It must be said in favour of the Datsun that the motors the Japanese produced (in particular the L series) in there hey days were almost bullet proof as standard. When modifying these motors within reason, they still produced great reliability. In our case, no competition parts were ever used except maybe for the odd Nissan competition cylinder head gasket you could still lay your hands on (albeit at a ridiculous price). And yes he still got around 150 Kw (201.15 Hp) at the flywheel.
Being 'Martin' with his 'push the limits' attitude, every bit that could be modified, bored, lightened and increased was and would be done to make this Datsun scream. This attitude started way back in his oval track days and continues still to today. Of course it goes without saying that every now and then a serious electrical problem would occur at about 7500 RPM (the con rod usually hit the starter) and a rebuild was in order. It also goes without saying that it has not only happened once but probably more times than I wish to remember throughout his illustrious race career. In fairness though, I also recall during his oval track days where he managed to keep a motor together for an entire season including a 'Top Ten Tour' through the country. This still takes the cake for reliability from a 'standard parts' motor.
Admittedly, if there is a weakness that must still be overcome, it is to get 'great' reliability. Now for most racers and those that may not know, this can only be achieved from the bottom end, i.e. the crank, con rods and pistons. In view of this and having reviewed budget after budget, the decision has been made to finally have a custom made set of 'forged pistons' with a matching set of 'steel con rods' made for the L20 engine. Yes, it will probably be obtained via Uncle SAm.
Oh I forgot to mention, the other benefits other than reliability are, 8000RPM, half a second plus quicker and whoever is in front of me must work even harder if he wants to stay there!!! (Keep an eye on those stop watches Mr. Gough)
As to exactly when this will happen..........watch this space for further details.
See 'A New Set of RODS' after this articel.
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Monday, 25 June 2007
The Extreme Makeover
More than a year ago my brother (Martin) had the desire to transform the car into new colours. Discussions were had, thoughts were thrown about, how much would it cost and even more importantly, 'Is the timing right' for radical change?"
Martin had a fascination for the late Peter Brock, owner of the BRE racing team, who pulverised all and sundry in the (USA) Trans Am series in the early 70's with his Datsun 510. (See Peter Brock and BRE for an article on the man he aspired toward.) Being an Internet BUM myself, I trawled the net for every conceivable photo I could lay my grubby paws on and any old bit of info I could pass on to him in order to keep him motivated in completing his desire. (Nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more!)
The original Peter Brock in action during a Trans Am race.
In the beginning of May 2007, on a cold and winters weekend (in Cape Town) with it bucketing down with rain, he started flatting the original bodywork, masking up windows, the engine bay (and strategic body parts) and slowly began the laborious makeover procedure. Being so cold and damp with the rain, the drying period (and temperature) was not playing game and in places the spray paint had already begun running. Slightly disheartened and irritated, the following day when it had sufficiently dried he began flatting the areas that had run (tear-dropped) and resprayed where necessary. The wheel rims were tediously masked up and the rim centres sprayed a gloss black, then had them sent away to have the outer rims polished to a high finish. (The exact procedure to get this part of the job done as well as the eloquent vocabulary used will not be published here) He even managed to (legally) obtain the exact race number being #46 as was originally raced by John Morton of BRE (Brock Racing Enterprises) and had that affixed in the exact same position as the original BRE 510 Datsun.
On the 12th May 2007 she rolled out onto the track as a total makeover. Compliments were bestowed throughout the day by fellow race competitors and race enthusiasts were there to pay compliments to their 'Datsun SSS' hero.
Martin had a fascination for the late Peter Brock, owner of the BRE racing team, who pulverised all and sundry in the (USA) Trans Am series in the early 70's with his Datsun 510. (See Peter Brock and BRE for an article on the man he aspired toward.) Being an Internet BUM myself, I trawled the net for every conceivable photo I could lay my grubby paws on and any old bit of info I could pass on to him in order to keep him motivated in completing his desire. (Nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more!)
The original Peter Brock in action during a Trans Am race.
In the beginning of May 2007, on a cold and winters weekend (in Cape Town) with it bucketing down with rain, he started flatting the original bodywork, masking up windows, the engine bay (and strategic body parts) and slowly began the laborious makeover procedure. Being so cold and damp with the rain, the drying period (and temperature) was not playing game and in places the spray paint had already begun running. Slightly disheartened and irritated, the following day when it had sufficiently dried he began flatting the areas that had run (tear-dropped) and resprayed where necessary. The wheel rims were tediously masked up and the rim centres sprayed a gloss black, then had them sent away to have the outer rims polished to a high finish. (The exact procedure to get this part of the job done as well as the eloquent vocabulary used will not be published here) He even managed to (legally) obtain the exact race number being #46 as was originally raced by John Morton of BRE (Brock Racing Enterprises) and had that affixed in the exact same position as the original BRE 510 Datsun.
On the 12th May 2007 she rolled out onto the track as a total makeover. Compliments were bestowed throughout the day by fellow race competitors and race enthusiasts were there to pay compliments to their 'Datsun SSS' hero.
The 'makeover' and graphical guidelines from where precise detail was sought and implemented.
The Progress Continues
An idea here, and an idea there, this was Martin scheming all the time and asking, "Where can I get another half a second from?" A race drivers 'nightmare' is inevitably encountered and the only (and cheapest) answer is 'I must simply try harder' the next race.
Yes you guessed it, break out times were done (if I recall it was a 1:25:7) resulting in the 'Chickenplucker' being promoted to the big league, class A (WPMC - Killarney).
Coming up to a back marker (Billy Mathee) with the growling Porche's (Kieth Rose, Herman Scholtz and Clive Spolander) hounding the Datsun SSS.
Kieth Rose giving chase to the Datsun SSS
Not a Friday that I can recall (yes I fly down from Johannesburg for every race event as well as visit my elderly folks) has Martin not gone out to practice and NOT come back into the pits and make an adjustment. Some Friday nights, late into the night (en n paar 'Milos' sterk ook - (all in the 'spirit' of classics)) did he not try and out think the opposition by guessing the conditions for the race day. Sometimes it was just jetting changes, on others it was timing adjustments, maybe tyre pressures, but changes were inevitable (soos Lou sê (louis Powell's pit mac) - krap moet hy krap).
The rewards were sometimes (mostly) sweet, at other occasions not so sweet. On a bad race day, you could bet your last bottom dollar, the following day (Sunday) the motor would be pulled, bearings checked, head off, valves checked, pistons checked....(the go slow factor has to be found). By the next race event it was back onto the track and burning up the tar and race times were always convincing.
It was inevitable, class B was no longer good enough.
Yes you guessed it, break out times were done (if I recall it was a 1:25:7) resulting in the 'Chickenplucker' being promoted to the big league, class A (WPMC - Killarney).
Dicing with Porche's, Can-Am's and other ferocious 6 cylinder monsters is not an easy feat. As stated beforehand, he's 'Never Say Die' attitude still prevails.
Coming up to a back marker (Billy Mathee) with the growling Porche's (Kieth Rose, Herman Scholtz and Clive Spolander) hounding the Datsun SSS.
Kieth Rose giving chase to the Datsun SSS
Sunday, 24 June 2007
Proof of the Progression
Through continual trial, development and shear perseverance the Datsun SSS has ultimately become a force to be reckoned with, not only locally (Killarney) but it would appear throughout the country as well. Progress into class B (WPMC - Killarney) was therefore inevitable and was also duly recognised at an away race meeting held at the Wesbank Raceway (Johannesburg) in September of 2005. The newspapers reflected and summarised the race event perfectly. (Click on graphics below to enlarge)
Although 'lady luck' was not on his side throughout the entire day at that event, the precedent had been set and noticed by all. During all these achievements and 'accolades' bestowed upon him by fellow competitors, he has remained down to earth and humbled, never once letting his achievements allow him to become 'swollen headed'.
Michele Lupini (the only support he had was a crutch) was the race organiser for the event.
Although 'lady luck' was not on his side throughout the entire day at that event, the precedent had been set and noticed by all. During all these achievements and 'accolades' bestowed upon him by fellow competitors, he has remained down to earth and humbled, never once letting his achievements allow him to become 'swollen headed'.
The same event was again held the following year (September 2006) albeit a rather disappointing event due to the lack of spectators. However among the racing fraternity it was business as usual on the track. Ultimately the 'North vs South' race event was taken by a clean sweep victory by the Cape Town WPMC competitors and left a rather sour taste in the 'Northerners' mouths.
Some of the WPMC fellow competitors: (Martin Richards, Trevor Momberg and Fred Phillips) (click on the graphics to enlarge)
Congratulation were in order to all competitors from the South.......Victory was 'oh so sweet'.
Michele Lupini (the only support he had was a crutch) was the race organiser for the event.
The Early Days
Martin, has since I can remember always been actively involved in motor racing. His love and dedication to the sport of motor racing (both oval and circuit racing) as well as to his fellow competitors is exemplary and well known throughout the racing fraternity.
I have come to learn and accept that he has a competative edge that is seldom matched, equaled or surpassed in that, what is good today can (MUST) be bettered and improved upon tomorrow. His attitude of "Never say die" is to say the least, remarkable, comendable and to many race enthusiats unbelieveable. His racing achievements throughout the years continually improve and his races times speak volumes for themselves.
As the legendary Koos Swanepoel once remarked, "If the Japenese ever find out what you've accomplished with a 510 Datsun motor, they'll be here tomorrow to hunt you down"
These were his early days at Killarney, our HOME track.
I have come to learn and accept that he has a competative edge that is seldom matched, equaled or surpassed in that, what is good today can (MUST) be bettered and improved upon tomorrow. His attitude of "Never say die" is to say the least, remarkable, comendable and to many race enthusiats unbelieveable. His racing achievements throughout the years continually improve and his races times speak volumes for themselves.
As the legendary Koos Swanepoel once remarked, "If the Japenese ever find out what you've accomplished with a 510 Datsun motor, they'll be here tomorrow to hunt you down"
These were his early days at Killarney, our HOME track.
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