Right Hand Drive Roundup 2010 – Update

Right Hand Drive Roundup 2010 – Update

Update 10/1: I received an email from someone that said an R33 GTS-t was seized in Southern California.  The car was being seized because it was imported illegally, and the DMV documents, and CHP signatures had been forged on the documentation for the vehicle.  The same inspector, the same task force.
What’s the Right Hand Drive Roundup of 2010? Good question. Something I am in the process of trying to figure out.  There have been a few cars seized by the Auto Task Force of Orange County.
Here is what I know.  Two cars were seized from an owners house. Both cars were titled in California.
Now here is where the rumors start.  There were supposedly a few other cars that have been seized locally in Southern California. I don’t have any confirmation of it, but I have heard a couple versions of the same story, that point back to the original true story. 
If you have any no bullshit stories about imported cars being seized within the last two weeks please email me – tyndago@gmail.com  . I don’t want to hear rumors of a guy, that knows a girl, that heard of a car. I want to hear from actual owners, that have had a car seized. .
As far as I can tell, this is not directly related to Kaizo.

5 Must Know Issues For Every Import Owner

5 Must Know Issues For Every Import Owner

 

Import Tuner Magazines Luke Munnell, wrote an important article on 5 important legal issues for all import and even domestic car owners. I have had a couple of cars impounded over the years. Standing on the side of the road, you won’t win the argument with the police officer.  Although honestly, I have won a few over the years.

Ever been pulled over for rolling too low or sporting too loud of an exhaust? Ever had your car impounded on suspicion of a stolen engine or missing emissions equipment, simply because there's no way for you to immediately prove the contrary? This month, our friends at SEMA's SEMA Action Network (SAN) help us address five points of vehicle legality you need to know.

• Your exhaust is probably legal.

• Your engine swap could be illegal.

• How low you can go.

• Shedding Some Light.

• 85 is the new 116.

Head over to the Import Tuner website, or better yet, pick up the issue to check out the article.  
Then:
Log onto SEMA's official enthusiast site (www.semasan.com) and join the SEMA Action Network (SAN) for free-we already have. You can research federal and state motor vehicle code, be alerted of legislation threatening automotive culture, and learn the top 10 ways to effectively communicate with lawmakers and make your opinions count-a system that's been proven to work. Most importantly, your involvement will strengthen a professional organization with government representation in all 50 states and at the federal level, whose full-time staff is committed to researching laws and legislation, constructing and passing model bills to standardize vehicle law, and defending enthusiasts' rights at all times. We have a voice. Let's make it count. www.semasan.com

Source: Import Tuner Magazine

2012 Nissan GT-R Unmasked at Nurburgring

2012 Nissan GT-R Unmasked at Nurburgring

NAGTROC posted a few pictures of the 2012 Nissan GT-R, unmasked at the Nurburgring.   Check out the post for all the pictures.

Source: NAGTROC

COBB R35 GT-R Wins Redline Time Attack Round 8

COBB R35 GT-R Wins Redline Time Attack Round 8

The COBB Tuning Motorsports GT-R once again streaked to the top of the podium at Round 8 of the Redline Time Attack at the Spring Mountain Motorsports Park. The COBB Tuning team sat 2nd, just one point adrift of first place behind the Takata Time Attack/LIC Motorsports STI. The team was able to secure first place in the AWD Modified Class and then took first in the wheel to wheel Super Session firmly putting the team in the lead in the Modified Class.
Our GT-R was perfect again showing that even at its immense weight of 3700lbs, the tight turns of Spring Mountain Raceway could not hold it back from another track record, another overall Mod win, and taking the lead in the championship. The only wrench that was thrown into the weekend was the addition of 2 inches to our front splitter. The added downforce really threw off the aero balance of the car and required the quick fabrication of a custom Gurney flap on our Aeromotions wing. The gurney flap was just what the car needed, the aero balance was fixed, and we were able to sustain over 1.7 G’s in some corners on a DOT tire!
With Brian and the GT-R holding down the top spot in the Modified Class, the team will be looking to solidify that lead at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma at the end of October.

You know it’s a hot race weekend when you need to put reflective tape on your right boot to keep from burning it. It never ceases to amaze me the dedication that the crew has to work in these types of conditions. At times this weekend the thermometer in the pits read over 109 degrees! With this heat nothing was left half done, nothing was left unchecked, and the car performed flawlessly because of that. It really is the people behind the scenes on a weekend like this that makes the difference and wins the race!

Our GT-R was perfect again showing that even at its immense weight of 3700lbs, the tight turns of Spring Mountain Raceway could not hold it back from another track record, another overall Mod win, and taking the lead in the championship. The only wrench that was thrown into the weekend was the addition of 2 inches to our front splitter. The added downforce really threw off the aero balance of the car and required the quick fabrication of a custom Gurney flap on our Aeromotions wing. The gurney flap was just what the car needed, the aero balance was fixed, and we were able to sustain over 1.7 G’s in some corners on a DOT tire!
Helping keep our brakes in check this weekend was the addition of the Willall Brake Water Spray kit. The kit, that injects water into the veins of the rotors to help keep temps in check, made a real difference. The pedal feel was extremely consistent over the longer braking zones. Normally braking from the top of 5th gear to 2nd gear requires additional pedal pressure towards the end of the braking zone due to temperature increase. With the Willall system in place this was not necessary. I can’t wait to get to a track we have tested on before and get a good before and after feel for the system; Hats off to Willall Racing for another great GT-R product.

With a our first lead in the championship all year, due to our DNF in the Super Session at Round 1, I look forward to Infineon (my home track) to increase that lead and close out the season on top. Infineon features hard transition corners (not the greatest thing for our pig of a car) and should prove challenging for me and the crew. I am confident though that we will get the setup nailed and be the car to beat again. See you there!

More Pictures from the Event:
Source: NAGTROC and COBB Blog

RIPS RB30 Powered Dragster Ready for a New Season

RIPS RB30 Powered Dragster Ready for a New Season

Rob from RIPS in New Zealand, posted up some information on his RB30 powered rail called FED.  He is trying to beat the HKS 180sx’s fastest pass of 7.18@190 mph . http://www.turbomagazine.com/events/0209tur_nhra_sport_compact_nationals/index.html

Good luck to Rob, in the coming season.  I think he might need to get the car to Australia or the US, to really show its potential.  The tracks in New Zealand, just don’t have the prep to support a car this fast. 

I'm happy with the car now, I think it looks much better than last year, we have wider rear wheels and tyres, new front and rear wings and top fuel style side deflectors, hopefully this will all help with traction and stability so we can push it much harder than we previously could.

Source: GTR.Co.UK

RB30 Engine block for sale

There is no replacement for displacement.  There really is not. You can add technology to more displacement, and you will make more power, more torque.  A popular swap for RB25/RB26 engines is to take the bottom end from an RB30 and add a RB25/26 head.  They came in a lot of different cars around the world, just nothing here in the US. Here is an RB30 block for $550.  Add some shipping, an RB26 head, and you have a good base for an engine. Do some pistons and rods, and it can be something really impressive.





Source: eBay

VIR World Challenge 2010 - What's a Redneck and where did the term come from

Team Scion shows up in the video a couple of times.  Check it out.  I was the only one to get it right.

GT-R Magazine R's Meeting from Speedhunters

Dino from Speedhunters took a trip to Fuji Speedway to attend the GT-R Magazine R' meet.  GT-R's of all vintages and varieties showed up,    The event was so big, that he had to break his coverage into mulitple posts.

Z-Tune R34 GT-R and a 400R R33 GT-R

Drag R33 GT-R

JUN R35 GT-R

Look for one like this in Fast and Furious 5

Look at all the R34 GT-R's.  Owners getting their pictures in GT-R Magazine

Mine's R34 and R35 GT-R's.

That is just a few of the dozens of pictures from the event and Dino. Head over to Speedhunters for all the pictures, and the article.



Source: Speedhunters pt1 , pt2

18 Minutes of Video from IDRC Autoclub Speedway in Fontana 9-4-10

18 minutes of random video from IDRC in Fontana, 9-4-10

2010 Jaguar XF Hybrid Exhibition Cars

As previously reported, Jaguar has been working to develop a hybrid model in response to the growing awareness for the environment, and the growing profit that will surely follow. At a Low Carbon Vehicle event in Millbrook, Jaguar presented a British-engineered flywheel hybrid XF that is rumored to come with an increase of 80 HP and a 20% fuel improvement.The prototype comes with the Flywheel

MotoIQ Pacific Tuner Car Championship Series

Mike Kojima and the guys at MotoIQ have teamed up with Redline Time Attack to introduce a new wheel to wheel race series on the west coast called the Pacific Tuner Car Championship Series.

Are you bored with track days and HDPE events? Ever wanted to see what you have and go wheel to wheel with other tuning enthusiasts? Ever wanted to see who's the best driver and who could build the best car?  Ever then go to a legal sanctioned racing event only to find that your lovingly built street car is only legal in some super unobtainable class because of your tuning and the parts you installed?  Ever then find out that you can only race if you took off 80% of your hard earned parts only to race in some boring close to stock class?

There are going to be two main classes based on power to weight ratio and tire size. Tuner Under or TU which will run a 12:1 power to weight ratio and Tuner Over or TO which will run a 8:1 power to weight ratio.

You can also take your existing race car from many popular sedan racing classes in Grand Am, SCCA or NASA and with a little tweaking, be competitive. The rules have enough flexibility that nearly any unibody equipped race car can be competitive. If you are a racer from a restrictive rules class, you will probably find it refreshing not to have to come up with risky and expensive ways around the rules.

A full Draft copy of the rules can be found on the MotoIQ site.