Porsche At Bathurst 2012

[Dave] So im sure we all watched the Bathurst 1000 this past weekend. It was a great race and I trekked down to watch it. I have been a few times now and this was by far the biggest crowed yet and it was such a great race that didn't disappoint. I took this photo of the Porsche RS Spyder Prototype doing its demonstration laps coming onto the front straight. this thing sounded amazing and was noticeable louder then the V8's. Its the First time I have seen a prototype around the track and hopefully it wont be the last. Maybe they can add the category to the Bathurst 12hr race.

I have also added this picture I took of a cool truck I spotted in the camping grounds in the center of the track. Yes that is a car trailer hooked up to the back of it and it had some race slicks tied to the tray. Im guessing the owner raced in one of the support categories. Anyway its a neat tow car dont you think?

Stadium Drift @ Queensland Raceway

[Nick]

So last Saturday was Stadium Drift round 5 held at Queensland Raceway. A couple of mates and myself thought it would be a good idea to head out and watch some pro skids.

It was a great day out with Hardtuned.net (event sponser) putting on a Show and Shine with free track cruise sessions for the cars entered.

Naturally i entered my S14 into the Show and Shine, when it came time to have a 'cruise' around the track 1 of my female friends whom had never been in any sort of performance car before thought it would be a good idea to ride back seat. Grant (riding shotgun) managed to capture her terror on his go pro as i kept in the spirit of Stadium Drift and attempted some sliding.

Obviously i need more practise but i thought i would post this video for a laugh, make sure you have your speakers turned up ;)

All footage thanks to my mate Grant who wanted to practice with his new camera!

WTAC 2012

[Dave]. I headed down for the World Time Attack Challenge last weekend in Sydney. Their was a lot of hype leading up to the event and being my first time I didn't know what to expect. Once we arrived their on Friday as was really impressed by the cars/display and general feeling of the place. Im sure you have read coverage from various website on the event so ill will just post some videos I took from the grand stand for now. The RE Amemiya RX7 was defiantly a highlight for me personally.

 One thing I will say is WTAC is going on my yearly motorsport calendar.

Turn up your speakers and enjoy. 

RACQ MotorFest 2012

[Dave] The other weekend I headed down to check out the RACQ MotorFest with my wife and some mates. I have been going to this event for a few years now and it continues to grow in both spectators and participants. The Japanese section of the show is slowly growing with some nice cars making it out. Maybe SteeredLife will have to enter a car next year... cough Nick. Anyway here are a few that caught my eye.
 

This neat Skyline had a neat engine bay to match...

Featuring a detailed air box and polished rocker cover.

An unassuming Datsun.

With a blower and fuel injection on the side.

Were else but MotorFest can you see a near perfect Cosmo with a modified 3507 and Mrs Stig behind it.

This was an owner built 3 wheel car with disc brake front.

And what looks to be a Honda motor bike engine.

Bowdens brung their beautiful Mercedes out for the day.

This panel van got my interest for its looks.

And what appears to be a Toyota supercharger under the bonnet.

Old Mazda's at Downshift

[Dave] So its that time of the month again for the Downshift Monthly meet at Rocklea Show grounds. This time I thought I would snap some picks of the old Mazda's that made it out. They are slowly growing in numbers which is fine by me. I have a soft spot for the old girls both Rotary and Piston Powered. I thought I'd Chuck up a pick of Conar's recently sacked Lexus with its new wheels, quite the VIPper now.

Video from Downshift June 2012 Meet

[Dave] Video we made of the downshift meet.

Downshift June 2012 Meet - Rocklea Showgrounds

[Dave] We attended the Downshift June meet recently. It was my first time to the ones held at Rocklea Showgrounds and I was impressed. Their was a huge turn out of cars, mostly Japanese but more and more Euro vehicles are coming down with he odd domestic thrown in as well.

I think the car that most people were talking about was the Streetkarnage 7 series BMW scrapping its way down the pavement. It was also good to see some vendors getting in on the action setting up stores. Hopefully these events will continue to grow into the future.

 

 

Hardtuned private track day - Anzac Day 25/04/12

[Nick]
Last Wednesday some close mates and myself took my S14 out to the Holden driver training centre at Norwell Park Raceway. This was a private track day organised by Hardtuned.net and was held on Anzac Day.

Approximately 50 cars attended varying from Japanese, exotic's and Aussie muscle and was the perfect way to celebrate what we remember our service men and women for. Our freedom. The atmosphere on the day was very relaxed with drivers able to test out their skills and push to the limit in spints/drags around the track and drifting on the giant skidpan, aswell as a BBQ and DJ trackside.

Big shout out goes to Grant for all of this footage!

And here's a short video from some drift freeplay on skidpan, unfortunently as soon as they put cones out for the gymkhana and i actually had to steer the car around cones i didnt do so well...safe to say the S14 ate a fair few cones....more practise!

Hardtuned is planning another day in 3 months time so stay tuned...

Hidden Treasure

[Dave] Today (01/04/12) I was invited to attend the HSV Owners Club of QLD private viewing of the Bowden's family car collection. This is a collection that is not open to the general public you have to be invited their. The invitations are often to automotive clubs so only true enthusiast get the privilege to see these wonderful machines.

 We started by meeting up at Nudgee with other club memebers. Their were a few rare cars their such as a W427, 2 vintage HDT and one modern HDT Commodore.  Once we were all their we headed up the highway.

 We met at another service station where we were met with this beautiful Merc. One lucky member got to ride shot gun in this for the rest of the way.

 Once their we were given a very informative tour of the cars history and stories that go with them. Not all the collection is currently their. Space is at a premium and the vehicles are packed in like sardines. That meant trying to get decent photos of particular cars was hard, that and I only had my trusty phone to use.

 This particular Manaro featured a hand control lever for the throttle!

 Street machine readers may recognise this hot rod. A true work of art that needs to be seen to be appreciated.

 The cars the HSV club members had been waiting to see.

This was a very nice genuine competition Shelby Cobra in original form.

That is all the photos I have. I want to thank the Bowden's for the opportunity to see these cars. They are true rev heads who like nothing more then getting these cars driven the way they should not put into museums never to move again.