So the truth behind my "praying picture" is for Round 2 I used some brand new unscrubbed tyres. First practice I looped it coming on to the main straight. What the! God these tyres suck! Came in, gathered my thoughts, checked pressures and then headed out again.

Coming down the hill into gumtree I powered out of the corner drift style, lifted off the gas (a silly thing to do) and punched it down into the wallum. What the freek. To coin a once popular phrase Ï was all over the track like a spew! Couldnt work it out. Returned to pits, steering felt notchy, head under car and WHAT THE CLUCK! OIL EVERYWHERE.

Turns out I'd managed to twist off a press fitting into the PS cooler and had rust proofed the cars underside, the track and my rear tyres thus explaining the multiple spins.

So, Ive done away the with useless POC finned cooler and bought and run something a little more stout. No pressed fitting, more fluid capacity and no more bent fins.

The development continues in a positive fashion.

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Also, of interest for me is that Chunky is super fast. He's doing 1.04's to my 1.10's.

He's essentially geared the same as me so I can use him as a great base for where I need to improve which is easy at the moment as you could simply say the whole track.

Based on our same diff, engine GB ratios where he used 4th and 5th Im using 3rd and 4th. Yep Im a whole gear slower.

Now I need to build the confidence knowing I can get the car more loaded under a taller gear using lateral grip. Much easier knowing Im not lubing the rear tyres now too.

The learning curve continues.

Hey Matt, Any more feedback on how you think the top goes? I found it really changed the whole experience, not getting buffeted by the wind etc. I don't go fast enough to see if it makes an aerodynamic difference.

Cheers

Hey Andy, mate I love the top! Its benefits are its much cooler waiting in the staging areas, you feel much more snug and safe, it does get a bit fumey when Im stopped but Ive now got a little blower that pushes breeze down onto my helmet.

I particularly like the look of having the A pillars built in as part of the top rather than using a windscreen per say. It feels very stable at speed.

One of my reasons to come to this years Nats is that I can do a good comparison at a track Im reasonably familiar with. Although in years past notably on the wrong side of pit wall. Ive had lots of very positive feedback regarding its looks. If I did the whole car again from scratch I'd have made a cage that didnt require the hump. It adds some uniqueness but if it wasnt for CAMS making me keep that part of the structure I'd have made the cage and roof without the hump.

Access is more difficult in mine due to intrusion bars etc but really not an issue for a race car. Heaps of head room including helmet etc. I'd say it feels very similar to my Daytona for a comparison.

I am wheel spinning in all gears so there's argument to run a big wing but I dont really want to go that direction. I like its sort of classic look. If I went a big rear wing I may as well buy a Porky GT3.

But yes, so far I find it very hard to find a negative. As its going to be a logged book 2A car the diversity of that class probably suits it to be honest.

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And Andy you're right no wind buffeting. Its a much less exposed sort of feeling. The biggest difference is noise I think. It does hold the noise in. I find its probably noisier to me in cabin than running an open top which would make sense I guess.
I run helmet, balaclava and ear plugs and Im still pinging 24 hours later! lol.

No Windows Matt? I found the plexi windows made a huge difference. I put them in as a temporary measure last year and still haven't gotten around to making them more permanent, but even mine sounded a little louder with the top and no windows. With them I can have a comfortable conversation with the passenger without shouting.

Yeah no windows. I run a net on the drivers side and I guess its nice to have the thought of open egress on the other. I have some I can install but doubt I ever will in race trim.
It takes me about 15 mins LOL to get sorted in there now so windows would just add another dimension to my self inflicted complexities.

that's true

Another successful outing in the car at the Rd4 A series event at MP. Car ran great all weekend although I was as sick as the rest of the Australian population at present!

We ran the big track with my previous best time a 1.27.4. in April. This round I ran a 1.24.6. which I was very pleased with. The gains come from lots of advice and tips from the fast guys, new suspension settings thanks to Hancock Engineering and just feeling more confident in the car. Managed no spins which means I wasnt trying hard enough apparently!

Also finally have had my ROPS approved through CAMS so now its just the paper process of final application.

Now to check over the car, do an oil and valve lash to check all is OK and load for the Nats!

P.S. To compare my times Bryce and Pete H are doing 1.17's and 1.19's so I still have a fair way to go yet. At least no breakages or issues. Woo hoo

Well done Spook.. :) at the local fruit market Im sure you can get a much larger set of coconuts and hang them from the rear vision mirror.. :) Saw it in Fast and Furious.. if it helps those guys then it gotta be worth a shot.. :)