Autosport Time Attack Round 4

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Autosport Time Attack Round 4 2011

The Mitsubishi GSR/EVO Club Present the FINAL Round of the 4 part South Australian Time Attack Series 2011, proudly supported by Autosport.

The event will be held at Mallala Motor Sport Park on Monday (Public Holiday) 3rd October 2011.

Autosport Time Attack Round 3 will be limited to ONLY 40 entries.

Competition will be based on timed hot laps with ample opportunities to attain a personal best.

The 2011 series will to deliver dynamic levels of competition with Modification Classes and DOT Tyre Restrictions!

Local Tuner Houses will again battle it out for workshop honours and the outright round win!

Introduction of Pro Class; CASH Prizes; and NOW a 4th Time Attack event squeezed in the calendar; there is a more for competitors and spectators!

Trophies for ALL Classes, privateers are welcome and catered for.

Competitiors must have a minimum L2S or L2SJ CAMS Licence and CAMS Car Club Membership to enter. Click here if you do not have these items.

All Tuner Houses and Businesses are welcome to compete in the Autosport South Australian Time Attack Series 2011. Please contact [email protected] for further details.

For all information on Autosport Time Attack Round 4 October 3rd 2011 please view here.

Time Attack Sponsors

Autosport

Steve Knight Racetech

Infinity Signs

Willall Racing

S & J Automotive

Australian Motors Mitsubishi

Exhaust Technology

Autosport Time Attack Round 4 2011

Autosport Time Attack Round 4 2011 ENTRY FORM

Autosport Time Attack Round 4 2011 SUPP REGS

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Autosport's Brad Trenwith to challenge the SA Time Attack Series Championship 2011 in the Final Round!

<Check out this feature on his FD3S RX7!>

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Willall Racing's Sebastian 'Carbon King' Lip keeping the the PRO Class honest as his specialised R35 GTR develops progressively throughout the SA Time Attack Series 2011!

<Check out this feature on his R35 GTR!>

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The Wild Card entry of the Autosport Time Attack Series 2011 would have to be Graham Davidson in the S & J Automotive backed Subaru STi RA. Going through the time sheets from series to series and round to round, Graham Davidson has knocked close to 4 seconds off his consistent mid pack lap times to potentially be the quickest STi to come October Long Weekend at Mallala.

Those that compete against Graham in Hillclimb and Time Attack would have picked his Scottish ascent, having originated from the United Kingdom, and now finds himself right amongst the tarmac action here in Australia. When questioned on his impressive improvement in track pace, the fired up Scotsman enlightened us with a simple rationale; “Quicker times at last Time Attack pretty straight forward – grip and grunt...”

To be more precise, Graham’s STi RA has seen a rebuilt motor, supported by a TD06 20G turbo and favourable E85 tuning, harnessed at the track with a set of 18 inch Braid Racing Wheels wrapped in the special Time Attack soft semi slicks from Hankook.

Despite forfeiting his Autosport Time Attack Round 3 starting position for a family get away last June, Graham Davidson is currently sitting 15th outright in the Tuner Series, and with the times he is extracting from the OPEN Classed STi RA, we could just see a jump inside the top 10 outright – not a bad result considering!

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Infinity Signs backed 2JZ 180SX enjoying debut success at Eastern Creek recently, and although driver Simon 'Pit Bull' Podlewski has only claimed one round of points in the local SA Time Attack Series, we would love to see Simon ruffle the PRO Class ranks come October at Mallala!

<Check out this feature on his 2JZ 180SX!>

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WILLALL OUT TO TIGHTEN GRIP ON OPEN AND CLUB CLASSES

Time Attack four will see the two dominant WR330 EVO X (Open Class) and WR310 Subaru STi (Club Class) defend their dominance of all the rounds they have entered so far this year. Speaking to Donnon highlighted the following plan for the EVO X “At this stage we want to keep the WR330 EVO firmly in Open AWD Class so we will be carefully managing the lap times of the car during the course of Time Attack four in an attempt to keep the EVO firmly in the 1:15 second zone, which is where we need to be to keep control of this class. As such we will be de-tuning the car slightly to remove some of its inherent speed and keep it matched to a 1:15.3 – 1:15.5 second pace. Why not step up to Pro? Well that’s the plan for this car next year and when we do run the car as a Pro Car we expect it to debut in the 13 second zone straight off the bat. Gavin is driving it really well, so we are looking forward to what he can do when we put him in the car with the instructions to bring us back a Pro level time. We will make sure he has the car underneath him to get that job done. That is what we do.

The Subaru is a different challenge again according to Donnon. “We have clearly and decisively shown what can be done with a Subaru this year against a swarm of EVOs in the Club AWD Class. So far we have yet to be headed by a Mitsubishi...or any other Subaru for that matter so we are happy with that performance but know we aren’t finished yet, we cannot afford to be complacent. The GRB platform does indeed have its fair share of secrets that need to be unlocked in the quest for speed, and now we have new sponsors Whiteline on board to assist with some of their chassis technology products we believe there will be some more time to be squeezed out of the combination with some geometry changes and a fresh driving approach. The goal is a for a new Club AWD Class lap record before this car retires at the end of the season with a radial tyre time of 1:15 something being firmly in our sights along with a top 6 outright finish in the Series. I suppose that’s about the best you could hope for from a genuine street car that gets driven to and from all Time Attack meetings, and if we get there I for one will be satisfied with our achievement.”

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The Autosport Time Attack Champion 2011 will be decided in the Final Round on October 3rd (Monday Public Holiday).

We know that the SKR EVO 6 of Steve Knight narrowly leads the Series from the Autosport FD3S RX7 of Brad Trenwith by only 2 points! So let's do some theoretical calculations to set the possible outcomes!

Steve Knight, although experiencing varied times throughout the Series, will be out to chase down the SA Time Attack record set by Brad Trenwith back in Round 3 (June 2011) of 1:11.475. We do know that Steve's blood would be boiling having his Round 2 (May 2011) record of 1:11.610 smashed, and now supporting a Veilside style wide body kit for the enormous footprint Hankook Z221 semi-slick tyres, the SKR EVO 6 will not just be out for the Round win to wrap up the Series Championship…

Leading into the Final Round the Top 4 teams summarise as follows:

1st Place: STEVE KNIGHT RACETECH Steve Knight - EVO 6 - 01:12.346 (Series Mean) 148 POINTS

2nd Place: AUTOSPORT Brad Trenwith - FD3S RX7 - 01:12.615 (Series Mean) 146 POINTS

3rd Place: WILLALL RACING Keir Wilson - R35 GTR - 01:13.879 (Series Mean) 136 POINTS

4th Place: WILLALL RACING Sebastian Lip - R35 GTR - 01:14.851 (Series Mean) 130 POINTS

Clearly, Steve Knight will be requiring an Outright Win in Round 4 to advance in points untouchable from the challengers fighting for a podium finish Brad Trenwith, Keir Wilson & Sebastian Lip.

However, we know that Brad Trenwith will not settle for anything less than the top tier of the podium. Based on a Final Round win for the Autosport FD3S RX7 and a plausible SKR EVO 6 runner up position will have both teams equal in the final points standings and only the fastest collective Series average lap time will determine the Series Champion for 2011.

With constant development and quicker and quicker times for Brad Trenwith in 2011 we anticipate there is still time to shave off that standing record, that said, lets say he matches his bench mark time of 1:11.475, resulting in a series mean time of 1:12.32975. This will set the bar for Steve Knight to force a respectable time of 1:12.275, to be able to decrease his series mean time to an impressive 1:12.3285 and claim the Autosport Time Attack Series Championship 2011!

This of course is based on perfect weather conditions, no mechanical mishaps, and singling out the top 2 teams. Don't for one minute overlook Willall Racing's top guns Keir Wilson & Sebastian Lip in their highly modified R35 GTR's, with Keir Wilson supporting a crazy new Endless Mono-6 pot brake kit running a blistering 1:12.059 in Time Attack trim last outing at the Mallala circuit, the chase for points and predictability of results may just be thrown into disarray!

On the edge of your set yet? You should be, because this battle is beyond close, and you will have to be at Mallala Motor Sport Park on Monday 3rd October 2011 to watch this one unfold.

Edited September 3, 2011 by Catford

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Autosport Time Attack Round 4 - PROVISIONAL Running Order

[Luke_ENR34]

I'll be there watching

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Steve Knight Racetech is proficient when it comes to street tuning the renowned CP9A Evolution platform, and for the emerging Time Attack dark horse Evolution 6 of Brad Kirkwood, this example is no exception.

For those that know Brad’s Blurple (Reims Blue) Evo 6, you will note his fine detail for presenting a vehicle for show and street, boasting an array of individualised carbon enhancements, ‘Zero-Fighter’ front splitter and facelift one piece head lamps. However, it wasn’t until the curiosity and long for speed did the polish exchange for performance and form; and thanks to SKR prowess – they came in abundance.

When hunting for commentary on Brad’s remarkable series progress he emphasized “Initially, I entered Time Attack Round 1 with the sole intention to gain valuable track experience. However, due to my competitive nature, the track bug bit... and as a consequence of entering every Time Attack Round this year thus far, I have found myself right amongst the mix in the Time Attack series on points, and a lot of this is contributed to the reliability of SKR’s tuning, wealth of knowledge and experience.”

We most certainly agree that track experience is the solid base for driver development, which explains the constant improvement in Brad’s lap times from round to round, yet limited with modifications such as HKS exhaust, EBC, Plazmaman Intercooler kit, KTS coilovers and 98 octane fuel, not to mention some ‘past their age’ semi-slicks like most cost conscious and novice track enthusiasts use. Most astonishingly, not only has Brad has gained the finer points of the Mallala circuit, but also steered this street CP9A Evolution to 11th outright in the Tuner Series 2011 heading into the Final Round 3th October. Take the time and check out the <SA Time Attack Series Leaderboard>, there are some serious outright mechanical and driver calibre inside that Top 10, not to mention outside that ranking!

In only 3 events, Brad Kirkwood’s maturity and ability behind the wheel has advanced noticeably within the competition ranks, more unsettling, within the company of the highly prestigious CLUB/AWD Class. From amongst the pack of serious contenders, this Evo 6 ranks 2nd in class outright behind Willall Racing’s proven STi in the mitts of Martin Donnon and marginally clear of S & J Automotive backed Evo 9 driven by Michael Wills. This CLUB/AWD headlock battle just got thrust forward heading into the final round; the podium fight is now on full boost. Event organisers are quite aware that regulations, tuning and talent are to be squeezed, seeing that the likes of Martin Donnon revealing a STi Garrett ATP GTX 3071R turbo upgrade and Michael Willis opting for some ‘state of the art’ custom E85 tuning to retain the edge from Brad Kirkwood.

Establishing the fight for the class podium Steve Knight Racetech focused to back and match the competition according to Brad “With a host of new modifications coming into the final round, ultimately we looking to secure a top 3 finish in Club Class in my debut year. Being budget conscious and also sympathetic to potential rule changes come 2012 in Club Class, the objective was to find the right blend between sensible and reliable power gains, minor suspension tweaks and braking modifications, as well as more Time Attack orientated super sticky rubber.”

Retaining the factory turbo and 2.0L 4G63, Steve Knight Racetech has applied an aggressive blend of power - Kelford 272 camshafts, HKS Twin Spark amplifier, FIC1050cc injectors and E85 tuning; and handling - Cusco front/rear strut braces, Cusco rear sway bar, Noltec camber/Castor adjustable pillow top mounts, Hankook Z221 soft semi-slicks with Rays Ralliart R-01’s. This most recent Time Attack tuning package has reaped close to 45kw power gains on marginally less boost, forming a potent Round 4 assault weapon and compliant street performer!

In confidence, testing backed claims to match Brad’s rivals on their series mean times, albeit on hardened old tyres and traffic congestion. Based on those numbers and the addition of brand new podium positioning Hankook Z221’s, Brad Kirkwood fronts as the revelation of things to come in local competition and no doubt be amongst the more experienced and conceited counterparts this coming Monday at Mallala Motor Sport Park.

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WILLALL RACING AND THE GRASS ROOTS ACHIEVERS WITH THE WR300 EVO X

“Dean Falcone had no experience at Mallala or any form of motor racing other than social go karting” Martin Donnon CEO of Willall Racing explains, “but there he is in his third event in a daily driven car running flat 1:17 lap times”. Dean must be some driver thats for sure but Donnon likes to take some of the credit pointing towards their EVO X development program carried out over the past couple of years that allows a Time Attack capable WR300 package to be screwed onto an otherwise stock EVO X for under $10,000 on top of the car and run it straight into the 16/17 second lap bracket on radial tyres. “The EVO X truly is a great car” Donnon tells us “but by massaging the edges we have made it better...and without losing any daily driving comfort. A true allrounder at the highest level, but what makes it tick?

Heart of the EVO X WR300 is a direct ‘lift-out’ of the Willall Racing EVO X. All of the suspension settings, spring rates, and general geometry are the same as those that powered Donnon to victory in the AWD Modified Class in 2010. Then there is an engine tuning package that takes advantage of E85 fuel, but allows the owner to switch between fuels on the street at any time, with normal unleaded able to be used for the daily grind. There are a host of other smarts in the WR300 package as well from a specially developed transmission fluid for improved clutch operation in the SST transmission through to Willall Racings world famous WR35WS Brake Water Injection system. “The bottom line is that our customers represent our best interests and our future” Donnon tells us “When we can put these packages together that allow them to walk straight up to the point end and take up the fight, not only are we proud, but it’s also telling that we are completely transparent migrating our setup and development data to the packages we sell. All at Willall Racing are very happy with Deans progress” Keep an eye on Dean Falcone and his WR300 EVO X in Club AWD on Monday!

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KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY WITH THE WILLALL RACING WR300

“They say the Lancer EVO X is a family car” CEO of Willall Racing Martin Donnon tells us “but these guys (and gals) take it to the extreme!” After having a quick look through the motorsport activities of the Amos family in their WR300 EVO X over the past few months I think we have to agree! Not only has this car been in the Time Attack series with John Amos driving it, the EVO has also won its class in the Adelaide Hills Tarmac Rally, and the recently complete Classic Targa Adelaide. The good news about all of this is that every single member of the Amos family has been involved with the driving or navigating of the vehicle at some stage of the proceedings. “When I can’t find the name Amos on the leader-board anywhere I start looking towards the top...and there it is!” Donnon laughs “but seriously once more this car is testament to not only how well we have done our job developing the WR300 Time Attack/Tarmac Rally package, but also the basic job that Mitsubishi have done in the first place.” Next time someone wants to argue that the only true performance family cars in Australia are tarted up Falcadores, just point them in the direction of this EVO X. Shops on Monday, wins on Sunday! Notably for Time Attack Round 4 Bec-Jane Amos makes her track debut and is keen on stamping her domination as being the fastest female in the series straight off the bat. Watch out Hanz!

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S & J Automotive strengthen their odds for class ranks at today’s final round of the Autosport Time Attack Series 2011 with the last minute inclusion of the Pfitzner Performance Gearboxes development Evo X. We saw PPG managing director, Simon Pfitzner, unveil the vehicle in Sydney for WTAC recently, and now in the confines of Mallala Motor Sport Park to showcase their brand-new straight cut 6-speed sequential dog gear-set.

Simon Pfitzner explains “This has been a very involved design project, but we have developed with what we believe is a great product that allows a full motorsport sequential option for the Mitsubishi Evolution X. The PPG 6-speed sequential gear-set has been designed to utilise the Mitsubishi OE casing and therefore, directly replaces the manufacturer’s standard unit. The kit includes the gear set, gearshift assembly as well as a gear position display. The intended applications include rallying, racing, one-make series’ and Time Attack.”

This EVO X is no one horse stable either; PPG have opted for development input from Australia’s best tuning houses and associates to further enhance the motorsport driving experience. Yokohama supplied the Advan RS 18x10 racing wheels wrapped in A050 semi-slick tyres, complemented by Exe-tc competition suspension, Extreme Carbon clutch and Willall Racing titanium exhaust system, while S & J Automotive take care of the tuning with ECUTEK software producing a rumored 220kw at all four wheels! Specialist mechanical and set up works by Morpowa and Steve Knight Racetech also aid place this EVO X in the savory rank list for CLUB/AWD Class.

Strapped into the compliant EVO X Recaro’s is SA born race car driver and driving instructor <Samantha Reid>. Although renowned for her dynamic open wheeler racing history, Samantha Reid is more than capable of handling the S & J Automotive entered EVO X, with diverse experience racing in Improved Production, Aussie Racing Cars and Mini Challenge. Samantha Reid claims to be fresh to Time Attack racing and will be the 5th female driver to elegance the local series in 2011. With an impressive racing background and vehicle to match, Samantha Reid has most certainly upped the odds for success in her Time Attack debut.

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Infinity Signs take the official outright win at Autosport Time Attack Round 4, with driver Simon ‘Pit Bull’ Podlewski smashing the SA Time Attack record in the Morpowa Racing 2JZ 180SX during the process! We all knew there was something special to be benchmarked on October 3rd at Mallala Motor Sport Park being the series round decider, but Podlewski suggests that the fashionable victory was not all smooth sailing -

“We started our event with testing last weekend and ended up pushing the car onto the trailer as we spun a bearing due to oil starvation. I was done, I had thrown the towel in until Rhemac Performance Engines influenced us to pull out the engine and assess. The boys put in a long 4 days and soon the engine was dropped back ready to go, I can’t thank them enough.”

“Our day started with some brake issues as we had changed compound chasing all the last tenths we could. We sorted this and in the first session we did a 1:10.040 and from here I was just in disbelief as my dash timer was not working. I had to go back it up and in doing so with a 1:10.090 and a 1:10.1 I finally come to realise we had done what I had always wanted to do, a 1:10 around Mallala. Along the way I kept my crew busy with broken gear sticks and constant tyre pressure changes to try and get that 1:09.999. Next year I’m sure we will be able to go into the mid 9s but till then I’m stoked with our achievements to date and so proud of my little team especially my right hand man Josh Simcock”.

“I need to thank the boys who make on the day possible, Joshy, Adam, Rick, Dan, Brad, Brandon and my fantastic Wife, son and family. The sponsors, who also make the car what it is, Morpowa Auto & Dyno, ASI Silicone Hose, Rhemac Performance Engines, Infinity Signs, Lakeview Chiropractic, SA Motorsport Tyres , PPG Gearbox, S2, MCA Suspension and Motul oil.”

Autosport Time Attack Round 4 <PHOTOGRAPHY> & <MEDIA>

Autosport Time Attack Round 4 <PROVISIONAL RESULTS>

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STEVE KNIGHT RACETECH OFFICIAL TUNER HOUSE CHAMPION!

It was set up for a blinder finale in the Autosport SA Time Attack Tuner Series with a perceived two-way battle for the 2011 title between Autosport entered Brad Trenwith (FD3S RX7) and SKR entered Steve Knight (EVO 6). With the likely hood of a tie in the championship, the result would be decided by the quickest series mean time. However, with the number crunching on projected times and lingering lap records in the balance, the title chase was always going to be more than a tactical on track two-step.

In perfect weather conditions the standing radial tyre record was broken multiple times by the podium PRO Class drivers throughout the day resulting in an outright round win to Simon Podlewski (Infinity Signs 180SX) with a new Time Attack record 1:10.040, with runner up Brad Trenwith 1:10.921 & 3rd place Steve Knight 1:11.012 – all on street legal radial tyres! The Top-10 shoot out was taken out by 17 year-old Daniel Day (S & J Automotive MY99 STi) with a blistering 1:14.805 after the top runners bowed out with mechanical failures. Fastest Outright Open & Club competition cars were Mark Rundle (SKR EVO 8 ) 1:15.465 & Dean Falcone (Willall Racing EVO 10) 1:15.722 respectively.

Based on a count back, Steve Knight’s personal best 1:11.012 was enough to award Steve Knight Racetech the Outright 2011 Tuner Championship by only 0.1785 seconds, from fast finishing rival Brad Trenwith driving for the series naming right sponsor, Autosport. Steve Knight makes this his 2nd consecutive SA Time Attack Championship title as driver, placing the Steve Knight Racetech plaque next to his 2010 tuner house, Phillcom Rally.

Steve enlightened us with his back to back title emotions once the series title was announced as official – “I felt the pressure of the defending the title knowing both Simon Podlewski and Brad Trenwith were capable lowering the local time attack benchmark, and although having such a marginal series lead and being the best mechanically prepared for an event thus far, the final round of competition was very close and tough. Dealing with business pressures to complete other SKR represented competition cars, combined with consequential on the day track troubles and the realisation of having less up my sleeve than first thought makes the victory for the SKR tuner house something most special.”

“SKR is most appreciative of the opportunity to be involved in the Mitsubishi GSR/EVO Club Time Attack events as the healthy tuner competition directly aids the local businesses to develop and showcase their capabilities to benefit motorsport enthusiasts and the community as a whole. All class levels put together make the time attack events the success that they have become, and it is pleasure to oversee the new comers to competition emerge and progress from round to round. I would like to thank my valued customers and supporters for competing under the SKR tuner house banner and hope that it continues in 2012. Further; Brad and Simon for their close competition, all CAMS officials/volunteers, event organisers and competitors for the thrilling 2011 SA Time Attack Series.”

<Autosport SA Time Attack Series 2011 RESULTS>

1st Place: STEVE KNIGHT RACETECH Steve Knight - EVO 6 - 01:12.01275 (Series Mean) 194 POINTS

2nd Place: AUTOSPORT Brad Trenwith - FD3S RX7 - 01:12.19125 (Series Mean) 194 POINTS

3rd Place: WILLALL RACING Keir Wilson - R35 GTR - 01:14.31275 (Series Mean) 175 POINTS

Special thanks to all our Time Attack Series sponsors for their aid, support, and rivalry during 2011.

Time Attack Sponsors

Autosport

Steve Knight Racetech

Infinity Signs

Willall Racing

Mike Dale Automotive

Adelaide Radial Tyre

S & J Automotive

All Seasons Air Conditioning

Australian Motors Mitsubishi