So I finished last year on a pretty good note, ended up taking out the VSSC Class E - under 1600cc modified class and got a nice little trophy for that. Car was feeling good, a little too much understeer, but was very predictable and times were getting lower and lower each time I went out and taking off big chunks each time. The aim for this year is to progress higher in the overall standings which I finished 17th last year, with very slow times at the start of the year. Aiming for a top 10 this year.
So 2013, started it off by finally changing my front control arms to a new pair with some polyurethane bushings that I installed in them. Pretty easy task, except due to my lower control arm brace, to do this the whole sump had to be removed. Due to me forgetting it was a 2 piece design it was a 10hr remove / refit of the sump and a 1hr change of the arms...wasn't happy but at least it got done. Sump isn't sealing up 100%now though, few drips of oil but will get under and fix that up later. Did a service too which was way over due, and also addressed some of the minor issues the scrutineers have bought up and got them all fixed up. My fuel surge tank is now all inclosed in along with all the fuel lines and other minor issues sorted out too.
Went out for a photoshoot with BP22183 (check him out - http://bp22183.blogspot.com.au/) Got some great shots and through those shots GripShiftSlide got onto me asking for some details and to meet up for some shots. Ended up meeting with them down at Phillip Island, so check it out the feature at some stage - http://gripshiftslide.com/
So headed down to Phillip Island, hit the track for the first warmup session and the car felt like crap...so came back off and found out that overnight while the car was loaded on the trailer and hooked up to the car that it rained a little which with my bonnet vents it basically funnelled all the water straight to my spark plug chambers so they were basically swimming in water. So ripped up a towel and soaked up all the water, luckly nothing got into the engine and I managed to get it all sorted dry. Went out for the second session and the car was miss-firing up high, around 7-8k rpm. Came back in again after a lap and found there were a few more drops of water on my spark plug leads, let them dry off good and the 3rd session the car was feeling great again. Posted a 1.57 straight up, with cold tyres and brakes, so knew there was plenty more left. Car was feeling good, the understeer had almost dissapeared and it was acting very neutral, as the track had just been resurfaced I thought it was feeling pretty slippery, but that could have just been the car being pretty cold and also the fact I didn't have time for anther wheel alignment so that would have been out. After that 3rd session I got in another 2 sessions with a 1.55 in the 4th and a 1.54.46 in the 5th, smashing my new PB by a second!!
So all up it was a good day, as usual more things to address, all minor though. Need to create a cover for the engine when not in use so water does not get down into the spark plug chambers, want to lower temps in the engine bay still so going to heat wrap the manifold and exhaust, the last bushings to replace are the rear trailing arms and the front strut bushings so they are on order. Also as I am down to the 1.54's I will start collecting my aero additions, as this is the stage I always said that I would do aero upgrades. J's Racing wing has arrived, just waiting on Special Projects splitter, diffuser and side skirts. The tyres are also getting low, so think I will replace them now, so the next round at Sandown I can wear them in ready for the Honda Nationals in April.
So thats it, hopefully next time the car is out it will be a bit quicker again, always learning new lines and driving techniques so I think another couple of seconds off are possible with the car how it is now, and once aero is added it should take off another chuck hopefully.
Best time: 1.54.46
