August 2017
Event: Interclub Supersprint Rnd 5
Location: SMP Brabham Circuit
Notes: This is a long circuit and for some reason I was having problems with drive out of the corners. After two session all I could manage was a 2:20.1. I made some changes to the suspension settings and it was much improved. However due to one session caught in traffic and another red flagged after three laps the best I could do for the day was 2:20. Onto the trailer in one piece I was smiles from ear to ear (Hey who wouldn’t be, driving all day on a race track) but we can do better. I’ve got a bit to learn on this track.
Due to work getting in the way of just about everything, This ended up being my last event for the year.
July 2017
Event: Victorian Six Hour
Location: Phillip Island
Notes: With only one change from the original team from 2016, I headed south for the winter and another attempt at the Victorian Six Hour. The car was very different from what it was last year and I was keen to see what it was going to be like in the handling department. I’d spent a bit of time going over the car and was happy. .
Practice, S1 was breaking in new pads and getting a feel for the setup. S2 and I was having a bit of fun, pushing on some laps as hard as I’d dare to see what we could do. To achieve a 2min lap was easy enough. I settled in and establish 2:02 could be achieved easily. Remembering that we run these numbers all day. So it was important that we’re not to aggressive.
Race Day and it was traffic all day. As I was having problems with a long brake pedal again, or it not being as firm as it should be so was double pumping to get the feel I wanted. The times were erratic and I kicked myself when I did have a clear run I ran a 1:59, breaking out. The weather was again kind to us we finished in 24th place. An improvement on last year, but I know we are so much better than that. Though disappointed at our result, we had a Great Time!
April 2017
Event 2: MTA Come & Try Day
Location: Logic Park
Notes: As a Come and try day, there is not timing. Only Track Addict as per our last visit. This was a chance to have a go in the car with the new brakes. This was a bragging rights session against my brother’s WRX now running a front Intercooler, Haltech ignition system and 19 pounds of boost. So it’ll be an effort.
First Session and just getting reorientated with the track and brake package. Bit of a long pedal, but attributed to knock-off. A brake check when possible and it was no problem.
Great temperatures today, hovering around the 20 mark.
I was managing high 57s through most laps, but the car has more. David had a big off on exit of T4, launching over the kerbing at T5 and Landing in the weeds. There was dirt across the track at T5 which sloed things down for the next few cars.
As it happened, Macauley Jones from BJR, being a local had called in to visit at the track. I had a brief chat, where he pointed out I was coming into T8 and T9 to hot. He recommended I back off just a bit on entry. That’ll lead to being on the gas earlier and out of the corners faster.
Very next session, applying what I’d being told, I took a second off my time.
I ran six sessions, playing with a couple of different suspension setups, achieving a 56.9. A new PB, three seconds better than my previous time. David was somewhere in the 55’s.
In the last session, as I changed to third gear the gear lever came out from it’s base and I was unable to select any gears. That was my day done.
Update: Brake Upgrade
Notes: After missing a few events and putting money aside, I’ve purchased a set of K-Sport front brakes.
These allow for a 330mm front rotor, considerably bigger than the stock item and we’re hoping that we’ll save money on the pads, improve stopping and be able to get on them latter into the corner, improving times.
This is why we went to a 17′ rim. To allow for the bigger brake kit.
Event 1: NSW Six Hour
Location: SMP GP Circuit
Notes: Back again for the second NSW Six Hour. This year I had have a new set of Hankooks on 17′ rims. So tyre pressures are a little unknown but we’ll muddle though. Blessed this year again with great weather dry and 23C.
During practice I was consistent with 2:04’s and a few 1:58’s. I nominated a time of 2:01, having learned my lesson at Phillip Is, not be to conservative. Better to chase a faster time.
Race Day and I had a great time. Running two sessions. The track had changed a bit and I was having to relearn T2. I achieved fairly consistent times, breaking out once. But that’s enough to halve all the points you achieve. I started to get a lot of chatter in the front brakes and it wasn’t pulling up as good as it should but ok. At sessions end, there was no brake pads left on the front left and only half millimetre on the right. Explains a bit.
The team finished fourth after falling to fifth place during the day. A lot learned, perhaps next year will be our year.
January 2017
Event: Test & Tune
Location: Winton Raceway
Notes: So Dave and I took both buggies out to Winton for a few shakedown runs. This will be my first run with the new suspension.
First session out and I found the new setup very firm, precise and drive out of corners was vastly improved. David’s first session was plagued with boost issue, so he was playing around trying to figure it out.
Second session and my confidence was on the rise. With each lap I got more comfortable and started to improve the lap times. David unfortunately was still battling boost issues.
Session 3 and I put in a PB at 1:43.0. Had a really fun session. A small idle issue started to form after the run, but nothing I couldn’t correct with a small touch of the throttle.
Session 4. A small change to the suspension setup and I better my PB with a 1:42.7. Starting to get a feel for the car and the track. David isolated the boost issue, finding the waste gate was sticking and slightly in the open position. A bit of WD40 and all was right again with the world. David’s times were approximately 2 seconds faster than mine.
The day was getting hot! I’d been having a great day, so I didn’t want to break anything, electing to go out one last time and turn a few laps, before putting it on the trailer and calling it a day. David
On the way home I stopped to in at Motorsports Training Australia (MTA) for a dyno session
January 2017
Update: Suspension Upgrade
Notes: Finally lashed out and purchased a set of BC Racing Coilovers. This will be the same as my brothers car, who put this setup on a year ago.
Installation is surprisingly simple. Actually, a lot easier than playing with standard suspension types.
All four corners were done and dusted in a couple of hours. I’ve had a set of 17” rims sitting in a corner forever, so they have been installed in place of the old sixteens.
A known setup was done and there’s nothing left to do but take it for a run.