than twenty years in the JDM scene, I’ve seen how things come and go. Trends, shops, cars - some last, most don’t, and some.. like 2001 sexspec, make a return. What stays is the work you put in and the culture you actually live. Clubhouse Works started as a printing service for merch, stickers, and signage, built around real JDM cars and the people who build them. We run an extensively modified FD3S and a ground-up RA23 project. We handle DTG, DTF, solvent printing, screen printing, embroidery, and vacuum forming. Nothing fancy, just honest work and a genuine love of cars... and workshop dogs! For a long time we operated quietly, focused on getting things done. Now we’re rebuilding the website with a clear direction: media and content first. The new site will be built around proper photography, detailed blogs, and features on the people who matter - the photographers documenting the scene, the car builders putting in the hours, the speed shops making reliable power, and our own ongoing projects, with the view to cover time attack news as the FD3S progresses in that direction, and the realities of building cars in Australia. Along with the new site, we’re launching a monthly email newsletter called Touge. It won’t be another generic mailing list. Think of the old Option Magazine and Drift Tengoku era, proper dispatches with early access to news, upcoming drops, event dates, and previews of the month’s blogs and features. If you want to stay properly informed, this is the way to do it. Subscription signup is required. This rebuild isn’t about chasing clout or pretending we’re something we’re not. It’s about creating a proper home for the kind of content and conversation the Adelaide JDM scene actually needs. Less noise, more substance. If you’ve been around the scene for any length of time, you already understand how this works. We’re here for the long haul, building, printing, and documenting what actually matters. Welcome to the new Clubhouse Works.

Articles

PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT: RICKY TRAN, ADELAIDE

STATUS: THE FD3S

A New Chapter for Clubhouse Works

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