Sandown 15/02/2012

So yesterday was the VSSC round 2 with the HSV Owners Club at Sandown. My first time down at Sandown and was a bit of a mixed day. After having my 30th birthday party the night before it was safe to say I was feeling a bit under the weather that morning. A few changes had been made to the car since last time I had it out so it was going to be an interesting day. Started off with the drivers briefing and me getting my medal from the last win at VSSC Round 1 at Phillip Island.

The day seemed a bit unorganised, so by 2pm we had only done 1 x 3 lap 'get to know the circuit' session and 1 x 6 lap session. Spent them working out braking points and getting to know the corners (not that there was too many of them!!). Was defiantly one of the roughest surface circuits I have ever been on. In the first real session I got a 1.35 which was done with some messy laps. Next session I went out on I got stuck out the back and spent the whole session getting past everyone, and as usual just as I got past them all the session ended. Still managed to record a 1.33.9 with traffic which wasn't too bad considering, but defiantly a lot more to come off it. Went to line up for the next session and on my way to the start area I was pulled aside by an official and told my exhaust was too loud for the day and I wouldn't be allowed back on!! So a whole day of waiting around, 2 real sessions and my day was done. Wasn't too happy considering my exhaust really isn't that loud and there was clearly other louder cars...

So that's it...best time of the day of 1.33.9 with only a couple of sessions and some traffic. Was good enough for a win in my class in the VSSC, but I think that is mainly due to a lack of good competition there in my class. At least I got some good feedback on how the car is feeling and what needs to be done. Since having the car down at TruTrack it now feels a lot more settled and more even. Braking is better too from it, and seems a lot harder to lock up a wheel now. With the rear swaybar removed it is understeeing pretty badly, so a new one will be ordered in the next few days and as per TruTrack's recommendation I will be swapping the front one back to a standard unit. Also the shift linkage needs to be replaced as the bushes are stuffed and it's really hard to grab gears (meaning a lot were missed on the day). The new wheel and tyre combo was really good, although with the new lower ride height the rears are scrubbing a fair bit, so something will need to be done there. Also seems like I will need to get a new muffler made up for Sandown.

Best time: 1.32.5

edit...Just checked the results again and they didn't record my last session. So I am going with what my RaceChrono says and that's a best of 1.32.5 on the day.