55 replies to this topic

[275 GTB-4]

DISCUSS...

http://bathurstmotorfestival.com.au/

[brucemoxon]

Can't wait. Pity there are no F3 cars this year, though.

 

 

 

BM

[275 GTB-4]

Come back in 2016 Bruce...

[brucemoxon]

As a bit of a joke, Richard Craill started a rumour last year that Indy Cars would be coming to Bathurst. It got back to him very quickly.

 

But think, how good would that be? Top-line open-wheelers back at the Mountain? Or Formula E. Or both, with F3 as a sort of open-wheel extravaganza. Sigh.

 

It was fantastic to see the GT3 cars again the other week - top international teams, top drivers, all that commitment - the Euro drivers give no quarter, either, as several locals found out.

 

Anyway, Easter gives lots of Club and State-level drivers a once-a-year chance to race at one of the great tracks. And spectators another reason to visit the shrine.

 

 

 

BM

[275 GTB-4]

Some of the Group A/C and N fella's have been around the block a few times as well...

[275 GTB-4]

Just a little taster from Wakefield Park today...yes, the Godzilla ran away and hid (what a surprise)
 
Good to see the Group A/C (over 2 litres) are getting a slot at the F1AGP...

[Lee Nicolle]

Watched the Improved Production Cars today on Speedweek. Plenty of cars but the guys were very short changed. I believe $2500 entry, and most were lucky to get 3-4 laps of qualifying. And the second race was flagged a lap short too. 

The GpA/C cars evidently knocked the gig back because of the above.

 

As for Electric cars,, I watched about 2 laps of that and went back to watching a crop [grass] grow on Landline. Far more interesting. 

That series is a total joke. Ugly slow cars on skinny tyres with no driveability and they crash a lot. Control shopping trolley one make series is far more entertaining. And I consider them dumb demo derbys. 

[timbo]

The Bathurst Motor Festival are running a class for "Combined Sedans" which, in theory, could contain all sorts of interesting tin tops. Time will tell.

I also watched the Improved Production cars on Speedweek, and noticed that the 10ft high safety fencing is slowly making its way around more of the circuit. That's safety, I suppose, but it does make it harder for us amateur photographers. 

[275 GTB-4]

The Bathurst Motor Festival are running a class for "Combined Sedans" which, in theory, could contain all sorts of interesting tin tops. Time will tell.
I also watched the Improved Production cars on Speedweek, and noticed that the 10ft high safety fencing is slowly making its way around more of the circuit. That's safety, I suppose, but it does make it harder for us amateur photographers.

and probably does little for primary safety (sounds like pandering to the company lawyers hand wringing) and the money could have been better spent on other major viewing changes needed at the place to make it way more spectator friendly!

[Lee Nicolle]

The Bathurst Motor Festival are running a class for "Combined Sedans" which, in theory, could contain all sorts of interesting tin tops. Time will tell.

I also watched the Improved Production cars on Speedweek, and noticed that the 10ft high safety fencing is slowly making its way around more of the circuit. That's safety, I suppose, but it does make it harder for us amateur photographers. 

They do not want you!! They only want the pros so they can control it all. 

[eldougo]

What a waist of time and money to attend a meeting at the best track in the OZ and only see TAXI racing..    

[DanTra2858]

Just wondering, what changes would have to take place to the Bathurst Track & Runoff Areas so that current F1 could race there.

[pallas1970]

I would love to race group m racing or sports, are there any historics other than saloon cars at Bathurst these days?

[GMACKIE]

It's all about $$$$$. Unless you can round up about 45 competitors, they do not want to know you.

[275 GTB-4]

Just wondering, what changes would have to take place to the Bathurst Track & Runoff Areas so that current F1 could race there.

Lots young Dan...still too narrow in places and there is no Tilke anywhere on the makers plaque...

So enjoy it the few times a year it is available...ummmm, and use it or lose it!

Edited by 275 GTB-4, 23 February 2015 - 06:47.

[275 GTB-4]

Just to show that I am not a complete bogan V8 tin top fella at all...Richard Carter (sadly with no competition, after Les Wright broke a driveshaft) etc...and great to see and chat briefly with Dr Michael Henderson at the meeting who is obviously giving Peter Barclay invaluable cockpit safety advice!

Edited by 275 GTB-4, 25 February 2015 - 21:45.

[275 GTB-4]

Wet two days and overcast Sunday...overall an enjoyable meeting
 
Hard to find victuals unless you went off track or back to Rydges, but these first timers did a roaring trade...liked their rentable/ portable shoppe


Dave Paterson drove like a man possessed! Kept some big bangers honest...


Good to see the AE86? AE92? (ex-Price/Faulkner car) back out there...


Bargwannas everywhere!


Nice Alfetta


Stampede up the mountain...

Edited by 275 GTB-4, 08 April 2015 - 23:15.

[275 GTB-4]

Good to See Vic out in the Humpy





and Jason, of course :-)

Edited by 275 GTB-4, 13 April 2015 - 22:08.

[Lee Nicolle]

Good to See Vic out in the Humpy





and Jason, of course :-)

Rod Wood in the Humpy from Victoria. Owners name escapes me at the moment.

[GMACKIE]

Well done, Lee...saves Ray the trouble of explaining to Mick how "VIC" is not the driver's name.

[brucemoxon]

It was a little damp...

 

I remembered the footage from the 1974 1000 km race, showing the spray of the cars before they came into view. Lucky enough to reproduce it...

 

'Pop'

 

 

Bruce Moxon

[275 GTB-4]

Lovely shots Bruce...

[wagons46]

Good job that pole is on the hill otherwise the spectator would fall over.

[brucemoxon]

Yeah, I saw that Wagons - I wonder if it kept him dry. And that's the pity of it all - the empty spectator areas. Although there was a good scattering across the top, despite not being able to sit in their cars and watch any more.

 

And there's already news for next year...

http://www.speedcafe...er-6-hour-race/

 

I think this is a Good Thing - they were a bit miffed at losing the 12 Hour race to the GT3 cars. 

 

 

 

 

BM

[DJH]

Fantastic , we could do with another Armstrong 500 style race . Might even tempt some manufacturers to join in .

[GMACKIE]

Wouldn't that be great...absolutely stock, classes based on price, drive 'em to Bathurst. etc.

[DJH]

That concept worked well in the past , may still pull a big crowd .

[Lee Nicolle]

That concept worked well in the past , may still pull a big crowd .

With the above pics maybe two leaning on the post.

Very sad [even with the weather] that a decent meeting like that one pulls a crowd of TWO on that spectator mound.

[GMACKIE]

There can only be one pole position, Lee.

[wagons46]

Wouldn't that be great...absolutely stock, classes based on price, drive 'em to Bathurst. etc.

With today's cars all looking the same and most performing equally in their class, a race proving superior speed, handling and endurance of one make over another would surely sway the buying public, more so now than it did 50 years ago. This is, of course, providing that the field is not comprised of race specials that meet minimum build requirements and are difficult to buy by the public in general.

[Lee Nicolle]

With today's cars all looking the same and most performing equally in their class, a race proving superior speed, handling and endurance of one make over another would surely sway the buying public, more so now than it did 50 years ago. This is, of course, providing that the field is not comprised of race specials that meet minimum build requirements and are difficult to buy by the public in general.

I nearly brought this up in the'Most unsuitable Saloon Racing' thread re that Volvo of David McKays in a GpC race.

A production car race would be intersting, for cars with a mininum of 1000 built,, and really built!

Though what restrictions and or mods? AWD cars would probably run away and hide if they do not blow up!! So you would have to ban WRXs and Evos and possibly some others. Mininum numbers may resolve Falcon GTs though probably enough Bombadores sold. Though both of those cars are too damn heavy so would eat brakes anyway. A field of boring front drive rubbish would hardly be exciting though. 

And with modern rules re safety cars the number of break downs alone would make it a series of 3 lap sprints. 

If at least some of that could be resolved Production cars running on buffed street tyres [if they were not buffed they will last 4 laps before they shred] with some minor freedoms such as sump baffling, free brake pads,springs and shocks [no coilover conversions though]   and too make them sound better exhaust free from first join after the cat could probably be fun. Though would need free to air TV to make it viable for competitors and manufacturer interest. And if nothing else that is probably the end of the idea.

[wagons46]

I wouldn't allow any mods other than a bit of noise for effect, after all we are testing the cars that are offered to us for sale. Imagine a Kia, no imagine 7 Kia's entered and all finished with no major problems and all on the same lap within the top 10. Add their 7 year warranty to this result and I would nearly go and buy one. Repeat 'nearly'.

[Lee Nicolle]

I wouldn't allow any mods other than a bit of noise for effect, after all we are testing the cars that are offered to us for sale. Imagine a Kia, no imagine 7 Kia's entered and all finished with no major problems and all on the same lap within the top 10. Add their 7 year warranty to this result and I would nearly go and buy one. Repeat 'nearly'.

Realistically some mods are essential. A passenger car is built to carry up to 6 passengers, eg 1/2 a tonne. Front drivers in particular  are way over sprung when driven with one person in them. Ok at low road speeds but racing would be way loose. And brake pad material deigned for road speeds is fairly useless at high speed enduro use. And most passenger car pans are not up too continuous high speed cornering so most, again especially front drivers will need some sump baffling. 

There is no real reason to modify much else, especially when using road tyres. Which ofcourse should be free but original size. Say min of 300 tread wear rating. Semi slicks are down at 120. Most performance road tyres are 300-350 and 'taxi' tyres over 400.

[wagons46]

So let them fail in their weak areas and broadcast to the world (or at least the spectator leaning on the post) that their cars are inferior to others in that area. Think Studebaker and think powerful and fast but bad brakes and wheels, and that was 50 years ago. Undoubtably some cars would get through OK even though it may end up being the tortoise beating the hare. Wise buyers and those that know nothing about motor vehicles would buy the tortoise, and our lot would buy the hare and modify the weak areas. At least we would know what they were.

[Lee Nicolle]

Spectators would NEVER go and spectate to watch a field of cars blow up. 

Having 45 years around motorsport a production car is NOT a race car. And a racecar is not a road car. Many sporties are better suited,, and less suited as practical road cars. Even a Vette, Viper etc while better suited as a racecar are still useless as a practical road car for say a farmer. But the humble oh so boring Camry is far more suited. 

So to race any family hack, shopping trolley and the like they do need some preperation.

Though this is all hot air anyway. No TV, no interest. As V8 Stupid Cars and F1 have already found out!

[275 GTB-4]

Ahhhhh...still well OT...will check back in a few days...

[brucemoxon]

A production car. Driven by actor Shane Jacobson.

 

 

If drawing a crowd is the only measure of success, this event will fail. Production cars won't pull a crowd while V8 Supercars rule the roost, unless there's a fundamental shift in the likes of the audience.

 

But a full field, each paying  a hefty entry fee, is another measure altogether.

 

 

 

 

BM

[GMACKIE]

Bruce, if the 'dunny' in the background [for 'Kenny'] was intentional, you are a genius.

[DJH]

I plan to be at Bathurst next Easter and watch the 6 Hour along with a few pals .

As an aside I saw the Peter Brock  Goodwood number 05 FX Holden on a tilt tray heading south through Narellan yesterday 16/4/15 .

Edited by DJH, 17 April 2015 - 04:56.

[Lee Nicolle]

Bruce, if the 'dunny' in the background [for 'Kenny'] was intentional, you are a genius.

Seconded

[Lee Nicolle]

I plan to be at Bathurst next Easter and watch the 6 Hour along with a few pals .

As an aside I saw the Peter Brock  Goodwood 05 FX Holden on a tilt tray heading south through Narellan yesterday 16/4/15 .

I have just had a visit from an early Holden Tragic,,,,, FX is a no no. 48/215 etc

[brucemoxon]

Seconded

It was, and thank you both.

 

There was another driver in the race with the surname 'Kenny' but I couldn't manage the shot.

 

 

 

BM

[timbo]

A production car. Driven by actor Shane Jacobson.

 

 

If drawing a crowd is the only measure of success, this event will fail. Production cars won't pull a crowd while V8 Supercars rule the roost, unless there's a fundamental shift in the likes of the audience.

 

But a full field, each paying  a hefty entry fee, is another measure altogether.

 

 

 

 

BM

I plan to be there next year, and the fact that the place won't be over crowded with the V8 Supercar mob and you can move around comfortably is a great reason to go there.

They don't seem to have trouble getting full grids, despite a large entry fee, so if that alone goes close to paying for the meeting, then it sould be deemed a success.

[Lee Nicolle]

I plan to be there next year, and the fact that the place won't be over crowded with the V8 Supercar mob and you can move around comfortably is a great reason to go there.

They don't seem to have trouble getting full grids, despite a large entry fee, so if that alone goes close to paying for the meeting, then it sould be deemed a success.

Proddy cars SHOULD pull a moderate crowd.And should only have to pay moderate entry fees. 

The high fees and overcrowded programmes [yet alone weather] have scared a few off that were there at Easter. Not good value for the money. Great venue ofcourse put 1 -2 laps of practice is a joke. Less categories and more time.

[275 GTB-4]

An Iced Vo Vo...that raced in the period...went well after an overnight engine change

[Catalina Park]

An Iced Vo Vo...that raced in the period...went well after an overnight engine change

I recall it only raced once or twice and hit the pit entry at Oran Park pretty hard in the wet, breaking the leg of a cameraman

[Lee Nicolle]

I recall it only raced once or twice and hit the pit entry at Oran Park pretty hard in the wet, breaking the leg of a cameraman

How many Ovlovs were there in GpA ? I cannot remember that one at all. The driver yes, in Capris.

From memory Mark Petch had two cars at one stage and I seem to remember at least one other.

While not quite suitable they were not unsuitable either though I do remember initially a 12 foot wide car in Francevics hands keeping a pack of cars behind it at times. Swedish brick as the commentary called it at times.

[275 GTB-4]

Lets try and put a smile on Lee's dial...impossible you say?

How about a nice hardtop Lee?



or maybe a nice replica Trana?



or maybe a nice Esky S/S?

[brucemoxon]

There were the two that Mark Petch had, which went to Volvo Australia as 'works' cars.

 

And this one that Laurie Hazelton built. Which was originally a Round-Australia rally car. Laurie found the shell in a wrecking yard. I believe he only raced it the once, where it indeed crashed.

 

Mike Minear also had a Volvo 360 that had first been used to set a parcel of speed and distance records at the old SPIR. That car's now been restored too (after time as a rally car and a rally school car, which is when I drove it).

 

 

 

BM

[brucemoxon]

Not so nice any more...

 

12 other cars got past before this.