Canada #8: Wilkinson’s Automobilia

Posted on September 5, 2010

This will be the last post on Canada. A couple days before I flew out, Rod took Will and I to a cool model shop called Wilkinson’s Automobilia. If you like cars, then you could easily drop a small fortune here.

Amazingly intact.

Think I was born in the year this RX-7 raced.

Left: check out the detail on this Gilles Villeneuve Ferrari. I must buy this. Right: Pretty sure I had both of these Hot Wheels when I was young… except I chewed their wheels off.

Auto Salon Melbourne 2010 photos

Posted on August 30, 2010

Here’s my coverage of Auto Salon Melbourne 2010. I returned back to Sydney late last night - I only spent three days in Melbourne - and I’m still buzzing at how enjoyable the event was (and I’m not being biased). I was really impressed with the diversity of the styles that Melbourne’s scene encompasses. Mixing it up with the usual show cars was a massive presence of hardcore streeters along with drift, grip and drag cars. The venue was packed with crowds, so I took all of my car pics when the show was closed to the public.

Here’s a photo of Queen St’s new BMW drag car during the Friday night bump-in.

Half show car, half drag car. For their new BMW, Queen St have gone to town by gold-plating nearly half of the car.

Check out that engine bay. Like their old drag car, Queen St are using a Mazda quad-rotor which they’ve stated will produce 2000hp+.

Chair fit for a king. Notice the carbon fibre tubs in the background.

Queen St incorporated exposed carbon into their graphics.

Possibly the world’s fastest taxi? This salt-lake racer produces over 1600hp.

Nicely done S14 wearing a BN Sports wide-body kit.

Amuse-kitted S2000.

Here’s another by Jetspeed. The weird positive camber is because this S2000 is on a turntable.

370Z vs 350Z.

Twin black R35s. Allen’s GT-R spat out metre-long flames on the dyno.

Vinyl-wrapped GT-R.

This DC5 pumped out 160kW+ at the wheels.

Nat’s Integra was shipped down from Sydney, and reset the Auto Salon FWD NA record with a 197kW run.

Perfect ride height.

Some of the Japanese cars on show.

Benny’s 180SX produced 500.9kW at the wheels on the Mainline Dyno.

Which would you choose?

Charge Speed wide-body STi with Volk TE37SLs.

Demon camber on this Odyssey.

Without doubt this was one of my favourite cars at Auto Salon Melbourne.

This S13 ticked all of the right boxes.

Spot welds on the front strut towers and tubs.

This was the car that won King of Auto Salon: Mark’s ‘SUBLIME’ S15 that he’s been building for ages.

Powered by a Mazda 20B. Bring on Auto Salon Gold Coast in a few weeks!

Canada #4: car spotting

Posted on August 18, 2010

Vancouver has some very nice cars, ranging from the modified to the exotic. I also saw some nasty ones too, such as a convertible NSX (complete with studded vinyl tonneau cover) and a Hummer with every chrome accessory (I LOL’d as the owner had kept the plastic on the seats).

Yummy. Absolutely immaculate.

Best if passengers don’t wear skirts.

Although not as cheap as the States, cars here are still a hell of a lot cheaper than in Australia. M3s are roughly half the price.

This Porsche was snapping necks as it cruised through Granville Island.

Ummm…

Spotted a huge crowd of people defacing a Scion xB (Rukus here in Oz) on Robson St.

This was part of a Toyota/Scion promotion, and I was quite tempted to scribble ‘Dictation’ on it to represent Australia!

A ride in a Formula 1 car

Posted on July 31, 2010

Earlier this year I was given the chance to be a passenger in a Formula 1 car. For the past couple of months I’ve been trying - without much success - to find a way of describing what it was like, and I’ve come to the conclusion that there simply isn’t anything in the English language that illustrates it.

This was at 5am, the Thursday before the Australian Grand Prix. I had been invited down to Melbourne to go for a ride in the Minardi two-seater F1 car and now that I’m here, in the inner-sanctum of F1’s Paddock, the magnitude of what I’m about to experience starts to sink in.

Although I’ve brought along the prerequisite medical certificates I still have to undergo a medical examination by the FIA’s Chief Doctor to ensure I’m physically fit enough to be put into the car. The Medical Centre, which is a series of demountable structures, looks rather underwhelming in the high-tech world of F1. The picturesque location of Albert Park makes it easy to forget that this is a temporary street circuit set up once a year. Inside, the doctor hooks me up to some sort of beeping machine while he prods my belly and listens to my breathing. I’m told there are strict requirements to be a passenger in an F1 car. Candidates must have a clean bill of health, be under the age of 55, weigh no more than 88kg and be between 1.59m (5.2ft) and 1.8m (6ft) in height. For once I’m glad to be on the shorter end of the scale!

After a nervous fifteen minutes (at one point the machine I was hooked up to starting beeping crazily - thankfully it was a false alarm) the doctor gives me the thumbs up and I sign the first of many waiver forms.

Garth was sad.

Inside the garage are two Minardi F1 cars. Both are real deal F1 racers that competed in GPs before being modified with an extended monocoque to accommodate a passenger behind the driver. In spite of the major modifications, these Minardis - which are known as F1×2s - have a dry weight of 545kg so they are the most accurate representation of what it’s like in a real F1 car. Before I get the chance to look at the cars up close, another clipboard is thrust in front of me requiring me to acknowledge the dangers of what I’m about to take part in. To be honest, at that point I would have gladly signed anything because I’d be dying a happy man!

What strikes you when you first see a Formula 1 car in the flesh is just how low to the ground they are. Compared to a conventional F1 car, the F1×2 isn’t that much longer (it comes in at 4870mm).

Without its wheels and engine cowl, it looks more like a fighter jet than a car. The F1×2 has a slightly extended wheelbase of 3370mm with a track of 1800mm.

Certainly surprised how small an F1 car’s brakes are. You’d think that brakes capable of generating 4g would be enormous in size, but they’re small enough to fit behind a 13-inch rim. The Minardi uses 6-piston AP Racing calipers and inch-think carbon Hitco rotors.

Here’s the heart of the beast: a V10 built by Cosworth but re-badged under the European moniker. The crew weren’t able to tell me an exact power figure, but it produces in excess of 700hp with the rev limit set to a ‘conservative’ 16,000rpm. As you can see, the engine is bolted directly to the monocoque, which is the safety cell that houses the occupants and the fuel tank. In an accident F1 cars are, quite literally, designed to disintegrate to dissipate energy away from the monocoque. Hmm, I really shouldn’t be thinking about crashes when I’m about to get into an F1 car…

Engineers dedicate their lives to saving every gram of weight possible. There’s a continual push for components to be lighter and smaller so the aerodynamics can be maximised. One thing that is sacrificed in F1 cars are onboard starter motors. Instead, F1 cars are fired up with an external starter motor, which is an enormous probe that is inserted into the rear end. Before anti-stall was permitted, F1 drivers had to rely on catching the motor with the clutch to prevent stalling.

This dude’s shirt summed up what I was about to experience. See it. Hear it. Feel it. Two drivers were on duty, ex-F1 racer Zsolt Baumgartner and well-known Aussie driver Cameron McConville. No disrespect to Cam, but I really wanted Zsolt to be my driver, as no one has done more laps in the F1×2 than him. I also overheard Cam saying that after four laps in the F1 car his neck could no longer hold his head up!

We’re measured and dressed in the appropriate attire. I’m told the importance of wearing the flame-proof apparel correctly: the flame-proof underwear needs to overlap, there can be no exposed skin whatsoever, and I should choose overalls that are a size too big (so the family jewels aren’t crushed when I’m strapped in).

Here’s the F1×2 being pushed to the pit-lane, where the Minardi crew have set up a make-shift pit box. We’ll each be given three laps in the F1×2: one out-lap, one flyer and one in-lap. I’m told I’ll be the third passenger, with Zsolt as my driver.

There are half a dozen people in my group, and the first to get a ride is Lydia Lassila who won gold in the recent Winter Olympics. Hearing a lone Formula 1 car screaming around the track, slicing through the still of the early morning, sent chills down my spine.

Paul Stoddart, the millionaire owner of Minardi, is an absolute legend. A lot has been said about Paul in the media, but within minutes of chatting to him you can’t help but be impressed with how easy going he is. His passion for F1 is obvious, and there’s a sense of regrettable irony that this F1 outcast is doing the most for the sport by giving us normal folk a chance to experience F1 first hand.

Although there’s no pressure of competition, it’s amazing to see how efficient the pit crew are. Everything is executed like clockwork, with the team working with military precision.

With a wink of the eye, Paul tells me it’s my turn. Gulp.

Getting into the F1×2 feels as if I’m lowering myself into a man-hole. My legs slide forward, straddling either side of the driver’s seat. The cockpit is so small that Zsolt’s seat is inches from my face, and I have to raise my arms so there’s enough room for the mechanics to tighten the harness. I’m not a claustrophobic person, but as the cockpit surround is clipped into place it feels like I’m being buried alive.

Before I have a chance to gather my thoughts and calm myself down, there’s a heavy clunk from the rear as the starter motor is inserted. There’s a sudden whirr from the starter that causes my teeth to chatter before the V10 barks into life, its idle a deep, menacing growl. I wince as the car is dropped off its jacks - your butt is literally on the floor so you feel everything - and without warning Zsolt selects a gear and releases the clutch. The F1×2 jolts forward like a train carriage and within a matter of meters we’re glancing off the speed limiter. Brap-brap-brap-brap; the rev limit sends shockwaves through the chassis, my helmet bouncing against the headrest. We’re hurtling down the pit lane with the garages flashing by to my right. Hey, this isn’t too bad, I think to myself.

Now if there’s one downside to the F1×2, it’s the fact that you can’t see what’s directly in front of you. So there I was, thinking how tame an F1 car is, completely unaware that we were nearing the pit exit. I was mid-breath when Zsolt crossed the line and dropped the hammer, and what ensued was one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced. The best way to describe it is to imagine being blind-folded and pushed in front of a speeding truck. The moment Zsolt released the limiter, my helmet snapped back and the air was sucked out of my lungs. I could feel the blood draining from my cheeks, my body frozen against the sudden acceleration. Just as I thought things couldn’t get any worse, Zsolt hit the brakes for Turn 1 and everything went into reverse. My head was violently thrown forward, the visor of my helmet smashing against the back of his seat. I hate to say this, but for those first few seconds I was completely and utterly terrified. Although I had wanted to experience an F1 car since I was a child, the only thing I could think of was that I wanted to get out. I wanted it to stop. Immediately.

After a couple of corners the fear starts to subside and you try to get accustomed to not only the speed, but also the ferocity of it all. All of your senses are overwhelmed: your vision is a blur, your body is being battered and your ears are filled with the deafening scream of the V10.

When Zsolt stands on the brakes for Turn 9 I’m subjected to the full braking force of a Formula 1 car. The sudden increase in g-forces crush your body and it feels like my organs are being squished into my rib cage. Through the fast sweepers of 11 and 12 I’m thrown around like a rag doll. Although my belts were painfully tight, they’ve already worked loose and I’m completely helpless as I’m tossed right, left, right against the cockpit. Through the medium-speed corners I can feel the rear breaking away, the tyres groaning as Zsolt does a handful of micro-corrections - tiny flicks of opposite-lock - while staying on the throttle.

While the second and third laps are exhilarating, it’s impossible to get used to the severity of the braking. On the main straight I took a peek around Zsolt, which proved to be a bad idea as the buffeting was so strong my helmet felt like it was going to be ripped off. And within five minutes, it’s all over. I’m trembling when I get out of the car, and my elbows and knees are bruised from being banged against the cockpit.

After just three laps I was completely exhausted - and I wasn’t even driving. How F1 drivers can physically and mentally drive these things at 10/10ths for two hours is beyond comprehension. It’s not the acceleration that separates Formula 1 from other racing categories, it’s the staggering braking and extreme cornering speeds they are capable of. Was it an experience of a lifetime? Yes. Would I do it again? You bet. Was it enjoyable? Not in the slightest.

Auto Salon Perth 2010

Posted on July 26, 2010

Earlier this morning I arrived back in Sydney from our Auto Salon event in Perth. It was completely exhausting for the whole team but it was certainly rewarding.

Some of the pics aren’t of great quality, as I rushed to take these just as the show was coming to a close. Here is the JUN Auto EVO X from Japan, which was recently purchased by someone in Perth (at a bargain price too).

Thanks to the hard-work of Allen @ Tomei and Ian @ Hi-Octane Racing, the Tomei Cusco WRX made its first ever appearance in Western Australia. It was so fresh from its 3rd place finish at WTAC that it was still covered in champagne spray.

Really digging this black-on-black Z4.

Perth showed off some clean streeters. Here’s a Supra on TE37s and a 180SX on three-piece SSRs.

V35 with GT-Cs. Team Fusion had some great-looking cars on display.

Here’s their Sprinter.

Keeping it simple.

This was JPC’s R35 GT-R that cracked out around 450kW at the wheels.

Look twice: it’s a Nissan-powered Liberty.

Plenty of EVOs in WA.

Nicely done Toyota-powered 180SX.

Here’s its little turbo.

Spotted so many brake upgrades that I lost count.

Jason from Twisted Metal brought his ‘Landbruiser’ over from Sydney. This thing is insane.

Regamasters still look good.

This is still my favourite Impreza shape.

Behind the scenes: counting up the votes for the People’s Choice Award.

Behind the scenes: The Tomei Cusco WRX in the CEVA race transporter.

In other news

Posted on July 21, 2010

(Photo copyright Felix Alim)
Tomorrow I’ll be heading off to Perth for the Auto Salon event and I’ll try to update this blog with some of the cool cars that will be there. In the mean time, I covered Christina’s VWGolf.net.au warehouse meet for Speedhunters, which you can read here.

The Great Ocean Road

Posted on June 14, 2010

When it comes to awesome driving roads in Australia, you can’t look past the Great Ocean Road. A couple of years ago I drove my 350Z there with photographer Easton Chang, but due to a delay with the car transporter from Sydney it was a rushed photoshoot that meant I couldn’t really enjoy the drive. This time I dedicated the entire day to soaking it all up.

Driving there was a bit of a bitch though. Melbourne has some nice, wide freeways, so it’s incredibly frustrating that they have 100km/h speed limits. I almost fell asleep both to and from the GOR.

After driving through Torquay you’re met with a stunning 241km drive along the coast. In true Melbourne fashion the weather couldn’t decide if it wanted to rain or shine. So it would do each in ten minute increments.

Hard to keep your eye on the road when this is the scenery.

Nothing but the Southern Ocean.

Choppy seas.

Despite the rain there were plenty of nice cars out on the Great Ocean Road.

Plenty of motorcycles too.

While I’ve never been a huge fan of the new Mini Cooper S, I think you’ll be hard pressed to find a car better suited to putter around the GOR.

Looks like the island from LOST. Here is yet another shower rolling in from the sea.

Decided to turn around and head back just before I reached the Twelve Apostles, and this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. For 30km of the return leg there wasn’t a single a car in sight, and it was truly exhilarating to experience the Great Ocean Road without being held up by traffic. The roads are smooth and flowing, so you quickly build up a rhythm as you dive left and right through the 3rd and 4th gear sweepers. In terms of memorable moments I’ve had behind the wheel of a car, this is certainly one of them.

A Do Not Disturb break

Posted on June 14, 2010

Things have been pretty crazy for me and so the long weekend couldn’t have come at a better time. My last proper holiday was in 2006, so at the last minute I decided to cash in on some credit card points to have a break down in Melbourne. No emails, no work calls, no meetings, no obligations - a couple days of being unplugged from it all and doing absolutely nothing. Here’s the Mini Cooper S I hired.

Mini’s have a tiny boot; my weekend bags just fit!

Stayed at the Crown Metropol hotel which looks like something from a sci-fi movie.

Melbourne’s a very arty city. This is a cool installation in the hotel’s lobby.

Enormous room on the 26th floor brought a smile to my face!

Neat partitioned bathroom with sliding walls.

Crown Metropol’s king sized beds are hard to fault; as are the luxurious pillows.

Blacks, whites and chrome are the colours of choice in Metropol.

View from my room.

Stunning at night.

Room service from Gordon Ramsey’s Maze Restaraunt. The brioche bun rocked!

With my phone on silent I spent most of the time lounging around watching the World Cup - which is ironically what I did when on holidays in 06.

Whenever I got sick of being in the hotel room I’d jump into the Mini and go for a drive.

Continental breakfast at Maze.

Although I was in Melbourne - the shopping heart of Australia - I didn’t do much shopping. I was hoping I’d stumble across a pair of Submarine Slims but instead settled for a couple of pairs of other G-Stars.

A week with the Rukus

Posted on June 6, 2010

Couple of weeks ago Toyota loaned me a new Rukus to evaluate. Although I had the chance to give it a quick steer at its launch, the torrential conditions on the day meant it was impossible to get a true impression.

While a full review will go up on autosalon.com.au, my first thoughts are:
* It’s a big car. Its grown up a lot since the first bB, which may or may not be a good thing depending on your school of thought.
* It’s got some decent grunt, more than enough for car of this size. Unlike the Jazz or Cube, the Rukus never feels like it’s under-powered.
* The front seats have the thickest base I’ve ever seen (it’s almost as wide as my hand-span), which is rather luxurious for your butt!
* Wish it had reverse parking sensors. The C-pillar and high rear seat impairs some of your rear vision.
* Massive potential to modify. It even has mounting points on the roof so you can mount monitors without needing to remove any of the trim.

Would I buy one? Hmm. Having abstained from owning a (modifiable) car, I’m thinking of finally giving in some time in the near future. Over the past year I’ve developed a bit of a shortlist, and the Rukus is one of the cars on it. But driving one isn’t enough to sway me just yet; I think I’ll need to test out the other contenders before choosing a new ride.

Toyota Rukus launch

Posted on May 18, 2010

This morning the Toyota Rukus (known in other countries as the xB) was unveiled at its official press launch at The Loft.

Weather was terrible but at least Toyota’s little driving activites were fun.

Before we were let loose rally driver Neil Bates took us around for a sighting lap. These sort of activities are always highly competitive between the journalists. Sadly Garth and I were given a five second penalty meaning we dropped from first to second place.

What were they like to drive? Surprisingly good actually. Although the Rukus will come only in automatic, the 2.4 litre motor (123kW) and wide track make for a zippy city car.

During lunch I was seated opposite the xB/Rukus’ Chief Designer who flew over from Japan for the launch. Definitely a nice guy!

Counting down the days to WTAC

Posted on May 11, 2010

There’s less than two weeks to go before the World Time Attack Challenge is held at Eastern Creek, and workshops across Sydney are busy preparing their cars. Some of the cars are ready to go, while others are still (frantically) being put together. The cover car for ASM’s final issue, Sam Stratten’s DC5 Integra Type R, is getting some finishing touches done at JC Racing.

Johnny is the owner of JC Racing. Most of you will know him from his famous ‘MRROTA’ R100 drag car.

When you see it in person you realise how hard it would be to pedal an R100 down the quarter mile; it’s wheelbase is so short it looks like a caricature!

Engine bay is all business. Johnny’s confident it’ll crack into the 7s before June.

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