Not a Zed, but has the heart of one. Righty?o assignments are done, exams have been sat, and except the mid year report on the thesis I have completed the semesters requirement. Now it is time for a report on the track day in the track E-Vade. And the rest, even though it is a little late. Time for the report, where to start. I think it is best to start on the Friday at about 1600. Last assignment was getting ready to hand in with a whole hour to spare. Pfffttt and I was getting worried, and was really finding it hard to do as I could feel the gravitational forces of the shed. So straight out to the shed, when I hit the send button. Covers off, dust every where, oh it has been a while. Where to start?? a clean. Gotta bit of space now on the benches and assembled the things that need to be fitted. Including; power steering oil cooler, gearbox oil pump, idler pulley for alternator, kick panel cover, amongst some other suspension things. This doesn?t not include the list of items need to be done either??and I was racing in two days. Oh crap and I remember the trailer needs some work too. At least the Xtrail was right to go. Or was it!!!! Get started machining the items needed, then start laying out the items. Get in to the suspension modifications, to enable more castor on the front, so off with the wheels, also need to change the bump steering for reduced effect. Bay covers up. Drain engine oil, drain power steering fluid, engine belt off, belt on again. A lot of stuff every where? this is more like it, a real work shop?.. . Between two other mates we get the car together. Loaded and almost ready to go. But the whole of the Sunday we were worrying about the rain. Give Dad (he is a farmer and is pretty good with the weather) a call and he said it appears like it?ll clear up. But, the radar shows it was raining. Hmmm. I write to the Tampermotorsport guys, pissing down rain. More Hmmmms. Group consensus, lets give it a go. 4:30am start. On the way we have to stop to put the cover over the interior due to the rain. this is not feeling good so far. But, the thrill of racing the car over powers it all. We get to the track and holy cow what a crowd!! I have never seen so many. And there were a few nice pieces of machinery, AUDI S4, GTRs including a R35, and an Ariel Atom. Well we unpack in a hurry and get the car off. All going well, straight off to scrutineering. All good. Watching the queue for driver-sign-in from our pit, we decided to continue with preparing the car. The line is a bit shorter and we are good to go. Waiting waitng, waitng???damn this is taking a long time, our group is called and I am still in the line, looks like I miss the first session. Oh well we have all the time in the world now. Get the admin out of the way and we go track side to watch the show. The track is wet and greasy. And, the first timers were showing it too (and some guys that have a few laps too). The ariel atom makes it 50yards out of the pits and spins. Almost hitting the wall. Right in front of us, then spins half way down the main straight, and that is pretty much a summary of his entire day. Cars are having tank slappers everywhere, and there are heaps of recoveries. But thanks to the lay out at Winton, only a little panel damage on one car. It was on a ute that I had a bet with Chris and Dad (who came up with me)that it would spin before half track. It later self disassembled its engine?s rotating parts out through the sump on to the track. All this made for a very slow day. Our fist session was not until almost 11pm. By this time I was pretty nervous having driven this thing in the wet previously. So made the call, and said ?lost day, there will be no development work done here, so we?ll just have a little fun?. I wound the boost back to 12psi on the computer, like last wet session. Chris and me out first time. Damn it was slippery she was kicking side ways and I was at most half throttle, and was staying out of the boost pressure. I give it a bit down the straight, some aquaplaning, some loss of rear grip, side stepping, then a nice big aqua-plan at around 150km/hr. . What a white knuckled ride! But, here is the big but?.I think the handling is heaps and heaps better. Lap times would be no good today but she ?feels? much much more responsive, it looks like we are finally on the right track for the handling. The limitation today would be mechanical grip, as we were really not getting enough corner speed for down force to be a significant factor. Rain came down again. Just as the track was starting to dry. The plan for the day is now officially out the door. Watch a few more spins. Next is Dad?s turn as passenger. He had a heart operation last year, so I was keen to see how well the rebuild on his valves went. Out we go. And a little bit of a dry line. I might get a bit of a good time. Still a few greasy areas, but the car?s corner handling is the winner today. A lot better turn in, over steering is still an issue (fault has to do with the two turbos keep putting too much air into the engine), a few more laps and the tyres would have started to warm up. When we come in the temps on tires are dead cold, with a little warmth in the rear (by the heat gun 2degrees more than track temp!) While in the pits had the predictable know it all, who has a half finished car in his shed (supposedly), comes and tell me what was wrong with the car?s set up and the lines we were taking, blah blah blah (these guys I am sure just love the sound of their own voice). Thankyou oh super wise one? not. Just before the next session, which was to be Chris?s first drive (Chris is a good friend that helped heaps through out the build of both cars), and the heavens open up. The track goes from a damp track to a wet track. I was looking at it and was wondering is this the best intro for Chris. I have been having worrying thoughts prior to the day about Chris driving; with thoughts of the car spit him off due to what ever reason (driver error, car failure, worst of all engineer error), damaging the car or worst still him??. I looked to him and said ?I think we might give this session a miss?. Just then the weather stopped and it was like the track beckoned; ? It?s okay I?ll dry out, and it will be okay for Chris? So we run up jump in and we are off. Any thoughts of concern about Chris buzzing the engine, having an off, were wasted, he was brilliant with her. Much better lines than me, and only once messed a gear change. Oh and if I was critical once I picked him up for changing down a little too early. Pretty good times too. A couple of times I could feel her going, but Chris caught her. A lovely match there, I think it would be an interesting car with a professional behind the wheel. The track started to dry and they called the session. Anyway, noting it was a lost day for development, the last session I took dad out for another run. Whilst on the out lap I saw it?.nirvana? the holy dry line (photos below). Right, lets do it. Round we go, its like fanging the old paddock bomb down a back lane when I was back on the farm a very narrow window to stay in check, getting there, a good lap forming. Tires getting there, missed a couple of gear changes. Next lap will be the bomb. Couple of drops of rain on the screen. Probably got one shot at this, before the track is gone. Coming out of the tit?s ????.and??????. and ???? nothing???.. no throttle. Throttle cable has snapped or something. You?ll see it on the youtube video (which gives a bit of in car action before it happens.) ??.. Get back to the pits at idle. Quick check shows that it appears the cable has come off the foot pedal, too dark to see now. Just have to crack the throttle open to get it on the trailer. Whilst not the development day that was hoped, it was sort of a good day?s progress????? I mean handling has taken a massive, I mean massive improvement. And, I have addressed the voltage issue we were having (dead cell in the battery). BUT, the first rule of the day was still abided by; ?Thou?t will drive thee track car, not assemble the parts, on the trailer at the end of the day? A few photos below
i just finished reading it .. lol .. LLLOOOOOOONNNNNGGGGGGGG but a good write up ... good work man ... excellent video
