Report on FENDERIST Vol.08 – BURN

The Custom Car Battle BURN, now in its third season, was held outdoors.

BURN features cars that have advanced through online voting, facing off at the venue where the winner is decided by the audience’s show of hands—“Which one looks cooler?”

Even if a car is popular on the internet, how does it hold up when seen in real life?
Isn’t it the cars that win both the online vote and the live battle that truly deserve the spotlight?
That’s the concept behind BURN.

Once again, cars from a wide range of genres were selected to battle. The participants seemed to enjoy the competition in the spirit of sportsmanship, and the crowd on site was highly energized and excited throughout.

The host explains the rules and details to the audience.

Cars waiting in line for their turn to battle.

Nini joined the competition with a flashy Celica that’s almost impossible to imagine from her cute appearance.

Makotsu, his opponent, is a well-known influencer in Japan but also a true Civic enthusiast who passionately spoke about his love for the car.

Fanta with the Altezza is an Altezza maniac, someone who has poured unwavering love into a single model to the point of reaching the realm of obsession.

This time, an unusual challenger appeared at BURN. His name is Iwashiman. He works as a self-styled hero in Tottori Prefecture. It’s rare to see hero at car events like this, but he devoted himself to finishing his beloved Toyota Sera just to participate. Perhaps because of that dedication, the atmosphere at the venue was electric. It was also the moment when the audience smiled the most.

RoseBud with the S13 is a veteran drifter with over 25 years of experience and a true messenger of the old-school style, carrying that spirit into the present.

Tetchan, with his uniquely styled Skyline, also conveyed his passion for cars to the audience.

MAD☆DOG with his RX-7 joined remotely from overseas!? (Or so it seems—could it really be true?)

His determination to stand on this stage may have been the strongest of all the participants. His RX-7 carried a distinctive concept, and it was clear how much personal effort he had put into refining it.

Yama-san’s S14 was a drift car equipped with what’s known as “haridashi-kei” (wide, protruding) aero. Back in the 1990s, this was one of the most iconic and popular styles on the Japanese streets. He is also a regular competitor at DoriDore, and his style seemed to be a big hit at FENDERIST as well.

Season 3 Champion

The champion of Season 3 was Yama-san with his SILVIA S14.

Yama-san also became the champion of DoriDore this year, and now he claimed victory at BURN as well.

Interestingly, despite ranking lowest in the online voting, he managed to capture the hearts of the audience at the venue. Surprising twists like this are part of what makes BURN so exciting.

Second place went to Makotsu-san with his CIVIC, while third place was awarded to FANTA-san with his Altezza.

After the Battle

With each season, BURN seems to grow and evolve.

Although it’s a competition, both the participants and the audience create an enjoyable atmosphere, making the entire experience feel like more than just a battle.

The audience casts their votes after hearing the owners talk about their cars, their dedication, and their approach, which sometimes makes the decision difficult. For the owners, it’s also a great opportunity to showcase their creations to a wider crowd.

While the format could feel tense, the mood remained lighthearted and fun throughout. That’s likely because everyone—both competitors and spectators—shared the same passion for car building and customization.

We’re already looking forward to the next event.

Website : Custom car battle BURN
Season 3 : Results Page

Photo by Shu, hpg, Zaru