Bathurst FOSC...what a weekend...

[Charlie Brown]

So what point were you actually raising Phil????

No point really Chris, maybe I should have expressed it differently. I was trying to find out a little more info on what happened as it was very hard with the link listed to establish lap times of everyone I knew.

Subjective though it may be, I have to admit that after the little stir last week on SE's, SP's and NC's I was very interested in seeing what times were possible around the track by said models, though as Cal rightly said regularity times would have been better than the race times, and going by Russ's in car video, he had an almost clear track for his run vs what you racers had to contend with.

Nemo looks pretty good in that photo also. I'm sure that the euphoria of the day won’t leave you for a long time. Cheers

[mx5racing]

For all but one of our events the start of the regularity was rolling with the pace car coming in at the pit entry up mountain straight. The other one was started in procession from pit lane. In both cases it was important to get the best start possible as the MX5 lacked the acceleration of the more powerful cars which then held you up from Repco (Castrol) curve onwards. Most of the time I was behind the Turbos of Russell and Pat so bunched the grid up behind me then floored it to make up the space before the pace car was off the circuit. If timed right I was right up the Turbos backsides as they hit the gas then we all roared up mountain straight with me fighting to stay ahead of the pack. If I succeeded that was great if not I would just go straight round the outside of them as they braked at the 1st right hander and hold them out up the hill. Once I got the buffer the 1st time across the top and down the other side we were ok. The first lap and a half was ok then we would catch the back markers and the fun would begin!!! Basically you had the 1st lap to make it all count time wise or you got traffic to hold you up.

Track knowledge at Bathurst is worth untold seconds especially to naturally aspirated cars. With the big long uphill drag and then down Conrod the entry and exit are just so important. I’m not sure about anyone else but getting the right line through Forest Elbow is damn difficult. The line across the top is pretty much the same for everyone however crucial seconds are still to be found. One of the trickiest is still Repco (Castrol) bend with an enormous amount of time to be found (and lost). In the end I was going up mountain straight flat out in 4th, with just a little lift before taking the corner at 100% throttle and heading out to the outer ripple strip. If you look at everyone’s times they were getting faster and faster across the weekend so I don’t think anyone got near a PB. Most did their fastest lap in the last sessions when the track was far from good. As the weekend progressed there was talk of “try this line” or “what about this braking point” throughout the pits. Those in identical cars had the benefit of following the car in front and comparing your line to theirs to see what worked the best. Heaps of fun with a ciggie paper between the cars across the top and down the hill. The affect when tucked right behind the car in front down Conrod was very noticeable in our cars.

Bring on next year!!!

[Boyracer]

I managed a 2.47.7sec. lap in the second race on saturday...we had close to 50 cars in each race...I didn't get one clear lap all weekend....was getting eaten up by the 2F cars on the straights and then held up in the corners and under braking.

[irwin83r]

I managed a 2.47.7sec. lap in the second race on saturday...we had close to 50 cars in each race...I didn't get one clear lap all weekend....was getting eaten up by the 2F cars on the straights and then held up in the corners and under braking.

looking at a video of some lotus racing at bathurst it looks like its pretty damn narrow in most parts going up the hill so i can see what your saying there, should check it out if you havent already ill grab the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGZDIrglFgQ

[greenMachine]

though as Cal rightly said regularity times would have been better than the race times

I wouldn't say that regularity had an easy run - there was a lot of mixing up of cars, you only have to look at the overtaking going on to see that. Much of a muchness I would say, neither racing or regularity had much chance of a clean run.

I'm not complaining, it was a fantastic weekend. The fact that I got a half decent time is icing on the cake

Pilsener, all I care is that I got under 3 minutes - what's a few thousandths amongst friends...

What surprised me was the lack of carnage on Friday, circulating in a train of six cars behind the instructor - in the wet and unable to see more than a few cars ahead Given few had dríven there before, it was a credit to all to survive unscathed from that day.

btw Cal, is that a chain hanging from your car?

[CT]

Nemo looks pretty good in that photo also. I'm sure that the euphoria of the day won’t leave you for a long time. Cheers

Thanks CB You know I was just returning the stir I find the comparison between MX5s and other cars is interesting. The average lap time in the V8 devlopment series last year at Bathurst was ~2:15 per lap. At Phillip island it was ~1:42. So, at Bathurst we are 20 odd seconds shy of them, but at PI we are only 4-7 seconds shy of them. I think some of the time at bathurst is in experience as it is most definitely the most daunting track I have dríven. But, it is almost certainly down to gearing and power. On sunday, a car that I drove past up mountain straight on saturday, drove past me on sunday after an overnight retune.....horsepower is king, especially at Bathurst. That car found 3 seconds per lap.

[neil d]

This is as fast as my car went around bathurst!

The wife had a false alarm with the baby so I ditched my flight at the last minute thinking I'll be a dad!



Good news is it still isn't born

There will be nothing stopping me next year and this time with a Turbo SP


Neil

[mx5racing]

more pic's peoples.......

http://www.circlework.com.au/lightbox/i ... tp&start=0

dont forget your all supposed to be at work so wait till you get home to look at them!!!

[Cal]

btw Cal, is that a chain hanging from your car?

Yeah it's a tailshaft chain.

[Russellb]

Found some Photos HERE and HERE

[Cal]

Also more photos here: http://www.circlework.com.au/lightbox/i ... tp&start=0

[Boyracer]

If anyone sees photos or video of my crash can they please let me know..

[Cal]

If anyone sees photos or video of my crash can they please let me know..

I have both, but the video really only shows the aftermath.

[AL]

Wow, those videos are fantastic. My toes curl up through the chase! Great driving Turbo Boys and Girls.

[Geoffro]

Congratulations to all MX5 drivers at Bathurst. I must admit to being very proud of my son David in the Honda Integra, 2:51 very impressive, great to see young people at it.

Yes Ren it was very impressive, you have every right to be very proud of your son, I think alot of other people were also impressed by his effort, congratulations.