CAR SPOTLIGHT : HASEMI SKYLINE SUPER SILHOUETTE

While rushing around frantically trying to cover the Nismo Festival a couple of weekends back I decided it would be cool to dedicate a little extra space to one of the many historical race cars that were sitting in the pits. As ever, I found myself drawn to the Hasemi Motorpsort DR30 Skyline that participated in the Japanese Super Silhouette series in the early eighties, a car built to FIA Group 5 regulations and sporting the usual wild look that all cars in this class boasted.

CAR SPOTLIGHT : STARLITE ROD & KUSTOM FORD STARLINER

Earlier this year, Mike Garrett paid a visit to the guys at Starlite Rod and Kustoms in Torrance, California. During his shop visit, he came across this very Ford Starliner that was currently in the process of being built. Twelve months later, it sat at the Mooneyes Xmas Party finished.

CAR SPOTLIGHT: KGB RACING BMW 2002

The Gymkhana Grid Mass Appeal car show was just that. It was a show that featured all sorts of cars and not just the usual import scene. Hence, mass appeal. There were nice vintage cars, brand new cars, a JGTC racer, and this SCCA F-Street Prepared 1970 BMW 2002.

CAR SPOTLIGHT: RAWLSON CW11 CHASSIS #001

Where were you in the 60's and 70's when cars like this reigned supreme and were tearing up racetracks across North America and Europe? I wasn't even a twinkle in my parents eyes yet... though while I was never able to lust after these cars in their hey-day, I have grown a great appreciation of them in the last few years as I followed Vintage racing abroad.

CAR SPOTLIGHT: A SORT OF FLUSH S12

While Larry ran about the track to cover the actual Gymkhana Grid event, I scoured the Mass Appeal car show in search of stand out cars. This particular Nissan 200SX S12 coupe stuck out as these cars don't get as much attention as their drift-friendly younger siblings.

CAR SPOTLIGHT>> TWINS TURBO MOTORSPORTS DODGE VIPER

If you had to think of one word to describe this 1997 Dodge Viper you see above, what would it be? Beastly? Monstrous? Frightening? Aggressive? Intimidating? I wouldn't be able to think of any word for the simple fact that this car makes me speechless. I mean, look at it!

CAR SPOTLIGHT>> FLUID MOTORUNION M3

Some would consider the BMW E90 M3 as the ultimate four door grocery getter. BMW got a lot of complaints after they dropped the sedan version in the previous E46 M3 line up but with the E90 series they reintroduced the sedan version once again. The guys at Fluid MotorUnion needed a car to deliver parts and for the occasional run around, so this M3 sedan was the perfect choice.
I have been in contact with Fluid Motorunion for a while and I know they don't like stock. So it didn't take them long to remove and add some parts after they bought it in 2009.

Exterior wise it has been left mostly stock; all of their attention went to the wheels, suspension and engine. The Dymag carbon wheels are a perfect match for this powerhouse; they come in 19" and are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires.

The car has been dropped with a set of H&R springs and dampers. They are fully adjustable for the perfect ride height and handling. To go fast around the bends you also need some serious brakes. So Fluid MotorUnion contacted Rotora and ordered their big brake set with 8 piston calipers in the front and 4 piston calipers in the rear with 380mm rotors.

The frontbumper gained a Vorsteiner lip that has been molded into it.

One of the first things FMU removed was the cat but earlier this year they removed the entire system and replaced it with a 3" exhaust with custom cans. Another addition to aid performance are the custom velocity stacks.
-Jeroen Willemsen