Engines revving, cars skidding, adrenaline pumping, and a big smile on my face. That is probably the whole feeling I had during GulfRun 2008. I don’t think there is something that I look forward to as much as this event once a year. 40+ cars, so many drivers, tons of friends and family, we had the events in Kuwait which was the build up to the Bahrain International Circuit. I wasn’t on the track much since I was preoccupied with a few things but I was having so much fun with a lot of people and this event does bring people together, and I always catch up with people I see them on the street randomly or someplace else. This footage was put together by myself (20%) and Doc S (80%), I only did the story board and music, Doc pretty much did everything else, we make a great team. Now we made to uploads one to youtube so it spreads like wildfire and the other to Vimeo for those who have Youtube blocked at work and its better quality in my opinion. Now I really can’t wait for GulfRun 5.
It seems that the Camaro isn’t what we expected it to be, there have been odd reviews about its performance but GM can’t really make a machine that competes with the Corvette. So Lingenfelter have taken up that challenge, this is just a rendering of what its going to look like. The power packages start at 550 bhp all the way up to 800 bhp, now that would be a monster of a machine.
Link: Autoblog
Looks like these guys are speeding and getting caught at every corner. Some of these guys were doing 180+ mph (290+ kph) and were chased down by the police, all they need to do is radio ahead and get a road block set up. Even the Bugatti was loaded up into a trailer, and cops in the US don’t joke around, at these speeds it straight to jail and don’t think you would come out any time before standing in front of a judge.
Classic Design Concept or CDC took the Dodge challenger to another level. I always find the old muscle cars beautiful especially the ones which are well taken care of, but this machine is a little different. Dodge has made the new Challenger to resemble the old muscle cars with a new life. Its a true muscle car of the 21st century, especially with its tire shredding 575 bhp engine, thanks to the vortech supercharger. What I liked is that they didn’t just modify the engine, they improved it with a Big Brake Kit, Pirelli Pzero Rosso tires to match. Then they stiffened the suspension with some KW coil overs to lower the body roll and to help with the handling. I think its a beautiful machine and a real work of art made by CDC.
Base vehicle specs:
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8
6.1LHEMI
5-Speed Automatic Transmission
Brilliant Black
CDC GROUP 2 Challenger Wide Body Kit
Package components Include:
- Right and Left Composite Front Fenders
- Right and Left Composite “Billboard” Rear Quarter Panel Extensions
- Front and Rear Inner Wheel Well Extensions
- Aerodynamic Front Spoiler “Canards”
- Unique CDC GROUP 2 Exterior Badging and Numbered Console Plaque
Options on GROUP 2:
- Challenger R/T – SRT8 Functional Shaker System
- Challenger RTM Composite Flat Hood
GROUP 2 Specific Wheel and Tire Package:
- Rims – USW Forged “Crossover” w/Three Piece Construction and unique spacing. Front – 20″X 10″, Rear – 20″ X 11.5″
- Tires – Pirelli PZero Rosso Front – P275/40ZR 20, Rear – P315/35ZR 20
Other Modifications:
- Vortech Supercharger
- KW Coilover Suspension
- Corsa Cat-Back Exhaust
- Baer Extreme Plus Brake System
Link: autoblog
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G-Power really doesn’t know the meaning of ridiculous, in this case ridiculous power. With all the modified parts to this machine they have attained a powerful 740 bhp and 5490 lb-ft of torque. They made this M6 Hurricane CS with duo superchargers, revised suspension and aerodynamics. I’m not a fan of the color but that is one mean looking machine.
Roll Bars, Carbon fiber seats, carbon ceramic brakes, and so many other upgrades to this machine to help it attain the top speed of 230 mph. The funny part is that the G-Power rims are only rated for 211 mph which leaves a small gap for you to reach that phenomenal top speed, and all of this for only 390,000 Euros.
Link: Autoblog
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While I was driving two weeks ago in the Landcruiser a sudden whining sound started, when ever I stepped on the gas. I knew something was wrong but I didn’t know what exactly and luckily I was close to home.
The odometer was at 154’000 Kms and I recently did the 150K service a couple of weeks back so I’m surprised something went wrong. I thought it would be a minor issue and would be resolved quickly. Dropped off the car at Al Rai Toyota Service on Wednesday, they said Thursday is a half day and I have the car back on Saturday. I thought that would work out fine for me. I got a call early Thursday morning with a list of items and a quote of 450 KD, I was about to start shouting on the phone because he basically wanted to replace the gear box and other items in the car. I told him that you recently did a 150 K service and supposedly checked all these items, I argued with the guy on the phone for about 15 minutes and told him that I will be passing by in the afternoon before they close. Got in by noon and the guy had a different tone, and the Egyptian manager was trying to explain. I told him I will pay for wear and tear such as replacing the clutch, but items that should have been checked at the 150 K service is something they will replace but I won’t be paying for it. After making me wait for about 30 minutes, I had the original parts list and told them they are going to replace all that they listed, and they came back to me with a 340 KD quote which is a huge difference.
They started working on the car on Thursday, but I didn’t get it back until Monday because even when I picked it up on Saturday it seems nobody bothered to do a road test drive because the huge whining sound was still there and turns out it had nothing to do with the gear box. Once they fixed that the car has been driving like it was when I first picked it up 10 years ago, the gear box felt solid and the change smoother, not so loose as it was before. Al Sayer service is probably the best in Kuwait, but sometimes you do have to get into an argument.
Parts Replaced:
- Front Axle Assembly
- Clutch Assembly
- Bearing Kit
- Boot and Cover Assembly Kit
- Bushings
- Front Shocks Seals
- Radial Kit for Shocks
I have always liked the styling of the X6, it has gotten a very large mix of opinions people either love the car or hate the car. Peronsally I think its a well designed SUV with a low center of gravity. I like how it looks, even though I think it needs a different set of rims, I heard the V8 version is very fast, and now that they came up with the X6 M thats just ridiculous.
Now they have a boosted the 4.4 Liter V8 to a 555 bhp with 500 lb-ft of torque. Its probably ridiculously fast and handles very well for an SUV, it seems that way from the X6 M track video. Whoever was driving that car was really pushing it.
Link: Autoblog
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Went to Dubai a couple of weeks back and took the opportunity to check on my car at TAM Auto Engineering. As usual they had a lot of sports and race cars parked outside, not including what was inside their garage. I was shocked to see they had the KTM X-Bow sitting right in their entrance, my first impulse was to jump into the car and drive right off, if only the keys were in the ignition. As usual I found the team of people working side the garage, and the owner Moataz is under the hood of one of the cars from early in the morning. You have to love a garage where the owner of the place is working on the cars with his team under him.
There are so many different types of cars they are working on, and the funniest part is that they are fixing the work of other garages in Dubai. They are known to be brutally honest with the customer, and that is a very rare quality. I found out about them a couple of months back, and after looking into their work and a few people’s cars they worked on I couldn’t wait to get the Beemer there. So the plan is install and tune the Motons for my car, then I made a few other requests from them to tweak the car a bit while its being track tested, also asked for a Dyno since I have never dynoed my car after all these modifications.
Craftmenship such as this is rare in the middle east, hopefully they continue this level of service. They were even fixing an MTM Audi R8 which was smoking like crazy, and a one month old Hennessy Dodge Viper which had burnt out wiring. Then there was the monster of a Z06 which was turned fully into a race track car, also a beautifully restored 1967 Chevy Chevelle. Just so many cars, and the garage was pristinely clean and that reflects greatly on the team and company.
Link: TAMAutoEng
I do like the look of the Lamborghini but those rims just don’t look right on that car. Then again who would ever turn a Gallargo into a trailer car, at least the motorcycle matches colors. I wonder what had to be done to the frame so that there is a hitch to attach to it.
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I don’t think there is a car enthusiast out there who hasn’t tried to drift their car at one point in time. I know I have and its an amazing feeling to find that perfect balance between power, traction, and speed. Timing is everything, just look at how Rhys Millen handles his 500 bhp Hyundai Genesis Coupe with finesse on that track. So many skilled drivers in the Formula Drift Race going at it as hard as possible, I’m just amazed at their skills so many different types of cars and each person tweaking it to the last minute.