COMPAK ATTAK 2008
It seemed like a long wait between events. We tried one last time for a PB on the manual box at a test and tune opportunity at WSID, but on the first pass of the day, we ended up twisting and breaking the output shaft of the gearbox on the start line. This locked up the whole drivetrain of the car, and it was a real pain to get the car back onto the trailer (the tailshaft finally dropped down off the diff yoke after we bounced the car on the rest of the way-grrrr). So the car ended up a week early in the Blacktrack Performance workshop for the pre-planned auto conversion. Last minute hiccups added to our anxiety, with delivery back home only the day before the Compak Attak event, allowing just enough time to check, wash and clean for the following day.
Awoke very early Sunday morning to dry, cold and breezy conditions, which remained throughout the whole day.
At the track, a few cars were having trouble starting, due to the colder temperatures- including mine. I initiated my Well practiced plug cleaning techniques to get the beast started, off the trailer and warmed up.
With everything checked over, I was keen to set a PB with the new KEAS Transmissions’ built 3 speed Jatco and transbrake.
Before being able to do this, I watched the street tyred classes going through their paces on the track. Blacktrack Performance customers competing included Shane (Cressida), Stevi (RX7), John (RX3), and Steven (Celica) in STRWD, Trent (Starlet) and Malcolm (Magna) in STFWD. Later in the morning, Shane unfortunately threw an alternator belt- causing minor damage to his motor, while in the eliminations later in the day, Trent broke out with a new PB.
Another noticeable competitor that drew alot of attention throughout the day was the new Nissan Haltech R35 Skyline, driven to a very respectable 11.1@124MPH ET.
Slick tyred qualifying started late in the morning. First qualifying pass was a slower than expected 11, but this was good considering it was the first ever pass with the new transmission. I was to learn pretty quick that stationary gearchanging was alot easier than doing it at speed down the track- with the right foot planted and the rev limiter kicking in, while trying to find the right force to push the B&M Pro Ratchet shifter up a gear. Back in the pits and checking the time slip, we were quite surprised to find that the run still finished with a high 136MPH, despite the 97MPH mid track speed.
The second qualifying pass somehow seemed to be a very easy PB of 9.55 at 145 MPH, which exceeded the result that I was told to expect! The 60ft time could easily be improved upon, as well as the gear shift timing, but overall an excellent result early in testing. Now to check the consistency I was chasing….
Being a competition event, I tried not to better my ET but pretend to be in an eliminator for the 3rd pass, and to check repeatability. This resulted in a flat 10 second pass due to a slower 60ft time. The top qualifyer for St289 was Archie Kajewski from Queensland with a PB of 8.04@170.9MPH in his RX7.
Eliminations were now upon us, and we decided to go with a 9.55 dial in. I ended up on a solo for the first run, where I stupidly tried to do a brake and accelerator staging routing- which naturally ended in a fluffed start. Near the end of the run, the engine sounded an indication of a fouled plug, so I backed off and cruised through the end. Back in the pits, Justin searched through my collection of older race plugs (always have spares!) and a suitable replacement was found.
The second run was up against the very consistant “TTS13B” datsun 1000 ute driven by Tony. Having just watched Pat Long in his “CRITTA” RX3 run a bit wild down the track, I was hoping for a straight pass. The run was already won on the start line, with my 0.219 reaction compared to 1.135 second reaction by Tony in the other lane. Seeing that I was ahead and with a clean launch and gear changing, I thought it was best to slam on the brakes before the finish line. I was glad that I did as my time slip indicated a 9.57@132 MPH. Upon starting my drive back down the return road, it was distressing to see the emergency crew and ambulance heading onto the track, to attand to the crashed TCR RX7 of Dib Taouil.
Back in the pits, I was told of how close I got to the centre line (and therefore possible disqualification), barely missing the timing markers by a whisker!
Due to the accident, and the fact that the track temperature had fallen below safe limits, the meeting was cancelled. Points for the round were distributed throughout the drivers who attended.
Thanks once again to Justin, Renee and Merv at Blacktrack Performance and Dyno Centre for their tireless effort to get the KEAS Transmission Jatco gearbox and transbrake installed and workshop tested before the event. Thanks also to Signwave Newcastle for the stickers (more to come), and Neil at Madman Productions for his video taking abilities trackside, and thanks also to other Blacktrack Performance ‘Groupies’ - you know who you are!
Despite the cool temperature all day, there was an excellent crowd and competitor numbers, so thanks to all who supported the event.
Current points plants us firmly in second position for ST289 in the series. With one Sport Compact meeting to go, we unfortunately don’t have enough to win the series, but we must ensure a reasonable placing at J18 to confirm the second place position.
Now its another 3 month wait for the Castrol Edge Toyo Tires Sport Compact Group Jamboree 18, on the 23th and 24th of August at Willowbank Raceway.
Losing sleep already. See you all there!
www.sportcompact.net.au
www.blacktrackperformance.com
www.signwave.com.au
