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As per ChargeR's request :P
H-Nationals / 20th April 2013
Ah the Nats. Unfortunately little was done to my car in preparation for H-Nats. This was mostly due to studies and some of the shit weather that we had been suffering prior to the event. As it would be, I had installed new brake pads on all 4 corners, new discs on the front, rotated my wheels, bleed my brakes, adjusted my sway bar and just generally fixed things the night before departing up to Benalla.
Luckily there was only a small issue of my rear brake caliper sliding pins being seized. This issue was easily fixed with some wd-40, sandpaper and grease.
The next day we headed up to Benalla to our accommodation for the night.
Who says 2 doors aren't spacious? I carried just about as much as the 4WD that was with us
The night before Nats was spent at a local Inn up in Benalla. I was lucky enough to spend the night with a handful of like-minded Honda/Car enthusiasts eating copious amounts of Korean BBQ and exchanging stories until the cold chill of Benalla seduced us into our warm beds. Come to think of it, the amount of beef and pork i ate that night probably increased my average track time by about 2 seconds :P
Onto the actual day...
To my surprise, the weather was fantastic! It was super sunny with only a slight chill during the early hours of the day.
View from my pit.
A bit of the morning was spent setting up and eating breakfast with the guys and gals.
SESSION 1:
Session 1 was mostly spent getting to know the track again as the last time I was at Winton was almost 6 months prior. Wasn't really going for times, just trying to get comfortable.
2:09.0540
2:00.3030
1:59.6490
1:59.2710
2:06.3170
SESSION 2:
Session 2 was spent with a passenger by the name of Adam/Allan? (Sorry dude I forgot your name but i appreciate the advice!). Either way, he was organized by Mugs and Tom to help people better their times and improve their lines. After a slower lap getting him to explain where the best lines are and where to get on the brakes/accel, I gave it some stick. And there was a reward!
2:03.3550
1:54.4510
1:57.5400
2:06.4260
1:59.3200
AWW YISS! haha, i was officially happy that I had not only matched my pb but killed by another 2 seconds! And it was only the second session of the day.
The weather continued to hold out all day, it kept getting better and better as the day progressed.
SESSION 3:
Session 2 I spent by myself pushing a little harder with my new found lines and brake/accel timing that i had learnt last session. This in combination with lowering my tyre PSI by about 2-4 PSI each corner as my tyres were running waaay to hot. I got them down to about 38-36 hot. This made them feel so much better.
2:00.3970
1:53.0160
1:52.7520
1:52.8090
ANOTHER 2 SECONDS! My times aren't quick by any means but I didn't care. I was having heaps of fun and loving the fact that there was a clear improvement that I had made.
SESSIONS 4 & 5:
These sessions were after 2 oil spills that occurred on the day, this somewhat dampened my confidence as I had heard of and seen a few people come off at certain corners on the track. This seemed to unnerve a few people as there were quite a few guys in my sessions driving much slower than before or just driving stupidly and ruining the session for everyone.
2:08.0330
1:55.9970
1:56.6280
1:58.0110
Overall, I was pretty happy with how the car coped with the day although I feel that without the hold ups in the last couple sessions I could have squeezed a 49 out of her! Maybe next time haha.
There will always be my disliking of the understeer that the car produces but there is only so much that physics will allow me to do. Time to return to the shed and continue tweaking the setup. In the end I had heaps of fun spent both on and off the track. Big thanks go out to the people that made the day what it was, this includes the participants and also the organizers/helpers.
HUGE thanks to Mugsee and ChargeR for their effort and dedication that they put in to organizing the day and making it run as smooth as possible! So much respect and appreciation!
Below are a couple of photos from the day, the credits of the photos go to their respective photographer based on the watermarks:
damn my car needs a clean!Comment
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Nice work with the new PB out there rookie. Just as you said, as long as you're having fun, that's all that matters. Was that you're first time out with the RS-3's?Comment
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Thanks dude!Originally posted by eskimo_firefighter View Post
Second time now. Although last time they were brand new and i had very minimal knowledge about tyre pressures etc.Comment
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Well done on the PB sir, you've got a certain red Micra in your sights now
. Sorry I didn't get a chance to sit in with you or shoot the breeze much and thanks for the comments on the day, Michael and I appreciate it.
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Nice work on the improved lap times! What was that target time we set you over gami chicken? Was it a 1.48?Official ClubITR Sponsor: www.autosphere.com.au - For all your maintenance, oils and track needs.Comment
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Nice work Rookie! Definitely would've made it into 1:40's if you had a few more sessions me thinks.
Just means time to get back out to the track!Comment
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Thanks mate. One day ill catch that little red beast of yours! All good, I understand the amount of pressure you and Michael had so I wouldn't want to make it any worse!Originally posted by ChargeR View PostWell done on the PB sir, you've got a certain red Micra in your sights now. Sorry I didn't get a chance to sit in with you or shoot the breeze much and thanks for the comments on the day, Michael and I appreciate it.
Cheers! Haha yeah i believe you guys said it was capable of a 48. To be honest, with a little more tweaking to the suspension, time on the track and some more confidence i think i could get there. Referring to my 'racechrono' it said my ideal time was 1:50, and that didn't include my fastest sectors from sessions 3 where i put down my fastest laps!Originally posted by mugsee View Post
Maybe next time! Oh well, just means i'll have to keep attending. And if Tom and Michael continue making track days like H-Nats i'll be there every time! haha.Originally posted by M@lew View PostNice work Rookie! Definitely would've made it into 1:40's if you had a few more sessions me thinks.
Just means time to get back out to the track!Comment
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Yep, don't think i'll be driving much within the next week or so....
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OH NO!!!Originally posted by rookie View PostYep, don't think i'll be driving much within the next week or so....
you alright??
what happened?Just going for a drive
~146.4kw~ Comment
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Yeah luckily the woman that hit me and myself are both fine. She pulled out into the street i was driving along and didn't see meOriginally posted by Batchy View Post
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Glad everyone is fine.Originally posted by rookie View PostYeah luckily the woman that hit me and myself are both fine. She pulled out into the street i was driving along and didn't see me
Some weird damage. She did a good job of the door
Eta before the car is back at 100%Just going for a drive ~146.4kw~ Comment
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Thanks boss!Originally posted by felixR View Post
Yeah she did a pretty good job of peeling my door back! There is also a large scratch all the way down the side of the car that reaches the rear quarter. She got everything except my rear bar!Originally posted by Batchy View Post
No idea how long it's going to take. Especially considering i have to wait for her insurance to contact me and then organize fixing etc.
Shall keep this updated though.
Shit happens i guess. Cheers dude!Originally posted by eskimo_firefighter View PostComment
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