GazM3
14-12-2008, 09:32 PM
Not sure if it goes here but move if req'd
Also those that know me know my spelling aint to flash so I opologize for this in advance:).
Things were not looking that good on friday, rain rain and more rain. Travelling down on Sat morning it was more rain, and as we approached Moe/Gipsland area (where its supposed to rain all the time), what - the rain stopped like if it was on cue.
Upon first feasting my eyes on the new Haunted Hills venue, was it is alot steeper than I thought it would be, and a quick glance down the hill saw a total section of the track flooded!!. The rather large puddle seemed to disspate fairly quicky, but everything was still soaking. A quick walk over the track revieled how steep it was, and how little room for error there was going to be if it was wet.
A few slow speed sighting laps revealed there was more grip than one would think, except where the flooded section had been replaced with mud. The first practise laps were pretty hairy as most of us had never driven there before, but we all seem to go reasonably well. When the timing was working the cars were getting faster and faster, Alan Saint setting the early pace, then the grip of the 2x lancer evo's came to the fore, all breaking the 1min barrier.
Like it was on cue, the rain started to come down quite heavy, so food was sought, and the wind was also very strong. Sampling all the food groups (steak hamburgers sausages coke) there was a hint that the rain was stopping, followed by very strong wind - normally annoying - which turned out to be a favor for us. Track was still damp, but I guess there was competition to be had.
The evo's went out early and were around the 1.10 mark, but the track was drying by the minurte, Alan went out and laid down a 1.05, I followed him with similar time, and then the rain started to threaten again so for first round of "timed" laps the middle running grp1 cars had the best of it. After timed session #1 again the track seemed to dry more and more. Times were dropping, with the Evo's first into the sub 1min, then Alan followed. Times were getting faster and faster with the evo's getting in the 58sec, and Alan pulled out a 57.5 which the evo's try how hard they could, they wouldnt better it.
Considering the conditions, there were lots of quick times. Anton tore up the track to also join in the sub 60sec club, there were a few Porches doing flat 1min times. Belly and Mr Linsaar were not too far behind them.
The day finished on a light hearted note where we were all to drive the 2ltr E30 - sans supercharger. For memory Anton fared best around 1min3sec ish. The E30 was a different experinace to the E36m3 - no brakes - no power, but the handling was very impressive.
Thanks go out to Graeme Bell, and the motorsport crew, for putting on a well run event, and for hand picking those nice young ladies for the ambulance crew. Please book them again!
Thanks also to Ned for the passion injection to the club. Im looking forward to next years events coming back & having more fun.
Gary G.
Also those that know me know my spelling aint to flash so I opologize for this in advance:).
Things were not looking that good on friday, rain rain and more rain. Travelling down on Sat morning it was more rain, and as we approached Moe/Gipsland area (where its supposed to rain all the time), what - the rain stopped like if it was on cue.
Upon first feasting my eyes on the new Haunted Hills venue, was it is alot steeper than I thought it would be, and a quick glance down the hill saw a total section of the track flooded!!. The rather large puddle seemed to disspate fairly quicky, but everything was still soaking. A quick walk over the track revieled how steep it was, and how little room for error there was going to be if it was wet.
A few slow speed sighting laps revealed there was more grip than one would think, except where the flooded section had been replaced with mud. The first practise laps were pretty hairy as most of us had never driven there before, but we all seem to go reasonably well. When the timing was working the cars were getting faster and faster, Alan Saint setting the early pace, then the grip of the 2x lancer evo's came to the fore, all breaking the 1min barrier.
Like it was on cue, the rain started to come down quite heavy, so food was sought, and the wind was also very strong. Sampling all the food groups (steak hamburgers sausages coke) there was a hint that the rain was stopping, followed by very strong wind - normally annoying - which turned out to be a favor for us. Track was still damp, but I guess there was competition to be had.
The evo's went out early and were around the 1.10 mark, but the track was drying by the minurte, Alan went out and laid down a 1.05, I followed him with similar time, and then the rain started to threaten again so for first round of "timed" laps the middle running grp1 cars had the best of it. After timed session #1 again the track seemed to dry more and more. Times were dropping, with the Evo's first into the sub 1min, then Alan followed. Times were getting faster and faster with the evo's getting in the 58sec, and Alan pulled out a 57.5 which the evo's try how hard they could, they wouldnt better it.
Considering the conditions, there were lots of quick times. Anton tore up the track to also join in the sub 60sec club, there were a few Porches doing flat 1min times. Belly and Mr Linsaar were not too far behind them.
The day finished on a light hearted note where we were all to drive the 2ltr E30 - sans supercharger. For memory Anton fared best around 1min3sec ish. The E30 was a different experinace to the E36m3 - no brakes - no power, but the handling was very impressive.
Thanks go out to Graeme Bell, and the motorsport crew, for putting on a well run event, and for hand picking those nice young ladies for the ambulance crew. Please book them again!
Thanks also to Ned for the passion injection to the club. Im looking forward to next years events coming back & having more fun.
Gary G.