So now that you have the tools, get on your computer and start adjusting!
You've got questions, I've got answers! Hit me up online at mailsack@superstreetonline.com w/subject "JTT" or snail mail me at Super Street, ATTN: JUST THE TIP (JTT), 831 S. Douglas St., El Segundo, CA 90245.
Ken Block And The Monster World Rally Team
Aside from providing his own stuntwork for such films as 'Gymkhana' and 'Gymkhana Two', Ken Block is what you might call an (extremely) accomplished rally driver, and this year he's joined forces with Ford Motor Company, the first American in fact, to compete in the World Rally Championship. Of course, he'll still be racing in the Rally America program and will most likely be preparing to shock the world again as the Summer X Games draws near.
RX-8 Replacement
While the NSX is admittedly a faint blip on the radar, a new RX-7 has more supporting evidence. Exhibit A is Mazda's development of the 16X Renesis rotary engine. The 1.6-liter, twin-rotor powerplant has been developed to the point where it needs a home and at 350 horsepower, the RX-7 becomes a logical landing pad. The vehicle pictured is the Karuba concept and while it has not been identified as a possible RX-7 replacement, one of the plans calls for 350-horses and a $35,000 price tag. But the economy and the joint Toyota/Subaru FT-86 may make Mazda re-calibrate and offer a $25,000, 200- to 250-horsepower version. The car will be a two-door coupe and if it comes to market, expect the RX-8 to bow out gracefully. With Subaru offering limited editions of its WRX STI on a near-weekly basis (in Japan) an up-market performance edition with the 350-horse Wankel would drop some jaws and open some wallets. The rumored timeline is a 2011 launch so start the countdown now. - EG
Outlandish Behavior
We can only best describe the new Outlander GT from Mitsubishi as the sorta-Lancer Evo X-but-more-like-an-SUV because it uses an AWD system derived from its sportier brethren. Sadly, it does not retain the turbocharged goodness the 4B11 receives, but the MIVEC 3.0L V6 it does come with, has a surprising amount of "go" with 230hp and 215lb-ft and it also gets the best-looking instrument cluster of the family with an all-new high-contrast display we're hoping will fit into our Ralliart Sportback. We recently took the Outlander GT out for a test run and happily watched as Carter Jung from Import Tuner lodged one in the sand (along with our other Source Interlink cohort, Motor Trend's Ed Loh), then frolicked with a few tuned Evo Xs and Ralliarts when we got tired of waiting for an Outlander GT to be freed from the off-road course. Sporty and luxurious at the same time, we're glad someone at Mitsubishi finally decided to add USB to the mix so we can finally ditch the RCA cable for our iPods. Now only if someone could do the honors of approving a turbocharged 4B11 into the engine bay...
Source: www.mitsubishicars.com
Net news ...
How Can We Be Down?
It's no secret that Pirelli drops a collector's item calendar each year and this year is no exception with the controversial Terry Richardson behind the lens for 2010. Already selling for mega wads of cash on eBay for this extremely NSFW and rated-R spread of 12 betties, even we would pay handsomely for a hard copy of our very own. Think you can track one down? Let us know!
Source: http://www.pirelli.com/web/media/communication/calendar/cal-10/default.page
Now That's Deep
Rays Engineering is bringing back a classic in an all-new format, this time giving those of you who want a nice dish out of a small diameter wheel with the TE37V. They're perfect for those of you with the old school rides and 4x114.3 bolt patterns who are looking for a low-offset alternative that has quality and strength put into its design. You can expect to see this wheel debut at a reasonable price tag of $550 per wheel, in one size only (15") and in two colors, bronze or gunmetal.
Source: www.mackinindustries.com