Issue 76

Issue 76
February 2008

Look closely and you'll notice a recurring theme through this issue. Both Andy and I have had subtle moans about the ridiculously compressed, two-week schedule for completing this entire issue before the Christmas break.

Let me tell you, the effort of putting together the UK's best-selling Japanese car magazine within four weeks is a challenge. Give us half that time during the darkest, coldest time of the year and it's a complete nightmare. Bah humbug!

So thanks goes out to every single member of the Banzai team for their hard work during 2007 and especially for pulling together for this difficult February issue. From my perspective, I can't wait to enjoy my first real break of the entire year – yes, I'm still talking about 2007!

Looking ahead, though, I reckon 2008 will be even busier still, if that's indeed possible. By the time you've read this, I will have already been to the Tokyo Auto Salon. So watch out for the first of my show reports in the next issue. With 5 respect to the burgeoning UK scene, most of the major domestic shows have been confirmed and the dates can be found in our Events Diary on p145.

The Japanese Tuning Show (JTS), sponsored by our good selves, was such a success last year that the organisers immediately rebooked the Silverstone venue. With a mixture of static show and public track day, together with official rounds of both Time Attack and the European Drift Championship, it looks set to be our show highlight of the year. One of the Time Attack competitors we'll be keeping a close eye on is John Goodwin in his FC-series RX-7, our cover car for this issue.

For a privateer with just a couple of sponsors, John has achieved an incredible amount, not least of which his creation of a hybrid 13B powertrain based on three generations of rotary-engined Mazdas. His enthusiasm for the Wankel engine is unsurpassed and we hope that translates to success on the race track.

Joe Clifford, Editor

In the February 2008 issue...

Loading bays
Will retro utility vehicles hit the right note for Japanese car enthusiasts? We sample two Datsun Sunny pick-ups

The modern way
Using his brain, not his wallet, Brian Filoteo has crafted a show and shine winning Evo VIII

Variation on a theme
Adam Strelein proves with this rare Silvia Varietta that individuality can still be found in the Japanese car scene

A touch of frost
Rindy Frost's Honda Prelude helps us see that you don't need to be rich to afford a dedicated track day car

May the force be with us
Suzuki bridges the gap between car and bike with the SXForce concept

You can find me in da club...
Five Axis Yaris Club concept is a stripped-out, single-seat concept with more than a hint of retro racer

Sema-Antics (Part two)
It's bigger and crazier than you'd ever imagine and filled to the gunnels with Japanese cars

Loyalty to the cause
John Goodwin has shown loyalty to Mazda throughout the build of his Time Attack RX-7, by picking and choosing the best bits from three generations of rotary-engined sports cars

Who are...Tracktive Solutions?
We headed back to Tracktive's workshop and found a specialist tuner with an unparalleled foundation in WRC

A-Track of the Titans
With this magazine being all about enhancing performance, we headed to Snetterton for the official Banzai track day

No Toymota
Toyota recently celebrated 50 years in international motorsport. To honour this, we've highlighted the best bits

Kickin' like a mule
Tracktive Solutions owner Richard Bulmer's STi VII Type RA produces up to 500bhp - with an internally standard engine

Worth every Dime
What would you do with a cash windfall? Copy Jason Weaver and spend $50,000 on an old Datsun? You betcha!

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