KELLY CLARKSON - ListedMagazine.com

compiled 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
companions 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.com
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.
com
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.
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