| Speedaware Twilight Rally Sprint |
| Ross Tapper and Dieter Von Mollendorf organised the second running of a Twilight Rally Sprint at the Perth Motorplex on the 11th of February. Event naming rights went to Speedaware, a Perth based company specliasing in driver training lead by former WRC driver Alister McRae. Due to a lack of confirmed competitors, entry was open to those with non-caged cars just the day before the event to help boost numbers. This made it possible for Mark Conacher in his Nissan R35 GTR to take third place. Franz again claimed a solid second place with Steve Jones in his mightly Evo 9 MR placing first. Ross and Dieter are looking into running a series of twilight rally sprints throughout the year open to caged and non-caged cars. More info will be posted on the Speedaware website (www.speedaware.com.au) when available. |
| Jack Nelson Summer Hill Climb Series - Rnd 3 |
| 31 entrants lined up for the third and final round of the 2009/2010 Jack Nelson Summer Hill Climb Series. Moderate temperatures and the Full circuit had all competitors buzzing. UWA brought out their Formula SAE car (www.motorsport.uwa.edu.au) and ended Franz's run of victories. The UWA Formula SAE car took the honours with Franz finishing second. John Otter in his Evo 2 placed third. Second outright in this round was enough for Franz to take outright honours in the series earning 70 points from a maximum of 75 available. The series has cemented a great start to the year! |
| Jack Nelson Summer Hill Climb Series - Rnd 2 |
| Thanks to the hot weather, Round 2 of the Jack Nelson Summer Hill Climb Series was postponed a week thus giving Franz the opportunity to complete the entire series. Warm temperatures greeted the 25 entrants who attacked the Jack's Hill National Circuit. Franz took the victory from John Otter in his Evo 2 by 0.8sec with a time of 38.96 seconds. The 3rd and final round is scheduled for the morning of the 31st of Jan. More information on the series can be found at www.wascc.com.au. |
| Jack Nelson Summer Hill Climb Series - Rnd 1 |
| Franz concluded his 2009 motorsport season in style dominating the first round of the 2009/2010 Jack Nelson Summer Hill Climb Series at Jacks Hill, Wanneroo on the 20th of December. 24 entrants competed in 34+ degree heat running four times up the National Course. Unfortunately due to prior commitments, it doesn't look like Franz will have the opportunity to compete in the remaining two rounds of the series held early in 2010. Results for Round 1 can be found at www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?20/12/2009.JACK.Q4.Y More information on the series can be found at www.wascc.com.au. |
| 2009 Mt Buller Sprint |
| Australia's greatest hill climb lived up to its name on the weekend 4-6 December. 74 crews entered with Tasmania's Jason White/John White combination coming through with the win in their Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. WA's Steve Jones/Ben Searcy and Dean Herridge/Chris Murphy took 2nd and 3rd respectively. Unfortunately numerous cars came to grief over the weekend, Weeks/Crunkhorn had issues in their new Lamborghini Gallardo and DNF'd. Finnimore/Bryan had a gentle roll in their Evo 6, WA residents Templeman/Howlett and Crimp/Van der May also went off the road. Thankfully throughout the weekend the only thing hurt were cars and pride - a credit to the build quality of the modern rally car! Franz was lucky enough to be at the event providing mechanical and moral support to Danny Cerro and Bianca Anderson in their first tarmac rally event driving the Evo 9 campaigned by Franz and Ivan Tan earlier in the year at Quit Targa West. Danny and Bianca understandably started out nice and easy, getting a feel for the longer stages, having pace notes read and the challenging road. By the tenth and final stage, Danny and Bianca had dropped their stage times by a minute with a final result of 45th outright. A big well done to both Danny and Bianca in their first event and keeping the car straight. Full results can be found at http://www.mountainmotorsports.com.au/results09.html. Danny and Bianca acknowledge their support from Wheels World and Tokyo Motorsports. Some of Franz's photos from the weekend can be found HERE. |
| Ktec Twilight Rally Sprint |
| The Inauguaral Ktec Twilight Rally Sprint was held at the Perth Motorplex on the 26th of November. 53 entrants lined up to run a modified 3.2km Targa West Prologue stage in reverse direction. The tight and fast course was a real challenge to drive at night. For the first time, Franz ran VP109 race fuel yielding more power and torque from the Evo 8 MR resulting in a 2nd outright and one of only two cars to go under the 2min 20sec mark. Class results can be found HERE, Outright results can be found HERE. Franz's onboard video from Run 3 of 4 can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1WN7LZcyJM A big thank you goes out to All Star Garage for the retune of the ECU. |
| 2009 Fabcar 1 Day Rally |
| The Perth Motorplex, Gloucester Park and Midvale Speed Dome all host stages of the Fabcar 1 Day Classic Rally on the 15th of the November. 63 cars made the start on a fine day of short sprints, autokhanas and motorkhanas. Franz co-drove for the first time with Andrew Brown in his 1995 Mitsubishi Evo 3. The car showed true potential despite on the day having a sticky clutch, an unreliable brake pedal and a handbrake which refused to lock both rear tyres. Despite having a garage penalty (thanks to the unreliable brake pedal) and one wrong way, we still managed to finish 8th outright and 4th in class, showing that with some changes to suspension settings and sorting those small ningling issues this car is a potential event winner for very little money! Full results can be found at http://www.classicrally.com.au/Fabcar_1-Day_Classic.htm |
| 2009 Wheels World EVO vs WRX Series |
| Collie Motorplex hosted the final round of the four round series on Saturday the 18th of October. Franz had a successful weekend with a 2nd outright on the day and claiming Top Scoring Evo Driver for the Series. In addition, by finishing ahead of Jamie Lister (highest scoring WRX Driver), Franz cemented the Series outright. Unfortunately Evo numbers were down on the day and despite a 1st outright (Blaise Paris in an Evo 6) and Franz's 2nd outright, the WRX's could not be held off and became the dominant manufacturer for the 2009 Series. Onboard video from Event 3, the Hill Climb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8OyOTNO3q0 |
| Quit Targa West 2009 - onboard video on youtube.com |
| I've uploaded to youtube some onboard video... Most stages are in very wet conditions. Speed is in the bottom right hand corner. SS02 - John Forrest 1 -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KRb1yO-dz8 SS07 - Kalamunda 2 -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7Z938iZ3yc SS11 - Western Range 2 -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj5fx7q-WRM SS12 - Bindoon Country 1 -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh0KRfXYe7w SS13 - Blue Plains 1 -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDXEqVrSTjY SS20 - Toodyay 2 -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jvANyshSd8 SS23 - Chittering Long -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaLtcVWaryk SS30 - Racecourse 2 -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrV5oKeEbLQ |
| Quit Targa West 2009 - We finished!!! |
| 2009-08-24 - What a weekend... what an experience!!! From the extreme disappointment of knowing any hope of a decent result is gone thanks to a hose clamp on Stage 3 of the rally to the joys of a 3rd outright in extremely wet and difficult conditions on day 2. I have learnt a lot this weekend; I thought I knew what fast was, I didn't! But Quit Targa West 2009 gave me a lesson and a reality check. I have a new found appreciation and respect for anybody that competes in a rally, tarmac, gravel or otherwise because only now can I understand and relate as to how fast the crews go and how much they risk to get their stage results! I also learnt this weekend at what a great support network I have, who in their own way gave me their confidence and support. Believe me, none of it went unnoticed and it is completely appreciated! First and foremost my co-driver Ivan Tan, who has put his faith, life and trust in my hands and has donated months of weekends and evenings without complaint and making every effort to give this rally our best shot and to make this experience most worthwhile. I'd also like to mention Danny Cerro who entrusted me with his Evo 9; I am sure there was a lot of self doubt as to whether agreeing months ago to lease me the car was a wise decision; I can only imagine it would be very difficult watching your car leave a service park with someone else at the wheel only to wonder whether it will return in one piece, if at all to the next service! Jamie, Phill and the friends of Tokyo Motorsport who along with Wayne Chan and Denver Parker gave their time and efforts in keeping the Evo 9 running smoothly and efficiently all weekend. A simple phone call on the way to service is all that is needed to spark the guys into action. Ivan and I are completely appreciate that working in the mud pit of the Bindoon service park was not easy and the efficiency and efforts of the guys throughout the whole weekend was second to none. It is the best feeling pulling into service, jumping out of the car and watching all the guys work together checking to make sure the car is still safe and making minor changes to the cars setup to keep it at its best; if you ever get to a rally service park, watch a service crew work, it’s worth watching the experience! My girlfriend Steph, who is always there by my side and without her full support over the last few months, the weekend wouldn't have been possible. Along with Rob Hoare and Matt Jones she also chauffeured my parents around all weekend from the service parks to the spectator points. You guys are great! Dave and Todd for always getting out to the spectator points to get photos and video of Ivan and I as we flew by! I can't wait to see the media you guys got! Finally, my sponsors; without whose faith and support we wouldn't have been able to make the start line. Thank you all. In terms of outright results, officially we finished in 36th position. The mechanical issue on Stage 3 destroyed any chance of achieving our goals of finishing in the top 20. However, given our other stage results and despite being given a high derived time for Stage 3, we would have finished in 10th outright. All in all far from a disappointing weekend. Stay tuned for some onboard video on my youtube channel over the next few days.... |
| Quit Targa West 2009 - Day 2 ...done! |
| 2009-08-22 - What an awesome day despite it being sooooo wet!! I am starting to get used to the speed that I need to go to try and keep somewhat on the pace. Results show I'm setting consistent top 10 outright times with a 4th on SS11 (Western Range 2) and 3rd SS12 (Bindoon Country 1). No mechanical issues today either! :) Last day tomorrow; would be nice to have a go at these stages in the dry. Here's hoping...! |
| Quit Targa West 2009 - Day 1 ...done! |
| 2009-08-21 - What a day of ups and downs! Driving through the Murray St Mall during the morning peak hour rush, skipping along the bitumen in the John Forrest stage and then disaster, the intercooler pipe popping off half way through SS03, the Zig Zags. The disappointment felt there was one I haven't felt before nor am I able to describe. Alas the boys from Tokyo Motorsports replaced all the hose clamps and the intercooler pipe as soon as we got to them at service! Disappointment turned to joy after SS07, Kalamunda 2 setting another top 10 outright time! The evening helded a show and shine in Northbridge with sponsors Hogs Breath Cafe bringing the hog out and serving up a great dinner. Tomorrow I'm told the real fun roads start... I can't wait! |
| Quit Targa West 2009 - Day 0 - Prologue ...done! |
| 2009-08-20 - I have officially started my first tarmac rally! ...my two week rain dance has worked - almost too well! Alas though, 7th outright from 100 competitors. Unfortunately a number of other competitors found the conditions tough and had some incidents. Hopefully the crews can burn the midnight oil and get the cars to Day 1 where the rally really starts. If you're out and about this weekend, cheer on car #62!! :) |
| Quit Targa West 2009 - starts today! |
| 2009-08-20 - Today's the day. The pacenotes have been made, the car has been prepared, the butterflies are in full flight, today's the day that marks my first tarmac rally start. Prologue starts at 3pm at the Motorplex... lets see how we go...! |
| Quit Targa West 2009 - less than 2 weeks to go! | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009-08-09 - After months of research, financial and personal preparation, car build and anxiety, its all very soon coming to a head, it's now less than two weeks before the first 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, GO! call from co-driver Ivan Tan and the excitement is building! This weekend marked a significant day in preparation, with the Evo 9 passing scrutiny on its first attempt. What a great start to the cars CAMS logbook! There has been a huge effort and approximately nine months of build has taken a street car into a M2 spec tarmac rally car! I should mention that this personal endeavor of mine in competing in a top level tarmac rally event could not be possible without the support of the following generous sponsors. * Dataline Visual Link (DVL) - www.dvl.com.au * Wheels Word and Yokohama - www.wheelsworld.com.au * Hogs Breath Cafe Mindarie, Northbridge and Joondalup - www.hogsbreathcafe.com.au * G & S Industries - www.gsindustries.com.au * Tokyo Motorsport - www.autoworkshop.com.au * All Star Garage - www.allstargarage.com.au * Images Embroidery - www.images.cx In addition, many hands make light work, the countless hours of help, support and advice from the following people can not go unnoticed:
...and for those I've forgotten, I sincerely apologise! Stay tuned for more updates... |
| 2008, a year in review... |
| 2008 has been a reasonably busy and suprisingly successful year in my short motorsport career. Contesting 23 events in less than 12 months demands some strain, both financial and mechanical...To the best of my memory, thirty "R spec" tyres, two clutches, one Evo IX rim, twelve oil filters, seventy two litres of Mobil 1's finest, two sets of front rotors, two sets of front brake pads, two sets of rear brake pads and one carbon fibre front lip round out the "consumables" between my Evo VIII MR and Danny Cerro's Evo IX. I don't even want to start thinking about the financial values of the above "consumables" plus entry fees, travelling fees, accommodation fees and labour (I stopped counting after the seventh wheel alignment!!) . Do I regret any of it? ...not one bit! Said 23 events gave me outright nine wins, five second places, two thirds, four fourth places, two fifths and an eigth place, my worst outright finishing position of the year. Class results yielded ten wins, eight seconds, and two thirds. My highlights of the year include leading after Day 1 in the WA round of the Dutton Rally and not finishing out of the top three in any of the stages on Day 3, Winning the Transcore Classic Challenge despite making an error on the first day and winning a very cold and soaked Mt Clarence Hill Climb in Albany. I'd also like to thank those who supported me, firstly Danny for letting me drive his Evo IX so many times this year, my girlfriend Steph, my parents, Dataline Visual Link, All Star Garage and everyone else who provided me advice and support throughout the year. |