Australian FJ Anniversary Rally; March 8, 2014

[X-Ray]

Fantastic photos!! 

[racerrad8]

I just got in from the track and it is a little after 11pm. Yep, he ran into some mechanical trouble late in the race, but was able to salvage 4th.

The cam bolt stripped out of the #1 exhaust cam cap which resulted in the other bolt breaking allowing oil to blow onto the header.

Tried to remove broke bolt, but finally had to abandon the task as it was stuck in there.

Engine swap also revealed a couple other little things that got fixed as well. Engine swap complete, carbs rebuilt and all ready for tomorrow.

Peter starts on the pole for tomorrow's double points final race and this fresh bullet should easily carry him to the victory as he was also able to remove the intake restrictions that were installed after the first two wins this weekend.

Randy -RPM

I was asked several times at the rally what was the result of the Sunday's race with Peter. But we were so busy getting ready and traveling to the rally, time just did not allow me to update, so here is the final days summary.

I was not able to be at the track today as we had to check out of the hotel by 10am and sort everything before heading out to Brisbane. I did speak with Peter via email early in the day as he wasn't sure about changing jetting on the carbs for an air-cooled engine compared to his watercooled. So, a minor jet change was made based on his previous experience and my opinion of the current weather.

The engine that broke and we pulled Saturday was a new water cooled engine that was just installed for the start of the season. After it broken the cam cap bolt, and subsequently the ez-out off in the head, a decision had to be made.

The way the point structure is for the Aussie cars, is that is you break or DNF in an event you almost cannot come back to contend for the Championship. So, due to the fact of tapping the remaining bolt to 8mm and installing a stud instead of a 6mm bolt was the only option for the new engine, it was decided it would be better to install the 3 year old engine and make sure he finished the race and did not DNF.

So, the engine change was completed, but since it was air cooled and there is no additional weight from the radiator & coolant weight had to be added to the car. To compound the issue Aussie cars are mandated specific springs, one rate for water cooled & one for air cooled. I was not aware of this until after the weekend.

So, Peter had to add weight to the car to meet the minimum weight requirement. He just bolted the weight into the car, he did not change to the lighter springs or reset the the corner weights of the car to optimize the handling.

So, Peter started on the pole and said the car ran well, but the old engine was definitely down on power, especially down the long sweeper straight and they could get by him. He said he was able to pass them back in the technical, slower part of the course...until the handling started to go away.

He said that the stiffer springs, along with the additional weight not placed in the optimum location overheated the tires and he was no longer able to make up time in the technical part of the track. He told me he was able to lead the first three laps but then the line of cars got past him and he had to settle in coming home sixth place for Sunday's race.

The total combined points of the weekend still earned him a 3rd place overall and he can still vie for the 2014 championship.

So, even though he was disappointed of the race result, the decision to not gamble breaking the engine and ruining the chance to win the championship was the best call.

Sometime it is better to be a big picture racer instead of just going for each and every win.

It was good weekend at the track, I learned about the cars, was able to talk to a lot of people and who know maybe in the future I can come back and see what I can do against the Aussie guys in their own series.




Randy - RPM

[Bozo]

We just returned from our second venture in KL - Malaysia. Anyway since I got the privilege to carry/ look after this trophy I though I'd post some photos.

I'm certain Randy put lead instead of ashes into it because every time I went to the right the bloody bike felt like a Harley.

Anyway I'm sure Randy can fill in the details of this trophy. Again we had a great time and met some incredible people with the same passion. I'll add the new label within a few weeks.

[X-Ray]

Wow, that really is a thing of beauty!

[Bozo]

Wow, that really is a thing of beauty!

When the 2016 rally is in Perth you could win it - Ahem

[racerrad8]

Anyway I'm sure Randy can fill in the details of this trophy.

Sorry, that is the General's brain child. I did send over the carb body and it is an 84 FJ1100 carb body with flat slide to commemorate the beginning of the legacy know as the FJ

The ashes are courtesy of Doug from the OZ rally and Baldy & I from the 2013 WCR.

That is all I can offer...

Randy - RPM

[FJscott]

Anyway I'm sure Randy can fill in the details of this trophy.

Sorry, that is the General's brain child. I did send over the carb body and it is an 84 FJ1100 carb body with flat slide to commemorate the beginning of the legacy know as the FJ

The ashes are courtesy of Doug from the OZ rally and Baldy & I from the 2013 WCR.

That is all I can offer...

Randy - RPM

So....what happenes at the Aussie Rally stays at the Aussie Rally? If you want to know, you've got to go. that's cool.

[oldktmdude]

Wow, that really is a thing of beauty!

When the 2016 rally is in Perth you could win it - Ahem

John, do me a favour and check if the diaphragm is in good order. I could do with a spare!    Pete.

[Bozo]

Wow, that really is a thing of beauty!

When the 2016 rally is in Perth you could win it - Ahem

John, do me a favour and check if the diaphragm is in good order. I could do with a spare!    Pete.

Pete, sorry already taken, for some reason the one in there is cracked and badly scratched, (one down three to go)  . hey maybe next year if you can keep the front wheel down (speedo doesn't clock) you might get the long distance award and grab this trophy. Although Arnie might have something to say about that.
General, might make his tailshaft next years trophy

[oldktmdude]

  
[/quote]
Pete, sorry already taken, for some reason the one in there is cracked and badly scratched, (one down three to go)  . hey maybe next year if you can keep the front wheel down (speedo doesn't clock) you might get the long distance award and grab this trophy. Although Arnie might have something to say about that.
General, might make his tailshaft next years trophy
[/quote]
  Randy probably sold it to help fund his trip over here.    
There was a rumour that Doug was going to burn the FJ that Kev stacked and use the ashes from that.

[CanDman]

...Is it true he makes good pancakes?

My only regret was not getting the opportunity to try one......

   


 



//

Next time my good sir......  

PS.......Doug.....please check your PM..........I sent you 3 !!!

[The General]

Anyway I'm sure Randy can fill in the details of this trophy.

Sorry, that is the General's brain child. I did send over the carb body and it is an 84 FJ1100 carb body with flat slide to commemorate the beginning of the legacy know as the FJ

The ashes are courtesy of Doug from the OZ rally and Baldy & I from the 2013 WCR.

That is all I can offer...

Randy - RPM

The "Ashes" Trophy really has morphed into something very special. ....and it`s history well served with this year`s winners Bozo & Izabelle.

Thought I`d do a memory check for this reply so went back to our 2012 archives and found the following on how it kinda started.

What`s really scary is that it came very close this year to being awarded to a couple of pommies! ....Not that the committee would consider under arm bowling or anything else to ensure it didn`t go offshore.....but I`ve seen how upset tha Yanks got when their prized America`s Cup got taken away by a superior Country!

(Luckily David & Caroline`s East Coast of Australia tour, that may indeed include a circumnavigation of Oz,  is occurring after our Rally so we couldn`t include those points to be fair! ....Heehehe) ....I`m really looking forward to that Ride with them and Richard this ANZAC weekend in a few weeks time, when they arrive in Brisbane...I digress sorry... (God help us if they turn up at our 2015 Rally!)

The trophy ended up a real team effort with special thanks going to Darran & Danielle for organising a local charitable workshop to turn the base, that came from a tree felled on the property of our first 2012 Rally at Kenilworth...Perhaps they will chime in here.

Anyhow, sorry to use up so much space but I found it delightful going back on our history and the following is a cut & paste showing the birth of The FJ Holy Graille of Trophys.

Quote from: The General on February 23, 2012, 08:24:42 AM


2012 Downunder Rally Results.   
Further to the documented minutes of the convened extraordinary meeting of the Downunder Rally committee,  (i,e.Finally found that pub napkin with the port stains)- The winners are:

Bitumen Award:   Darran & Danielle (oz.fj) – Cause they used it all.   
Especially down Harvy`s favourite twisties. Not all Darran`s bruises were from the spa escapades. Danielle delivers her thank you`s with a sharp jab to his RHS ribs. I witnessed one of them after a little slide he saved on a loose Bald knob road left hander.

Woops Award: Timbo   
It was late on Friday night when I returned from guard duty at the Pub. I quietened my beast with a flick of the key and dismounted on the verandah. Suddenly,  Timbo emerged from his room in awful bed attire and thrust a beer in me hand. The click of the door behind him raised his eyebrows, yet he  stared straight ahead into the darkness behind me - in silence for at least 1 second - followed by short expletives!   Only one of the entire "non spa" crew had a room key, yes it was a master and yes it was now secure INSIDE Timbo`s  locked room.

Damaged Award: Arnie   
Wore off the gear lever circlip and found it a hazard to drive with a foot of linkages dragging behind.

Bright Sparks Award:  Baldy   
Showered me with them on 5 of the last dozen corners before Pete`s café at the end of a great day.

Pacesetter Award: Had to be Harvy   
While he lost points for not stopping at McCarthy lookout he did indeed set a mean responsible pace that didn`t loose anyone and kept us all hangin on for more.

Claytons Award:  RoverFJ1200 Richard & julie
That`d be "The ride ya have when ya not havin a ride"   

Now for the Three major exec Awards presented. (No nominees for Globerotter award 2012)
"IRONBUTT"     "Best Presented FJ"       "The Ashes"
       
Note: It`s  Combasebattery,  diablo (ozspeak for compulsory) that all awards be returned to the following 2013 Rally. The points totalled are non contestable and decided by secret ballot from attendees.

Ironbutt:  flips   
- as ya know was nearly outdone on handicap points by the insane pillion ladies, but a seriously deserved winner at 2700klms (Incl bonus points for rain and dirt)

Best Presented: Goes ta X-Ray   
- for a really nice polished steed with bareley a mark on it. Hope ta see more of her & him.

Now "The Ashes" is a developed concept by the Brits as a symbol of "One Upmanship" in the poncey cricketing world where the first original bales (don`t ask!) were cremated and kept as a kinda monument to the best there is. It`s fought over every year  drinks just to have it on ya shelf between Rallys.
Our Quest has sporting similaritys in that it goes ta the most points hit without getting caught or run out with a bat. We also scratch  balls and are inta leather, helmet, gloves and shit. But in FJ world we can differ with "Twoupmanship".  (Like Anzac day – but when ya get home   )
So it is indeed an honour on behalf of the 2012 Downunder Rally Committee  to award "The Ashes" ta the two up team -  oz.fj - of Danielle & Darran   
For gaining the most points all up, and also for remembering ta get the Ashes from our inaugrel firepit when I told`em.

Now Darran, mate, all ya gotta do between fixin roofs & stuff is make a presentation housing (trophy size) for it, (Drum shaped?, Bike shaped, Roo or turds, you know- something representative of this forum- suggestions anyone?- perhaps PM the committee) – but able ta survive Interstate & international quarantine regulations.

Next Rally is Bellingen Valley Lodge www.bellingenvalleylodge.com.au/  on March 16th 2013 and includes St Patricks Day.- if Baldy brings that Port, ya won`t need anything else to  be "Green".   

[The General]

Look what I found coming up for auction soon! http://www.pickles.com.au/damaged-salvage/item/-/details/CP-04-93--Yamaha--FJ1200--Cycle/402207103 ...wonderful history,

Motorcycles Details: Stock No. 6122191 - located at Fyshwick, ACT  http://www.pickles.com.au/damaged-salvage/auction/-/auctiondetails?sale_no=6002974

04/93, Yamaha, FJ1200, Cycle



sniff,....she looks lonely & unloved....always babied, very low kilometres and only ridden by a pensioner ...sniff  ..... (and a few of his mates  )

[jscgdunn]

Was this last ridden by a Canadian? Enquiring minds want to know

[oldktmdude]

Was this last ridden by a Canadian? Enquiring minds want to know

"RIDDEN" may not be the correct word. Crash tested is probably more accurate.       Pete.