Ginetta G50 - Prod Sports 2B

**bigmuz** · 08-05-12, 07:28 PM

Awesome news!

**Cal** · 24-05-12, 10:59 AM

So we took this thing to round 2 of the Prod Sports 1hr series at Eastern Creek on the weekend. The budget was tight, so we used 18 month old slicks in practice and qualifying, keeping the better set for racing. The old ones were made of concrete and getting a decent time was not easy. Anyhow, Darren did a 1.40.99 which would put us 16th on the grid for the 1hr on Sunday. Not too bad as 34 cars started the weekend.

In the 10 lap sprint races on Saturday, Darren moved from 16th to 9th with the better rubber on. I managed 18th to 10th. So a 2nd and a 3rd in class 2B.

Darren got a lot of wheel spin off the line on Sunday and lost a few places into T1. Got held up for a while behind Chris Stannard's 993 RSCS, which was being made very wide indeed by driver Gerry Murphy. One of the Mackie Lotus's broke down and the safety car was dispatched at about minute 16. The pit window for the compulsory driver change is open from 20 to 40 minutes. So Darren pitted right at 20 minutes to make the most of the safety car. I jumped in and chased down the train and found myself back behind the RSCS which had also completed it's stop. Not 100% certain, but I think we were about 14th on the road at that point.

The next 35 minutes were the best I have ever spent in a racing car. I played a game of brinkmanship with the 993 into T1 and managed to sneak down the inside after trying different things over a number of laps. Then I battled with a couple of Honda powered Elises/Exiges & a 200SX for many laps. After making up a few places I had a ding dong dice with Arthur Magaitis's Lotus until eventually making a pass stick into turn 4. I left room on the outside as he tried to come around with me, but he spun in the marbles. I was now without company and completed the last couple of laps to bring it home 8th outright and 2nd in 2B.

Looking forward to seeing Nafe's shots.

**bigmuz** · 24-05-12, 11:08 AM

Fucking wow. Good onya mate.

Video camera work?

**Cal** · 24-05-12, 11:16 AM

Yep, I shot everything in 1080HD this time. Just need to edit and upload to youtube.

**Nafe** · 24-05-12, 01:05 PM

**Greg Rust** · 24-05-12, 01:06 PM

Sweet.

**Cal** · 24-05-12, 01:15 PM

Holy shit Nafe.... awesomeness. Top one will be going on the garage wall for sure.

**tremolo** · 24-05-12, 04:53 PM

Flip yeah - that's awesome. Post the video already!

**bigmuz** · 24-05-12, 08:00 PM

I don't know how it turns in with such high ride height

**cossie55** · 24-05-12, 09:32 PM

did the gear cut work for much longer after I left.. It wasnt the best job I have ever done!

**Cal** · 25-05-12, 09:27 AM

I meant to mention you in the write up. Thanks a lot for your help with that. It worked a treat and is still working.

**cossie55** · 25-05-12, 10:18 AM

The propper fix is to strain gauge it. Everything else is just a compromise for what he is trying to achieve.

**BeverlyHillsCop** · 25-05-12, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by cossie55

The propper fix is to strain gauge it. Everything else is just a compromise for what he is trying to achieve.

Speaking of which who's able to supply strain guage gearknobs? or who to send the gearknob to, to have it fitted?

**Cal** · 25-05-12, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by cossie55

The propper fix is to strain gauge it. Everything else is just a compromise for what he is trying to achieve.

I think Steve is onto it.

Did you work out what was wrong with the Daytona?

**itsnotagsr** · 25-05-12, 11:33 AM

Any of the 99 Lotus (Walden/Lucas)? Run by a colleague of mine.

**cossie55** · 25-05-12, 11:45 AM

looks like it split a bore. Not sure of the exact cause as yet.

In the end, you have a pile of engine rubble, and you need to work out what went first.... It isnt always obvious...

It was definately not repairable!

Is the track any faster with the slight changes to the circuit layout?

**Cal** · 25-05-12, 11:50 AM

Going on the MX5 times, I'd say maybe a second or so.

**Nafe** · 25-05-12, 01:07 PM

Pics are here Chris - http://www.speedshots.com.au/gallery...cc_prodsports/

Including the #99. Apparently they had some Injector problems leading to the DNF?

**TCR** · 25-05-12, 02:34 PM

Great work mate. I need to get my ass back into a race car stat!

Nice pics agian Nafe.

**333pg333** · 27-05-12, 02:19 PM

Nice going Cal. Saw the car a few times in the video (crappy) shot from the Yellow 951. Looked like a good event. I was surprised how quick the 993 RSCS was in a straightline. Look forward to seeing your vids.

**Cal** · 30-05-12, 11:34 AM

That 944 Turbo is fucking awesome.

The RSCS has a $60K motor in it. I would want it to go fast for that kind of coin!

Ok, here is the footage. It's long, so grab a beer. I will upload the pass on the Lotus later.

Youtube description:

This is a 20 min clip shot from Darren Berry's Ginetta G50 driven by Calum Ballinger. At the start, the safety car's lights have just gone out and is about to pit. The battle that ensues next is for 2nd place in class 2B between Chris Stannard's 993 RSCS driven by Tom McGann, Arthur Magaitis' Honda powered Lotus (green), Mark Stinson's Nissan Silvia, Glenn Townsend's Lotus and various others. I get past the green Lotus in the end to take 2nd place in class (8th outright) to Michael Caine's rapid RX7, although it is not on this footage.

**Michael** · 30-05-12, 05:44 PM

Gentleman racer. Nice driving Cal.

**Cal** · 31-05-12, 09:32 AM

Cheers mate. With my budget, racing someone else's very expensive racing car, Prod Sport is very much a non contact sport!

**333pg333** · 01-06-12, 08:08 PM

Great stuff Cal! Really enjoyed that and nice driving. Well done to eventually get past Arthur. He had a bit of help from traffic. Love that car. Sequential = So much want!!

**Cal** · 08-06-12, 12:50 PM

Thanks mate. I had a blast and am now in the withdrawal phase!

Spoke to Paul while I was down there about your car. He sounded fairly positive about it's repair.

**333pg333** · 15-06-12, 07:01 AM

Yeah I would be too. Actually I am in withdrawal come to think of it!
Wish Sequentials were a more easily attainable item for other cars.
Thanks for the positive vibes!

**Cal** · 20-09-12, 10:30 AM

Life has been full of babies and house renovations, but not for one weekend next month. Round 3 of the national Prod Sports 1hr series heads to QR 13/14th of Oct. We are currently leading class 2B and are hoping for another successful weekend. So far I have a 32 car grid. Should be good. Looking forward to getting back in the seat.

**Nafe** · 20-09-12, 11:07 AM

I saw Darren was on the initial entry list for the Bathurst 12 Hour with the Ginetta, but has apparently been removed. Was it a possibility? Or wishful thinking from the organisers when putting up the entries?

**Cal** · 20-09-12, 11:10 AM

I spoke to him yesterday and he told me they are entered.

**Nafe** · 20-09-12, 11:21 AM

Go on..... you know you want to.....

Thread: Ginetta G50 - Prod Sports 2B

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