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Eurotuner Events

Wustefest 2008 - Photo Gallery

Wustefest 2008 - Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery: Wustefest 2008 - Event Coverage - Photos of BMWs, Volkswagens and Minis - Eurotuner Magazine

Tokyo Auto Salon - Event Coverage

Tokyo Auto Salon - Event Coverage
When faced by a large enemy force, it's best to have reliable intelligence about the size and strength of the opposition. This is the attitude we adopt when dealing with the deadly hordes of import fanatics who populate our streets, the show scene and even the offices in which we work. We share our space with the team from Super Street magazine and hear them talk in hushed tones about the temple at which they worship: the Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS). It's where all the hardcore JDM tuners assemble on home territory to flex their collective muscle. And there was plenty of muscle to flex. The show saw the first outing in modified form of the new Mitsubishi Evo X, Subaru Impreza STi and Nissan Skyline. All of these represent a real threat to European dominance of the prestige performance market, so it was imperative for us to get to know the enemy. All three cars are a significant step forward over their predecessors, although all are visually challenging as well, raising a question over their long-term success. For a performance perspective, we were able to drive the Evo and STI at a Yokohama tire testing session a few days later, and you can read about that elsewhere in this issue. We made our first raid behind enemy lines last year (et 4/07) when Yokohama invited us to sample its tires and visit the Auto Salon. We got to repeat the insurgency this year and the good news is that while TAS was crammed with the latest Japanese performance cars, the Euros have a firm foothold. It seems nobody can resist a quality European car. BMW was the dominant marque, although Mercedes with minimal mods were also plentiful. However, Audis were thin on the ground and VW was almost non-existent - surprising in a land where the hatchback is king, but it's possible the domestic products offer sufficient value and performance to prevent the GTI making a significant impression on the tuner market over there. Our thanks once again to Yokohama Tires for treating us like royalty. You can read more about our fascinating trip to Japan, including the heated toilets and wine-filled hot spa, in the blogs section at www.eurotuner.com Sleeping With The Enemy
Just when we thought we had the measure of the import infidels, a new crop of cars comes from Japan to provide new ammunition against us. Top of the list must be the new Nissan Skyline GT-R. With its 480hp twin-turbo V6, it's going to cause Porsche owners a headache. But at $70k, who wants a Nissan badge on the back? The new Impreza STi boasts 305hp from its 2.5 liter motor and a high-tech AWD system. But at $36k and with a face only a mother could love, it'll be interesting to see how this car catches on. The Evo X is also completely new. Its 295hp motor and AWD chassis are revised but the Evo's lost its hard edge and may again suffer from a loss of focus. All three cars were well presented at TAS and it won't be long before we're seeing modified versions in the US, so beware.
Photo Gallery: Tokyo Auto Salon - Event Coverage - Eurotuner Magazine

Yokohama Tire Test - Motegi Twin Ring Track

Yokohama Tire Test - Motegi Twin Ring Track
Flying all the way to Japan to sample performance tires may seem excessive, but many products feel better in the environment they were intended for. Small European hatchbacks, for example, feel better on twisting Alpine roads than on eight-lane freeways. And fish 'n chips can only be fully appreciated eaten out of newspaper in the rain. So it was that we found ourselves at Twin Ring Motegi. Owned and built by Honda, the track is 4.8km (2.983 miles) in length and can be split into oval and road courses. However, we were destined for something that looked suspiciously like a kart track. Nomatter, we were in Japan and the assembled test vehicles were mouthwatering. Yokohama had gathered several of its loyal partners to illustrate its tires' abilities. Top of the list were our friends from Studie AG, whose 335i can be found in this issue - and this E92 M3 will be featured soon. Studie brought a Schnitzer Mini Cooper S as well, which looked better suited to the twisty track. As did the latest Impreza STi from HKS, and the new Evo X from Cusco. Additionally, Auto EXE supplied a modified Mazda 3 and RX-8. It soon became apparent the Studie M3 was the pick of the bunch, with even the import journalists fighting to get behind the wheel, amazed at its power and poise. In reality, 414hp was too much for the tiny track. The extra grip afforded by the Schnitzer suspension and sticky Yokohama Advan Sport tires meant the limits were exceptionally high. With 275/30-20s on the rear axle, you had to be brutal to make them let go. But once they hooked up again, you found yourself over-committed to the next corner. The Mini was the ideal companion for this track. It's turbo motor could unstick the 205/45-17 Yokohama S.drive tires easily, but its momentum was more controllable. Braking power was enormous and the turn-in was razor sharp - making your neck ache from the forces. The Studie Mini really proved just how good the entry-level S.drive tires could be. The Auto EXE Mazda 3 gave the Mini a run for its money. It had a softer chassis but also a fluidity that made it a pleasure to drive. This Japanese tuner has impressive chassis skills, as its RX-8 confirmed. We'd heard so much about the Evo X and wondered if Cusco's example could live up to the hype. And in fact, it could. On grippy Advan Neova AD07 tires, the Evo was possibly quickest around the track, able to turn quicker and put its power down better than the heavier M3. However, the paddle-shift DSG gearbox started overheating after a few laps, refusing to change gear consistently. This doesn't bode well for its future as a tuner car The HKS STi was sidelined by a heavy-footed journo, so we never got to sample it in anger. The chassis work and Neova tires felt good at the lower speeds we attempted and it may have the edge over the Evo's temperamental transmission. By day's end we'd seen Yokohama's range of performance tires offer something for every occasion and every budget. Despite the excess horsepower, the rubber was never the weak link. And you can't ask for more than that!
Photo Gallery: Yokohama Tire Test - Motegi Twin Ring Track - Eurotuner Magazine

Challenge Sur Glace - Ice Racing

Challenge Sur Glace - Ice Racing
In addition to great wines, champagne and fine dining, the French have bestowed upon the world one of the greatest motorsport events ever devised; ice racing. It's been around in various forms for many years and reached its pinnacle in the 24 Hours of Chamonix - an ice racing spectacular in the French Alps. The event attracts WRC teams and top drivers like Alain Prost; a regular competitor. It's even been developed into a stadium event. In 1999 the French series went international, with races around northern Europe and Canada. This was the start of Challenge Automobile Sur Glace Du Canada. The race took place in Sherbrooke, near Montreal, Quebec. The following year the organizers partnered with Michelin and by 2001 had replaced the French T3F silhouette racers with WRC-spec Group A cars. The T3F cars returned in '03 with Alain Prost and by '05 Continental Tire was now the main sponsor. Now in its tenth year, the Challenge Sur Glace has retained its Conti backing and the organizers strive to create a family atmosphere with free entry, a carnival and ice sculptures. Support races include motorcycles, ATVs and, bizarrely, horses. We were on hand to sample Continental's latest snow tires but made the two-hour trip to Sherbrooke to experience the mid-engined T3F silhouette racers on studded tires. Several teams came from France, bringing a BMW 1-Series hatch, Fiat Grande Punto and Citroen C2. Throw in a local B5 Audi S4 and it was looking like a Euro ice-capade. During lunch I got the chance to experience the action up close, taking the seat beside Montreal resident Henri Alder in his S4. After buckling up we made small talk and I inquired about engine power: "It's only 300hp, but it's an auto," he replied, pointing to the stock gear selector, "so I can't give it much more. And I'm 63, so don't want to be shifting gears all the time!" There I was, strapped into a 300hp racecar with my grandpa who intended to steer us between towering snow banks on skinny 16x5" Continental tires that were peppered with tiny studs to cut into the ice. Without time to finish my prayer, we were ushered out of the pits and into the white hell. Log on to www.eurotuner.com to find our shaky in-car footage from the experience, but it wasn't as terrifying as I'd feared. Henri's smooth style belied the chaos that ensued whenever we watched the cars from the snow banks. Of course, we didn't have a Mitsubishi Evo inches from our rear bumper either Although Henri made Sunday's final, he retired after nine laps. The big race was dominated by the visiting French teams, won by the father/son Stievenart team in their T3F Fiat Punto with mid-mounted 3.0 V6 Toyota power. They finished 20sec ahead of the BMW 1-Series in second place, and 54sec ahead of defending champion Yves Legris' V6-engined Citroen C2 in fourth. Considering the hordes of Mitsubishis and Subarus they were up against, it was a great showing for the Euros!
Photo Gallery: Challenge Sur Glace Ice Racing - Event Coverage - Eurotuner Magazine

Volkswagen TDI Cup Series Inaugural Race at Virginia International Raceway April 25-27

Volkswagen TDI Cup Series Inaugural Race at Virginia International Raceway April 25-27
Volkswagen and SCCA inaugurate a new racing series this year, featuring 30 of the newest VW Jetta TDIs driven by 30 of the youngest upcoming drivers in North America from 16-26 years of age. The cars have been lightly-prepped by VW, making modifications to the suspension, brakes and transmission. To celebrate the first race at VIR, eurotuner magazine and VWoA are leading a drive on Saturday April 26 to the racetrack from VW's new headquarters in Herndon, VA. We will meet at 7:30am and you'll get the opportunity to be one of the first visitors to check out the new facility and see VW's latest project cars, including the incredible RGTI and a new VW R32 turbo. The gathering will include a complimentary breakfast from VW and a free Driver's Gear swagbag. After the gathering, we'll head 240 miles south to VIR and witness the new drivers and cars qualify. Participants will witness the exciting first practice and qualifying at 1PM.Sunday is race day at 4PM, so why not make a weekend of it? Hang around to see how this new one-make race series unfolds. It's guaranteed to be eurotastic! Note:
Depending on the response, Volkswagen is hoping to waive VIR's admission fees for everyone who signs up for the cruise. Please register at the following link:https://www.trackdaze.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=69&Itemid=103
Photo Gallery: VW Racing Series - Volkswagen TDI Cup Series Inaugural Race at Virginia International Raceway - Eurotuner Magazine

Super Lap Battle Finals - Buttonwillow Raceway

Super Lap Battle Finals - Buttonwillow Raceway
As defending champions of Super Lap Battle '06, we had nothing but high hopes for the Euro squad in '07. But with only five competitors defending our honor at Buttonwillow Raceway, and faced with a sea of 50 imports, our chances of victory were slight.

Due to last year's victories by GMG Racing's Porsche Cup racer and 034Motorsport's World Challenge VW Jetta, the official rules were vetoed by the import community and revisions were made to exclude purpose-built race cars. With new restrictions, our boys from GMG and 034 brought different projects, but these didn't fare as well. In fact, GMG's '03 Porsche GT2 collided with a wall and didn't have enough time for a solid run. 034Motorsport brought its etGP-winning (et 1/08) '01 Audi A4 VRT, which won the AWD lap time at our Streets of Willow track day. However, tough competition from the imports meant the 645whp turbocharged Audi VR6 finished a lowly third in class. Other competitors included WRD's Mk5 GTI, which was also third in its FWD class.

The two biggest stories of the day came from the imports as the HKS-built '03 Mitsubishi Evo broke the course record and ran 5sec faster than any other competitor. Furthermore, Twins Turbo's Mazda RX7 had an engine fire caused by an oil leak during its last timed session. Even though the fire put the car out of commission, the team still managed to win its class with another record time.
If you're interested in the results from the '07 Super Lap Battle, visit www.eurotuner.com And stay tuned for details of the '08 season, which will take place at racetracks around the US, including the Long Beach Grand Prix in April.

Top three Leaderboard
TUNER	DRIVER	CLASS	TIME	CAR
1. HKS	nobuteru taniguchi	unlimited aWD	1:43.523	'03 Mi t subi shi evo
2. twins turbo	Jack Mardikian	unlimited Fr	1:48.597	' 95 Mazda rX7
3. aMSperformance	paul Gerrard	unlimited aWD	1:48.772	'04 Mi t subi shi evo
Eurotuner Leaderboard
TUNER	DRIVER	CLASS	TIME	CAR
16. 034Motorsport	Christian Miller	Limited aWD	1:57.216	'01 audi a4
24. e-racing Motorsports	Mark Kibort	Limited Fr	1:59.959	'86 porsche 928
27. GMG racing	Steve eguina	Limited Fr	2:00.299	'03 porsche Gt2
41. WrD	paul Bonaccorsi	Limited FF	2:04.561	' 06 VW Gti
52. 034Motorsport	Christian Miller	Street	2:13.098	'04 VW Jet t a

Photo Gallery: Super Lap Battle Finals - Buttonwillow Raceway

Feature Editor Samuel Du - 25th Birthday Party

Feature Editor Samuel Du - 25th Birthday Party

Photo Gallery: Feature Editor Samuel Du - 25th Birthday Party - Eurotuner Magazine

Best Of Essen - Essen Motor Show

Best Of Essen - Essen Motor Show
Unlike the SEMA show in Vegas (et 1/07), the Essen Motor Show is open to the public and runs for nine days. It really is the must-see event if you're a true European automobile enthusiast! Admittedly it's in Germany but it's easily accessible by car, plane or train, and we promise it won't disappoint you. So make plans for next year, because the show continues to impress. In fact, it's the second largest automotive show in Germany behind the Frankfurt international auto show. But unlike Frankfurt, Essen is all about Euro tuning, and there's an abundance of show and racecars as well as new parts to keep you there for days. 2007 marked the 40th anniversary of Essen. In celebration, there was a variety of cars from the history books, such as Le Mans race cars, F1, post-war classics and more. Unfortunately, limited space meant we had to avoid these and concentrate on the cars that apply to the current Euro tuning scene. Sam's Diary
People say you've seen it all after going to SEMA. And while I can somewhat agree with that, if those people were to attend Essen, they'd have a different mindset. My second consecutive year at Essen was nothing short of spectacular. It involved hanging with the guys at H&R Springs, beer, maxing out the speedometer of our rental Audi A6 Avant on the autobahn while racing a modified VW Polo, more beer, getting a first-hand look at some of the best tuned automobiles in the world, more beer and eating some of the most spectacular food I've tasted in my life, like schnitzel and wild boar. Did I mention the beer? As far as trends are concerned, flat paint is definitely reaching Europe. It also seemed as if an Audi was the car to have for '08, whether it's the new A4, TT, R8 or A5/S5. I wasn't too impressed by VW's RaVe 270 concept in the flesh. I can't seem to tell whom they're appealing to with that extravagant stereo. I also felt the Brabus Bullit was very understated. It didn't have the wow factor I experienced when I saw the photos. It's still a badass car, nonetheless. My final memory is when H&R revved the 625hp V10 in its Porsche Gemballa Mirage GT. Echoing throughout the show halls, it sounded like a fighter jet. Favorite Car
Last year, TechArt amazed me with its widebody Porsche Cayman S. This year it didn't disappoint, thanks to the GTstreet 997. Wider fenders, aggressive aerodynamics, enormous carbon wing, 20" wheels, 630hp and evil flat black paint; how can you go wrong? Matty's Diary
It doesn't take long to spot this year's theme. Whereas previous years ranged from metalflake to pastel paint or spinner wheels, in '07 it was back to basics. And that meant white, black or silver cars. I thought I'd suddenly gone color-blind, as almost every car appeared to be either black or white. Even the girls were spraying themselves in black body paint. As you'd expect from a German show, the car count was heavily in favor of the new boy on the block: the Audi R8. Companies like PPI and Abt busted a gut to get hold of this supercar and tune it to hell. This car needs only wheels and a touch of styling to take the heart-stopping ride to a new level. Favorite Car
Rieger produced this slick 335i with a slew of its own body mods, Lambo doors plus a black and orange paint job. 20x8.5" Black Oxigin rims did their best to hide 380mm Brembos.
Photo Gallery: Best Of Essen - Essen Motor Show - Eurotuner Magazine

VAG Fair - York Fairgrounds, Pennsylvania

VAG Fair - York Fairgrounds, Pennsylvania
VAG Fair. What the hell is a VAG Fair? This question crossed the minds of East Coast enthusiasts as the buzz began to build for this show's maiden voyage. So what's the answer? Imagine seeing your favorite band at an intimate venue. Then imagine a BBQ with only your funniest, craziest friends. Subtract the band, add some cool VWs, add a pinch of Red Bull, a dash of style and blend for three minutes. Serve chilled. That's VAG Fair in a nutshell. The "chef" responsible for this concoction is Cory Sterling (supercharged Mk3 Jetta, et 1/08), who could be the poster boy for creative, unique, hard working, "say anything" types everywhere. If you know Cory, you understand the idea behind his show. He wanted something different; less commercial and more community-oriented, which is exactly what he achieved. york Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania served as the backdrop for this Euro shindig on a sweltering August day. Don't worry about waiting to enter; just pay the small admission fee to the nice girls standing at the gate, grab a parking spot, walk 20 feet and presto! you're in the mix. Small vendor tents lined the parking lot designated for show cars, so it was a perfect setup for checking out cars and getting a break from the sun as well. The venue was far more intimate than larger shows and VAG Fair hopes to be the perfect little stepping stone between Waterfest and H2O, and ideal for those who are tired of the politics and hassle of large shows. One of the objectives for VAG Fair was to get back to the roots of what makes the European car scene tick. It's really a simple equation: friends + fun + cars = sweet times. This theory was borne out not only by the crowd, but also by the awards themselves. Notably, the "Biggest Baller" award was shaped like a basketball and "Best Engine" was a fire truck - clever. So, what's in store for next year? Cory hopes vendors like APR and AWE will return, along with 42DD, F Squared, Red Bull, B&G Suspension and more. He even has plans for fair rides, a hot air balloon, pin-up photo booth and more tech demos. "I want to offer people more to do than just stand around," Cory said. Mission accomplished.
Photo Gallery: VAG Fair - York Fairgrounds, Pennsylvania - Eurotuner Magazine

The Goodwood Festival of Speed - Festival Of Speed

The Goodwood Festival of Speed - Festival Of Speed
We obviously don't think many of you are listening to us, because every year we drone on about events and places every Euro enthusiast should visit. In this issue you'll find a travel guide for the Nrburgring, and now we're going to tell you how to get to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. We've covered Goodwood before and told you how it's unlike anything else and that everybody should attend at least once. And this year is no exception. You really must treat yourself to a British vacation that takes in one of the very best motorsport events in the world. What makes it so special? Well, it's the unrivaled mixture of cars that really stands out, but combine that with unequalled access to the cars and drivers, proximity to the track and an incredible atmosphere that make Goodwood a must-see event. History Motor racing came to Goodwood in southern England in 1936 when the Earl of March (see Rolls Royce story) held a private hillclimb in the parkland on his estate. In 1948, as the 9th Duke of Richmond, he opened the Goodwood Motor Circuit that remains in use today. The Earl's grandson Charles, the current Earl of March, decided to revive the hillclimb in 1993, and it has continued to grow in stature and popularity ever since. Held on the private road that passes in front of the Earl's country house, the course is not particularly challenging, although changing conditions and a stable block on a section of the hill have caused several incidents. The Event Held in mid-June, Friday is technically free practice for all machinery, with everything running at least once. Saturday is official practice, where every car and motorcycle runs twice. Finally, on Sunday cars run against the clock for class and outright honors, with prize-giving in the evening. However, nobody really minds who wins. Goodwood isn't a motor race; it's an occasion. It's the chance to rub shoulders with racing drivers, drink champagne on the lawn of a stately English country home and marvel at the spectacle. Few drivers turn up to win. The favorites put on a show for the crowd, stopping in front of the spectator areas to do burnouts - hearing the echo of a Ferrari V10 bouncing off the stonewalls of Goodwood House doesn't happen everyday! If the hillclimb times are announced on the public address, none of us paid much attention. We're there to experience every type of racing machine imaginable, either going up the hill in full voice, or up close in the paddock area. Spectator viewing is plentiful. We usually wander up the hill and sit on the grass banks to watch them go up and come down again. There are grandstands available but these are rather expensive and usually booked. If it should rain, though (and it generally does), you'll appreciate the cover. Last year's event changed from blue skies to torrential downpours throughout the day, making footwear a difficult choice. Our advice is to prepare for mud - anything else is a blessing. New for 2007 was the forest rally stage in the adjacent woodland, where you could literally eat their dust. Once again, the organizers got it just right. The sound of anti-lag systems crackling off the trees made it feel like a WRC event. They incorporated hairpins and jumps so the cars could really show their mettle. In between the action you could take part in the off-road driving courses in either Land Rovers or Porsche Cayennes, but most people preferred to wander the racecar paddocks or check out the display of supercars and historic sportscars. And if you tired of that, there were acres of manufacturer displays, as well as some of the best memorabilia tents you'll ever find. Oh, and there's live music on two stages all day. The Cars What's your favorite? Formula 1? Well, you could enjoy more than 32 classic and current GP cars, dating back to 1923, and going all the way up to six of the current cars from Ferrari, McLaren, Renault and Williams. There was also a class of hi-tech F1 cars that defined the sport, such as the 1.5 liter turbo cars, ground effects cars and the six-wheeled Tyrrell. No good? How about endurance racers? These dated back to 1902, including classic Bentleys and Bugattis from the '20s and '30s, through the Jags and Mercedes of the '50s, Ferraris and Fords of the '60s, Porsches from the '70s and an array of Group C Le Mans cars from the '80s. Cars like the Rothmans Porsche 962 and Silk Cut Jaguar are legendary, so to see them running is an incredible experience. Only the latest Aston Martins and the hushed Audi R10 TDI topped it. Still not what you want? How about touring cars? From the '70s Group 5 BMW 2002, Porsche 935 and BMW 3.0 CSL Batmobile, to the '80s DTM Mercedes 190 and BMW M3 to the latest BMW 320si WTCC, they had it all. On the rally stage they went from classics of the '60s, through the awesome Group B cars to the giants of the WRC. Even Colin McRae brought out his own purpose-built R4 rally car in one of his last public appearances. In addition, there were classes for the latest supercars, Indy Cars old and new, World Superbikes and CanAm racers. There was even a class for the incredibly powerful Pikes Peak racers. Not enough? How about a cycle race featuring racers like Jenson Button, Damon Hill, Troy Bayliss, Alan McNish and Mark Webber? There simply isn't space to list all the activities, so check out the website for details of this year's event as they're announced (www.goodwood.co.uk/fos). As the weekend approaches, more and more names are added to the Festival, guaranteeing a great weekend. During our visit they'd persuaded Lewis Hamilton to drive his McLaren up the hill, which increased the excitement considerably. Each year, certain manufacturers are honored. In 2007 the theme was "Spark of Genius", featuring cars, people and events that have made a difference in our lives. It also celebrated 60 years of Ferrari, and Toyota was the featured marque, with an incredible 147ft "hanging" display in front of the house supporting some its greatest motorsport machinery. Some of the money raised from sponsors and ticket sales goes to charity, so everybody wins. Getting There The nearest airport is London Gatwick, but more flights from the US go to London Heathrow. Flights in the summer are typically around $800 but book early for savings - the 2008 Festival takes place July 11-13. Goodwood is 60 miles from London and transport is limited. A rental car would be the most convenient, but the local roads are very narrow so traffic can be an issue. Allow plenty of time for delays. It's possible to take a train from London to Chichester and then catch a bus to Goodwood. The website (www.goodwood.co.uk/fos) has information about transport, accommodation, etc. Tickets are only available in advance. They sell out early, so use the above website to book. Assuming an exchange rate of $2 to one British pound, they cost approximately $60 for Friday and $100 for Saturday or Sunday. If you intend to go every day, you can get a weekend ticket for $200. If you book grandstand seats, the price is almost double, but seats are very limited, so do it now and avoid the rain. Remember: the exchange rate between the dollar and the pound fluctuates constantly. At present, the pound is very strong, so the visit will be quite expensive - consider this when buying tickets, renting a car, booking a hotel and buying food or merchandise. If the rate drops, however, the above prices could be reduced considerably. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the chance of a lifetime to experience some of the world's most incredible road- and racecars, plus some of the most significant historic vehicles in the world, all in an incredible setting. As such, we encourage you to dig deep, find the money and make the journey. We promise you won't be disappointed. And maybe we'll see you there.
Photo Gallery: The Goodwood Festival of Speed - Festival Of Speed - Eurotuner Magazine

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2008 Tokyo Auto Salon - Event

2008 Tokyo Auto Salon - Event
Auto Salon Magazine Tour
Presented By Nitto Tires, Razo And Carmate
The official '08 Turbo Magazine Tour kicked off another memorable event with Kintetsu International's arrangement of another amazing trip. It was best scribed by an attendee as "the best and easiest way to tour Japan, without getting lost, while taking full advantage of a car enthusiast's dream come true." The first two days after attempting to shake off the jetlag was dedicated toward spending some quality time at the Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS) to get well aquatinted with the newest products Japan has to offer. As we recall, it was less than two years ago that TAS was filled to the brim with manufacturers seemingly force-feeding us performance products for the 350Z. This year it was obvious that the Evo X and Skyline GT-R were now the darlings of the show. From mild to wild engines and vehicles, many of Japan's performance manufacturers came out swinging with hopes of rekindling a rather sluggish performance economy. The Evo X and R35 GT-R was just the ticket needed to rebuild the passion and spirit that help skyrocket the import market to stardom. A trip to the largest Autobacs in Japan and historical tour of the temples, along with some street vendor shopping, were just some of the highlights that filled the Tour. On day four of the Tour, Nitto Tires and RAZO joined forces to organize the first annual Drift experience at Fuji Speedway. This special event was held for those lucky individuals who attended this year's Turbo Magazine Tour. A large gathering of over 50 Turbo Tour participants made the early morning trek out to the chilly wet proving grounds at Fuji Speedway to experience a drift seminar and ride along with Japan's popular SFR Hana, Team Kabukimono and Midori drift teams. Established in 1993 under the founder Naoya Kaneko, SFR Hana and Midori have gained reputations across Japan as fast racing teams often found perfecting their skills in the treacherous mountains of Gunma and Tokyo bayside piers. Mixed among the team was Formula D competitor and Nitto sponsored Miki Ryuji of A'PEXi and Dai Yoshihara of Pacific Rim Racing. While Dai was in attendance to sign autographs and mingle with the crowd, Miki brought out his personal S14 machine as a special occasion to offer demo runs and ride alongs to the Turbo Tour attendees. Racing competitor and RE Amemiya GT300 driver Ryo Orime was on hand to take the Subaru STI, equipped with Nitto NT01 tires, to the extreme limit as he blasted through the track in a thrill-seeking ride along session. The initial plans were for the attendees to drive the Fuji Speedway track but due to the wet and rainy weather, there was an unfortunate change in plans. A quick walk around the Fuji paddock during lunchtime netted us some exciting club racing that took place the same day. Spectating on the grandstands was an unforgettable moment that even the 20-degree temperature couldn't put a damper on. If you missed this year's Turbo Tour, be sure to check out: www.kintetsu.com/autosalon/index.html. We'd like to extend a special thanks to Nitto, RAZO, Carmate and Kintetsu for another successful year.
Photo Gallery: 2008 Tokyo Auto Salon - Event - Turbo Magazine

Super Battle - Event - Turbo Magazine

Super Battle - Event - Turbo Magazine
Rev Speed invades the historic Tsukuba Circuit with their '07 Winter Time Attack Super Battle. My first impression of the participants at this event was, take the majority of the best tuner cars from last year's Tokyo Auto Salon and put them in a head-to-head battle to get the quickest time at Tsukuba. Unlike the Tokyo Auto Salon, where everyone's car is spotless and motionless, this event has everyone prove they're worthy of their reputation of being a tuning god by hitting the track. Also included in this Super Battle were a group of Aussies, who brought their best vehicles and drivers from the land Down Under. The Rev Speed Super Battle was broken up into two categories: the Open Class and the Street Class. The Open Class included all-wheel drives, rotaries, rear-wheel-drive turbocharged front engines, RWD turbocharged mid-engines, RWD naturally aspirated mid-engines and front-wheel-drive front engines. Each vehicle in the Open Class had to run S tires or lower, a full rollcage and have a fire extinguisher system onboard. Street Category participants had to run radial tires, catalytic converters, retain a working air conditioning system, retain a working stereo system, retain a passenger seat, no acrylic windows, no carbon-fiber doors, no sequential transmissions and no major engine swap (a B16A to a B18C engine swap is OK to run in this class). Each class was given three 20-minute open sessions to run their quickest lap times. For safety purposes and to make sure there wasn't too much impeding traffic everyone was separated into five different groups. The first group was the first part of the Open AWD and Rotary Class. This group included the infamous M-Sport R34 GT-R, which ended up smashing the competition by over a full second, running a 54.481-second lap time. The second fastest competitor in this group was the yellow Trial Mitsubishi Evolution that stopped the clocks with a 56:094 and a straightaway speed of 216.955 KMP. The naturally aspirated RWD Autobacs AMS Yokohama S2000 set another impressive time of 57.492. In the second group of the Open AWD and Rotary Class was the super-fast yellow widebody Panspeed FD3 that managed to clock the second fastest time of the day with a 55:603-second run, which is very impressive considering it's not all-wheel drive. The Top Fuel S2000 was the first of three cars driven that day by Nob Tanaguchi. Nob and Top Fuel managed to put down a 57.506-second run with an impressive straightaway speed of 220.363 KMP. The J's Racing Honda Fit must've been experiencing some type of mechanical problems because it only reported to one out of three track sessions. The third group included the Aussie brigade. Three of the five Aussies were able to break into the infamous Tsukuba sub-1:00 mark. The Aussie team had a very impressive display of vehicles with so much attention to detail given to each. It was also amazing to see how much manufacturer support the Aussies were getting at this event. The Zero Sports Subaru Impreza with Tarzan Yamada at the wheel claimed the fastest time of 57.737 for the fourth group, which was expected since they were the only Open Class vehicle in this group. Prodrive Japan came in with the second fastest time for this group at 101.352 with their GDB Impreza street car. Knight Sports Engineering gave Prodrive some pretty close competition with their fastest time of 102.139 in their Street Class Mazda RX-7 FD3. The fifth group was filled with just street cars, but they did have one competitor break into the sub-1:00 mark. This competitor was an Evo from MK Sports with, yet again, Tarzan behind the wheel. It was amazing to see the cars from last year's Tokyo Auto Salon in action. Not only do they look really good, but these cars can also haul some serious ass. Another amazing aspect is how low these vehicles were setup for Tsukuba. The majority of the Open Class cars were setup so low that when they were making a few of the tighter turns their front diffusers were scraping the ground. The Rev Speed Time Attack Super Battle is very serious business here in Japan. There was so much manufacturer support from brake companies and tire companies to tuning companies-all with their key people out there tweaking their cars.
Photo Gallery: Super Battle - Turbo Magazine

Road Race Diary - Super Lap Battle - Turbo Magazine

Road Race Diary - Super Lap Battle - Turbo Magazine
Editor's Note
Torn, battered and bruised, the GST Motorsports Subaru GC8 rumbled into the paddock just completing its second run session of the day. Posting an impressive 1:50 lap time, the Subie managed to squeak into fourth place. The deafening roar of the boxer engine came to an abrupt halt as a handful of the team quickly went to work making the necessary adjustments on the Subie's suspension, while the rest focused on repairing the passenger-side front end that encountered damage on the track just seconds before. GOTO:Racing's Brian Lock, who is in charge of piloting the GST time attack machine, quickly unsheathed his helmet and yelled out the window, "Does anyone know our lap times?" Team/shop owner Mike Warfield quickly responded "1:50." As Lock analyzed the data from his run, the team continued to work on the vehicle in preparation for the next session while Mike attempted to keep the group organized and levelheaded, knowing the chaos that was sure to ensue throughout the day. The story you are about to read is seen through the eyes of Mike Warfield as we turn back the hands of time and follow this team and driver as they prepare the GST Motorsports Subaru for the inaugural Super Lap Battle. Mike's personal diary is filled with many of the highlights as well as disappointments that make the world of motorsports what it is today. Nothing is as easy as it seems. It all started with a phone call from Source Interlink Media's Elliot Moran back in August inviting us to compete in their annual Super Lap Battle at Buttonwillow Raceway on Nov. 7. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Source InterlinkMedia invite-only event, it's an event for the top time attack teams/cars in the U.S. where the best domestic-based U.S. and JDM teams are attracted. This year it was rumored that arguably the fastest time attack car in the world, the HKS CT230R Evo, would be in attendance. Over the past two to three years Buttonwillow's CW13 track configuration has become the U.S. equivalent to the renowned Tsukuba track in Japan, where our times are used to measure and rank us in the U.S. Our preparation began in late September on the way home from the Tuner Shootout event in Las Vegas after we went head-to-head with AMS's awesome Evo. At that event, we were beaten by just over a second on a 4.5-mile course and realized that while our car had been very successful at West Coast events, we were seriously underpowered when going up against cars like the AMS Evo. We were running a low-compression Cosworth motor with a Garrett GT30r turbo and knew that in order to be able to compete with the top cars we'd need to step up to the GT35r's horsepower. So the GST crew agreed that we needed to do something with the motor to help with the additional lag. This was sorted rather easily with a quick call to Nickolaus DiBlasi of JE Pistons where we had a custom set of 10:1 compression pistons for our Cosworth motor on the way. Another issue we had been fighting since building the car was the balance between needing to run fairly wide sticky tires and our inability to run a suitable ride height due to the clearance issues the 275s presented us with. In stepped our driver Brian Lock of GOTO:Racing, who with much deliberation worked out a way to remove the material from the fenders allowing us to bring the cars ride height down to where we needed it. A quick search on the Internet and we were able to find a suitable bolt-on fender flare to keep the aesthetic impact at a minimum. With the new motor built, we proceeded to dyno tune the car. The new piston and turbo setup didn't disappoint; we managed to make an additional 100 whp over what we were running-with no loss in spool and better shift response. Now we were ready to test the car and work out the fresh chassis setup with the new ride height. With the Super Lap Battle less than two weeks away, the only track time we could find was at Thunderhill with the folks from Hooked on Driving. Although an HPDE day was less than optimal, it would prove good enough for a shakedown on the new motor, as well as provide us with some time to set up the chassis. The test day went without an issue and we felt comfortable that we only improved the car's overall performance. Brian was able to run consistent times in heavy traffic, reporting back that the car was much easier to drive with the newly improved chassis setup. We were ready for the Super Lap Battle. With the remaining days prior to the event, it became one big blur of final prep. All fluids were changed, bodywork was cleaned up and before we knew it, it was the night before the event. We closed up shop, loaded the rig and set out for our three and a half hour drive to Buttonwillow. The crew and car arrived at the Motel 6 off of the I-5 at around 1 a.m. and bedded down for five hours of sleep so we could be at the track gates when they open at 7 a.m. With our partners from GOTO:Racing, we got the rig setup and ready for the days activities and sent the car off to tech. Tech was a fairly straightforward process with the steward taking a quick look over the car and the log book. Now we were ready for the first practice session that would determine our run group. With Brian settled in the car, the crew moved to the pit wall where we would communicate with him over the in-car radio system. The warm-up and first hot lap went without incident with Brian running a low 1:50. As Brian started to push things a little harder on the second hot lap, he overcooked his turn-in coming out of Talladega, which sent him straight off in excess of 120 mph. As he made his way back to the pits, the crew prepared themselves for the worst. Upon inspection, the damage while aesthetically bad, wasn't too bad mechanically with only the passenger side of the front splitter, fender and headlight damaged. As the crew thrashed to get the repairs complete prior to the first timed session, Brian went over the data from our AIM dash and reported that the spring rates we were running were too stiff for a bumpy track like Buttonwillow. He was struggling to keep on the gas with the amount of understeer created from bump correction during cornering. With time to do no more than repair the damages to the car, we worked on softening the shocks as much as we could as well as taking out a little wing to help the car rotate a little better. During the first timed session, reports were coming in on some of the other competitors and to no surprise the HKS CT230R was running a low 1:44. If you haven't seen this car in person before, let me tell you that the engineering work is simply first-class. The attention to detail on every aspect of the car is awe-inspiring. You could quite easily imagine it equally at home on a concourse or racetrack-a shear work of art and every bit as fast as it looks. From what we could tell, the next fastest car was the Twins Turbo third-generation RX-7 with the AMS Evo a couple of tenths behind it and then us about five-tenths back. We needed to push harder in the next session. As the day progressed, so upped the temperature. We felt confident we had improved the car and were ready to knock some time off our mid 1:49 that we set earlier and see if we could get the second place overall. We conceded that short of strapping a rocket to the car or finding a wormhole on the track there was no way we could be anywhere close to the now mid 1:43 that the HKS car was running. As luck would have it, neither of the two cars in front of us were able to manage times as fast as they did in the first session, so we felt confident we could bring home second place. With Brian now out on track, we sat eagerly watching our stopwatches. His first hot lap was a low 1:50; things looked promising. The second lap was another mid 1:49. I radioed Brian to let him know his times and gave him some encouragement to try and clip the eight-tenths we needed for second place. Brian drove the car as hard as he could but our luck had run out with the setup being simply too stiff for the track. Brian unwillingly had to get off the power and fight the understeer too much; he was only able to run a low 1:49. As the crew headed back to the rig to greet Brian, everyone agreed that considering the competition and having the ill-handling car, fourth place was nothing to be disappointed about. After all, we managed to go over a second faster than we've ever previously gone at this track. With the rig all packed up and the team back on the road to the shop, we started to discuss what we needed to do to the car for the weekend's event, the Redline Time Attack Finals at Laguna Seca. We discussed how we would be able to make the car pass the strict 92dB sound limit, but that's another story. While this one didn't end with the win we all wanted, everyone was very encouraged with the way the crew and driver managed to keep the car on track and improve our times steadily over the course of the day. As the saying goes, "We'll get 'em next time!"
Photo Gallery: Road Race Diary - Turbo Magazine

Sema 2007 - Event

Sema 2007 - Event
The numbers game that is SEMA is nothing short of mind-boggling. Two million square feet of automotive excess divided up into 11 sections. More than 2,000 new products including parts, tools and accessories are beholden upon a good 100,000 or so SEMA-goers. More than 100 countries' worth of industry leaders, movers, shakers, even those not so inclined to lead, move or shake, roam the city of sin's convention center depths in search of what they-and those pushing it-consider the next big thing, which indelibly ranges from anything from silly donk accessories to the not so silly go-fast bits we usually seem to rave over. Much goes on at the industry-only, once-a-year Vegas-based gala-like event, but as usual, what we care most about are the parts.
Photo Gallery: Sema 2007 - Turbo Magazine

Coming Of Age: 50 years of JDM - Event

Coming Of Age: 50 years of JDM - Event
What makes a classic car a classic car? Are the qualifications simply that of age or is there more to it? If the cutoff point is, say, 1969, then does that make the '73 Civic modern? Must classic cars be antiquated through and through. Are carburetors, manual windows and lap belts prerogatives and, if that's the case, will EFI conversions, split-entry turbochargers and four-wheel disc brake conversions ban such contraptions from the halls of the classics forever. If a tree falls in the forest and nobody's around to hear it, does it still make a noise? The definition of a classic car is open to interpretation. But not to the Japanese Classic Car Show Association, or JCCS for short. Their rules are hard and fast albeit simple: eligible cars must be Japanese in origin and pre-1985 produced. The lack of rules leaves much open to interpretation, helping make JCCS' annual classic car show the success that it is. JCCS is coming of age, with its Long Beach, California-based, October 2007 event tallying up more than 300 cars on display and several thousand spectators trickling in and out throughout the day. And with support from OEMs like Mazda, Nissan and Toyota, it's arguably become the biggest, small car show around. Privateers drove and trailered in just about anything from mint 510s, new-looking Starions, showroom-worthy Zs and '73 240s fitted with VQ35DEs, while OEMs like Mazda cracked open the museum cases and brought out such greats as the '67 Cosmo, which, for those that don't know, was the first twin-rotor production car ever. Festivities in celebration of Toyota's and Mazda's milestone anniversaries-50 years for Toyota in the U.S. and 40 years of rotaries-were also held. We even saw Jay Leno roaming around. Not all JCCS cars are show queens, which is arguably what makes the event as enjoyable as it is. Daily drivers-both former and current-and track cars also occupy their own sizable pieces of the show. There was even room left over for the obligatory, beat-down rust buckets, which just goes to show you how serious JCCS is about their rules, or perhaps lack of them.
Photo Gallery: Coming Of Age: 50 years of JDM - Turbo Magazine

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Body Kit Buyer's Guide - March 2008

Body Kit Buyer's Guide - March 2008
Looks are everything when it comes to your ride. Since the prospects of taking your daily commuter or even show car out to a track are slim, you should always select the best looking body kit or accessories your credit card can afford. Have a gander at our picks of the freshest kits available for your car, new or old, and let the makeover begin. To add a little excitement to our guide, we photographed the tightest body we knew of: Kylah's. A word of advice: Be sure to save some money for the paint job (you know who you are).
Photo Gallery: Body Kit Buyer's Guide - March 2008 - Super Street Magazine

New Import Car Products - Upgrade

New Import Car Products - Upgrade
Product of the Month Who: MSD Ignition
What: Dashhawk
Rides: Any OBDII-equipped vehicle
Source: www.msdignition.com
Most, if not all, cars these days have what we call "idiot lights" on them. By the time these warning lights come on, "D'oh!" It's too late. Now, you are left on the side of the road like Nads' oil-bleeding RSX. With the MSD Dashhawk, basic data- like engine speed and temperature- are available. However, the Dashhawk will provide you with detailed data that your vehicle's gauges cannot, such as timing advance, intake air temperature, mass air flow and much more! It can also log quarter-mile times/e.t. with 60 ft. and 1/8-mile splits, as well as 0-60 mph information and rpm, in addition to an audio visual alarm that can be used to warn you for perimeters beyond suitable ranges. Best of all, there's a data-logging capability that can record up to five or more than 75 choices parameters at one time. They can then be uploaded to a PC, viewed on a graph and played in real-time to monitor any of the five logs you choose. For those of you who still want a bit of bling, the LED backlight color can also be customized to match your dash lights.

Who: Pioneer Electronics
What: AVIC-S2 GPS navigation system
Rides: Yours
Source: www.pioneerelectronics.comMeet the ultimate portable GPS navigation unit from Pioneer. This compact navi not only provides you with up to 1.7 million points of interest in North America, but also boasts MP3 playback and Bluetooth(r) compatibility. Explore your world in 2D or 3D view modes through the 3.5-inch touch screen panel and plug in a SD card to upload music or to download information from the TeleAtlas database.

Who: Design Motorsports Engineering
What: Cat delete
Rides: Honda Fit, Mitsubishi Evo VIII/IX, Nissan 240SX, Subaru WRX
Source: www.dme-power.com; 626.968.5147
Improve exhaust flow and overall power with DME's stainless-steel cat delete, a bolt-on pipe that replaces your factory catalytic converter. This is perfect for race-only applications because constant hard driving can overheat and shorten the life of the cat. For off-road use only.

Who: K&N
What: Typhoon intake system
Rides: Honda Fit
Source: www.knfilters.com; 800.858.3333
Get the perfect fit for your Fit with K&N's Typhoon intake, a direct replacement kit for the stock airbox that will maximize airflow and performance gains of up to 5.5hp in the mid-range.

Who: Do Luck
What: Carbon fiber trunk
Rides: '02-07 Subaru Impreza, '03-07 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Source: www.do-luck.com
Do Luck's carbon trunks for the Impreza and Evolution feature an elongated tail to improve downforce and weigh considerably less than your OE lid. Each trunk retains the factory latch and keyhole.

Who: GReddy
What: Easy camshafts
Rides: Mitsubishi 4G63/4G63 MIVEC; Nissan SR20DET, RB26DETT
Source: www.greddy.com; 949.588.8300 (West Coast) or 732.432.4900 (East Coast)
Improve the torque and power of your engine, without having to change valve timing or valvetrain components with GReddy's Easy Camshafts. Enjoy a wider, more manageable powerband without the loss of drivability or idle.

Who: Magnadyne
What: Dual-zone electronic shock sensor
Rides: Any vehicle with a factory installed security system
Source: www.magnadyne.com; 800.638.3600
Add increased protection to your car's OE security sytem with Magnadyne's dual-zone electronic shock sensor kit. It connects to your factory alarm to trigger a verbal warning upon light impact or heavy force. You can adjust sensitivity with the built-in controller and each sensor can be adjusted independently to prevent false triggering.

Who: Scosche Industries
What: Custom Kit, Factory Fit installation kit
Rides: '06-up Mazda Miata
Source: www.scosche.com
Scosche's "factory fit" installation kit for the Mazda Miata can go on either a single or double DIN to accept an aftermarket head unit, is factory color-matched and even has a provision to mount the factory A/C controls.

Who: Oil Eater
What: Oil Eater cleaner/degreaser
Rides: Yours
Source: www.oileater.com; 800.528.0334
Clean off grease, oil or any other substances from your engine, tools, concrete surfaces, floormats and even upholstery with Oil Eater. A water-based cleanser, it's biodegradable, safe on skin, and rinses off easily without leaving residue.

Who: Eibach
What: EVS-Pro valve springs
Rides: Inquire
Source: www.eibach.com; 800.507.2338 ext 139
When you've mastered the fine art of crafting suspension components, why not carry on the tradition with engine parts? Eibach recently developed a line of valve springs that allow for maximum lift, as well as performance and durability. Fabrication techniques include an automated shot-peening; the warm pre-setting provides spring stability and longer life.

Who: Braille Auto Development
What: Carbon fiber batteries
Rides: Inquire
Source: www.braillebatteries.com; 941.312.5047
Braille offers up the world's only carbon fiber batteries, which can be mounted in any position without worrying about spills, while delivering (what is said to be) the highest cranking power of any racing battery.
Photo Gallery: New Import Car Products - Import & Tuner Aftermarket Products - Super Street Magazine