Tuesday, September 09, 2008 - 02:10 pm, by: Ryan Rankovic(Ryan1j)
I've only ever been 1/4mile racing before and I though that was fun, track racing is 1,000,000 times better!
Before I went there were a few thing that needed to be done to the car to get it up to scratch.
I had been driving around with no exhaust on the car for 8 or so months, it had no bottom end response at all and the noise was getting on my nerves. So out I went to Highpoint Mufflers to get a 3" system from the Y piece, 3" flex, all mandrel bent up to the new 3" high flow metal cat cat convertor. It then splits into twin 2.5" press bent piping to two redback high flow mufflers, and some nice looking tips. (Which cost a packet on their own)
The car is so much nicer to drive with the exhaust on. The V8 Supercar type noise that it made on full throttle will be missed though!
Next up was some new tyres. A few months ago my 275s on my 18"s were slashed so I just had the stock wheels on. I couldnt afford to get some decent tyres for the 18s so I got some nice Goodyear Eagle F1s for the stock wheels.
Now while I was driving home at 60km/hr, my front right wheel fell off. 3 snapped studs and 1 bent.
Wasnt happy at all being stuck on the side of Mt Alexander road with lots of traffic having a sticky nose. The tyre shop said it was my fault for using the wrong type of wheelnuts, even though I drove there with no problems. Ive had a few other people say it sounds like the nuts werent tightened properly after the tyres were put on. I had to buy new wheelstuds and nuts and then the tyre shop put it all back together. No body damage thankfully as the car fell onto the wheel when the studs broke.
Wheel alignment!
You need to have a fire extinguisher mounted in the car thats at least 900g, I picked up a 1kg one for $35 from Auto Central in Delahey Village.
Very easy to screw to the plastic right underneath the passenger seat.
You also need to have an ASA approved helmet and longsleeve jumper. I borrowed a helmet from a friend, but I'll buy my own for next time.
I also bought an Emanage Ultimate and a Saber intercooler kit. The Emanage Ultimate came the next day of purchase, however the intercooler never came, and I got the run around from the online dealer. The cooler should be coming today (09/09/2008) however thats oviously too late, 3 weeks late. I wanted it on and then take the car to Cihan to be tuned. Appologies again Cihan if youre reading this.
Off to the race track!! Saturday 06-09-2008 I drove up with a group of mates from another car club, we met up around the Fern Tree Gully area, helped a few peeps get their cars onto trailors and then we started the 2+ hour drive to Benalla.
We stayed in a motel called the Comfort Inn, but it should have been called the Uncomfortable Inn as the beds were tiny and hard as rock. Just about everyone couldnt sleep.
We got up at 6 to get ready to leave at 7 the next day. You need to get up early if you want a garage to store your car for the day inbetween races.
Heres pics of our groups cars in the garages.
The team name
Heres a few pics of other cars that were there.
There were lots more there but I had no time to take any more.
Now for some race pics!
There was a pro photographer there taking shots, I got a print out of one and will be getting the rest sent to me later on, but here are a few small previews.
You can follow the links of the pics if you want to see the full gallery of pics.
I had a few scary moments, thanks to my brakes. I have slotted RDA rotors and whatever pads and fluid Brakes Plus put in. 3rd lap on practice doing 130 on the first little straight I press the brakes and nothing happened at all, I had to flick the car through the corner sideways to prevent running off track and hitting the tyre wall.
Another incident where a turbo accord about a foot from my rear bumper, I got a bit nervous and went faster than normal, coming up to a hard right hander I push the brakes and the pedal just sunk to the floor, again I flicked the car around the corner at speed but I spun off the track that time!
I'm told early ni the day my brakes were smoking when I used them, but that cleared up, and one of my pads caught fire for a second or two later in the day. One of my mates who was behind me saw flames comign through the wheel spokes
So decent brakes are on the to do next list. An LSD is also in order, as just about every time I powered out of a corner the inside tyre would just light up and smoke. The open wheelers that were behind me would have loved me!
But it was a brilliant day, went through aabout 150-160 litres of petrol but I'm going the next time no doubt about it. Costs alot to do but you cant do it anywhere else.
Oh I had to buy an ASAA licence on the day for $50 which lasts for 12 months, and $100 to enter for the day.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008 - 02:14 pm, by: Ryan Rankovic(Ryan1j)
I forgot what time I ran!!
First timed session was 1.57:xx, I got it down to 1.54:xx, then 1.53:74 then finally 1.53:55. There was another time in there as I did 5 sessions but it escapes me, the 1.53:55 was my best.
I was rapt with the time improving throughout the day, and the car held up fantastic. Auto was fine and coolant levels were normal too.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008 - 02:48 pm, by: Mark Zimmer(Markzimmer)
Great read, sounds like you had a good day for the most part. That exhaust system looks sweet too. 1.53:55 being your best, how does this weighup on the track? do you know what the best time of the day was? Anyway goodwork, but poor brakes
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 12:45 am, by: Ryan Rankovic(Ryan1j)
for the super sprint rounds, which is what i went to and what im told is the best/easiest to get involved with, the next event is on the 29th of november. twilight race too!
ill be calling you soon too cihan, intercooler came today, so in the next week or so ill get in touch
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 12:55 am, by: David Grab(Blastedbyasoarer)
What suspension you running? Looks to be stock stuff, a set of coilovers and swaybars will go a long way to bringing down your lap times aswell as an LSD. Looking good mate
Peter Nitschke Junk Filterer South Australia UZZ30 UZZ31
Friday, September 12, 2008 - 02:56 pm, by: Ryan Rankovic(Ryan1j)
David Grab wrote on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 12:55 am:
What suspension you running?
its stock apart from the kingsprings
ive been informed though that my shocks are now cactus, so some coilovers will be on their way soon hopefully.
Peter, I dont know what a spigot ring is, but the wheels have been fine for the 3 years that I've had the car... only problem that I had was after the tyre place touched them.
Peter Nitschke Junk Filterer South Australia UZZ30 UZZ31