BANG!

The New Year started off with a bang and within the first week of January I was wondering how things could get so busy so fast. But busy is good; it means that we must be doing something right, so I'm not complaining.

We have so much in store for you for 2009. Apart from the magazine and website, we intend on organizing more events to give you Rodders more opportunity to show off your rides and do what they are really meant for.DRIVING!

We are planning the second SA HotRods Street Festival at Killarney Racetrack in Cape Town, set for 14 March. Now, before you Rodders from other parts of SA get too outraged over the seemingly extra attention Cape Town is getting, we are working on runs and events in Gauteng and Durban, so keep an eye on SAHotRods.com for more info.

In fact, the biggest Rodding event in SA is happening in Boksburg on the 11 April: the 13th Street Rod Nationals. We can't wait to see what will be coming out of garages from all over SA and be making their debut. Of course, the SA HotRods team will be there in full force, promoting the mag and scouting for talent. So come to our stand, have a chat and introduce us to your labour of love. We love hearing from you.

What's in store for you in this edition of SA HotRods?

Joe van Zyl

	HENRY FRIEBUS: A land speed legend When Henry Friebus lined up for a final safety check on a 1937 Harley Davidson at Bonneville Raceway, he was not only about to ride this bike for the first time, but he was also about to attempt a land speed record for the first time, and, more incredibly, on his 83rd birthday. Read Henry Friebus' fascinating story in the March issue of SA HotRods magazine.
	A RATICAL PICKUP - the 1937 Pickup Rat Rod Rod-building specialist, Jacques Mouton, always wanted his very own Rat Rod. It took him ten years since finding his starting point, but the payoff is that he is now the proud owner of a true American-style Rat Rod. In this issue of SA HotRods, Jacques himself will tell us about the build, as well as some background into a style of Rodding where beauty really does lie in the eye of its beholder.
	CRUISING: The Cannonball Run The Cannonball Run is probably the most exclusive, exciting and secretive road trip to happen on South African shores. Not even its participants, more than 20 of South Africa's meanest Muscle Car motorheads, were informed of the route and its destinations until absolutely necessary. SA HotRods was privileged enough to get the scoop on this thrilling escapade's pioneer run and is giving you the inside track in the fourth issue of the magazine.
	RODDING ISSUE: Left-hand Drive The South African Hot Rod and Classic Car fraternities were thrown into turmoil last year by a very sudden adoption, and inconsistent implementation, of a new amendment to SA road laws that would effectively mean the end of the road for Left-Hand Drive (LHD) vehicles, old and new, in our country. We attempt to get to the bottom of, and shed some light on, this murky issue in the March issue of SA HotRods magazine.
	BLACK BETTY - the 1965 Chevy Impala SA HotRods pays homage to the Chevy Impala SS - a beast of a machine on four wheels and none more so than this gorgeous example. This Chevy Impala is all quality custom, from the spray job to the motor detailing. After being stripped down and rebuilt from the ground up, bolt by beloved bolt, it has just been completed and is now on the road. Be among the first to see what this beauty is made of in this issue of the magazine.
	BODY TECH: White Wall Tyres We have been introduced to a revolutionary product called Whitewall Tire Paint. This will allow you to paint any size wall you want and is a far cheaper alternative to importing wide whites. But, not wanting to mislead you Rodders by promoting a product we are not 100% confident in, we used the paint on our own Rod, and with stellar results! Get the fourth issue of SA HotRods magazine where we will show you how to paint white walls on your own tyres.
	DEVIL IN A RED DRESS - the 1941 Willys Coupe The 1941 Willys is a rare find, fetching higher prices than some of its better known peers. Having been an extremely popular car for the drag strip in the 1960's, it's not surprising that it's also capable of eating modern day performance cars for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the March issue of SA HotRods magazine, we bring you Peter Sowter's 1941 Willys Coupe which is a fine example of a Hot Rod able to make such an astonishing claim.
	MOTOR TECH: The Camshaft The camshaft is often referred to as the heart of the internal combustion engine. It controls valve timing, thus making the entire four-cycle event possible. Being such a vital organ to the functioning of our beloved beasts we delved deeper to discover what makes it tick. Using the extensive knowledge of motor engineer, Ephy Chesler, the camshaft is explained in the latest issue SA HotRods magazine.
	INTERNATIONAL EVENT: The Annual Turkey Run Western Cape Hot Rod enthusiasts, Willem Claassen and Marc Schoeman, visited the 35th Annual Turkey Run at Daytona International Speedway in Florida last year, and boy do we wish we could have been there! Contrary to its title, this is not a run, but one of the biggest and most varied Hot Rod, Muscle Car and Custom shows/swop meets in the USA. Find out more in this issue of SA HotRods.
	SUPER SIZE - the 1963 Ford F250 About a year ago, SA HotRods.com did a short online piece on this magnificent beast of a truck. So impressed were we with this full-size beauty that we decided to do a full feature article for the magazine. In the fourth issue of SA HotRods magazine, we will show you what super size is really about.
	CHOPPER - the Ghost Rider Chopper This is no Super Hero tale for Comic Book lovers or kiddies riding bicycles with capes tied round their necks. Being the winner of the 2008 African Iron Horse Biker Build-off, this is the story of real steel, rubber and tangible attitude. In this issue of SA HotRods magazine, we bring you the story of Ghost Rider.