when passion drives you

We get a sneak peek inside the head of Jason Round, editor of Performance Imports.

Shift Up: What is your job?
Jason: I’m currently editor of Performance Imports Magazine, a monthly Australian title for import enthusiasts.

Shift Up: What do you do there?
Jason: The role of an editor is more or less to ensure the day-to-day running of the magazine, as well as keep abreast of trends, ensure editorial consistency and quality, and so forth. We also attend events, work with advertising clients, the design department and production to keep things chugging along so the mag hits the stands on time looking the best it can be. And sometimes, just sometimes, you get to drive cars, too ;-)

Shift Up: What car do you daily drive?
Jason: As my daily was just stolen, I’m a free man again in terms of cars. I’m thinking something from the Toyota stable might be worthwhile for the next project car; either that or a Kei car, a la Suzuki Alto Works or similar.

Shift Up: What is your favourite car quality?
Jason: I still think stance makes or breaks a car, especially considering most imports do not need body kits (in my humble opinion). This is a very aesthetic approach though, so I’d also point out that I like cars that are all-rounders, cars that focus on handling and braking upgrades just as much as outright horsepower – something that we Aussies are obsessed with. As the saying goes, “power is nothing without control.”

Shift Up: What do you love most about cars?
Jason: Mostly, their ability to push boundaries, cross cultures and draw people together. You only have to look at the success of shows like Top Gear to understand you don’t have to be a grease-sodden spanner monkey to appreciate high-power machinery. There’s something about strapping into a giant hunk of metal and feeling the Gs that’s just intangibly exciting.

Shift Up: What is your dream car?
Jason: Tough one. As much as you’d say an exotic like a Lambo or Pagani, there’s still the underdog nature of Japanese hero cars like the Nissan R34 GT-R that appeal to me. There’s nothing quite like the pull of a big-single GT-R to bring a smile to your face, and given the king of road-going R34s is the Z-Tune, I’d have to say that would pretty much do it for me.

• For more information about Performance Imports, head to www.hpi.com.au or have a read of the online forums at forum.hpi.com.au or just go out and buy a copy of the mag

We caught up for a chat with Aaron Klaver from Import Monster.

Shift Up: What is your job?
Aaron: Managing Director of Import Monster PTY LTD

Shift Up: What do you do there?
Aaron: I basically run the whole show. Everything from answering emails and phone calls, unpacking containers, picking up cars from the wharf and everything in between. It’s a 7 day a week job. And that’s only because there’s not 8 days in a week!

Shift Up: What car do you daily drive?
Aaron: It largely depends on the day. Some days, the trusty Kia van. On good days I get to drive my R34 GT-R :)

Shift Up: What is your favourite car quality?
Aaron: To me it’s the package, rather than any one particular quality. I’m not interested in an ugly car that’s ludicrously fast and I don’t like good looking cars that are slow. A car needs to have it all – looks, handling, speed and good brakes. A little bit of comfort doesn’t go astray either.

Shift Up: What do you love most about cars?
Aaron: That’s a seriously tough question to answer. The only real answer that springs to mind is the freedom I get from cars. When I was in my teens, a car represented freedom to go where I wanted, when I wanted. As I entered the work force/rat race, the time with my cars represented freedom from the 9-5, freedom from the dramas of every day life. Nowadays, it’s the freedom to take a car and change it to what I want it to be. I honestly wonder now if I could own a car without wanting to change it – no matter how good it is to start with, there’s always something I can do to improve it, or make it unique. I even look at the Kia van some days and think it needs lowering and a set of rims. Sad I know. Actually what it really needs is a Toyota 1JZ conversion.

Shift Up: What is your dream car?
Aaron: Ferrari F40, hands down. Just as well I can’t afford one – modifying one would be sacrilege.

• For more information about Import Monster head to www.importmonster.com.au