[ben12a]

Funny, I thought I posted a new topc in this section last night...?

I reckon I have sorted enough of the car issues to make it worth while heading out to Mallala this saturday to give it a shake down and get to know the track.

I rang the number yesterday and found out that gates open at 8am. There is some sort of scrutineering, in my experience this could be as simple as making sure your battery wont fall out, your seat belts hold you in, and your helmet keeps your head recognisable (allbeit detached from your shoulders). They advertise the days as good for street cars so it should be the common sense things.

Stupidly I did not ask how much...better take some cash.

There was some jocularity in my intro thread about trailer queens and people needing to get off their arse and hit the track so now is your chance. (Disclaimer: I may be making some or all of that last part up. No one can check as my intro thread was lost for all eternity)

I have a car trailer and may be able to give you a lift should you decide to park upside down in a wall... :o

[ultra_supra]

I'd love to go, but unfortunately I'm working that day. :(

Mallala open days are usually $80-$120 per person. Scrutineering is the usual common sense stuff. As you've been out on the track many times, you will already know the drill ;)

here's a map of the circuit if you don't have one:
http://www.clubbiessa.com/pics/mallala_large.gif

the track is pretty flat and very hard on brakes so take it easy out there as it will also be hot & dusty. the swarms of flies suck, so don't forget the Aeroguard! Turn 1 and 2 will sort most people out, while the northern hairpin (Turn 4) is always a test of your brakes :)

hope that you have a great time!

[IcE]

you did put it up, but normally we only let committee members post in here (and the cruises section for that matter too) so it was locked down. Sorry i didnt get to it sooner, i didnt realise there was one waiting in here for me to approve!

[ben12a]

Ahh, that explains it.

Looks like 4 big brake applications, and the 'kink' will test high speed grip at a guess. Turn 1 reminds me of coming down the hill at Wakefield, and esses are always fun.

I watched some incar footage from Mallala on youtube, and have to admit it is the kink that looks like it needs respect. The rest of it appears to be straight forward braking and turning- ie if you aren't going to make the corner you stay on the brakes and run through it (depending on walls). Those high speed, on the throttle bends can lead to some interesting moments, and often result in going backwards at speed into something.

The plan is to run at a safe speed until I feel confident with the track and how my car handles it. The Supra/Soarer suspension, whilst of pretty good designe for a street car, lacks adjustability. I don't think I'll need to make too many adjustments to start off with depending on what the tyre temps are telling me. (Ohh snap- I just remembered I broke my IR thermometer thingy)

This post has been edited by ben12a: 19 January 2011 - 07:24 PM

[JTMILLER]

The section between turns 1 and 2 is where i span out numerous times last day, being wet was my excuse :P

Good fun track, would love to come to the practice but will be moving :(

[ultra_supra]

the kink isn't as bad as it looks on paper. is kinda like a long apex.

the trick is to get a good clean exit from Turn 3, kiss the 'long apex' of the kink, and then drop the anchors for the Turn 4 hairpin. the approach for Turns 4, 6 and 3 will test your brakes.

[ma61turbo]

ultra_supra, on 19 January 2011 - 09:55 PM, said:

the kink isn't as bad as it looks on paper. is kinda like a long apex.

the trick is to get a good clean exit from Turn 3, kiss the 'long apex' of the kink, and then drop the anchors for the Turn 4 hairpin. the approach for Turns 4, 6 and 3 will test your brakes.

Agreed, looks far worse on paper, it is a reasonably gentle long sweeping bend. I was accelerating through 180kph at the start of the kink and able to hit 200kph just before braking into northern. Just don't go wide at the exit and put the wheels into the dirt, braking point for the hairpin comes up pretty quickly after you exit the 'kink'.

Turns 4 and 6 are the really big braking points, because of the long turn in to turn 3 it isn't quite as heavy(brake too heavy and you'll just go off the outside into the dirt) but challenging due to the nature of the turn.

Watch out for the exit of Clubhouse, go through there too wide and it is very easy to put it into the wall.

[IcE]

Im sure if my stock as a rock commodore can keep it together through the kink at full noise (we are only talking 150km.h by the time i hit the picks at the hairpin), your soarer shouldnt have an issue mate. But as always, treat the track with respect and you should be fine!

(disclaimer, i have never acctually done a time lap at Lalla land, only an advanced driving course out there in which we werent allowed ot go around turns 1 and 2 due to no one having a helmet)

[ben12a]

150 is noting to snort at. My 1:09 at wakey came with a peak speed o 176kph. My off at wakey at the kink had me going backwards at 170. Plenty scary. I believe I was already wondering what would be left to salvage before the car stopped in some kitty litter on the outside of the next corner. It took a long time to stop.

[ben12a]

Had a good day. Ended up posting a couple of 1min23 second times. I am downloading the csv files off the racechrono and having a look. I think my best is a 1:23.38.

My best peak speed through the kink was 189kph (off the Apexi RSM). Took a couple of laps to develop the stones to go through there flat in 4th. Might as well chuck 5th gear- Not going to use it down here.

I found turn 1 easy to negotiate, but turn 2 was hard to find a quick rythm. Inside, outside, double apex, 2nd gear, third gear. Nothing felt good. There was a rollover between 1 and 2- nice torana is now banged up on top and both sides. The other place that will need some work are the esses. Being essentially a hairpin into esses takes the fun out of it.

I quit after session 4 once a broken rotor dropped fluids all over the kink and the next hairpin. Plus it was bloody hot.

I'll cobble together some footage and put it up in my intro thread. I didn't get much, as I had to go get my CAMS approved GOPRO camera 'scrutineered'. I couldn't be bothered taping up the suction cap mount and adding a secondary restraint to a camera that weighs a hundred grams. :rules: