Guran's NA6 "Little Reddy"

[PeterB]

Thanks for the hint. I have just placed an order as I will need a new set after the state round on 1 April.

[Guran]

I'm all set for round 1 of the 2012 NSW Supersprint Championship at Wakefield Park tomorrow. Looking forward to it. I'm still undecided about entering Round 2 at Eastern Creek North.

I changed the front brake pads this afternoon and fitted the new Hawk HP+ pads I bought on eBay a few weeks ago. I'm glad I did because the fronts were down to less than a millimetre in places . Apart from being thin, they were still in good condition, without any flaking, cracking or spalling . This last set of Hawk HP+ pads lasted 11 trackdays in 8 months: 3 at Eastern Creek, 5 at Wakefield Park, 1 at Marulan, and 2 (very big days) at Winton Short. No complaints!

I also recently bought myself a new pair of driving gloves. My old ones had done me for the last three years, but I was getting sick of repairing the split seams (read: Fiona was getting sick of it! ). Steve at Revolution Racegear gave me a good price on some RPM Xtechs. Apparently Jamie Whincup uses them so they must be good . I just liked them for their comfortable fit, external seams, longer wrists, and wrist strap.

Out with the old ...

IMG_1559 by Guran5, on Flickr

In with the new ...

IMG_1560 by Guran5, on Flickr

[Guran]

April has been a very busy month so it's finally time to catch up with Little Reddy's latest adventures ...

1st April 2012

NSW Supersprint Round 1 - Wakefield Park

It seems like ages since I've had R-specs on Little Reddy, and in fact it's almost six months since I last drove Wakefield Park with them. My RE55s are just about worn out but still good enough for one more go. The weather forecast was for scattered showers in the afternoon but true to recent form, the rain held off until the end. The temperature hovered around 17C all day, before the weather closed in from the west with very threatening storm clouds. After a slow start for entries, there were 76 drivers on the day.

Run 1 started behind Tony King's NB, with a 1:16.969 then 1:16.291. I was catching Tony in that second lap and he let me past on the back straight. Embarassingly for me, amusingly for Tony, I missed my braking point for turn 2 and slid off into the gravel trap. Whoops. Lap 4 was similarly ruined by an ugly slide at turn 2. Time to focus on picking a braking point for turn 2!

Run 2 featured yet another ugly slide at turn 2, but then I got into the groove with a 1:15.845 on lap 2 and 1:16.217 on lap 3. On lap 4, I nearly ended up in the boot of Lexus SC whose driver decided to stop in the middle of turn 9! So that was it for this run. My video battery died before the run started so didn't get any footage. Gave it a quick recharge before the next run.

Run 3 started with me at the front of the queue, but I was soon overtaken by a WRX STI at the start of lap 1. The driver was a first-timer and blasted up the hill, but then held me up in the corners as he turned in from mid track and ran deep under brakes. Turn 2 bit me again with an ugly slide on lap 2 (1:16.673), but I focussed hard on lap 3 and had a 1:15.675 despite being baulked when the WRX STI ran onto the dirt at the last turn (see video below). The last lap was ruined by another visit to the turn 2 gravel trap. Today was the first time I'd ever been in that trap ... and I'd managed it twice already! At least I got out both times without needing a tow. I was getting pretty cranky with myself at this point!

Run 4 began with heavy rain threatening a km or so to the south-west, and a strong westerly bringing it closer. The wind was strong enough to force a lift-off for turn 9 on the first lap. My next four laps were nicely consistent, ranging from 1:16.088 to 1:16.630, but quite a bit slower than the previous run. Most drivers began packing up by this stage, but nearly all MX-5 drivers soldiered on. My video camera battery died again after this run and I couldn't be bothered with it after that.

Run 5 started with a 1:16.781, but Lap 2 was compromised by an ugly slide in turn 2 (again). I put my head down after that and improved my time to 1:15.528 on lap 3, before my now customary slide off the track at turn 2 on the last lap.

Run 6 began after a brief return to the pits. Everyone had left already so there was plenty of track time at the end for those who stayed - and the rain miraculously stayed away! I had a 1:16.516 then 1:15.632 before skating off again at turn 2. After returning to the track, I hit traffic and that was it for the day.

My best time for the day was 1:15.528 - about half a second slower than my PB (1:14.978). Very happy with this result considering the conditions. There are not enough entrants in Class 1A this year, so I've been bumped to 1B against the <2000cc cars. However, I still finished second in Class 1B and Type 1, behind a very quick Lotus Elise 111R (1:09.947). I was a bit disappointed that neither Stewart Temesvary or Paul Bower were running on the day - looking forward to that challenge at future rounds. The MX-5 Club of NSW had a very strong showing of 14 drivers and has taken an early lead in the club championship. Ralph Thompson won Class 2B in his NC (1:10.181 PB) and Steve Green won Class 3B in his NB (1:11.340).

Natsoft Results

Video of my 1:15.675 lap (3rd best for the day, but didn't get the other two on video). You can hear me tell myself "concentrate" at the start of this lap. Shame I didn't say it again for the next lap. Watch and laugh!


Riding the curb (and then some) at turn 4

_MG_0782 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

One of several excursions at turn 2

_MG_2041 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

Cocking a leg at turn 2

_MG_2082 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

Two wheel action at turn 2

_MG_2213 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

... and I'm off again

_MG_2230 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

Topping up for the drive home

_MG_2251 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

Thanks to Tiit Saul for the fantastic photos!

[evil_weevil]

i think you need a motorbike.
lol

[Guran]

Thanks for the tip Chris!

6th April 2012 - NatMeet X - Day 1

I missed out on the last NatMeet, held in McLaren Vale at Easter 2010, as I wasn't too involved in the social aspects of the club at that stage. This time around, with NatMeet being held in Canberra, I wasn't going to miss it. Better still, I managed to convince Fiona to join me for the weekend, while we arranged a week-long holiday for Alex with my sister's family in Gosford. Sorted!

The adventure began with a short drive to Pheasants Nest to meet up with a few other NSW members for the trip to Canberra. Being Good Friday, the Hume Freeway was a parking lot between Camden and Sutton Forrest. Our little group of four cars soldiered on, encountering a few more "car parks" along the way, before the road cleared after Marulan. A boring drive later and we arrived at ANU University House by about noon. We collected our NatMeet goodies, checked into our room and settled in. The organising committee did a superb job of assembling a fantastic gift pack: picnic set, beanies, scarves, umbrella, keyrings, badges, windscreen stickers, wine, water bottles, chocolates, fuel cards, discount vouchers ... and the event program (which was my handiwork). The trick would be finding a space in the car to get it all home! Then there was a bit of time to laugh at everyone detailing their MX-5s for concours, and have a relaxing chat in the garden.


IMG_3966 by Guran5, on Flickr

Prior to the event, we were asked to send in a photo that included our MX-5 or a recognisable part of our MX-5 in any setting. I decided to go with something a bit esoteric and characterically representative of my car. See if you can pick what it is. The winner of the photo competition was announced on the Monday night presentation dinner ... and I'll save you from the suspense: our own CoffeeBoss was the judge's choice with his autumn leaves photo (actually his lovely wife Sandra was the photographer).


IMG_3953 by Guran5, on Flickr

All the photos were displayed on the wall of the University House function room over dinner that night. Dinner itself was a BBQ of sorts, although it was all done indoors. The NatMeet cupcakes were an inspired touch! Lots of introductory welcome speeches and plenty of wine and beer to wash it down. Most tended to leave fairly early, and we were the last out the door at about 10pm!


IMG_3981 by Guran5, on Flickr

[Guran]

7th April 2012 - NatMeet X - Day 2

Next morning, the view of the carpark from our room was resplendent with shiny MX-5s. We started the day with a superb buffet breakfast at the University House Fellows Cafe. The sauteed mushrooms were delicious, as was the bacon and scrambled eggs.


IMG_3983 by Guran5, on Flickr

While others put the finishing touches on their concours cars, I decided to do my bit with the complimentary "interior detailing cloth" that was included in the gift pack. Sadly, it did nothing to remove the cracks in my dash.


IMG_3991 by Guran5, on Flickr

This was our first NatMeet, and most others were there for the first time too. However, a few have been to all ten NatMeets since 1994! The NA6 in this photo is owned by Ken & Rae Edwards from South Australia.


IMG_3994 by Guran5, on Flickr

At 9:30, we formed up to head to the concours venue in small groups of 10 cars. NAs were first, then NBs, then NCs. All very well organised by the Canberra Chapter. We were in the first group, and the route took us to Old Parliament House for a photo opp in front of New Parliament House (thanks to Ed Cory).


IMGP0696 by Guran5, on Flickr

Concours d'Elegance was held on the Patrick White Lawns in front of the National Library, overlooking Lake Burley Griffin and the Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet (which wasn't working). To get there, we had to drive along a short stretch of footpath. Amusingly, our leader got a bit confused and turned right instead of left, leading us all the way past the High Court to the National Gallery, before rejoining Parkes Place and looping back to the Lawns. The public servants on their bikes were not amused! No names will be mentioned! In total, there must have been close to a hundred MX-5s (including visitors) queued up on the lawns, sparkling in the sunlight. It was an amazing sight!


IMG_4012 by Guran5, on Flickr


IMG_3999 by Guran5, on Flickr


IMG_4007 by Guran5, on Flickr


IMG_3997 by Guran5, on Flickr


IMG_4013 by Guran5, on Flickr

Even though I spent an hour or two washing and waxing Little Reddy on Thursday, I was too embarassed to enter it in Concours, so I just went with Show & Shine. I was pleasantly relieved to see that mine was NOT the worst on show (no names mentioned).


IMG_4011 by Guran5, on Flickr

A couple hours of judging later, a yummy picnic lunch was served and then we packed up for a twisty drive in the hills. Our route took us to Tharwa and then north to Tidbinbilla Tracking Station for afternoon tea. After that, we continued north to Brindabella Rd and Uriana Rd, before returning to University House.


IMG_4022 by Guran5, on Flickr


IMG_4026 by Guran5, on Flickr

Assembling at 5:30, we were bussed to the Australian War Memorial for a short pre-dinner guided tour, and then a superb dinner underneath the famous Lancaster bomber "G for George". This WW2 plane survived an incredible 96 combat missions over occupied Europe, when most were shot down before reaching 20 sorties. It was a VERY special occasion having dinner in such an iconic place.


IMG_4030 by Guran5, on Flickr

[Guran]

8th April 2012 - NatMeet X - Day 3 - Wakefield Park Track Day

Happy 42nd birthday to me! I got the perfect birthday gift - a track day at Wakefield Park ... and a new PB!

After a crappy night's sleep, waking every half hour thanks to a car alarm at 2am and a noisy fridge in our room, I was ready by 6:00 for the 6:30 departure to Goulburn. Fiona enjoyed a sleep-in! We arrived at the track in convoy at 7:30 for preparation and scrutineering. Surprisingly there were only 50 drivers entered (26 NatMeet, 24 non-NatMeet), which was 10 short of the cap. At least that meant plenty of track time for everyone.

There were only two first-timers, but plenty of people who'd never dríven around Wakefield Park. I wasn't suprised that when Mike asked if they wanted to be shown around the track, every travelling NatMeet driver put their hand up! I paired up with Stuart Lutz (MINX) and we drove my car so that Lisa could drive their SE in the same sighting run. I hadn't dríven this track in my car with a passenger before, and it was interesting to see that at "eight tenths" I did a 1:19.85, which was quicker than my first track day in Little Reddy!

Run 1 was a bit of a non-event as I got stuck behind a conga line of cars who were struggling with the low grip of street tyres (they usually run on R-specs). In between catching them and then backing off to make a gap, I did a 1:16.95 which was only 0.15s slower than my PB (1:16.80). Yep, it was going to be a quick day!

My new PB arrived on Run 2 with 1:16.67 on the fourth lap. But better was still to come in the afternoon. Run 3 featured consecutive laps of 1:16.70, 1:16.75 and 1:16.75 so I was enjoying some consistency too. I improved my PB a little more to 1:16.52 on Run 4, bracketed by 1:16.93 and 1:16.99 with a couple of excursions at turn 2 in between.

We stopped for a short lunch break while the visiting NatMeet people were treated to a few slow exhibition laps of the track. During lunch (the chicken burgers were back to their usual excellent form, and the chef's own extra hot chilli sauce is worth asking for), I nominated 1:16.70 for the regularity on Run 5. Unfortunately, I was following Glenn Thomas on the track and he'd nominated a slightly slower time of 1:16.95. I kept pace with Glenn and he finished 4th (1.89s) while I was 8th (2.50). The official scores were actually only based on five laps instead of the six laps we ran. Scoring all six laps didn't change the winner (Phil Ashton, 0.92s), but Glenn would have been 2nd and me 6th.

Run 6 was my best of the day. I had a 1:16.69 on lap 2 followed by 1:16.36 on lap 3 - my final PB. Lap 3 actually included a messy exit from turn 5 when I reacted to Glenn Thomas' little moment, and my PerformanceBox recorded 1:16.56. However, lap 2 was 1:16.40 on my timer so I'm comfortable with the accuracy of my 1:16.36 PB. It's all here in the video ...



Run 7 started well with a 1:16.98 while getting warmed up, but then I had an excursion to the grass at turn 5, followed by a big spin at the same corner on the next lap. The run ended with a 1:16.91 and 1:16.76 while negotiating a pass on Peter Battisson's NA6. As I was then running on fumes, I skipped the last run of the day.

And there you have it: the new Class 1 (standard NA) club record is now 1:16.36, almost half a second quicker than my old record. It's mostly due to the tyres though ... the Dunlop Star Specs are a much more grippy tyre than the Bridgestone RE001s. I expect there's more coming too as the weather cools off later in the year - mid to high 1:15s are definitely possible.

A video collection of my bloopers ...


Turns 4 and 5 are my favourite corners at Wakefield Park. Can you see why?


Close

_MG_6430 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

Closer

_MG_6523 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

Closest

_MG_5995 by Tiit Saul, on Flickr

More fabulous photos from Tiit Saul.

[Jeo]

IMG_3966 by Guran5, on Flickr

Prior to the event, we were asked to send in a photo that included our MX-5 or a recognisable part of our MX-5 in any setting. I decided to go with something a bit esoteric and characterically representative of my car. See if you can pick what it is.

Looking down over a door. Specifically I'm going to take a punt at the Right hand door?

[Guran]

IMG_3966 by Guran5, on Flickr

Prior to the event, we were asked to send in a photo that included our MX-5 or a recognisable part of our MX-5 in any setting. I decided to go with something a bit esoteric and characterically representative of my car. See if you can pick what it is.

Looking down over a door. Specifically I'm going to take a punt at the Right hand door?

We have a winner! No one else guessed it on the night. Perhaps because peeling clear coat is very uncommon at NatMeet.

[CoffeeBoss]

We have a winner! No one else guessed it on the night. Perhaps because peeling clear coat is very uncommon at NatMeet.

And how! So many immaculate cars that have plenty of miles on the odo, and had dríven plenty of miles to get to the event.

Great write up, Bryan.
Your turn 4/5 entry is so aggressive, I love it!

[Guran]

Thanks Matt. I see we're having a bit of a "race" to complete these NatMeet reviews. I'll do one more quick update while I'm here.

8th April 2012 - NatMeet X - Day 3 continued

After the drive back to Canberra from Wakefield Park, I had just enough time to get ready for the fancy dress cocktail party at the National Film and Sound Archive. Fiona and I went as Angelica Teach and Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Just about everyone got into the spirit of the night and put heaps of effort into their costumes, which was fantastic to see. It was enormous fun and we laughed so hard our ribs ached by the end of it all. The highlight was Peter Battisson who went as Sir Les Patterson and played the part superbly. Hilarious stuff! Peter won the "best male costume", a very brave "Spiderman" was second, and my Jack Sparrow was third.


Natmeet (59) by Guran5, on Flickr

[Guran]

Oh, I forgot to mention that while I was enjoying myself at the track on Sunday, Fiona was partaking in some retail therapy with the "Wives of Wakefield" bus shopping trip. This began with a relaxing breakfast in the Fellows Cafe, then a City Sights Tour of the Parliamentary Triangle, before the shopping began in earnest. First stop was the Old Bus Depot Markets at Kingston, then lunch at Manuka, and a visit to DFO at Fyshwick. Fiona had a great time, and our credit card didn't suffer too badly which was a huge relief.

9th April 2012 - NatMeet X - Day 4

Breakfast at Fellows Cafe once again - it was great to sit down and chat with a different group of people each morning. We then had a cruise in our familiar 10-car convoys, out to Bungendore (amusingly described as "a little Italian village" pronounced bung-en-door-ay according to run leader, Paul Beerworth), for a look around town, stocking up at the lolly shop, and a coffee at one of several cafes. Back in the cars, we headed north to Gundaroo for lunch in the function room of Grazing at the Royal Hotel. And what a superb lunch it was, with a selection of succulent roast beef and pork, baked homegrown pumpkin, roasted potatoes, and mixed green salad. I have to say it was one of the best roast dinners I've ever eaten. Delicious! based on that experience and a quick glance at the regular menu, we'll be returning for another visit as soon as we can swing it.


IMG_4046 by Guran5, on Flickr

People were left to their own devices for the run back to Canberra, and we joined a small group for the more direct, but still enjoyable drive towards Murrumbateman, then via Springrange and Wallaroo. I needed to be back at University House for a meeting with committee members from the other state clubs, where experiences were discussed in the interests of learning from each other. Meanwhile, Fiona ventured over to the Botanic Gardens for a look around on a chilly autumn afternoon.

With the meeting out of the way, it was time to get dolled up for pre-dinner drinks and the formal Presentation Dinner in the Great Hall at University House. Once she saw what all the other ladies were wearing, Fiona felt that she was a bit over-dressed ... but I wasn't complaining! We had an enjoyable dinner and many many many award presentations (I got one for fastest standard NA at the track day). Gotta say it was really pleasing to see Phil Mayo from the Hunter Chapter win the Individual Champion Trophy, and the NSW club win the National Champion Trophy. Finally, the one-man-band got dressed up in a variety of costumes and played cover songs to get everyone dancing until the close. It was a fun way to finish off a fantastic event.


IMG_4073 by Guran5, on Flickr

[NitroDann]

4 and 5 are my favourites too.

I take that 3rd 'closer' line, and once of twice I hit my exhaust on the curb... so yeah... Practice makes perfect haha.

Dann

[Guran]

10th April 2012 - NatMeet X - Day 5

NatMeet concluded with one last slow breakfast, re-packing of MX-5s with everything we'd brought with us plus the contents of NatMeet gift packs, and shopping by the "Wives of Wakefield", and then our final goodbyes to friends old and new.

Fiona and I decided to make the most of our child-free week with one more night in Canberra before heading home. Over an indulgent hot chocolate at Koko Black, we booked a B&B package at the Hyatt and mapped out the rest of our stay. First, was a return trip to DFO where I tried on a million pairs of shoes before finding two pair that fit (I hate shopping and only do it under sufferance). Second, was a return to the War Memorial for a proper look around. We spent a few hours looking through the WW1, VC and WW2 halls but had enough by the time we got past the tribute to the Sandakan Death Marches. Jumping back in our Japanese-made car was a bit sobering after that experience. Back to the present, we then headed back to the hotel and relaxed in the pool, spa and sauna for an hour or so. We enjoyed a wonderfully hot & spicy dinner at Lemon Grass Thai Restaurant in the City - a real treat because we usually have chilli-free curries for Alex's benefit.

11th April 2012 - Post-NatMeet - Day 6

Next morning, we made the most of a late check-out with a sleep-in and lazy breakfast, before starting the trip home. We detoured via Tallong for some fresh apples and the rural backroads to the Southern Highlands. Down Macquarie Pass and then home at last.

NatMeet X was a simply brilliant event and we're already planning the trip to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland for NatMeet XI at Easter 2014.

[Jeo]

Lemon Grass is the bomb. I work just around the corner and quite regularly drop past for lunch.

The War Memorial is pretty amazing hey. Had you been before?