Articles

MEDIA SPOTLIGHT: JC MEDIA WORKS

Aug 27, 2026Jesse Herbert

Justin Cerato is a highly accomplished cinematographer and photographer with over 20 years of passion and dedication to visual storytelling. What began as a hobby has evolved into a prolific career spanning thousands of hours behind the lens. A summa cum laude graduate of Bond University (2007), Justin holds a Bachelor of Film, TV & Screen Based Media, majoring in Cinematography. Since then, he has worked in head-of-department roles across feature films, commercials, music videos, photography, and short-form social media content. His extensive experience in editing, compositing, and visual effects allows him to seamlessly handle multiple roles from capture through to final mastering, even on smaller crews. Justin’s work is defined by an authentic edge and a deep appreciation for Brutalism, an aesthetic that embodies simplicity, directness, sharpness, and timelessness. This philosophy shapes his approach, resulting in bold yet understated visuals that cut through the noise. He is currently focused on creating compelling narrative-driven content and greatly enjoys his ongoing collaborations with GNTLMNCLUB and Clubhouse Works on short-form social media projects, with exciting larger-scale work on the horizon. Looking ahead, Justin aims to push creative boundaries through experimental and avant-garde techniques. He is particularly excited about exploring hybrid media, including the fusion of AI visual effects with live-action footage. Long-term, he seeks to build a stronger body of published and licensed work that tells meaningful stories for brands, artists, and publications. Get in touch with JustinInstagram: @jc_media_works (preferred) | Email: info@justincerato.comJustin’s distinctive style and technical mastery continue to elevate the Clubhouse Works spotlight series, delivering visuals that are both striking and enduring.

STATUS: THE FD3S - REBUILD

Jul 30, 2026Jesse Herbert

The FD3S rolled into REVS Rotary Performance as a clean Japanese import. 2002 model, original motor, 260,000 kilometres on the clock. No major failures yet, just the usual rotary clock ticking louder with every kilometre. Pre-emptive rebuild was the plan. Get ahead of the inevitable before a roadside grenade forced the issue. Jas had the car on the shop floor when the cooling system decided to empty itself. Full dump. Coolant everywhere. Water seal failure was the immediate call, and the teardown confirmed it. Motor out, stripped to the housings. Multiple water seal failure points showed themselves straight away. Bearings and housings worn in the classic pattern of a high-kilometre 13B that has done its time. Nothing dramatic, nothing unexpected. Just the honest wear of age and distance. That is the state of play. The rebuild starts here. Stand by for the updates. Mini doco series coming on the full strip, the upgrades, the work at REVS, and the road back for this FD3S. Photo's kindly supplied by Jas, REVS Rotary.

PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT: THRYVE MEDIA, ADELAIDE

Jul 30, 2026Jesse Herbert

Thryve Media is a rising automotive media company based in the Adelaide Hills, specialising in high-quality photography and videography that celebrates car culture. The photographer behind Thryve, Ed Eastwood, first picked up a camera over 10 years ago, focusing on nature and wildlife. After an extended break, he returned to the craft two years ago with a fresh passion for automotive and modified car photography. Today, Thryve Media is focused on creating dynamic visuals for private car owners, motorsport events, and commercial clients. With a growing emphasis on videography alongside stills, they capture everything from raw track action to lifestyle shoots that showcase cars in their natural environment. What drives the work is a deep appreciation for the personality of each car and the culture surrounding it, the intricate details, the chosen locations, the stories of the builders and owners who pour their hearts into their builds. Every image and video aims to honour those elements and present vehicles the way they deserve to be seen. Looking ahead, the goal is to grow Thryve Media into a go-to media partner for dealerships, event organisers, and enthusiasts alike. Whether it’s professional stock photography for sales, capturing unforgettable memories on and off the track, or simply helping owners show off their pride and joy, Thryve Media wants to make quality automotive content accessible and impactful. Get in touch with Thryve Media:Website: https://www.thryvemedia.com.au/Instagram: @Thryvemedia_ (DMs open) With a keen eye for detail and a genuine love for the scene, Thryve Media continues to deliver standout visuals for the Clubhouse Works spotlight series and beyond.

PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT: THRYVE MEDIA, ADELAIDE

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.