WARWICK TRI-SERIES

As Rod had a bad run at last years vw event at Warwick (1/8th mile track) we decided to enter this years Tri-Series event for a bit of good fun and putting it to the V8 brigade.  The great thing about Warwick you can have as many qualifiers as you can fit in.  Our main aim was to fine tune Rods driving style (two step button, reactions to the green light and launch RPM). In qualifying period Rod had 4 runs best being a 1.66/60ft with 6000rpm launch and a time of 7.81et @ 87mph.  Car was running sweet so I decided to leave as is and just concentrate on getting the car off the line. Racing was next, it was based on a round robin comp, so your guaranteed three rounds of racing. First race Rod red lit after seeing the starter out of the corner of his eye checking the track. Second run was a break out of 6000 of a second, on a dial in of 7.84et (7.834et). Third race we decided to lift the rpm up(400) on the launch and we dropped the tires to 17lbs that produced the best 60ft of the day 1.64.  Turned out to be a very close race to the finish line but Rod was pipped on the line.  Rod ran right on his dial in of 7.84et @ 86.70mph. We came away with 3 losses on the night but lots of people came and checked out the car and wanted to know if it was porsche powered, we just laughed and said volksy's rule!!!!

CHECK OUT PHOTOS IN THE GALLERY!!!!

MINI JAM 2008

Rod ran his blue 48IDA car, got three runs in and then at the end of the third run there was a whole lot of smoke.  He went up the return road and realized the car was leaking alot of oil, which turned out oil deep sump had come loose and three nuts had come off on the inside.  We only found two nuts and washers so one had been sucked up the oil pick-up tube which directs oil to the pump. At this stage too big a risk so we packed up for the day, his best of the day run was 12.43 ET @ 108.4MPH.

Dave Butler ran his white all-motor car with great success up against all-comers (hondas,rotarys,vws) and after three rounds of racing and personal best ET's (11.00ET 121.46MPH) Dave finally broke through for a long deserved win in all-motor bracket. Dave's fine tuning of fuel injection system and more revs is now bringing the big pauter motor to life.

CONQUERING DAVE BUTLER IN ACTION: Click here

VW PORTLAND

23-24 February 2008

Friday night was to be a test & tune at the track, but unfortunely it was cancelled due to rain.

Saturday racing went ahead even though it was cold, showery & extremely windy.  As my car was untested and fresh from the rebuild, I decided it would be best to have a look over the whole car (loose bolts, anything broken and final tweeking of tune-up) as we just travelled 2068kms from Queensland.  We found loose coil wire, a stuck fuel regulator and we had to lift the front ride height as well.  We tryed to get out for a burn-out at the last minute but another shower came through.

Luckily we were able to have a launch and half pass on Sunday morning (1.65 sixty ft).  Car launched very flat with start rpm at 5000 using the two step button.  Nerves were up for the half pass, ran 7.9 ET at 88.9mph car moved a little to the right, 60ft was a bit slower. 

Sunday cleared for a fine day and a few other competitors were lost due to mechanical breakages (gearbox).  First race car launched well then clutch slipped, not sure if it was me or the car, but 60ft was good at 1.65 again.  Dave O'Connor won but later found a motor issue and could not return (had run 7.70 ET).

Second round, bi-run very clean, straight 7.69 ET 91.83mph.  As time was an essence, had no time to change or adjust car round by round was getting hectic and car was getting hot.

Third round was another bi-run (not sure why) I had decided to stage and take the win but doing this lost my chance to run close to my dial in which put me out of the finals (brain fade).  As this was round robin competition bi-runs are counted back on who ran closet to their dial in.

After finals were run, Fabian and I had a grudge run in which I ran 7.68 ET & another 91.83mph. Felt faster but spun the tires on the start line with a 1.77 60ft (5500 revs and tires at 18psi). Fabian looked like he had a small problem, maybe a missed gear but great 60ft of 1.60.  Car finished with no issues except very dirty inside from very rough return road, please fix!!!!! Had a fine time catching up with all the volksy guys and thanks to everyone that commented about the cars looks and construction.  Bought home a trophy for best engineered vw race car which was unexpected.

Thanks to my family, Rod Richardson for being number one crew guy and sponsor, Craig Hughes for putting on event, Southcoast Raceway members and every other vw supporter there (they don't have to be a drag racing to support these events, its all about vws!).

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