World Challenge Skyline Gt-R Ready To RaceRacing wheel-to-wheel in the United States for the first time ever, the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R is coming to the 2006 SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT Championship. Prepared by the new Automotiveforums.com team, the GT-R is set to take on the best the GT ranks have to offer, which include highly tuned versions of the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, Cadillac CTS-V, Porsche 911 GT3, Aston Martin DB9, and Audi S4.
Driver Igor Sushko discovered the first of the team's two GT-R's at the past JGTC event at California Speedway in late 2004. An ex-N1 Super Taikyu Nismo racing car, the R34 and its potential were instantly recognized by Crew Chief and Skyline fanatic Sean Morris. With a fully built engine, proven suspension and the green flag launching power of all-wheel drive, the GT-R is awaited by many with baited breath. Will the R34 live up to its legend as one of the baddest cars to come out of Nissan's camp?
Planning to enter the World Challenge races at Sebring, St. Petersburg, and Long Beach, the Automotiveforums.com team has their work cut out for them in order to succeed in one of the most competitive US race series with an unproven car and a rookie driver. Keep up with the results at www.world-challenge.com
Honda Civic Si 4door Coming SoonMaking its debut at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, the Civic Si Sedan Concept points to the look and style of the new Si four door coming this fall as a 2007 model. Close enough to production status that you can almost guarantee the Si sedan will look like the car pictured here, the Sedan Concept is a stretched version of the current '06 Si with even more passenger room. Fit with the same distinct Civic styling that the current Si possesses, we're hoping for the sake of all prospective tuners out there that any front bumpers, rear diffusers, hoods, or trunks out for the coupe Si will easily fit the sedan with little or no modifications.
The Si sedan is scheduled to go into production with the same 197hp K-series engine that powers the current Si, with the helical limited slip differential carrying over as well. What you won't be seeing on the production sedan are the Brembo brakes and 18-inch wheels of the concept car, although we're sure that the standard Si pieces will be fitted to the car once it's ready to be sold. Supercharger kits, turbochargers, hotter cams, clutches, the K-series engine aftermarket is already growing and the Si sedan will be ready to hit the market with its wheels already turning. Slap a turbo kit on the Si sedan, get some good rubber, and you'll have one of the most fun, responsive, easy to modify, four door, five passenger cars around. Check it out soon at www.honda.com
Toyota Enters Nascar With A CamryAfter years of Taurus', Intrepid's, and Monte Carlo's, the NASCAR faithful have to ask themselves, "are we ready for a Camry?" The first foreign auto manufacturer to even attempt to enter the ranks of the NASCAR elite, Toyota is building upon it's past forays into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck racing series to tackle stock car racing's top crown. Starting in 2007, Toyota will run the tube-framed, carbureted, solid rear axle, V-8- equipped Toyota Camry stock car in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and the NASCAR Busch Series.