chris b

A wet Port Denison (Western Australia) Sprint in the Zed was a lot of fun. Port_Denison_2017__Datsun_260Z.avi

The Zeds were well represented at the Albany Round the Houses.

Hope so - although my other half wants to go to Europe around that time.

I have a pretty good idea! I would prefer you focus on the second video though! I was either going a little hard or trying to avoid John's accident. No damage to my car but unfortunately John in rhe white Zed hit the wall fairly hard. Please check out the video below showing 2 laps that were a little tidier.

Try cut down early model mazda RX7 pads.

Hi Mike In the 1950s and 60s many rural towns in Western Australia used to host motor sport events and create a race curcuit by closing off streets in the town centre. Several towns now run a recreated event for classics (usually pre 1975). What happens is that well promoted events are having a significant economic and tourism related impact. This event was the inaugural event at Port Denison, about 400 ks from Perth, limited to 50 classic sport and race cars. It had the support of the Shire Council (Local Government Authority) who arranged the road closures. The police assisted with traffic control. A local former politician and television personality activel promoted the event. The net result was a sprint event for club level competitors attracted over 5000 spectators (police estimate). The impact on motels, restaurants, pubs and other business was significant over the 3 day long weekend. The town will now support more road closures for the 2017 event allowing a significant increase to the length of the track. The residents who live along the beach front made a social event with BBQs and beers for the day. Attached are some photos of the other Dattos.

Sprint at Port Denison Western Australia

Turn the sound up - Cheers Chris Chris Barbagallo edit (1).mp4

Hi Can I suggest that instead of looking 'across the pond' you look 'down under'. We are RHD and the $AUD is worth bugger all since the end of the mining boom!

Toyota?

I hope to be there!

I just did a search on the ex Datsun factory works cars that came to Australia. There are many theories and opinions as to which car Ross competed in when he won the 1976 ARC. The attraction of this photo is that in the 1970's I was a spectator at many rallies in Western Australia where very well developed (for that time) Zeds were competitive and regular winners. The legacy is that 40 years later I can finally get to drive one myself. Apparently the photo is of the Hermann car in the Dulux Rally (1973?).

That looks very much like the factory prepared works car that was driven to the Australian Rally Championship by Ross Dunkerton in the early 1970s. Also would this have been a service point on the Southern Cross Rally?

Went back to Bathurst for 2016, Easter Motor Festival. Had a few fuel supply issues but ended up getting in a few good laps. This is the fourth time that I have towed the car across Australia from Perth to Bathurst, the track is that good that it is worth the 8000 km, four days each way trip.

On serious deceleration the rear stabiliser was touching the tail-shaft on my race Z causing the 2 hammer sound. On careful examination the stabiliser bar joints were cracked and the bar had pushed up close to the tail=shaft uni joint in front of the diff.

Hi Chickenman My brake set up is the Arizona Z 6 pot Wilwood Ultralites on the front with 12 inch rotor (not 13 as I indicated previously). On the rear I have the Silvermine set up (modern Mustang rear caliper, works well but very heavy). Under hood Wilwood adjustable proportioning valve. My car obviously has no where near the grunt of the muscle cars you describe. I mainly do 5 laps sprints and like to have the brakes up to temperature quickly. Our local circuit in WA has two heavy brake points but at Easter every year I take my car across the country to Bathurst Australia's most challenging circuit. It has 2 long straights. Mountain straight going up with a 200 kph prior to braking uphill right hander and Conrod Straight coming off the mountain with a flat out right hander 7000 rpm in fifth then a hard off camber left hander in the Chase. Skyline across the top of the mountain is interesting where the brake point at about 150 kph is at the point where the road drops below the immediate horizon. All require huge confidence in your braking capacity (huge kahunas would also help). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Panorama_Circuit The Mintex set up sounds good as I assume that the F4 on the rear would make the rears more aggressive and effective earlier.

Thanks Chickenman Good feedback. My car is a dedicated race car that I trailer to and from the track and I will try some of the alternative you suggest. I guess I have been so impressed with the stopping power after the Toyota 4 pot set up that I previously had, that I have not bothered trying alternatives. I also removed the stock proportioning valve and inserted the adjustable in the same location. Once I had done some experimentation I lucked on a magnificent balance and have been reluctant to change anything since. Really appreciate the level and quality of discussion and feed back! Cheers Chris

Thanks Adam Certainly does if confirms my decision to continue to use the PolyMatrix pads. I had not seen the characteristics chart before and will examine my compound choice in more detail. They are very dusty but it just makes the car look like it has been seriously working after an event. I am very happy with the brake set up that I have as I can brake as late (sometimes later) as most moderns such as Suburu STI and even Lotus. I will check the back of the pads number and see if I can get the cross reference for the rotors.

Does anyone know the Wilwood part numbers for the rotors that come the Arizona Z kit? Mine are 13 inch (6 pot calipers) and after 4 years of hard use show some signs of heat stress cracking. Thanks Chris

Just to complete the photo essay some pictures of the motor in the car and the car on the trailer ready to go to the track for some mid-week testing and tuning.

The pistons are WISECO. It is now fully assembled, in car and running. Started immediately (after crankinging to build some oil pressure) to a solid and satisfying whump, whump, whump. With 11.4 compression it is running on avgas. Will take it to the track later in the week for some initial running.