raybak
16th September 2009, 10:15
Well what can I say but I finally finished a rally in the Charade.
It's been nearly two years since I have driven, plenty of codriving but none in the drivers seat for the last two years.
As of last Tuesday night we were looking at pulling the pin on Cowra after someone had told the Charade that there was a rally on. We know that we have to be careful around the car not to tell it that it's going to a rally. Anyway after a bit of thinking from Andrew the miss in the engine was solved so we decided to head to Cowra.
But first scrutineering, took the car out to Reliance, left it with John for the day, someone must have mentioned rally as the car decided to leak fuel all over the nice clean workshop floor. Not a good thing to happen at scrutineering. Problem fixed by Andrew and I taking the fuel tank out and sorting the leak. So all good, ready to start after Andrew spent some time on Friday doing the finishing touches.
Headed out to Cowra after work on Friday, Andrew had left earlier with the car in tow. Had dinner at the Services Club, then headed out did some tuning out the highway then early to bed.
Saturday, very nervous but looking forward to the first stage. Was quite warm early so knew it was going to be a hot day. Car seemed to be running ok until it started to overheat, the computer started pulling power and boost out of it. We finished the first couple of stages, serviced and filled up the water which it had used a bit. Could work out what the issue was. Did the next couple of stages with no power and driving to the temp gauge. Filled up the water and put a couple of bottles in the boot for the next few stages. Still no power but getting used to driving again and dodging some big rocks. There were some awesome bits of road interspersed with some rough stuff. But this is why we build strong cars. That good bit of Koala was awesome, was like Shire roads.
Next service we managed to get a new Radiator cap of Boormat, this fixed our overheating problem, still had no boost though with only 6 pound on tap. You know what it's like to drive a 3 Cyl atmo car this is it
Still kept pressing on, had a bit of a go on a few sections, but was mainly trying to keep the engine temps down and get to the finish. Finished day 1 in 23rd. Happy considering the issues we had.
Day 2 was going to be better, still had low boost but car was running well apart from that. Stage 1, needed bigger balls and needed to remember that I didn't need to keep left of the double lines on the bitumen
Still had boost issues but soldiered on, stuffed up the THL on the second stage, plenty of runoff area so no worries. Topped up the oil at service as had been using a bit, we were smoking a bit of blue stuff out the back. Repeat of the first Sunday stage and the turbo suddenly had 15 psi but there was blue smoke out the bonnet, kept pushing as gauges were all good. Did the next stage, stuffed up the THL again, but was a bit better. Then off to the Speedway at Woodstock. Arrived at Woodstock, out of the car only to see the front covered in oil. Seems like the seals on the turbo had gone on holidays and were pumping boost straight into the sump, oil the pumping out the dip stick hole. Not good, but only one stage to go so decided to go for it.
Had a ball on the speedway stage, especially as the the song on the PA was "Another one bites the dust". Was very happy to finish and to be in 22nd.
Thanks to my sponsors and supporters NSW Bearing Supplies, Capital Steering and Suspension, Carco Exhaust and Automotive and Russells Race and Rally Service. Also a big thanks to an awesome service crew, Steve, Kirrilee and Craig.
Biggest thanks to Andrew for navving, putting up with me and for car prep. Also thanks to Melinda for all her support.
Now to get the car prepped for the next event. Have to get a turbo rebuild in there somewhere.
Ray
It's been nearly two years since I have driven, plenty of codriving but none in the drivers seat for the last two years.
As of last Tuesday night we were looking at pulling the pin on Cowra after someone had told the Charade that there was a rally on. We know that we have to be careful around the car not to tell it that it's going to a rally. Anyway after a bit of thinking from Andrew the miss in the engine was solved so we decided to head to Cowra.
But first scrutineering, took the car out to Reliance, left it with John for the day, someone must have mentioned rally as the car decided to leak fuel all over the nice clean workshop floor. Not a good thing to happen at scrutineering. Problem fixed by Andrew and I taking the fuel tank out and sorting the leak. So all good, ready to start after Andrew spent some time on Friday doing the finishing touches.
Headed out to Cowra after work on Friday, Andrew had left earlier with the car in tow. Had dinner at the Services Club, then headed out did some tuning out the highway then early to bed.
Saturday, very nervous but looking forward to the first stage. Was quite warm early so knew it was going to be a hot day. Car seemed to be running ok until it started to overheat, the computer started pulling power and boost out of it. We finished the first couple of stages, serviced and filled up the water which it had used a bit. Could work out what the issue was. Did the next couple of stages with no power and driving to the temp gauge. Filled up the water and put a couple of bottles in the boot for the next few stages. Still no power but getting used to driving again and dodging some big rocks. There were some awesome bits of road interspersed with some rough stuff. But this is why we build strong cars. That good bit of Koala was awesome, was like Shire roads.
Next service we managed to get a new Radiator cap of Boormat, this fixed our overheating problem, still had no boost though with only 6 pound on tap. You know what it's like to drive a 3 Cyl atmo car this is it
Still kept pressing on, had a bit of a go on a few sections, but was mainly trying to keep the engine temps down and get to the finish. Finished day 1 in 23rd. Happy considering the issues we had.
Day 2 was going to be better, still had low boost but car was running well apart from that. Stage 1, needed bigger balls and needed to remember that I didn't need to keep left of the double lines on the bitumen
Still had boost issues but soldiered on, stuffed up the THL on the second stage, plenty of runoff area so no worries. Topped up the oil at service as had been using a bit, we were smoking a bit of blue stuff out the back. Repeat of the first Sunday stage and the turbo suddenly had 15 psi but there was blue smoke out the bonnet, kept pushing as gauges were all good. Did the next stage, stuffed up the THL again, but was a bit better. Then off to the Speedway at Woodstock. Arrived at Woodstock, out of the car only to see the front covered in oil. Seems like the seals on the turbo had gone on holidays and were pumping boost straight into the sump, oil the pumping out the dip stick hole. Not good, but only one stage to go so decided to go for it.
Had a ball on the speedway stage, especially as the the song on the PA was "Another one bites the dust". Was very happy to finish and to be in 22nd.
Thanks to my sponsors and supporters NSW Bearing Supplies, Capital Steering and Suspension, Carco Exhaust and Automotive and Russells Race and Rally Service. Also a big thanks to an awesome service crew, Steve, Kirrilee and Craig.
Biggest thanks to Andrew for navving, putting up with me and for car prep. Also thanks to Melinda for all her support.
Now to get the car prepped for the next event. Have to get a turbo rebuild in there somewhere.
Ray