gymkhana motorsport

Gymkhana is a type of motorsport practiced in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. Similar to autocross, gymkhana courses are often very complex and memorizing the course is a significant part of achieving a fast time. The governing body of Gymkhana in Japan is the Japan Auto Federation, a Japanese division of the FIA.
Gymkhana events are time and/or speed events in an automobile. These can feature obstacles such as cones, tires, and barrels. The driver must maneuver through a predetermined "track" performing many different driving techniques. What separates gymkhana from traditional autocross events is that the gymkhana requires drivers to perform reversals, 180 degree spins, 360 degree spins, parking boxes, figure 8s and other advanced skills. Drifting is also encouraged where helpful or necessary. Essentially, a gymkhana is any event featuring a starting point, a finish line and some sort of "obstacle" to get through, around, or by, all within a time limit.

The driver's goals is to get through the course as fast as possible with the least amount of bullshit. Acceleration, braking, drifting & grip driving are all necessary. Not only do they have to hold control over his/her own car, but gymkhana requires strong mental concentration and memorization.

Gymkhana courses typically involve only the use of first and second gear, where autotesting in the UK and Ireland add the use of reverse gear. A gymkhana course will typically be from 0:45 to 1:30 in length. Like autocross and autotesting, gymkhana courses are laid out with cones representing "obstacles" to navigate through. Unlike autocross, which can be considered to be a small version of a road course, obstacles in gymkhana will often consist of slaloms, 180 degree turns, 360 degree turns, figure eight turns and some times parking boxes. Gymkhana requires strong mental concentration and memorization of the track, as sections of the course frequently must be repeated or navigated backwards and or differently. The driver will use many techniques to effectively navigate a course. Handbrake technique, drifting and sliding and left foot braking are all necessary skills for gymkhana.
Like autocross and autotesting, gymkhanas are primarily held in open paved fields or parking lots. In Japan, small road courses and karting venues are sometimes used. Japan also has some facilities dedicated to gymkhana which resemble large paved parking lots that sometimes have racetrack curbing and grass/dirt medians and islands.

As the JAF is a subsidiary of the FIA, FIA classing is used for Gymkhana in Japan. Gymkhana courses may be used for an entire year, unlike autocross and autotesting where drivers are presented with a new course for each event. Gymkhana participants are allowed two runs of the course, with the fastest time being used to determine the winner of a class. Time penalties are issued for hitting cones, and a failure to navigate the course correctly results in no time score.

Gymkhana in Japan has a well-defined competition structure, with everything from local to national competitions. Drivers can compete in official events locally in order to qualify for regional events and so on. Japan has an All Japan Gymkhana competition each year. Despite being governed under the FIA in Japan, there is no official international gymkhana competition at this time. Drivers in official events may be required to hold a JAF-issued competition license.

source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymkhana_(motorsport)

the corolla FT86

IT’S the news that coupé fans have been desperate to hear – the corolla AE86 is back! Toyota has resurrected its most famous sports car, in the shape of this head-turning new machine – and it’s set to blow the Volkswagen Scirocco away.Called the FT-86, it will make its world debut at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. And although Toyota is calling it a concept, you can expect to see the new model in UK dealers next year. As well as the Scirocco, the FT86 will go up against other reborn coupés such as Vauxhall’s Calibra and Ford’s Focus-based Capri replacement. So buyers will have the widest range of affordable two-doors for more than a decade. A big selling point will set the Toyota apart from its rivals, though – it’s rear-wheel-drive.The FT-86 is named after the Corolla AE-86 – a rear-driven coupé that achieved cult status among the Japanese ‘drifting’ community. It’s the result of a Toyota and Subaru joint venture. Although official details are scarce ahead of the car’s unveiling in Tokyo, one insider revealed that the new FT86 gets a 2.0-litre flat-four cylinder boxer engine from the Subaru Impreza, mated to a chassis from the Legacy. This has been modified so that power is sent only to the rear wheels, as opposed to all four. On top sits a striking body that clearly takes design cues from the FT-HS hybrid sports concept seen at 2007’s Detroit show. It’s an amazing shape that injects the sharp, edgy feel that’s been missing from the Toyota brand since the MR2, Celica and Supra disappeared from the line-up several years ago. At the front, there’s a huge air intake, flanked by slim LED headlights and bold, flared wheelarches. Together with the prominent raised nose – which takes themes from recent Formula One race cars – the front end really stands out. At the back there’s a raked window which flows down to meet a subtle boot spoiler. All the surfaces are smooth and taut, and the minimal front and rear overhangs help to provide a compact shape. As a result, the FT-86 looks purposeful and athletic. The drama continues inside. Digital instruments in blue and red are placed within an oval pod, surrounded by angular air vents. It’s a simple but effective design, set off by sporty touches such as a flat-bottomed steering wheel, figure-hugging seats and a stubby gearlever. Under the bonnet, the normally aspirated engine incorporates an all-new cylinder head with revised camshafts, pistons and valves. The unit produces 200bhp – more than the last-generation Celica, which delivered 189bhp from its 1.8-litre engine. In the new car, the powerplant is mated to a specially built six-speed manual gearbox developed by Japanese transmission expert Aishin – the firm behind the advanced automated manual set-up in Toyota luxury brand Lexus’s LF-A supercar. As a result, the FT-86 should cover 0-60mph in less than seven seconds and hit 140mph. Engineers have worked hard to ensure the motor meets the latest emissions regulations, and although it’s unlikely to be frugal – the Impreza’s boxer is infamously thirsty – the FT-86 should return around 35mpg. Yet while the Subaru Legacy donates its chassis, not much of the basic architecture will be retained in the new model. The springs, dampers, brakes and steering will all be uprated, to ensure the FT-86 is every inch the rear-driven sports car. The production version is set to cost at least £22,000 when it arrivesRead more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/242977/toyota_celica_returns.html#ixzz0VYkq4iim

2008-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

2008-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Pros :-

Aggressive styling.- Excellent handling.- Powerful turbo engine.- Solid braking performance.- Seating for five.Cons :- Looks too much like base Lancer.- Getting heavier every generation.- Somewhat firm ride.- Cheap interior plastics.- Not much else wrong with it.

Press Coverage :For 16 years and nine generations Lancer Evolutions have been a perpetual thorn in a supercar manufacturer's side because they offer out-of-the-ordinary performance at ordinary-man prices.On paper any Evolution is almost Ferrari-quick, while on the road, in real-world conditions, it will take some beating. A ballistic turbocharged engine and computer-controlled four-wheel drive puts performance in supercar territory - all from a car that underneath the wings, spoilers and gaping air vents is a sensible four-door family saloon.For the tenth generation there's little change in the ethos, but there are substantial changes to the car. Instead of refining and honing the existing car and rebadging it 'X', the Lancer Evolution is a completely new model. This is not just, er, an evolution.Built on the co-developed DaimlerChrysler 'Project Global' platform that underpins the Outlander 4x4, the Evolution X boasts increased torsional rigidity by more than 50% compared with the old Evo IX - and that bodes well for crash safety and handling.The Evo X comes with three power outputs - 291bhp, 325bhp and the range-topping 354bhp - named FQ-300, 330 and 360 respectively. Channel 4Surprisingly, despite trudging the additional weight, the X stopped better than the IX, was quicker through the figure eight, and displayed superior grip on the skidpad, grasping for an Audi R8-tying 0.99 g compared with the IX's 0.95. The X's slightly larger Yokohamas (245/40R18 versus 235/45R17) deserve credit, but it's the stouter brakes and new AYC that merit much of the glory.In many ways, the X feels entirely dissimilar to the IX on the track (as well as on the road). Whereas the IX is frenetic, raw, and noisy, the X is calm, cool, and collected. The steering, still with a quick ratio, feels responsive and linear, yet no longer transmits harshness or bump steer through the helm as does the IX. Further, the X's five-speed offers an easier action and better shift quality; its larger Brembos, which allowed for braking much deeper into turns, feel stronger and easier to modulate than before; its ride no longer prompts a visit to the dentist. In light of the IX, the X is more refined than a packet of white sugar. Perhaps the best way to put the X into context is to say that it feels akin to a lighter, cruder Audi S4, whereas the IX will always seem like the closest thing to a four-door Lotus Elise. That said, the fundamental Evo traits-turbo engine, sublime chassis, and all-wheel-drive grip-remain in the X and are more capable than ever. Motor TrendAt the heart of AYC is a trick rear differential that combines a traditional limited slip with two clutches that correspond to the right and left wheels. The result is that torque can be routed to either side under any conditions. For instance, the right wheel could have a braking force on it while the left wheel still receives power.Stability control and ABS are nothing new, but the key to S-AWC is that it uses all four systems together to maximize the grip from the wheels and keep the car going where the driver points it. Combine that with the superaggressive S-Sport mode of the Twin Clutch-SST, in which gears are held right up to the redline and downshifts are timed better than if you use the paddle shifters, and the Evo X is the real-world version of a video-game simulator. The way the Evo X goes around corners is nothing short of incredible. You steer into the turn, and well, that's about it. There's no sawing at the wheel and no midcorner correction, unless you intentionally pitch the car into a turn to rotate the back, which the Evo X can still do. Car And Driver

source:http://www.modernracer.com/history/mitsubishilancerevolutionxhistory.html

2009 Subaru Impreza Drive-Test

We tend to like Subarus around here, thanks to their all-weather fun factor and funky spirits. Seldom do we find much to dislike that their reasonable-for-an-all-wheel-drive-vehicle prices can’t explain away. But the 2009 Impreza GT leaves us scratching our heads.Basically an Impreza with the same 224-hp motor found in the 2008 WRX and nice-looking, multi-spoke 17-inch wheels, the Impreza GT offers more performance than the 170-hp Impreza without the more hard-core inclinations of this year’s new WRX. It adds to the base Impreza comfort items like climate control, a sunroof, and larger front brakes, too.But after our time with it, we found that no matter how many features it may boast, there’s just no getting away from the fact that the Impreza GT still feels like an economy car. There is no big rush of power to distract you from the tinny sheetmetal. The hard, shiny plastics on the dash and doors are unacceptable even in far cheaper cars these days, and the lack of a usable center armrest is but further evidence of budget-minded design. We’ve seldom issued too many complaints about the Impreza chassis, and you won’t find many here, either. The quick steering enlivens the driving experience and is complimented by a responsive suspension and an all-wheel-drive system that rarely allows any tire to chirp. Brakes are similarly sharp, thanks to those enlarged front rotors. And as with other Imprezas we’ve driven, the GT’s ride quality is excellent, but prioritizes comfort too much over a level attitude in extreme maneuvering.Although the engine is still the turbo boxer gem it’s always been, powertrains are like ballroom dancers: The leader is only as good as his partner. The sole partner for this engine is a relatively limp four-speed automatic with a manual-shift gate but no paddles, which slows what could be a tango to a leisurely waltz. The last 224-hp WRX we tested hustled to 60 in 5.8 seconds, but that was with a manual transmission, not the slushbox. Meanwhile, the 2009 WRX comes in with 41 more hp, 18 lb-ft more torque, and a happy five-speed manual transmission that conspire to snap 1.1 seconds off the 0–60 time. Although speed isn’t all things to all people, money might be, and we can’t get our heads around the GT’s price. At $27,690, it’s a full two grand higher than the base WRX sedan and $500 less than the comparably equipped WRX Premium. In our opinion, this is just plain too much money for what is essentially an economy car with 224 hp. Perhaps a navigation system or sport seats might help, but as is, there is little to lift the car into the “special” category.Subaru’s official position, for what it’s worth, is that the 2.5GT will appeal to a different all-around buyer than the WRX, “a specific audience” that might otherwise find the $21,690 Impreza 2.5i Premium (automatic) appealing but wants the extra kick of the turbo mill. Whether or not they’ll find that kick to be worth an extra $6500 remains to be seen, of course, but we think that most buyers won’t.

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History of the Automobile

To know who invented the first car you must first define what car is. Some said steam-powered coaches are cars and people like Daimler-Benz (who started Mercedes Benz) say that cars are light carriages for personal transport with three or four wheels, powered by a liquid-fueled internal combustion engine. As you see the definition of a car can be different, and therefore the automobile could have been invented by any number of people at different times in history.The first written record of a self-propelled vehicle was Leonardo da Vincis. He toyed with the idea in the 15th century. He even designed and drew several different so called car models in his notes. for more detials:-www.buy-a-car-with-no-credit.com.Sadly Leonardo did never came to building anything. The steam engine was considered to be invented by James Watt in 1765 and was perfected by both English and French scientists over the next century.Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot, William Murdoch and Richard Trevithick all came up with steam-powered beasts that were so huge and heavy that they need a fully flat surface to move on. In fact, iron rails were installed on roads in Paris and London for the next 120 years so these cars could move on them. They were basically a smaller versions of trains.During the Steam Era you could find all sorts of funny car inventions. In the United States, Oliver Evans invented an amphibious vehicle that can travel on wheels and on water with the help of a paddle wheel. Ivan Kulibin of Russia designed a car with modern day features such as flywheels, brakes and a gear box. Oddly enough, it was it was human-pedalled. Etience Lenoir invented something he called a hippomobile that proved to the masses that automobiles can handle long trips. He drove all the way from Paris to Jonville Le-Pont.One of the first to mass-produce cars was Karl Benz. His cars appealed to many due to being able to move at 45 km/h (28.2 mph). In France, Panhard et Levassan was the first ever company to be formed exclusively for the sole purpose of making cars. The Duryea brothers (Frank and Charles) were the first automobile manufacturers in the United States, and they were swiftly followed by Ford and Winton.A special mention goes of course to Henry Ford. Contrary to popular belief, he didn't actually built cars. Well, his company did, but what he personally invented and perfected was the manufacturing line in car building. He used one worker for one task and had an ingenious system of dropping the car's body on its wheels. He also added modern features such as the car radio after getting the idea from private jets.There were different eras to the automobile's history. And each brought different improvements to the car. In the Vintage Era, internal combustion engines and the overhead cam engines were modified. for visit detials:-www.divorce-rebuild-your-life.com.A prime example of this is the Austin 7. During the Pre-War Era, fully-closed models were produced for the first time and trunks were added. The Post War Era gave birth to cars which have more resemblance to modern automobiles. Arty and sleek cars, like the Mini Cooper, have left a memorable imprint on automobile history.Whether you're driving a luxury car, a sedan or a piece of junk that can hardly be called a car, it's a nice feeling to know how far the car has evolved from being steam-powered coaches to modern practical vehicles.
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Used Car Bargaining Tips!!

Trying to purchase a car can be a little overwhelming and even embarrassing for the inexperienced. As the economy continues to sputter along, others in comparable positions have bargained their way into great price on their cars. Some people wonder what the dealer will think about you if he pulls your credit and you can't get approved. But keep your chin up, as most earnest people will be approved, and you'll rely on your confidence when it comes to terms.
To begin with, don't concern yourself with what other people thoughts about you may be - especially strangers. It boils down to the fact that you are in the dealership to possibly get a deal with them - and they are thankful to have a potential customer. No person at any car dealership will ever consciously conduct themselves in a way that might put a potential customer off.
In all likelihood you will receive approval on a car loan. However, if you look like you aren't confident it will likely be seen by the salesperson, and you will have less ground to negotiate from and that may result in you paying more for the car than you might have otherwise. It is hard to negotiate from a position of power when the other party can sense . So keep your cool at all times, and try not to show too much emotion one way or the other.
Though you may be declined if your credit rating is really bad, you should still act as though you are about to be approved and proceed with bargaining for a good price. And besides, keeping your cool may change opinions enough that some workaround may be found.
Additionally, you want to avoid appearing as having a lot of interest in any given car. By becoming excited about a car they know you will pay more for it, so it's best to look over it with a critical eye and voice any flaws in it or improvements you would like.
You never want a salesperson to think that the deal is already done, and only the paperwork has to be signed. When a salesperson notices this, it effectively signals the negotiation is complete, and you won't get any more concessions. He needs to believe that you and your money might walk away any minute, if you don't get the deal you are looking for.
Also keep in mind to be reasonable - if a dealer notices you're being a little too difficult the whole thing may be shuttered on their end. But if you manage to achieve a few concessions then consider you trip a success. So keep these three points in mind: act confident at all times, don't get overly interested in one car, and be ok with walking away if you don;t get what you are looking for.
Don't let bad credit become more than it is. It's nothing to be ashamed of, is more common than you think, and dealers have systems in place to get you credit. So the next time you go into a dealership follow the steps above and you have a good chance of getting the car you want at the price you asked for.
It can be tough trying to decide what the best used vehicle is for you. Come and see us in Markham or on the web at http://www.germanstarmotors.ca and let us help you through the process of getting a fantastic used car.
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