First Track Day At Marulan

[nelsonian101]

Can't wait!!

Definitely not expecting any quick times on such a tight circuit in the 1800kg beast, but the FG XR6T will be great fun trying to get the power down in 2nd.

Until recently, I didn't even know this track existed but it looks like great fun to try out at least once, and seems a lot more targeted towards registered street cars.

Cars under 1200kg like MX5's really shine here apparently.................

I'm heading out there Friday 17th. Track is VERY tight (which means speeds are slow for beginners) and designed as a stepping stone before tackling the quicker tracks like Wakefield, then Eastern Creek (which I have raced bikes on years ago in the old RB Import series)

Car will be completely stock with ZF auto, apart from tyres and pads. Have worn out the old Sportmaxx's so am trying some Kumho KU 36's on the front and some old Falken Azenis RT 215's on the back, to try and contain a bit of the sliding.....

Brakes are stock but will be putting on some EBC Red pads and new SUPER DOT 4 brake fluid. Brembo's (and some 18" FPV rims or Work cr kai rims to fit) will go on later when I head to Wakefield, maybe with either the Pedders or Tein Coilovers when the stock Monotubes die.

(See link below)Even cars a lot lighter than Falcons, like this Supra seem to slide around on this track. The boost at the 47 sec mark is great!

Better view of the lines here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDTW...feature=related

Looking forward to it. Anyone else driven here yet?

http://www.mdtc.com.au/index.html

[TURBO4LT]

I didn't even know there was a track in Marulan, looks tight.

[senna_T]

Its a new driver training centre and looks like they have some real enthusiasts running the place, once my car is sorted in the suspension dept (if ever I should say...) I'll be keen to head down

[Erko]

I've been down for a sticky beak, its very tight and narrow, 2nd and 3rd gear in the XR6Ts. Not a good track for drifting as corner exits are very tight and high ripple strips/drops. recently a bunch of the drift lads went down and sustained a lot of damage.

its a good driver training track and a bit of fun, but I wouldnt be drifting down there.

[nelsonian101]

Erko, just a quick question about cr kai wheels at 5 X 114.3 pcd. What offset do you recommend for a FG to clear the future Brembos I will be adding? I'm happy to stick with 245/40 tyres so 8.5" wide all round should be ok, and is the offset required the same front and rear?

I think I read you were going to try 9" wide too with 255's all round.

[Erko]

hi mate 18x8.5 +30 is what you are after if you want to run same all round.......otherwise staggered is 9.5 +38 in the rear. I have staggered at the moment (looks tougher LOL)

edit : note this will clear brembos just need to be careful when putting on balancing weights. a +25 offset is also avail in 8.5 and a +20 in 9.5

Edited 16/04/09 03:49 AM by Erko

[nelsonian101]

For anyone who has baulked at going on a circuit with their turbo, I REALLY recommend this track. Really casual, laid back day.

The owner Gary kindly showed me the lines and was always on hand to offer any car driving/set up advice. It was invaluable.

Had a FANTASTIC time and literally had the entire track to myself ALL day. Turned up with a mate and his MX5 and the only other car there was a MG that turned up on a trailer PM (lapping around 50 sec). The MX5 was going 49's. Best for the stock FG was a 47.47sec.

One of my laps here.

and overtaking (from the MX5) here:

All the time was made up on the short straight as can be seen in the vid. These turbos really just launch into hyperspace in 2nd to 3rd gear!!

Th FG performed FAR better than expected on such a tight track, mainly 2nd gear. The new brake pads and rear Azensis Tyres really helped keep the power down too.

Once again, I urge anyone and everyone to try this track. So much fun!

[Erko]

great vids and nice driving mate......you'll have to come down to wakefield with us next time.

[nelsonian101]

great vids and nice driving mate......you'll have to come down to wakefield with us next time.

I'll be heading down to Wakefield end of June. Been invited to a MX5 club day where I'll be timed in Class 9, non MX5's. Will be using the same set up as Marulan as I'm interested in seeing times come down when I get the Brembos, tune and Coilovers next year. With the near stock set up, I will be more than happy with around a 1.15-1.20 first time out.

The ceramic EBC reds worked better than expected on the Stock rotors. No fade and worked well when up to temperature. (I used the same pads when I raced my ZX-7R about 10 years ago.) The reds are not good on the street as they need temp to work well, product a huge amount of dust, squeal at low speed, but absolutely kill the stock pads for high speed performance when up to temp.

The stock shocks were better than expected too and I'll retain these for Wakefield. Springs feel a bit soft at the front (when chasing quicker lap times) and may produce a bit more roll at Wakefield, but I'll see what I can get out of them before the Teins or Pedders go on.

Have an FG XR8 lower air box and snorkel too. Should provide more power down when sucking in that cold Goulburn air in June. Have to work out a way to mould the black plastic though as it fits, but touches a few hoses. Maybe bend with boiling water or tape up hoses?

I was very happy with the Falken Azenis RT215's at the back. Side Walls were so stiff but they may take a few laps to come up to temp in June. The new Kumho KU36's which a lot of people were raving about were sticky but started to give up at the limit. A bit more perssure may be required to compensate for the thinner sidewalls.

So looking forward to Wakefield. Still trying to find some 18" wheels to fit over Brembos. BA FPV 18" Typhoon rims should be ok when I get my hands on some.

[RAP1D]

A few of us are heading to Wakefield on the 24th may for an open day, come along if you can... its tuesday so should be quiet-ish