Issue 88

Issue 88
February 2009

Due to the credit-crunch this and the economic-downturn that, I’m betting a few people are not looking forward to 2009. But I know a man who is – Keith Cowie, owner of our awe-inspiring cover car this issue. This determined Scot is fairly itching to get on with the year so he can return to the drag strip and go head-to-head with sparring partner Mick Begley. Both of them are equally determined to be the next GT-R driver to cross that quarter-mile marker in under eight seconds. This R32 may have been around since 2003 but this winter it has seen a major mechanical overhaul and a bright new look-at-me colour scheme.

Keith hasn’t tried to be secretive about his efforts, and many editors have tried to chase this feature. But I am pleased to announce that we are the first magazine in the UK to catch up with Keith and his refreshed ride. Therefore, why not turn to p72 for our in-depth coverage of his past achievements while looking firmly ahead to the possibilities for the 2009 season. With a new GT4547R blower on board developed specifically for Keith by Turbo Dynamics, and with the untiring support of Skyline specialist Rod Bell of RB Motorsport (plus dozens of other companies), this 1200bhp 3.0-litre beast is surely worth a punt, especially if ‘Team Cowie’ can keep the car on terra firma over the first 60ft!

On a related subject, I’ve noticed something quite remarkable about four of our last five issues – they’ve all had cars from Scotland on the cover. Is this the new hotbed of Japanese car tuning in the UK, I wonder? I’ve always respected the Scots for their love of fast cars (wouldn’t you when there are superb roads there to enjoy?) but in the past these have tended to be mostly standard in appearance. Not so now, it appears. I don’t quite know if there’s an underlying reason for this – and I’m certainly not doing very well at uncovering it – but all I can say is, ‘What are the rest of us playing at?’ Come on, let’s all try to make 2009 one cracker of a year for modified cars.

Joe Clifford, Editor

In the February 2009 Issue..

Holding Monster
Lightweight chassis, 380bhp output, carbon fibre galore and the finest seats in the house. This Evo X RS provides good news for more than just the owner

New Balance
Is it possible to strike a balance between JDM and boy racer styling? Michael Woodard thinks so, but it's taken him eight years to perfect the look

Taking The Bull By The Horns
A simple idea - get the best drifters in the world, bring them to an iconic location and stage a world challenge to see who's the champion

Keepin' It Gangsta
Look at what the Japanese car scene offers when you've grown out of tearing around corners at mach four - the comfort and style of VIP tuning

Deceiving Silvia
Weighing less than a ton and packing 520bhp, this extensively reworked classic Zed is so powerful it's almost dangerous. But you won't find a straight six under the bonnet

3 FOR 2
Does a three-door shell paired to the top 1.5-litre engine make the Mazda2 Sport a thrill-a-minute flier?

Monster Munch
Keith Cowie's monstrous Skyline raises the tuning bar once again by eating up the opposition and continuing to set class-leading quarter-mile times

Work Hard, Play Hard
What better way to relieve workplace stress than to have a big power Mazda waiting for you at home? Take a closer look at Ash Clement's stress-busting RX-7

Election Fever
With over two million square feet of modified madness in a city that's not known for being shy, the SEMA show in Las Vegas was an event not to be missed

Quick Off The Mark
Charge Speed was quick to produce a range of carbon fibre products for the new Impreza STI. And this is only the start…

Northern Lights
Meet the 1991 Civic that has illuminated the Northern European show scene - a crazy Euro-look project with more gold than the national reserve

And Now For Something Completely Different
Thought the Japanese tuning scene was all about cars? Welcome to modifying as you've never seen it before…

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