My Journey into Car Culture
I’ve been into cars for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was absolutely hooked on Formula 1. Every weekend, without fail. I knew every driver, every team, every stat. My family was blown away by how much information I retained, and to this day, my aunt still brings it up!
As cliché as it may sound, it was clear from early on that cars would become a serious passion of mine. It felt like I had petrol in my veins from the start.
Like many kids, I dreamed of becoming a racing driver or working in motorsport in some way. But realistically, that dream was out of reach. Motorsport simply wasn’t something my family could afford. Instead, we found another outlet: racing R/C stock cars. I was part of a team with my dad and my uncle, who had a hugely successful run, winning major titles. I raced for 17 years myself, with a few wins and one near-miss at a Junior World title in 2006, where I came in second.
Around the same time I started learning to drive, the car modification scene exploded, with the influence of Max Power, The Fast and the Furious, Need for Speed: Underground, and Midnight Club, everything about import tuners, modded builds, and street culture was suddenly mainstream. I was instantly hooked. And as my interest in R/C cars faded, I found myself getting more and more into the real thing.
As Instagram began taking off, I started getting noticed under the alias @v17uxy and my Audi A3, and it quickly became clear that this was my new direction. I left R/C cars behind and threw myself fully into the car scene and I’ve never looked back!
Over the years, I’ve become known in the UK car scene for my Audi A3 and Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R, traveling to shows across the country and soaking up the atmosphere that makes this culture so addictive. I’ve worked with some of the biggest brands in the scene, picked up awards at events, and even ran my own small clothing brand (Illusive Automotive).
Option 51 was born out of that experience and my desire to give something back. Whether you’re building your first car or just looking for some fresh inspiration, my goal is to share everything I’ve learned and help you bring your vision to life.
Because I’ve been there. Back when social media was just starting to take off, it was different…..now, with Instagram and TikTok dominating the scene, things can feel toxic. Sub-par builds get mocked, people are bullied in videos, and some are even driven to sell their pride and joy and walk away from the scene entirely. And that’s heart-breaking.
For me, the car scene isn’t just a hobby – It’s a way of life! I couldn’t imagine being without it.
I’ve poured my heart into this project, and I hope it connects with you. If you have any questions, feedback, or just want to reach out, feel free to drop me a message through the contact form.
Hope to see you at a show soon.
Danny x
@s15.vxy