Track Battle Australian Time Attack Series

[GTR32G]

Well they got the web site up and running, let's get behind this and hope it takes off.

http://trackbattle.com.au/trackbattle/

Anyone planning on running any of the rounds this year, or got plans for next year?

I will be driving a new toy for next year thats in the build will post more details soon of it.

[Snowman]

I was invited out to Calder today to go over the concept for at least the Vic round of this series.

It will be interesting. I will at least do the Vic round this year mostly because the track is going to be based on and around the Thunderdome which is a fun experience if you've never done It before.

But I can tell you right now it's not going to be a Superlap thing. Intact those genuine time attack cars will probably struggle a bit. It will more suit the old Dutton or Tarmac Rally cars.

Infact giants old 32 would probably be the perfect car for it.

[handbrake]

I can see an entry form but no details for the classes or format on the website. what exactly is the format? or not able to divulge yet?

[Snowman]

Honestly I have no idea.

Our sole purpose was to provide feedback on the course layout and things like track densities and session lengths etc.

And as I said it will be fun, but the course is bumpy and there are things like chicanes etc so real low time attack cars with big fat kits will struggle.

[handbrake]

Who you calling fat? Or was that phat?

[R31Nismoid]

Ye was @ Calder with Snowy & a few others for a test day...

Was quite an experience in the car with Scotsman belting around the 'Dome in his GTR. Just spewing mine wasn't fixed yet to have a crack yesterday lol.

I'll certainly be entering the Vic round. No doubt about it, awesome experience.

I can see an entry form but no details for the classes or format on the website. what exactly is the format? or not able to divulge yet?

The info is on the website! Where ya lookin?

Just hover over the "info" button, and it brings up all the options

[sav man]

Is it a combination of the dome and the calder track?

[R31Nismoid]

Nope just the Dome for 2011.

Calder track hire is a bit offensive (read: stupid money grabbing Bob).

[Snowman]

But its not just the DOME - its part Dome and part pit area - so it's a bit like Indy Road Course track - only not as big. LOL

(One lap was about 55s in a fast car).

So you did about 50% of the Dome flat out, another 25% of it with a constructed high speed S section and then there was the technical part in the pit area.

It will be some fun - but mostly it will be different. And it will be way more driver focused than car focused as far as a result goes I reckon as it's not easy - people can't come and practise it / do a perfect set-up like they can at say superlap - and given the concrete jungle of the dome it's going to reward bravery (and talent in getting the max out of the course without making a mistake).

[Snowman]

Think of it as this - only without the dirt, jumps and door to door bit and optional paths (but it is still multi-lap sprints)

But otherwise the concept is similar

[hrd-hr30]

don't like the "factory bodywork must not be modified in any way" rule for street class. almost every street car/weekend warrior out there has either lipped or pumped gaurds.

[handbrake]

The info is on the website! Where ya lookin?

Just hover over the "info" button, and it brings up all the options

yes the entry form is there now but previously said "coming soon"

also nothing about the format of the event, with rules and regulations section still "coming soon"

[Marlin]

don't like the "factory bodywork must not be modified in any way" rule for street class. almost every street car/weekend warrior out there has either lipped or pumped gaurds.

You're right there..... that rule can surely be loosened a frag. As it stands it's camp as a row of tents.

[R31Nismoid]

yes the entry form is there now but previously said "coming soon"

also nothing about the format of the event, with rules and regulations section still "coming soon"

Format is being decided still, as in laps, but the idea of 5-6 lap sessions of 5 cars was tossed around a bit for Calder.

So its not a single flying lap, its your best time over the day that's counted.

The class rules are listed in the classes sub-sections.

[N1GTR]

Now THAT looks like fun...without the jump and dirt

[GTR32G]

I was invited out to Calder today to go over the concept for at least the Vic round of this series.

It will be interesting. I will at least do the Vic round this year mostly because the track is going to be based on and around the Thunderdome which is a fun experience if you've never done It before.

But I can tell you right now it's not going to be a Superlap thing. Intact those genuine time attack cars will probably struggle a bit. It will more suit the old Dutton or Tarmac Rally cars.

Infact giants old 32 would probably be the perfect car for it.

I hope is more like a Superlap style event than based on a Dutton type with witches hat chicanes and handbrake turns. Maybe won’t bother running the S15 at these events if it’s like that?

Format is being decided still, as in laps, but the idea of 5-6 lap sessions of 5 cars was tossed around a bit for Calder.

So its not a single flying lap, its your best time over the day that's counted.

The class rules are listed in the classes sub-sections.

When you say it’s not based on 1 flying lap, its bases on the best time over the day...

For what the 5-6 laps? If that’s the case it’s a big disappointment if you get held up when over taking there goes your whole run. Had this problem in Supersprints when they group lap times together for results and your lapping cars or you catch someone if they had a spin stuffs up everything.

Let’s hope they get this event right and not be a flop for the first one. Buts that’s my thoughts other may have different opinions...

[evil_weevil]

no NSW?

[R31Nismoid]

When you say it’s not based on 1 flying lap, its bases on the best time over the day...

For what the 5-6 laps? If that’s the case it’s a big disappointment if you get held up when over taking there goes your whole run. Had this problem in Supersprints when they group lap times together for results and your lapping cars or you catch someone if they had a spin stuffs up everything.

Let’s hope they get this event right and not be a flop for the first one. Buts that’s my thoughts other may have different opinions...

5-6 lap sessions, sessions being the keyword

As there is one day practice/familiarisation and the 2nd day competition... One can only assume how many sessions there will be.

EG: 2 practice sessions, and say 5 comp day sessions thats 35 laps = A good 10 laps @ full neck? Or even 15-20 if you read traffic right, and don't have a car that gets too hot too quick etc.

Of course there are 100 variables, but as it'll be 50-65 second lap. If it was 4 / 5 cars per, that’s 14 / 10 second gaps respectively.

Another idea that was discussed, as the "chicane/slalom" part is not on the dome itself, there is one section on the dome itself that could be used as part of a "cool-down" lap. Effectively keeping them totally separate of those on flying laps etc.

I agree though, it all comes down to how it is managed at the end of the day, which should be fine as there was a few ideas floated and all sounded quite reasonable. As long as people don't take on the water barriers constantly that is

[Snowman]

I hope is more like a Superlap style event than based on a Dutton type with witches hat chicanes and handbrake turns. Maybe won’t bother running the S15 at these events if it’s like that?

There won't be witches hats - there will be water barriers. So its more like a track than a motorkhana course. And there won't be handbrake turns - just chicanes (and of different styles and speeds). BUT it is going to be tight IN SECTIONS.

It's a cross between a Dutton type thing and a full circuit sprint. But it's why its not a pure Superlap type deal. And it's why it will be as much about the driver as the car.

I agreed on the traffic thing - if you get stuck behind someone during the tight sections you are completely stuffed (not that you aren't on parts of most race tracks either). But it is why I suggested to them less cars on track with less laps per session (but more sessions) than the other way around to reduce the chances of that happening. Still - you will get PLENTY of clean laps through the weekend I have no doubt.

I have NO affiliation with this event at all - I was just asked to give some advise and an opinion (John Boston was also there to give his input for example - and actually he came up with the base design). But all they wanted from us was to make sure it was going to be fun for drivers to do - and it is definitely some fun. I mean how often do you get to go flat out around the Thunderdome!?

As for the no NSW - my only guess is it is a AASA thing and that there isn't the scope to do anything different to the norm at Wakefield?

[JET200]