Well its that time again. That special time of the year. A time for peace, love and good happiness and stuff. Its because of this time, myself and the rest of Auto Enthusia would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas.

It's a rare occasion that this particular individual takes time off from his busy schedule, but when Ralph Radhey, owner of RMT Automotive in Temple Terrace, Florida, agreed with an infectious smile to have a sit down with us, we were thrilled. After a bit of small talk we got down to business.

AE:  You've been working on cars for a while now, where did you get your start?

RR: "I've been turning wrenches since 10 years old with my dad back home in Trinidad. Maybe even longer than that."

AE: You used to work for a local high end dealership. What inspired you to have a go of it on your own?

RR: "Well, it was a dream of mine, a goal of mine to go out on my own."

AE:  So what does RMT specialize in?

RR: "Well BMWs, unique custom work, one-off, but not on BMWs alone, any make and model."

AE: What has been you favorite build, and what are you currently building now?

RR: "I'm currently building a '94 Suzuki Swift GT turbocharged 1.3 liter DOHC , also a 1989 BMW 325i stroked to 3.2 and turbocharged M20 motor. We also have a '70 280SL Mercedes-Benz that we're doing an electronic fuel management, and some modification to the hood so it opens at 90 degrees instead of 60. I want to say the '89 BMW is my favorite. It has the 2000 M Roadster trailing arms, big brakes and axles. The front has '95 E36 M3 front suspension, and it has the 2000 Z3 2.8 rack and pinion."

AE: With all this custom work,what plans do you have in mind for RMT's development?

RR: "I plan to get a bigger shop, do more custom work, and build race cars."

AE: Now you race in a few SCCA events throughout the year, but how did you get into racing?

RR: " Because of my dad [laughing]. Following in the footsteps."

AE: What can you tell us about your track car?

RR: The car is a 1989 Suzuki Swift GTi competing in ITB (Improved Touring B class), in central Florida region. The rules permit you to blueprint and balance the engine. You can bore it to 0.040 over. You can raise the compression half of a point. You're allowed to put any header, exhaust, any final drive ratio, add LSD, ECU re-mapping, and anything in front of the MAF is ok.

AE: How many cars have you built and what was the lastest track car that you built?

RR: [Thinking]"Probably, I would say 5 or 6 including mine. The latest was a '69 BMW 2002. Wwe did head work and suspension all around, shocks, springs, bushings, braided fuel lines, fuel pump, and a Weber carb 2 barrel."

AE: With all this emphasis on racing have you ever thought of running a driving school?

RR: "Yes, somewhere down the road."

AE: Well we're just about out of time, so in closing do you have any advice for techs looking to break out on their own, or up and coming racers?

RR: "Just go for your goal basically, and if you're going to race work on your driving and your set ups before you add more power."

RMT Automotive

8602 Temple Terrace Highway

Temple Terrace, FL 33637

 www.RMTAutomotive.com

  Everyone knows that Subaru's Impreza WRX STi has been a celebrated World Rally Championship winner on and off since its debut in 1992 at the hands of greats like Colin McRae, Richard Burns, and Petter Solberg. The car's reliability, its all wheel drive system, and near bullet proof EJ flat four power plant allow the former coupe, now 4-door saloon and hatch-back, to be easily driven flat out on any winding road on any given surface.

  Now, any Subaru enthusiast knows that the company has tendancy to produce limited editions of its STi and WRX Impreza rally-bred rockets at any given time. Unfortunately, if you live in the US you saw the likes of none of these. However, if you live in the UK well then you were graced with the likes of Prodrive's P1, the Richard Burns RB5 and RB320, the Series McRae, the Impreza Catalunya, and Petter Solberg's WR1. Well if you still live in the UK, and you're still in love with the company that made blue and gold a fashion statement, you're in luck. Behold the Subaru Impreza WRX-S and the STI330-S. 

Sporting big 18" allow wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero "Nero" 225/40 ZR rubber, STI front and rear spoilers, STI grille, and a Prodrive exhaust system, the WRX-S; though quite the head turner, is still a little brother trying to wear his big brother's clothes. The interior is nearly unchanged saved for branded floor mats and an aluminum Momo gear shift knob.

With a Prodrive Performance Package, the WRX-S gets a slight bump in overall horsepower; from 226.9 hp to 251.5 and a torque increase from 236 lb/ft to 287.6lb/ft. With near STI like numbers, Prodrive, who were consultants in the manufacture of both cars, says that the car gains better steering response and sharper turn in.  The question stands though, "How much will it cost?" and better yet "Will it make a US appearance?" To the first, good question, as of right now there's been no MSRP posted . . . at all. And as for it hitting the US market- Keep dreaming.

  When buying a sports car a few things come to mind. They’re usually expensive, usually the size of a shoe, and that your backside would find more comfort planted on the toilet than be offended by some sorry excuse of a bucket seat. Let’s not forget the nagging argument from the significant other as to the spacious accommodations of your zippy-sporty mid-life crisis machine. “You can’t buy it because I can’t fit endless amounts of shopping in the back seat.” or “There’s no back seat.” or “Why is it so loud?” It’s a frustrating viscous cycle. Is it so wrong to want a little rear wheel drive, an open winding road, and some low-end growl? Is it? Is it really? Well fear no more, Mazda has you covered.

  Ever since its debut the RX-8 has been a head turner. From its refined 1.3-liter 2-rotor rotary RENISIS engine, its low ride height and broad shoulders, to its stratospheric 9k red line; the RX-8 is every bit as aggressive as it looks. And if you didn’t know, the 2009 RX-8 is out. Its longer, its meaner, and today, I flogged it.

The Dodge Caliber, a mixed up, criss-crossed, and confused road goer. Its what you get when a Dodge Avenger and a Dodge Durango go to bed with each other after a long night of drinks and dancing. In doing so, you’re left with a portly, snout-nosed crossover with a prickly demeanor, and a pretentious price tag.

The open road, the symbiotic melding of man and machine, and the pinnacle of driving freedom . . . until you come face to face with every free motorist’s nightmare, traffic. No words can describe the feeling that overwhelms you when you’re cruising the 275 at a “reasonable rate of travel”, only to have your spirited driving dreams blown apart, like the time you smashed your sister’s doll house and ruined Barbie’s Honeymoon. Its an uneasy feeling knowing that at one time you were setting a ginger pace at 80mph to the tune of an exhaust note philharmonic, and then like a wet slap in the face, its over leaving you drenched, shocked, and wondering “Why and what did I do to deserve this?” No more engine symphony, no more joy, just full on rush hour stop. Hopefully you packed a snack because you won’t be going anywhere any time too soon.

Its truly remarkable how a major highway becomes a parking lot as wide and vast as the eye can see. Its not like the construction boffins aren’t trying either. “Well we’ll make it wider.” Great! Add another lane, and while you’re at it, line its shoulders with fast food eateries so that when one gets hungry they can simply exit their car, get a bite to eat, and then get back in! Why not? They’re not in a hurry, at least not anymore. Perhaps one day there will be a cure for the motorway common cold known (dis) respectfully as “Rush Hour” Chances are . . . probably not.

Hello and welcome to Auto Enthusia, a community site for the automotive purist. Here you'll find the latest industry news, previews, reviews, mark ups, mark downs, tech tips, facts, and finds!  Think of it as a painter's pallete sans the paint and artistic drudgery for Petrol Head madness.  So sit back, relax and read, and again welcome to the site!