First of all, I’ll readily admit that I’m not normally into the ‘stance’ side of cars, I can appreciate them and how great they look sat still, but I normally favour function over form to some extent.

With the show season coming to a close and the autumn colours beginning to show, I thought, what the hell, let’s do something different. I decided to head to Players, held on an airfield in Essex. I’d seen coverage in the past and was intrigued by the builds and types of cars, but wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

When I arrived, I was greeted by car I have stalked on social media for a while now, a certain blue RX7.

If I could summon up the courage to own a rotary, I’d end up with something very close to this…

Lurking in the background was this mean looking BMW M3, belonging to Ben at Scene Media, there’s a few cars the guys run with and I really dig them all.

Not least this B10 on Volks, (I’m sure these are different wheels than I’ve seen it on before?) The car got a little hate on social media, and I just don’t get why. It’s cool, let it go.

Keeping the executive/VIP vibe, how about this pair?

Damn, the leather interior is just divine.

Stately.

Carbon fibre buckets with soft, purple trim and a cage. I guarantee you wouldn’t guess what this interior belonged to.

Any clues yet?

Yep, a low low Mini Cooper S, of course.

From what I can gather, a lot of these cars are using kits from Air Lift Performance, and they were showing off their wares in one of the hangars.

Something you definitely don’t see every day, a Rocket Bunny RX7. Awesome.

Talking of Rocket Bunny, how about this S15? Probably one of the most ‘in character’ kits I’ve seen, and I really like the colour and wheel choice too!

This was serious too, concourse clean underneath, flawless paint. Check out the carbon wheel stand, complete with centre lockers.

The interior was more of the same, carbon and sparkling paint. I approve!

This E46 M3 is a real nice example, I’m pretty sure it’s the same one we saw at Tuner Fest earlier in the year.

Got it.

Having been a passenger in one of these on the ‘ring and trying to keep up with one on the autobahn, I can appreciate the new M3 greatly. This paint choice is probably a bit ‘marmite’ to say the least, but I love it.

And the F8x platform is popular with all kinds of car enthusiasts.

This is another car I’ve seen online a few times. In person, the Liberty Walk kit just works, the JPS livery looks good on most things, all complimented by a V8 roar.

I headed into the other hangar to check out some of the show and shine cars.

More BMW goodness.

You can never just walk past an R32 GTR without a picture, they are absolutely timeless.

Well, if you say so. (probably one that our American readers might not get)

LOOK HOW SHINY IT IS! LOOK AT IT.

See, not just stance. This is a Mini with a Zcars conversion with a bike engine. Note the revs, I bet that sounds amazing.

Always good to see a fellow MK1 out and about!

I’m pretty sure this was the only Supra in attendance and boy, was it clean. One day you will be mine!

The Supra wasn’t the only JDM icon I saw either, check out this classic combination of bayside blue and bronze.

Oh yeah, midnight purple, undoubtedly one of the best colours for the R34.

<Insert dark knight comment here>

Family is important.

OK, let’s talk Porsche.

Well, there were plenty around on the day.

I’m told this is a RUF tuned car, anyone able to confirm?

I really like how clean and simple this is, despite having a lot going on in terms of suspension. The interior is all business.

I just…. There’s no words really.

This did it for me, functional, plenty of rubber, a proper driving machine.

I checked out some of the more drift orientated cars too, the E36 is a popular platform, fairly cheap to buy, easy to repair and lightweight RWD, why not?

I’m not sure if this is really one of JR’s cars, a replica or what, all I know is, it stood out and looked fit for purpose.

A polar opposite indeed. This is something I’ve seen more at shows in the US, bringing props to tell the story of the car. It’s certainly cool and creates a talking point, nice job!

More old school cool. Why don’t more cars have louvers? Oh yeah, visibility, safety something something, it looks wicked!

One thing I always like to do before leaving a show, is to wander around the car park. It may sound odd, but obviously enthusiasts have to park somewhere, and not everyone bought their stand tickets in time or thought the car was going to be ready. So sometimes you spot some cool cars.

This evo looked savage!

As did this R34, the wing game was strong with this one.

Something you definitely don’t see every day, what an iconic design, this one was amazingly clean too.

 

Well, Players, from someone who was a little on the fence about attending, you’ve converted me. I will absolutely be taking part with my car, whatever that may be in 2018 and will urge others to do the same.

There was a huge mixture of cars and styles, which is what it’s all about, seeing new things, meeting new people, all with one thing in common, cars. Keep at it guys, you’re doing a great job.

Please make sure to check out the rest of the photos HERE – there’s loads more than I could fit in one post!

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter (@starlikeuk) – if yours is one of the cars we snapped, you might see it posted there!

Thanks for reading.

Jay