Damn! Is this a power issue again or what? That Evo on the cover is pure hotness, from it's fully tricked out Cosworth kitted engine to it's insane wide body kit and super wide rims wrapped in ultra sticky rubber to it's rather conspicuos yellow paint. We like it, more than we should, and a heck of a lot more than the guys who attend open track days. It's more than just a pretty car, it's rather rapid in a straight line and on the bends.

In the same track guise we have what's possibly the most sorted E46 M3 in SA. It's still running a stockish engine, but the rest of the mods on the car make sure it's a mean contender on track days. From potent brakes, awesome suspension and fully sorted race interior to the custom made wide arch kit, this really is a Big Boss Auto beauty.

Complimenting these track cars, there's a few that run better in a straight line like the pair of orange dragsters. One is a true strip car, ok, it's a Bantam/Rustler bakkie, but a monster at that. The other is a street drag car, a Toyota MR2 from KZN. The cars are from two different sides of the country, yet the work done on both cars is the same - top notch!

In among all the usual cool stuff you see here on a monthly basis like Virtual Rides and Speedmail, we have a wicked feature. You'll have seen a black car in the bottom left corner of the cover that rekindles some childhood memories. Well, that car is in this issue, better yet, it's in South Africa too. Michael Knight's K.I.T.T is spread over a few pages in this issue, and we even added in some cool links to online K.I.T.T sites.

You'll love this issue, even if you don't want to!

Click here to read more.

 













 


As the EVO X makes a highly anticipated entrance across the globe it will do so on a solid grounding created by the legacy of EVO dumplings dating as far back as 1992. The EVO’s marketing strategy
is focused on selling a road car with track abilities, and not the other way around, creating a balance which young petrol heads have long lusted over. These “out the box” track toys have, in part, been
the driving force behind the growing popularity of track days and their setup has been configured to be very capable in the hands of an amateur and absolutely deadly in the reins of an experienced pilot. Better still, the 4G63 motor is harmonious to bolton products so if you feel strongly about chasing times it’s not hard to turn them into a timesheet chainsaw. Every EVO model carried with it something special; more power, smarter electronics or a better aerodynamic package. With the EVO IX it was a combination of all these

 


elements with the same famous rally grit found under the finger nails. For this owner the EVO IX was worth ditching his two Subarus for, and although both cars were modified the EVO, helped along by NxGEN, is his most extreme project.. He continues to prove how well he can manage the package and bagged top spot (in the 4WD class) at the recent Subaru v.s. BMW track day (featured this issue) and showed his versatility by also winning the Subaru day held at Phakisa in Welkom with a flying 1m:49. Around South Africa’s premier racing circuit, Kyalami, his usual hunting ground, he consistently collects all eleven turns in the 1m:57’s.Those familiar with the track will know that a lap-time below two minutes takes practice and he gets enough of that, using every chance to stick the pedal into the floorboards.

Read more in Issue 84

  





The year is 2008 but I’ve never felt more connected to the 80’s than I do right now. Clearly our presence has evoked the same feeling from our other road users who manage
to transgress just about every traffic law as they see us approach. They’re not seeing an old Pontiac Firebird, they’re seeing KITT, and like me they’re probably humming the tune to the soundtrack. I was part of the last of a generation to enjoy the series in its original form, but guys like Reynard have helped ensure that KITT’s legacy will not die in our hands. Until now I thought I shared the same attitude and considered myself as a bit of a Knight Rider fan, the bedspread and Pamela Anderson posters created a dichotomy of interests as I fought the pressure of “growing up.” I literally outgrew the single spread duvet but for Reynard things weren’t nearly as easy to let go of. He realised that he was in the position to make his dreams come true, on a very large and expensive scale I might add. Some people say you should never meet your heroes, they’ll never match your expectations and
you’ll only end up being disappointed. With that in mind I
hesitantly poked the button for “oil slick.”





I don’t know what I expected to happen next or whether I should fear for the safety of pursuing our camera vehicle, but the short beep tone was certainly dry of Hollywood effects. Less so are the conventional threepoint harnesses which are
more than pointless on a car thought to be virtually impenetrable. I’m being a bit melodramatic but you get my point. What did matter was that I was driving along in a car which fifteen years ago
would have sent my heart rate into triple figures. Even now the ride left me wearing a guilty grin and I couldn’t decide if I wanted everyone to see it or to hide behind the murky window. I tried to play
it cool but every voice prompt had me in hysterics, how could I take anything seriously when I was listening to “Are you ok, I’ve been monitoring your vitals and your heart rate…” bla deblaaa. I gave up
trying to act serious, the character of KITT has no space for it, pointed out by the buttons for missiles,
Xray vision and autopilot.
Read more in Issue 84