Flat-track Racers throw down at the Edmonton Motorcycle Show
For the first time ever, the Edmonton Motorcycle show brought flat-track racing inside it’s walls. Paired with the now annual motocross freestyle show, the flat track racing was easily worth the cost of admission for the whole bike show.
While the track was small, and didn't provide the typical spectacle of the sport, it was a very intimate look at one of the most accessible forms of motorsport in the world.
Since I have so much content I will be posting random episodes throughout the week to make it a total of 2/week. In today's episode, Tyson assembles the forg...
Watch this Nissan SR20DET get a assembled in under 10 minutes!
We took a 2011 Mopar Charger on a snowshoeing adventure in the Canadian Rockies. The car definitely exceeded expectations considering it was only on all season tires. The mountain ⛰ pass we had to cross was definitely dicey as we were the first and only car to drive on the road after fresh snowfall (in avalanche conditions). Amazingly, we only got stuck once: in a campground parking lot 😂.
Myself and U Auto Know are proud to announce a sponsorship agreement with Tony Koch.
We’re very excited to be announcing our new content program! Tony Koch will be one of our brand representatives, giving us the unique opportunity to capture some behind the scenes footage in what we believe is the coolest speed shop in the city, SSS Motorsports.
With Tony Koch joining our team, we look forward to bringing you exclusive behind the scenes content from Western Canada’s grassroots drifting scene!
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This past thanksgiving long weekend (Canadian), the Edmonton automotive community flocked to the Yellowhead Casino’s overflow lot to bid farewell to the summer season.
With weather marginally better than that of last year (No snow this time around!), the turnout was excellent.
I’m always proud of our scene when the #780closer rolls around. It really is a testament to the resiliency of our city, and the community connection that the tuners residing in it have. Most of the people who turn out, won’t see each other until the opener - and that’s fine, because it’s the mutual love of cars that bring us all together.
A number of Spec-D drifters managed to make their way to the meet. Their rat-rod racecars always manage to impress. From Mazda RX-7′s to Nissan 180SX’s, the stripped down cage cars make the biggest statement in any setting. Resident commentator and photographer Tony Koch was present to capture a few of the series regulars hardparked in the lot.
The see these cars in action you can watch our coverage of Spec-D right here, or subscribe to get exclusive series updates and offers.
The biggest question I get asked, being the ultra automotive nerd that I am, is: What is the best performance vehicle my money can buy? And the answer is always the same: What is your budget, and what in your mind constitutes a good performance car? Mind bending speed? Sublime handling?
That's up to personal preference, and lucky for you, you're spoiled for choice. In this article I take to the internet to find some modern, quick, street legal vehicles for less than $20,000.00.
What is the most cost effective way for you to get your license suspended, effective immediately?
For most performance nutters, the best course of action is to pick up a used car with a sweet handling chassis, and an engine that has some performance potential, and eek out as much performance as they can afford. This is of course the best course of action, and also the number 1 cause of headaches in males aged 16-65 (I made that up). As home tuners, our pleasure seems to come in the form of never ending suffering, and culminates to the eventual sale or death (whichever comes first) of our beloved, incomplete, and ultimately unreliable motor vehicle race car. I've decided to write this article to help save you some headaches. The vehicles I discuss either still have OEM support, or have a wealth of aftermarket suppliers. So, what is the most cost effective way for you to get your license suspended, effective immediately?
1. The Widow-Maker
This is a very common occurrence.
The first thing that comes to mind is the ridiculously bonkers '04 ZX-10R. No it's not a car, but it was the first ever production vehicle to be able to break every traffic law in America in 1st gear (174km.h)! It lead the liter bike category in terms of it's power to weight ratio, but has a notoriously light front end, making 3rd gear wheelies unavoidable. The bike was insanely fast, considering that it has been electronically limited to 300km/h. Good examples can be had for anywhere between $5-9000.00 CAD (less than half of our $20,000.00 budget), but also keep in mind that the fact that it's a hooligan by nature, and that vehicles like these have usually been driven the way they've been designed to - abusively. For the price-point, there isn't a whole lot else out there that can put up super car numbers AND boast Japanese reliability. Some things to consider about daily riding a motorcycle are outlined in this excellent article. Obviously the '04 ZX-10R is not in a league of its own, the liter sports-bike category is a competitive market, and newer more advanced iterations of all brands can be found in similar price ranges. All liter motorcycles boast licence revoking numbers, and if you're looking to have that happen, this is the most affordable and expedient way to do so!
For those of you who don't have the motorcycle buzz, never fear, there are some great cars out there, but if numbers like top speed, power to weight, and sub $10,000.00 pricing are your hot buttons, nothing will beat a sports-bike's performance for its dollar value.
2 Turbo Fun
Hyundai has become a staple name for bargain cars with great power figures.
Ok, so you're probably thinking I'd love a bike! The last time I went down down on one knee cost me a hell of a lot more than $10k! But, I've got a family, and my significant other makes me great tuna casseroles for lunch. How am I supposed to get my meals to work on the nicest of days, let alone the winter? And are my two rugrats just supposed to veg out at home, neglected?
The last time I went down down on one knee cost me a hell of a lot more than $10k!
No! What you need in your life is what we car folks call a "hot hatch!" There are of course numerous options, of varying price points, but in North America, we aren't as spoiled for choice as our European brethren. Check out this article for a comprehensive review of the budget sports cars in the Canadian market. Otherwise, you can take my word on the fact the Hyundai Veloster Turbo is a wicked little car for the money. It has bold styling, 200hp, and comes loaded with features like Sat-Nav, Sirus XM, leather, a sun roof. The list goes on an on. I found this 2014 model for $16,488, and it includes all of the above equipment. That leaves $4,500 in the budget for some excellent wheels and tires. They are fun, practical, cars and being front wheel drive they do make for excellent winter cars. Aftermarket support is high, as Hyundai have positioned themselves with several A-list brands, which is good to know as this greatly increases the likelihood of performance parts fitting properly (I for one, hate when bolts don't line up, and it has discouraged me from bolt on tuning). There is a community of support, you get turbo power, and Red Bull has opted to use the Veloster as its World Rallycross weapon.
In terms of options and power on a budget, this is a sporty car that goes largely overlooked. VW's GTI has reigned supreme in the hot hatch department for years, but the cost of maintenance begins to add up. The Veloster flies in the face of all the Hyundai naysayers that are found in any car community. The level of quality and attention to detail is comparable to that of Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, and Toyota. There are no ridiculously uneven panel gaps like you see on the Mustang, and the interior is stylish and quiet. Soft touch is in, and Hyundai obviously got the memo. It's more ergonomic and cleverly laid out than the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the brands flagship sports car.
3. But 'Merican Muscle?
The 'Stang 4 Cylinder
That's right! It's time for the internet's favorite debate, import vs. domestic, tuner vs muscle. The American's have always had a way with cars. They're known for making sublime chassis and monstrous engines, but they have a very distinct persona when compared to their European and Japanese competitors. Going American is usually the most cost effective route to 320km/h, but typically this comes with a glaring downside... An inability to corner with speed and agility. Until 2015 the pony cars all lacked independent suspension, but Ford finally stepped forward and challenged the competition. The 2015 Mustang, in all engine configurations, is a blast of a machine; new ones can nearly be had on our $20,000 budget. The 4 cylinder eco-boost is comparable to the Toyota GT-86, and also the BMW 228i (surprised face). The Toyota may have an upper hand with a perfect 50/50 weight distribution, but the 'Stang makes up for it in power and a lively, loose rear end, so it's up to you to pick your poison. The BMW in comparison is soft and pedestrian to the snarling 'Stang, and the remarkably nimble GT-86. So the American's do have some car cred in the fun small cars (engine, in the Mustang's case) segment, but what about their bread and butter: the high displacement, roaring muscle car? The Corvette has been a staple Super-Car killer for some time, as has the Dodge Viper. Although their price-points are performance bargains, they are hardly affordable. And then we have the muscle cars like the Hellcat.
Smoke 'em if you got 'em!
Beautiful, luxurious, refined -- this describes the interior. Loud, brash, muscular, 707hp. This is the Hellcat we know and love. It's utter insanity. I'm told it can corner, although I've never seen one with enough traction to do it. If you'd like to see what it's like to own one, I was brought out to a Londonderry Dodgemeet, and captured this footage.
None of these are the standout American car for me, though. Yes there are some great bargains out there. In the used market a Boss 302 Mustang can be had for the price of a new 5.0, and Charger R/T's have come into the $5-7000.00 range, placing it right in the hunt with a 1000cc motorcycle in terms of price. Fantastic cars, great aftermarket support, and relatively practical, there is no doubt that high performance can be had without severely breaking the bank. The stand out for me is the one that smashed a world record, in Porsche's backyard no less, the Nürburgring. That's the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. Early models can be had for less than $20K, and believe me, it does not drive like a lumbering SUV. It's much more precise than its fellow SRT8's, to the point that I would compare the all wheel drive system to the venerable Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, and the almighty Nissan GTR. It certainly doesn't handle like an SUV, it is nimble, and light on it's feet. It's practical, can be had with DVD headrests, an amazing Alpine sound system, it has a belching V8 that puts out 470hp, and it's AWD.
4. Now I want AWD, but not an SUV.
Rally reigns supreme in the AWD world
Mitsubishi and Subaru are the industry leaders for budget all wheel drive cars, and the likes of the Lancer Evolution and Subaru STI are reserved for the hardcore enthusiasts. They are lacking much of the interior flash and comfort that the latter (with the exception of motorcycles) exhibit. Instead they opt for ultra stiff Recaro seats, and lightweight plastics. The electronic control units are highly advanced, allowing for torque vectoring and the ability to adapt to various weather and terrain. The Evo specifically has tarmac, gravel and snow modes that actually change the power distribution from rearward, to 50/50, to forward respectively. The suspension is stiff and rough, more so with the handling package, which includes Bilstein shock absorbers, Brembo brakes, and BBS wheels. All of this performance does come at a cost. These cars hold their value extremely well, a de-tuned version, in the form of a Lancer Ralliart, has a market value of around $23k (just breaking our budget) for a 2011 model. The Ralliart does feature the same AWD and engine as the Evo (only a single scroll turbo though), mated to the Evo MR's dual clutch transmission, but that price point is a far cry from the vast majority of pre-owned 2 wheel drive sports cars.
Ultimately, 4 wheel drive is a high demand feature in Canadian cars. It goes to show that as much as consumers demand luxury features, they are willing to pay more for the features that move them.
It comes down to your priorities, and ability to stick to budget.
When it comes to performance numbers on a budget, a motorcycle will always win. If we were to compare a $60,000.00 car (Alfa Romeo 4C for example) to a $60,000.00 motorcycle like the Kawasaki H2R, the car won't hold a candle to it, as we can see in this video, a 1,000+hp Bugatti Veyron struggles to compete with the Kawasaki in a straight line. Although motorcycles have a significant advantage on the straights, Guy Martin proves here that no matter how much top speed (and skill) you have on a motorcycle, the physics behind a car have a clear advantage.
IndyCar vs MotoGP
Whether it be a budget drag king, like the Dodge Charger that can double as a family car, or a sporty hatch like the Hyundai Veloster, performance practicality can be had for a similar cost to a 300km/h bullet bike. If you're in the market for something quick with AWD, the price tends to skyrocket (relative to the vehicles discussed here), but the practicality and year round fun that can be had in an all wheel drive performance vehicle is absolutely undeniable.
Elon Musk is saving the world with Tesla and his electric cars, right? They produce 0 emissions, they can now drive themselves, and the Model 3 had 276,000 pre-orders in just a few days. A cleaner, more breathable world is just within our grasp. Unfortunately, The 0 emissions claim is only applicable to the vehicle itself.
Is this cleaner, than tail-pipe emissions?
Firstly, an electric car is only as clean as the grid it's on. For the majority of the world, that means electric cars are coal powered cars. No matter what type of energy we use to generate power, there will always be critics who find environmental damage. Coal, produces more CO2 than diesel. Hydro-electric and wind farms either destroy, or vastly change the landscape of their respective environment. Solar is not a reliable energy source for any number of climates, and obviously people have their fears of nuclear.
Living with a purely electric vehicle, you will of course have a $0 fuel cost, but expect your power bill to double. The range is lacking, and charging times are nowhere near the 5-10 minute range that it takes to refuel your car. Lithium-ion batteries are extremely expensive and highly toxic, not to mention lithium mines are as environmentally destructive as any other open-pit mine in the world.
So is an electric car worse for the environment than a petrol car? No, but in terms of kilometers/power-used it's hard to judge what is more efficient. Electric motors are simple and effective, whereas petrol and diesel engines are complicated and lose the majority of their energy to heat. Most comparisons between petrol and electric cars use a $/mile test -- which is dependent on fuel and power pricing ( a constantly fluctuating market) -- to determine the engine or motors efficiency at transporting people. These are difficult tests to conduct though, as the electric car has an incredible advantage in stop-go traffic over the traditional petrol engine. On the other hand, the petrol engine has a massive advantage on the open road, where most electric cars lack range and top speed.
The electric motor is fantastic in terms of torque and raw acceleration, there is no denying that, and as Mercedes and Tesla are proving, they can make for some seriously sporty cars, thanks to smart all wheel drive and a low centralized center of gravity.
Yes, I'd like to use all my eco-rebates now please.
But, we do have to keep in mind that electric cars have been found to be 24% heavier than their petrol counterparts. To any petrol-head, more weight is always a step in the wrong direction, as it negatively affects all aspects of a cars performance: acceleration, lateral g's, and braking distance. In high density cities, there is no doubting the advantages electric cars have, but there is currently no need for them in the sprawling Midwest, yet.
A diesel electric
Enter the hybrid electric. Almost every manufacturer either has one, or is working on one, including the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, Mclaren, Top Gear, etc. Most systems have the ability to work alongside each other, allowing the electric motor to work in the high torque low rpm regions of the power-band until the petrol engine catches up, and takes over. They can also use the petrol engine as an electric generator, using the electric motors as the sole means of powering the wheels, and numerous other driving modes including using the electric power until the battery is depleted, then switching over to the petrol engine etc.
Don't mind me, just trying to save the planet here!
None of this is what concerns me environmentally though. My concern is for the people who are driving drive-able cars, and are trading them in and/or selling them in order to get a clean EV (electric vehicle), for the purpose of moral high-ground. This is what is horrible for the environment. To suddenly switch from petrol to electric cars for the sake of a cleaner planet is simply wasting all of the energy that went into mining, producing, and manufacturing the previous petrol car. Yes it is true that many of these cars will return on the market as pre-owned vehicles, but this fluctuation will have an economic impact on the used car market, driving the value of used petrol cars down (in most cases), and increasing cost and demand for new electric vehicles. The last thing that you need is your Dodge Caliber SXT losing even more resale value because someone decided that the ultra luxurious Tesla Model S is going to save the Earth.
How can this be cleaner than the Lotus Elise it's built on? It weighs more...
The electric vehicle is not going to save the environment, but it may save the sports car. Hybrid performance cars have proven themselves in Formula 1, the World Endurance championship and of course in Formula E, cutting back fuel consumption and elevating performance numbers to new heights. The problem lies in perception, just because there is no tailpipe (or it's hidden, yes we're looking at you Chevy volt) doesn't mean it isn't taxing the environment. So, if you're planning on switching to an electric car to single-handedly save the world, you won't. You're far better off saving your money and driving a Nissan Micra or Mitsubishi Mirage into the ground.
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