Hot off the press.....From the VRA mailbox....
Tony Harriott (Mother) (amongst others) has been working behind the scenes and has secured our date for the EAST COAST CHALLENGE for 2012.
The meeting will be at Winton Motor Raceway (Benalla, Victoria) on September 29/30 2012. We will be on our preferred SHORT CIRCUIT.
This is HUGE news as bringing the show to Victoria will undoubtedly encourage our Mexican mates to show us Cockroaches and Cane Toads how it is done on home soil!! It will also give plenty for us from both Queensland and NSW the opportunity (or excuse) we need to go to Winton for the first time.Save the date it's going to be HUGE!
Well done to Tony "Mother" Harriott for all the background efforts.
So there you go. Lets make it a big one and fill it to grid capacity! Even better, lets get so many entries we need to split the field!! I for one cant wait ;D
For the benefit of those not familiar with the VRA regs, they are attached.
Please feel free to contact me if you would like advice or assistance in getting you and your car eligible and prepped for this event.
I can vouch that these ECC's are a cracker of a weekend, on and off the track.
Great news Phil and excellent work by you, Tony, Bill and the crew to lock this in. Several canetoads hopping mad with excitement up here in the swamplands.
Cheers,
Brent
This is very exciting indeed!. Definitely very keen to enter, even if the Sud will be a tail marker. This should definitely stir up some Victorians to get out there.
Can someone confirm - what are the requirements/procedure to get a AASA race license?
thanks,
Evan.
For AASA licence and vehicle passport see link below
http://australianautosportalliance.com/aasa/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=45
Licence will require a medical, fill in a form and $100
Vehicle passport will require filling in a form & $30
Hope this helps.
Nice. So I have another question - might as well ask it here in case someone else is wondering. Our car is prepared for club sprints, so not to any CAMS category (e.g. improved production). The AASA vehicle passport doesn't seem to require a classification beyond "sedan" or "production".
So should I prepare the car to meet a CAMS classification, or ask the VRA chaps to accept the car as is?
(worth noting: the car aint no sports sedan, and isn't going to be at risk of being competitive, I just want to have a go)
Judging what has happened previously, there has been 2 classes. The cams legal cars and the run what u bring category. The canetoads were able to get a race for each class but this will all depend on numbers. When it gets closer to the time it will become clear what the format will be but if you have an alfa , you will be in the mix somewhere. We had 30+ at one ECC, whats the grid capacity at winton?
Pretty sure the grid capacity on the short circuit is 36. That would be busy, very busy. A good problem to have if we can muster that many, like Duk says, we could potentially run two grids, it would be nice to have a couple of grids of 20 to 25+ cars.....maybe 3 races each + a butchers picnic on Sunday afternoon, but as VRA or AROCA are not the promotors of this event, we would be at their mercy if any of this was even possible. But lets not get ahead of ourselves, we need to get one decent field first! Cross that bridge when we get there.
Evan, if you intend running the Sud in a CAMS racing event, you can head towards that spec, but for the AASA passport you do not need to, just get it done as it is.
Note the tyre specs in the VRA regs. Basically you need to be running on radials, not slicks.
running long track we can have bigger grid?
Posted into another thread but thought to revive this to let everyone know.
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Some VRA notices to get some revved up, especially for September.
Those Victorians with suitable Alfa's and there are many, might want to get gear up.
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ARDC Sports Car Meeting Eastern Creek May 19-20
As in previous years, there will be all-Alfa races, providing we have enough entrants (if not, we will share grids with the MX-5's). Group S is on the card as well, providing enough track time to make both you and your Alfa need a rest, if you wish to double enter.
Note that this is a CAMS sanctioned event - a CAMS competition circuit licence and vehicle logbook are required.
East Coast Challenge Winton Short September 29-30
For the first time, our Victorian bretheren will be hosting the East Coast Challenge, and if their hospitality at Alfa Island and the Winton 6 Hour is anything to judge by, this will be THE event of the year. At the recent Phillip Island Historics, the Victorians provided eight of the eighteen Group S and Group N Alfas, and a further ten Alfas in Regularity rounded out the entry. The potential is there for a great meeting - be there!
Note that this is an AASA sanctioned event - either AASA or CAMS documentation will be accepted.
G'day boys, looks like there will be plenty of interest in this one, it should be great..
Just to clear a couple of things up.
We are tagging onto a Truck meeting so it's on the short circuit. We particularly wanted this because it promotes close racing, which is what VRA is all about. We will not be changing to the long circuit.
The event is open to cars that comply with VRA regs at the moment, but we are seeing if there is an option for cars that do not and cannot be made to comply to run separately. I know Phil has posted the regs but basically what it boils down to is the cars need to either be Group S or N or look like one. In other words, no wings, slicks, turbo, V6's in 105's etc. 60 profile race radials are mandatory. These regs are well proven and promote close, fair racing while keeping the costs down.
Regds
Bill
Here are the VRA Racing Regulations as a guide line to how your Alfa needs to be presented.
Any questions should be directed to Bill.
Neil
We have spoken to Winton and "Super TT" are on the card with us. They will accept any Alfa as an entry so long as it has a roof. So anyone who has a car that does not comply to VRA Regs but wants to come along and enjoy the weekend should enter this category. If there enough Alfa's then it will resemble another Alfa grid! They will alos accept a double entry from VRA cars for a fee in the $70-$90 range.
Regds
Bill
Bill,
has asked me to reply to any sticky questions re VRA eligibility. So any one thinking of coming to Winton with a car that is not Group S or N or some combination of these should make contact and we can sort something out (or not). Basically as Neil and Bill have indicated R rated tyres om the Group N or S list, 60 series on up to 15 x 7 wheels. Marque Sports cars (generally Group 2E) are OK provided tyre and wheel rules are adhered to. As an example the duc has a V6 on the right tyre combination as do several others (three from NSW at last count). If it helps I am happy to discuss on phone - my number is on AROCA NSW website
Steve 2Up
For those that are wondering, the duc? or Duk runs a 14 x 6
Any Victorians considering running in the additional Super TT category rather than the VRA category at this race meeting? If any of you are likely to go down this path could you punch out a quick reply so I can make a decision on which way to go with the Giulietta. I'm keen to come down to Winton but would have to make considerable changes to the car to run with the VRA boys. Not too keen on a 3000km round trip to race against a pack of Commodores and Falcons though. If we can get a dozen or so Alfas interested it could be a great weekend's racing.
Cheers,
Brent
Where can I get an entry form?
Not a great response there Brent...
Was planning to go down to spectate/take a few photos - a decent mixed grid in super TT would be interesting from the sidelines, never mind on-track.
It would be a pity if there isn't a good contingent from Qld (or anywhere else - I'd just like to see a decent turnout) due to the VRA category rules.
I don't think the entry forms are out yet... it's not 'til September.
I heard Super TT had about 40+ cars at Wakefield a couple of weeks back it's very popular.
Looks like we will have 20+ at Eastern Creek next weekend and will probably be the biggest single marque category with 3 cars down from Queensland and two up from Vic.
Things are looking good for Winton.
In preparation for the 2012 VRA East Coast Challenge in September 29/30 at Winton.
Would all the Victorian members/racers who are interested please get in touch with Phil Baskett or myself to register so we can gauge numbers.
Plan your preparation of your car now so it is eligible and get any licensing done now.
Any eligibility enquiries should be directed to Bill Magoffin, Steve Smith or Phil Baskett (as I know nothing but a keyboard hero).
Phil and I would like to get the Vic numbers up to put up a good showing to the VRA. Winton is our home track.
Looking forward to your emails.
Neil
Lots of emails and phone conversations recently about this event. The excitement is building and it looks like we could have a bumper field with a good showing from Victorians so far (hopefully some of the 'yeah probably' will turn into entries). I should think about booking my accommodation!
ENTRY FORMS AND SUPP REGS ARE OUT!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.wintonraceway.com.au/events/super-trucks
I have just entered via Winton's new online system. Simple and easy, just like me.
Phil, I'm onto it online style and in the payment section, it asks for carport or garage. What are we doing so we can be grouped together?. Hopefully the enforcer will chime in to direct us.
Did i read somewhere that the vehicle accommodation was included in the entry fee?
It's a good question Duk, and a couple have asked already! I seem to remember there was some conversation a while ago with Winton about options, I'm not sure where that ended up but I have already asked the question. I will post here once I find out.
Car accommodation has been sorted on the short track, carports included in the $260 entry fee, well done Tony Harriot. Get in quick as a 3rd of the grid has already been snapped up.
bump
Grid is filling up, we need more Victorians though.
With just over 2 weeks till the biggest alfa only race of the year ; now is the time to get that entry in. Since the last entry list, i know of at least 10 others that are dragging their ass, so dont miss out. At last weekends concorso the banter had started already with the 2 litre boys talking about how they are going to carve me up! :o; Looking forward too it, cant wait
Event is coming up, entries are closing soon. MORE VIC'S NEEDED! At this stage there may be more Banana benders than Mexicans competing....and in our own backyard.
Enter now, you won't regret it!
Gents, with just over a week to go, i am really getting excited, not sure how many will be there but if it is 20, thats more than enough to keep you busy on the track and my mail is that it is closer to 30. I will be there with the official VRA merchandise and some commemorative t shirts to mark the event. I will take some in car video and be lurking around the pits with the camera so be prepared drivers for an impromptu interview.
I'm wetting myself with anticipation :/
As long as its anticipation and not precipitation.
Rumour has it 30 Alfas entered for this weekend ;)
The Queenslanders are ready to rumble. Rob Robson hit the road for Winton this morning and Andrew Wilson just sent me this pic of his 1750 loaded and ready for a 2am departure. This little 1750 is set to turn a few heads at Winton.
Best of luck to all 30 competitors.
Brent
Great stuff. Got the schedule this afternoon - practice, quali, and four races will make for an action packed weekend!
I am loaded and ready. With T-car ready and waiting also.
Anyone have pics or video of today's racing yet. Judging by natsoft that top 4 must have had an amazing stoush!
Cheers,
Brent
Still recovering, what an awesome weekend. Congrats to Spencer Rice for the clean sweep, pole, 4 race wins and the lap record. A class above.
NSW took out the 2012 edition of the ECC through sheer weight of numbers, and amazingly VIC and QLD were tied on points for 2nd!
Andrew Wilson in the his new 1750 (photo above) proved to be a super quick car taking a well earned 2nd place overall. I lucked into 3rd.
Thanks to all the usual suspects for their work to make it happen this year in Victoria. Already looking forward to 2013, wherever it may be ;D
Post some pics if you have them.
Ugh - exhausted today at work. I'll put up some pics and vision tonight. What a fantastic weekend. My first full race meeting, it was a great introduction being on the track with 30 other Alfas. I was worried that I'd be a long way behind the field, but I qualified well and although struggling with straight line speed compared to the other cars I had some great close racing. Race starts are an incredible experience!
Huge thanks to the VRA for organising the event in Victoria - we had a decent turn-out of Victorians given it was so close to the 6-hour, but we should have had more. I'm very keen to go to the next ECC.
Congrats to NSW for taking the silverware. Well done to Spencer Rice, Andrew Wilson, and Phil.
Phil says he 'lucked' into 3rd. I'd like some of that luck...
Ditto about all the thanks and gratitude to the VRA guys. Most enjoyable event, on and off track, better than all that I have ever attended.
Some pics of the finest racing Alfa's around. Enjoy, but more to come.
I will figure out how to use Picasa or flickr soon. But until then, here are some more.
That may have been a bit optimistic, sorry :-X
Hey guys
Thanks for a great weekend of raceing.
Evan,in that last pic,,you were lucky it was a RH corner,,or she might have left the door open for you on a left corner.
For all you who didnt know,,our only female driver was having her RH door open while raceing.
After a few adjustments to the door catch,,she was happy again.
The mighty Evan Sud went well,in its first race,but he was praying for rain,which didnt happen.
Perfect weather for raceing.
Have video of 4 cars into turn 1 off the start,and all made it.
Will try + get it on here soon.
When the flag drops= NO MATES.
Robert
Quote from: Evan Bottcher on October 02, 2012, 09:06:52 AM
That may have been a bit optimistic, sorry :-X
Just learnt how to use Flickr and also its limitation, got 400 odd pics (some out of focus, not my doing) and can only display 200, so have to redo. Might also try Picasa, we will see.
However, just for fun, here is my very very brief moment of glory, got up to 8th from midfield. In front of Bill, Colin and Urs, all seasoned racers. Evidence provided.
Quote from: giulia_veloce on October 02, 2012, 09:32:45 AM
having her RH door open while raceing.
Mmmm, didn't think of that, that's one way of making your car wider.
Ingenious, while most of us 'close the door' the smart ones 'open the door' ;D
Some more of many others.
Angelo didn't want to miss out on the photo shoot so decided to present his best side profile.
Quote from: Neil Choi on October 02, 2012, 10:37:30 AM
Just learnt how to use Flickr and also its limitation, got 400 odd pics (some out of focus, not my doing) and can only display 200, so have to redo. Might also try Picasa, we will see.
I always recommend Picasa. It's free, it hooks up to web galleries with ease and only has limitations on MB not number of pics. I have bought some disk space from google, and have all my photos backed up to picasa in high resolution (still compressed) as an backup. Just install Picasa, point it to your pictures folder, and tick the boxes to have it back up to picasaweb. I think it has better touch-up tools than iphoto too.
Some photos from around the paddock.
And some more...
Uploaded race one. No teasing of my lack of talent. I was totally daydreaming at the start. I just wanted a clean race without embarrassing myself, so I was being a bit timid. Car in front is Angelo Verga.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_e9tuEjmwc
Race 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcf-p_HnI-4
Race 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mx-Q1sdXY8
Race 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7-bU6mUIzI
The last race I dropped back again at the start and got behind Dom Chaleyer. Loads of fun trying to get past a very wide 105!
Constructive criticism welcome - other than 'grow some bolts'.
Quote from: Evan Bottcher on October 03, 2012, 07:29:39 AM
Race 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcf-p_HnI-4
Race 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mx-Q1sdXY8
Race 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7-bU6mUIzI
The last race I dropped back again at the start and got behind Dom Chaleyer. Loads of fun trying to get past a very wide 105!
Constructive criticism welcome - other than 'grow some bolts'.
Great pass at 2:10 in the second race! Not quite intentional, I would guess? ;D
Quote from: Jekyll and Hyde on October 03, 2012, 08:39:38 PM
Great pass at 2:10 in the second race! Not quite intentional, I would guess? ;D
Ha! I was hoping someone would notice that. Er.. no - not quite intentional... but it worked! "Comin' through!"
Quote from: Evan Bottcher on October 03, 2012, 08:41:35 PM
Quote from: Jekyll and Hyde on October 03, 2012, 08:39:38 PM
Great pass at 2:10 in the second race! Not quite intentional, I would guess? ;D
Ha! I was hoping someone would notice that. Er.. no - not quite intentional... but it worked! "Comin' through!"
Haha - I can just picture the thought process going on at that point... "Crap, crap, CRAP, crap, crap....... Hey, that worked out well - POWER!"
Thanks guys for a great weekends racing but to be honest, it wasnt looking good at the start. I decided not to practice on the friday due to a sketchy 2nd gear syncro and wanted to be there on the sunday. Other senior members were suggesting that it would be a good idea, in hindsight i should have listened. Sat morning practice was the first time on the winton circuit and those of you that know, it is a tricky little track surrounded by mountains, those ripple strips are unbelievable and i came in thinking shit, im in trouble. Qualifying was better and i felt more comfortable with the mountains as i started using them speedway style, as they say" bouncing off the cushion" but still had a long way to go- qualified 13th. First race i spun up at the start and got blown away by Neil Choi- he will love me saying that, so i thought i will tuck in and follow a local to get the right line. I took me a lap to realize that this was a bad idea and decided to get around him. This was also a problem as Bok as he is affectionately know to us did everything he could, late braking, wheel lock ups, getting all loose in the sweeper, frankly it was surprising that there was no paint exchange, but finally on the last lap the job was done. Much to Boks disgust as i copped a "you bastxxd" for my effort. The other 3 races were a dramatic improvement as i began to understand the track finishing in the 1 min 10s. Was good to finally meet Evan and sheldon as you can put faces to the names and no doubt reading his experience, he will be back for more. Next time we will need to organise it well away from the 6 hour so others can get a taste of VRA racing.
Great videos Evan! Love that pass into Watertower Ben mentioned in the 2nd race.
Red Mist! :)
Just catching up with this thread from the weekend... what another great ECC, they just get better and better. All that needs to be said has been said. Love that video of the field coming trough the last corner, it just goes on forever/ Forza Alfa.
Quote from: Evan Bottcher on October 03, 2012, 08:41:35 PM
Quote from: Jekyll and Hyde on October 03, 2012, 08:39:38 PM
Great pass at 2:10 in the second race! Not quite intentional, I would guess? ;D
Ha! I was hoping someone would notice that. Er.. no - not quite intentional... but it worked! "Comin' through!"
Funny this one came up.... the night before we'd (Evan, Neil, Phil and I) watched the footage from race 1 and qualifying, and we'd identified that Penrite was definitely the place for Evan to pass; he was faster through the end of the sweeper and the kink into Penrite than the pesky RWDs in front, could out-brake most people, had some slower corners after that to consolidate the pass etc...
I happened to be out at Penrite taking pics for race 2, saw the mighty 'sud go sideways relative to my line of sight, momentarily wondered what had happened while getting pics of it a split second either side of it being sideways, saw him pass the car in front up the inside just like we'd talked about, and thought "wow, nice move Evan, just like we talked about last night". I kept the camera trained on him waiting for him to do the same move again over the next few laps, but it didn't happen...
Got back to the pits, said to Evan "that was a great pass into Penrite", he said "did you see me get sideways?". "Yeah, but that was what you meant to do wasn't it...?" said I hopefully. "Ahhh, no".
But what a fantastic weekend, and I was only watching, and occasionally helping out. It was awesome to see the excitement from Evan during his first real race meeting, and I was kicking myself all weekend that I hadn't managed to get my car ready for it. It was really great seeing so many Alfas out there doing what they do best, and really nice to meet so many of the committed racers from North of the Border. As Duk said too, great to put a face to forum names. I had a great time socialising with the NSW and QLD members, they are a great bunch of blokes and blokesses.
I will be building a new track-car over the next six months (so that'll be 2 years then), but I'm already going over the VRA rules to make sure I can compete in future ECC meetings. It looks like too much fun to avoid missing another one. Highly recommended.
Oh yeah, and huge thanks to the VRA boys, and of course Phil Baskett, for putting on a great weekend of Alfa racing.
I also thought I might mention that the VRA kindly allowed Trucks to race at the same meeting, and they were.... well, they were something. Some of them had neat and tidy lines, some of them of were obviously enjoying their huge BHP figures. I don't want to be quoted on this, but we heard rumours of well over 1000bhp. And by well over I mean WELL OVER.
This one came in halfway through qualifying to adjust his pressures....
As you can see, they make huge clouds, and they're not afraid to get sideways either. And I thought my 90 wasn't suited to Winton short track...
Sorry to take the thread off-topic for a short while there....
I'm waiting for Neil's footage of when he lost it in the esses and then Gary clouted him in the arse. Come on Neil, where is it? I know you had the cameras on.
During race 3 the leading car of Mr. Rice started losing this out of his exhaust. Anyone know exactly what it is? I noticed that his car sounded a tiny bit sick just after it all finally came out, but it sounded fine in the next race, and certainly didn't seem to affect his pace.
Quote from: Sheldon McIntosh on October 08, 2012, 11:26:27 PM
During race 3 the leading car of Mr. Rice started losing this out of his exhaust. Anyone know exactly what it is? I noticed that his car sounded a tiny bit sick just after it all finally came out, but it sounded fine in the next race, and certainly didn't seem to affect his pace.
Bit hard to see it properly, but I'd guess that's the fibreglass packing making an escape from the muffler. Too hot for it perhaps? ;D
Compilation vision from AlfaDuk.
Now you see all the fun that was had.
Learnt more on how to use iMovie.
First lap highlights.
More office time wasting.
hey neil - aftering watching the first few laps of that 1st race from your car, I think I need a lesson on how to navigate winton fast !!
you certainly had some intersting moments in the last race ??!!