Archetype

I like the 4 out of 5 rule for overall points, as it's not easy for everyone to make it to all the rounds (whether the reason is for time, money or mechanical failure). It's not going to help me much though since both of my first rounds were a bit shit. I might use the Civic next year instead if I've still got it. It should be a nice all-rounder with the combination of tight/slow courses and the faster ones.

I'll see how I go with the next event or two before I look at pulling the gearbox out. I think it's got more to do with my aggressiveness rather than any major mechanical issues. It would be cheaper and easier to do the gearbox at the same time as the engine, which won't be until next year some time.

Oh, and let me know if I've got any of my comments wrong about your engines, Shane and Max in particular.

Blog post for the dual sprints up now: http://www.kiwimotoring.com/blog

Shit, you're going to be busy then - karting on Saturday, hillclimb on Sunday, and maybe squeeze in a few hours of watching Bathurst on Sunday too.

Yep, definitely keen on the trial run for the 12th of October. I won't be here for the Auckland/Hamilton challenge though unfortunately.

I'll get onto it today, and will have it live by tomorrow at the latest. Lack of photos and the time passed since the last event has left me a little unmotivated, but I'll whip something up.

Lack of results from the dual sprints is ultra slack.

I reckon the best part of circuit racing is the close driving and passing, etc. You don't even need the most powerful, fastest car if everyone's on even terms - then it comes down to good driving skills and calculated risks. That late model Alfa Romeo GT and I were having a good battle in the first run of the day. It was fun being on the outside on the big final sweeping corner, then again on turn 1. The white and orange Peugeot (106?) had a big spin in front of a couple of us coming over the rise after Gulf corner. No dramas though.

The underneath of my front bumper got pretty hammered too.

Sainsbury Road Hillclimb:

If you look closely, you'll see there is a little mark on one of the wooden boards where the underneath of my car caught it. Dad thought it would be a good idea to drive the car on without tilting it, and the plastic cover on my fuel lines got ripped to pieces. Lucky the fuel lines didn't get damaged.

I'm going dead straight at that point. I change mid corner turning hard left on the rising corner just after Gull (turn 2), and never have an issue there. I'll upload the video so you can see. I keep saying that I'll upload some videos, and I'll get there eventually. Did you see that I dropped the trailer off?

On the straight after Barrel 51. 3rd gear has been causing me a bit of trouble for a while now, and it's getting worse. The weird thing is, that's the only spot that it happens at Hampton Downs, even though I change up into 3rd in two other spots.

I just watched the video of me putting it in 1st gear instead of 3rd (twice). It's a bit painful, and I'm lucky I didn't blow my engine too.

Shit yeah. The weather's looking great. I hope you're all sorted Brad!

It's going to be awesome! I love the Hampton Downs circuit.

Ah, you'll have to type 'mirror' in their search box, since I couldn't give you a more specific URL.

Yeah, there are a few different ones available. Proparts have a couple: http://www.proparts.co.nz/shop.html?page=shop.browse I've thought about getting hold of some to sell in my online store.

Come along to the dual sprints at Hampton Downs, not this weekend but the next.

Oh yeah, I purchased a new set of tyres last week, as the old ones looked like slicks, with the canvas showing through in a few spots too. It's so nice to have grip again!

The car has been getting plenty of use over the last 2 months. Motorkhana at Hampton Downs, then an autocross a few weeks later: Sainsbury Road hillclimb a couple of weeks ago, where I finished 5th out of 30: Dual sprints at Hampton Downs this past weekend, where I finished 9th out of 45: Had some fun with this Honda Civic: I've got a few in-car videos that I still need to upload to YouTube. I picked up a 95% finished trailer on Tuesday too, so I won't need to borrow another trailer again, hooray! Thanks to Markku for lending me his one for the last 2 events. I'll drop it off as soon as you want me to.

I did the Hamilton Car Club / Motorsport BOP dual sprints today. It was a good day and the weather stayed clear for our timed runs, but it rained just as we were about to start our bonus session. I'm running on a new set of tyres, so it's nice to have some grip again. Oh, what happened to the Uno?

I had one when I got home, and it just about put me to sleep on the couch. I'll enjoy one or two in the sun (here's hoping) this Saturday afternoon, thanks.

Fitted your new bonnet yet?