OK, wise-ass, so you need some space to vent. Here it is. Direct letters to the editor to sccnews@sourceinterlink.com and we'll do our best to come up with a snide response. Or completely ignore you. But hey, at least you've got a voice.
Free Stuff!
This month, we're buffering Micah Starr's 'Forbidden Zone' with a set of 18-inch Croft wheels from TSW Alloy Wheels. The Croft is available with a smooth mirror-cut face and a gunmetal or brilliant chrome finish. The Croft also features a hub-centric design for a smooth, vibration-free ride. For more info and applications, visit www.tsw.com. To follow in Micah's footsteps, send us your feedback to sccnews@sourceinterlink.com, or to Sport Compact Car - Inbox, 2400 E. Katella Ave. - 11th Floor, Anaheim, CA, 92806.
Letter Of The Month
Enclosed is a copy of a note my son, Micah, fastened to the bathroom door. I thought SCC would enjoy his devotion to your magazine. Micah has been a subscriber for close to four years. He recently graduated from high school, is attending college and works for Jason Hoover Motorsports. He, along with his three brothers, have inherited a love of cars from their father. As he states in his note, your magazine is his favorite form of literature. Once, as a freshman in high school, Micah informed me that he thought writing articles for Sport Compact Car magazine would be a good career. I agreed.
His note remains posted in the downstairs bathroom for all to enjoy.
Jo Ann Starr
Somerset, CA
Initial SCC
One car I've kept an eye on for a while is the AE86 Corolla GTS. I'm a fan of Initial D and, even though some people might laugh, that show is what first got me into auto customization. I have a few questions. First, what is the difference between the American AE86 Corolla GTS and the Japanese Trueno? I really want to get a proper Trueno but, as it seems they're hard to find, I'd settle for a conversion. Also, I like the rims that were used on the car in Initial D and was wondering what the 'real-life' equivalent would be. And lastly, they talked in the show about a Formula Atlantic engine that could supposedly put out 240hp at 11,000rpm and is naturally aspirated. Whether or not this engine exists is a question I've been seeing in forums for quite some time, but nobody seems to have the answer. Is there really an engine that could do that? I'm still new to the tuner world, so please forgive me if any of my questions sound dumb (or if admitting that I enjoy Initial D makes me an outcast).
Chris Lingle
Plainfield, IN
Don't bother converting the bodywork or tracking down Initial D wheels for your AE86. Take a look at Project Corolla: the point of the AE86 is cheap, featherweight, rear-drive performance. Focus on the suspension and maybe an engine swap (the term 'power' is relative with an AE86). While the engine they refer to in the show is not an Atlantic engine, the Formula Atlantic 4AGE is real and dates back a few years to Toyota's involvement with the open-wheel racing series. Check out our April 2008 issue for more details; we tested Formula D driver Taka Aono's AE86 on the ghymkhana course, 11,000rpm 1.6-liter screamer and all. -JL