I'm thankful I didn't submit my entry in the Audi TT Photochop Challenge, somebody might have tried to kill me!
Be kind, my niece loves it.
Lane Davidson
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Air Tight
Just wanted to let you know that after my feature in last month's issue (et 1/08) my car was in an accident last night. Driving home from work, a guy thought it was a good idea to turn into the side of my car, spinning me across four lanes of traffic. Thankfully, I am OK. I'm glad I had a good set of Forgeline wheels on there; they held up. The wheel and tire are still actually holding air!
Dustin Drummey
Cape Cod, MA
Disbelief
After receiving our 10/07 issue, I was in complete disbelief that the Waterfest coverage didn't include one word, photo or mention of the fastest car there. I'm referring to my son, John Mamana's Corrado drag car.
John has a 618hp 3.0 VR6 with a full cage, wheelie bars and parachute. It has a chromoly tubular rear axle with Fiat spindles, Weld wheels, an SQS transmission and ratchet shifter from Czechoslovakia plus a Clutch Net unsprung clutch. The trans, shifter and clutch alone cost over $9000.
Ken's Kustom Chassis did the cage and Bill Schimmel did the engine. John and his brother Chris did all the other work and painting over a period of three years.
John turned 9.75sec at 147.8mph but since he didn't have a 9sec license he couldn't make any additional runs. However, the people at Englishtown were great and let him get the first four of the required six runs the NHRA requires.
I realize that putting together a magazine isn't easy and you can't please everybody but we had hundreds of people congratulate us.
I wonder how many of your readers would be interested to knowing there's a hardcore VW shop out there investing time and money into a very fast VW?
Jim Mamana
Bangor, PA
500 lb Gorilla
Regarding your "2.slow tuning guide" (et 8/07), I just wanted to tell you that I'd always been a BMW guy until last year, when an old lady hit my E36 from behind, totaling it. I had only two days to buy a replacement, and on an impulse I picked up a Mk4 GTI 2.0.
Wow. I had no idea that along with the car purchase I'd be riding around with a 500 lb gorilla in the backseat named "Buyer's Remorse."
Needless to say, I learned my lesson about doing better research next time around.
Thankfully, I was able to double my power with no modifications whatsoever. How did I accomplish this feat? I TRADED IT IN! Now I'm rocking a Mk1 Audi TT 225 Coupe and I couldn't be happier.
I know most people who own a 2.0 don't want to hear this, but I think it's a complete waste of time to spend money trying to make this engine competitive. Go the easy route and Sell It.
I know this will anger some people, but seriously, if you don't research the specs you are in for a surprise.
I think the car is good for older folks, teenagers who shouldn't have a fast car, and people who only need "transportation." But if you're any type of enthusiast, you'll be sorely disappointed.
Scott Saint Hilaire
New Brunswick, NJ
We take your point; it's not called 2.slow for nothing. However, tuning is sometimes about making the best of what you have. And for many people, that can be a 2.0.
Best Mk1
In the 10/07 issue you put an 11.04sec Mk3 VR6 turbo on the cover. However, I wanted to tell you that Dave Withrow's "Best Mk1" should have been on the cover. It looked so much better then the Mk3.
Other than that, nice job with the mag. Keep up the great work.
Levi
Fremont, NH
The Mk1 owner felt the car wasn't ready and didn't have time to stay around for a shoot, so we arranged to revisit the car at a later date to photograph it properly. However, we still love the Mk3 and think it made a great cover.