This one was fun!
860ish Kms from Hamilton to New Plymouth to Taupo almost entirely on back roads including the infamous Forgotten World Highway.
It's worth noting this wasn't a race. It wasn't timed and no points were award for getting anywhere first. The whole point is exploring, driving with cool cars and having fun on some incredible roads.
77 cars entered, about 150 people. Everything from a $500 Toyota Duet to a brand spanking new Porsche 911. Heaps of rally and road legends, a rented Nissan Bluebird (their intended car wasn't ready in time) and a fire truck. Top theme went to a couple of absolutely terrifying clowns in a yellow mini.
Used just over 2 tanks of fuel, not as thirsty as I thought it would be!
One of the MR2 drivers snapped a few pics, might get this one printed for the shed wall
Car did pretty well, handled like a go-kart and surprised a few people
Had great fun chasing a Ver7 WRX and a group of well sorted MR2s. Couldn't keep up with the big Audi sedan or Porsche though
Absolutely no brake fade or issues, only a few understeering 'moments'
There's a few things to sort out now:
- Badly chipped windscreen
- Front swaybar links loosened up over day 1, had to do a cheeky pit stop outside my accommodation
- A loud clunk developed in the rear on LH turns, think it's a swaybar link binding up. We did a gravel section and it stopped clunking for a while so it'll be interesting to get under it and see what moved
-Rear guards need rolling / massaging as they rub like mad.
- Day 2 only had half throttle under boost before it started stuttering, I thought I'd left a sparkplug lead loose after checking them over night but I suspect it's the fuel regulator as it's fine with the supercharger off.
Honestly I didn't miss the lack of top end power given how twisty the roads were, it was still fun!
If you get a chance to go for a drive like this, Do It! Being in a group is so much fun especially when the organisers are on to it, the weather is perfect and the roads are amazing.