Matt's MY08 NC Roadster.

[CoffeeBoss]

Circuit Club Eastern Creek Twilight Edition

So I finally did Eastern Creek, with Circuit Club of course.
The last time I drove around Eastern Creek was at a Lexus Drive Day many moons ago.
I did a couple of laps in 4 cars from the range, and it was basically my first ever drive on a race track.
So a return to "The Creek" was well overdue.
Reggie came along too, in The Toaster.



I've always considered Eastern Creek a "big boys" track.
It's wide, it's got that really long straight and that fast, butt clenching turn 1.
It's got Corporate Hill. I mean, that's obviously a serious hill. Suit, tie, the works. Big boys stuff.

So the car was suitably prepped, fresh from it's 100'000 km service.
Which, thanks to the chain drive, is really no more expensive than a normal service.
I had the XP8 pads up front nicely bedded in, and I threw my Advan A048 semi's on also.



First session I made sure Bozzo was riding shot gun to give me some pointers on how to get around most effectively.
After a few laps, I started to push a bit harder.
However it took me a good session and a half before I'd really started to commit the lines to memory.

By this stage, I was comfortable driving all the way to the last braking marker on the straight before hitting the anchors, re-settling and turning in.
It's a great turn, and throttling out of turn one and up to the big braking point at turn two is fun even in the low-powered NC.
But it really comes into it's own around the back to Corporate, and the last few turns before the straight.



I'm really glad I had the semi slicks on.
They allowed me to really use all the braking the XP8's had to offer.
I'm really glad I had those on too. Because they were flipping fantastic.
Fade free lap after lap, REALLY confidence inspiring pads. So good for the high speed braking of EC.

Brett's NB, meanwhile, looks like it's set up specifically for EC!


Dicing with traffic was fun, and driving with traffic in the dark really gives you an appreciation for just how difficult endurance racing must be.
I have much greater admiration for after-dark racing now.

I did have two disappointments though.
I had to cut my last session short due to lack of fuel. Chewed through half a tank of petrol in 86 kilometers!
Note to self - bring my fuel next time.
The only other disappointment was my best time, a paltry 2:04.
Mitch really put me in my place!



I know I was faster, however once I got the line down pat, I didn't get a single clear lap due to traffic.
In the NC, you have to really pick your moment to pass, or hope to get waved through,
as the car in front is invariably more powerful and faster down the straight.
It's a good challenge, although I don't have the inclination to stuff my car down the inside of people at corner entry, as happened to me on one occasion.



But these are minor gripes.
I was mainly keen to really come to grips with driving around Eastern Creek Raceway.
Honestly, with the NC's low power, I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did.
The technicality of the track was a very pleasant and welcome surprise.

It's just a pity it's so damned expensive!
Note to self: work harder!

[CoffeeBoss]

The NC is now back to being a weekend car after carrying the daily drive duties for a few months. Even around old Sydney town, the NC really does make a great daily driver. The great thing about using a lively, 2-seater sports car every day is that it lends a sense of occasion to every trip, and you are far less inclined to climb behind the wheel and have your mind wander about your weekend plans and what's for dinner tonight when you are sitting in peak-hour traffic. In fact, you're more likely to find yourself unnecessarily blipping the throttle and changing down, or you're scheming how you might fit another of these fine sports cars into your garage...

Of course, the downside of all this is the increase in wear and tear. You have less time to clean the car, and it needs cleaning more often the more you use it. So after consigning the NC back to weekend duties, the remorse had become too great by this stage, and a 4 hour detailing session was the order of the day.



Trainspotters will recall that I purchased this boot liner way back in the beginning, from Moss Motors.



A nice simple addition, I liked it. However getting it to stay ahered to the boot through a typical Sydney summer was basically impossible. I tried everything and all I really ended up with was a boot lid covered in adhesive residue.
So once all that was cleaned and removed (big thanks to Melvin for supplying the industry-grade, paint safe goo-remover) it was replaced by some Big Sticker Performance instead.



A nice reminder each time I open the boot why my front wheels are covered in brake dust
(But believe me, the XP8's are worth the dust. Arresting performance!)

Three years of ownership has recently passed by also, how time flies when you are having fun!

While I am happy to say that the overall condition of the car is where I had expected it to be, there are a few blemishes on the bodywork which need attention.
Plans are afoot to sort this out next.

[CoffeeBoss]

The Brass Monkey Run

Recently I attended the Austin Healey Owners Club's third running of the Brass Monkey Run.

This is an annual event, catering to 2 seater convertible sports cars, but basically open to all.
A point-to-point run, the rules are simply that all open top cars must have their roofs down!
Destinations vary from year to year, with 2011's event finishing for breakfast in Mudgee.

For various reasons I've always managed to miss out on the Brass Monkey Run.
However, the stars aligned this year, and I was at the truck stop on the M4 at 530AM.





It looked to be a great turnout - probably 100 cars of varying makes and models, across a myriad of generations.
Heading down the M4 was fantastic, with the burbles and crackles of classic British exhausts all around.

It was also exceptionally clear and exceptionally cold once we cleared the mountains.
I had to put the windows up, but roof remained resolutely down.
Properly attired, it's easy to stay warm in the NC with the roof down anyhow.
However I admire those in their true British Sports cars, the NC is quite sheltered by comparison!



The cavalcade regrouped at the meeting point, the Bowls Club in Mudgee.



Here's a great shot by Reg of some of the MX5's in attendance



Although there was a large turnout of cars, you could say that MX5's dominated the proceedings to an extent



Although the small group of Italian Stallions made probably the biggest impression



We had breakfast at the Butcher Shop Cafe in Mudgee, which is a great spot.
Last place I expected to find Mao, though...



Breakfast was followed by some roadside assistance for one of the MX5's in our troupe - a hose repair in Mudgee's main street.
After all the British car quips, we probably had it coming.



Then we were off to take the long way home, via some great back roads out of Mudgee and across to Bathurst.
On the way through Lye we found this great photo spot:



It was such nice weather, that for the remainder of the day, we spotted many of the Brass Monkey attendees on their own driving adventures, all around the area.
They were everywhere.



Once in Bathurst, we had to of course pay our respects at the mountain before the return home.





A great day spent spent both driving and admiring a cavalcade of European motoring history, all being dríven as their makers had intended.
A social event, for sure, but mostly, it's just a great drive in the good old-fashioned sense.

Will be marking the calender for 2012's event!

[PaulF]

Love the shot of the Mini, looking like it's about to be swallowed whole by a Prado.

[CoffeeBoss]

Thanks Paul!
They are a car that seems to become more diminutive with age, but greater in stature too, for me at least.
Really have to get behind the wheel of one, one of these days.
It was a Mini actually that first gave me a lesson in power:to:weight ratio, and the true dynamic ability of a small, well sorted car on a twisty road.


So with the car now doing weekend duties again, I've been compelled to find the time for some weekend outings.
(and even the occasional EOMM)



Have been so busy of late that the frequency with which I can indulge in driving for the sake of driving is much less than I would like.



However, when your plying through the week in a 6L boat, despite having twice the cylinders and 3 times the capacity of the NC, the weekend drives really highlight all those aspects of the Roadster that I love so much.



It feels tighter and more responsive then ever!



Nothing like a new point of reference to rekindle that enjoyment.
(and a German motoring icon to share the road with!)



Have gone and got some Roadster SWAG too. A scarf, for if/when the Roadster is dríven in Melbourne...
and a zippo, for if/when I need to light a cigarette whilst standing near the aforementioned Roadster... *shakes head*
No, not a smoker. Partial to scarves though, if I'm honest. The zippo is really nice anyway, and I've always wanted one.
This one is a limited engraved piece for the release of the 10th Anniversary 1999 NB.



Have also picked up a Scosche converter, which enables you to charge later model Apple devices (eg) iPhone on the older style Apple connector that Mazda supplied with the car. Previously, I could listen to music with the factory connector from an iPhone, but it wouldn't charge.
Just connect the Scosche adaptor onto the end of the factory supplied cable and you are good to go.

[CoffeeBoss]

Driving Intent

The MX5 is primarily about the enjoyment of driving.

So it's no wonder that, in the MX5 Club, you will find a large contingent of car owners who have a tendency to get up at silly hours of the morning to drive what would amount to most people's entire weekly commute. Before breakfast.

Within the MX5 Club of NSW there exists a 'breakfast club' of sorts, whose mission it is to dream up drives such as this.
So it was that I found myself heading out the door at a very rude time this particular morning. Things were quite hazy...



The rendezvous was at Dural Maccas, where a large... "coffee"... was promptly purchased.
No sooner had I done this then Rob (of Forsyth Coffee fame) appeared with a flask of his latest coffee find from India.
A deliciously sweet short black... Two of them.
Make no mistake, Rob really is the Boss of Coffee and a huge thank you goes out to him once again for providing some bleary eyed drivers with the high octane they needed!



Then we were off toward the Putty Rd, before cutting back across and up into the mountains to meet the Bells Line of Road.
This was a great little stretch which offers a great 'long-cut' alternative to heading up the mountains.
One of those little lines on the map I might never have bothered to explore.



A quick regroup at the top then another little known detour that brought us back up to Blackheath.



Then we the descended a fantastically sinewy and slick piece of black top down to the Megalong Valley Tea Rooms for one of their delicious 'big breakfasts'.



It is the cherry on top when you can get great food at the summit of a great drive like this one.
BigDog had by this point decided to fire up the SP and join us for breakfast also.



The usual gasbagging followed. I fielded a lot more questions and (thankfully) favorable comments than usual.
A big thank you to all for the kind words.
I suspect it was mostly due to the fact that superior cars like Reggie's NA were not present (someone slept in)

We also had a BIG turnout of NC's on the run, I counted 14.
They outnumbered the earlier models for a change!



It was great to share the road with some more NC's.
Guy's black NC1 looking particularly mean as always.



And Jimmy's NC on CE28's. Such an excellent wheel choice.
I've always loved CE28's, so it was great to finally see them on an NC.
The car, wheels and matching lug nuts all work really well together.
Car looks ace, and with fatter tires and some more mods planned, this will be one to watch.



All in all, a great run which also served as a reminder for how rewarding car club life can be
- meeting new people, finding some new places to visit, and discovering new roads.
In other words - Roadster Life

[re99ie]

I suspect it was mostly due to the fact that superior cars like Reggie's NA were not present (someone slept in)

I had every intention of going to this meet and so was catching up on sleep....the latter got the most of my intention

[Gmi]

Great matt!!

[Robert]

Matt you must try and make the 500 comming up. It has some great roads. Lots potential for goiing back another week end for a picnic etc.

[CoffeeBoss]

Matt you must try and make the 500 comming up. It has some great roads. Lots potential for goiing back another week end for a picnic etc.

Yep! It's on my radar!

Just been so busy of late, not as much time for driving as I would like.
But with the work car being basically the antithesis of the MX5, it means each time I take the Roadster out it's that much more enjoyable.
Even if I'm just 'going for milk'.

[CoffeeBoss]

Not much to report, work can be a harsh mistress, and saving money means curbing expenditure...

Of course, it also means hopefully being able to participate in an event like Targa High Country.
I've always wanted to do some road rallying in the future. It combines two things that I love, the adventure of driving on the open road, and the full tilt attack of driving around a racetrack.

Ben & Alex, two of the Roadster faithful decided it wasn't enough to dream, and they have been down at Targa High Country this weekend just gone.

What's more, they took it upon themselves to put some video together which does a great job of displaying some of the sights, sounds, and great people you meet in the road racing community.



*envious glares in your general direction, you two! *

But seriously kudos for getting out there and not only participating in these events, but giving them some of the coverage they really need.

[kris]

I missed your reports Matt

I am also keen to targa

[CoffeeBoss]

Still here!
Things have been hectic of late, and yes, in the name of full disclosure, I have rediscovered my passion for cycling also.
I have a new toy:



Cycling is in the blood - Dad was a road and velo racer, and I used to ride a great deal in school, both road and off-road.
A very large accident put paid to that, so getting back on the bike ends a 15+ year hiatus from riding!



It must be said that cycling does offer some cheap thrills, ironic given that my choice of bicycle is Italian... so far, so good!
*fingers crossed*
It's also assisting with some weight reduction, which has obvious performance benefits

This new found hobby however at odds with my choice of car, so when I am without a work car, there's conflict there!

However that's not that case at the moment, which means the weekends still see some quality time with the Roadster.

Lately, it's just been some TLC whenever possible:


Or just tooling around town carrying out errands and seeing people:


This is one of the great things about Roadster Life - taking the mundane, and lifting it into the realms of pure enjoyment.

The prospect of a new, lighter ND is starting to loom on the horizon, not to mention a very Roadster-inspired Toyota GT86.
Which, from all reports will be a very appealing package.

However, I still have much unfinished business with this car, so no intentions of parting company just yet.
Too many drives yet unconquered, and some more modifications to fund as well.

So the course remains slow, but steady for now!

[CoffeeBoss]

Spotted at the recent Australia Day Circuit Club day...

if not for the PRHT, I could almost convince people I was back out on the track!



Not until the coilovers get a refresh or more likely are replaced though, as they are a bit raggedy now.

So, the situation is more like this at the moment:

[CoffeeBoss]

Attended the MX5 Club organised tech talk at Spinning Wheel Tyres over the weekend.



What a great day. I love nerding out on wheels, suspension and tyres.
To see and hear three experienced people from the field doing just that was very interesting, and entertaining as well.

Meanwhile, I've been getting back somewhat reacquainted with the NC as much as possible lately.
Here's a few shots taken along one of my regular b-road diversions I make near home down in the Highlands.







Appropriate in a way, as I feel that the sun may be setting on my time with this car.
There's still a few adventures scheduled however, most notably NatMeet X.