Private Day With Mitsubishi Ralliart Team

[paulr33]

Today I was invited to a private "ride" day with the Mitsubhi Ralliart team.

Our company (Dodo) is one of the major sponsors so we were invited to a private "ride" day around the De Bortoli stage, which is the last stage of the Australia Rally Championship in VIC.

The car is the true rally spec car and isn't detuned or anything. Complete with roll cage, Motec management with ADL, 5 speed dog box, roll cage, safety harness's, digital navigation for the navigator/co-pilot.

The car runs standard 4 pot brakes on all four wheels as they can't run 6 pot or brembo's as they don't fit on the 15" wheels. They run 15" wheels for more acceleration and regulations. They run 1.5bar boost through the turbocharger however the compressor snout or "mouth" has a 32mm (1.25inch) restricter fitted to it to limit the turbochargers throughput. This is placed on all the rally spec cars. They run 205/65 tyres on all four which are some chunky rally tyre

They have centre diff control where the can disconnect the centre diff in real time and use the handbrakes or brakes or power out and make on the rears slow/speed up to assist conering better.

Coming up to the first right turn I spotted 125km/h on the Motec ADL display and then he (Scott) hoiked the wheel left then a quick snap right and we were more sideways than you could imagine. Over the jump (see video footage) plently of air time. Coming back down the main stright a slight snap to the left n right really quickly see's the evo pull a perfect sideways down the straight for some last minute fun. Back to the start line and he pull's a quick doughnut for some quick u-turn action.

After every one (30 people) had a run of the track we then headed over to the winery for some wine tasting and lunch. We sat at the table with the race team and crew so it was open and fun to ask questions to gain how the rally team runs.

I had an absolute ball for the day and loved every minute of it. Thanks to the Mitsubishi team for their work and my work for letting me take the day (3 other guys from Dodo went).

Here are some photos (only 18) and 1 short video (no sound). I have digital DV footage at work from another guy which i will get some good still photos from and footage with sound.

http://members.dodo.com.au/paul/pics/rally-day/page_01.htm

[Mr. Oizo]

I'm so jealous.

Oh wait, I have one.

Here's a video of me on the weekend.

I put my sponsor stickers on though.

http://tharaka.net/Mov00089.mpg

[Mr. Oizo]

Bump for Paul.

[NateR31]

yeh, i remember taking that vid, real good man!

[paulr33]

i still can't get over how fast they drive on dirt

absolutely banans. with the full racing harness on and helmet its pretty crazy going flat sick and watch him snap it 120degree's on dirt at 130km/h

[Mr. Oizo]

Yeah man, cool pics, sounds like it was an awesome day.

[paulr33]

where was your footage from? looks good :>

[Paradizzle]

Paul that is f**king awesome!! How long did your ride go for?

[paulr33]

haha the lap he did around de bortoli was like 50 seconds

damn quick thats for sure. coming up the back part before u turn right then over the top is bloody narrow, we almost hit a stack of hay too.

biggest rush ever, was much better than the v8 driver day we had last year

[West]

Shit man, we sponsor Team 888 too. Why we dont' get days like that Paul, MAD. Maybe i need to speak to the marketing department, make them booost the sponsor package up for team 888 ( **WISH** ) so i can go out on days like Paul's one LOL.

[Ronin 09]

did i mention my phillip island ride day with a victorian V8 supercar team on last thursday? and in their proper 2005 model supercar with actual driver to boot...

heheheh

let me just say - V8 supercar + turn 1 phillip island = riot

[inark]

that looks awesome paul!!

i have more respect for rally drivers then ANY other form of motorsport as they dont compare to the amount of skill and balls it takes to do.

id love a car to rally around in out at my uncles farm/vineyard.

[adznight]

Thats ace man!