xr6_prod

I have raced an XR6 Turbo in production cars for 3 years. We also run data logging systems that records all tempratures. The car runs factory radiator and intercooler and no oil coller - as is standard. I have removed the A/C system entirely from under the bonnet. We have no additional bonnet venting. We run Mobil 1 15W40 oil and in the radiator I run water with only a small amount of inhibitor (not ethol glycol coolant). We have removed the internals on the thermastat. At Queensland Raceway this year we had 2 20 lap races in approx 35 degree heat. Peak water temp is 110 degC Peak Oil temp is 140 degC Peak air temp 120 degC In comparison at Symonds Plains in Tas (winter) the temp was 10 deg. Typically we see: Water 95 degC Oil 135 degC Air 90 degC Our engines last more than a season (probably go for 2 or 3) - and happily live at these temps. In my opinion the standard cooling system, as long as it is in good condition, is sufficient (and safe) in all cases except very exceptional circumstances - mega modification and/or endurance racing I.e > 1 hour. If engine temps are getting hotter than these there may be other issues. We have had problems with thermastats getting lazy and/or sticking (this is why we removed the internals of the thermastat), I would look for clutch slip (I.e. "blueing" on the flywheel), pull the radiator out and straighten all the fins so air can pass thru as it is intended, pay careful attention to fluid levels, type and condition. Make sure the top radiator has preasure and is firm when temps are hot. And all of the other common causes of overheating. The last thing to be aware of is tuning. When my car goes to the dyno - Ric Shaw makes sure the engine is "roasting hot" before he starts his tuning work - this is because these are the tempratures the the car spends most of its life at - it could cause issues tuning a car for a more road based temp and then expecting it to be ok on the track for continuos hot use. Whilst there are temprature compensations for most variables - the tune should still be verified at the extreme end of the range.

Just an update to all those interested in curcuit racing. Round 5 of the Australian Production Car championship from Phillip Island will be on SBS speed week this weekend - midday sunday september 27. For production car racing fans this is a must see as many people on the sidelines said this was the most spectacular production car race for many years - I only hope the TV coverage will do it justice. You will see 3 Xr6 turbo's, 3 XR8's, 2 SSZ commodores and a BMW 130 do battle in class A, along with a wide range of smaller B & C class cars. The next round of the championship will be at Queensland raceway on September 2 & 3. If anybody from the forum is out there please feel free to drop into the pits and say hi. Also many of you may be interested - the Bathurst 12 hour race (as it was in the early mid 90's) is offcially resurected for the Easter Long weekend in 2007. There will be a strict price limit ($125K) on vehicles entered so exotic cars will not be eligable. This will be a great feature race for production cars and it will be ideally suited to the XR6 turbo !!!!

Shazzy thanks for the support. As you indicate the Australian Production car championship goes to Queensland the weekend after next (2/3 of September) the Ontrack motorsport XR6 turbo will be there. I would look forward from any body from the forum dropping in to say gooday and have a chat about the car and what we have done to it and what our experiences have been. Also fo all those cuircuit racing fans - watch SBS speed week this weekend - Sunday 27 at midday. The coverage of the Australian Production cars should be spectacular with a great deal of very close racing and a fair bit of door rubbing. The telecast will be replayed on Inside Speed - Fox sports - 8pm Wednesday. Thanks Nick Dunkley #12 XR6 Turbo

September 2/3

This is just a short note to let you know that the 2nd round of the Australian Production Car Championship is on this weekend at Symonds Plains in Tasmania. The series is televised on SBS speed week and foxsports - next weekend I believe. I drive the number 12 Ontrack Motorsport XR6 Falcon Turbo. If any people from the forum that make there way out to the track on the weeked - be sure to come over and say gooday. Nick

I used to race in IPRANSW in a series 1 RX7. I won the NSW series in 2002. Now I race an XR6 Turbo in Australian Production Cars. If you want to be competitive in Improved Production then an RX7 is the only way to go. The good thing about Improved Production is these cars are the fastest sedans for the dollar of any motorsport category in the contry, and you can have fun and run mid field quite cheaply. HOWEVER To run at the front of the field you do need the sort of money that Russ "thebrunks" is talking about. You are far better buying an established car than building one. Generally speaking buying an established car is 1/3rd the price of that to build. I sold my ex-championship RX7 for $27K, I had spent at least 3 times that amount building and developing it. Driving a well sort out 900kg, 330+ HP RX7 with an ultra close dog box is a real buzz. You can find a copy of the rules on the South Australian site http://www.iprasa.mx.com.au/rules.htm The best way to get into it - is to go to a meeting and introduce yourself - even voulanteer to help some one out for a few race meetings.

Forever if the names anything to go by Dazza. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> They end after 3 race meetings (despite the name) !!

We currently use an Endless brake pad MA45 compound (I think) they cost $2500+ a set - you can get them from Competition Friction in the ACT. We have also used Scandinavian Braking System (SBS) dual carbon pad ~$800 to $1000 a set - available from Ric Shaw performance in Five Dock, Sydney. We have also tried Carbon Metalic PFC01 and Ferodo DS3000 and DS2500 compunds. The Endless pad has the best wear rate - and OK feel, the SBS has best feel (and OK wear rate), the PFC01 & Ferodo brake pads are not as good in both feel and wear as the SBS. For a good overall pad I would recomend the SBS. SBS make a dual carbon (race only) and a carbon ceramic (road & race). I hope that helps.

Sorry for taking a while to get back to people with a race report. For those interested please see the attached newsletter. All the action will be on SBS SPEEDWEEK THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON !!!! To summarise: Qualify 3rd; Race 1 finish 3rd; Race 2 spin (driver error) finish 11th Race 3 clutch failure finish 12th We next race at Symonds Plains in Tasmania - April 8/9 Ontrack_Motorsport_2006_Round_1___Wakefield_Park.PDF

We are at Willowbank aka Queensland Raceway September 2/3

We are not allowed to modify the lower control arms. The shockaborbers are effectively grafted onto a standard strut with a coil over kit. We replace the top shock absorber mounts.

Absolutely - they are a big step forward - unfortunately our opposition the SSZ also gets bigger brakes.

Please God...Oh please, please, please! I will do anything to get such a series going again! ... That's it...I'm off to find some kittens to sacrifice! Anybody know the Dark God of MotorRacing? Lumpy <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Lumpy - If you want to help get a viable series - then spread the word about the Australian Production Car Championship - or better still make it out to some the the rounds.

Tom, The cars are standard, except springs, shock absorbers and brake pads. The cars run Yokohama A048R control tyres. The engine mods are nil except from the ECU and exhaust as previously discussed. We have some slight freedoms in terms of getting additional negative camber. Absolutely no other mods are allowed - and the cars are scrutinised very closely - it is not uncommon for heads to be pulled off at the conclusion of race meetings. We must run a standard paper air filter. We run only the standard ford base model brake package. No intercooler / oil cooler changes are permitted. Nil inlet track changes. The cars on the most part a very reliable. However we have had some engine drama's over the last few years - most of the failures however are for different reasons. However a few items giving us grief - standard LSD (absolutely useless), you need to be gentle on the gearbox (regaudless of T56 or T5), the standard brake calipers warp / bend / crack after a meeting or two. The remaining driveline components are supprisingly resiliant - as long as they are not abused. Nick

Jeff, I have not heard anything about the Bob Jane / Lindsay Fox thing - do you ahve any more details ? Nick