Feb 15 - MSCA Sprint Rnd1 - Phillip Island

[Snowman]

As a few of you on here know, one of the main reasons I got my skyline was to participate in some track events. And the first of those is coming up on Feb 15 at Phillip Island as part of the MSCA (Marque Sports Car Association) sprint events.

This will be my first ever time on a track (in any car) and consequently Im damn excited by it. So if there are any people interested in coming down to check out the event feel free to do so.

To give you a quick run down - the MSCA is comprised of an alliance between the following clubs:

Alfa Romeo Owners' Club of Australia

Austin Healey Owners Club

Austin Healey Sprite Drivers' Club

Bolwell Car Club of Australia

Club Lotus Australia

Fiat Car Club

Nissan Datsun Sports Owners Club

Sports Owners Club of Victoria

Triumph Sports Owners Association

All manner of cars enter the event (there are 14 seperate classes in the competition) so there is a lot of interesting varity to look at. The sprint series themselves is basically 2 lots of 4 laps with the combined total of your best 2 lap times given as your result. (I think there are max 4 cars on track at any time). there are 11 events held this year at various tracks around Victoria - including the hillclimb at Morewell, and a 2 day event at Winton that includes one day of driver training. (in the yearly comp you drop your worst 2 results)

For those out there that might find this kind of thing of interest in the future this is what I have had to do in order to participate.

1. Memeber of a CAMS affiliated Club (In this case also MSCA affiliated - for me its NDSOC - cost $50pa)

2. CAMS L2S Licence (Requirement is that you are a member of a CAMS affiliated Club - cost $91pa)

3. Flagging Marshal permit (applied through CAMS - no cost)

4. Steel Valve Caps - $9

5. Approved Helmet - mine cost $120

6. Fire Extinguisher - $40

Total Cost $310. (Brakes and tyres must also be considered but with only 2 lots of 4 laps it wont be as taxing as full track day events so should last a number of days).

If all this goes according to plan then stay tuned for Snowmans attack on the Dutton Rally.

(Btw - I have no intention of trying to win any of these events - Im doing it totally to have some fun and to be allowed to drive faster than I can on the roads and improve my driving skills!)

:headspin:

[R31Nismoid]

15th...

Nah, i wont have my brakes done. I'd rather attack a track with a reasonable set of brakes first.

But definately keep posting things like this.

I'm defintately going to be doing a lot of track work this year

[GTRgeoff]

Hoping to see you out there Snowman. Currently getting the machine work done with forgies, GTR rods, balance and O ring with a new monster FMIC, waterspray and water injection.

Got the adjustable caster rods in, a GTR fuel pump that has produced 314rwkw, about to dump the rear steering and contemplating whether or not to buy food or spend it on bushes for adjusting camber, pineapples and maybe adjustable sway bars. Soon will get the Apexi PFC and tune for extra redline and toulene mix.

Hell...I better perform now.

Last hit out I replaced all of the discs with slots on the front and plain rear, racebrakes.com pads, motul brake fluid to prevent fade....god the list just goes on but the rush is enormous.

[SteveL]

Hope you've got your entry in and accepted....MSCA PI events are always over-subscribed.

[GTRgeoff]

Only once the engine is in and the wife fed

[Snowman]

Hope you've got your entry in and accepted....MSCA PI events are always over-subscribed.

As far as I know everything is sweet. Was in contact with the events secretary before the registrations were available and had my application in the first available week. So.....

skylinegeoff - it will be good to see you out there man. Sounds like you have a great plan ahead of you! I just had the new clutch, power fc and oil cooler installed yesterday and the new pads from racebrakes go in next week.

Ash.... I won't even bother. :zap:

[blind_elk]

...This will be my first ever time on a track (in any car)...

You're a brave man, Snowman, picking The Island for your first excursion. It is damn fast. Take it easy, you don't want to end up in Tassie after you come off Turn 1 at high speed.

FYI, they will run 12 cars (3 lots of 4) on the track at a time.

[Snowman]

Don't worry - Im taking it damn slow. Images like this are firmly imprinted in my head!

http://www.directimported.com.au/down/570000.htm

Also - I actually think going to the Island first up is better. I think if I went to something small and technical like Winton first up I might be over confident the first time I tackle the Island. However - with this being my first time I think Im going to be so tentative that my biggest risk will be getting hit from behind due to me going too slow! Especially through turns 1 & 2. They are going to be interesting!

[GTRgeoff]

First time at the Island in this car for me and only receiving the block back next week so the pressure is on.

[XplodeSkyline]

i'l be there cheering you guys on!!!!! Go Skylines Go!!!

[Al]

Sounds great!

Will want to do my brakes and handling b4 coming along . Also i will need to buy a cheap set of light 17" rims and good tyres, as my 19's are too heavy and would reduce the handling in more ways than one. I am keen to do this type of racing as i prefer it to drags.

How much is it to enter? (you mentioned "set-up" costs " approx. $310, but did not mention any fees to Phillip Island race track).

If ya want a "cheer squad / pit crew" i will be interested in coming down

[Snowman]

Al,

entry forms, dates for each event, event results and individual event costs can all be found on the MSCA web-site. The $310 was just a figure on how much it cost and what was involved to get started. And feel free to come down (I have no idea if there is a spectator fee. Blind Elk??) The more familiar faces there are around the more relaxed I will feel!

cheers

http://www.cm510.com/msca/

[SteveL]

There's no spectator charge (unless things have changed dramatically.....doubtful) and the entry fee for PI is around $100.

[inark]

hmmmm this sounds like a great event.... i'll bring the gf down for it and we'll be cheering yas on in our SAU tops

doubt i'll have the skyline on the rd by then but will definately be there!

will have to put in for the day off.

[Al]

Thanks for the site.

Am getting a different performance clutch put into my car, and a ballanced, lightened flywheel. After that i am booking it in to get the Whiteline or Pedders handling kit installed, then come the slotted rotors with Endless pads and ADR approved braided brake lines. This will all be done within the next few months.

Then i will be joining ya !

[XplodeSkyline]

i went to a sprint day bout 3 months ago, and it didn't cost me to get in, and you can walk though the pits and all that, good day, be better if your racing, but i can't afford that, so i'l continue to watch everyone else! have fun guys

[GTRgeoff]

Bad news.

The engine bits won't be complete until next week (early) so there will be no time to build, install, tune suspension, run in and race.

BUGGER

Great to meet Snowman at the NDSOC meeting last night tho. Can't wait to see his GTR34.

[Snowman]

No mate thats good news - it means I get to have a "practise" run before you hit the track. Couldn't go getting beaten by no rwd car now could I?

Was good to meet you and a few others from here last night (although some of you need to say a bit more on here! You know who you are!) Last night they also handed out the trophies from last years competitions and I was damn impressed that one of the class winners had to be close to 80 years old. (Geoff or BlindElk can you confirm that age guess for me?) Regardless - in my eyes this bloke is the ultimate speed racer!

[GTRgeoff]

One real piece of advice. Pull the fuse for the ABS before you hit the track. Not to make me look better but it will help stopping once you run off onto sand/grass etc.

Seriously, CAMS headlined a porsche last year that crumped in at wakefield and the wheels didn't stop turning until he hit the tyres and shortened the car by 3 feet.

Old John owns the tank museum down south and is in his eighties. Has a GTiR (was outside-red) with R tyres and no fear. Seriously quick and only started racing in the last ten years.

He and his wife are lovely people and entertained me on my first meeting at the club. Old and young, all types of Nissan/Datsun/Prince skyline it is a great club. I recommend joining.

In a few weeks the club has a Targa Tassie tour for 4 days and will be awesome, even car stickers. Wish I was going.

[blind_elk]

Don't think John's quite reached the big eight O yet (from memory he's something like 72 or 73). He used to race bikes mmaannnyyyy years ago, and he still has a bit of the style - so funny watching him through a fast right-hander with his head hanging out the driver's window as he leans into the corner.

Only a few years ago, John was the club's rookie champion lol

John's Tank Museum is in Narre Warren North. He's currently looking for a buyer for the business. Got some great stuff there. Big mother V6 Detroit diesels that are flat out at 2000 rpm, and make the most magnificent noise.

The Tassie tour is this weekend, and I'm in "Big Kev" mode about it; that's why I haven't mentioned being at the Island - bit hard to just pop back for the day.