Round 3 Tas Super Series May 15 2011

SUCCESS!!!!!! Finally after a long hard slog, we tasted victory last Sunday! 3 from 4 race wins, qual 2nd and settled for 2nd in the final. It was what I like to call A GREAT DAY!!

And also won the Sports Sedans too! (well only 2 cars, I qual 1st and neither of us ran again, the other car had problems and I only wanted to use the qual for extra practice)

The car, after all the problems we've had, now boasts 300kws (400hp) with a bigger turbo and new intake and exhaust manifolds. I broke the Sports GT B lap time (60sec) twice so I had to back off! We cant afford to run in A class, I want to be able to go easy on the car instead of thrashing it! So in the end it was quite an easy win, but after years of trying and the drama's we have had...Im not complaining!!




Would like to thank, David Clifford Photography, Cable Mate, Steeline Roofing Hobart, Dejay Signs and Benson Motorsports.

TSS R2 13th Mar 2011

After having our fair share of problems and 4 trips to the dyno, we finally made it to a race meeting. Sadly, it wasn't a great day. I cross entered so I could get some more tack time and in the first practice I thought the oil pressure was getting a little low so I came in only to find a small fire on the turbo heat shield! Blew that out, checked oil level then went out for second practice, but dropped the revs down thinking the turbo was overheating due to the increase in power (250kw up from 222).
Qual 5th in class (12th overall) passed a few cars, made it to 3rd then the overheating started. Dropped back to try and cool it, but it wasn't working. Finished the race at a slow pace.

Race 2 was the same story and I DNF. No point getting in every ones way going slow and no fun either.
Race 3 and I tired using the water spray, but ran out of water. The system we are using is not good enough. DNF after 3 laps.

So we came home and on Monday removed the radiator, checked the thermostat, that was working. Cleaned the radiator out, was pretty clean. Took it to be modified as both hoses attach on the same end and it doesn't seem to be using the entire area to cool. Also brought a high pressure cap and will install again later this week.

Brought a Garret gt3071 turbo, which will be better than the one we have. Also have a new exhaust manifold and intake manifold but will leave the intake for now.

Thanks to Cable Mate, Steeline Roofing Hobart, Dejay Signs, Batteries 2 Ur Door, David Clifford Photography and Benson Motorsports.

Tas Super Series R1 Feb 13th 2011

Like to say Ive had a successful day at the track...but I'm not even at the track! Since my last post, we have been rebuilding the engine which has cost way too much and we are not ready to race and we are up for more repairs. I dont know what Ive done to deserve the shit that been happening but Ive done something! Yes, I will admit some of it has been our fault, minor things that have turned into big things. but fair crack of the whip, when will it end?



We got the car ready 2 weeks ago, took it to be tuned and run in. We had a couple of minor water and oil leaks that we fixed. Unbeknowst to us though there was another water leak at the back of the motor which was found when it was too late. We fixed it and took it back, but the damage had been done..blown head gasket. So we replaced that will a metal one and new head studs to boot. Had to wait a few days to get some other bits and once we started the car it was running really rough. Turned out that when we took the camshafts out get at the studs (we didn't have a socket that would fit with the shafts in, we do now) we needed to bleed the lifters. We did that but not enough. We went through compression tests as well and they finally were good. Put it all back together for the..I lost count time....started it up and after a few seconds there was a horrible sound like something loose. In fact it tuned out to be one of the cams had spun and ruined one of the ends (see photos)

Cant take a trick. It was line ball to whether it would of been tuned in time and the shop I buy fuel from was closed when its usually open. So everything was against us racing this weekend.

TARGA INVITATIONALS @ SYMMONS PLAINS 2010

Was so looking forward to this meeting, 4 days off work, 4 days with my other half, 4 days of being nothing but a racing driver!! So, why did it all go so wrong????? Time with my girlfriend=great, the rest=PITA (pain in the ass) It all started going wrong really before we set of on Thursday so ill start there.....

Thurs 11th Nov
Picked up trailer and did some small last minute things. One sponsor, Worksence was unable to come to the party at the last minute... PITA #1 We had trouble getting the trailer lights to work ...PITA #2 The immobilizer on my road car decided not to work for about 20 mins ...PITA #3 Finally got away nearly an hour late! Called in to see the guys at Steeline on the way through. Thanks again for your support!
Got to the track around 5pm, unloaded and went to hotel

Friday 12th Nov
Rolled up for drivers breifing and waited for practice. On the first lap intercooler pipe blew off. Made it back to the pits, fixed it and it come off again. Got a tow back. PITA #4

Qualifying was split in two which didnt suit me. I need track time and only got 8 mins. Car overheated anyway. PITA #5

Sat 13th Nov
13 and I dont get along so I should of known is wasnt going to be good. Race 1 (and the only race I did) ended after 7 laps with low fuel (thought I had plenty) and low oil pressure. As I came in I heard the engine rattling and thought not again. PITA #6

Sunday 14th Nov
Got stuck at hotel when immobilizer decided not to work again. Half an hour later......PITA #7

Not sure if the engine had let go or not, it had stopped making noises, brought some Stop Smoke to see if it would help oil pressure. Lined up for Race 3 but it was cancelled due to a crash in another race. Did a warm up lap only and the oil pressure was still no good anyway. Packed up after that, watched part of V8 race and left for home....deflated.

Tues/Weds/Thurs
Started pulling engine out. Found worn main bearings.Why? Dont know. Only did 15 laps. Was it something we did wrong rebuilding it? Only time will tell. PITFA #8

Was hoping to race at the Tas Super Series final round on the 28th, but that wont happen. Have to wait to 2011.

So thanks to David Clifford, Steeline, Batteries 2ur Door, Cable Mate, Benson Motorsports and Dejay Signs. Im sorry we couldnt give you a better run for your money.

Its just 2 weeks from the V8supercar round at Symmons Plains. The car is basically ready to roll, still have to run the motor a little more. Had an oil and water leak to fix, just have to do a few small things now.

I have managed to secure some sponsors for the weekend, and hopefully beyond!!

Firstly Batteries 2 Ur Door, an online battery sales and delivery business. They have a facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gold-Coast-Australia/Batteries-2-ur-door/161807080497900 and should have their website online by race weekend.

Worksense workwear & safety http://www.worksense.com.au/
These guys jumped on board without hesitation, so if you need any workwear or safety gear, go see them!!

Cable mate http://www.cablemate.com.au/ have helped me out since I started. Lace and liz are great and if you need any type of cable made, see them.

David Clifford Photography http://www.r40media.com/ What can I say about a man that is 6'2 and welds a camera like no other?! Nothing other than he's great with a camera and a great bloke!!

Benson motorsports http://www.bensonmotorsports.com.au/ Stu has helped me out with parts and info since the beginning.

Im still hoping to resign another and maybe pick up a couple more, but time is running out.