Hi All,

A preview of issue#33 is now available at http://www.vwma.net.au 

This issue goes on sale this Wednesday 1st February 2012.

Also, for the Sydney drags a PDF version of the driver registration form is now available as a print and post option.

Cheers
Craig

Looks like another excellent issue Craig - looking forward to it.

I'm a little concerned that the covers, at least, seem to be heading down the 'air-cooled only' path - there are no watercoolers on the cover at all this time. VW is selling 44,000 new vehicles a year in Australia nowadays, which is FOUR TIMES the total number of surviving air-coolers on our roads. I'm a bit worried that the new generation of enthusiasts with their cool Golfs and Polos will browse your mag in the newsagents, not see anything they like and won't buy it.

We all love air-cooled VWs, but ultimately it's a limited and shrinking market. Please don't go air-cooled only (OR water-cooled only!) Let's have equal measures of both.

I really like the aircooled only feel sorry. Can't wait to get my air cooled fix

While I am a big air cooled fan, and have no plans to have anything else as a daily, I am always very interested in 2nd generation VWs.

I would have to agree with Phil that to survive, the magazine will really need to cater for both. Suits me, I enjoy reading about both. :-)

what is the ratio of air-cooled vws to water-cooled vws seen at shows? that would probably suggest the recommended article mix in the mag.

Who cares about water. There are other magazines dedicated to that.
T54

Not published in Australia there aren't.

Go to vwwatercooled and you'll find an equal number of VW enthusiasts who would say Who Cares about Air. That's fine, we all have our personal preferences, but Craig is running a business and to turn your back on 44,000 potential new buyers every year is just plain dumb.

At the VW Nationals the number of watercoolers is getting close to equal the number of air coolers. The number of water cooled and air cooled trophy categories is about the same. At most club runs there is usually an equal mix of airs and waters, depending on the specific event. Boris' picnic day has more oldies; the summer cruise more waters. At monthly meetings the carpark has an even mix. I expect to see more and more watercoolers in years to come, and that is good - they are the future.

Craig's magazine specifically has the banner across the top - Australia's only air AND water cooled mag. That speaks for itself.

Craig's drag days at Warwick, Portland and WSID are sponsored by VW Group Australia, who so far have a good relationship with VW clubs and air-cooled enthusiasts. VWGA also sponsor the VW Nationals and the Vic DOVW. They don't have to do it, but it's great they do and we want to keep them on side. Let's see stuff for BOTH air and water.

this is the problem today they are both vw which is what the mag and culture is about , ive owned both has done others i stay lest not turn anyone away due to which they drive

This issue is a little bit 'dry' on watercooled, but that was due to a small technical glitch with an R32 photo-shoot over Christmas rather than an intentional omission. I have a 3 door MK1 which I will start on soon, and in the pipe work are a number of very nice late model rides, so I'm aware of the growing, vibrant watercooled scene. I'm hoping at the Sydney drags this February that the waterpumpers really support the event. That would be a good thing!