Sixth Speed Issue 16 by Linzi Jeremiah

TRINBAGO’s PREMIER UNDERGROUND

MOTION.LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

June: Jul 2013 + Aug: Sep 2013 The prices are RECOMMENDED & do not reflect or include Shipping or Sales tax or Additional Charges: USD $3.50 | EC$10:00 | TT$20.00 | BDS $10.00. It’s only a rough guide people.

www.sixthspeed.com

NEWS

You can WIN LARGE in The Castrol Magnatec & Sixth Speed Hamper Giveaway. Be the first to facebook or text “Get the Edge” to the Sixth

SOUP UP CARS and BUSS DOWN laws

PURE FAILMENTS of the QUARTER

VENUS Inside Kids: Peter Laquis 2nd Gen Z’ron Suzuki 1100 GSXR The Wallers Charger Naz GZE Corolla

Errers like Normal Join Sixth Speed on the Facebook. Look for SIXTH SPEED MAGAZINE.

STRAIGHT FROM THE HIP It ‘s probably the most devious Subaru we’ve featured to date. Don’t let the stripes fool you, this is the zombie you call when you have pesky problems to deal with on the streets.

SixthSpeed16 | www.sixthspeed.com

NUMBERS by the SIXTH

38,000,000 – the amount of money extorted from the public thru motor vehicle fines & tickets. 723 - Highest Horsepower made by an SR20DET in T&T.

T H E

S U M P

P A N

Once again we are back and as you can see the magazine has gone through the vanity changes - AS USUAL. Gotta keep shining as they say. As we continously strive for perfection, meaning the grammar errors are still there - we working out that kink. I am constantly reminded as to why I first got involved with the sixth and keep doing this when I can be occupied with so much other things - I just LOVE the life and all that goes along with it. With that said I am brought to the point where I have to ask myself where is motorsport heading - REALLY? As a culture, speed on the whole is getting bigger and smaller at the same time. While there are people building MORE great projects, there are those who are deciding to opt out for a myraid of personal reasons. As a Sporting disicipline, motorsport hasn’t gone anywhere to talk about and I wonder why is that. How can a sport with so much potential; more than ANY other sport in Trinidad & Tobago be in the same nowhere position almost 30+ years since it started. now, I came into speed late, so I missed out on a lot but from what I can see motorsport is ALWAYS ready to blow up. If you’ve ever seen the amount of people at a non scantioned Street Race, you will get where I am coming from. There’s so much to explore within the various disiciplines that it boggles my mind how can a sport so big, be so invisible and . Imagine there are people who not only think that Wallerfield racing complex still exists but that people die BECAUSE of driving fast. But then again we do have a local mass media that’s not really known for their automotive accuracy or literacy - geez do they suck. And why do they still pay more attention to foreign motorsport exploits than they do local racers like Ryan Garcia and others, who do their thing in the face of tremendous obstacles. Steups - if I want to find out about F1 there is the internet, where the stories are not only better writtern but much entertaining! Sigh, long live Sixth Speed; now, onto 16.

409 - The amount of pages you need to memorize in the Road & Traffic Act. Know your rights. 11’s - The bracket that was considered REALLY fast during the early 2000’s. 1 - The number of magazines like Sixth Speed.

S I X T H

S P E E D

G R E A S E

the speed limit on a daily.

PURE FAILMENTS

ARRIVE ALIVE with their ridiculous attempt to get pedestrians to use walkovers. Their idea; put safety awareness banners on the FRONT of walkovers targeting drivers on the highway rather than peds crossing the road. As if a man who’s going to cross a 6 lane have the time to look up, read and get a conscience call.

Quarterly Modification It has GOTS to be the Toyota 2JZ swap more than anything else. Men changing to 3.o liter power faster than color on a la-diabless right leg.

XOXO Marissa

SIXTHSPEED PRIME PARTNERS We got sponsors kids. Yay! Gotta love these folks who contribute so as to keep us blowing up the spot.

De Leon Construction Co Ltd.

# 121 Southern Main Rd, Curepe, Trinidad | (868) 662-4622 | deleonconstruct@gmail.com

Bin Stuntin Promotions & Gees Tees

CAR-MAN JEWELRY Better than gold, if you see a set of BREMBO GRAN TURISMO BRAKES up close, your life will change not only for the better but for the BEST. Not only do these things look sexy like a Seamen Classic but we can gurantee you a different level of attention when pumping. They come with 8 piston calipers outside the 4 and 6 and will make what you have on look like market tatas. Ladies take note; fellas put in that work.

I N D E X

P A R T N E R S

the people mad enough to sell the magazine

UP in the NORTH

Garvin’s Performance (POS) Miniciti (Valpark) Auto Image (Valpark) Quickbits (Curepe)

DOWN in SOUTH

Sheriff’s Auto Supplies (San/Do) Specialist Muffler (Ste Madeline) Mileage Mack Ltd. (San/Do) QWKWHP Co. Ltd. (Debe) Princestown Auto Supplies RONS Marketing (San/Do) Torry Hosein (Gulf City Mall) Parts Solution (Princestown) Pink Noise Audio (Gasparillo) Maztune (Cocyea) Ryan Performance (La Romain) Marty’s Barbershop (Mon Repos) SJR Imports (Debe) Antix Car Care (La Brea) Deserica Driving School (P/ Fortin)

ACROSS in the EAST Street Customz (Arima)

0 - That’s how many people obey

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RIGHT there in CENTRAL Tuner Imports (Charlieville) XR Performance (Cunupia) Custom Imports (Cunupia) Tip Top Marketing (McBean) Turbo Klub (Couva) Chris Performance (Munroe Rd.)

ACROSS in ‘BAGO

1.868.628-1278 1.868.678-7430 1.868.662-1201 1.868.645-7297

1.868.657-1687 1.868.698-0009 1.868.657-1704 1.868.647-6878 1.868.655-7633 1.868.653-0778 1.868.771-1478 1.868.655-6922 1.868.688-8679 1.868.783-5064 1.868.724-6493 1.868.762-6775

1.868.683-6065 1.868.665-6803 1.868.735-1086 1.868.788-2898 1.868.679-8533 1.868.636-5589 1.868.620-6306

JJ (Jelani Williams)

1.868.772-4361

A D VE R T I S E R S

I N D E X

Blue Coral Racing (Performance Shop) 555 Subaru Parts & Service (Subaru Parts King) Car Lover’s Pitstop (Auto Garage & Car Detailing) Cariszone (Like a Trinbago Amazon) Castrol (Automotive Lubricants) Cleantec (Foreign Used Vehicles) Custom Imports (Bike & Car Performance Shop) Custom Sounds & Security (Automotive Security) CyberEVO (Mitsubishi Evolution Parts 1-9) D&D Tyres & Auto Parts Ltd. Imraj Brothers Muffler (Muffler Works) Maztune (Mazda Performance Parts & Service) Motor City Limited (Tinting, Signs & Supplies) Outlaw Engineering (Mechanic Garage) Quickbits (Bike Performance Shop) QWKWHIP Co.Ltd. (Parts & Accessories Wholesale) RC Tuning (Auto Garage) Royal Purple (Automotive Lubricants) Sheriff Auto Supplies (Performance Shop) Specialist Muffler 2001 (Muffler Works) Speedy G Auto Garage (Mechanic Garage) Street Concepts (Performance Shop) Trump Auto Garage (Rotary Garage) Tuner Imports (Performance Shop) Tune Tech Performance (Bike Shop + Garage) Turbo Klub Performance (Performance Shop) Wheel Wizard (Rims, Tires & Accessories) WCIS Limited (Industrial Supplies) Valvoline (Automotive Lubricants) XR Performance (Performance Shop)

T H E

F O R M A L I T I E S

#9 Ramnarine Ave., St. Margaret’s Vge. C/Bay, Trinbago W.I

Feel Free to Call, Text or Email the Sixth

476-3220 or 386-5352 sixthspeedtuner@hotmail.com Editor in Chief: Marissa Wong Soo | Editorial Assist: Alex Ramirez, Brent Alleyne, Dwight Titus, C.T Bear, Kerwyn Johnson | Writers: Linzi Jeremiah, Jevon Emmanuel, 5FWD | Underground Radar: Nigel | Design & Layout: Sev7nth Interactive Media + the Accounting: Monique Jones

The Editorials: We endorse individual expression and free speech

but we can’t publish everything; so we reserve the right to use submitted material and editorials as we see fit. All credit will be given where applicable. Also the views expressed are those of the writers and NOT the magazine so don’t shoot the messenger.

The Disclaimer: At Sixth Speed try our best to gurantee that the information in these pages are correctand will not be held responsible if you decide to try anything and things go wrong. Any damages to persons and property is not our fault; that burden of responsibility rests upon your shoulders. Don’t say we didn’t tell you pappy.

SixthSpeed16 | www.sixthspeed.com

EEN THE

CARTAIL

NEWS

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EET

Breif, Fast & Sweet - all the Car News in a Short Short

(TT) In the East, Fine Tuned Dyno (492.5600) has gone from only being able to offer 2WD dyno services to 4WD/AWD. Evo, Subaru, Skyline need not worry any more as they can now be accommodated alongside the FWD and RWD brethren in getting their figures logged and maps adjusted.

Ears to the ground and eyes on the boost guage; we’re having the REAL motionsports stuff go fast people care about.

DRAGS

to the ring the single seat 1000+ full race supra but experience Coined Redemption, t’was madness as 24 Trinbago catastrophic engine failure on the 1st machines and about a million drag race fans not run leaving pieces including pit crews almost sank an island. of the block as keepsakes for many down the track. It was all out madness. Never The red GTi-R pulsar driven by before have we seen such FRENZY Richard Gardner has potential like in preparation, with man trying to crab, but mechanical issues followed get ready for what was one of the him since Trinidad causing him to most hyped events for the year. The relax on the by-lines. Armed with mad rush to get ready as time flying a RB20DET and a suspension setup up like a baffled dip stick saw men that works in a car the people say sparring no expense with many doing does rotten fast; the Butcher (Fazad nonstop Dyno tuning to break in Mohammed) was able to make fresh builds and make that power; the Charmant move despite small late night street testing to dial in issues and had the car in 10.s then suspensions; car receiving last minute 9.7 (new personal best). Also doing upgrades to go faster and in some personal bestness was Neil (Marlon cases total overhauls. All this just to Roopnarinesingh); who jumped make an event where the track was straight off a plane and into his vile hooking like shark in a bathtub and 2JZ MKV1 Supra, full gas, bounce the opportunity to put down a time, starter and started licking down best relieve some stress and show off times from Saturday like is nothing build potential. from 9.82 > 9.1 > 9.0 making him the fastest in 9’s. Kenny in his MKIII Supra 21 cars and 3 bikes consisting of powered by 2J hopped down the some heavy hitters made the journey 1320 in 9.5 > 9.3 and was able to take across the waters on a boat that 2nd.even with head issues. initially stalled in the middle of the ocean before reaching St Lucia. A few Leading the 2J grand chargement million dollars of car bobbing like was Singh (Wazeer Khan) aka Boost a fish head isn’t nice, but once thing Factory in his recharged S14. First got started again it was ORN. Friday pass had the S putting down 9.4 on was testing and it didn’t take long to low boost and a tear in the boost realize that the track was different hose, but problems came right after and biting back against bad mind and requiring urgent mechanical attention ill intent. In an orgy or ego bruising when a 300 shot ah NOS off the line and turnkey tabanca, larger than burnt a valve. The head was changed life 3 diamond rep; Omar (Samuel but a bent valve required ANOTHER Weekes) started out doing a 11.2 and head change which blew out a spark was set to decimate in his stripped plug LITERALLY. Four in the morning out Evo 1 sporting a sweet engine bay repairs had the car out again doing (we were surprised) but a push lock a 9.0 @152mph and breaking the diff, hose that wasn’t secured properly then a 8.9 @155mph sealing him as backed out, blew Schaeffer engine oil the Open Class Winner and Fastest all over causing rapid bearing wear Overall. and a slight knock. Jodi Ali brought

St. Lucia

(TT) Spartan Performance (681-1817) is the official dealer for WOLF EMS in Trinbago. (TT) Kingston Performance has managed to pull the highest TQ figure out of an SR in T.bago to date – 711HP/ 723lb*tq with a boost-nitrous combo in Jesse Singh’s 180SX (TT) Tuner Imports has acquired dealership for Tomei and G Force products, so warranty and tech support is intact direct from the company. The Tomei name speaks for itself but in case you were wondering G Force is custom Gearboxes, Transmission and Long Shifters for drag applications. (GLOBAL) Nissan in their marketing wisdom had named Usain Bolt their “Director of Excitement” and will build a couple limited edition Bolt spec GTR35 specific to his driving style. We’re lost in understanding what style he has considering he has written off 2 BMW M3s already. (TT) Shift Performance is offering powder coating services of almost anything you can think about in some very delicious colours, from Tappet Covers to Brake Calipers to Rims, Shift powdering like Amin’s on a girl neck

The envied by many rotary camp was on point with Ricardo Mohammed in his 600+HP single purpose 13B FD3S. Aiming for low singles and making them fronts lift off high in practice; an IMPRESSIVE Puerto Rican style burnout resulted in damage to the gearbox and him clocking an 11.1 > 10.8 with no 3rd or 4th. Gregory John in the silver FB flanked by 2 rotors and boost, clocked 11.4 but demolished the diff in the process. Mechanical issues held back veteran Oswald Stoute and

(TT) Just so that it goes on record in 2012 there were a number of local records falling on the Camden strip. Ricardo Mohammed set fastest 13B rotary doing 9.9. Fastest mitsubishi was Sanjay in an Evo 4 doing 11.001 thereby beating the record set by Omar which was 11.2. Aaron Dowridge held onto the fastest RB crown doing 9.1in his R32 skyline and long time Subaru stalwart Christian Tam set down 11.0 in his GC8 Subaru. (TT) Toyota Trinidad has “sold” two automatic GT86’s to what can only be described as very happy people; with one sporting the FULL Nur Spec GT-86 Aero Kit which we find kinda look weird. (TT) Karting has produced (2) young talents on the motorsport circuit – Craig Sumair who is in rally and Kristian Boodoosingh in Drag & Wind Series of event held up at the ARC

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SixthSpeed16 | www.sixthspeed.com

SIXTH SPEED

SHORT SHIFT: NAZ TOYOTA COROLLA

Everybody’s all wasted on turbo, nitrous and NA business so the 4A-GZE that forms the basis of this 110 Corolla owned by Naz Mohammed is what makes this car a bit different from the rest. Sealed and set as a Toyota man from long time since his days working at AMAR, Naz initially had a yellow Corolla with a Formula Atlantic fashioned 4AGE. However, as with most performance men, you can never do just “A” project. Enter the 110. Originally owned by Naz’s brother, the 110 was supposed to partake in an experiment to see which engine delivered the better bang – the NA FA with its potency under RPM or the GZE with torque and boost. Already a bit modded with Levin front + rear brakes; Naz, with the help of his cousin Zamir Hosein who also did the paint and AC, undertook the project of swapping

out and putting in the GZE. Four days of turning spanner by a garage near to the road and the car was in a gear, ready for the whitelines. With both cars running, no doubt all the flagrant experimenting was putting a strain on the pockets, so one had to go. The yellow was sold MINUS the high revving engine that made mince of B and D series. Now with only one car to focus on, Naz’s plan was to keep the mix light, simple and effective as far as modifications go. Maintaining the block stock; Naz threw in 235 deg Cams, upgraded the crank pulley, added 2 1/4” extractors and changed the exhaust to 3”. The supercharger is still 4A with just 9psi registering on the gauge but pretty soon that’s going to be replaced to up the boost; along with some additional stuff that’s just relaxing in Naz’s bedroom right now. We speaketh

of MR2 cams, 7M intake and exhaust valves, performance valve springs, crankshaft pulley, 550cc injectors and a GReddy blue to make sure things are tied and tuned for maximum dun out. Other areas that got touched was cooling, clutch, suspension and fuel. The original top mounted intercooler is gone for an Evo 3. The radiator, which would have been single core originally is now a 3 core unit. An ACT 6 puck copper kit on the stock flywheel fields the clutch and suspension bits include; 17in rims draped in 205/ 40/17 Nexen 1000s, AE80 front shocks in the rear and coilovers upfront. An Aeromotive FPR takes gas delivered from a 6 series BMW fuel pump which Naz found out by PURE accident bolts right in. DIY builds are always awesome and as a project this daily driven Corolla is right on track; it’s simple, it’s fun, and it shows what you can achieve on a budget. Not often do people take the chance to do something out of the norm and with Naz being from the old school, we are stoked that he’s still in the game. Years out there on the frontline would’ve given him the nasty ability to be thorough and surgical in his driving skills making the way he deals with very abysmal. The wing, avocado green and decals are for show only but with continuous improvement taking place over the last 4 ½ years this 1600cc has nowhere to go other than in front. Special thanks to: Keston Cooper/ Zamir Hosein (paint, mechanical and air conditioning) – 308-2712 / Shiaz Aggan (electrical) – 737-5335

SixthSpeed16 | www.sixthspeed.com

GRINDING GEARS

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GRINDING GEARS IS SPONSORED BY:

De Leon Construction Co Ltd.

We let our resident pitbull and here his say on issues that borderline madness

When the “leaders” of the land thought it wise to impose a broad brush ban i.e. age restriction on the importation of foreign used vehicles past a certain age my bitterness level went ultimate Gangam style. Reason being, due to this thing, I cannot legally import AND henceforth license ANY potent sports/ performance car from an era when the cars were simpler, fun, made right and much better looking. Might I also mention that right now these car are blatantly affordable. Please note that I DON’T care about the regular rubbish.

aged individuals; casually described as Generation X according to marketers, are getting involved in motorsport and have disposable income (not much). With that money many want to own their personal a dream car that’s not only exciting but fits into their lifestyle; isn’t clogged with technical crap, makes that deep emotional connection and makes a sweet statement that reflects them.

Yep kids; because of the decadence of those “in authority” who seem to have all the answers; through the curse of social law and ever popular political line of looking out for the public interest. Whenever I surf the internet and purge my eyes lawless on websites like tradecarview I am eternally haunted by the very grim reality that I may NEVER own and therein crucify the streets of Trinbago with a 2002 VSPEC II Nissan Skyline NUR (Signal touched if possible); a 1996 GC8 555 Subaru WRX STI; a Mitsubishi EVO VI Zero Fighter, EK9 Type R, 1969 Lincoln continental GT – black, 1996 Ford Escort RS Cosworth, RE Amemiya 3rd gen, a TYPE X Nissan 180SX, a DC5 Integra with the Mugen RR treatment truss me I can go on.

back in the day the now grown up Generation X were either VERY broken, didn’t have a valid DP or were to consumed in doing other things in life - until now. The few who could’ve afforded did so without a second thought because they had the paper to play. However at no time back then was anybody thinking there would’ve been a future ban that limits the car pool to those that were already here and legally registered before a certain date. Hence men would have acted MUCH differently. Since I am toting and feel discriminated, I can say that the government is the cause of my suffering; causing these car prices being HYPER inflated as they are the ones who fundamentally CREATED the artificial shortage through policy - I say artificial because supply is plentiful in the countries of origin. It sucks Spanish eggs and lentils that I can’t get an original EK9 because of politics. Personally, I feel cheated.

Now, supply is limited because

Owing a performance car in itself is not illegal and like I stated before there are options open to me to get what I want. But the ones that make sense usually involve some kind of ratch and ultimately passing a morney which has been branded as “the cost of doing business”. BS. Imagine the inequality when you consider if I was a returning resident from a foreign land I could bring back that very said illegal old car and get it LEGALLY registered. OUTSTANDING Bullocks. Why must I jump through that kind of hoops to legally enjoy something, that isn’t fundamentally illegal to own, but now illegal to import and legally register because it’s considered old by some decrepits. WDA!

I should be allowed to import, legally register, properly licence, adequately insure and freely drive whatever the hell I want.

I know what you saying “But frank, ent you could buy plenty ah dem cars here, in Trinbago.” And the answer is No - as not much of these cars exist here. And from the very limited supply that DO exist is either 1 of 3 things; who have not selling, who selling want a premium or will only sell to who they know - partner thing. Locally, the demand for performance cars is up because alot of middle

Look if you are not into cars you won’t really care about all this; which is fine. It’s the same speed I don’t care how that shiny showroom matchbox that gives you the illusion that you’re special in some way.

In countries that make sense, cars past a certain age are allowed to be imported and registered once they meet certain criteria NONE of which has anything to do with age. With old cars safety can’t be an issue because in real life men still crashing their life away AND alot of sports cars of yester year came with features that car companies are only now implementing. Emissions are a non issue because it’s very subjective and used as a marketing scam by people who can manipulate a system. Don’t come at me with gas because older cars were made to run on cheap gas and still delivered fantastic mileage, especially when you compare them to what’s out there today. They weighed less, came manual and were devoid of the funk that curses new cars. Don’t say it will clog up the road because so called NEW cars are in fact OLD cars themselves. In the US there’s the classic car law, which allows vehicles over 25 years to be imported. In Australia & New Zealand once they’re of special interest (antiques, sports cars, vintage

and historical), cars can be swung in like corn on a skillet. In the Sweden and UK no limit on any vehicle once the paper work is in order. No wonder we are considered Banana and it stems from our way of thinking - moreso the people in charge of making policy that in reality only benefits a few. Once I have my cash, since bank don’t give loan for sports cars and documents in check, I should be allowed to import, legally register, properly licence, adequately insure and freely drive whatever the hell I want. If I buy a sports car that’s high mileage – that’s my business. If the car breaks down after 1 month – GREAT! It’s an excuse to modify. If the car needs fixing – let me fix my thing because that’s what I like to do. If I get a car that’s older than advertised with a rolled back odo – that’s MY loss and PERSONAL choice. Like the old people say “You big and you have sense!” - Politicians and these laws have taken away the freedoms of people under the guise of protectionism and that is absolute old lady sugar. These bag of mad regulations ONLY work to oppress and logically make NO SENSE. I can understand why foundation used to say “Crime cyar dun!” and it’s true. In a perfect world there’s supposed to be organization to lobby on behalf of car enthusiasts so that we don’t fall in the pits of nonsense dug by policy makers but alas we have TTA..... (mental note - don’t go there). Smart people know that the system sucks monkey scrotinium and isn’t fair. The forefathers had options like wind back in the day - from English to American, so they had their fun. Steups. With how things are structured I can see it being a classic case of catch me if you can because things not making any kinda sense and I want to pace out. Death to nonsensical automotive laws!

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SixthSpeed16 | www.sixthspeed.com

SIXTHSPEED

SHUTTERAZZI HAN VIN K er: KE graph Photo

Photographer: Shawn Ramjoh n/ Tamara Ha rripaul

At the sixth we celebrate creativity on a different level. Since the inception of DSLR photography many have been putting eye to the viewfinder and risking life, limb and lens to take out some awesome pics. Here we showcase a few of the COOLEST shots fresh from the Trinidad & Tobago Underground that have us saying Wheyyyyyy sah!

FEEL FREE to send in your pics via emailz or via the fassbook

Photographe r: ALAIN RAMD EEN

el ah Samu pher: No Photogra

Photographer: Matthew Downes

SixthSpeed16 | www.sixthspeed.com

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SHAPE SHOP & THE SIXTH

MOTION FITNESS PROGRAM

Remember it takes 100lbs to shave off a 10th of a second in the ¼ mile. 10 pounds of removed weight equals 1 HP. Also take into consideration that the less weight you have the less you engine has to work thus increasing gas mileage, so it pays to drop those pounds.

THE REALITY CHECK Photographer: Christian Ramn arine

In losing weight it pays GREATLY to come up with a custom Strategy for you. No two people are built the same, so by the hands of logic it can’t stand to reason that how YOU are disposed to lose weight will be totally different from someone else. There is no one size fits all. Right about now, many people are caught up in the hype and have no clue. Effectively losing weight requires a few things and understanding that it doesn’t happen just like that is important. Dropping them pounds requires a couple things that you have to get straight. In order to PROPERLY and EFFICIENTLY do the do; you needs to

im Ali Photographer: Fah

Photog rapher: Avidt M ohamm ed

1. Come up with a Strategy/ Develop a solid plan. Basically, figure out what you want and where you want to go. 2. Do research especially about your body type and how foods affect you. 3. Definitely switch up your eating habits according to how your body processes food. 4. Exercise and this kinda goes without saying but losing weight and gaining muscle is 2 different things. 5. Keep track of your progress, so get sum pen and paper OR online logger 6. Drink lots of water Right now every one of these areas will take commitment but nobody is perfect so chances are unless you have unrepentant dedication you’ll fail, you will slack off, you will backslide – the key is sticking to it until you reach your goal and not giving up jes so. It’s a process.

Get INVOLVED to DROP the POUNDS: Call Ravi 658-5740 and tell him yuh ready | email: shapeshop@hotmail.com

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SixthSpeed16 | www.sixthspeed.com

It’s

long been established that people who are into the life are generally referred to as being a couple slices short of a whole wheat loaf. Though many of the things done tip toe on the edge of insanity; a whole new level is reached when a person of seemingly sound mind, makes the personal decision to turn their ONLY car into a bedroom monster that scares the moisture off a child’s wet bed-sheet. It’s one thing to have the lone household getter drop off the kids, go to and from werk, carry the wife grocery and then look to meltout the weekend on family roadtrips. But having those duties along with the unreeling mental penchant to casticulate people like a manicou snorting Alabama scotch is taking the goat way past the water well. A throwback to what happens when you’re around car men for too long; Christopher Samuel no doubt had the bug and the first bite to beat man began under a B11 that was supposed to be his go to work car. Bought “new” from a rental fleet with a loan he got from his sweet neighbour Ms. Phillip (God Bless her heart), Christo didn’t stick when it came to modifying the Nissan and in two/threes the Bees was sporting sidedrafts and a44’s. As a young flight attendant for BWEE (take a pause – yes; that’s what we said and that was our look too) flying in the skies may have its downsides but it did come with some great perks besides a salary. Namely, free travel to foreign lands where you are exposed to shelves of performance parts to which you can freely purchase. Being shown the light like that was overwhelming, so the wallet came out and soon enough the Sunny was sporting race cams, a close ratio gearbox and every racers best friend - NITROUS. From a “slight” tune and plenty guess work that caused the engine to blow headgasket(s) like candles in Hurricane Gilbert, Chris managed to take 15’s outright the first time he attended an official drag meet at Wallers back in the day. Yes kiddies, there was a time when 15’s was considered fast. Keeping the Sunny a bit, it was eventually sold and in came a B12 aka Nissan Sentra. That project went down the SR20DET route, but FWD has its drawbacks and no traction had him getting alot of preordained licks. The idea of going to all fours using a bamboo purchased 4WD setup he had breezing under his backstep did enter his mind, but when he assessed the mix, he decided to sell out and look for something else. Inspiration comes in many forms and right after a shotgun ride in a Subaru driven by Christian Tam, the ole Christo was INSPIRED – too bad the car wasn’t for sale. That left him down and to do what speed men do best. Persist, we don’t wanna say beg. After showing a level of thirst beyond reason, incessant phone calls across the waters to Tam in ‘bago eventually gave yield. Christopher was finally able to take possession of the Subaru; rather, a 1998 Subaru GC8 WRX STi Type RA – yes kiddie, we said RA. As in DCCD centre diff, handmade STI engine, rear 2 way mechanical LSD, upgraded ECU and 275 good ones to the ground. Happy days were here and aside from a small increase in boost pressure, a bigger exhaust and a Du Maurier pack inspired vinyl stripe – the car was kept basically stock-ish. That’s until during a casual run from Diego Martin to the cross for “burgers” (if you don’t know - stop reading this magazine). A series of light *tick*, *tap*, *tick*, *tap* from the engine lead to a thunderous *Gunk*. What followed thereafter was the pleasant sound of *Beep* *Beep* - *Beep* as a wrecker reversed back (aye, this isn’t the Queen’s English) to load up the car and shuttle it off to Silver Star on Mucurapo Rd. in tong. As you will expect depression kicked in strong, but the downtime and support from team members like Derek Murray showed him that things were about to get very different, as a plan comeback plan was drawn up and about to be put into effect. The block was rebuilt and forged out by Neil in Tobago utilizing CP pistons and Eagle rods. Silver Star then installed the piece alongside a Walboro 255 fuel pump, water/meth kit and Aeromotive FPR. Now hitting the whitelines again; happy like pappy, Sammy rocked normal until he got lined up pan a GT30 turbo which he added to the pot. Mixed in as well was a GReddy Profec B, Apex’i Power FC from 555 Subaru Parts, 850cc injectors from Christian Tam, extractor manifold from Legal Imports and a 15psi small tune from Raymond of Barbados. 279 at the wheels was the figure and it stayed like that for 3 months, when the Subaru got another tune that put the streets on notice. Pumping 26psi down the gully bean, the GC belittled many; breathing out 365whp, the car managed to rip the ¼ in a time of 12.6 going 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th.

SixthSpeed16 | www.sixthspeed.com

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STRAIGHT FROM THE HIP

Mind you, this didn’t mean there were not more plans to go further into making this the ultimate ‘take advantage of men’ monster; it just meant Christopher wanted not to risk anything and enjoy the car as is fuh the hour.

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CHARGED WITH BITTER AGGRESSION

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the Charger is a beast that still roams the streets normal, normal drawing copious amounts of attention from all angles from all ages (even sweet little old ladies go weak in the knees for this car â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we seen it).

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TUNING TECHNICA 29

THE DRIVER SERIES. In the last issue (wait don’t have it - tough) one of the most powerful lines written is that Humans; by their very nature have an amazing capacity for stupidity and this extends to driving aside from many things. Dotishness is usually absolute and it’s the brain’s inability to accept useful information, learn from it and act intelligently. When it comes to road movements, people generally are not very flexible and/ or creative; in fact most put enormous amounts of energy into doing the same rubbish over and over and over again. It shows openly that most drivers don’t know any better and are caught up in the circle of driving in a vacuum. Plain talk; because of that ridiculous thing called a driver’s permit, people “feel” they could drive and have a sense of false entitlement. Now, we not broad brushing and there’s no doubt that some people drive on a higher level than others by effectively using a mix of methods to outwardly achieve development in their personal performance. This sort of development is a process and in every process there are elements that can be adopted in order to make quick, meaningful and substantial improvements in your own driving. The development of driving performance is basically bubbled into (3) areas you NEED to be aware of:

(1) See where you want to go? – Having a clear idea of where you want to be, gives your mind something tangible to work towards achieving. (2) Look at where you are now? – The truth will set you free and it takes a big person to admit to short comings. You have to define what your driving is like and be able to seeing what’s working and what isn’t. Aye don’t be afraid to say that your driving stinks.

(3) Take action to bridge the gap – once you know where you are and where you want to go, it then becomes a case of doing the do in order to change your situation from the present to the future. Mind you, taking the action required involves many steps in itself but ultimately you will get moving in the right direction.

Understanding the Power of the Process

NOBODY becomes a good driver overnight and the sooner you understand that getting to be a road ripper is a PROCESS the better for you. Most tend to take that said process for granted but real drivers understand the power and potency behind walking the road between where they are and where they want to be. Once you’re moving closer towards your driving goals, that’s called PROGRESS; however if you happen to be one of those dreamers who constantly sing the I wish, I wish theme song while dreaming about the future then you’re wasting big people time and will not feel inclined to do anything about your present situation. On the flip side, if you are concerned only with the reality of your circumstance and never look beyond what you know, then you’ll be stuck in the proverbial comfort zone and do squat to make moves. Awareness of the gap between present and future is what drives the action to develop driving performance and it will do you well to remember that because this applies to all levels of driving.

first gotta wipe away the nonsense that has clouded your mind and replacing it with substance. Becoming more aware means going inside yourself, analysing and making notes on how you would like to perform, how you currently perform and what can you do differently to go from A to B. The Big Picture – Is having an idea on the reality of what is what. With introspection (big word for examining yourself conscious wise) the aim is for you to see the bigger picture of what proper and effective driving can do for you so that you will know where to focus your efforts so as to achieve maximum results.

THE STEPS Step 1: define WHERE your driving skills is at. CLEARLY.

What do you want your driving to be like? How would you describe yourself and driving style and what do YOU want it to evolve into. Notice we stressed on YOU and that’s because most people drive according to how other people; of sometimes much lesser aptitude, think they should. Look at how driving instructors endorsed by the decrepit Licensing Office churn out drivers and you will see why we don’t take the driving system in Trinidad & Tobago seriously. Once you can answer this question to yourself it will do you well in zoning you in on Focusing on what YOU want.

WANT – What we are going to say here will be difficult but when it comes to driving, ALWAYS focus on what you want as a driver, as opposed to focusing on what you don’t want. This philosophy is no different from the mentality of focusing on where you want the car to go as opposed to focusing on what you’re trying to avoid. Based on how the mind works; and yes we know what we are talking about, when you think about what you don’t want, you are automatically pulled into thinking about the very said thing you want to avoid thereby changing your mental focus in essence. Prove it you say: okay – Don’t think of sex. See. What did we tell you not to think about. Now; think about sex. Different angles but same point of focus.

WHAT – Once you as a driver consider WHAT you want, the rest of the puzzle as to how you’ll get there will fall into place, even though you may not immediately realize it. Most of the time people limit their driving to levels that are within their current ability – they simply don’t push the envelope. Personally, we find this is rather stupid, especially if you are aiming for brutality. If all you know is X, then all your actions & decisions will be structured around and dictated by the little you know. The whole point of setting your driving aspirations to the limit (as in done in motorsport) is to compel you to expand your mental borders and therein your abilities, so you can move ahead.

When it comes to road movements, people generally are not very flexible and/ or creative; in fact, most put enormous amounts of energy into doing the same rubbish over and over.

Right so lewwe get this show on the road – before we get into the steps of making nasty on the people road you have to take the time to Look Inside Yourself and Get The Big Picture. Looking inside yourself - Bridging that better driver gap takes time but you

YOU – At the centre of everything out there on the road to becoming a driver is YOU and once that becomes clear then focusing on bettering your performance will become alot easier. Only you can control how you perform, what you do and how you react to a given situation. Wishing that all days were sunny, all cars fun to drive and all drivers obey the law is living in a world of wishful thinking that borders madness. What you should be figuring out is really given all and any of the conditions; how do you want to perform with any of them that may pop up.

WOMEN of the SIXTH

VENUS MILLER. Right woman where this thing start because we see you pumping hard at a drag and wind event, so obviously it must have some kind of driving in your genes. LOL! Well I was born into a racing family. My dad (Tom Miller) used to race and I was his #1 suppor ter from bir th. Then, coming up my brother star ted racing and I became his #1 suppor ter. Then, later on my son (Brandon) became involved in kar ting and I was his #1 suppor ter until he decided he wasn’t going to compete anymore about (2) years ago. That actually threw me off and sent me into a panic attack but then I said wait, maybe I should give this motorspor t thing a try and that’s where it officially began. Wait, what de - so all this time you deceiving people then because we wudda swear you was in the driver seat from 190-long, now only to find out you fresh from the side, why allyuh woman deceptive so! LOL; Truth is, alot of people think like that because I was on the track all the time but really I’m a veteran suppor ter and crewman. My job used to be sandwiches, packing up tools, loading tyres; stuff like that. The one time I was going to drive was at a lady’s only race at Wallers. So see me out there waiting to run, only to have nobody line up. Later on in the pits guys were telling my dad that no way were they going to let their wives drive against me - that was the end of my racing career. Hmph, that is a real Cobeaux (cobo) sweat dread, you have to be the first person we know where their racing career start and finish at the same time - sad. So what kinda sandwich you use to buss down; bread & cheese, tuna, a lil’ smoke lizard? LOL! Where that come out from - Roast beef, a pork now and then. Mmmmmm beef; so we take it that by being around everything car you actually know about car without actually knowing about car. Yup; even though I really didn’t want to know, since in the beginning I felt as if this car thing really wasn’t for me, but I could help it anymore, so I tried it. Aaaaaaaaaannnnd? And I liked it, LOL; not so sure how much it likes me but I like it.

PHOTOS BY: Matthew Downes aka The Slim Thug

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A BITTER SWEET SUZUKI SixthSpeed16 | www.sixthspeed.com

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With the bike having been parked for all of six months, the carbs began flooding when Z’ron was riding it back down the road. Manoach’s solution – blast the merde out of it.

One

of the problems with the youth riders today is the fact that everybody has something fresh, that’s why if your lolo didn’t drop during a particular era you will have NO CLUE as to the form and function of the two wheel fertility flamingo that you see spread out before you. Don’t feel bad, neither did we. Seen as often as a nightingale during daylight this bike is from a place that’s not only behind God’s back, but down in a crease, past the ingrown split hairs, down to left, inside a pore, next to a blood cell. Mind you, taking a wrong turn on that back can drop you so far of a mountain that you might just past Columbus on the way down. As different as they come, Z’ron Sagar aka Tigga is a generational rider who; it’s clear to us, missed happy hour when sanity was giving out for free in the line. Is either that or they ran out because not on is the bike a beast but the rider possesses a kind of belly that isn’t really normal. Getting his bike affliction from the genes as his grandfather had a Yamaha 100 and his dad; Harrylal (aka Mr.. Sagar), owned a Yamaha Maxim 650. Z’ron and his sister; after being taught the basics by daddy, used to tief (not thief - that’s too strong) the 650 and ride in the yard as well up and down the street when he wasn’t home. Now, riding without permission, but as kids you always tend to have more balls than brain and Z’ron, being the guy he is took it to another level. On a dad not being home day; no riders permit small Tigga left the comforts of the in front and took the 650 out the road to the triangle in Mayo (yes Mayo, not Mayaro); where his dad managed to see him clear. We don’t know how much licks followed, but what we do know is that the next step was straight to Licence Office so that he could get the government plastic and be official under the law. Eventually Mr.. Sagar bought a new bike, so the Yamaha was passed to Z’ron who; with his savings tricked out the bike as best as he could over the course of with his savings tricked out the bike as best as he could over the course of (3) years.

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are going blatant and going to jump straight in the mangrove here by saying outright that this car has to be THE MOST controversially despised car in Trinbago modern race history. However; what’s so cool about all the abhorrence, is that deep down in the carnally depraved bowels of the masses, this IS and we will repeat; THIS IS the ONLY car that most; thought they will not admit it, will be prepared to walk away from love and enter into a deep seeded, illicit, vulgar adulterous affair without thinking once. It’s strange like hell but this 3 rotor, 2nd generation Mazda RX7 is brings forth a weird kind of emotional contradiction that on one hand seems confusing especially if you are out of touch with yourself. Built to not only go fast in a quarter, but too take advantage of pistons and show the potential on the wankel, this last of the SixthSpeed import Mohicans has the capacity to take your clothes, sell it to charity and make you walk home with nothing but a fig leaf, 2 nutmegs and a portion of Mauby bark down the centre in front of the popo. Check 15 years and you will see that Peter Laquis is a gearhead who lives for rotors. The now infamous 2nd gen. is actually the 3rd

incarnation of a love that goes scary deep. You may be too young to remember but first it was a yellow 2nd gen under 13B that used to lick down the cross pee-shoo, pee-shoo and do 13’s on the ¼ . That car was sold one side and the engine went into a silver 1st gen that was not normal under 554whp. The 1st became even more not normal when the 13B was changed to a 20B that made 768whp and managed a 10.99 at the strip. That first was later sold by heself (yes heself) and the 20B planted into the poison ivy soaked picker bush you see before your red, glazed, teary eyed retinas. Taking about six months to put together with no real fitment issues to talk about as the car prior to purchase was already 3 rotor equipped; the 2nd was the idea of one but overall the manpower of many. Before doing anything drastic, Peter made calls, took plenty advice and did alot of research so as to improve reliability, extend engine life and guarantee the kind of performance that he was looking for. With many great ones coming before, once identified the weak points of the build were dealt with one by one. It’s widely known that the 20Bees; when under high boost pressures is prone to flexing and stretching the normal bolts. Under that kinda strain, over a period of time the

THE RED ROTARY PARADOX

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thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing like rotary and there is DEFINATELY nothing like the sound of a 20B under boost on the open road in the dead of night.

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