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Sept/Oct Report 2004 Editor - Paul Carey
More testing continued in August and September, as we continued to sneak up on the tune. Forever cautious not to get too far ahead of ourselves and bang the blower again, it was small incrementals with our changes. First test was on Sunday racing at the Motorplex in Perth, with several burnouts and half passes completed, and a final full run completed after the timing system failed.
Second test day was the first season Test and Tune at the Motorplex in Perth on the 12th. We had made some changes to the fuel system again, and were keen to make further progress. I engaged racing advisor Peter Veersma to train the crew and myself on race day techniques and start line procedures, as our first testing revealed we were all a little green. Pete worked in well with our other advisor John Zappia who helps out on the tune, as they are in the blown alcohol 'purple circle' here in Australia.
Pete Veersma took control of the first round burnout/launch, and immediately the experience made the world of difference to me as a driver. Pete has been the start line crew member for many blown teams in Perth, including the nitro funny car "Green Machine" with Allan "Dobbo" Dobson at the wheel, national record holders Rob Panizza (CC/G) and George Separovich (BB/G), and himself holding the current BB/FC national records. He provided excellent leadership to all the crew in the staging lane, pointing out all the one percenters that make for safe racing and better performance.
Our first real full run in the car was a very soft 10.3 @ 129.5mph and showed a little of the potential. The tune was tweaked a little more by Zap and the crew, but a minor blower sneaze in the burnout due to driver error and freshly sprayed VHT on the track causing the rotary to bog down quickly. After the day's testing, it was decided by Zap and Pete that the rotary mechanical injection fuel curve is too complex for track tuning, and engine dyno work is required to complete the task.
Currently the engine is apart, having a new billet crank fitted and peripheral porting carried out by Terry Stacey. From here the block will be put together by John Otter from Otter Engines, then assembled with new intake and injection setup, ready for dyno work with Pete Veersma and John Zappia. Expect our next outing on Nov 20th Nitro Challenge at the Kwinana Motorplex.
Photos by Luke from WA Dragracing
Aug 15th Sunday Racing
Sept 12th Test and Tune
Archived Newsletters:
Sept/Oct Report 2004
July/August Report 2004
May/June Report 2004
April Report 2004
March No 2 Report 2004
March No 1 Report 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
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