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BigSmoke
Posts: 844
Location: Indonesia Occupation: Following Those Damn Trains Age: V$: Broke |
#155088 2019-04-10 14:02 |
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Delicious Double Dish, Part 2:
Weekend Warrior This is the second part of the update, picking off where I left after the trackday.
After a bittersweet trackday session with some bois from the forum, it is time to step inside the warzone! And finally I've chosen and purchased a tow car, which I'll reveal here as well. Let's jump into the update to see what's what!  [06 Apr 2019] While preparing myself for the Time Attack event the next day, I continued my search for a tow car to be imported from UK. After some hours of scrolling multiple pages and switching between almost a hundred of tabs in my laptop's browser, I found a decent BMW X5 E53 for sale, and it was very cheap at V$554. I was excited to see a big, rarely used SUV being on sale for cheap. But then I saw the description and realized why it was rarely used: A lot of mechanical and electronic gremlins has nested inside the car. Some are ignorable such as windows not closing properly or dash instruments not working......but some others such as speedo and starters didn't work either and that concerns me rather largely. Well I could simply repair or get a new starter, but fixing the speedo and the sensors would be a bit worrisome and might turn into an electrical hazard. Ultimately, this is what turns me off from the offer: Steering wheel is juddery and not straight. That's going to take a lot of time to fix, at least if I'm not bringing it to Tokyo to be fixed. But then again, spares for older BMWs around Japan excluding 3-Series and 5-Series aren't that many.
But then I realized I've done yet another mistake: I forgot about the most legendary thing about utility vehicles in UK.........talking about utility vehicles, some countries has their own signature kind of vehicles to haul stuff prsonally or commercially. In the US it would be those titanic-sized pick-up trucks, which can roll coal, hauling people and their belongings, as well as cruising while towing just about anything in a single day. Japan has plucky but indefatigable kei trucks and vans which can slip and slide inside narrow roads and still able to economically sip a small amount of fuel while carrying luggage on their back. Australia meanwhile has the famous, thunderous and rowdy ute pick-up cars, which often employs performance V6 and V8 petrol engines. They're mostly based on sedan and coupe platforms, so if you're not tasked with hauling anything for the day, you can take it for a track day or even do a competitive racing with them! As for UK themselves, I guess you already know the answer.....they got the simple, utilitarian and dependable box vans (or blind vans). That's right, if you want to haul stuff everywhere for cheap in UK, you can use box vans. They can be used for commercial purpose within a company or individuals (usually known as White Van Men due to most of them not changing the standard white paint), personal purpose or you can convert them into campers, minibus (though nowadays there's aseparate model for that) and mobile homes. Hell, back then you can also race them! Dailying a van wouldn't really be a problem if you can hold your envy towards smaller car users or pretty much anything more luxurious, but that's not what I'm planning in general. Obviously, it will be a tow car, but because this is a van, it can double as parts hauler whenerver I'm shopping and touring with my racers around Japan. Cool stuff don't you think? So after some considerations, I narrowed my choices into three vans: The legendary Ford Transit, it's main rival, the VW Transporter, and something bigger than both, the Mercedes Sprinter. Both the Transit and Transporter nowadays are based on reinforced sedan platform (and it's been a long tradition for the Transit), so they're actually quite comfy and agile to drive everywhere while havin the ability to theoritically haul a Lotus and 2-3 go-karts inside, while for towing both can pull up to 2000 kg. As for the Sprinter, it has it's own platform, so it's much bigger, can haul much more and obviously can tow more. By standard they can tow 2000 kg upwards depending on the model, and if you got the manufacturer-issued tow bars, the tow capacity swallows to a staggering 3500 kg. WOW! This is why they're also most of the UK's official ambulance car, and I think some of them are also modded into fire engines and much more. The Transit meanwhile could carry a simpler job outside delivering stuff like being an ice cream van or a mobile library......or being a ram-raid vehicle. There's a legendary stat from UK's Police Force back in the 70s that almost all ram-raiders and thieves that got away with their loot has Transits has their payload/getaway vehicle. If you want to carry passengers instead, you can install seats in all of them, but these days all manufacturers has a separate model for passenger cars, in the label of Ford Tourneo, VW California and Mercedes Vito. While I was searching for those vans, Franklin called me. He sounded happy! "Hey Biggie, it's me Franklin! What's up?" "Oh hey Franklin, 'sup my dawg" "Listen up, are you free next week?" "Kind of, I work at my crib at most times. What's the matter? Anything I can help?" "Nah nothing serious, don't worry. I'd like to invite you to the opening ceremony of my garage shop" "Woah, you've stayed in Tokyo for several days and now you have your own shop? That's brilli-" "Nonono not really my own, it's an expansion of where I work at Osaka. I was chosen as the leader of the Tokyo branch" "Aaaah I see, that's something you should proud of man. Congrats!" "Thanks Biggie! It's quite an opportunity so obviously I can't miss it" "Anyway, when exactly is the ceremony?" "It's at the start of next week, so either Monday or Tuesday" "Cool, I'll try to come my man" "Thank you very much Biggie, see ya next week" "See ya soon my dawg" So that's why he was so excited! Man I truly feel proud of him, all these times of him working at Osaka finally paid off really well. First off is his monstrous Supra, now he was elected as a garage shop leader. What a good life I should say! After the cheerfull call I spent hours and hours searching all cheap vans for sale, and finally I found one that I'm sure would be the most suitable for my needs and driving preference. Which one would it be? Well I'll tell you later, but for now........... [07 Apr 2019] IT'S RACE DAY!! Time to face my first championship event! Just like the Hyper Meeting back then, this is a multi-discipline event, so I had to wake up, get shower and breakfast, then get off in the dark, early morning from my crib. My load is also similar to those I brought for the Hyper Meeting: My race overalls, race undies, two spare undies, a spare shorts and a power bank.
But before I went to the track, I went to the petrol station first to refuel and add some more pressure to my tyres to revert my setup back after the trackday. It won't be funny if I ran out of fuel in the middle of my run, and I can't afford to lose precious time and even more fuel in straights with Jimmy/Buzz(Buzzsaw)'s lower tyre pressure settings. With Silver Queen's thirst aided, I continued my trip under the cold, misty dawn to Tsukuba Circuit. 05.00 I arrived at the track's gate, where I took my race number stickers and timer beacons for the event. Parc ferme conditions will be instated at 06.00 as I attend driver's briefing for the day. After I applied the stickers on and installed the beacons, I went off to the bathroom to empty my stomach and bladder (as I've said before, it won't be funny and convenient if nature called you while you're racing), and then to the locker room to change into my race suit. Mood was really good as I can see lots of cars attending today's event. As I went back to the paddock, I and some other entrants from various championships have some chatter about preparations for today's event. I was going to check the Super FJ cars as well, but I chose to hold back as I might be mistaken as a tresspaser soooo......
Ah yes I forgot to tell you, alongside the main championship events (Super FJ, Circuit Trial and Tsukuba Touring Cars), there are also some supporting races from various championships being held today. Those are Honda N-ONE Owners Cup, Mazda Roadster Cup and Tsukuba TC-2 Endurance Championship, which is a 2-Hour endurance racing event with the same car requirements as the Circuit Trial.  06.00 I and other racers signalled the marshalls that our cars are ready to put under parc ferme conditions, then we all wentd to the conference room for driver's briefing. As I've said in the previous update, the format for today's race is 2x15 minutes of Super Lap shootout runs, which means you only got 1 lap to get out from the pits, 1 lap to score your lap and 1 lap to get back to the pits. One small mistake could shake up the results table significantly. For every entrant, their fastest lap between the two sessions will be taken as their score for the final classification for the day, and obviously the fastest among the others wins. All my previous events uses free roam format insetad of Super Lap format, so this is quite new for me.
And as I told you in the previous update, there are a staggering total of nine classes allowed to compete in the event today, with 30 entries at max. The slots are fullfilled today, with B6 and B5 class having the most entrant. These class has the biggest chance to win the overall championship after all! There are 12 B6 cars including my Silver Queen and 8 B5 cars today. The rest of the field was made up with 4 B1 cars, 3 B2 cars, 2 B4 cars and one PN2 car. Understandably, B3 cars are heavy so there are no entries for it. Teams possesing PN1 cars entered the Tsukuba Touring Car event instead, and having the cars and the drivers doing a double duty today would be rather pointless. As for the AE class, understandably there are no interest yet from anyone to field an electric car, particulary when it's limited to 40 kWh, which means you can't use something as powerful as Teslas.If you haven't checked the car rules for each classes, you can check them out again below: - B1: <=1600cc road-legal cars, e.g. EK9, EF, EG6, MX-5 NA and NB, AE86, Cappucino, Caterham Seven 160, Honda Beat, old Alto Works For the running order, I was placed 8th in the B6 class. This would be nice as lots of rubber would already stick to the track when my turn to set time comes, and would also compensate the higher tire pressure as well. Grip extravaganza here I come! The manner of the run goes like this: 2-3 cars will enter the track to set time one at a time. Once all of these cars has finished their hotlap and exited T1, 2-3 cars behind them will exit the pits to start their installation lap and prepare themselves for the hotlap. 07.00 Driver's briefing done, the event was officially opened after a small ceremony was held. First to go was the N-ONE Cup and Roadster Cup Drivers. The first run of the Circuit Trials will be held at around 08.30 after the qualifying session of Tsukuba Touring Cars. To kill the time, I and some other drivers have some banters about our cars and the event itself while watching the N-ONE Cup and Roadster Cup race unfolded. I should admit I kinda want a Miata/Roadster NA right now, they're plucky and simple
 must be a fun thing to drive! There are local and regional medias attending the event as well, so Silver Queen was back in the spotlight as I have some chatter with media crews and some fans. Fame is nice indeed but uh, I'm not there yet  08.20 With the qualifying session for Tsukuba Touring Cars over, it is time for Circuit Trials entrant to hit the track. I got on the Silver Queen and lined up at the pit lane for start procession. My heart was beating quickly but I tried to calm down....I don't wanna screw my own run from all the hype, that won't be funny since I only got one lap to score my time.
 Some minutes later, it is my turn along with two other cars. Pit lights went green and I'm off into the track. 
  As I expected, there are already loads of rubbers laying on the track thanks to all racecars driving on it before the Circuit Trial begins. Quite helping considering it was a cold morning, so asphalt temperatures aren't so optimal as usual. I progressively make some gap from the racers behind me, not because I don't want to lose my position, but simply I don't want to interrupt their hotlap by accidentally lagging in front of them and blocking them. If this is a free run session that won't be a problem, but since this is a one-shot shootout, traffic could make a huge difference and even a pitlane drama.
 As I approach the last section, I took a deep breath and pray as fast as I could before entering the last corner and starting my hot lap. This is it ladies and gentlemen, the first moment of the truth and game-changer performance.......
START!
  The Silver Queen swings smoothly as I enter T1, grip was maintained very well along the turn as I exit the corner in speed and silk smooth manner. I'm feeling confident.
  I constantly pushing the Silver Queen while reminding myself to be smooth and careful. Rather contradictive, I know, but when you have only one lap to set your time you can't afford to make any mistakes. And obviously I don't want to end up bathing in the sea of gravel, or even worse, have a forced kiss with the armco and destroying the Silver Queen in the process.
  As I approached the last section again I threw some of that cautiousness a bit, as this is the last chance to fully push my Evo. Gotta keep that under 1 minute consistency, you know ;)) Still, I wonder how fast I could be this time?
  And I crossed the line! What a great way to book my first lap time in the competition today. That was quite intense, even for a regional championship event! But is it fast enough? Let's see......
 With my run over, I and other two cars behind me gave way to the next group of cars in the backstraight, then we went back to the pitlane. 
 08.40 Everybody has finished their runs and went back to the paddock. Compared to previous events, because I didn't spend a lot of time in my car, I didn't sweat so much
So I decided to keep my race suit and race undies on, and after going for another call of nature, I spent more time with other drivers as well as fans and medias, as well as watching and discussing over Super FJ qualifying as well as Tsukuba TC-2 endurance race. I'd like to enter the TC-2 race someday but I don't really want to push my Silver Queen for double duty. I could drive for a team though, so let's see............The next Circuit Trial run is held at 12.15, so I have plenty of time to chill, have lunch together with other drivers, and have yet another call of nature. Trackside life is going good so far as all of us have lots of banters and laughters. And that's why you gotta enter a trackday and/or an amateur competition: The competitive atmosphere is still there, but not as cut-throat as pro events. Also, you still can connect with other teams and drivers without worrying about clashes and professionalism  12.00 With the TC-2 race and lunchbreak over, it's time to continue the main show, starting with the Circuit Trial, followed by the Touring Car race and ultimately the Super FJ race. Track and air temperature has risen rather quickly as the day goes, would be nice for the tyres but not really for the engine. But eh, it's only a single lap........just don't blow now though!
 I got into the Silver Queen and linep up in the pitlane for the second session. Once again I'm starting 8th from the pits. Not a bad thing really, I can chill up for a while while watching the others set their time.
 But then,we received the report that someone in an S13 spun at T4 as he do his hotlap. Thankfully he went back to the track safely, but the session was red-flagged for a while to allow marshalls clean the dust, gravels and debris on the track. Whoops.
12.30 Green flag waves again in the air, and I went off to the track with another two cars as the pit lights went green. Before I go, track and air temperature decreased a bit.
 As I drive along, it becomes clear that it's going to be cloudy, or even raining. Half-panicked, I rushed my installation lap a bit so I can do a hotlap quickly before rain pours over the track. Now yes, I have an AWD car and I already did a hotlap in the morning, but that doesn't mean I can stay relaxed inside.
  As I got into the last sector again I prayed once more and took a deep breath. I wish I could make it in time before it rains....... START! 
  I tried to shave some seconds off my time by repeating the kerb bumping technique I accidentally did at the trackday. The bump wasn't exactly freindly to my bottom and back but eh, it's always worth the seconds off my lap time. Thankfully I also did it correctly by only having two wheels bumping off the kerb, so I could reduce the suspension load as it lands while keeping it controllable and still be able to score a legal time, i.e. I didn't accidentally cut the track in the process. And what's more, it looks great on the camera
  As I continued my hot lap, I tried to throw off my thoughts on the weather and focusing on scoring a good lap time as half of the track is still sunny. It feels like the world flashes before me in both grayscale and chromatic colours as I zip around the track......at one point I saw lightning strike very, very far away in my mirror. Truly an awesome mind-bending experience!
  As I ran into the backstraight, I almost stopped thinking and just keep on pushing my Evo. The sky darkens and everything felt very, very surreal at this moment.....feels like I'm ascending into a different dimension right now. I can't even feel my own face and back!
 Finally, I crossed the line safely. I slowed down for my cooldown lap and started the trip back to the pits. I really wonder how fast I was along the way. And uh, I was basically bathing in my own sweat  Finally I and other two cars behind me went back to the pits as we let others start their hot laps. We don't want them caught in rain as well, y'know. 
 12.50 All cars has finished their hot lap session, and rain finally pours as the last car enters the pitlane. This forces Tsukuba Touring Cars and Super FJ racers to switch to wet ompounds before they could race. As I parked my Silver Queen back to the paddock, I uninstalled the timer beacons and return them to the steward room, then I rushed to the bathroom to have one more call of nature, have a refreshing shower (despite it's raining outside), change into a dry spare undie and remove all my race undies as well replacing those with the spare shorts and t-shirt I wore in the morning. I still kept my race overalls on though, as it could act as raincoat as well
 I spent the rest of the day by watching the Touring Cars and Super FJ racers duke it out under heavy rain shower in their separate races. It was quite intense and mesmerizing to see multiple battles happened as the cars sprays a lot of water into trackside and each other. I and other drivers cheered for the racers from behind the paddock as the race goes on and on.......
The Touring Cars race was quite heated despite the rain, there are a hell lot of contacts happened and multiple cars were sent off the track. Amazingly, not a single red flag was waved despite the conditions happened. Meanwhile, the Super FJ race went off tidily as you'd expect, but wheel-to-wheel duels are still abundant. Even watching races from trackside pumped my adrenaline back again! 15.15 As all races has been done, it is time to see the official results of all races........let's see my results for both sessions!
The first session went well as I scored 59.647 seconds, the abundance of rubber on track really helped me out. But the second run is even more spectacular as I scored 59.196 seconds!! Not only it breaks my personal best of 59.264 I set back at Hyper Meeting's RAYS Challenge, it's also enough to secure 5th place in both class and overall classifications!  For this I've won a lot of things: Two medals for each classifications, V$500 for finishing 5th in class, V$800 for finishing 5th overall, and a lot of memorabilias from Victory Sports Club (VICIC), the host of this round's events. A lot of great additions for my wallet and my work desk I can bring home the medals and memorabilias right away, while the prize money will be transferred together with my paycheck.At the moment I'm also standing at 5th in both class and overall championship classifications with 8 points each as well. I wasn't expecting to be this competitive, but damn I can't even believe it myelf I made it this far!  After all podium ceremonies are done, I went home and went immediately to sleep. I'd like to celebrate it with a Big Mac or a Chicken Bucket, or two number nines, a number nine large, a number six with extra dip, a number seven, two number forty-fives, one with cheese, and a large soda, but I'm already too tired man [08 Apr 2019] Paycheck time! V$750 safely landed to my account but that's not all since as I've explained above, my prize money also transferred into my wallet as well. All this Time Attack shenanigans brings me and my wallet back to health
For the rest of this month, there will be no more Time Attack events being held, only track days. I planned to skip most if not all of them to bring my focus back to car building and also doing other things I wanted to(car meets, drift days, dyno runs.....). I really need a break for a while after all this adrenaline rush 
And finally I also purchased the tow car....or tow van specifically, of my choice. It's a 2007 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDi MWB, more than enough fro the job with it's vast luggage space and long body which can pull up to 2800 kg by standard. But what make me pick this thing is it has the factory tow bar option, which boosts the towing capacity to a staggering 3500 kg. More than enough to pull my Silvia S15 and it's trailer as well as some spare parts and tools without working a sweat at all! I got this thing for V$920, plus V%80 for shipping from UK, so that makes it V$1000 in total. It'll arrive in the shores of Tokyo at either Saturday or next week.The car overall is in decent condition, apart from interior wear, some minor dents in the quarterback and failed turbo actuator. Oh yah, almost forgot to tell you about the power figures. The 311 CDi has 2.1 liter inline 4 turbodiesel engine, which while may only produce 107 BHP, still has loads and loads of torque to haul pretty much everything. With that failed turbo actuator this thing can only move up to 55 mph. That's not really a bad thing, since it can rather easily be replaced. Speaking of which, here's my plan on tuning it. Yeah I know, this thing isn't usually tuned visually but still..... The first stuff I'd put into it is obviously a new turbo actuator. I could go the normal and rational way by fitting one from Hella, or go full madman by fitting a universal one from Turbosmart. Next up is ECU tuning. Now, this one I can do by myself, but since I'm usually dealing with petrol engines ECU rather than diesel, I'm a bit afraid I could mess it up. So to keep it safe, I'm going to purchase the easiest thing to tune your diesel engine: Chip tune device. I'm still comparing prices though, so I'm not really sure which one to pick yet. And finally, if I could find one, I'll add a universal big valves as well to increase fuel burning efficiency and effectiveness. For the running gear and underpinnings, I might look for bigger brakes and braided brake hose. Perhaps I'll get a coilover too, but obviously I'm not going to lower it(?). But the priority right now lies at the turbo actuator and chip tune kit, as I can install those on site right after I pick up the Sprinter. At this point I also visited Franklin's new garage shop in Tokyo. I'll let Franklin told you all of it, but I'll also update this update a bit after he does, so stay tuned both here and at Franklin's RP thread! Yay finally Part 2 has been done! Here's how my wallet stands after all the shenanigans: That's all my updates for now, thank you for stopping by and see you soon!
This post was edited by BigSmoke (2019-04-16 12:01, ago) |
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