Gaz Walker Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Engine out the day before - thats some commitment. Although you really couldn't be in a better place to get bits quickly though Regards, Gaz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Great update, but rebuilding an engine the night before a race, that takes some doing! Good luck in the race Andy Does anyone know if the race will be on any TV channels? Not sure what the coverage of the series is like... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockys96 Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 wow, seems like every major japanese tuner/manufacturer at your hands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2JG Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 right time to rebuild an engine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Whiffin Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Good luck chaps, very envious of you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sumo Power Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share Posted December 5, 2007 Hi all, Well... where to start! Update in a sumerised version so far.. In testing on Tuesday Adrian Smith misshifted a gear in his Celica and over revved the engine which resulted in a piston smacking the head and spelling the end. After getting the car back to Do-Luck, They checked it over, declared the engine dead ( as he uses some custom parts which are not available in Japan ) so Mr Ito from Do-Luck found a replacement standard engine and Adrian, mhs engine builder and the guys from Blitz set about exchanging all his parts on to the stock engine last night. He worked through the night and got it finished, today he went to the dyno and remapped the car whilst we all went for the second test session at Tsukuba. His car is now ready although way down on power due to the stock engine but he's pulled it off to get out tomorrow for the event which is awesome. If that wasnt enough, In testing today Paul's Zen car had an engine failure on its first outing with something bad like a bearing letting go in a major fashion and ending up with the car stopped just after the Dunlop bridge on track. Within 30 minutes the car was loaded on a truck and sent back to Do-Luck's shop 2 hours away whilst Mr Ito once again started pulling favours to find Paul a new set of parts ( I think via Power Enterprises ). As I write this I am sure they are all in Do-Luck building a brand new engine from scratch to get back to Tsukuba in the morning making it the second time for Paul to have the engine out in as many days Prior to the engine trouble they were running 1 minute flat today on the GC8. Clives car running well and today he racked up some 1.01's in the car and is feeling better about the circuit and improved lines as am I. Tomorrow Taniguchi will drive the RC Evo to see what he can do with it so that will be great to see and get feedback from. Tomorrows event is 3 X 20 minute sessions for us so we need to get it right. Me?, well I ran a whole second quicker today in the Z than yesterday which I am pleased about but we only got on session today after a pit drama meaning we couldnt make the second session and not giving me more chance to improve my lines on the track and find the time I am missing. Currently I think I am losing at least a second and probably 2 through the Dunlop bridge corner and follow through which I plan to remedy tomorrow I hope. Ive been talking to the guys from Hi Octane who are here from Australia running thier R32 GTR, they are running 1min flat and struggling with grip but are upbeat about it and hoping to find some more time tomorrow. When we left the track tonight M Speed were changing thier Holinger box which had broken in thier R34 GTR and the Cyber Evo had engine troubles but they were fixing it. We're all struggling with no sleep and its certainly all happening out here but we're all mustering on. The help we have here with Do-Luck and everyone else who is helping directly is amazing, without question Do-Luck's effort has done us all proud as we continue to lean on them for help in solving problems, even down to finding everything to make a brand new engine for Paul in a matter of hours. Most of us are now at the hotel near Tsukuba with Mr Ito and Paul etc back at Do-Luck making the new engine. We're back up at 5am to get to the track and organise ourselves for the event whre hopefully we'll find the Zen boys waiting and ready for action, fingers crossed. Sorry but I cant upload any pictures still at this time but we have loads to share with everyone very soon, Off to bed for some sleep....hmmmmm sleep..... Cheers Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muffleman Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I have to say, as an enthusiast above everything else, it's great to hear the effort that Do-Luck are going to as it shows they have the same enthusiasm as I Nice to read Andy, and I genuinely wish you the best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 WOW loving the updates. Sounds like its all going on there and does Mr Ito never sleep. The guys at Do-Luck sound like a top bunch. All those engine rebuilds and parts the very same day. Look forward to some pics and more updates. Good luck on getting better times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Loving the updates. Its really great to see Do-Lucks team spirit shining through in the face of adversity! I hope all the guys do fantastic with all the crap they've had to wade through! All the best and fingers crossed for tomorrow! Regards, Gaz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Does anyone know how they got on? The race was yesterday I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Just found the results on the MLR, seems the British lads did themselves pround RC Developments came 14th (60+ runners) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Fish Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 yup, i would like to know also :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Whiffin Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 I think Zen came 11th, not bad considering who there up against. Well done to everyone, would love to have been there myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 I think Zen came 11th Oops, missed that one! The UK cars were: 11th: Zen Performance Imprezza - Phil Grew - 58.534 best lap 14th: RC Developments Lancer - Clive Seddon - 59.169 best lap 39th: Sumo Power 350Z - Andy Barnes - 1'03.529 best lap 48th: Fensport Celica - Adrian Smith - 1'04.967 best lap Well done guys, fantastic results! Full results: http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7544/img4043resizexn6.th.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Well done guys thats some great results, its particularly good to see Zen do well after all the hard work! That M-Speed GTR is something else! Regards, Gaz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wile e coyote Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Well done guys .Get some more pics up when you can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Only one Supra! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sumo Power Posted December 10, 2007 Author Share Posted December 10, 2007 Hi all, We're all finally back home and what a week its been. Everyone has thier own stories to tell and Tsukuba is just the tip! Further to the updates I scrabbled together in the week the events continued to unfold and test us all. In the end we all came away very happy even though lady luck could have been a bit better here and there for Zen and Fensport, what an experience we'll all never forget. Prior to the trip our aim for our 350Z was less than 1 minute at the track but it didnt happen. Our quickest was 1.03.5 and although the car was better than ever, it was working hard on the tight and twisty track of Tsukuba. Although we didnt hit our target, I am pleased that on Monday Tarzan Yamada drove our 350Z for a session and managed a 1.03. OK it took more sessions for me to catch up but I am really pleased to match Tarzan's time in the car so Ive come away happy that I drove the car 110% on the edge ( as those who were there may have witnessed with my large 'do or die' lap at the end in which I exited the last fast corner broadside towards the wall ) I also believe that with more sessions for us all, we would have seen the times fall further without a doubt. Although I visited Tsukuba last year to watch and get some ideas for our own trip, having now driven the track I can advise its NOTHING like the videos and you cannot grasp how small the track is and without any run-off area, just hard grass and then walls. No wonder the place is regarded as the Mecca for car setup, it has to be 100% right for a good result as you are constantly doing something, as a driver there is no let-up in the car and no time at all to relax, the straights are extremely short and by the time youve exited on to them and changed gears a couple of times you're back in a corner. Its like a large go-kart track, nothing like anything Ive ever driven before thats for sure. Although I had respect for the times in the past, I now have a new found respect for people like HKS, M Speed and Cyber who get those cars around that track as quick as they do, god its impressive - not impossible but impressive. I guess like anthing if that were our local track we could spend a bit of time perfecting a car to it but to turn up with the power and ratios we all did, we missed a trick this time around as its just so critical to get it right and the locals have obviously done that. We'll be updating our Sumo website this week with a full write up and Rob will be also updating the Time Attack site too so keep an eye on updates this week when we get back into the swing of things. I have loaded up some pictures particularly of our car etc, I have other pictures of everyone else but thought I would leave them to tell thier own stories how they want. This event was a dream for me and Rob and we were so pleased to live-it along with our other tuning friends. I am sure this is not the end for Tsukuba, rather the beginning, now we know what the place is like and how to attack it, we can return prepared to run better numbers in future. The Time Attack Series continues to support our scene in the best possible way and this trip, although with much more personal meaning to me, is an extension of that and our vision for events in future. I believe that the trip has demonstrated not only that we can provide the best platform for our industry here in the UK but also our professional approach extends overseas and can make things happen for real and without drama based on good decisions and leaning on industry friends that are able to provide us the keys to unlock doors for a common goal. At this point we would like to thank the following people who have supported us to make this trip happen and without whose help none of it would have happened - thank you for your support and believing in our ability to carry it off successfully. I would like to add that the people listed below are supporters of us all here in the UK and extended thier help whether financially or in service to help us in a foreign country and that we should remember them in future in this regard, they put thier hands out to help us live the dream : Time Attack Series UK Do-Luck Racing Service Japan Boom & Sumo Power UK and Japan Toyo Tires, UK, Europe and Japan JapaneseUsedCars.com Japan Autoglym UK and Japan HKS Europe and Japan Sunoco Fuels Japan TM Works Japan DAMD Inc Japan BLITZ Japan Power Enterprises Japan ARC International Japan KunnyZ News Publishing Japan Tsukuba Circuit Japan RC Developments Zen Performance Fensport Performance Clash Productions France and especially to Maz from HKS Europe for being there for translation and general help to me and everyone else. The man that makes it all possible : Mr Ito, Do-Luck Racing Service http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z2.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z1.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z3.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z4.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z5.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z6.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z7.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z8.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z9.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z10.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z11.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z12.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z13.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z14.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z15.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z16.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z17.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z18.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z19.jpg Now back to work.....I will be catching up on emails etc this week for those who have contacted me, also we plan to release dates for 2008 imminently too for those waiting on entry to the Series in 2008, its high on the agenda all bar a couple of phone calls this week. Cheers and thanks to all 29 people who came along with us,we had a great time and enjoyed every minute. Cheers Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sumo Power Posted December 10, 2007 Author Share Posted December 10, 2007 http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z20.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z21.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z22.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z23.jpg http://sumopictures.sumopower.com/tsukubaweb/Z24.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Thanks for the updates Andy, we all appreciate hearing about it, looks like you all had a good time out there. Great photo's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sumo Power Posted December 12, 2007 Author Share Posted December 12, 2007 Hi, Alot more pictures and stories are now uploaded to the Time Attack website as below covering this event, also on the site is the press release about Toyo Tires ' control ' tyre deal for the next 3 years for those who are interested. Here : http://www.timeattack.co.uk/news.asp Cheers Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Wow, a fantastic read, thanks Andy. Sounds like you had a really positive trip. Was there room for any beers inbetween or all super serious? I used to do a lot of competitions (not motorsport) so I appreciate just how much hard work it was.. yet something you will remember for a long time! The circuit looks tiny, and tricky, a lot to learn, and a good read! thanks for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sumo Power Posted December 12, 2007 Author Share Posted December 12, 2007 Yep, we managed a couple of beers between the amazingly strong energy drinks they have there which kept us all going ( I think Paul from Zen did 3 days straight without no sleep ). Awesome event, difficult to organise but well worth it. Glad everyone seems to be enjoying the reports and results, it makes it even more worth while. Cheers Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 I think Paul from Zen did 3 days straight without no sleep that's commitment!! it must be dangerous to drive after that, but it beats admitting defeat! god bless red bull. Was the atmosphere very friendly or pretty hardcore? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sumo Power Posted December 12, 2007 Author Share Posted December 12, 2007 Paul wasnt driving, his car is driven by Phil Glew Atmosphere, its was all really good especially between all us UK boys... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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