Gonad Man

I've heard that any car running programmable engine management is not roadworthy and can have an insurance claim rejected because of it. I'm guessing it's because you can pass a sniffer test then go and change your maps and screw emissions right up. In some ways I'm glad the cops are out there defecting some vehicles. Any car that's dumped on its guts and has 5mm wheel travel will invariably handle like crap on anything rougher than a pool table and is a danger on the road. As for morons who think the rest of the world (or Brighton at least) should be subjected to their crappy taste in music don't get me started. It does annoy me though when well engineered street cars cop defect notices for mods that make them better to drive (therefore safer). I've never got a defect notice before (but my old V8 Falcon should have) but what happens then? Do you go down to your local RTA or do you have to go back to an engineer and pay for another inspection? I'd imagine if the defect is for an engineer certified mod then the engineer who certified it wouldn't charge much to look at it and say that it is still as per the certificate and therefore the cop can jam the defect notice up his....... Cheers, Ben

That bottle won't see the weekend out.

And the Golden Rule: "If you can't remember it, it didn't really happen." Happy birthday ya big unit. I'll have a couple for you tonight-go the blues! Cheers, Ben

Hehe-you said comming. I think I've been hanging around Fatz too long! I think I might join then-I didn't realise I was eligible. Thanks Carlo.

Hi Everyone/Carlo, I haven't joined 'cos I drive a WRX, and there's really not much chance I'll be trading up to a Skyline in the near future unfortunately. I'm only on here 'cos you guys go to the pub for a beer after track days-mmmmmmmm......beeeeeer. Seriously though, I've met a few of you guys through Fatz at trackdays etc and you all seem to be fairly easy-going and like-minded car nuts. Cheers, Ben

Sorry Dan, no can do. I've got a Supersprint with the Hyundai (WRX) Club on the 8th at Wakefield and a driver training day at Wakefield on the 9th. Shame those two events weren't the other way around! Cheers, Ben

As far as the tyres are concerned the really important thing is to keep a close eye on your pressures. You'll kill them in no time if they are too low. I usually go out with about 38 psi cold which goes to around 42 hot (although the front left gets bigger pressure change than the rest). After the first session I set all tyres to 42 before they cool. Check that they are all about 42 psi after the 2nd session and they should be pretty much spot on for the rest of the day. Another fairly common mistake that I have been guilty of is to run too long on street tyres. The small tread blocks on street tyres squirm a lot under hard loads causing the rubber to get very hot and the wear rate goes through the roof. Most regular street tyres will handle about 3 hard laps before they start turning into marshmallows. The bigger the tread blocks the less they will squirm and the more laps you can do before they turn to sh1t. This is why tyres like FM901's and Falken RealSports work so well on the track even though they are a regular (almost) street rubber compound. As for brakes I usually take a spare set of rotors (never needed them though) and a spare set of front pads. I've gone through 1 nearly new set of Ultimates in 1 day at Wakefield. Just be sure that when you finish a session don't come straight off the track and park your car. This will hot spot your rotors and they could crack. Just putt around the pits for about 5 mins to allow them to cool evenly and you should have no problemo. Hope this helps. Cheers, Ben

Don't worry about the race suit Ben. All you need is non-flammable, non-synthetic clothing. I usually wear a pair of jeans (cotton) and a cotton long-sleeved shirt. As for the shoes I wear a pair of suede joggers and I haven't been knocked back yet. Just make sure that neither the uppers or soles are nylon and you should be OK. A great set of driving shoes are Dunlop Volleys. Non-flammable, nice thin sole for great pedal feel and SOOOOOOOOO STYLISH! As for licenses you can go for the $30 Wakefield Clubcomp license which covers just about anything you'll want to do at Wakefield, or a CAMS L2S license is $91 and will let you do track days, motorkhanas and supersprints pretty much anywhere in Australia. Hope this helps. Cheers, Ben

Oops. Posted twice. Sorry.

If anyone's after a cheap day at Wakefield I've done a few of their open practice days and I reckon they're pretty good value. Costs involved are: $80.00 for the day $30.00 for a Wakefield Clubcomp Licence valid for 12 months (not needed if you have a CAMS L2S or higher license and also valid for Supersprints held at Wakefield) Helmet hire available for $20 per day with a $50 Deposit To keep the dickhead factor down and track time up it's better to attend earlier in the week and on "cars only" days. A few options are: Mon 19th May Thurs 22nd May Mon 2nd June I'm thinking one of the Mondays would be better so then we can go down on Sunday sometime and do some boozin (in moderation, naturally). Anyone interested? Fatz? Maj? Bonkers? Duncan? You know you want to. Cheers, Ben

If anyone's after a cheap day at Wakefield I've done a few of their open practice days and I reckon they're pretty good value. Costs involved are: $80.00 for the day $30.00 for a Wakefield Clubcomp Licence valid for 12 months (not needed if you have a CAMS L2S or higher license and also valid for Supersprints held at Wakefield) Helmet hire available for $20 per day with a $50 Deposit To keep the dickhead factor down and track time up it's better to attend earlier in the week and on "cars only" days. A few options are: Mon 19th May Thurs 22nd May Mon 2nd June I'm thinking one of the Mondays would be better so then we can go down on Sunday sometime and do some boozin (in moderation, naturally). Anyone interested? Fatz? Maj? Bonkers? Duncan? You know you want to. Cheers, Ben

Thanks again for a cracker of a day Pete. Can't wait to do it again. Sorry to hear about the negative comments regarding the day. The fact that it was someone I know fairly well soured the experience a little, but I want it known that I don't agree with the comments that were made. Most of the problem was apparently due to the lack of instruction. I've since informed him that we actually requested for the day to be run this way. The other criticism of the day was the sheer volume of anti-WRX comments that were apparently coming from everywhere. I didn't have any problem with it at all and laughed it off (I even join in sometimes-anyone for clutch served well done?) but other less confident people found it a little intimidating. I know Jeff (555WRX) and Ryan (Clio Sport) had a great day and I had about as much fun as is possible with my clothes on! Anyways, thanks again Pete. Don't listen to the critics, your efforts were greatly appreciated by everyone except for a vocal minority. Great catching up with all you Skyline guys I know and Maj I hope you enjoyed the shower! Cheers, Ben

Only 2 more sleeps till the skid pan day!!!!! Bald tyres, smooth, wet surface-bring it on!!!!!! Pete I dunno about you but I'm gettin half a husky. Ben

Holy crap fatz I thought we were gonna die. I bet that guy in the blue Camry thought the same thing when you were sideways across both lanes coming at him around that hairpin.

I think the main cause of the accident was about 1 1/2 feet behind the steering wheel.:Oops: Ben

Are you talking about the time you spun on the very next corner?:shake:

I'm thinking about it now after that classic comment from fat-ass! Is there any spots left for a lowly Hyundai driver (grovel grovel)? Ben

I got myself a set of Real Sports. I'm keen to see what difference they make. Probably bugger all the way I drive.

I hope Pete wasn't referring to me. A fellow Hyundai club member reckons he clocked me doing a 1:53 at the Moto Concepts 1/2 day last year where I met some of you guys. I reckon he had his hand on it though.

How's it going Dan, If there's no beers after then I'm giving up my spot. That is to say I'm definitely not giving up my spot. Cricketer's Arms 5:30pm-it's the main event. Skid pan is just to work up a thirst. Cheers, Ben

G'day Duncan, how's it going? I've done a few open track days at Wakefield with the $20 Wakefield license, but this year I'm getting a CAMS L2S license ($91 and no test necessary). I can then do open practice days with at any Australian track and compete in supersprints and hillclimbs. I just thought this might be an option for people who can't afford the C3 license. Every open track day I've ever done separated the street cars from the race cars, so it wasn't too daunting. Watch out for morons in HSVs, though. One of them tried to push me off the main straight at Wakefield once-a bit scary! I don't think they like being overtaken by cars with less cylinders. Cheers, Ben

Pete I did that course in 18 sec (and went straight through the finish garage-oops) but who says I wasn't having fun? Nailing those handbrake turns and then dumping the clutch into a 4 wheel slide is one of the best moments I've ever had in a car. And that includes drifting in the wet in my old XR6. Aaron McGill runs the wet skid pan days that don't use CAMS motorkhana courses (the CAMS courses are usually 1st gear only and very tight). Aaron's days are slipperier and faster from what I've been told. Felafel, I'll tell fatz to post something next time one is coming up. Ben

The new skid pan is just to your right as you drive out of tunnel coming into EC pits. It's fantastic. Very smooth-my tyres are in pretty good shape considering the skid pan was dry for most of the day. The watering system works pretty good too, but they only turned it on for about 1/2 hour. It's official Pete-you are a nutcase. I was waiting for you to pop both rear tyres summernats style. A great display of drifting and you certainly deserved the applause. You can now add the NSW WRX Club and the Renault Car Club to the list of people who think you are crazy. If you think WRXs can't slide you obviously weren't watching Nandor going off! Bloody good fun and I'm definitely going to do it again. I might get onto an Aaron McGill skid pan day. Apparently his courses are more open and he actually wets the skid pan down. A great day had by all-I was still buzzing when I got home!

Hiya People, I'm gonna have to pull out of the track day on Thursday. My funds have copped a big hiding latelyand I think if I went along divorce papers would soon follow. Fatz thinks I should tell the truth and admit to being a big poof! He's just a little touchy today 'cos his shoes don't match his handbag.

Maybe one day I'll see the light, Duncan. Hasn't happened yet, though. I test drove Pete's GTR and I still own a WRX. Coupe's not very practical for me, unfortunately. ....Ben