Sydney is saying good bye to Mr Charles Kha, who is moving to Canada to become Editor in Chief of Speedhunters. :(

This man who went from designing t-shirts to becoming an editor for Auto Salon Magazine in Australia. He's experienced the thrill of riding in an F1 car and tuned and modified every vehicle he's owned. He blogs constantly about food (or specifically burgers in his blog at Emptywrapper.com) and sneakers. You may recognise him as the judge of many Auto Salon shows in Australia. Yet in real life he's a very down to earth guy and is softly spoken. Hopefully his story will inspire you. :)

Benson Lau: What was an incident that struck you most in your life and made you firm in pursuing cars?

Charles Kha: I don't think there was one incident per se. I think it was something that I was always interested in. All of the toys I owned were cars, and I only watched TV if there were cars on the screen. So I grew up on a diet of Transformers, Knight Rider, Automan, Fall Guy and the A Team.

My father didn't mind that I stayed up to watch Formula 1 races, even though I often had school the next morning! I often spent the weekends working for my dad, and many of our conversations were about the pros and cons of various car designs and manufacturers. I was only ten when my father started teaching me the about panel gaps, paint finish and ergonomics. He made me realise the importance the finer details.

BL: So I'm assuming you did a degree, if so what degree did you do at university?

CK: I actually studied Computing Science at UTS. When the bubble burst I decided to give it up and try something else. Like most people at that age I didn't have any specific career goals and I certainly didn't have any plans to become a journalist or editor.

While I was in university I had a part time job with American Express. A few of the guys on my floor decided to create a free press publication and I volunteered to do a column each month on cars. That was the stepping stone into the car industry.

BL: Wow, bold move. Now what did you parents say when you told them what you were pursuing?

CK: I think my job role at Auto Salon changed so much that my parents gave up asking! I started off as a shit kicker. I was doing basic things like t-shirt design, some marketing and even sticking up posters. Not many people know this, but I worked for free for the first few months. My parents weren't too keen on it initially but they respect the decisions I've made in my life.

BL: So what first got you into modifying cars?

CK: The Swifts and EGs. In the early 90s, the late-model/sport compact movement was tiny in Australia. Back then, having a body-kit and a set of 16s on a late-model Civic was considered baller. One car I remember is the Top One Bodykits EG. That was epic. You'd get slaughtered today if you drove a car with fluoro accents and painted headlight covers, but back then it was the epitome of cool.

I almost didn't get into modifying cars. My father knew I'd develop an addiction to modifying, so he said I was only allowed to buy a car that was as far from a performance car as possible. He wanted me to get a Toyota Echo, but the salesman screwed our order and the car never arrived. It turned out as a blessing in disguise. I ended up buying an EK1, which stayed stock for only 400km.

[caption id="attachment_1536" align="aligncenter" width="452" caption="AutoSalon Final Battle picture from ozzytyres.com.au"][/caption]

BL: And what are some cars you have seen that you, personally, have really enjoyed?

CK: Surprisingly the cars I enjoy the most tend to be the most basic. I get more satisfaction from cars that are light, nimble and raw. I can understand the attraction to power, but I don’t obsess over it. It really doesn't matter what car you own, as long as you connect with it in your own way then you'll enjoy it.

BL: What will happen to your cars in Australia?

CK: They've all been sold. I'll probably keep the Jazz so I still have a car when I revisit Australia. I didn't realize how many car parts I have though. I've been collecting a lot of rare parts that I have no idea what to do with now.

[caption id="attachment_1537" align="aligncenter" width="350" caption="Speedhunters.com"][/caption]

BL: And what will your new role at EA involve?

CK: I'll be working for EA in Canada, so I'll be based in Vancouver. I'll be joining the Black Box division to work with the Need for Speed branding team. There are a lot of cool things that are going on there at the moment, but one of my main tasks will be as the Editor-in-Chief of Speedhunters.

BL: I'm curious, why did you choose to go with this job?

CK: What tipped me over the edge was the team I'd be working with. There are some seriously talented people there and to collaborate with them is something I couldn't refuse. If I turned it down I know I'd be asking myself 'what if...?' for the rest of my life.

BL: What are you least looking forward to?

CK: You know, when you're 20 or 21, moving abroad is something you would do at the drop of a hat. But when you're on the wrong side of your 20s, with your life finally settling down, it's a completely different ball game. Your perspective and priorities change as you get older - effectively you're happy in your comfort zone - so it makes less sense to rock the boat.

I know it's going to be extremely tough - especially the first few months - but once I get my bearings I'm sure it'll get easier. What I'm dreading is the void from leaving all of my loved ones behind.

BL: What are you most looking forward to?

CK: Obviously their offices are pretty insane so it's going to be nice to have a workplace that doesn't resemble a bunker! But seriously I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'm keen to develop ideas that make a difference, and hopefully I can achieve that.

Imagine blasting down a B-road in a Lamborghini look-alike, revving the car at 6500 rpm. But instead of being a in proper sized car you are in a Mazda AZ-1, also known as the Suzuki Cara. The car was the discarded project of Suzuki (who ultimately went with the Cappuccino, as their performance kei car). Unloved and unwanted by the original designers, the car was then picked up by the godfather of the MX-5. Who then proceeded to bring the car to production state, even with it's controversial looks. Despite it's many troubles to become the car it is today, the AZ-1 is daily the most collectable out of the key car bunch. To give it further credibility it was a car borne out of the crazy performance period by the Japanese manufacturers of the 80s and 90s.

As a kei car, it has the usual 660cc limitation and 47kW, along with size limitations as well. Yet despite this the Autozam AZ-1 with it's tiny turbo, which provides for 85Nm of torque, is capable of a 0-60 time of 8 seconds (or 9.2 seconds as mentioned on other sites). While that may not be awe-inspiring, it, like the Suzuki Cappuccino, have engines that are capable of being tune to ridiculous levels (for their size, please read the Suzuki Cappuccino post to find out more).

The car was setup low to the ground from factory, which gave it a pretty decent handling. The car had independent suspension all round, although it was fitted with Macpherson struts to save space (Macpherson struts aren't bad per se, but they just aren't as good as other set ups in cornering).

But the main thing that strikes you as you stare at it, is the gull wing doors which pop out of it's Le-Mans inspired body on a much smaller scale. The AZ-1/Cara is bright and airy as the glass roof and windows give light into this rather claustrophobic vehicle.

Another feature is the mid mounted layout of the engine, which allows for almost perfect weight distribution. The car had a weird weight distribution of 44:56 (with earlier prototypes having a 45:55 weight distribution with the 1.3L Cultus engine) and RWD to boot. Strangely it had quite a large fuel tank for it's size of about 30L.

In proper kei car style the car is fitted with plastic cladding to save weight, helping it to realize a kerb weight of only 720kg, but also giving it the ability to change skins easily as everything was bolt on.

Unfortunately the AZ-1, did not sell very well and production ended within a year. A combination of factors lead to it's demise, including the fact that it was the start of the economic downturn and the pricing of the AZ-1 (100,000 yen more than the Honda Beat!). In the end only 4923 of both the AZ-1 and Cara (which had extra fog lights) were made. If you manage to get your hands on one, then keeping it might be a good idea. :)

Reference:

Wikipedia - Group C Le Mans

Imagine blasting down a B-road in a Lamborghini look-alike, revving the car at 6500 rpm. But instead of being a in proper sized car you are in a Mazda AZ-1, also known as the Suzuki Cara. The car was the discarded project of Suzuki (who ultimately went with the Cappuccino, as their performance kei car). Unloved and unwanted by the original designers, the car was then picked up by the godfather of the MX-5. Who then proceeded to bring the car to production state, even with it's controversial looks. Despite it's many troubles to become the car it is today, the AZ-1 is daily the most collectable out of the kei car bunch. To give it further credibility it was a car borne out of the crazy performance period by the Japanese manufacturers of the 80s and 90s.

As a kei car, it has the usual 660cc limitation and 47kW, along with size limitations as well. Yet despite this the Autozam AZ-1 with it's tiny turbo, which provides for 85Nm of torque, is capable of a 0-60 time of 8 seconds (or 9.2 seconds as mentioned on other sites). While that may not be awe-inspiring, it, like the Suzuki Cappuccino, have engines that are capable of being tune to ridiculous levels (for their size, please read the Suzuki Cappuccino post to find out more).

The car was setup low to the ground from factory, which gave it a pretty decent handling. The car had independent suspension all round, although it was fitted with Macpherson struts to save space (Macpherson struts aren't bad per se, but they just aren't as good as other set ups in cornering).

But the main thing that strikes you as you stare at it, is the gull wing doors which pop out of it's Le-Mans inspired body on a much smaller scale. The AZ-1/Cara is bright and airy as the glass roof and windows give light into this rather claustrophobic vehicle.

Another feature is the mid mounted layout of the engine, which allows for almost perfect weight distribution. The car had a weird weight distribution of 44:56 (with earlier prototypes having a 45:55 weight distribution with the 1.3L Cultus engine) and RWD to boot. Strangely it had quite a large fuel tank for it's size of about 30L.

In proper kei car style the car is fitted with plastic cladding to save weight, helping it to realize a kerb weight of only 720kg, but also giving it the ability to change skins easily as everything was bolt on.

Unfortunately the AZ-1, did not sell very well and production ended within a year. A combination of factors lead to it's demise, including the fact that it was the start of the economic downturn and the pricing of the AZ-1 (100,000 yen more than the Honda Beat!). In the end only 4923 of both the AZ-1 and Cara (which had extra fog lights) were made. If you manage to get your hands on one, then keeping it might be a good idea. :)

Reference:

Wikipedia - Group C Le Mans

Imagine blasting down a B-road in a Lamborghini look-alike, revving the car at 6500 rpm. But instead of being a in proper sized car you are in a Mazda AZ-1, also known as the Suzuki Cara. The car was the discarded project of Suzuki (who ultimately went with the Cappuccino, as their performance key car). Unloved and unwanted by the original designers, the car was then picked up by the godfather of the MX-5. Who then proceeded to bring the car to production state, even with it's controversial looks. Despite it's many troubles to become the car it is today, the AZ-1 is daily the most collectable out of the key car bunch. To give it further credibility it was a car borne out of the crazy performance period by the Japanese manufacturers of the 80s and 90s.

As a kei car, it has the usual 660cc limitation and 47kW, along with size limitations as well. Yet despite this the Autozam AZ-1 with it's tiny turbo, which provides for 85Nm of torque, is capable of a 0-60 time of 8 seconds (or 9.2 seconds as mentioned on other sites). While that may not be awe-inspiring, it, like the Suzuki Cappuccino, have engines that are capable of being tune to ridiculous levels (for their size, please read the Suzuki Cappuccino post to find out more).

The car was setup low to the ground from factory, which gave it a pretty decent handling. The car had independent suspension all round, although it was fitted with Macpherson struts to save space (Macpherson struts aren't bad per se, but they just aren't as good as other set ups in cornering).

But the main thing that strikes you as you stare at it, is the gull wing doors which pop out of it's Le-Mans inspired body on a much smaller scale. The AZ-1/Cara is bright and airy as the glass roof and windows give light into this rather claustrophobic vehicle.

Another feature is the mid mounted layout of the engine, which allows for almost perfect weight distribution. The car had a weird weight distribution of 44:56 (with earlier prototypes having a 45:55 weight distribution with the 1.3L Cultus engine) and RWD to boot. Strangely it had quite a large fuel tank for it's size of about 30L.

In proper kei car style the car is fitted with plastic cladding to save weight, helping it to realize a kerb weight of only 720kg, but also giving it the ability to change skins easily as everything was bolt on.

Unfortunately the AZ-1, did not sell very well and production ended within a year. A combination of factors lead to it's demise, including the fact that it was the start of the economic downturn and the pricing of the AZ-1 (100,000 yen more than the Honda Beat!). In the end only 4923 of both the AZ-1 and Cara (which had extra fog lights) were made. If you manage to get your hands on one, then keeping it might be a good idea. :)

Reference:

Wikipedia - Group C Le Mans

As you may have heard, Queensland has been adversely affected by the floods. Southeast Queensland has been swept away by a torrent of water with thousands upon thousands of families and businesses affected. What you might not have known is that this area was affected is larger than the size of Germany and France combined. You might not know that Queensland has been affected by cyclones in the past and that the farmers were just starting to rebuild their crops when this happened.

It is Australia's worst flooding disaster and could potentially claim more lives than the Victorian bushfire disaster of 2009.

As such i'm making an appeal to the fans and readers of OCTC to make a donation to the flood victims. To help them get their lives back together.

Please click on the link below for the link. Thank you :)

Donate to the flood relief appeal : Queensland Government