well, the first round of the 2006 Hillclimb Series was yesterday, and after waiting 6 months I finally got a proper run at Mt Cotton in the GTR. Weather was fine (and hot!), and the track conditions were good.

My best time in the 1200 was a 48.37 with the good Stewart Wilkins engine. A pretty good time for an U2L car. I only know of 3 U2L cars that have ever gone under 48 seconds.

We got 5 runs yesterday, and my times went like this
48.28
47.64
47.38
47.16
46.80

so 1.57 sec faster so far, which is OK, but not up to its potential yet. The 1200 was definitely alot faster through the corners, especially the sweeping loops at the top of the hills, and it was more fun because of that. But there's alot of scope for improvement int he GTR's suspension setup yet!

it was good enough for second in class, beaten only by the class record holder, but its daylight between him and the rest of the field.

bear in mind though that the GTR is stock apart from exhaust, Mines chipped ECU, and coilovers. even the boost is at standard factory level atm, not that you can go too much higher on the standard ceramic turbos.

This event was just to get a baseline time before I start tweaking the suspension, so I can see what improvements it makes to the times. It was suffering from alot of understeer on the tight Mt Cotton layout - something that really hasn't been a problem anywhere else. And it lifted an inside rear a few times on some of the tight, banked, 1st gear corners which made the transitions to acellerating out of those turns interesting... Sort those things out and a low 46 should be on the cards, I reckon.

The gap between first and second gears is also just big enough to be a problem when changing up on those steep hills. I have it on good authority that going up to the standard turbos' max safe boost of 1bar makes alot more midrange punch though, so that might be the easiest fix for that issue. That would also help on the return run through the hairpin which I take at fairly low revs in 2nd gear. But I'll save that for the 3rd round of the series.

oh, and the 1200 never did flame-outs like the GTR sometimes does! That got the commentators talking! They won't believe me that its basically stock!

Yep 1 bar max.. 1 psi more and you will be picking exhaust wheels out of the cat convertor

Good to see the GTR is only a minor upgrade on the 1200

Geez R32/R33 GTR prices are tempting these days. Maybe this is the year!?

Yeah might second that Dattodude...picking up a non registerable GTR for track use is only like 12-15k these days and its very tempting indeed. Still Id never let go of the yellow and blue coupe. And Im got my tow car then the family car and then the trailer and Im also driving my bro-in-laws N14 SSS.

have you remooved the boos restictor out of the boost valve yet yet this gives you 1 bar of boost

Good results harry improving every run you should be able to safely run 14psi in the GTR all day long!! will give you a lot more midrange & out of corner go
Are you coming back for bathurst this december??
The 1200 will be back together very shortly new clutch and machined flywheel ready to go.

not sure yet about Bathurst this year. I might do King Edward Park this year instead. I think that's on the long weekend in October. Will have to see what's happening when it gets a bit closer.

Id love to know what ca18det_man`s 1200 could do at Mt Cotton.

Harry dont you miss the rawness of your 1200? Imagine you had L series boost in your last ride? would you better your times by 2-4 seconds or 4-8

Improved times each lap caramba you must dream about Mt Cotton sometimes.

well, I've doen so many events there I know MtCotton like the back of my hand. So it was just a matter of just feeling out the car and gradually pushing harder. There's probably still a few tenths left in it the way it was on Sunday.

the record for Improved Production 2000cc and over is 46.62. It would definitely be interesting to see what ca18det_man's coupe could do! From what I've seen, Andrew's coupe definitely has the potential to beat that. But it is a tricky place for newbies

Quote:

I sense a weekend lease opportunity for you Andrew!!

I believe 'converted' has an opinion on leasing out race cars ..

Personally I have no problems with Fords, Holdens, GMs, Daiwoos, Hyundais or Hondas or Humbers, Mitsubishis, Peugots, Citroens, Lambourgini, Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martins, Fiats, Lancias, Alfa Romeos, Toyotas, Chevrolets, Bugatis, Rolls Royces, Mercedes, Chrylsers, Jaguars, Isuzus, Protons, Kias, Skodas, Daimlers, Buicks, Austins, Mazdas, Volkswagens being used for such 'leasing opportunities'.