ND Turbo Track build

Luke · Postby **Luke** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 2:14 pm

I honestly don't get the deal with people wanting to run in WTAC if they expect to get laps in.
To me WTAC it is not about running at SMSP GP, but more about showing off what you have done to the car and the sponsors all over it. So a public display which you won't get at any other Amateur event.
I myself am not interested in such an event, I only live a 10-15 minute drive from the track and have never actually been to WTAC.

You are better off doing a NSW State Supersprint run slowly by ARDC to get laps in. That is pretty bad for the non NSW people out there.
At the final round the day after WTAC I completed all 4 sessions(that is very low should be at least 5!) which was 23 timed laps in total which were all clear except for lap 1 where I had to push a Golf R out of my way.

BTW, that wing was probably slowing you down and likely making the car very light in the front for Turn 1. Needs some fencing and timber material installed up front as well. :wink:

I used to hit 190 to 195 down the straight in my previous SE which only had an Exhaust and Intercooler.
You will need a lot more power to go faster. My current 200kw ATW SE hits 215 to 220 depending on wind direction.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 4:22 pm

Luke wrote:I used to hit 190 to 195 down the straight in my previous SE which only had an Exhaust and Intercooler.

That is about what I get with the 5 speed and 4.78, mind you I am naturally aspirated. My apex speed in T1 was about 160 and on 205/50/15 tyres is 'fun'.

Whilst this is not my thread, I would disagree with your opinion of WTAC. Agreed it is not about the number of laps, rather the event itself. The contacts and friendships I have made over 5 years makes me keep wanting to go back.

If I wanted to do laps I would go to QR (10 mins away) and do general practice. I get more laps in 4 hours than I do in 2 days at WTAC... But I go to WTAC for different reasons!

My WTAC Laps by year
2019 - 37 (most clubsprint laps 37). The ND did 20, the NB 13 (arrived at the last minute) and the other NA 13 (broke gear box day 1).
2018 - 32 (most clubsprint laps 35). This year was the start of only 1 Open group, previous years there were 2 open groups.
2017 - 24 (most clubsprint laps 30)
2016 - 27 (most clubsprint laps 35)
2015 - 17 (car had issues - most amount of laps in clubsprint was 26)

plohl · Postby **plohl** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 6:34 pm

Club sprint's entry was about $1300 for the two days this year - lets say $1200 to be nice. So it was only $32/lap this year Mark...

The last race event I did was $450 for 28 laps... and we missed 1 race cause of a big crash. so 21 laps @ $450 is $21.4/lap.
Practice was $100 on the Friday though and I did 32 laps.... so (550+100)/(21+32) = $10.4/lap

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 6:52 pm

plohl wrote:Club sprint's entry was about $1300 for the two days this year - lets say $1200 to be nice. So it was only $32/lap this year Mark...

You left out the towing, accommodation, food, practice day, control tyres, fuel for car and tow vehicle. Trust me it is WAY over $32/lap

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:59 pm

....wear and tear on vehicle, repairs, time taken, and any unforeseen circumstances (those who crashed never budgeted that).

rascal · Postby **rascal** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 8:15 pm

And you haven’t even begun to factor in the costs of the enhancements that come out of each event...

Luke · Postby **Luke** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 8:55 pm

That's why I would still stick to this event being about exposure.
Friends or enemies can be made at any track event.
WTAC is definitely not about the amount of laps or value for money for the competitors. That's what practice days are for.
For some reason I want to take my MX-5 for an Ultimate Diesel tune now..... I did google it so I guess it works.

BTW, correction I had 20 timed laps/78km at the State Super sprint round. Damn Natsoft counts the laps with stars as laps!
It cost me just under $300 for entry and timing. So a little less than $15 a lap or $3.85 per km.
Fuel, tyres and brakes cost me more than the entry. I know A050's alone works out at about $300 per round. Yes I am lucky to get 5 rounds out of them.

Just an interesting note I would like to make, most of the MX-5 Club NSW guys have dropped out of State Super Sprints due to the "high" cost per lap and have moved onto doing long 6-12 Hour team regularities instead. They get lots of laps, but definitely not my thing.

I honestly don't like doing any more than 25 laps in total on the SMSP GP circuit or maximum 5 laps in a session as the wear and tear costs go through the roof. The track surface really eats tyres up compared to any other track I have dríven on around the country. I'm pretty sure that always gets noted by commentators for the Supercars when they run there as well.

d-mag · Postby **d-mag** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 10:58 pm

rascal wrote:And you haven’t even begun to factor in the costs of the enhancements that come out of each event...

Haha, that's so true. On the way home I was like 'we could do this' or maybe 'do that' etc.

In the end, everyone has an opinion about WTAC. Me, I love it. Mostly for friends I've made from all over the country I get to catch up with, talk sh*t, drink piss etc.
I've entered 7 years straight with 2 podiums in 2 different classes. I don't have the time, money or inclination to build time attack cars anymore.
This car was built for a purpose, that purpose wasn't WTAC, it was getting back involved with the Vic MX5 club motorsport events so I could have more good times with good people.

SKYHI · Postby **SKYHI** » Wed Oct 30, 2019 1:52 pm

I know I'd never be competitive and I'd be lucky to do 20 laps over the two days, but for me it'd just be about being part of the biggest Time Attack event in the world. As an amateur, the opportunity to be part of an event like that doesn't come around too often, so the cost per lap becomes somewhat irrelevant. Closest I've come to date would be racing in Prodsports at a V8 Supercar event, and whilst it cost twice the price of a regular entry fee, I was worth every cent to be part of that sort of atmosphere

PS: That Kombi awesome Darrin! One of my dream cars would be a Split Window