whatsisname

Nissan can source most parts - I've purchased quite a few new parts for my 33 through Lakeside Nissan. Prices vary from surprisingly cheap to ridiculously expensive ( I don't bother buying if the latter).

Andrew, I've got a brand new set of MT ET Street Radial 2, but not in the size most are running, mine are 265/40/18 (ordered them the instant I heard rumours AIR was ready to go) I've also got a set of Toyo R888 in the same size. I want to see what I can achieve on a non-traditional size wheel-tyre combo. Let's face it, I'm not going challenge any records using the usual set-up, so why not try something a bit different. Matty, ya smart arse! LOL It's my mechanical sympathy, not a lack of driving skill

Decent amount of power, which is backed up by the 124MPH trap speed. All you need now is traction. I managed 120MPH with mid-high 200, hoping mid 300 will net around 128MPH, and somewhere in the 11sec bracket - love a 10 but not fussed.

Josh, how much power is your 33 making (RWkW), if you don't mind me asking?

Solid MPH, just need a decent launch to run closer to full potential. How much grunt is your 33 making at the wheels?

A drum of VHT is over $1,600 and then add another few hundred for the drum of methanol they use to mix and prepare the compound. Rino then hires a tractor with spray attachment and so on to do the job. Using a hand held spray pack would take ages! I've run on a unprepared track and I couldn't get close to my best, and that was using Nitto drag radials. That said, I'm still keen for a private day but I need numbers before I can go any further. Could aim for early Aug, after 29th July meet. I've got a pair of new MT Street's in 265/40/18 on 18x9.5 - far from optimal but I'm keen to see how they go. 255 or 275 15 or 16 seem to be popular. I've got no chance of running under 11.0 so no dramas for me there but I can understand your dilemma, Andrew! Josh, what was your best time, mph, 60" at the recent meet? What tyres did you run?

Fair call, Josh, it's hard to ignore the value for money in a regular open off-street meeting. I'll be at the July meet regardless of what happens with this private drag day.

I guess the next move is working out if people are prepared to pay $375 for track preparation. I've driven my R33 at AIR minus track prep and it was interesting to say the least! Wheel spin 1st through 4th with a mere 260-270RWkW.

Okay, I've had a chat with the venue manager, Rino - good bloke, more than happy to take time and explain everything. Basically, there are three options: 1. $3500. Max of 10 people/cars. No timing system. No track prep. $350 per person. 2. $5500. Max of 20. Full timing. No track prep. $275 per person. 3. $7500. Max of 20. Full timing. Full track prep. $375 per person. All options include: Full safety crew, ambo and fire etc. 9am till 4pm time frame.1 driver + 2 pit crew. No additional spectators (other than pit crew). Wet weather refund or reschedule for alternatively date. Numbers are set based on insurance requirements. One or two above 20 is possible but he would prefer to avoid it as it creates significant issues regarding insurance and adds additional fees per person. No ET or MPH limits (within reason - no 7sec @ 180mph stuff) so below 9.99 is fine.

Andrew, will do mate. I should have answers/clarification by COB tomorrow.

I'll check on track prep and confirm ASAP. The next scheduled meet is 29 July. On Edge, sounds good mate.

Matty, chin up mate, there'll be other private drag days - I'm keen to do a few. Jet, sounds good. I might pass the word around my work, should find one or two, or more, keen to get involved.

Jet, if we don't get the numbers for 1 July or the date is not available we can look at trying again for a later date. Rob, original list updated.

Okay, I'll kick things off. If you are 100% commited to running at a private drag day at AIR(on 1 July - will confirm date ASAP) then let me know via this thread. Budget for a $280 entry fee. As soon as we have 20 names I'll organise payment. 1. Whatsisname 2. Martin Donnon (let me know how many spots you want Martin) 3. R35Robzilla 4. Jetturbo? 5. Sky30? 6. ECR033? 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

Jet, all we need is the required numbers then a quick call to Rino to book a date and we are on!

Andrew, you mentioned there were 10 spots remaining earlier in the thread, since then I estimate 4 extras in this thread, even if a few drop out we still have at least 10-12 people. If we can't get another 8-10 people from other car forums I'll be very surprised!

I am very interested. Let me know the details regarding payment etc.

That was my whole point; AWD and idiot proof launch capability. If you've got the grunt to run 11.9 the SST Evo X will do it, even with your Granny behind the wheel. Put dear old Gran in the powerful RWD and unless she is related to the Bray family she's got buckleys of achieving 11.9.

When it comes to drag racing your average street performance car there's almost no comparison between a 200 odd kW AWD Evo X with slick auto transmission and a 250-300+ RWD Skyline, particular if the Skyline is a 5 speed manual. I can get the Caldina off the line with the minimum of effort every single time without fail. Foot on the brake, floor the throttle, wait till the boost gauge reaches 15psi, step off the brake and tap the shift lever up through the gears as required - or if really lazy and not seeking max results let the auto do it all. Your Grandmother could do it its that easy. The same cannot be said for the RWD Skyline.

If we do see a return to full 1/4 racing then you're going to have a ball, and you've already got the right mindset. Go out there with no expectations and just focus on getting as much experience as you can. The more experience you can get the more relaxed you'll become and before long you'll start running the kind of numbers the car is capable of. Before AIR shut down back in 2006 I managed to attend about 6 off-street meets in a row. Each time out I knocked tenths off my ET with no changes to car set-up at all. Pity it's been so long between drinks as I reckon it will be like starting all over again... assuming we get the chance again.

This argument/passionate discussion could go on and on, so I'll pull stumps on it from here on in. However, I'll leave with a final comment, I agree that you don't need direct manufacturer funding to run a motorsport team - F1 is the perfect example of this. RBR have SFA to do with the manufacture of automobiles and yet they are the current champions. Sure, they need someone to build their engines but rather than cost the manufacturer they make money out of it. Australia has enough corporate wealth and enthusiasts for large-scale non-manufacturer funded motorsport to exist. Perhaps one day Australia will get a premier series of motor racing that involves more than RWD NA V8s

It wasn't that long ago that Toyota and Mitsubishi wanted in on the action only for Ford and Holden to kick up a fuss and prevent it from becoming a reality. Fast forward a few years and now V8SC with their COTF are asking all and sundry to jump onboard. If I were Toyota Aust CEO I'd be saying thanks but no thanks. I would've preferred Nissan kept out of it, and with Ford reducing their involvement the series might've eventually died or became Formula Holden Commodore. Perhaps then the sponsorship dollars could've been channeled into a new series, one that provided real variety.

So why not let everything hang around to bolster the grid till they had enough teams ready for a full grid? Why stagger them out at all? And more importantly, why restrict the field in the first place? Multiple configuration vehicle fields work, numerous other motorsport categories around the work are testament to that - IPRA is just one example where NA V8s and all-wheel drive turbocharged cars compete side by side with great success. No reason it couldn't work in the premier category.

I'm just stating what actually happened. The 93 season was indeed the first under the new rules, but wasn't limited to 5 litre sedans - Longhurst actually managed a 2nd and 3rd in the M3. By 94 the field consisted of nothing but 5 litre V8s, then in 1997 it became V8SC as you stated.

By what logic? The 1993 rules forbid turbocharging, simple as that. The Corolla, BMW M3 etc. All continued to compete. The V8SC series began with the inaugural 1997 season, at which point only Ford and Holden pushrod 5 litre engine sedans were permitted.