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<strong>com</strong>piled by David Jones BURNING RUBBER IN THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN! Three Japanese manufacturers have launched show-stopping fl agships: Subaru has its all-new Impreza WRX STI, Mitsubishi has its Lancer Evo X and Nissan has unleashed its jawdropping, giant-killing GTR. Not one of these cars is yet available in the UK, so the only way to get near them was to head to Japan. Therefore, I was thrilled to get a scoop on the Scooby by driving a gun-metal Subaru WRX STI in Nagoya this Christmas. The previous STI was inspired by the rally cars made famous by stars including the much-lamented Colin McRae, so this new one has a lot to live up to. While the UK version is destined to be a 2.5 litre, the Japanese version’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine produces just over 300 bhp. I haven’t space to describe all that is new, but one stand-out feature was the SI Drive with 3 settings: Intelligent (economy), Sport and Sport Sharp, which does what is says on the can and blasts you up to Warp Speed in the blink of an eye. Thankfully, the standard-fi t Brembo brakes are also up to the job - as I discovered when I had to brake suddenly: we pulled up with barely a squeak (although my <strong>com</strong>panions went a little pale!). The Subaru fl atters your driving skills but still keeps you safe. Expect to see lots of them on UK roads! top: Subaru Impreza WRX STI, middle: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, bottom: Nissan GTR DON’T MISS RALLYE SUNSEEKER The fi rst round of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship returns to the South Coast on 22 and 23 February. Pre-race scrutineering takes place at the Littledown Centre, Bournemouth from 09.30, Friday 22 February, and racing gets underway at 19.01 hrs. The cars move off at 30-second intervals and drive from the Lower Gardens towards Pier Approach. On the Saturday, the action moves to Wareham, Ringwood and Somerley Park before the drivers return to Bournemouth Square to collect their honours in the evening. Find out more at www.rallyesunseeker.co.uk PR and marketing specialist David Jones’s love for language is equalled only by his love for wheels. Catch him at car and bike rallies, owners’ events and sports car shows, and log on to his website: www.helluvit.co.uk Send your motoring listings to davidjones@etc-inter.net www.listedmagazine.<strong>com</strong> motoring listings CAR CLUB DIRECTORY: MG Owners Club 1020: www.1020mg. org.uk Bournemouth and District Car Club: www.bdcc.org.uk Bournemouth Mini Club: www. bournemouthminiclub.co.uk Helluvit Sports Car Club: www.helluvit. co.uk Southern Car Club: www.southerncarclub. <strong>com</strong> Wessex Motor Club (at Southampton University): www.wessexmotorclub.co.uk MOTORBIKE CLUB DIRECTORY: Bournemouth and Wessex Advanced Motorcyclists: www.bwam.org.uk Southampton and District Motorcycle Club: www. sdmcc.net CARS SUNDAY 17 FEBRUARY Nascar, Daytona 500. FRIDAY 22 TO SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY Rallye Sunseeker, www.rallyesunseeker.co.uk SATURDAY 23 TO SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY London International Classic Car Show, Alexandra Palace. www.classicshows.org SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY Helluvit Sports Car Run / Factory Tour, www. helluvit.co.uk A1 GP, Sou Africa. THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY – SUNDAY 02 MARCH Rally Mexico. SUNDAY 16 MARCH Helluvit Sports Car Run, www.helluvit.co.uk A1 GP, Mexico. Australia F1 Grand Prix. SUNDAY 23 MARCH Malaysia F1 Grand Prix. THURSDAY 27 TO SUNDAY 30 MARCH Rally Argentina. SATURDAY 29 TO SUNDAY 30 MARCH British Touring Car Championship, Brands Hatch. BIKES AND SPEEDWAY SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY World Superbikes round 1, Qatar. SUNDAY 02 MARCH World Superbikes round 2, Australia. SUNDAY 09 MARCH MotoGP, Qatar. Poole Pirates Speedway – opening meeting at Poole Stadium. SUNDAY 30 MARCH MotoGP, Jerez, Spain. 43