roaldin

Brown stuff happens. Glad you had fun. Tim.

Still going AFAIK. Tim.

Broke something in the selectors in the gearbox. Engine dumped coolant so may have blown a head gasket as well. 1st run couldn't get 3rd after top corner but got it back on the cool down, 2nd run couldn't get 3rd or 4th up the hill but got them back near the top only to lose them all on the cool down... Tim.

For me the importance is that times are all I'm in it for. I compete against myself. Times are the only way to measure that. Same thing at the race track. I am not really driven to compete against others, just to better my times. It's going to be interesting this time, I really stuffed my tyres yesterday... Stupid really... Tim.

That was the Domain not Collinsvale GMB. Some explanation seems necessary:- The domain runs are not comparable. Everyone ran quicker at the domain last year because of several reasons. If you want to have a look at comparative times then check out cars and drivers that would be consistent year to year, like Damien Moore for instance (he ran the blue escort last time and the previous time). 44.13 versus 39.95. Did he gain over 4 seconds? I don't think so. Deane Hayes pretty much matched my previous years time in a standard Golf, is that possible? I doubt it. Maybe we should ask him... There are other examples there as well if you'd care to look. I'll explain the main differences in a sec'. I ran Collinsvale last year and was fastest. Same thing happened there though. Everyone was quite a lot faster than the previous year. One of the main factors for both event's big jumps in times was the change to "electronic" timing. The beam is placed about a metre ahead of the car so the car is already moving pretty well by the time it hits the beam - a run up if you like. The old system was "countdown and go" at Collinsvale while the one time I ran at the domain there was a red light start system that a lot of people were penalised for jump starts with. The start-line advantage with the electronic system is variable depending on the traction levels of the various cars. An AWD gets the least advantage because it spends less time spinning it's wheels at the start, RWD is next while FWD has the biggest advantage - Imagine a front wheel drive, it could sit and spin it's tyres for a few seconds but not break the beam, by the time it breaks it it's off and running. The effect is that everyone gets faster times, some more than others, simply because of a silly timing setup. I have been against the beam system from the start as it IMO does not reflect reality, in fact it, IMO, encourages cheating (I am not accusing anybody of anything here, just stating the obvious) - The further back from the beam you can line up your car, the faster you'll be going when you break the beam. Stupid IMO. An alternative is to line up the car with a mark for the tyre on the road, but then a car with a short nose has an advantage over a car with a long nose... Not as big a deal but still silly IMO. The only way to make the new system work is to have all the cars nudging the beam, therefore no run-up. This would unfortunately mean timing errors though because some cars could inadvertently break the beam before they actually started. My preference by far would be to get rid of the beam altogether and go back to something like the light system - sorted out though. It was not setup very well when I ran the Domain. A beam at the finish would be fine. The light system (electronic) would be ok if setup well and if the finish was a beam. When I ran the domain there was no electronic finish, just a stopwatch with a call over radio from the start. There were a few other big differences at the domain between the time I ran and the time after, the chicane for one. As I said before, the best evidence is found by looking at consistent performers through the years. Some variation is inevitable but if you think 4 seconds is feasible without drastic change (excluding first-time drivers) then you don't understand racing. I think CMI do a great job but their timing system really needs to be sorted out and should also be used the same way for each event. This isn't meant to be derogatory to the Clubman. It's just a statement of explanation as to why there is such variability in the timing. The Clubman won on the day, I didn't enter, you gotta be in it to win it. He did a great job! Neither is it meant to be derogatory to CMI, they do a great job where no-one else is even trying. Just sort out the timing, please... (and make the track consistent as well if at all possible) Anyway, good luck to all entrants! Tim.

You might still get in, or was it you in at Fogarty's today? My car tested ok today so it looks good for Sunday, if I can get some new harnessses in it tomorrow that is - damn 5 year age limit... Stuffed if I'm going to run with the lap-sash... I haven't driven anything quick for a year so I'm quite pleased I could still drive it. I might change my name to Rusty though. Tim.

I might make it after all. Doing some testing later today, if all ok I'll probably run. Brakes - check, Windscreen - check, Seat - check, All good so far... Tim.

I'm entered but I doubt I'll make it. We'll see I guess. Good luck to those running. Tim.

Gearbox is fine. Tim.

Any single syllable name is ok in my book. It does (in my experience anyway) make the track pretty slippery for a while, that can be a pain but it's not usually a big deal. I enjoy watching the drifters go at it. I used to do similar things years ago with my Dad. Hmmm, he has a 180SX, maybe I should buy it off him and transform it into a drift car... I need to add that I haven't always been positive about drifters myself. Not so much the driving style or cars but some of the silliness that I saw going with it at the beginning. It's important to keep an open mind though and I think as drifting has grown up there's been a general swing towards acceptance. I hope that the drifters feel more inclined to integrate with other kinds of car enthusiasts as well. I think that the people representing drift down here at an "official" level have done a pretty good job. No names mentioned but people here will know who I'm talking about. Tim.

I was misinformed re' Bens. Common name around here... Obviously a quick driver and a quick car. Re' a and b:- Not quite sure who you're referring to here. As far as I know the drift scene down here has gained quite a lot of respect compared to where it was at the beginning. Maybe there's more to go but I don't see all that much negativity about it now. There will always be the diehards but that's the same anywhere. I think if anything there's a bit of "they don't like me so I won't like them" on both sides. The only problem I've had with drifters was one incident at the track when it was left in a mess, apart from that I have no problem. I consider myself friends or at least "friendly acquaintance" with some. To me drift cars are much like any "not crazily serious" race car really - many of them are a bit of a mess but so what? Some are pretty good too in one way or another. I have the white WRX with the carbon bonnet. Not sure how fast "bullshit fast" is but the car is pretty quick. Tim.

I was misinformed then? Too many Bens, that's the problem. Whoever it was it was a damn good effort. Tim.

Excuse my being a bit slow - Tas_180 is Ben G? Ex Liberty, pulled over to chat when I had the GT parked near the Botanical Gardens? Tim.

I didn't go but it seems that GT-R is starting to handle pretty well Rod. Well done, some great times by the sound of it. Not sure I know who Tas_180 is but a great effort also! Anyone have any official times? eg 1.01.?? (got to keep an eye on my competition ) You guys entering the next hillclimb? BTW there's an MCC super-sprint on the 19th (unless something's changed) so for those who didn't make it this time here's your chance... (I won't make this one either) Tim.

I don't think I'll be there this time. Tim.