Any one who is interested in a great weekend of motorsport may wish to consider NCCA Challenge of Clubs. Sup regs turned up at the weekend. Trial B can be run in an ORV with a CAMS L2S licence. I have posted the sup regs. Entry form is over 1mb, so get it from www.nissancarclub.org.au if you want it.
This email turned up today. I see a Simon Francis but no Mat Francis?
Saturday Motorkhana
Saturday Evening Trial
Sunday Autocross
Sound interesting?
Come and give it a go.
See if you can sustain your competition concentration for two days at three different discipline's.
"Challenge" yourself.
Entries are open now.
Suppregs and entry forms are at the Nissancarclub.org.au website or follow the link below
http://www.nissancarclub.org.au/Events/?e=114
Entries so far are below
Agrotis Peter
Bansagi Michael
Barr Matt
Birchall Robin
Blum Gerard
Burnett Mark
Curry Michael
Curry Ian
Davies Richard
Davis Ben
Davison Darren
Flowers Quinton
Francis Simon
Fulton Ian
Fulton Peter
Fynch Daniel
Gay Richard
Gilhome Eliabeth
Goossens Mick
Greenwood Rodney
Hurle Graeme
Ilsley Simon
Kidgell Elizabeth
Kierce Daniel
Lawrance David
Mahony Paul
Meyer Kate
Morrison Peter
Patterson John
Patterson Rachel
Porter Steven
Roberts Mark
Rossi Daniel
Rowland Simon
Seabrook Tyler
Seabrook Colin
Seabrook Correne
Seakbrook Cary
Smith Lachlan
Thorpe Kylie
Wallis Graham
Wasson Sue
Wilson Phillip
Woods Kimberley
That's awesome! Simon Francis is a (young?) bloke up around Ballarat. Has a couple of GTV6's and an alfetta sedan. a 1.8 sedan at that. I know he's on the BB but don't think on here?
Printing off the entry forms right now Greg. Will mail them on Monday.
As for the car, revised light bar is finished. Wheels and tryes are at the shop as we speak. Awaiting delivery of a navigators light. Finalising installation of drivers seat, passengers seat is tomorrow arvo's job.
Great stuff Mat. don't forget to drop one link off the rear sway bar.
this email turned up yesterday
Hi All,
The Challenge of Clubs is sad to announce that no accommodation is available in the old Barracks(bunkhouse) this year and most likely into the future.
Council has allowed camping infront of the BLCC clubrooms in the grass area near the water tower which is described as the soccer pitch area. (ie not the car parking lot area)
The Barracks toilet and shower facilities will be open for use but take your own supplies none provided.
Please keep them clean.
No power is available in the camping area.
If you use the camping area please ensure you make prevision to take your rubbish home with you.
The Challenge of Clubs Supp Regs has a list of alternate accommodation on the last page.
Regards
Steve Porter
Secretary
Challenge of Clubs
Cheers Greg. Would of completely forgotten that sway bar :)
Was going to look at a caravan park but that looks easier (and cheaper).
Slight change of plans, i will no longer be entering the motorkhana. I have to work the Friday night, and it would be some ridiculous hour by the time we got there. I'm pretty soft and don't function too good without sleep, so better to play it safe and drive up Saturday morning ready for a big night.
Jimmy has also scrapped the idea of entering the beamer. Something about it being too low and pogostick shock absorbers. Instead, he's gonna autocross the Alfetta! Poor old girl.
Mat, I too am not doing the Motorkhana. Save the energy for the trial.
I have entered the A trial and the Autocross. You ever autocrossed before?
Looks like a great weekend of grass roots motorpsort.
Wish I had something that was a little less "Track spec" to bring.
Plan: Must build an autocorss/motokharna car!
looking like a great weekend of motorsport.
Been a long long time since 2 Alfas have been entered in a Victorian gravel rally, i started rallying in 2004 and don't know of anyone since. Good on you Mat for having a dip. couple of quickies in the field. Keep you honest Mat.
This email turned up last night;
Challenge of Clubs is progressing well.
If your names not on the lists below for your entered event please email me direct.
You may have missed the Friday mail.
Ballot for the Trial is at 8pm Saturday 27th.
It is still not too late to enter contact me for your best options.
Supp regs and Entry forms are at
http://www.nissancarclub.org.au/Events/?e=114
Email me
steporter10@yahoo.com
A few more officials would be greatly appreciated contact Aiden Monday on 9467 6191
Motorkhana Entries 35
First Name Surname
Matt Barr
Robin Birchall
Mark Burnett
Michael Curry
Richard Davies
Ben Davis
Darren Davison
Dennis Edwards
Zac Edwards
Damian Faulkner
Ashley Findlay
Quinton Flowers
Simon Francis
Eliabeth Gilhome
Mick Goossens
Michael Kay
David Lawrance
Paul Mahony
Charles Mammi
Michael Mammi
Ben McKee
Peter Morrison
Peter Parry
Sharon Pitt
Greg Pitt
Steven Porter
Robert Prosser
Luke Read
Stephen Richards
Mark Roberts
Cary Seakbrook
Kylie Thorpe
Graham Wallis
Sue Wasson
Ashli Webb
Trial Entries 37
Firstname Surname Firstname Surname
Michael Bansagi Peter Agrotis
Matt Barr Mark Burnett
Robin Birchall Kylie Thorpe
Campbell Eastwood Darren Miller
Zac Edwards Timothy McGill
Simon Ellis Ian Ellis
Matthew Francis James Gray
Alan Friend Robin Smalley
Ian Fulton Peter Fulton
Daniel Fynch Gerard Blum
Richard Gay Correne Seabrook
Eliabeth Gilhome Simon Francis
Rodney Greenwood Paul Mahony
Sean Hudgson Grant Heywood
Graeme Hurle Elizabeth Kidgell
Adrian Johns David Johns
Daniel Kierce Kate Meyer
David Lawrance Darren Davison
Jade Lawson Kevin Johnston
Charles Mammi Michael Mammi
Ben McKee Damian Faulkner
Peter Morrison Sue Wasson
Peter Parry Ian Crook
John Patterson Rachel Patterson
Steven Porter Kimberley Woods
Stephen Richards Michael Kay
Mark Roberts Phillip Wilson
Daniel Rossi Simon Rowland
Cary Seakbrook Tyler Seabrook
Michelle Shadwick Leslie Shadwick
Lachlan Smith Simon Ilsley
Stuart Stevenson Daniel Stevenson
Graham Wallis Richard Davies
Andrew Wallis Tim Sanders
Wayne Webb Ashli Webb
Paul Williams Jeremy Egan
Greg Wyatt Stuart Diggins
Autocross Entries 46
First Name Surname
Matt Barr
Robin Birchall
Gerard Blum
Mark Burnett
Ian Curry
Michael Curry
Ben Davis
Darren Davison
Zac Edwards
Dennis Edwards
Damian Faulkner
Ashley Findlay
Quinton Flowers
Simon Francis
Matthew Francis
Daniel Fynch
Eliabeth Gilhome
Mick Goossens
James Gray
Lucas Hunter
Patrick Hunter
Bill Hunter
Michael Kay
David Lawrance
Paul Mahony
Michael Mammi
Charles Mammi
Ben McKee
Peter Morrison
Peter Parry
Sharon Pitt
Greg Pitt
Steven Porter
Robert Prosser
Luke Read
Stephen Richards
Mark Roberts
Colin Seabrook
Cary Seakbrook
Daniel Stevenson
Stuart Stevenson
Kylie Thorpe
Graham Wallis
Sue Wasson
Ashli Webb
Greg Wyatt
I'm surprised that no one else uses 116 series cars over say a 1600- they cost nothing and even in stock form would be pretty good i reckon. But that's another can of worms altogether.
Question time again. Any idea where i am going to get hessian bags from? I havn't exactly looked hard, but it's not something i can remember seeing in any shop i've been in.
All that's left now is just the mudflaps and the swaybar- fingers crossed that'll get knocked over tomorrow.
Here's the revised lighting setup. Lot tidier and more secure.
Second picture is an invention of my own. It's a seat base from an early car, with a few tags cut off, turned upside down and bolted to the floor. Should put an end to shoes being melted.
Last, the comical difference between the two cars; both with 15 inch wheels and standard height. Definitely wouldn't want to lower mine, Scott's is a different story though.
People have been a bit brainwashed over the years about datto 1600's. yes, you can get them to go hard, and there are a lot of go fast parts , r180 diffs, option 1 gearboxes etc. But, they have 1 inherrent fault. the rear suspension. Firstly they break a lot of drive shafts, but more importantly the geometry is up the creek. when you booy it, the weight transfers to the rear and they squat, which gives them massive toe out. On bitumen probably not so big an issue, but on gravel, the wheel that gets the most traction takes the rear of the car sideways. spend all your time keeping it tracking straight, only way to do that is to back off. good shells are getting hard to find now. i think the Japs are starting to buy them back.
Dunno about the hessian sacks myself. going to try at the local greengrocer ( potato) and the local horse food supplies.
Lighting looks better than V1, nav foot plate might get a tad deformed if you really get into it.
I reckon you will be glad of every mm of that ground clearance. I'll ask you what you think on Sunday after the event.
My thing is nearly ready, thought i had only a few things to do, 3 days later still just a few things to do. Made a light pod today to mount the predators on the front panel. Now i can see!!!
I wont be going to scutiny as i am 67.9 km away, the CoC has agreed for me to get regional scrutiny.
So i'll see you in Ballan.
Mat, hessian sacks at Bunnings, aisle 21, 3/4 way down on lhs, chest height: $3.50 each. Not heavy potato sack but 10 gram/sq m hessian none the less. Supp regs do not specify the quality required, just the quantity.
Or ebay item 260558424134 3 sacks, 11 hrs to go. current bid .99 Feeling lucky?
Just in case you don't have them yet.
with out reading the supp regs whats the hessions for the only thing i can think its for the nav when they dont wanna see where matts steering them ;), no seriously whats it for
Thanks Greg. Ebay looked good, until i saw the 5-10 days postage bit. So bunnings it was. Still absolutely no clue what they are actually for though.
Took the car for a "test drive" up the local gravel road the other night. Wow. The difference those tyres and the removed sway bar made is phenomenal. Don't have the skill/balls to have the car sideways into the corners (yet), but felt a lot more comfortable with the extra control over the whole situation. Tried the old double-de clutch to compression lock, wasn't really all that comfortable to be honest. Not sure how long the driveline will last. I felt like a mixture of mild scando flicks and left foot braking (usually combined) on the entry was a bit kinder to the car, and easier for me to execute. Not sure if it will be as quick, but out and out speed isn't the primary concern this time.
Getting pretty excited ;D
Hessian sacks are for fire suppressing. If you happen to take a scenic route through the shrubbery and your hot exhaust/ brakes cause local ignition, whack the bejeezus out of it with a wet sack. maybe the cfa should take heed of this procedure.
You are perfectly placed, last car no 39, no one behind you to give you a hurry up, and, you can give yourself as big a dust gap as you need. Good work.
I'm excited too!
Do us proud Mat!!
I'm pretty envious actually, might have to pick up an Alfetta myself. Evan and I did actually road test a $500 Giulietta today to see if it's suitable for thrashing to death rallying.
The motorkhana last year was enough fun, rallying must be incredible. Give it heaps bro!
Funny you should mention that Giulietta Sheldon. Lucky dad shared my views, I almost got kicked out of home for suggesting i do exactly the same thing :)
Here is the entry lists for both Trial and Autocross.
I should think any transaxle Alfa would make a superb gravel rally car. Add a half decent cage and some decent shockers and you have a great club rally car. The trouble is you keep adding more good stuff and all of a sudden it isn't so cheap anymore. But, You can't take it with you.
Sheldon and Evan, Get a car and have a go, only other introductory trial this year is on 24th July in the Black Range. Full rally calendar attached
Sorry i was wrong, there actually is another intro trial on september 18th, the Camcrusher out of Toolangi.
One step closer. Technically i failed scrutineering because the rear of the exhaust had worked itself loose. Given the solution is a $2.50 exhaust clamp and about 10 minutes work, i'm going to call it an overall success.
Apparently I'm also supposed to have bumpers fitted? Nothing was mentioned about the front, but i assume if they wanted a back one then a front one is necessary too? Said they would let it go this time but i would need to sort that out if i was going to go again.
Mat, Yes if you are running PRC then bumpers are required. But, i would have thought you were running ORV which means, than as long as it is roadworthy, then you can run it. Are bumpers a roadworthy item? I wouldn't have thought so, as long as you have your full complement of lights, parkers etc.
Maybe someone with roadworthy knowledge could enlighten us?
I am good to go. GTV6 passed regional scruitiny today, with no issues.
Been a couple of late entries. Watch this guy Andrew Bell in the v8 comode-a-door. He is quick. And it's run in his backyard. Either he will win outright by minutes, or his car, on it's maiden voyage will expire. Either way, be exciting to watch at the speccy point(s)
Correct Greg, i am running ORV. I had a pretty good look into it before i removed the bumpers, and couldn't find anything stating that they are required. IF they are fitted, then there are a few things that apply to them, but no where did it say they MUST be fitted. And yes, i relocated all necessary lighting onto the body of the car. So i don't see why there should be an issue.
They said at scrutineering there had been a couple more entries. My plan is to just get out of their way as they go flying past me :)
dont be a chicken just thrash the shlt out of it and if things go wrong just take ur bros car
...or beat Sheldon to aforementioned Giulietta.
I like the way you think Dehne.
no dont go the giulie ive got a sheldon beating 90 for you and its white so it will match ur stables
Quote from: Mat Francis on March 05, 2010, 11:42:50 AM
They said at scrutineering there had been a couple more entries. My plan is to just get out of their way as they go flying past me :)
Mat, you will find that only 1 of those 3 will be behind you. Duncan Elliot and Zarny Tran in the '74 Corolla.
The other 2 will be up the field a bit.
You can beat a '74 Corolla can't you? WELL CANT' YOU!!! Just nod and say yes. If they beat you i'll tell every one i saw you driving with your skirt hanging out the door.
The GTV6 is 100% ready. some pics.
Well the event was run and won. Nearly didn't though, the rain and hail some hours before almost caused a total abandoment of the trial, as it had of the motorkhana earlier that day at Ballarat. Then we were told that some stages were to be pulled, but by the time we all got to plot , the event was 100% back on. ( later that night stage 7 was pulled because of deteriating road conditions. Great event, the weather made it. torrential rain in some stages, then fog, then rain and fog. Real test of fortitude.
The GTV6 ran faultlessly through the night, Can't say the same of the Alfetta. Mat may wish to elaborate on that. All i can say is i heard the cry ( several times) " #%@##%$ Italian electrics "
I was amazed at the sure footedness of the GTV6 on the sloppy roads. The 2L Alfetta used to be brilliant, but i was expecting the extra weight of the V6 at the front to cause a few understeer issues. Only once in the 80 odd k's competitive did i lose the front. And i forgive it for that, it was a huge puddle just on a blind exit from a left hander. I thought i had that corner licked and was burying the right foot in 2nd when we hit it. Needless to say it stopped turning and started ploughing. Just had to lift and settle it, no real drama. We had one road that was 2.65 k's long, DEAD STRAIGHT!!! The advice i was given was " back off on the 7th crest". So, here we are, pouring rain, fairly up there in 5th, i say to Stu, you keeping count of these crests? Errrr i think that was 4 or 5. still a fair way to go, keep the boot in. So i did. 1 crest later we sail over to see the corner we wanted. Threw it sideways, and Stu and i watched the road we wanted sail past the front window. Then we both turned to look out the passenger window to see a ditch and a bank rapidly approaching. I know what Stu was thinking. I was thinking the same thing. But we were both wrong. the car stopped with 2 metres to spare. Fired up the engine and blasted off.
Spent most of the night pulling 1 gear higher than normal, 6000 rpm would have just created massive rooster tails and not much forward motion.
This car will be a real weapon when it's finished. Love it to death.
Very unofficial results.
TRIAL A
O/R Crew Car POINTS
1 Andrew Bell/Ari Paterson Holden Commodore 4:56
2 Simon Ellis/Ian Ellis Subaru Legacy RS 7:35
3 Keith Cuttle/Sandra Cuttle Holden Commodore VC 11:52
4 Michael Bansagi/Peter Agrotis Datsun 1200 14:45
4 Greg Wyatt/Stuart Diggins Alfa Romeo Alfetta 14:45
6 Mark Roberts/Phillip Wilson Datsun 200B SSS 15:29
7 Ben McKee/Damian Faulkner Ford Escort Mk2 15:36
8 Daniel Fynch/Gerard Blum Mazda 323 GTX 15:56
9 Zac Edwards/Tim McGill Peugeot 505 16:29
10 Sean Hudgson/Grant Heywood Datsun 1600 16:34
11 Peter Morrison/Susan Wasson Hyundai Excel 19:29
12 Adrian Johns/David Johns Mitsubishi Galant 20:27
13 Paul Williams/Jeremy Egan Toyota Levin TE27 21:23
14 Daniel Rossi/Simon Rowland Chrysler Lancer 21:24
15 Daniel Kierce/Kate Meyer Datsun 1600 21:41
16 David Lawrance/Darren Davison Datsun 1600 22:57
17 Stephen Richards/Michael Kay Ford Escort Mk2 23:10
18 Dale Allan/Joann Roper Datsun 240K 25:18
19 Matt Barr/Mark Burnett Hyundai Excel 26:25
20 Lachlan Smith/Simon Ilsley Ford Escort 27:43
21 Peter Parry/Ian Crook Hyundai Excel 31:13
22 Rod Greenwood/Paul Mahony Toyota Sprinter 43:42
2 Major Controls Missed
23 Andrew Daniell/Kain Manning Datsun 1600 22:42
3 Major Controls Missed
24 Cary Seabrook/Tyler Seabrook Datsun Stanza 14:54
Did not finish the event
Steve Porter/Kimberley Woods Mazda RX7 DNF(C8) No
reason given
John Patterson/Rachel Patterson Datsun 180B DNF(C5) No
reason given
Angela Bloomfield/Adam Bloomfield Holden Commodore
V8 DNF(T4) Windscreen wipers
Graeme Hurle/Elizabeth Kidgell Ford Escort DNF(C3) No
reason given
Richard Gay/Correne Seabrook Mitsubishi
Sigma DNF(C3) Oil filter seal
Wayne Webb/Ashli Webb Datsun 1600 DNF(C3) Rolled
TRIAL B
O/R Crew Car POINTS
1 Chas Mammi/Michael Mammi Datsun Sunny 17
2 Jade Lawson/Kevin Johnston Subaru WRX 18
3 Duncan Elliot/Zarny Tran Toyota Corolla 22
4 Andrew Wallis/Tim Sanders Toyota T18 25
5 Ian Fulton/Peter Fulton Holden Kingswood HQ 27
6 Stuart Stevenson/Daniel Stevenson Subaru Leone 30
7 Robin Birchall/Kylie Thorpe Datsun 1600 31
8 Michelle Shadwick/Les Shadwick Holden Astra 46
Did not finish the event
Matthew Francis/James Gray Alfa Romeo
Alfetta DNF(C5) No reason given
Graham Wallis/Richard Davies Peugeot 405Ti DNF(T4) Exhaust
Elizabeth Gilhome/Simon Francis Holden Gemini DNF(T1) No
reason given
And what an adventure that was! Yes, we didn't finish, but we didn't get overtaken by that corolla, AND we passed another car!
A quick run down from the start. First stage was absolutely awesome, nice and smooth, plenty of fast corners. Second not so good. Rocky, rutted and generally poo. Car got caught in ruts going up a hill, and ripped the exhaust off from the headers. Luckily it stayed attached to the car, just meant we found out what it's like to run the car with no mufflers at all. Fun.
Got back into service, fixed our high beams (lost them at some point, lucky we still had the driving lights), went to start the car and it died. No ignition at all. Stuffed around for half an hour, and couldn't find anything. Official came over and asked if he could send out the sweep cars, as everyone was waiting on us. Not having a clue what the issue was, we reluctantly agreed. Sure enough, no more than 5 minutes after he leaves we amazingly get all power back and it starts first crank. Greg has already covered what was coming out of my mouth for about half an hour.
From here drove to Ballarat, crawled into the back of the ute at 330 for some sleep. Got up again at 7 and "fixed" (held it on with lockwire and bent it so it could be sort of attached) the exhaust, lying in an inch of water. Passed scrutineering for autocross, so it was all worthwhile.
Had an absolute blast on the track. Didn't do outstandingly well but wasn't really concerned. About half way through we started having ignition trouble again. This time with some light, tools, and a few more knowledgeable people the conclusion is the ignition switch is buggered. So Jimmy and Simon do some quick re wiring to bypass it completely, and we just manage to make our runs (Jimmy also driving). With no ignition, we also have no instruments, and apparently no thermo fan. After 3 back to back runs the thing has boiled, and the engine bay would of been nice and clean if it had water not coolant in it. Jimmy then pinched a two relays from the lighting (only needed one, but in keeping with the luck one of them was dead), and we then had everything working again as it should.
Decided to quit "while we were ahead," and i didn't do my last run.
After this, started the drive home. Just before we get to the city, the ute decides to backfire a few times then die completely. Got a tow to a servo, emptied the gear into the alfetta and Jimmy's old mans ute and made it home about 10, having left from Ballarat about 3. We never thought it would be the Alfetta that made it home after all the above.
After a bit of discussion, it has been decided that the electrics in the car are going. All of them. First, because only half of them work, and secondly because the half that does work are the ones I have re done myself, and they're a f***ing mess. Going to get stuff out of a falcon or commodore or something common and adapt it to suit, and hopefully we might got some sort of reliability. Ha.
Mat, my advice, stay away from Falcon electrics too... case in point, Jimmys ute didn't make it home!!!!
hi mat,
sounds like an adventure, well done!
If you have time, would you share what mods your alfetta has?
i know its sitting a bit higher by looking at the photos.
Believe it or not Martin, the car actually sits about half an inch lower than standard at the rear.
Until about a month ago the sole purpose of the car was track duty, and that's what it was "set up" for. I found the rear springs at a local wrecker, and they were a bit stiffer and marginally shorter than standard, so i thought i'd give them a try. Worked well for the track, not so good for rally.
The front of the car has standard gtv6 torsion bars, at standard ride height. Koni yellows all corners, polyurethane caster arm bushes, 1.5 deg neg camber, about 5 degrees caster and 1mm toe in or out, can't remember. Otherwise all standard bushes and all. Oh and disconnected the rear sway bar for this event. Must do for gravel, as Greg points out elsewhere.
The offset on the wheels made the thing a bit of a nightmare. Any moderate size bump and the tyres come into contact with the guards, chewing out the tyres pretty quickly. This, and the fact that the exhaust lasted about half an hour, means i really need to raise the whole thing a bit.
The bad thing about the ute incident is it is actually my old man's. Still dunno what the issue is, but she don't go. The appealing thing about using such electrics is the fact that everything is relayed. The idea was to simply use the relays and fuse box maybe, and not go near any sort of computer for the whole thing. Need to look into it a bit more though, it may be easier to just start from scratch.
hopefully the ute fix is no big deal :(
So maybe the ride height of the blue sedan is the way to go after all?
sounds like a re-wire makes sense - unfortunately im not qualified to give you any advice on that kinda thing..
Blue one is also standard height, just the tyre size and wheel offset that gives the illusion. Still don't think it's high enough, about another inch would make it much more bearable i think. I think i read in the other thread you were intending to motorkhana and autocross your car? If so, i would imagine standard height should be fine. Didn't have issues on the Sunday, it was just on the goat tracks saturday night we had problems.
Provisional results are out for the Challenge of clubs. See below
Hmmm I know where I finished Trail B, dead friggen last!! We turned left out of the start control and 500m later we slowly ground to a halt. My 1st thought was the fuel pump auto cut-off thingy had died but we had replaced that 24hrs earlier. After trying to restart it for a few minute the battery was dead. I got out in the poring rain (one of the perks of being the navigator ::) ) to have a quick check under the bonnet and in the boot to make sure nothing obvious was wrong was made before a call to our service crew (who were on their way to the pub ::) lol) had them meet us to try and fix the problem. We figured that the battery voltage had dropped so low that the fuel pump switch was cutting it power to it so we hot wired it from the battery and got a boost start, figuring that the alternator would charge the battery back up, we were wrong. A quick glance at the dash reveled the voltmeter showing about 6 (lowest on the gauge) even with the engine running so we decided to head back to service park for some more fault finding. After a few min of head scratching in the poring rain, we decided it wasn't the might to be fixing electrical gremlins and started the drive home, that's when the real fun began.
On the way home we started losing more and more electrical items, 1st the terratrip, then the clock, lights were dimming, wipers were slowing, and the engine temp alarm sensor had a mind of its own and started a nice high pitch squeal to make it even more fun. We towed the car off the freeway into the main street of Gordon and sat and waited whilst the service crew went back for the trailer. Finally at 12:30am we get the car back, stick the battery on charge and decide to fix it in the morning for the autocross.
7am rolls around and we show up to help fix it only to find the car running fine, it turns out the main alternator ground was loose and not making a good contact so we were running the car on the battery all day. We found it by accident when hooking up a loose light wire we found under the bonnet. A few choice words were said by all involved before heading off to the airport for the autocross
On the upside the autocross went faultlessly, I was car 4 so was still pretty much a "road sweeper" for the 1st run but after that run I was 13th overall and 1st in class, not too bad for a little 1600cc Holden Gemini (am I allowed to mention such a car on this forum? lol). As Matt said some rewiring of the Alfetta was in order, aka hot wiring (direct wire from battery to coil for ignition and a wire you had to hold on the battery and starter relay to start it). At the end of the event I was 23rd I think overall and 3rd in class (was beaten by 2 Hyundai excels, oh the embarrassment lol) but only 2sec behind 2nd place so it was close all day, and the cars owner, Liz Gilhome, is still pissed with me for setting quicker times than her, sorry my bad Liz :P
By far the best part of the weekend was seeing a few alfas out there competing in rallying, I got some very handy tips for my GTV6 rally car build (thanks Greg, no doubt many more more questions will be asked) and seeing the red GTV6 sideways the whole length of the start finish straight at the autocross was an awesome sight, sounded wonderful to ;D
Sorry to hear about the dramas getting home Matt, but glad to hear you got there in the end and the frantic re-re-wiring of the car and the end of the autocross held up to get you home
Didn't get much good video in the end, but here's some of it anyway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY_v9KHSqLU
Great to see some vids of the alfas in action, gets spoiled later on by yours truly in the gemini but still good :P the sound of the GTV6 is just awesome. And I apologize for my senseless babbling in the background of some of the vid lol.
Mat that "excursion" of yours at the end looked interesting, especially since that part of the track is flat in 3rd so not exactly slow
Said excursion was performed by the always over enthusiastic Jimmy. As you mentioned, he tried flat out third and it didn't quite pay off. I'm gonna guess that the gearing's a tad different between the alfetta and the gemini? flat out third seemed pretty quick when i got anywhere close to trying it.
great video Mat, would love the shots you got of the GTV6 on dvd some time. I couldn't get anywhere near flat out third even on the main straight. Maybe with the 24 valve??? Try next year.
Sorry Mat my bad. Yeah the gearing is probably a little different, I noticed that to do 100km/h in the gemini down the freeway was around 4000rpm, I know my GTV6 is 3000rpm for the same speed, not sure if the Alfetta would be different. Also the gemini has 5-link hilux rear end under it with something like a 5.35:1 ratio diff, pulls like a train just doesn't have the top end
Gregg flat out in 3rd with the 24v? God help us all that would be some serious speed ;D and some very big rooster tails out the back, and one very happy driver too I bet