Shift Day @ Wakefield Park

[WhiteGTB]

Last Friday Norm and I had a super early start. About 5.30am... blistering cold it was too, perfect for the turbos but damn, not easy to get out of bed!

Anyways, we attended Shift's Track Day at Wakefield Park Subie Track Event, yeap at the same track Matt (aka Swingn, wasabi, shire hobbit, amongst other things we call him..... ) is organising on the Friday, 14th August.

Let me first start by saying track isn't for everyone.... people have their car for various reason however I now know all the suspension mods, bits and pieces, tunning and my car seat have given me the most satisfaction..... on the track (with no close walls to hit!) and not on the street.

Love track driving mainly for the adrenalin, mind is clear and focused, just you in your car. If you let your mind slip away from driving you will miss the intended driving line and mess up your lap time. Now watching F1 is mind blowing, I can't even keep up with the cars, let alone imagine driving and trying to react that quickly at a corner.

Open days are pretty good for if you want unlimited track time – but I've found they lack lustre because there’s no vibe and no one to talk to. Technically your car should also take a bit of a rest as well instead of driving nonstop shifting at redline for 2 hours straight (yeap consider car damage, allow your car to cool down – esp your brakes, don’t use the handbrake because you can crack your rotors!)

Wakefield is one of the slower tracks – because lack of straight, and many many turns. Lots of spin off area – in fact, it is ok to spin out. Teaches you more about the limit of your car – something you can’t do readily on the street. Just ask Norm haehhehhea I gotta admit, I did some grass cutting too.

If you have done any suspension work and braking upgrades on your Liberty, then I'd suggest give Wakefield a go. It's not about raw power, but driving skills, handling and braking and FARK it is hell FUN!!! Believe me, I was being outrun by NA Civic's and Integra's on the day.

I got heaps to say about tracking the car cause it truly is an eye opener, but here are some pics from the small IXUS of Norm and I.

BTW - Thanks guys for all the tips and hints before hitting the track, you know who you are

This is a must....


Normsta




Pit lane..


Gunning it on the outside.




Now this was the car of the day. The R35 that is

[drndrn]

Looks like you had a great time there mate! How'd you go for laptimes with that very slippery looking track?

Also, I noticed you're fog light cover is off in the second last pic, how come you've got the foglight cover off when in the car park, but not on the actual track?

[WhiteGTB]

Oh I gotta add, I reckon my seat added so much support over the stock standard ones.

Another must have on the track.... besides the bling factor too!



The track was wet when we first got there, 1st session was slippery but that was when our AWD's are gold. By the 2nd session, the sun came out and the track dried for the entire day, was pretty much perfect cause the 1st session was warm up and practice.

Times? My PB was 1.14.9s, alot of low 1.15s but finally cracked the 1.14 mark.

The cover I removed to get more air and put the tow hook on (I didn't end up needing it though).

[swingn]

I soooo wish I was there with you & Normy for that day! Sounds like you had a ball

Very impressive times I must say

[GTSPECB STI]

Thanks for sharing your track experience and pics with us. Looks like you had a great day. I am curious as to what tyres you are using for the track, brand and size. Also how they performed.

[WhiteGTB]

Thanks for sharing your track experience and pics with us. Looks like you had a great day. I am curious as to what tyres you are using for the track, brand and size. Also how they performed.

Hankook Ventus R S2's - 225/40 series. They held up well, alot less tyre screech then the stock Potenza's. I put it down to the tyres for the times I got.

[scary]

seeing you have removed your std seat, what did you do about the airbag?? I am doing a track day later this month (1st one in this car) and will be changing out the std seat for my race seat, however I am under the impression that the airbag light comes on when you uplug the std seat.

Feedback would be great.

[WhiteGTB]

seeing you have removed your std seat, what did you do about the airbag?? I am doing a track day later this month (1st one in this car) and will be changing out the std seat for my race seat, however I am under the impression that the airbag light comes on when you uplug the std seat.

Feedback would be great.

Yea, the airbag light did come on, however Phat knows what to do about the light. When I got the seat fitted I got the light fixed also.

Gotta ask Phat how he did it though... cause I don't even know.

[drndrn]

I think it was mentioned earlier somewhere, that PHAT was able to supply some sort of plug that goes on the end of the airbag sensor plug, that stops the light from coming on.

[gtspec]

nice effort Trieu.. well done and good on ya for having a go..

[hks180]

Very good trieu man !!

Leo

[scary]

what rims are you running at the track day and where can I get them?? Who would think trying to find 17x8 rims to clear brembos would be so damn difficult!!

[GTSPECB STI]

hahahahahaha wasn't that long ago that 17's were considered large!

[WhiteGTB]

hahahahahaha wasn't that long ago that 17's were considered large!

LOL!! so true the rims on the car that day are 18x8.

[libsti]

your too kind trieu, he forgot to mention how i won the grass cutter award for most time off the track . tryes and skill make such a difference,ive done this track once before and didnt have the spin outs like i had this year,gotta get me some tryes before the 14th of august.
but it was a great day,if your not down to attend matts day send him a PM you wont be dissapointed.