Marlin

I'll be the other retarded guy. I'm in a black 32 gts with a silver jeep with stupid big wheels on it towing. Should be in a group of us, black Series 8 RX7, black 32 GTR, white ST185 Celica, and mine. See you lads there I do hope you have your entry in, otherwise get on the phone now to Track Attack 3266 2228

I'd really have to agree with TT and say that I don't really believe there's too much filthy cheating up the front of the field, as TT says everyone's paranoid about being checked, and as I said to someone when they questioned my front mount (without properly consulting the rules), if you cheat, you're really only cheating yourself. I must say though that the onus is on the entrant to ensure his car is legal, not the scrutineers. We can't expect scrutineers to be versed in every vehicle's specifications. That's what protests are for. Fortunately, one thing I do know there will be a crackdown on next year is Evo strokers, it's easy to check, and we know there's so many out there because it's cheaper to build a Crower stroker than rebuild to genuine spec! we followed a "showroom" Evo last year for alot of the event, well bugger me she was a good one! She'd turn all for tyres in second gear leaving the line! Our 360AWKW 34 GTR wouldn't do that! lol And damo, as for the advent of tech in the Cat 7 year range, mate, take a look under Rex's car, she's basically a 996 GT3 under there, yes, it has ABS too... not alot of 1974 left in that baby And please don't think I'm taking anything away from Rex, he's a fabulous steerer, and as I said to him it was a real honour to even get close to him. And Savman, I agree with you too, this will blow over in a week or two, and yes of course, if there's a budget, Timmy and I will be back until I can't get into a car.

What's this brace you speak of guys? Subframe bracing I'm guessing?

Thanks for accolade mate, cheque's in the mail I see what you're saying, and I'd hope to run toward the front of the pack again in Early Modern if I return next year. I'm probably being a little selfish, as I've been working quite hard (and getting REALLY close!) on obtaining a really good sponsor, real money, like 50k for a two year deal, due to the amount of television coverage we obtained this year, and would have hoped to repeat in subsequent years. Now with the rule change, and knowing the TV special has a finite amount of time to cover the event, I'm not confident that our new category, Early Modern, will get a run. If 10 blokes wake up to the fact you can run a 996 Turbo in early Modern do you think the HCR32 would still be up there in the top three for even a chance of TV coverage? Nah, I don't think so either. Sure, I could change the car, and trust me I have looked hard at it, but given the budget (to run for a year, not just purchase), if I was to sell the HCR32, I'd find very quickly that I couldn't afford to run the event. That's really my argument, this equation; Targa+TV coverage+cheap car+young entrants = a prosperous future for Targa. I know motorsport is a rich man's playground, but unfortunately for me, I'm not a rich man, and my boyhood dream of Targa needs to be funded somehow. which means for me, a cheap car, and some sponsorship. I'm just a little dirty that I've only had one crack at the title!

Please allow me to start a chant? I hate Briz I hate Briz I hate Briz I hate Briz I hate Briz I hate Briz .....................

You BASTARD! I hate you, my word I'm fawking jealous!

I'm not taking anything away from the event Greg, just discussing the rules mate. It's faintly annoying that you can build a car to comply with the category/rules, only to have the goal posts moved after one year. It's effectively made some vehicles worthless overnight in my opinion. who'd want to be stuck with a 944 now?

Exactly. Cat 7 cars won't stand a chance no matter how hard they're driven in early modern once people wake up to the fact that you can run a 996 Turbo in early modern! And once again, it'll be cheque books that take the wins. As Gavin said to me this morning, it leaves a bunch of cars and good drivers in no-man's-land.

My thoughts too Harry. I believe Ferrari aren't putting in a young test driver mainly for the negative reaction that could place in poor Massa's mind. Being seen to be "blooding" a Massa replacement while the poor bloke is still crook would be in poor taste. Bringing back an icon for a few races to hold Mass's spot for him in the form of MS will be well received publically and will allay any fears that Massa may have of losing his drive through no fault of his own. So basically, I think it's a respect thing.

Just for interest. Over the last couple of days since the ruling re turfing category 7 into early modern has come to light, I've received quite a few calls about it from some VERY pissed off people. I fear that this rule change WILL see alot of valued entrants (and money to Octagon) dissappear. It really is unfair that people (including myself) have purchased or begun building vehicles with the aim specifiaclly of competing in Cat 7 within CLASSIC outright. To have the rules changed because of a select few whingers is in my mind pretty pathetic. Any form of motorsport needs consistent rules if it's to be a continuing success. Iconic competitors such as Gavin James have told me "they can stick it!, I won't be going back". That is a real real shame. Additionally, I'm a firm believer that Octagon needs to consider their long-term prosperity. Allowing early Jap turbo stuff into a TV covered class such as Classic outright will attract young blood to the competition because they actually have a realistic opportunity to obtain real money sponsors, which coupled with a cheap race car, will see them compete year in, year out. Surely attracting a younger age group of entrants who can afford to build a 30k Silvia/Skyline/whatever is more beneficial than pampering the older guys who can afford a 300k early Porsche who surely have only a few years of competing left in them? I had my car sold due to the announcment, but only withdrew from the deal because there's not another vehicle within cooee that is as cost effective to run for a years racing, regardless of Targa elligability. Withdrawing it from sale does in no way mean I'm competing in Targa next year. Competing in Early Modern against the likes of r Shaw does nothing for me, I want to compete cost effectively against the truly quick blokes, Broadbent/Pye/James, as well as new YOUNGER fast blood that were planning on entering before the rule change.

Geeez, Benny, really puttin your game face on huh! If I make it back to TT looks like I better have my wits about me!

I had a post with some wonderful insight here too, lost it as well Nothing with BOTH turbo and 4WD is elligible for Cat 7 Dunc, keeps the playing field somewhat more level. Sav, have you spoken to TT about the 400R? Surely it's a no brainer?

Thanks Duncan. I have PM'd Col GTx who did the moving (I think his name is?) about this a couple of days ago and haven't heard anything back. I think the builds forum was created for him so he could have something to moderate? Like I said to him, I think most of us in the Motorsport section only really visit the MS section, so all these great builds are effectively lost.

Little bonus then isn't it I'm pumped, a mate has just finished prepping his series 8 RX7 spec R or something, can hopefully give him a touch up, he's been talking alot of smack. lol If I can't, maybe you will for me Harry? lol

Ah cool gents (is that std Harry?) yeah, new rubber required. 3 of my tyres have monumental flatspots right through, one of them took over 250 grams of weight just to attempt to get it to stop rattling the car to bits lol. The rubber has done targa, so the old girl deserves it. Will need to remind myself to bed the rubber in

Also spotted it in the latest tarmac Magazine.... along with the coverage of Superlap

Me too Just paid the entry via track attack, ordered some new rubber/oils/filters/plugs, car should be out of the paint booth by wed arv, then make some stuff for it and assemble..... all going well we'll see you there this sunday the 2nd

Plenty of JDM guys have run the Dunlops, Giant has some hard data I believe, maybe PM him?

It's not tidy enough to be TIG, definately MIG......... I just like givin YT a hard time about his welding skills, hence the ARC comment.......

I should have included a wink

PM sent mate.

Rotten luck to the poor fella, tragic luck. Richard's right, they need to look closely at the tether system to see if there's any improvement to be had, and it does show how dangerous it can be. Open wheelers aren't the only ones capable of being hurt, none of us have forgotten Craig's near miss a few years back at Bathurst, remember he was saved by the Larry bar...... if circumstances are against you, rotten luck can sometimes strike.

Gee, is he using a stick welder these days?

Do you know how to plead our case? Maybe we can turn this around, there's a big difference between a motorsport build and an RB into a BMW for instance..... (sorry to highjack ya thread Benny).

Maybe get a hold of YT.... be prepared for him to shit-can the cage though