Issue 21, 21. June 2008

In this Issue:
* In the News
* Race Days
* Community Tuning Challenge
* In the Spotlight
* Creativity Competitions
* Words from the Staff

In the News
We've received some big news this week, information about the upcoming Need for Speed title. Entitled "Need for Speed: Undercover", it can be expected that it will be quite a departure from its predecessor and more story based by the sound of things. Keep an eye on the news headlines as more information as it is released.

Race Days
The second "Gearing Up" event is currently running; a challenge featuring the Porsche Cayman S. For all you grip racers out there, it's your chance to shine in this grip only challenge at Willow Springs. It started on the 18th of June 2008, and ends on the 23rd of June at 4:30PM, so you have to be quick if you want to enter. To sign up and find out more information head to the competition page.

Community Tuning Challenge
The first Community Tuning Challenge, a community run, forum based tuning challenge, is being run in the showroom forums. The aim for this particular challenge is to build a good looking car with a visual rating of ten stars in the game Need for Speed Underground 2. Registration is open until 4pm on the 22nd of June (GMT+09:30), so head to the challenge thread to find out more, and show your support for the NFSUnlimited tuning scene. Please keep an eye out for updates posted in the showroom and on baumaxx1's forum signature, and vote for your favourite cars!

Suggestions for the theme or the running of the competition can be directed to the Suggestions and Themes thread. If you do not have Underground 2, don't despair, stay tuned for the Pro Street "Shapes" challenge coming up next!

In the Spotlight
This issue in the spotlight we bring you three neat and vibrant show cars; a pimped out R35 GTR, a very funky, modern custom car style 350Z, and a tasteful Import Tuner style Eclipse.

350Z NEON by Rizur

Vibrant and sleek describes the overall look of this Zed perfectly. It's definitely a unique look in the showroom, with vivid neon graphics being quite rare, being either difficult to perfect or too complex to work within the vinyl limit. However, Rizur's attempt is close to perfection, resulting in a very appealing ride.

The body has been treated to a bit of cosmetic surgery, but the modifications are minor, enhancing the classic, sleek body of the 350Z. Some nice classy rims have also been chosen, their simple design looking fantastic with the car's simple look, and the dish adding some strength to the car's stance. The paintwork is where the magic really happens though. A nice and classy black base with blue pearl gives the Zed a very tough aura, combined with the tough rims and wide looking body of the Nissan. The abstract neon graphics flowing from the unique painted front lip top the car off and really set it apart from the crowd. It's clean and simple, but once again this car proves that a cleaner, more detailed approach can turn out to be truly amazing.

Import Tuner Eclipse by thenewinsanity

Imports carry a stigma of being rice burners, and there have been some downright distasteful imports roaming the streets and some particularly horrid AI cars in video games. However, Thenewinsanity's creation gives imports a good name, with a very tastefully modified eclipse. The body has been kept nice and clean, nothing over the top, but nice and sporty. The rims are a nice clean design and fit the sporty look just fine. The vinyls are what draw most of the attention however, with a nice unique two tone design and plenty of decals completing this hot import. The rich candy red base that was chosen, contrasts nicely with the stark black base, and the colour looks fantastic on the car's curvy body and fitting the overall package perfectly. This tasteful approach has worked well, creating one desirable import.

"Decent" Style by S@Mo™

S@mo has been in the spotlight a number of times now, but he never fails to impress. However, this ride is special, as it is very different to his usual loud style, and in fact different to anything else in the showroom. Looking at the small thumbnail, you could be mistaken for thinking it was just a plain old skyline, thinking "what's this doing in the showroom?" The name even suggests that; but on closer inspection it is anything but plain.

The bodywork is nothing adventurous, just stock auto sculpt, an aggressive black spoiler and a set of designer shoes in a lovely gunmetal shade, but combined with the "simple" but effective vinyls, makes for a lovely streetcar. The vinyls use the car's lines to their advantage, enhancing the bodywork and looking right at home on the car. A contrasting silver and vivid pink and purple on the artistic vinyl work contrast the ominous black bodywork, and give the car a lively nightlife look. An "Underground 2" influence is clear in this ride, but with the added layers and flexibility of Pro Street, has been enhanced with some complex pin striping. All this work adds up to a package that may not be as loud as many of the cars emerging in the showroom, but definitely just as nice, being one of the sleekest R35s in +there.

Creativity Competitions
The creativity challenges are running in the Creativity Board for those who would like to put their digital art skills to good use. Firstly, we have the winners of two competitions to announce.

The winner of Signature Competition #46 entitled "Make Something Scary" was BKize_GT entering a "blue screen of death" signature, a nightmare for any PC user.

-Rx7-'s STALKER inspired signature, a much more serious attempt, came a close second, featuring a unique horror movie style film grain animation.

At a distant third was baumaxx1, with another joke entry ("they just don't understand"), the terrible Specialist Mathematics exam that awaits him.

The "Battlefield: Bad Company" cover art competition also came to a close since issue 20. S2000_Skyline12 came out on top with his stunning cover.

It's so good EA could use it for real don't you think? With that competition over, the next one is the "Prototype" cover art competition. Head to the forum to find out more and to participate.

The Honda Civic EK9 chop competition is still running. There are a number of interesting, and quality entries emerging, so head over to the chop competition thread and work your magic . Show your support and help keep this competition alive.

Words from the Staff
We apologise for this issue being delayed. We have been busy lately, bear with us. Regards, baumaxx1.

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