Marlin

The one to have is an early 90's 300CE-24, the last of the series and a sweeeet twin cam 24 valve straight 6 engine. All the earlier ones are lame single cam jobbies. But beware, as with any older euro, they're expensive to repair.

Time management mate, tiiiime management lol.... I know your feeling though, last year we finished the GTR, oh, at least an hour before it went on the truck. This year it's a little different, I'm a true "rock star", lol, just turn up and get in. The guys are even calling me asking where I like things mounted! hahahaha

That's because you dealt with me! Seriously, when I sold cars long ago it was always a pleasure to deal with "grown ups" like Spooks. (And that blueprint sedan was a sweet car too mate!, hehe, I chose the colour because I liked it on my GTR

Well I know of a good caravan park down in the mangroves that we could probably all afford.... maybe we could even get a discount for 3 or more vans? Realistically, I think there's a fait bit of reasonably priced accomodation around the area in Noosaville/Tewantin and surrounds. It's not all squillionairs and silicone up there. I'm not sure about the tea and scone comment, I know of a few serious teams going, both in modern and classic categories. There'll be plenty of competition to be had I reckon. I spoke with Jason White yesterday, they're confirmed for entry in the Lambo. But I DO know they want to limit the entry of Evo/STi's to keep a good mix of vehicles. I suggest it'll be a case of first in best dressed? Whether that's a good or bad thing I won't comment. Once the coarse is released we'll start doing some recce/pace notes on weekends, so TT, if you decide you're going to come up I'll pass some notes on to give you a head start if you like mate? We use 1-6 if that suits you? Cheers lads.

Entry's like 7 grand.... for about 200 klm competetive, meaning about $35-00 a kilometre. So yeah, it's dear.

Yeah... put your helmets on and get into it... Longhurst style! lol

It is expensive, not particularly good value for money on a dollar per competetive klm basis. But on an upside, it should be quite professionaly run and the roads are good good good. I've turned into a navigating whore and am entered with Richard Gally in a series 3 RX7! HAha... should be a bit different, and LOUD! lol

I assume all Targa runners saw this? http://www.targa.org.au/Forms/Competition/...r%20Cutting.pdf And by the way, anyone planning on doing the inaugural Suncoast Rally? The new tarmac one up Noosa (Qld) way? http://www.suncoastclassic.com.au/suncoast/flash/index.htm

Personally, I strongly suggest stick to Japanese. Anyone in the game should tell you the same. Although a Forester/Liberty would probably be the smartest (my mother drives a Forester GT upon my recomendation), I personally would get a '96 to '99 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.5L V6 Shorty (SWB), in GLS spec. I've had 2 of them... they go really well, look good, plenty of fruit inside (sunroof etc), and are good value. I can vouch for their stabliity, having won several off-road motorkanas in my first one, with only Mud Terrain tyres fitted. I lovem!

Jack and Trevor are probably both quite thankfull they wear HANS after pegging the Makinen at the scrub in Rally Tas a couple of weekends ago.... (They walked away fine)

Sure is! I am too. Did you read the bulletin on the Targa Tas website about the guys in the Jenson? http://www.targa.org.au/Competition/CompNotice.php Good food for thought!

Well yeah, hopefully they would. I can see it becoming a real problem down the track. In Targa'06, and to a lesser extent Rally Burnie '06, it was becoming a real concern, particularly when you're running nearer the back of the field. I've seen pictures of some vehicles in these events, with not two, but FOUR wheels all the way off the black stuff! Obviously, dirt rally guys and the "factory backed" Suby and Mitsi teams are the main culprits...... Many of you will know for instance that substantial time could be taken off by going "off-road" on The Sideling for example. How about this (for w*nk value!), utilise the in-car transponders in each vehicle to record when a vehicle touches "pressure plates" inserted under the dirt the area where a "corner cutter" would run across on those corners prone to cutting?

Fair enough Duncan, as you say, cheaper helmets MEET the required standard, but I am one to assume that more expensive helmets (discarding the fact that in many instances, you are no doubt paying a large portion for a "big name"), not only meet, but EXCEED the required standard. Another issue to keep in mind is that a lighter helmet has less kinetic energy in an accident, therfore there is less chance of neck over-extension damage, particularly in a frontal impact situation. Cheers! (p.s. not long 'til TARGA!!)

It's a right bugger allright Do you reckon it might be something to do with race/rally reg cars not needing to comply with normal vehicle regulations? Or is that just Qld's rules?

... and that was completed by a very experienced engineering shop, and I recall reading that over 3000 man hours were required. (And a VL would likely be one of the easier vehicles to transplant) That's a long time if you're doing it part-time

Yeah, that'd be me. I'd be incorrect because hanging a longer and heavier engine/diff/shafts etc over the front wheels that could weigh 30 to 100 kilos more than original (double and some for pounds champ) will have no effect on the handling...... Yep, I'd be wrong.

God that sounds good.

Swapping to RB26 seems a kinda pointless exercise to me, especially so if you take into account the alteration to weight balance by using the RB cast iron block, not to mention that inherently a vehicle with a long-cranked engine like a RB26 will not "turn in" as well as one with a short crank, on top of adding 4WD hardware into the front of a Z, you could run the risk of turning a sweet little handler into a dead set marshmellow. But, if you wish to continue, I'd start by taking some basic measurements on an R33 or R34 GTR (as I believe they'd use a more similar suspension setup to the Z), and see just where the driveshaft will go. Through the front rails? Can they be modified? I reckon the hardest thing will be to adapt or manufacture from scratch front suspension to cope with the added forces of the front wheels driving, instead of just up/down and braking forces. (I'm assuming you know that GTR's front diff is integral to the engine sump?) Anything down the back will be a piece of cake in comparison to the front, I just hope you don't turn it into a turd.....

Gotcha now, Ben Ben.

Invited list?

TT, glad you finished unscathed! Jack Crocker (the baldies) sent me a pic of his white genuine Makinen Evo VI, was a F**ING mess! He said the wheel spokes wouldn't come out of the tree! How was the situation with these dirt rally boys dragging rubbish onto the road?

Strongly suggest Scott at Custom Colours. Great attitude and workmanship. 52 McCarthy St, Salisbury. Ph 3277 8777. Cameron's also fully resprayed a Pajero for me and I'm happy with that too! Tell him Benny Wooster suggested you and I'm sure he'll try and get the work from insurance. Scott colour changed my GTR 6 years ago from start to finish, and it was a superb job with not one question mark over the finish, and remains perfect to this day. (pics attached) Cameron's also fully renovated a Pajero for me and I'm happy with that too! No faults in 3 years.

So, how about an update fellas? Is everyone still set? I know there was a lot a carnage in Rally Tas over the weekend, with several cars off... I heard someone from here but don't know the extent of the damage? I hope Targa Tas can still be made! Cheers, Ben. Car #979 for 2007!

I can vouch for Direct Clutch. Had a standard SINGLE plate clutch modified and rebuilt with organics by them in 2000 for my GTR. Circuit raced the car MANY times, drag raced at least 100 passes (** note- this car ran 11.1 sec @ 129 mph), and drove it on the street for around 15,000 klms, and it was JUST starting to slip when I sold the car in 2005. So, it did all that, DIDN'T rattle, had a nice take-up, and was cheap! Maybe I was just lucky, or maybe it's that I always heel/toe on downchanges and don't slip it excessively? Whatever it is, great clutch! ..... my two cents lads

And that ^^^ is why I respect some forums. I've chosen to search for an S13 because of; a) although not really lighter, better front/rear balance could be obtained due to the use of an all alloy/shorter engine (although I have absolutely no basis for this as I've never corner weighted an S13) b) it has a strut front end and although fundamentally flawed, copes well with dirt rallying and is simple to obtain struts for and set up. c) I love SR's because I've seen them cop a pizzling and hang together forever (well, a long time anyway haha) So, although I'd actually prefer a Silvia due to having less garbage like pop-ups etc in the front and a stronger starting body due to it's parcel shelf (not to mention easier quarter panel repairs since the Silvia quarter glass is a little further from THAT BLOODY BIG GUM TREE!!!), there's something in me that says it could be cool to see a 180 jacked up and sliding through the forest.