Project GTR (zed replacement)

[Monster]

Ok sorry for "delayed response".....

The showdown was a real giggle, although less "officially" timed as was expected so all the 32-34 people still think they won, as do the 35 people. Long and short of it was there were no times on the drag straight but 32 and 33 won the handling course and gymkhana so we consider that a victory. I got a 3rd on the gymkahna (i think, was a long time ago) but didn't run too much as 1st/2nd stuff not great when you keep killing gearboxes. Was a great day and a much improved re-run is planned for this year so if we have a decent surface and some more 35 scalps to take then should be a great day.

Other highlight since was Brands Hatch with Eddie. He gave me a call and asked if I fancied a free track day at brands hatch. Obviously usually when people ask me such ridiculous questions I think it's a wind up but we had an epic day at BH which is a circuit I've only driven once. In fact it was the first circuit I took the Skyline too and managed to get round druids before a load of turbo came flying out the zorst. Not been since. Eddie had his Metro there and as usual was harrassing anything with less than 6000 BHP. I actually thoroughly enjoyed a track I've been quite critical of and realise where there is time I can make up, the biggest problem there for a big power car like mine is the traffic, yo really can get held up for a lap at a time, and even half a lap delay is very common. Think I may have to try the GP circuit.

Anyway, big thanks to Eddie for that, was a great day and really good company as ever.

in other news I ordered two new cars, A Focus RS and a BMW M2. The M2 got csancelled this week as my local dealer is just such an absolute **** I couldn't bring myself to speak to him anymore and when he rang me with another ludicrous demand "if you don't spec you car within 48 hours we will refund your deposit" despite my car having a build week of 49 and delivery of 52 this year (another story) I told him to do it an now have the cash back. Amazing how a dealer can turn a buying experience into you being pleased to not be buying a car from them after all!

The Ford on the other hand I can barely contain myself about. I absolutely cannot wait to get this thing, i reckon it's going to awesome. It's scheduled for May delivery and I have a 2 day track day booked at Spa at end of May so have commissioned the old man to drive it over so I can run it in and give the old girl a rest every so often.

And that's about it. Skyline seems to be behaving itself, it has it's annual service next week and a few unexciting mods. Only thing worthy of note is that I'm looking for some Nismo LM GT1s for it so if anytone sees any 18x10 then PLEEEEEASE tell me straight away. They'll be heavy compared to what I have but the retro factor I think will more than make up for it........

[jap.slapper]

Sounds to me like you'll need a bigger driveway/garage soon chief

[Maxx]

Haven't popped in here for a while and good to see this thread still active and heading for triple figure pages

Hopefully catch you sometime this season Christian, we still have Donni to conquer. I was there in our 24hr car yesterday, a GT86. Great fun car but suffers from the problem you had at Snett with lifting a rear mid-corner, did we ever solve that? I thought it was odd that with just 220bhp and on slicks I could still powerslide it out of Redgate!

M.

[Monster]

It is still active, just about... hardly get on here now, but glad it's still of interest

It wasn't lifting an inside wheel but it was a getting a bit of bounce at the rear, seems to have improved since stiffening the rear shocks up but haven't managed to get any video from behind since then, which is what made us notice it in the first place.

Saw your updates on FB - good work with that Toyota, looks awesome, will come and watch if I can.

Def keen to do Donni this year, in fact if you see any decent days there ping me.

I've got a bit of an international schedule this year - Got 2 track days at Spa end of March which I'm taking the Skyline to, absolutely can't wait for that. Then in July I've booked an RMA day at the ring, with instruction from your pal Jaco. Taking various advice, including from yourself about a slower more stock car being more suited to learning the ring I'm not taking the Skyline for that one, instead I've ordered a new Focus RS to learn it in In fact, the delivery date is about a week before Spa so I may get the old man to drive it over to spa while I tow the Skyline so I can run it in round there

[Stuart]

Nutter! That is all

[Maxx]

Sounds like a great year you have planned, def agree about the Focus rather than the Skyline for the Ring.

Catch up soon.

Malc

[Monster]

I am so strangely excited about the focus in general I can't understand it! Especially now the press have them, I'd kind of forgotten about it but not the wait till May will be painful. I'm hoping its going to be a modern version of my evo 5, wishful thinking perhaps but at least I'll have a Ken block button.

Definitely Malcolm, let's make sure we catch up soon and am def keen for donni

The skyline is in bits at the moment, os giken box is having it's 3rd rebuild, piece of Shit although now know why, diff is out for bearings and shims, plus various other end of winter jobs such as new pas cooler. Getting worried as have Silverstone booked for 19th and not even got gearbox bad yet and shims are hopefully mid air somehwere between Tokyo and London..... Oh well,guess it wouldn't be a new season without some lastminute.com

[jap.slapper]

Do you need/run a power steering cooler on the GTR?

[pablo]

Spa, another circuit that I'd love to do. Be very interested to hear your thoughts and feedback on the new Focus.

[Monster]

Do you need/run a power steering cooler on the GTR?

Yeah, I've always run one, started with a small cooler I had knocking about but ended up putting a bigger one on, but still spits the fluid out so must be getting hot. So have a bought an even bigger one now. I don't know why it should get so hot but it does, especially in the wet ...... Haha