Snowman

Haha - its like if someone was brave enough to enter in one of these things.

One thing to be wary of from my experience is size. I made the mistake of opting for a smaller diameter wheel than what came standard on the car and it was horrible to drive with so had to replace it. But I now use a Sparco suede wheel (with gloves) and it does the job nicely.

Yep. The plan was to go back to the begining and see if I couldn't do it right this time.

So Stu - I see there is no Rookie Rally listed on the Targa Application page for 2011. Not running it next year?

Yep - I know the answers to all of those questions....

Can't say I've ever heard of the motorsports academy so I can't really comment on it. But there are some traps with just having track experience. The main one in my opinion is that getting good on a circuit is more about knowing the circuit than it is about driving what you see. I'm far from an expert on these matters but for me I found things like the touring events (such as the ATC/Dutton events) and even skidpan days like SAU Vic run are a good start. These are great for teaching you to drive fast something you may never have seen before like what you will experience when you first go Tarmac Rallying. You don't know where you braking points or apexes are until you get to each turn and thats a skill that is not so easy to gain just by doing track laps. They will also teach you the consequences of small mistakes in a more friendly way. On the circuit if you get something slightly wrong you run a wheel wide onto the dirt and gather it up and keep going without much consequence. In a touring event you make a small mistake and you hit a cone and get a 5s penalty which will totally bugger your event in a competative sense but thats about it. In a tarmac rally a small error can lead to you hitting a tree and crying over the loss of your beloved car!

Basically that is it Nick. If it doesn't say you can do it then you can't.

Nick the older GT-R's fall under LMS. If you haven't read this yet I suggest this is the place to start http://www.targa.org.au/Competitors/Regula...ns%20070410.pdf You will find the car classes on page 24 (26). Read carefully the General Regulations for all Vehicles starting page 15) for all of the little things you will need that you haven't for your club level stuff.

For me I think especially if you are starting out the major thing you want is a car you a comfortable driving in. Targa isn't a place you want to be learning a car as well as learning the game IMO. The R32 GT-R is a good thing. Not sure who looks after your car but Racepace look after a beautiful R32 GTR Targa car (Drew's) that in early modern can be as competative as anything else out there in the right hands. If you are ok with turning it into a full race-car (and also ok with stepping up the chance considerably that you may end up throwing it away due to an accident) then I'd say you have a good car in your hands already.

Well stop admiring it and put it away Dom and go and make sure your car actually has 4WD. I think if an R35 didn't have 4WD suddenly the location of that transaxle would make for some interesting driving challenges!

Have you checked to make sure you have a front shaft?

Actually the driveline from his too. Just the engine, brakes, wheels, exhaust, seats, suspension and tail lights from mine

For special people.

So the shit talk has started 134 days out. Nice

Yep thats the car. \ But only half of it is mine remember. He gets to keep the rest. LOL BTW - fair sized entry list for THC if the Targa newsletter is anything to go by. Am really looking forwards to seeing the course and the logisitics of it.

We've already booked on top of the hill from Wed-Sun.

I take it you didn't mean June when you said the 15th Stu?

Well then we can be SURE we won't see him in Early Modern if recognition of results is his thing. LOL

Yeah but it sure is expensive for a 2nd hand car which legally can only have a cage and ECU upgrades.....

Well part of the deal I've made is that car doesn't come with an engine, brakes, shocks, wheels, exhaust or interior. (and tail lights - that car has LED's which I don't want!) So I'm going to need those parts from the old car as a minimum. The big issue with the other parts on my old car is the bonnet and guards. It will probably run externally as a standard white car for THC but for TT11 I will put the kit back on and then it will be a case of whether the car stays white or goes back to blue. I'm pretty sure I know which way it will go...... But yeah Dan I am keeping the drivetrain in the new one. Anyone want to buy a 5 speed GTR gearbox??

So it looks like I've found a new car. Hopefully I can have it all ready for High Country.

There was definitely nothing in the 1.40's today. It was quite pissing down!! But I did hear that Dean Canto did a 1.44 yesterday however. But it was still heaps of fun and a really well run day. Was suprised that they still let us go at our own pace given it was wipers on high day and no one had helmets. But I have done a number of other manufacturers days down at the Island that weren't as good as this one so kudos to Nissan for putting it all together. The extra insight to the building of the car was great as well.

Nice one mate. How much time did you shave off from your first run to your fastest one out of interest?

They have motokhana stages?? I need to do this rally one day! I always thought Lake Mountain could have been an epic Rally if they put a motokhana style challenge in the carpark at the top. It's the one thing I really miss about Dutton event is whacking the handbrake everywhere!

I am 99% sure all you will need is ID for entry to the track. This is from my email: For interstate owners, you will need to make your own travel arrangements to get to Melbourne. Nissan will then provide a coach transfer from the new Hilton Melbourne Hotel located at South Wharf at 6:30am sharp to take you to and from the track if you don’t want to drive yourself. The bus will return you to the Hilton Hotel South Wharf. What you need to bring: • In terms clothing, we ask that you wear clothing that covers the full length of your arms and legs, plus appropriate footwear for driving. As this event is being held in the midst of winter in Victoria at one of the most southerly points of the state we strongly recommend you dress warmly as Phillip Island is very exposed to the elements off Bass Strait. • Helmets are not required and should not be brought along. As an exclusive GT-R owner invite only event, we ask that you bring identification with you on the day. We will have security at the gate and only owners with their name on the list will gain access to the track. Please note that only registered owners will be permitted to enter the circuit property. Please do not bring any unregistered guests. I have done similar days at the Island with BMW and Audi in the past and ID was all that was required on those days too.