Nissan R32-34 Tuning Booklet

The Sky Is The Limit
The
Sky Is
The Limit
A Book of Skyline Stuff
Page 1
Index
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Legal Stuff ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Skyline history ................................................................................................................................ 6
Specifications .......................................................................................................................................8
Engine ........................................................................................................................................ 8
asic !"# $T%! specifications................................................................................................... 8
asic !"# specifications............................................................................................................. &
'ehicle (eights .......................................................................................................................... &
!"# )heels................................................................................................................................. &
*eciphering model serial num+ers............................................................................................1,
-olour codes.........................................................................................................................1,
Transmissions.......................................................................................................................1,
/uel ...........................................................................................................................................11
/uel consumption formula....................................................................................................11
Life is Like a o0 of -hocolates. The 1ltimate Track Test ..............................................................1#
1&81. *!", #,,,!S%Tur+o ..........................................................................................................1"
1&86. !"1 $TS%2 ......................................................................................................................... 15
1&86. !"1 $TS%! ......................................................................................................................... 16
1&8&. !"# $TS%T ......................................................................................................................... 13
1&&,. !"# $T%! ........................................................................................................................... 18
1&&4. !"" $TS#5t ........................................................................................................................ #,
'erdict. ......................................................................................................................................... #1
uying a Skyline.................................................................................................................................##
Points to (atch...............................................................................................................................##
Skyline 5odels and 6ptions % !"#................................................................................................ #"
7fter Purchase.................................................................................................................................... #4
Systems and *iagnostics ................................................................................................................... #5
8I-7S ...........................................................................................................................................#5
)hat is 8I-7S9 7nd do I ha:e it9 .......................................................................................... #5
8I-7S *iagnostic 5ode ......................................................................................................... #6
8I-7S *iagnostic -odes 1&8&1&&" ................................................................................... #3
8I-7S *iagnostic -odes 1&&"1&&& ................................................................................... #3
E-1 .............................................................................................................................................. #8
E-1 !eset ........................................................................................................................... #8
E-1 *iagnostics ................................................................................................................. #&
E-1 *iagnostic -odes ................................................................................................... ",
6# sensor test procedure..................................................................................................",
-limate -ontrol *iagnostics !"# and !""...................................................................................."1
Sensor check ............................................................................................................................."1
Page #
5ode door position check......................................................................................................... "1
7ctuator operation check.......................................................................................................... "#
Sensor recognition check.......................................................................................................... "#
-ali+ration................................................................................................................................."#
!"" /use o0 translation...............................................................................................................""
*ash+oard /use+o0 ................................................................................................................. ""
7uto Transmission *iagnostics .................................................................................................... "4
7uto transmission diagnostics codes ....................................................................................... "4
Interior ............................................................................................................................................... "5
-hanging the steering (heel ......................................................................................................... "5
-leaning a leather steering (heel ................................................................................................. "5
!emo:e the rear seat ..................................................................................................................... "5
!emo:e the surround from the climate control ; stereo % !"#......................................................."5
!emo:e the surround from the climate control ; stereo < !""...................................................... "6
!emo:e the dash+oard < !""........................................................................................................ "6
/itting a +and e0pander.................................................................................................................."3
Ignition )iring..............................................................................................................................."3
!"# )iring -ode for Stereo.......................................................................................................... "8
-ontrols and Instruments ................................................................................................................... "&
oost gauge %% ho( to read ........................................................................................................... "&
Po(er and 8old +uttons %% (hat do they do9 ................................................................................"&
*isa+ling the remote +oot release ................................................................................................. "&
1ndocumented -limate -ontrol trick < !"#................................................................................. 4,
Simple modifications ......................................................................................................................... 41
-old air intake !"# =no +ody(ork cutting in:ol:ed> ................................................................... 41
$utting the catalytic con:erter ...................................................................................................... 4#
!emo:e the 1,, km;hr o:erspeed (arning % !"#......................................................................... 4#
7ftermarket oost $auge %% (here to plum+ ................................................................................4#
uilding an intercooler (ater sprayer............................................................................................ 4"
Parts list..................................................................................................................................... 4"
7ssem+ly................................................................................................................................... 44
8o( does it go9.........................................................................................................................44
Possi+le additional related modifications..................................................................................44
Simple Tips.........................................................................................................................................45
-leaning tar from paint(ork.......................................................................................................... 45
Electric aerials................................................................................................................................45
7ir -onditioning % looking after................................................................................................... 45
5y Skyline seems sluggish sometimes. /uel filter .......................................................................45
6il pressure. Sender failure .......................................................................................................... 46
6il pressure. Stuffed oil filter ....................................................................................................... 46
-oils % !"#..................................................................................................................................... 43
7ir flo( meter ...............................................................................................................................43
7rticles................................................................................................................................................48
5easuring it................................................................................................................................... 48
)asted ?outh % 5aths and Stuff................................................................................................... 4&
6+akemono *o(nunder................................................................................................................ 51
5ay 1&8&...................................................................................................................................51
@uly 1&8&................................................................................................................................... 51
6cto+er 1&8&............................................................................................................................. 51
Page "
Ao:em+er 1&8&......................................................................................................................... 51
5arch 1&&,............................................................................................................................... 5#
7pril 1&&,................................................................................................................................. 5#
@une 1&&,.................................................................................................................................. 5#
@uly 1&&,................................................................................................................................... 5"
7ugust 1&&,.............................................................................................................................. 5"
Septem+er 1&&,.........................................................................................................................54
6cto+er 1&&, athurst.............................................................................................................. 54
Ao:em+er 1&&, ........................................................................................................................ 55
@anuary 1&&1............................................................................................................................. 56
/e+ruary 1&&1........................................................................................................................... 53
5arch 1&&1............................................................................................................................... 53
7pril 1&&1................................................................................................................................. 53
5ay 1&&1...................................................................................................................................58
@une 1&&1.................................................................................................................................. 5&
@uly 1&&1................................................................................................................................... 6,
7ugust 1&&1.............................................................................................................................. 6#
Septem+er 1&&1.........................................................................................................................6"
athurst 6cto+er 1&&1.............................................................................................................. 6"
)ellington Aissan 5o+il *ecem+er 1 1&&1.............................................................................66
Pukekohe Aissan 5o+il *ecem+er 8 1&&1............................................................................... 6&
@anuary 1&&#............................................................................................................................. 3,
)infield Triple -hallengeB Eastern -reek @anuary 1&&#..........................................................31
5arch 1&&#............................................................................................................................... 34
5ay 1&&#...................................................................................................................................33
@une 1&&#.................................................................................................................................. 81
@uly 1&&#................................................................................................................................... 8"
7ugust 1&&#.............................................................................................................................. 8"
Septem+er 1&&#.........................................................................................................................84
6cto+er 1&&# athurst.............................................................................................................. 85
Page 4
The Sky Is The Limit Introduction
Introduction
Legal Stuff
7ll +rands and trademarks are the property of their respecti:e o(ners.
7ny modifications or procedures follo(ed are at your o(n risk.
5uch of the contents ha:e +een compiled from many resourcesB con:ersations (ith peopleB
posting made to message +oardsB and technical articles pu+lished on the internet.
5y deepest respects and thanks to those (ho ha:e posted helpful material on the
Skylines*o(nunder forum < it is a truly great resourceC
Page 5
Skyline history
The Skyline name has +een around for many years %% since 1&55 in fact. This timeline and
history is +ased on material from the Skylines *o(nunder (e+ siteB and other internet
resources.
1&55 The Prince 5otor -ompany produced the Skyline 7LSIS1 in either a four door
sedanB or a fi:e door (agon. It (as po(ered +y a 1484cc four cylinder engine
producing 6, horsepo(er.
1&53 The Skyline 7LSI# (as releasedB (ith some cosmetic enhancements. Aamely Duad
headlightsB a ne( grillB and a ne( +onnet em+lem.
1&61 The Skyline Sport L!7" (as released. It (as an Italian designB and hand +uiltB so
production num+ers (ere limited. This model (as a:aila+le as either a coupe or
con:erti+le. The engine (as a 186#cc unit producing 8" horse po(er.
1&61 The Skyline S5,E series (as released. It (as po(ered +y a 1484 cc four cylinder
engine producing 3, horsepo(er. It (as during the life of this model in 1&66B that
Prince 5otor -ompany and Aissan (ere merged. 6ptions included a three speed
column changeB or a four speed floor change (ith +ucket seats. 7gain this model
(as a:aila+le in either a four door sedanB or a fi:e door (agon.
1&65 The first sporty Skyline %% the Prince $T S54 (as created to go racing. The +ody
(as +ased on a modified S5, (ith a lengthened nose sectionB and a 1&88cc si0
cylinder engine (ith either triple 4,*-6E18 )e++er car+urettorsB or a lo(er
compression :ersion (ith a single car+urettor producing 1#3 and 1,6 horsepo(er
respecti:ely. /eatures included a LS*B a fi:e speed close ratio gear+o0B front disc
+rakes (ith t(in callipersB and finned drums on the rear.
1&63 The Aissan Skyline 15,,. Po(ered +y a 148"cc four cylinder engine producing &4
horsepo(er. 7:aila+le in either a four door sedanB or a fi:e door (agon.
1&6& The Aissan Skyline -1, series. Engines included a 1&88cc si0 cylinder pushing 1,6
horsepo(erB a 1&3"cc L#, si0 cylinder engine (ith 1,& horsepo(erB and the 1&&8cc
*68- S#, $T! engine producing 16, horsepo(er (ith triple Sole0 car+urettors.
The range (as a:aila+le in t(o and four door sedansB and fi:e door (agons =e0cept
for the $T! (hich (as limited to the sedan options> The $T! (as nicknamed
E8akosukaE
1&3# The Aissan Skyline -11, series. 7gainB a range of models and engine types. The
interesting models included the #,,,$T2 po(ered +y the 1", horsepo(er L#,B the
#,,,$T! (ith the 16, horsepo(er S#,. 6ther :ariants included 16,,$TB 18,,$T.
1&33 7nother ne( generation of Skylines. 5odels included 16,,TIB 18,,TIe0B #,,,$T.
In 1&8, the first tur+o charged Skyline (as released % the#,,,$Te0 (ith a 14,
horsepo(er L#, engine.
Page 6
1&8, Aissan !", Skyline. The Skyline (as e:ol:ing into the shape (e associate (ith
modern Skylines (ith this release. 5odels (ere similar to the last generation (ith a
fe( additionsB 18,,TIB #,,,$Te0B #,,,$Te0 tur+oB and #8,,$T. The light(eight
!", #,,, !S and !", !S Tur+o packed the ne( /@#, t(o litre four cylinder engine
in +oth naturally aspirated and tur+o :ersions producing 145 and 1&, horsepo(er
respecti:ely. 1&8" sa( a facelift for the !S seriesB no( renamed the !S2 and !S2
Tur+o. y 1&84B the !S2 Tur+o - produced #,5 horsepo(erB and (as nicknamed
ETe Fa 5enE or Iron 5ask. The !S Tur+o formed the +asis for AissanGs early $roup
7 programme. 5any of us can recall the AissanGs in Peter @ackson colours
competing in the 7ustralian Touring -ar -hampionshipB (ith $eorge /ury and a
young $lenn Seton.
1&85 Aissan !"1 Skyline. 7nother step in the e:olution of the Skyline. Ae( models
included the $TS2B and the $TS!. The !#,*ET (as introducedB as (as 8I-7S.
The !#,*ET engines in the !"1 range are kno(n as E!ed TopsE after the
colouring of their :al:e co:er.
1&8& Aissan !"# Skyline. 5odels included the $2IB $TEB $TSB $TSTB $TS#5B $TS4B
and $T!. Engines included the -718 for the $2IB and then the !#,E for the
$TEB !#,*E for the $TSB 16,k( !#,*ET for the $TST and $TS4B !#5*E
for the $TS#5B and the #,6k( !#6*ETT for the top of the range $T!. The $TS4
and $T ! models featured AissanGs ne( all (heel dri:e system. The :al:e co:er
colour for the !#,*ET is no( sil:er for the !"# series.
1&&" Aissan !"" Skyline. This model (as hea:ier than the :ery popular !"# seriesB and
+ased on the Laurel platform. The models again are :ery similar to the pre:ious
generationB (ith $TS#5TB $TS#5B $TS4 =naturally aspirated only>B and the $T!.
1&&8 The !"4 Skyline series. 7 more aerodynamic design than the pre:ious !"" seriesB
and another +oost in performance.
#,,, The !%"4 $T%! and $T%T go on sale in Ae( Healand from Aissan dealers.

Page 3
The Sky Is The Limit Specifications
Specifications
Engine
)hat are the specifications of the ! series engine9 Aissan makes engine identification easy
all those letters and num+ers ha:e meaningsC
! series of engine
#, ; #5 ; #6 capacity =#,I1&&8cc ; #5I#4&3cc ; #6I#5&3cc>
* *ou+le 6:erhead -am =or *68->
E E/I =Electronic fuel inJection>
T ;TT Tur+o ; t(in tur+o
!#,E &3k(K56,,rpm 13#AmK44,,rpm
!#,*E 116k(K64,,rpm 184AmK5#,,rpm
!#,*ET =!ed top> 1"4k(K56,,rpm ##5AmK44,,rpm
!#,*ET =Sil:er top> 16,k(K64,,rpm #6"AmK"#,,rpm
!#5*E 14#k(K64,,rpm #"1AmK48,,rpm
!#5*ET 183k(K64,,rpm #&5AmK48,,rpm
!#6*ETT #,8k(K68,,rpm "68AmK44,,rpm
Basic R32 GT-R specifications
$ear ratios.
1
st
".#14.1
#
nd
1.&#5.1
"
rd
1.",#.1
4
th
1.,,,.1
5
th
,.35#.1
*iff 4.11.1
Wheelbase 2615mm
/ront Track 148,mm
!ear Track 148,mm
Length 4545mm
)idth 1355mm
8eight 1"4,mm
$round -learance 1"5mm
Fer+ )eight 14",kg =there are many (eights pu+lished>
/uel Tank 3# litres
Tyres ##5;5, !16 &#' ridgestone PotenLa !E31
)heels 8., 0 16E 7lloy =these ha:e 8.,016 cast into the rim>
Page 8
Basic R32 specifications
# *oor Specification 4 *oor Specification
/ront Track 146, mm
!ear Track 146, mm
Length 45", mm
)idth 16&5 mm
8eight 1"#5 mm
$round -learance 145 mm
/uel Tank 6, litres
/ront Track 146, mm
!ear Track 146, mm
Length 458, mm
)idth 16&5 mm
8eight 1"4, mm
$round -learance 145 mm
/uel Tank 6, litres
Vehicle weights
!"# $TS 1#6, kg
!"# $TS#5 1"8, kg
!"# $TSt 1#8, kg
!"# $TS4 148, kg
!"# $T! 148, kg
!"" $TS#5T sedan 1"&8 kg

A. these (eights are unconfirmed.
R32 Wheels
!"#Gs are a:aila+le (ith the follo(ing factory (heels.
Size Offset OEM tyres
1405 M @@ 4, mm offset
165S!14
185;3,!14
1506 @@ 4, mm offset
185;3,!14
#,5;6,!15
1606 M @@ 4, mm offset #,5;55!16
1608 @@ ", mm offset ##5;5,!16
The 1608 @@ are $T%! (heels are :ery hard to come +y. The siLe of the (heel is stamped into
the rim for identification purposes.
1pgrades to tyre siLe can +e done (ith differing results. Some mem+ers ha:e reported good
results (ith ##5 siLed tyres on the $TS%t 1606 rimB others ha:e had e0cessi:e tire%(all
fle0ing.
Page &
eciphering !odel serial nu!"ers
6n the !"# and !"" SkylinesB there is a +lue plate attached to the fire(all on the dri:erGs side.
6n the plateB there are a series of num+ers and letters (hich make up the model and options of
the car.
The !"# and !"" plate looks like this. (italics are my inserts)
Nissan Motor Co LTD Japan
E%8-!"#
-hassis Ao 8-!"#%,166&"
5odel !-!"#$7S5 77
Colour code F$1 $ 1",
Engine !#,*ET 1&&8 cc
Transmission / Axle !E4!,17 !-4"
Colour codes:
R32 Colour R33 Colour
F$1 Light grey 1A4 Light grey;sil:er
T$, *ark grey 1A" *ark lue
T81 *ark +lue 7A, urgundy
@, Light +lue F8" lack
78" !ed N51 )hite
F86 -ream F8# *ark $rey
"#6 )hite *A, 7Dua lue
3"# lack A6 7(esome +lue
Transmissions:
!E4!,17 4 speed auto
/S5!",7 5 speed manual
/S5)3 5 speed manual $TS

Page 1,
#uel
The SkylineGs hand+ook recommends the use of premium unleaded for the !#,*ET and
!#6*ETT. *o not use &1 octane in any Skyline. The fuel tank holds 6, litres in all models
e0cept for the $T! (hich has a 3# litre tank.
5y o(n !"# $TSt is an autoB and returns the follo(ing figures.
km;l L;1,, km 5P$
7:erage &.&" 1,.,8 #8.,4
est 11.15 8.&3 "1.5
)orst &.#4 1,.8" #6.1
/uel consumption can +e (orked out +y totally filling your tankB resetting the trip meterB
dri:ingB refilling the tankB taking note of the litres taken to refill and the distance on the trip
meter. *onGt run the fuel tank to emptyB as this may suck any ru++ish in the tank through the
fuel system.
Fuel consumption formula
7 O kilometres from the trip%meter
O litres of petrol taken to refill the tank
- O 7 ;
* O 1,, ; -
E O =7 ; 1.6,&> ; = ; 4.546>
Filometres per litre O -
Litres per 1,, kilometres O *
5iles per gallon =Imperial>O E
To calculate 1S miles per gallonB su+stitute ".385 instead of 4.546 in the
calculation for the :aria+le E.
Page 11
The Sky Is The Limit Life is Like a o0 of -hocolates. The 1ltimate Track Test
$ife is $i%e a Box of &hocolates' The (lti!ate Trac% Test
)ritten +y Fe:.
Findly reproduced from Fe:inPs *!%", (e+site.
http.;;homepages.tig.com.au;Iro+s;ke:spage.htm
*id you kno( that Aissan (as the first @apanese car maker (ith a production tur+ocharged
engine9
In 1&3&B Aissan released the Skyline $T%ES as part of its +locky -#11 seriesB and that car (as
po(ered +y a #., litre :ersion of the L%Series si0B and (ith fuel inJection and a $arrett T"B the
L#,ET churned out 14, hp. Aot too impressi:e perhaps in the conte0t of an 8FS modified
1,,, hp !"4 $T%!B +ut a telling indication of Aissan corporate direction in the years ahead.
In 1&81B the flagship Aissan racing machine (as a Silhouette /ormula Skyline *!",B a 5,,
hp flame spitting machineB (ith a motor called the LH#,B a special Aismo%+uilt t(in cam
tur+o :ersion of the L%Series four.
Tur+ochargers and intercoolers are a Aissan (ay of lifeB and its flagship performance models
todayB from the ne( Sil:ia;#,,S2B to the ne( !"4 SkylinesB to the @apan%only Stagea =a four
door station (agon (ith $T%! dri:e%train and mechanicals>B to other stuff (e donPt get here
like the $loriaB LaurelB -efiroB and 18,S2B all rely on a hairdryer to pin your ears +ack and
charge to(ards the horiLon.
ut the speed kings of the Aissan model range todayB as e:erB ha:e Skyline +adges on their
rumps. To recount them is to list a proud lineage of tur+ocharged performance cars. #,,,!S%
Tur+oB $TS%2B $TS%!B $TS%TB $TS#5tB and of courseB $T%!.
The ultimate opportunity to dri:e them all appeared on 5ay &thB at )akefield Park !ace(ayB
situated in rural AS). The AS) S'* -lu+ (as in:ited to a track day (ith the 8onda -ar
-lu+B and a Duick inspection of the pits re:ealed a choice collection of tur+o Skylines. This
(as an opportunity not to +e missed.
)hat follo(s is a track test. There are no lap timesB as each car (as in :arying stages of
modificationB condition and tune. The o+Ject of the e0ercise (as to dri:e the cars hardB to
e0perimentB prodB pokeB and feel the fla:ourB fa+ric and character of each car. Each car has
+een gi:en a rating out of 1,, for EngineB 8andling and 6:erall alance. The emphasis is on
fun and dri:ea+ilityB so a car may recei:e high marks for Engine and 8andling e:en though it
may lack outright pure grunt or grip. It is more of a rating of dri:er satisfaction.
6:erall alance is a fun%rating. !ather than an indication of outright speed around a racetrackB
it is a su+Jecti:e e:aluationB +ased on the carPs :irtues as a (hole package. It is also an
indication of (hich set of keys I (ould go for if I had them allB and an empty racetrack in front
of me.
So let out the catB turn off that T'B put that mo+ile on :oicemailB make yourself a nice cuppaB
settle do(n into your fa:ourite reading chairQ. and hang on for the rideQ.
Page 1#
1981: DR! "!!!RS#Tur$o
This carB of all the cars testedB is the odd one out in many (aysB (ith a significantly different
character to any of the other cars.
The #,,,!S normally aspirated modelB =po(ered +y the then ne( /@#,*E engine>B opened its
account in Ao:em+er 1&81. The !", series already had a lu0ury sports model in the $T%ESB
(ith a #., litre tur+o L%seriesB and so Aissan sa( fit to position the #,,,!S as a no frillsB
stripper sports model of the Skyline range. In (ent the ta0i pack interiorB and out (ent things
like po(er (indo(sB electric mirrorsB and e:en the radioC
ut AissanPs efforts (ere not in :ain. 7 staggering 1#5 kg (as stripped out of the $T%ESB and
so the #,,,!S rolled onto the road at a +antam(eight 11",kg. 7 tur+o editionB the #,,,!S%
Tur+oB (as introduced a year laterB +ut the model had gained (eight and eDuipment to the
point (here the last of the tur+os (eighed 1#5,kg.
The car tested here is a com+ination of an early normally aspirated +ody%shellB (ith a
transplanted tur+o heart. It (eighs 114,kgB #,,kg lighter than the ne0t lightest car testedB the
!"# $TS%T. Po(ered +y the /@#,*ETB a 1&,hp #.,litre tur+o 16 :al:e fourB the #,,,!S%
Tur+o mo:es off the line (ith a lightness that none of the others tested enJoys.
The lightness carries onto the (ay the car handles. Tip the car into a hard cornerB and there is
no feeling that the springs are struggling to keep the car flat. Like(iseB the feel through the
steering tells a tale of tyres that are gripping the road lightly. 7t eight tenthsB the #,,,!S%
Tur+o feels Duick and flatB light on its feet and nim+le.
There isB ho(e:erB a do(nside. The gritty /@#, lights up in the middle of a corner (ith all the
su+tlety of a Ae( ?earPs E:e firecrackerB and the chassis has no hesitation in immediately
thro(ing the tail side(ays. 7n occurrence that (ill scare the li:ing daylights out of e:eryone
in the carB no dou+t.
Time the po(er deli:ery carefullyB and the #,,,!S%Tur+o (ill sDuatB then thrust itself out of
the corner (ith a fearsome ferocity. *e:oid of four (heel steer or trick computer designed
multilinksB the suspension is +asically *atsun 16,, (ith longer control arms.
-an it handle the po(er of the /@#,9 )ellB sort of. ut mostly no. )ords like understeerB
o:ersteer and neutrality lose their meaning in this car some(hat. The #,,,!S%Tur+o merely
gripsB and grips and grips until the tur+o kicks inB (hereupon it (ill sDuatB and fire out of the
corner. 6r it might go side(ays and spin out.
The /@#, is laggyB laggyB laggyB thenQ.)875C The tur+o comes in (ith a +angB and the
motor re:s like a demon all the (ay to its 35,,rpm redline. It is a :ery top endy motorB (ith a
some(hat uncultured po(er deli:ery. ut it does make light (ork of pushing the fly(eight
#,,,!S%Tur+o alongB the motor +lasting the car out of corners and do(n short straights (ith
diffident ease. Short of the $T%!B it feels the fastest in a straight lineB a sensation accentuated
in no small part +y the surprise%+irthday%party po(er deli:ery.
The handling is Duick and lightB (hich means that the #,,,!S%Tur+o can carry a great deal of
speed into a corner. $et the po(er deli:ery rightB and the car (ill simply grip and goB the
Page 1"
lightness of the car meaning that more of the tyresP grip is de:oted to cornering. ut once the
grip runs outB you are in no dou+t that you are on your o(n. $et the po(er deli:ery (rongB
and you feel that the conseDuences (ould in:ol:e si0 or se:en tank%slapping fishtailsB a
+ack(ards e0it off the trackB flippingB rollingB and +urning to death after the car +ursts into
flamesQa #,,,!S%Tur+o does not need a lo:er (ith a slo( handQ.
ut there is no dou+t that it is fastB surprisingly faster than all the others tested todayB e0cept
for the $T%!. It gi:es the +iggest sho:e in the +ack (hen firing out of a cornerB it turns in the
most keenlyB and holds its line (ith the greatest determination. Pro:iding crude thrills for the
$%force addictB a goodB hard clean lap in a #,,,!S%Tur+o is a ride youPll not easily forgetB and
an o+Ject lesson in the +enefits of light (eight and Duick handling.
ut if you lost itB it (ould certainly +e a most spectacular crashQ
Engine. 35 8andling. 85 6:erall alance. &,

Page 14
198%: R1 &TS#'
I really (anted to like this car. 7n !"1 isB of courseB the +irthplace of the ! series t(in cam
si0esB and other latter%day signature Skyline engineering cues like 8I-7S four (heel steering
first found a home in the !"1. Po(ered +y the #.,litre #4 :al:e t(in cam si0B the !#,*ET
rolled out of the factory (ith 18,hp. The e0ample I dro:e had some(hat more than thatB due
to the fitment of a larger tur+oB raised +oost and a three inch mandrel e0haust.
ut of all the cars I dro:e at )akefield that dayB the !"1s (ere the least (illing to playB and to
some e0tentB the only disappointment.
The chassis is tuned more for sta+ility rather than response and this (as e:ident on the tight
t(ists of )akefieldB (here the nose (as found (anting in grip. This meant that corner entry
speeds (ere lo(er than any of the others testedB (hich hampered lap times. Perhaps this
phenomenon is due to the early generation 8I-7S 4)S +eing too eager to cut in.
)hat e0acer+ated the pro+lem (as that this early edition of the !#,*ET (as lacking in
response and mid range torDue. 7lthough not especially laggyB the real po(er lurked up high
in the re: rangeB and punching hard out of a corner (ould lea:e the engine gaspingB (hich
meant that I couldnPt use the po(er to neutralise the understeer.
The $TS%2 preferred a smooth styleB +rake earlyB ease the car into a corner Just on the :erge
of its understeerB and then sDueeLing the loud pedal early to +uild up +oost for the corner e0it.
Try any harderB and the nose (ould (ash (ide (ith understeer. Try a more aggressi:e turn in
under +rakes and youPd unsettle the grip and understeer (ould +e the result again. 7nd the
lack of immediate kick from the motor ruled out the option of flicking out the tail (ith the
po(er to ease the nose push.
8ere (as a car that (anted to go only so fast and not a skerrick faster. enefits included a
lo:ely crispB si0 cylinder ho(lB and it is a great and sta+le cruiser carB +ut itPs a +it lost in the
confines of a tight racetrack.
The handling characteristics seem to stem from a fundamental pro+lemB like (eight +alanceB
suspension roll%centresB or the interference of the 8I-7SB rather than any specific tuning
malady (ith the suspension. To go fasterB the handling (ould need to +e addressedB and some
(ay needs to +e found to inJect some torDue into that motor.
The $TS%2 is a case (here the po(er characteristics of the engine are mismatched (ith the
chassisP +eha:iour. Aeeding a slo(%inB fast%out dri:ing styleB the 8!"1 cries out for a torDueyB
grunty motor to really dig the car out of a turnB as it isnPt its style to carry a lot of speed up to
the ape0. 1nfortunately the laggy and high strung !#,*ET is not that motorB and is one of
the reasons (hy the o:erall package didnPt gel for me.
Engine. 6, 8andling. 6, 6:erall alance. 5,
Page 15
198%: R1 &TS#R
Ao( herePs something you donPt see e:eryday. To homologate the 8!"1 for $roup 7 racingB
Aissan produced 8,, $TS%! SkylinesB (hich (ere cooking $TS%2Ps fitted (ith all the
groo:y +its needed to make the racecar a contender. Lift the +onnetB and youPll see a large
tur+oB fa+ulously fa+ricated tu+ular e0tractorsB and a huge intercooler in front of the radiator.
Aismo has +een at (ork in this engine +ayB and the !#,*ET%! in the $TS%! is reputedly
good for ##,hpB up from the 18,hp of the $TS%2. 7 rare +ird indeedB full of interesting and
uniDue engineering details.
The pro+lem (ith some homologation specialsB and sadlyB in this case tooB is that the racing
parts are in the car to legalise them for $roup 7. The +its may not necessarily (ork all that
(ell togetherB nor +e suita+le for a good road car.
8oofing it out of the pitsB the dri:er is faced (ith enormous lag. The huge tur+o does not seem
to kick in until the high side of 5",,rpm. -hanging up at the 3,,,rpm redline means that the
po(er+and is (oefully narro(. The promise of e0tra po(er is fulfilledB ho(e:erB (ith a top
end rush that makes the $TS%2Ps pale in comparison.
This particular $TS%! (as fitted (ith an aftermarket 8I-7S controllerB (hich seemed to
pro:ide it (ith a +etter handling +alance than a cooking $TS%2B +ut the !"1 trademarks (ere
all there. 1ndersteer raised its head relati:ely early in the cornerB and due to the :ery peaky
and laggy tur+oB your right foot could not do that much a+out it.
Pre empting the lag and timing the po(er deli:ery so that it (agged the tail (as difficultB as
youPd ha:e to hit the loud pedal Duite earlyB and if the +oost arri:ed too early in the cornerB of
if your entry speed (as Just a little +it too high for the front tyresP likingB strong understeer
(ould ine:ita+ly +e the result. In this respect a cooking $TS%2 is an easier dri:e.
*ri:ing the $TS%! fast is slo(%inB fast%outB processB using the top end po(er to Lap do(n the
straightsB and then take it easy through the corners. ut the mismatch +et(een the chassis and
the motor (as e:en more e:ident in this homologation specialB and more disappointing gi:en
the Duality of the +ase components.
ut think a+out this. (ith all those hi%po +its under the +onnetB the ultimate potential of this
motor (ould definitely +e +etter than mostQperhaps all it (ould take are a fe( t(eaks and
the $TS%! could +e a :ery good thing indeed. ut for no(B the $TS%! feels more like a
collection of cool racing parts needed for racingB rather than an integrated and cohesi:e road
car.
Engine. 45 8andling. 65 6:erall alance. 4,

Page 16
1989: R" &TS#T
!"# $T%!Ps ha:e al(ays had a special aura. 7nd itPs an aura that the rest of the !"# range
enJoys +y association. -lim+ing into this 4door $TS%TB you canPt help +ut feel like you are
settling into a $T%! sedan. The dash+oard and steering (heel all scream $T%! at youB to the
point (here you donPt e:en notice the automatic shifter.
7nd the car doesnPt disappoint. It is fitted (ith an !#,*ETB Just like the $TS%2 and $TS%!
+efore itB +ut it must ha:e had a myriad of detail changes as the +eha:iour of the motor is
completely different. oost comes on in a hard step in the upper mid rangeB and unlike the
!"1B (hich feels as if the po(er (ilts to(ards 65,,rpmB the $TS%T pulls like a steam train all
the (ay to the 3,,,rpm red paint. 6utright kick is much more impressi:e than its
predecessorsB +ut more importantlyB the po(er is there (hen you need itB (ith a considera+ly
(iderB more usea+le po(er+and.
8andling (iseB it (as as if Aissan kne( a+out the shortcomings of the !"1 and addressed
them in the !"#. The nose reacts sharply to the helmB and sticks stu++ornly to your chosen
line. The impro:ement in front end stick allo(s you to +arrel into a corner much fasterB (here
you can use the eager po(er of the motor to fire out of the corner at a :ery rapid rate. The
po(er characteristics of the engine (ere :ery (ell suited to the responses of the chassisB and
the o:erall package (as a real delight as a result.
-ompared to the !"1sB po(er o:ersteer is easily a:aila+leB and the (ideB easy po(er+and of
the !#,*ET made holding longB smoking po(erslides an a+solute snack. The handling
+alance is neutralB and the Duick refle0es of the steering and the ready po(er make it easy to
trim your line (ith the right foot. Li:elyB (ithout +eing t(itchyB the motor has the e0act
amount of po(er to make the car fast +ut not a handful.
)hile the !"1 takes a careful and precise hand to e0ploitB anyone can enJoy this car. ItPs an
easy car to push toB and +eyondB its limits as a resultB simply +ecause the chassis and the motor
gi:e you the tools you needed to keep the thing pointing in the right directionB and the po(er
on the +oil. !ush up to a cornerB and youPd ha:e the option to keep it fast and neatB or play
rally%dri:er and get it completely side(ays. ThatPs (hat I like in a car.
rake lateB tip the car into a turnB ease on the po(er earlyB and then rela0 the loud pedal
slightly as the +oost +uilds up to cannon the car onto the ne0t straight (ith Just a hint of a
po(erslide. @ust fantastic. 'ery classy. 7n e0ploita+le and playful companion on the
racetrackB the $TS%T is a cracking carB and one that (as a+out &,R of the fun of a $T%!B and
easier to pilotB too. 7lthough the $T%! is o+:iously a fasterB +etter carB the +alance +et(een
handling and po(er in the $TS%T allo( e:ery ounce of the carPs a+ility to +e enJoyed. It does
e:erything a $T%! doesB Just at a slo(er speed. The feeling is gratifyingly similar.
ThatPs (hy this particular car gelled as a package for me. etter than the sum of its partsB and
a +argain considering the pedigree and o:erall class of the package. -ompared to something
like a #,,S2B the +alance of the chassis (as finerB the throttle control +etterB the +odyshell
much stiffer. The $TS%T simply feels a +etter de:elopedB and more e0pensi:e car than a
#,,S2. 7nd a huge impro:ement o:er the !"1.
Engine. 8, 8andling. 8, 6:erall alance. &,
Page 13
199!: R" &T#R
$odLilla. )hat more can you say9 7s I slid +ehind the (heelB I remem+er thinking that I had
+een (aiting for this moment for years. The engine (as already idlingB so I pushed in the
hea:y%ish clutchB slotted the +ig gearstick into firstB and po(ered the car onto the track.
oost arri:es early at "5,,rpmB +ut then +uildsB and +uilds and +uildsB (ith a rising crescendo
of sheer po(er until you reach a ho(ling 8,,,rpm. The po(er is so linear it feels like a goodB
normally aspirated motor. !esponse is immediateB lag minimal.
Second gear. 8ard on the po(er. The corner looms upB hard on the +rakesB the rear of the car
sDuirms slightly (ith the effortB tip the car into the corner and pour on the po(erQ. pushed
into the seat+acks instantlyB no lagQthe tail sDuats slightly as the +oost comes inB then arcs
out in a smoothB gentle po(erslide. Snap on a handful of opposite lockB sDueeLe the loud pedal
all the (ay to the floorB and the $T%! hunkers do(n on all fours as it e0its the corner in a
+uckingB screaming four (heel po(erslide.
Ae0t straight. Third gearQ$odB this has some gruntQ+ack off for the ne0t s(eeperB ease the
car onto the racing lineB then +ack on the po(er. The nose is running slightly (ideB so the loud
pedal goes do(n a smidge. The chassis immediately reactsB firming its resol:e and stepping
the tail out perhaps si0 inchesB and pointing the nose +ack into the ape0. The hooligan in me
then pushes the loud pedal a further smidge =or three>B and (e hold a smoking po(erslide for
the duration of the s(eeperB on half throttle and a Duarter turn of opposite lock.
Ae0t cornerB and (ePre still side(ays. *a+ the +rakes a touch and the tail comes +ack into
lineB tip the steering leftB and the $T%! tacksB then settles do(n like a priLefighter coming in
for the killer Ja+. This is so sta+leB yet li:ely. @ust like its little +rother the $TS%T. 6nly faster.
5uch faster.
7 fe( laps laterB the tyres and +rakes are starting to go offB and the chassis responses are
starting to dull. ItPs times like this (hen the true class of a car comes into play. !eef the (heel
into a cornerB and the $T%! immediately flicks its tail out to settle into a four (heel driftQ..
Ja+ the loud pedal and the chassis settles do(nB (ind on some opposite lockB and floor it as
the $T%! shifts its +alanceB then goes into a longB rally%car style po(erslide that is at least 45
degrees to the roadB and feels like it lasts fore:er.
The engine had enough po(er to o:ercome the grip of the tyres and control the attitudeB and
the steering still has enough +ite to get you out of trou+le should you ha:e to +ail outQ.+ut
you donPt ha:e to +ail outB +ecause this is a $T%!Q.so you ride the po(erslide right out to the
last inch of the racetrackB then rela0 your right foot Just a tadB no more than a centimetreB and
the $T%! immediately composes itselfB and fires do(n the ne0t straightB hungry for the ne0t
cornerQ.
Page 18
Pure class. I had e0pected the 4)* system to +e more intrusi:eB +ut no. The $T%! reacts Just
like a good !)* sports car shouldB po(ering out the tailB and allo(ing you to play tunes (ith
the loud pedal. The only difference +et(een the $T%! and a con:entional !)* car (as that
the $T%! only got a+out 35R as side(ays as it should ha:eB and only e:er needed a+out 35R
of the opposite lock it should ha:e neededB (hile you could gi:e it ",R more loud pedal than
you had any right to.
5ean(hileB the $T%! retained reser:es of composure and +alance that (ould flatter a lesser
car at half the speed. The responsesB the timing of the $T%! is identical to a !)* carB and so
the dri:erPs rhythm feels naturalB and instincti:e. The tail comes out (hen you e0pect it toB
and so you donPt ha:e to recali+rate your senses for the fact that this car is a 4)*. If you are a
fan of the classicB rear dri:e +alanceB you (ill lo:e this car. It is a car that doesnPt e:en raise a
s(eat e:en (hen it is tra:elling side(ays like a rally car on dirt.
The !#6*ETT is Just (onderful. It is a (ell +alanced motorB (ith enough compression and
fast%spooling tur+os such that the po(er+and is nice and linearB the response fierce +ut
smooth. Some tur+o engines deli:er their po(er in a hard stepB like shaking ketchup out of a
+rand ne( +ottle =did someone say /@#,9>B +ut an !#6*ETT pours its po(er onto the
tarmac like Fing Island dou+le cream.
Sensational. /antastic. $odLilla. )hat more can you say9
Engine. 1,, 8andling. &, 6:erall +alance. &3
Page 1&
199(: R &TS")t
The !"" $TS#5tB as the name suggestsB comes packed (ith an updatedB #.5litre :ersion of the
! series si0. Still (ith a single tur+oB it packs a cool #5,hp through its factory fit intercooler.
ItPs most directly compara+le (ith its predecessorB the !"# $TS%TB +ut under its +ulkier ne(
linesB is an additional 1,,kg of (eight. 7ll dimensions are a little +iggerB all though the tight
dynamics of the car make it feel smaller than it is.
The first thing you notice is the e0tra sho:e of the #.5 si0. -ompared to the sil:er%top
!#,*ET in the !"#B off idle torDue is much strongerB and the progression from no +oost to
full +oost at a+out "5,,rpm is smooth and linearB if not Duite in the $T%! class. Like the !"#B
the $TS#5t re:s eagerly (ith a +urgeoning po(er%cur:e right to its 3,,,rpm redlineB emitting
a lightly cultured ho(l +efitting an upmarket car like it is.
The additional mass of the !"" means that it isnPt a great deal Duicker in a straight line than a
!"# $TS%TB although the +road po(er%+and is a pleasure to e0ploit. The o:erall packageB
ho(e:erB is Just not as s(eet as the (ell%honed !"#.
Turning hard into a cornerB the $TS#5t starts to feel its (eightB and you need that little +it
more steering lockB that little +it more trail +rakingB to get the sucker turned in and stuck on to
the racing line. 5id cornerB you are a(are that a !"" is starting to ask harder Duestions of its
suspension and tyresB and the +alance is that little +it more fractiousB a little less assured. 6nce
on that racing lineB a !"" is harder to keep on it. 5ind youB I am only talking in terms of
degreesB and the +asic fla:our of the !"# and !"" is reasona+ly similar. ut there is no dou+t
that the !"" dri:er is (orking harderB and that the $TS#5t needs greater precision to pilot
neatly.
It is easier to o:ercook the entry to a cornerB the tail arcing out into gentle o:ersteerB and
Judging your entry speed +ecomes more criticalB if un(anted understeer is to +e a:oided. The
grunty #.5 si0 plays a (illing partner in all of thisB al(ays pro:iding a prodigious flo( of
easily controlla+le po(er to trim and tuck your lineB youPll need itB +ecause youPll +e +usy.
The (eight of the car also gi:es the chassis a slightly more pitchy feelingB as the (eight of the
suspension shifts diagonally onto the outside front (heel during a corner. The LS* then has a
harder time putting the po(er to the groundB as the inside rear (heel is lightly loadedB and the
tail is prone to pushing out in this +rief period of transition.
/or meB there is Just that little +it too much fightB too much edginess on the limitB that makes
the !"" a little less of a satisfying dri:e than a !"#. 7 little more dramaticB and a touch less
assuring than ideal. *onPt get me (rongB the !"" dri:er still gets a stonking dri:eB especially
if you are a fan of classical rear (heel dri:e throttle steeringB aka hanging the arse end outQ
the !"" is a ready and (illing accomplice if you enJoy painting the tarmac (ith +lack linesB
and the #.5 si0 is an a+solute treatB responsi:e and strong. ut the o:erall deal is less honedB
less refinedB less tautB than a !"# $TS%T. Strip out 1,,kg from a !"" and it (ould +e a good
thing.
6r transplant the #.5 si0 into a !"# $TS%T. Ao( T87T (ould +e a hell of a carQ
Engine. 88 8andling. 3, 6:erall alance. 8,
Page #,
*erdict:
. !"# $T%! < this shouldnPt ha:e +een so much of a surpriseB if youPd read the
a+o:e. Some people ha:e mentioned to me that they found a $T%!
under(helmingB that it (as competentB +ut not spectacular. *ri:e a $T%! at
eight%tenthsB and yesB it (ill seem like a pretty (ell sorted out road car (ith a nice engineB +ut
you may +e left (ondering (hat all the $odLilla fuss is all a+out. Porsche &11s and /erraris
feel special the moment you slide +ehind the (heelQ.Just sitting in them is an e:ent. ?ou get
no such thrill from plonking yourself +ehind the (heel of a stationary $T%!. ut to me that
misses the point of it. 7 $T%! (as de:ised as +eing the fastest (ay from one end of a
racetrack to the otherB pure and simple. 7nd so unless you are dri:ing it like you ha:e Just
stolen itB it (onPt make senseB you (onPt e:en scratch the deep reser:es of a+ility (ithin. 7nd
noB you (onPt disco:er the meaning of life during a screamingB +uckingB smoking third gear
four%(heel po(erslide. liss.
1st
EDual. *!", #,,,!S%Tur+o and !"# $TS%T < no( this may +e a surprise.
8o( can t(o seemingly disparate cars get to the same result9 )hether you
go for the cultured and +alanced responses of the $TS%TB or the crude +ack%
slapping thrills of the #,,,!S%Tur+oB +oth (ays you (in. 7 $TS%T is a finely honedB
e0Duisitely engineered sports sedanB (hile a #,,,!S%Tur+o is +asically a +ig *atsun 16,,
(ith an engine thatPs too po(erful for its o(n good.
#nd
)hile the $T%! clone appeal of the $TS%T is o+:iousB the crudePn rude Dualities of the
#,,,!S%Tur+o (ould ha:e a smaller audienceB perhaps only the +ra:e punterB (ho might
relish the fly(eight responsi:eness and po(erB or simply might get a kick out of the speed. It
is (orth remem+ering that of all the !)* Skylines testedB the #,,,!S%Tur+o is the fastest
across a racetrack +y Duite a marginB and is the only car capa+le of staying (ith the $T%!. /or
someB thatPs plenty reason to o(n one.
. !"" $TS#5t < therePs nothing at all (rong (ith this carB its merely that it isnPt
as good as the others. 8ighlights include the neutral handlingB and not least the
super po(er deli:ery of the +lo(n #.5 si0. It is ne:ertheless a hugely enJoya+le
carB (ith easily controlla+le po(er and e0ploita+le handling. )ere it not for a minor lack of
suspension refinementB it (ould ha:e easily come second in this comparison.
4th
. !"1 $TS%2 < an accomplished tourerB a track test does not put the !"1 in the
+est light. It simply did not ha:e the tools for a day of car:ing through a tight
racetrack. 1nfortunately the t(in e:ils of a laLy front end and a peaky motor
gang up on the dri:er and the $TS%2 is a hard car to from (hich to e0tract its +est. It is
interesting to note that the 7ussie S'*%fettled $TSPs do not suffer from a lack of front end
grip. 7 comparison +et(een @apanese and 7ussie !"1s (ould +e :ery interestingQ
5th
. !"1 $TS%! < a disappointment. 7 rare and co:eta+le possessionB the $TS%!
falls do(n as a cohesi:e package. It suffers from all the ills of the $TS%2B +ut
the e:en peakier nature of the engine makes the $TS%! harder to dri:e. 6th
The :alue of the $TS%! I thinkB lies in the hard(are. There is some seriously trick gear in this
carB and perhaps (ith the right amount of t(eaksB it (ill one day +e a (eapon no matter (hat
that +astard Fe:in says. ut as I ha:e said +eforeB for no( it remains for me a collection of
seriously cool racing partsQthat Just donPt go (ell together like they should.
Page #1
The Sky Is The Limit uying a Skyline
Bu)ing a S%)line
+oints to ,atch
)e are fairly lucky that (e ha:e a (ide range of Skylines a:aila+le thanks to our second%hand
car importing industry (hich has +een going strong for o:er a decade. )ith so many cars on
the marketB there is no reason to +uy a lemon.
8ere are some points to (atch for (ith Skylines.
The year of manufacture can +e found +y looking at the front seat+eltsB near the floor
mounting point. There is a fa+ric tag (ith the seat+elt specifications and the year of
manufacture se(n onto the (e++ing.
Inspect the (elded seams in the front door sills Just +elo( the plastic kick plate. This is (here
I ha:e seen rust start to form on SkylinesB especially the !"#. The !"" has an identical seamB
so these (ill also sho( in years to come.
!emo:e the ru++er around the +oot rim < this is a prime rust spot in any car. )hile you are in
thereB look in the side panels and make sure they are not full of (ater.
/eel inside the panels in the +oot (here the Jack is < de+ris found here (ill tell a story. )atch
for glass =+roken rear (indo( or tail lights at some point>
Inside the engine +ayB look for crayon or chalk marks on components < this may indicate they
ha:e +een replaced (ith second%hand parts.
-ra(l under the car and inspect +ehind the front and rear +umpers for signs of collusion
damage.
If you are keenB use a set of :ernier callipers to measure the panel gaps especially on the
doors.
*iagnostics < itGs something the 77 doesnGt do or kno( a+out. -hances are the seller doesnGt
kno( a+out them either. !un themC
)ith the front (heels off the groundB check the play in the top end < any more than 5 mm and
there could +e e0pensi:e repairs needed.
)atch the oil pressure (hen the car is hot < Feep in mind the oil pressure sender is prone to
failure. These are the factory specifications for oil pressure on the !#,*ET.
1kg;cm
#
K 6,, rpm
"kg;cm
#
K #,,, rpm
4kg;cm
#
K 6,,, rpm
Page ##
The Sky Is The Limit uying a Skyline
Skyline -odels and .ptions # R"
)ith the Skyline +eing originally from @apanB and not marketed in this countryB there is some
confusion o:er e0actly (hat models and options are a:aila+le. This has +een constructed from
a @apanese Skyline sales +rochureB so hopefully this can sho( us the lo( do(n on model
a:aila+ility.
# *oor 4 *oor
$TS $2i
$TS Type S $TE
$TS%t $TS
$TS%t Type 5 $TS Type S
$TS%4 $TS%t
$T%! $TS%t Type 5
$TS%4
The ETypeE rears itGs head at this point. This is a hotly contested issue as to (hat makes a
particular car special. The follo(ing is (hat I ha:e read from the sales +rochureB and seems
like a logical rule of thum+ =I count the $TS%4 as a Type 5 for clarity reasons>
The Type S is +ased on the $TSB and has alloy (heelsB 8I-7SB and the sport type steering
(heel. The Type 5 is +ased on the $TS%tB and has the 1606.5 alloy (heelsB8I-7SB and the
sport type steering (heel. The Type 5B Type S and $TS%t ha:e 8I-7SB the regular models
donGt.
Aormal Steering )heel <
$0iB $TEB $TSB $TS%t
Sports Steering )heel <
Type SB Type 5B $T%!
6ptions. -limate air conditioningB Electric front spoilerB SunroofB -ruise controlB Premium
audio =Fen(ood ; 7lpine ; 7ddHest>B !ear spoilerB Eug eyeE headlightsB 7lloy (heelsB
Premium +rake package.
Page #"
The Sky Is The Limit 7fter Purchase
*fter +urchase
7s you may not kno( the history of the carB it is +est to start (ith a full ser:ice.
7ir filter < replace.
/uel filter < replace. !un a +ottle of inJector cleaner through the system (ith the ne0t tank of
petrol.
6il filter < replaceB and change the oil. If there is a sludge pro+lem do a hot oil change and
repeat (ithin 1B,,, km. *onGt use an engine flush treatment.
7utomatic transmission < ha:e the oil changed. The transmission cooler should also +e
flushed.
Spark plugs < replace. 5ake sure they are replaced (ith the platinum resister type.
Timing +elt < inspect and replace. Aissan specify a 1,,B,,, km life for these. e safe and
pre:ent the rain of :al:es.
!adiator < add plenty of anti%freeLe. )ithout the protection of anti%freeLe =corrosion inhi+itor>
there are parts that (ill corrode and e:entually cause you grief. -heck the condition of all the
hoses (hile you are at it.
attery < monitor and replace if needed. @apanese car +atteries are smaller than the regular
siLed car +atteryB and it may +e the factory fitted +attery =o:er fi:e or si0 years old>
E-1 < reset it. 5ake it learn our dri:ing conditions.
Page #4
The Sky Is The Limit Systems and *iagnostics
S)ste!s and iagnostics
/0C1S
What is ,I&*S- *nd do I ha.e it-
$ood Duestion. 8I-7S is AissanGs :ersion of four (heel steering. It is an acronym for 8igh
-apacity 7cti:ely -ontrolled Suspension. 1nlike other @apanese car manufacturers 4)S =e.g.
8ondaGs system> 8I-7S ne:er e0ceeds S; 1T. It is designed for high speed response rather
than parking manoeu:res.
The system is electrohydraulic the E-1 in the +oot directs a hydraulic actuator at the rear
a0le to steer the rear (heels using the rearmost suspension links. The result is usually no more
than ,.4T of mo:ement. 8I-7S gi:es a touch of counter steer +efore settling (ith the rear
(heel pointing the same (ay as the front. =5ay+e this e0plains (hy my Skyline feels so loose
on high speed gra:el> This results in sharp turn inB and enhanced sta+ility at medium to high
speeds.
7ny(ayB ha:e a cra(l under the rear of your Skyline and ha:e a look. )atch for the hydraulic
actuator mounted on the rear of the differentialB (ith arms connected to the rearmost
suspension links. The controller is mounted inside the +ootB up on the underside of the parcel
shelf in the +oot.
!"# % Some 8I-7S models are po(ered +y fluid dra(n from the po(er steering system (ith
a set of :al:es in the engine +ay near to the +ottom of the +attery trayB (hile others ha:e a
separate system comprising of a pump and reser:oir mostly contained +ehind the right hand
side panel in the +oot. !"# models (ith 8I-7S. $TS Type SB $TS%tB $TS%t Type 5B $TS%4B
$T% !.
The !"# $TST has the po(er steering po(ered systemB and the !"# $TS%4 and !"# $T%!
models ha:e the self contained hydraulic systems.
The !"" model sa( the introduction of electronic actuationB Aissan claimed a (eight sa:ing
(as +ehind this mo:e.
Page #5
,I&*S iagnostic /ode
There is a 8I-7S (arning light in the instrument cluster. If it comesB on it is indicati:e of a
pro+lem.
!"#. -heck the 8I-7S oil le:el =po(er steering reser:oir in some modelsB or a remote
reser:oir accessi+le from the +oot>
!"# and !"". -heck all 8I-7S electrical connectionsB and if the light remains onB follo( the
diagnostic +elo(.
Aote that ha:ing an aftermarket steering (heel fitted (ithout the appropriate 8I-7S +oss
adaptor can also cause the 8I-7S system to sho( a fault. 7d:anced Imports in 7uckland
stock the 8I-7S oss adaptor kits.
Procedure.
S(itch ignition offB transmission in neutral or auto in Park.
Start engine
'ery Duickly =(ith a couple of seconds>B turn the steering (heel left and right a+out #,
degrees from centre fi:e timesB and then pump the +rakes fi:e timesB then press the
+rake pedal once more this (ill enter diagnostic mode.
*ri:e for(ards or +ack(ards a+out 5 metres at a speed less than 1,km;hrB this (ill
enter full diagnostic mode.
The 8I-7S light in the instrument cluster (ill +e flashing Duickly =for normal> or (ill
flash a code indicating any pro+lems.
Long flash O first digitB short flash O second digit.
*iagnostics (ill return to normal after fi:e minutesB or any speed o:er 1,km;hrB
or ignition is turned off.
Page #6
/0C1S Diagnostic Codes 1989199
1 8I-7S solenoid right hand
# 8I-7S solenoid left hand
" -ut off :al:e
4 Po(er steering solenoid
5 'ehicle speed sensor
6 Steering angle sensor
3 Aeutral position sensor
8 =7uto> Parking +rake sensorB
=5anual> -lutch sensor
& =7uto> Inhi+itor s(itchB
=5anual> Aeutral sensor
/0C1S Diagnostic Codes 1991999
11 8I-7S control unit
1# 8I-7S motor po(er supply not present
1" 8I-7S motor output not present
#1 'ehicle speed sensor not present
## Steering angle sensor not present
#" Steering angle sensor neutral or not present
#4 !ear main sensor input not present
#5 !ear su+ sensor input not present
"1 Parking +rake sensor input not present
"# =7uto> Inhi+itor s(itch input not present
=5anual> Aeutral s(itch input not present
"" Engine speed signal not present

Page #3
2C3
2C3 Reset
This is a :ery good procedure to follo(B especially after making any changes to the carB for
e0ample after fitting a ne( e0haustB or air filterB or Just e:ery couple of months as part of a
ser:ice routine.
To reset the E-1B disconnect your carGs +attery for #4 hours. This (ill reset the E-1 to the
factory defaults.
I ha:e also heard that this can +e done more Duickly +y disconnecting the +attery and pressing
the +rake pedal =discharging any residual po(er in the carGs electrical system>B and then
reconnecting the +attery.
It has +een recently posted that this techniDue can help if done prior to a run do(n a drag
stripB (ith a fuel tank of octane +oosted petrol or U1 racing fuel.
7pparently (hen the car is started for the :ery first timeB the factory E-1 ad:ances the
timing +y a+out t(o degreesB and monitors the knock sensor. If any detonation is
detectedB the E-1 (ill retard the timing +y three degrees. It (ill continue ad:ancing and
retarding +y progressi:ely smaller increments. 7fter a timeB the E-1 is doing the ad:ance
; retard +y only tenths of a degreeB and any po(er gains resulting from a tank of U1 racing
fuel for e0ample (ill take a long time to sho(B and not +e noticea+le. !esetting the E-1
(ill cause the E-1 to :ery Duickly re%map the ignition cur:es (hen the car is restarted.
The poster ad:ises disconnecting the +atteryB pressing the +rake pedalB and reconnecting
the +attery prior to staging.
I ha:e (atched my o(n car ha:e this done on a chassis dyno < it is amaLing to (atch the
E-1 relearning.
oth a friend and I ha:e done it to our $TSt Skylines (ith good results. 5y friend reports a
smoother dri:eB and more free re::ing. /irst impressions on my car is that it starts Duicker
=not that it e:er cranked for more than a second or t(o>B feels smoother in the lo( re: rangeB
and seems to ha:e a little more torDue in lo( speed acceleration. Possi+ly +etter fuel economy
alsoB +ut I also had my catalytic con:erter gutted a+out a day or so after resetting the E-1.
Page #8
2C3 Diagnostics
1sually you ha:e to remo:e the computer from the mounts in the passenger foot%(ellB as the
LE*=s> you need to see is pointing a(ay from you. !emo:e the plastic panel to gain access to
the E-1.
There are three different types of factory E-1
a:aila+le in Skylines.
6ne type has t(o LE*s and fi:e modes
The second type has one LE* and t(o modes
The last type has no LE*sB the output is done (ith
the engine check light in the instrument cluster. 7cts
as a single LE* E-1.
S(itch on the ignitionB +ut donGt start. The LE* on the E-1 (ill +e glo(ing.
Turn the selector scre( clock(ise all the (ay =gentlyC>
/or t(o LE* E-1Gs. the LE* (ill flash onceB pauseB flash t(iceB pause... all the (ay
up to fi:e. This is the diagnostic mode. 5ode 1 O one flashB mode 5 O fi:e flashes.
)hen you reach the right modeB turn the scre( +ack counter clock(ise. 5ode " is
(hat most people use.
/or single LE* E-1Gs. (ait a couple of secondsB and turn the scre( +ack counter
clock(iseB the E-1 is no( in mode #.
The engine check light on the dash (ill mirror the LE* on the computer.
The LE* (ill flash out a code =or series of codes if there is more than one fault> The E-1
(ill keep error codes in memory for 5, startsB so keep in mind if an error happened 51 starts
agoB there (ill +e no record of it in the E-1.
5ore recent E-1Gs ha:e t(o LE*Gs =red O first digitB green O second digitB for e0ampleB red
#0 flashB green 10 flash O code #1>
The E-1Gs on most !"#Gs ha:e one LE*B long flash O first digitB short flash O
second digitB for e0ampleB longB longB short O code #1.
Aote the E-1 fitted to !"1 Skylines has a smaller su+set of the codesB and the code for all
6F is 44 on the !"1 E-1. The !", Skyline has a totally different E-1.
Page #&
E&( iagnostic &odes
11 -rankshaft position sensor
1# 57/ sensor circuit =air flo( meter>
1" -oolant temperature circuit
14 'ehicle speed sensor circuit
#1 Ignition circuit
"1 E-1 =ouchC>
"4 Fnock sensor
4" Throttle position circuit
45 InJector leak
51 Ignition circuit
54 7uto signal to E-1
55 7ll 6F
Turn the ignition off to put the E-1 +ack to normal.
0
2
sensor test procedure
There is also a 6
#
sensor test in real time a:aila+le.
*o the same procedure as a+o:e to get the E-1 into mode # =single LE* E-1> or
mode 1 =dual LE* E-1Gs>
Start the engine.
)arm the engineB and then run under no load at #,,, rpm for the test.
Single LE*s. on O leanB off O rich
*ual LE*Gs. green LE* on O leanB green LE* off O rich
$o +y the trend sho(nB e.g. mostly on O leanB mostly off O rich. The LE* should +e
flashing +et(een 51, times per 1, seconds under normal conditions.
Page ",
Climate Control Diagnostics R" and R
The climate control has a diagnostic mode.
Enter the diagnostic mode +y pressing the 6// +utton for fi:e seconds (ithin ten seconds of
turning the ignition on.
Sensor chec%
Sensor check is selected +y pressing 86T s(itch =the red triangle> (hile in diagnostic mode.
The microcomputer detects (hether each sensor input signal is (ithin correct parameters. The
results are displayed on the screen.
If normalB a E#,E is displayed.
If a+normal the failed sensor num+er is displayed. The sensor num+ers are as follo(s.
#, % all is normal
#1 % outside air sensor
## % Inside air sensor
#" % )ater temperature sensor
#4 % Intake temperature sensor
#5 % Sunload sensor =small sensor on the left hand side of the dash+oard near the (indscreen>
#6 % P!
#3 % !efrigerant temperature sensor
This should tell you if any of your sensors are faulty.
/ode door position chec%
=This is pro+a+ly not the cause of your pro+lems +ut it is a nifty self check to play (ith>.
)hile in Sensor checkB depress the 86T +utton again. This (ill operate the the mode door
actuatorB and checks the (hether the position detection s(itch is operating. 7gain the results
are displayed on the display.
If normalB a E",E is displayed.
If a+normal the num+er of the faulty mode is displayed as follo(s.
",. Aormal
"1. 'EAT
"#. ;L =i le:el>
"4. /66T
"5. *E/!6ST;/66T
"6. *E/!6ST
Page "1
*ctuator operation chec%
y pressing the 86T +utton (hile in 5ode *oor Position checkB you can actually send a
signal to check the operation of the actuator manually. This is a +it comple0B and (ill +e
e0panded upon (hen a manual can :ie(ed.
Sensor recognition chec%
Press the 86T s(itch again and a E5E (ill +e indicated in the display section. If you press the
E75E +utton =!"#> or the (indscreen defroster +utton =!""> in this statusB the display (ill
sho( the temperature sensed +y each sensor. This (ill gi:e you an indication also of (hich =if
any> are faulty.
Temperatures (ill +e displayed in the follo(ing order =!"#>.
5 %V 6utside air temp %V Inside air temp %V Suction temp %V !efrigerant temp
!"" seems to ha:e a different selectionB (ith three temperatures +eing displayed.
6+:iously if any of these temps seem e0cessi:ely different from actual temperatures you ha:e
a pro+lemC
&ali"ration
If you depress the fan s(itch during the Sensor !ecognition checkB you (ill go to -ali+ration
in (hich you can set the difference +et(een the indicated temperature and sensed temperature.
)hile in -ali+ration press the 86T or -6L* +uttons to change the display +y plus or minus
" degrees in .5 degree increments =!"#> or 1 degree increments =!"">.
Page "#
R Fuse 4o5 translation
ash"oard #use"ox
Left -olumnB top to +ottom. !ight -olumnB top to +ottom
1,7 < !ear )iper 1,7 < Shift lock
1,7 < 7nti%stop 1,7 < 7;T control
1,7 < Starter Indicator 1,7 < 7ir conditioner
1,7 < !oom lamp 1,7 < Engine control
1,7 < Stop lamp 1,7 < 7ir +ag
1,7 < Electrics #,7 < lo(er motor
1,7 < Engine -ontrol #,7 < lo(er motor
1,7 < 8aLard lamp 1,7 < 7udio
157 < /og lamp 157 < -igarette lighter
1,7 < Turn signal #,7 < /ront (iper
1,7 < 5eters 1,7 < 5irror de%fogger
1,7 < Electrics #,7 < !ear de%fogger
Aote that the engine +ay fuse ; relay +o0 has a fuse key printed on the inside of the co:er in
english.
Page ""
1uto Transmission Diagnostics
Enter the auto transmission diagnostics mode
8a:e the car at normal temperature in Park (ith the o:erdri:e on
Start the engine the po(er light (ill go out after # seconds
Turn the ignition off
5o:e the selector to *ri:e =you may ha:e to use the push +utton release>
6:erdri:e off
)ait # secondsB and turn the ignition on
)ait # seconds and mo:e the selector to #
6:erdri:e on
5o:e the selector to 1
6:erdri:e 6ff
Press the accelerator fully and release
*uto trans!ission diagnostics codes
The error codes are flashed out using the Po(er light on the dash+oard =!"#> or the Po(er ;
Sno( +utton =!"">. The seDuence starts (ith one long flash. If e:erything is 6FB this (ill +e
follo(ed +y ten short flashes.
Errors are indicated +y a long flash in the seDuence of short flashes.
1st flash longer !e:olution sensor shorted or disconnected
#nd flash longer Speed sensor shorted or disconnected
"rd flash longer Throttle sensor shorted or disconnected
4th flash longer Shift solenoid 7 shorted or disconnected
5th flash longer Shift solenoid shorted or disconnected
6th flash longer 6:errun clutch solenoid shorted or disconnected
3th flash longer Lockup solenoid shorted or disconnected
8th flash longer /luid temperature sensor is disconnected or the control
unit po(er source is damaged
&th flash longer Engine re:olution sensor shorted or disconnected
1,th flash longer Line pressure solenoid shorted or disconnected
7ll flashes the
same (ith no
long start flash
attery :oltage lo(B has +een recently disconnected or
control unit has Just +een reconnected

Page "4
The Sky Is The Limit Interior
Interior
Changing the steering ,heel
If you are going to replace your steering (heel (ith an aftermarket (heelB you need a 8I-7S
+oss adapter. 6ther(ise the 8I-7S (ill sho( an error for the steering angle sensor not found.
Cleaning a leather steering ,heel
This is something most people miss doing to their cars. 'isit a saddlery =horse gear store> and
+uy a +ottle of Saddle Soap. *ilute some into a +ucket of (arm (aterB and (ith a soft cloth
(ipe the (heel o:er. ?ou (ill +e supprised ho( much dirt comes off the leather (heel. Feep
doing this until no more dirt come off in the clothB you may need a couple of +uckets of (ater.
7fter doing thisB the steering (heel (ill feel like ne( again. /or some reason con:entional
cleaners donGt do as good a Jo+ as saddle soap for leather.
Remo6e the rear seat
The seat +ottom =the part you sit on> can +e remo:ed +y putting your hands under the seat for
passenger door side =if a four door> or Just +ehind (here your feet are =if sitting in +ack seat>
and pulling it up really hard. The seat is +asically held there +y some +ent ta+s (hich go into
the cars +ody.
6nce this seat comes out the +ack part is held +y t(o +oltsB one on either end at the +ottomB
and the seat top slides up(ards as it is held at the top +y three sliders.
e :ery careful if you intend to make any modifications to the parcel shelf and seat +ack % the
LTS7 consider this a structural areaB and may render your car unroad(orthy.
Remo6e the surround from the climate control 7 stereo # R"
Start +y pulling out the ash tray. ehind the ash tray are t(o scre(sB remo:e these.
!each into the space :acated +y the ash trayB and press up(ards on the auto shifter surround
=(hich has the po(er ; hold +uttons> The surround should pop out.
The surround around the climate control and stereo can no( +e gently pried off. $entle is the
(ord here.
Page "5
Remo6e the surround from the climate control 7 stereo 8 R
!emo:e the ash tray. !emo:e the t(o scre(s :isi+le +ehind. $ently pry up the auto shifter
surround at the +ack edge =hand%+rake end>. The shifter surround (ill no( come offB lift o:er
the shifterB and place to one side. This lea:es another t(o scre(s :isi+le holding the console
surround on. !emo:e these. The plastic surround (ill no( come a(ay (ith a little +it of
gentle (ork.
To help (ith remo:alB drop the steering (heelB and open the dri:erGs side door. The auto
shifter (ill ha:e to +e mo:ed (hile you are doing thisB so lea:e the ignition key in.
The stock stereo is mounted in a remo:a+le rack type mount together (ith the coin tray ;
oddments +o0.
Remo6e the dash$oard 8 R
Pull out ashtray and remo:e t(o scre(s from +ehind.
-arefully pull up gear shift surroundB remo:e cigarette lighter and light plugsB and mo:e as far
to one side as possi+le.
!emo:e # scre(s that (ere hidden +y the gearshift surround.
!emo:e 6%3 scre(s =cant remem+er e0actly ho( many> from underneath the steering (heel
columnB as you (ill need to remo:e the plastic surrounds in order to remo:e the dash.
!emo:e plastic surrounds around steering column.
-7!E/1LL?B and I mean carefully ie +y le:ering up in the +est places so it doesnGt cause it
stressB remo:e the dash and centre console. Its all in one pieceB and you (ill ha:e to unplug
the demister s(itchB haLard lights s(itchB clockB air%con sensor and pipeB and electric mirror
controls.
There should no( +e a further 4 scre(s that are holding the centre stereo and air%con +racket
in place. These can +e remo:ed and the entire +racket remo:ed.
Page "6
Fitting a $and e5pander
These are dead easy to fitB the hardest part is getting into the centre consoleB and finding a li:e
feed for the po(er supply.
/ollo( the instructions for remo:ing the consoleB and if you canGt find a li:e feedB piggy+ack
the cigarette lighter feed < Just add a longer (ire to the usually :ery short +and e0pander
po(er (ire. efore you settle on a po(er sourceB check it (ith the headlights on < you donGt
(ant a po(er source that is tied into the instrument light dimmer... unless you only (ant to
listen to the stereo in daylight.
In an automaticB you (ill need to ha:e the ignition on some of the timeB as you ha:e to mo:e
the auto shifter out of park (hen the console is remo:ed. If you ha:e an electric aerial donGt
ha:e the radio on (hen you pull the aerial plug out the +ack of the stereo < the electric aerial
(ill get a +it confused.
7s a side noteB donGt +uy the cheapest e0pander on the market < a lo( dollar :ersion only
picked up t(o /5 stations on my !"" until I fitted one that cost W#, more. I get all the
stations no(B e:en miles from the city.
0gnition 9iring
The main ignition (ires are the follo(ing colour code. This goes into a plugB at (hich point
the colours changeB and then go :ia a smaller loom to the ignition +arrel. I suspect the ignition
(ires change colours from year to year and or model rangeB +ut the colour code +efore the
plug seems consistent.
)hite -onstant 1#'
lue 7ccessories
lack (ith !ed Stripe Ignition
lack (ith (hite Stripe Starter
)hen ha:ing fitted the alarmB immo+iliser or tur+o timerB I recommend unscre(ing the single
+olt that holds the fuse panel in placeB and (ith the fuse panel asideB mo:e the main loom up
a+o:e the steering column and out of the (ayB as this (ill make hot%(iring or accessing the
(ires much more difficult. It also looks neater as the (iring can usually +een seen hanging
do(n on most Skylines.
Page "3
R" 9iring Code for Stereo
)hen the factory radio is remo:edB you (ill notice t(o loomsB (ith duplicate (ires for the
radioB these are the front and rear speakers. The rear speakers should +e separate in their o(n
smaller loomB (hile the front speakers are (ith the po(er ca+les.
/irst of allB ground to the chassisB and ne:er off the ground in the loom. 1sing the factory
loom is prone to engine noiseB (ith alternator (hine or similar pro+lems. 7lsoB some (ires
appear to +e the groundB +ut actually go high =1#'> (hen something like the lights is s(itched
on.
The follo(ing (iring diagram seems true for the !"# range of all years and specifications that
I ha:e seen. Please note that some colours are sameB egB +lue (ire for the speaker is the same
type and colour of (ire for ignition. 7nd +oth are at the end of the plug.
The rear speaker (iring goes to the middle of the +ack parcel trayB (here it goes into a plug.
If you ha:e an E7cti:eE systemB then there (ill +e an amplifier there. If notB like most $TSPs
and +elo(B it (ill +e a loop +ack connector on the end. Either (ayB it changes colours at this
point. Its handy to noteB for something like an amp on;off triggerB therePs the same +lue
ignition (ire to s(itch off the amp (hen the ignitions off. If fitting an after%market radioB +e
sure to unplug the factory amp. !emo:ing the amp (ill also free up some more roomB for the
su+ +o0 perhaps.
Small Loom (Back Speakers)
ro(n (ith Sil:er Tracer !ighthand Positi:e
lack (ith !ed Stripe !ighthand Aegati:e
lue (ith Sil:er Tracer Lefthand Positi:e
lack (ith )hite Stripe Lefthand Aegati:e
Bigger Loom
Speakers are same colour code as +ack speakersB (ith the additional (ires.
?ello( (ith Sil:er Tracer -onstant 1#'.
lack (ith !ed Stripe Electric 7erial =if fitted>.
lue (ith Sil:er Tracer Ignition 1#'.
!ed (ith lue Stripe 1#' (hen lights on.
Page "8
&ontrols and Instru!ents
4oost gauge ## ho, to read
The stock Skyline tur+o +oost gauge is cali+rated to the (eird measurement of millimetres of
mercury. This form of measurement is used in some engineering circles.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
36,mm 8$ O 1 +ar O 14.6 PSI
$auge reading PSI
, , PSI
1
!
"."6 PSI
1
2
6.3# PSI
3
!
&.1 PSI
/ull =3> 1".4 PSI
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
+o,er and /old $uttons ## ,hat do they do:
8old %% this (ill make the transmission hang onto " rd and 4th gears. )hen the car is
accelerated a(ay from a stopB the transmission starts off on #nd gear to pre:ent slipping. 'ery
useful for (et conditions. This is marked ESno(E in !"" models.
Po(er %% this changes the shift points further up the re: range.
If neither of these +uttons is pressedB the transmission is in 7uto mode. If your acceleration
+ecomes spiritedB it (ill change into the po(er mode.
Disa$ling the remote $oot release
6pen the +ootB and look for the opening a+out 1,cm +elo( the +oot lip. There is a small le:er
inside the opening. Press the le:er do(n to disa+le the remote +oot releaseB pull up to re%
ena+le.
The +oot can only +e opened +y the sDuare%headed ignition key if the remote release is
disa+led. The round%headed :alet key (ill open the carB and start itB +ut (ill not undo the +ootB
nor the glo:e+o0 if locked.
Page "&
The Sky Is The Limit -ontrols and Instruments
3ndocumented Climate Control trick 8 R"
The climate control has a feature that isnGt documented in the !"# o(nerGs manual.
)ith the fan onB temperature set at 18 =the lo(est it (ill go>B press and hold the temperature
do(n +utton for a couple of seconds. The climate control (ill sho( E/-EB the air conditioning
(ill come on in re%circulated mode. This must +e a fast coolB as it sets the optimum setting for
cooling the car Duickly. The re%circulation mode can +e turned off.
There is a E/8E mode also (ith the temperature set at "# =the highest temperature>. Press and
hold the temperature up +utton to enter the /8 =fast heat9> mode.
Page 4,
The Sky Is The Limit Simple modifications
Si!ple !odifications
Cold air intake R" ;no $ody,ork cutting in6ol6ed<
The stock inlet to the air +o0B is located under the lefthand headlight (ith an opening at the
radiator side of the headlight. Aot the +iggest inletB or the +est place for one.
Aot (anting to cut a hole in the +ody(ork I decided to ha:e a look at cutting another inlet into
the +ottom of the plastic inlet assem+ly. I made an interesting disco:ery it already had +een
doneB +ut (as +lanked off.
8ere follo(s the instructions.
1. !emo:e the left headlightB and remo:e the inlet assem+ly from underneath.
7fter some feed+ack from a readerB here are the detailed instructions on ho( to
remo:e the headlight.
a> There are t(o +olts +ehind the indicator =remo:e the scre( in the top of the indicator
and pull gently to(ards the front of the carB indicator assem+ly should come out>.
+> There are another t(o nuts on the engine side of the headlight you (ill need a
uni:ersal socket dri:e to get at these as they are o+scured +y the aircon lines and the
car+on canister. There are actually four nuts in a :ertical ro(B it is only the top and
+ottom ones you need to remo:e. I canGt stress ho( difficult it is to remo:e these
(ithout a uni:ersal socket dri:eB it is also handy to ha:e a long magnetic (and to pick
up anything you drop.
#. ?ou (ill also need to loosen the three e0panding pins that hold the front spoiler in front of
the radiator.
". The headlight (ill come out (ith a +it of gentle pulling. e careful (hen unplugging the
connection for the dri:ing light the connection on the +ul+ is easy to +reakB and the +ul+
hard to locate in a shop.
4. !emo:e the ri:ets holding the ru++er and foam on the +ottom of the plastic assem+ly.
5. Peel +ack the ru++er and foamB under that (ill +e a metal pressing (ith t(o openings.
!emo:e the t(o ri:ets that hold this on. Either cut or fold the ru++er and foam so it (onGt
impede.
6. !e:ealed (ill +e t(o 4,mm diameter inlets. )ho kno(s (hy they (ere thereB only to +e
+lanked off... 1sing a small sa(B cut out the +ottom of the inlet assem+lyB I made a large
o:al shape and smoothed the edges.
3. ThatGs itC There is no( a supply of cool air =from the same source that feeds the intercooler>
for the intake. 6ptionally +lank off the original inlet. Put e:erything +ack on the car.
7s a +it of a postscriptB a friend of mine started to do the same modificationB +ut decided to
+in the plastic inlet that sits underneath the headlight. Ao pro+lems on either his car or mine
after a year.
Page 41
&utting the catalytic con6erter
!" Consider any legal im#lications be$ore you do this% &$ you carry out this modi$ication in
Cali$ornia' you could be stung (ith a )*+2,',,, $ine% This is currently a legal modi$ication
here in e( -ealand%
I had my cat gutted for W45 do(n at my local muffler shop. $utting is something that can +e
done at home if I kne( ho( simple it is I (ould ha:e done it myself... +esides I like taking
things to piecesC
asically the cat has a shield on the underside =remo:e>B and flanges at +oth ends (ith +olts.
8ard part is remo:ing the +oltsB plenty of -!-;)*4, does the trick. 1ndo the temperature
pro+eB and drop the cat out. Put in a :iceB and use a hammer and (hate:er to smack the guts
out =looks like a ceramic honeycom+ (ith heaps of metallic gauLe in there>
The contents of my cat filled the +est part of a household +ucket. Put the shell +ack into the
e0haust systemB a little +it of sealer on the flangesB may+e some antiseiLe on the +oltsB put the
temperature pro+e +ack in. Shield +ack in place =optional>
If the catalytic con:erter has +een remo:edB the temperature pro+e should +e grounded to the
carGs +ody or replum+ed into the e0haust system to pre:ent the e0haust (arning light sho(ing.
The car no( seems to comes onto +oost DuickerB this may ha:e also helped my fuel economy
impro:e.
Remo6e the 1!! km7hr o6erspeed ,arning # R"
Sounds horri+le doesnGt it9
!emo:e the plastic panels under the dri:erGs side dash+oard.
*rop the steering column =using the height ; reach adJustment>
!emo:e the instrument cluster. The small aluminium +o0 on a +racket +ehind the
cluster is the noisemaker. e :ery careful (ith the speedo ca+le < there is a plastic
slee:e than is prone to splitting (here the ca+le enters the +ack of the speedometer. It
can +e fi0ed (ith some heat shrink tu+ing or at a pinch some P'- tape.
*isconnect the spade terminalB and remo:e the dingdong +o0. Peace at last.
1ftermarket 4oost &auge ## ,here to plum$
1se either the +rass plug near (here the +rake +ooster connects into the inlet manifoldB or the
small line (ith runs off to the 57P sensor on the right hand inner guard near the +rake
+ooster.
*o not tap into the hose (hich runs from the inlet manifold to the fuel pressure regulatorB or
the (astegate supply line. If you loose pressure in these t(o hoses due to crimping or the hose
+lo(ing offB you risk killing your engine.
Page 4#
4uilding an intercooler ,ater sprayer
It is a fact of physics that (ith airB the greater the temperature the less dense a gi:en :olume of
air is. !emem+er the +asic school science phrase hot air e0pands9
7ir is also heated +y compressing it. This is (hat the tur+o does. -ar manufactures ha:e
included intercoolers to help cool the air once it has +een through the tur+ocharger. The
intercooler on Skylines is on the passenger sideB at the front of the carB Just in front of the
(heel arch. It looks like a radiator.
)hat (e can do is enhance the cooling properties of the intercoolerB thus gi:ing us greater
density in the air charge once it has left the tur+ocharger. This is done +y spraying (ater onto
the intercooler. The e:aporating (ater pulls heat from the surface of the intercoolerB reducing
the temperature of the air passing though the intercooler. It is done on some )!- type
production cars namely some )!2GsB and E:olution LancerGs. There is also a range of after%
market (ater sprayer kits around.
This proJect cost me a total of W3, or so plus my o(n unskilled la+our. *onGt hang around a
performance shopB hit the garden centreC
+arts list
7 roll of 4 mm irrigation hose
7 couple of spray heads 4 mm
T%+ranch 4 mm a+out W14 Local garden centre
7 1# :olt pump =cat. P8&,,> W1#.&5 *ick Smith
7 s(itch =cat. P3664> W14.&5 *ick Smith
6 metres of (ire a+out W8 *ick Smith
7 #, litre tank W14.&5 Payless Plastics
7 packet of 1,, 0 #,, mm ca+le ties W#.&5 Payless Plastics
# 0 one (ay anti%siphon :al:es
=for aDuarium air pumpB 1ni%pet +rand> W4.,, Pet -orner
7 more dura+le pump is a:aila+le from *ick SmithB cat. P8&,5B W#4.&5.
Page 4"
*sse!"l)
I started +y putting in the electrical parts first.
6ne of the most difficult parts is getting the po(er supply for the pump. I ran the (ire from
the +ootB though +ehind the +ack seat on the passenger sideB do(n under the carpet ne0t to the
e0isting rear (indo( (asher (ater lineB up from the carpet under the dash (here the E-1 isB
under the +lo(er motorB and into the centre console piggy+acked into the lighter po(er
supply.
I popped out one of the t(o +lanks ne0t to the steering (heel =one of these is used for the
spoiler s(itch on some cars> Later IGll go to a (recker and get anotherB +ut for no( I made a
ply(ood +lank to mount the s(itch ontoB and put it +ack in < a tight fit. I made the ply(ood
+lank +lack so it doesnGt look dum+.
The (ater line goes from the pump and tank in the +ootB out through one of the the small
ru++er plugs in the spare (heel (ell and up to the front of the car follo(ing the 8I-7S lines.
I used plenty of ca+le ties to secure the line and keep it tidy. 1p into the engine +ayB past the
+atteryB under the ru++er shroud on the radiator support. I ended up taking out the indicator to
make e:erything easier to install. I used a couple of ca+le ties to position the spray head.
It (as Duite a long Jo+ to route the (ater line < it (ould ha:e +een much Duicker (ith the car
on a hoist or ramps % I ha:e neither. Lots of dirt in my eyes...
7t the tank end % the outlet hose from the tank goes to the pumpB from the pump into a one
(ay :al:e =pre:ents the pump getting un%primed>B to a T%splitter. The other side of the T goes
to the spray head end of the hose. The centre feed from the T goes to a one (ay :al:e
mounted higher than the tankB the :al:e is done so (ater (ill not come outB +ut air can go in
to +reak the siphon. The T also ser:es as a handy point to prime the pump from.
,ow does it go-
7t this early stageB I seem to +e getting higher +oost. I find a ten second spray is enough to
make difference. I think the proJect is (orth(hileB as it has taught me a little more a+out my
carB and seems to ha:e a positi:e effect on performance.
+ossi"le additional related !odifications
The pipes +et(een the intercooler and the inlet can +e lagged using insulated plum+ing tape.
!"# < the am+ient temperature sensor can +e mo:ed to the intercooler outlet pipe. The sensor
is located on the +onnet catch supportB Just in front of the radiator. ItGs slightly smaller than a
+o0 of matches. E0tend the e0isting (ires to the ne( location.
7 throttle position trigger can +e added to the intercooler sprayerB so that full throttle =or near
full throttle> (ill trigger a spray.
Page 44
The Sky Is The Limit Simple Tips
Si!ple Tips
Cleaning tar from paint,ork
*onGt use thinners to get rid of tarB you can use +a+y oilB :egeta+le oil or 'aseline. 1se hand
soap to remo:e the oil after(ards. 7nything (ith a petroleum +ase (ill +reak do(n the tar.
The trick is to use something that (onGt harm the paint finish.
2lectric aerials
$i:e the aerial a +it of a lu+rication. 1se -!- (hite lithium grease and shield the carGs paint%
(ork (ith a ne(spaper (hile you spray. The lithium grease (ill make the aerial much Duieter
(hen it is going up and do(n. -heck that any (ater can drain a(ay from under the electric
aerial in the side panels.
1ir Conditioning # looking after
5ake sure you run the air%conditioning at least once a fortnightB e:en during (inter. This
helps to keep the system healthyB remem+er it is +asically a refrigerator.
)hen you are running the air%conditioningB plan ahead so that a couple of minutes out from
your destination you can turn the 7- offB and run the fan on high until you turn the engine off.
This e:aporates any moisture in the systemB and pre:ents +acteria and fungus gro(ing =(hich
can cause rancid smells (hen the 7- is run>
If your 7- does smell rancidB you can +uy some chemical preparation to spray do(n the :ents
and try to kill off the fungus and +acteria gro(ing in there.
-y Skyline seems sluggish sometimes: Fuel filter
Interesting pro+lemB and one I ha:e had for a (hile. The car seemed to ha:e a flat feeling to it
sometimesB and dro:e normally the rest of the time.
)hat did the trick for me (as changing the fuel filter. The old filter (as Duite hea:yB and
(hen shakenB heaps of sludge came out.
ack in my '8 days I al(ays ran a glass fuel filter +efore the car+urettorB and it (as al(ays
interesting to see ho( much Junk ended up in the filter.
e prepared for a +it of la+our to replace the filterB and remem+er to disconnect the +attery
(hen you do thisB as the filter is Duite near the starter in an !"#. The fuel filter in the !"" is
much easier to get at.
Page 45
.il pressure: Sender failure
Like all normal :ehiclesB good oil pressure is essential. The sender itself is located +y the oil
filter on the left hand side of the +lock.
The follo(ing figures are the (orkshop manual specification for oil pressure on the
!#,*ET...
1kg;cm
#
K 6,, rpm
"kg;cm
#
K #,,, rpm
4kg;cm
#
K 6,,, rpm
5y o(n car has a oil pressure gauge that doesnGt +eha:e due to a fault some(hereB so I had a
check done +y running a remote gauge (hich ga:e the correct num+ers... )he(C 1pdate. the
oil pressure s(itch replaced.
.il pressure: Stuffed oil filter
)hen an oil filter +ecomes cloggedB a +ypass :al:e opens this means the filter is offering
Lero protection to your motor. The Skyline hand+ook recommends a 5,,, km ser:ice inter:al
for tur+o models. I get mine ser:iced e:ery 1,B,,, km. )ith oilB you should stick (ith a
Duality +rand and ensure you are using a oil (ith a good :iscosity range. rands I ha:e used
are PennLoilB Nuaker StateB and 7mpol. Feep the ELu+emartE ",;4, for the tractor.
If there is a sludge pro+lem do a hot oil change and repeat (ithin 1B,,, km. *onGt use an
engine flush treatment.
Page 46
Coils # R"
5ost of the ignition system is hidden under the co:er (ith EAissan T(in -am #4 'al:eE
em+ossed on it. Each platinum spark plug has an indi:idual coil mounted on top.
These coils are fragile =so IGm told> and it may +e a good idea to lea:e this one to the
professionals. ut if you ha:e the skillsB the cause is usually one of t(o things. either a coil
failure or an amplifier =also kno(n as the ignitor> failure.
The amplifier is the +lack +o0 at the +ack of the +lockB (hich controls the coils. 7 faulty coil
can +e diagnosed +y s(apping the coil from the misfiring cylinder (ith another. If it still
misses on the same cylinderB the pro+lem is (ith the amplifier.
1pdate I no( ha:e had t(o coils fail. The good ne(s is that the price of them is slo(ly
dropping o:er time.
7nother (ay of testing a coil is to measure the resistance +et(een pins 7 and on the coil
pack. It should read ,.3 ohms for a healthy coil pack.
1ir flo, meter
5ost people seem to recommend +orro(ing and s(apping in a kno(n good air flo( meter
+efore rushing out and +uying a ne( part.
If you are replacing an air filter elementB gi:e the element a +lo( out first especially if it
appears to ha:e a silicon treatment. This (ill contaminate the air flo( meter and cause poor
running other(ise.
)hen an air flo( meter failsB the E-1 (ill go into a limp home modeB (here engine re:s are
limited to a+out #5,, !P5 (ith an unsta+le high idle. -heck all :acuum and pressure lines
around the engine first +efore replacing the air flo( meterB as a loose hose can cause similar
symptoms.
The airflo( meter can also +ecome dirtyB causing an unsta+le idle. Some o(ners ha:e
successfully cleaned their air flo( meters using -!- -ontact -leaner. The 7/5 has a self
cleaning facility (here the (ire is +riefly heated more then normal (hen the engine is turned
off.
Page 43
The Sky Is The Limit 7rticles
*rticles
-easuring it
ItGs all :ery easy to use pu+ talk to Duantify modifications (e perform to our cars. IGm certainly
guilty of using some hoary rule of thum+s in the past =eg 8mmm that ne( paper filter element
must +e (orth at least 5 k( o:er the old clogged one full of grasshoppers>
)hat (e need is a testing system so any Eimpro:ementE can +e measured against the +efore
conditionB (ith +ack to +ack runs.
7 run on a dyno can sho( plenty of informationB +ut sometimes a month +et(een runs at the
TorDue Performance monthly dyno is too far apart =introduces :aria+les like the different
temperatures and atmospheric pressure>
Like(ise a run do(n the drag strip can also sho( up performance enhancementsB +ut unless
you ha:e a heap of runsB the statistics (ill +e fla(ed.
IGm no maths (hiLB +ut I can remem+er some +asic statistics from 5
th
form. 7:erages should
+e used in the follo(ing fashion. a:erage the +est 6,RB and discard the rest.
/or e0ample. Take 5 runsB discard the t(o (orst resultsB and a:erage the remaining three.
)hat measurements can (e do oursel:es9
The firstB and maJor reDuirement is that e:erything is done legally. The Panmure rounda+out
isnGt recommended. Aeither is the su+ur+s. *ri:ing in a dangerous manor doesnGt +ring
re(ards.
7 stop (atch can +e used to get Duite accurate results for timing. 1sually the +est idea is to
plant someone in the +ack seat so they can look o:er your shoulder and (ork the stop(atch
(hile you concentrate on dri:ing.
$ood performance measurements are.
Standing start to 6, kph
!olling 4,%3, kph
!olling 6,%&, kph
/ind a nice straight road and measure your acceleration +et(een t(o po(er poles.
These are all real (orld realistic performance measurements.
6ther performance measurements (e can use are electronic giLmos like the 7pe0i !e: ;
Speed 5eter =(hich can calculate ,%1,, timesB and 4,,m times> and the $%Tech (hich can
measure the same ,%1,,B 4,,m timesB and measure rear (heel horse po(er if the (eight of the
car is kno(n.
Page 48
9asted =outh # -aths and Stuff
)e all reckon our cars run much +etter on a cold day or at night. This is a gi:en fact. ut
ho(9
/irst of all (e need to get some +asic information together. 7n engine has a gi:en :olume of
air that it (ill consume at peak re:s. 8o( much9 I suggest you plug in your P- and fire up a
spreadsheet to (ork through these e0amples and e0periment.
7 O engine siLe in --
71 O 7 Y ,.,61
O ma0imum +oost in PSI =use , if naturally aspirated>
-1 O ,.85 +ase 'E =IGll e0plain 'E in a future article>
- O ==S14.3>;14.3>%=1%-1>
* O peak po(er !P5
-u+ic feet of air per minute O =71 ; #> Y =* ; 13#8> Y -
-on:ert this to cu+ic meters +y multiplying +y ,.,#8"
So putting a !#5*ET running 11 PSI K 3B,,, rpm through the formulaB (e see it needs
1".&3 cu+ic meters of air per minute. 7 !#5*E K 3B,,, rpm (ill need 3.4# cu+ic meters of
air per minute.
8ere is the key to the po(er gain felt on a cold night. the density of air (ill change (ith
temperatureB altitudeB (eatherB and to a lesser e0tent humidity. So for t"at cu#ic meter of air$
it may "a%e up to 1&' more (eig"t #y %olume late at )ig"t t"a) t"e mi**le of t"e *ay+
TF O temperature - S #3"
P O pressure in milli+ars ; 1,,
*ensity kg;m
"
O P ; =TF Y #83>
TF is simply the temperature e0pressed in degrees Fel:in. #83 is the gas constant. The
change due to humidity is :ery small and can +e calculatedB +ut my head hurts and itGs safe to
ignore.
The follo(ing ta+le illustrates ho( the density of air :aries for a gi:en temperature and
pressure. The units are grams per cu+ic meter.
Page 4&
Pressure
=5+>
Temp =-> &8, &&, 1,,, 1,1, 1,#, 1,",
,
o
,.1#5 gm ,.1#6 gm ,.1#8 gm ,.1#& gm ,.1", gm ,.1"1 gm
#
o
,.1#4 gm ,.1#5 gm ,.1#3 gm ,.1#8 gm ,.1#& gm ,.1"1 gm
4
o
,.1#" gm ,.1#5 gm ,.1#6 gm ,.1#3 gm ,.1#8 gm ,.1", gm
6
o
,.1## gm ,.1#4 gm ,.1#5 gm ,.1#6 gm ,.1#3 gm ,.1#& gm
8
o
,.1## gm ,.1#" gm ,.1#4 gm ,.1#5 gm ,.1#6 gm ,.1#8 gm
1,
o
,.1#1 gm ,.1## gm ,.1#" gm ,.1#4 gm ,.1#6 gm ,.1#3 gm
1#
o
,.1#, gm ,.1#1 gm ,.1## gm ,.1#" gm ,.1#5 gm ,.1#6 gm
14
o
,.11& gm ,.1#, gm ,.1#1 gm ,.1#" gm ,.1#4 gm ,.1#5 gm
16
o
,.118 gm ,.11& gm ,.1#1 gm ,.1## gm ,.1#" gm ,.1#4 gm
18
o
,.113 gm ,.11& gm ,.1#, gm ,.1#1 gm ,.1## gm ,.1#" gm
#,
o
,.113 gm ,.118 gm ,.11& gm ,.1#, gm ,.1#1 gm ,.1## gm
##
o
,.116 gm ,.113 gm ,.118 gm ,.11& gm ,.1#, gm ,.1## gm
#4
o
,.115 gm ,.116 gm ,.113 gm ,.118 gm ,.1#, gm ,.1#1 gm
#6
o
,.114 gm ,.115 gm ,.113 gm ,.118 gm ,.11& gm ,.1#, gm
#8
o
,.11" gm ,.115 gm ,.116 gm ,.113 gm ,.118 gm ,.11& gm
",
o
,.11" gm ,.114 gm ,.115 gm ,.116 gm ,.113 gm ,.118 gm
"#
o
,.11# gm ,.11" gm ,.114 gm ,.115 gm ,.113 gm ,.118 gm
"4
o
,.111 gm ,.11# gm ,.11" gm ,.115 gm ,.116 gm ,.113 gm
"6
o
,.111 gm ,.11# gm ,.11" gm ,.114 gm ,.115 gm ,.116 gm
"8
o
,.11, gm ,.111 gm ,.11# gm ,.11" gm ,.114 gm ,.115 gm
4,
o
,.1,& gm ,.11, gm ,.111 gm ,.11# gm ,.114 gm ,.115 gm
So +ack to our cars. ItGs the middle of summer and IGm dri:ing home from (ork. The
temperature is #8 degrees and the +arometer is sho(ing 1,,, 5+. 5y !#5*ET is sucking
1".&3 cu+ic meters of air as I o:ertake a truck. The air that my engine consumes (eighs 1.6#
grams.
ItGs no( #am and IGm on the (ay +ack into to(n. The temperature has dropped to a chilly 14
degreesB and the +arometer is still steady on 1,,, 5+. I o:ertake another truckB the engine still
consumes 1".&3 cu+ic meters of airB +ut it (eighs 1.3 grams. The air is 5R more dense than
(hat it (as (hen I dro:e home from (ork.
Turn the calendar and get to (interB the temperature is e:en colderB and the +arometric
pressure can reach higher le:els. Lets try 4 degree mornings (ith a pressure of 1,", 5+.
7 popular =and pu+lished> rule of thum+ for this is. an increase of peak po(er +y 1R for
e:ery 4 degree drop in temperature.
Page 5,
.$akemono Do,nunder
This is a li:ing (ork in progress to document the Skyline $T%! in competition in 7ustralia during
the early 1&&,Gs. Aote that the rules and regulations changeB especially (eights and po(er outputs.
/igures recorded are at the time of the original report.
/a) 1232
5agaLines pre:ie( the !"# model range. E:en one month prior to releaseB the 7ustralian
press think the ne( model (ill share a :6 po(erplant (ith the Infiniti range.
4ul) 1232
6ne month after the !"# launch in @apan. The $T%! is co:eredB and a $roup 7 :ersion is
ponderedB the 7ustralian press not realising the first 5,, $T%!Gs +uilt are in fact the
homologation +uild run.
0cto"er 1232
$i+son 5otorsport take deli:ery of four !"# $T%! road cars from @apan. $i+son 5otorsport
has +een recognised +y Aissan @apan for their efforts (ith the pre:ious 8!"1 $TS%!
Skylines. $i+son 5otorsport are the only team outside of @apan to get $T%!Gs at such an early
stage. Initial plans are to disa+le the 8I-7S 4 (heel steering system until the rest of the car is
sorted. *ue to homologationB they can run the cars either (ith 8I-7S or (ithout.
The homologated (eight is 1#6,kgB (hich is still hea:ier than the /ord !S5,, Sierra at
1185kg. $i+son e0pects the first engines to ha:e an output of 6,,hp < much more than the
8!"1 $TS%!Gs !#,*ET%! (hich pushed out 46,hp in 1&8&B and "3,hp in 1&88.
/red $i+son fle( to @apan in mid 6cto+er (ith Aissan 5otorsport 5anager Paul erangerB
engineers Tre:or @ones and 7ndre( artley to inspect the first $T%! race car +uilt +y Aissan
@apan.
The $i+son team in:est 71W",,B,,, % 71W4,,B,,, in a sophisticated telemetry system in
anticipation for the $T%! de:elopment programme.
7nders 6lofsson =S(edish> +ecomes the first (estern dri:er to sample the Aissan $T%!
prototype race cars. 8e reports that he has dri:en t(o $T%! race carsB the first has +een
around since 5ay 1&8& and has +een a homologation de:elopment EmuleEB (ith the second
+eing the prototype race car. The de:elopment car (as +uilt to test enginesB transmissionsB
suspensionB and cooling systems. It (as eDuipped (ith sophisticated instruments. oth cars
(ere trailed (ith ridgestone and *unlop tyres. 7s a side noteB the $i+son 5otorsport team
(ere contracted (ith ?okohama.
5o.e!"er 1232
7ustralianGs see a +urgundy $T%! used as the official pace car at the 7ustralian $rand Pri0 in
7delaide.
Page 51
/arch 1226
The $T%! is officially homologated for $roup 7 racing on 1 5arch.
*pril 1226
$i+son 5otorsport roll out their first $T%! for a shakedo(n at )inton race(ay on 11 7pril.
Engineers from @apan and England Join the team for the shakedo(n. 5ark Skaife does the
dri:ing dutiesB (hile @im !ichards dri:es the current 8!"1 $TS%! as a measuring stick.
$i+son had pulled the carGs de+ut +ack +ecause of parts supply issues. Aissan @apan sent four
engineers from their e0perimental department to help $i+son 5otorsport +uild the first car.
7ll the parts arri:ed in assem+lies eg. front suspensionB engine and gear+o0.
7t the )inton testB the engine used (as a unit sent o:er from @apan. It used a @apanese
management system (hich restricted +oost to 1." +ar and po(er (as a+out 55,hp. The
$i+son 5otorsport team intended to replace the @apanese management system (ith their o(n
Electromoti:e system and run higher +oostB around 1.5 +ar for 58,hp.
8ollinger are commissioned to design and +uild a 6 speed gear+o0 for the $T%!. Aissan
@apan decided they (ould also use the 8ollinger +o0 and placed their order.
*uring the shakedo(nB the team e0perimented (ith different EP!65S in the 4)* system.
They started out (ith 45R front +iasB and ha:e different EP!65S to deli:er 1,B #,B ",R
splits. ZIGm unsure if the system uses EP!65SB perhaps itGs a +it of +ogus information in the
report[
)heels magaLine staffer Peter 5cFay Joins the $i+son team at 5allala for a test session.
5cFay is lined up to ha:e a dri:e of the prototype % +ut the car +reaks t(o half shaftsB and the
team ha:e to (ait for spares to arri:e from @apan. 7 later test session takes place at -alder.
5cFay reports the Electromoti:e management system is in placeB as is the first of the
7ustralian +uilt engines < the po(er output is Duoted at 5#,hp (ith 1.# +ar +oostB and 536hp
=4#&k(> ; 41,nm (ith 1.8 +ar +oost. Tyres are 11 inches (ideB and run at a+out 5 degrees of
negati:e cam+er. 5cFay reports the car is easy to dri:eB (ith a light clutch and a smooth
po(er deli:ery =unlike the pre:ious 8!"1 and *!", that he has dri:en>. The car has four
electric coolers for the front diffB rear diffB transfer caseB and the gear+o0.
4une 1226
The $T%! race car has itGs competition d\+ut at 5allala on 8 @une 1&&,. 5ark Skaife is the
dri:er. The decision to use 5ark Skaife (as due to @im !ichardsG points position in the
7ustralian touring car championship < it (as thought that ha:ing @im d\+ut the ne( car (ould
Jeopardise him (inning the championship if anything (ent (rong.
The $T%! used @apanese (heels that cost the $i+son team 71W#B,,, eachB and only last one
race < this is Just one e0ample of ho( important it (as to de:elop local content for the $T%!
programme.
Page 5#
*uring unofficial practice on the /ridayB Skaife (as under the lap record +y #.4 secondsB and
(as 1 second Duicker than the fastest Sierra =rock>. The reported po(er output (as 585hp or
4"6k(.
Saturday Dualifying sa( the car (as sidelined +riefly (hen a left front hu+ failedB damaging
an oil coolerB the +rakesB and causing the (heel to depart. The car (as Duickly repairedB and
Skaife (as a+le to Dualify third on the grid.
Skaife started out of the third grid positionB and (as a+le to get into the lead on the 1,
th
lap.
The car retired a+out lap #, (ith another +roken left front hu+.
@im !ichards takes o:er the car at the ne0t 7T- round at )anneroo =#4 @une 1&&,> < he had
to finish in front of *ick @ohnson to keep his title aspirations ali:e. oth he and 5ark Skaife
(ere cross entered in the $T%! and the $TS%!. The team (ere still fiddling (ith the 4)*
splitsB and an engine management pro+lem that sa( the motor to o:er%fuel and misfire during
Dualifying. @im managed to Dualify 4
th
on the grid. The $T%! had a ne( engine transplanted
and all the electronics replaced after Dualifying on the Saturday night.
7t the start of the raceB @im launched into second place. The decision to put @im in the $T%!
(as Justified (hen Skaife +roke a half shaft in the $TS%! on the startline. @im (as o:ertaken
and pushed +ack to 4
th
on the road for most of the raceB e:entually finishing in 4
th
5, minutes
later. *ick @ohnson mean(hile had crashed out (ith a +roken +rake calliper taking out the
right front (heel.
4ul) 1226
Sansui come on +oard as a maJor sponsor for $i+son 5otorsportB the money rumoured to +e
around 71W1B,,,B,,,.
$eorge /ury =long time $i+son 5otorsport dri:er> departs the team.
The final 7T- round at 6ran park =@uly 15 1&&,> sa( @im attempt to secure his 7T-
championship. The $T%! again pro:ing trou+lesome during the Dualifying sessionsB needing a
tur+o do(npipe replaced and a diff change that took 6 hours. @im Dualified firstB a tenth of a
second in front of *ick @ohnson. 7t the start of the raceB @im lead (ith a couple of car lengths
and soon dre( it out to a " second margin +ack to second place +y lap #. y a+out lap #,B the
gap (as out to #, seconds and +uilding. @im took the flagB still leading +y a fair margin.
*ugust 1226
The athurst entry list is released. Aissan enter only one car < the pairing of @im !ichards and
5ark SkaifeB the second car couldnGt +e completed due to parts supply pro+lems. 7s a side
noteB the name E$odLillaE is yet to surface < $i+son 5otorsport and the press refer to the $T%
! as EThe )eaponE
Page 5"
Septe!"er 1226
$i+son 5otorsport miss the Sando(n 5,, race. The rest of the entries to the race (as slimB
(ith most of the maJor teams entering only one car.
The athurst pre:ie(s predict that the $T%! (ill +e hampered +y itGs (eightB stressing
components like +rakes and suspension. 6nly in @apan had $T%!Gs had any endurance testingB
locally the $T%! (as still an unkno(n as to ho( it (ould do o:er 1B,,, km.
0cto"er 1226 Bathurst
The $T%! de+ut at athurst.
The $i+son 5otorsport team arri:es at athurst (ith t(o $T%!GsB four spare enginesB four
differentials =t(o frontB t(o rear>B spare gear+o0esB ", (heelsB 15, tyresB and #, team
mem+ers. 1, mem+ers remained at the 5el+ourne +ase in case of emergency.
The $T%! destined for the race (as +rand ne(B it (as still a +odyshell (hen the e0isting $T%
! (on at 6ran park. The other $T%! (as the championship (inning car < it (as to +e used
for testing to keep (ear and tear on the ne( car to a minimum.
Early Dualifying sa( the $T%! hampered (ith +ad +rake pro+lems. The team e0perimented
(ith different (heel cylinder and master cylinder siLesB front to rear. Skaife had many spins
off the track as the ideal +alance (as (orked out. @im !ichards e:entually Dualified the car
(ith a disappointing #m 15.66 seconds for 11
th
on the grid < in t(o (heel dri:e modeC The
electronics had packed a sad lea:ing the car (ith only the rears dri:ing.
The race itself (as a different picture < +y the end of lap 1 the $T%! (as up to 8
th
and in the
second lap (as a second faster than any other car in the field. @im +lasted +y the leading
AiedL(iedL Sierra going up 5ountain straight on lap 1,B (a:ing as he (ent past. y lap #,B
the $T%! had e0tended the lead to #, seconds. y this time /red $i+son (as on the radio
telling @im to +ack off. @im responded +y going one second a lap Duicker. )hen the lead (as
out to "# secondsB the pace (as rela0ed to #m 1&s a lap.
The first pitstop for the $T%! (as on lap "4 (hen @im +ought the car in for ne( +rake padsB
fuelB tyres and 5ark Skaife to take o:er the dri:ing duties. The stop took 1m ",sB far longer
than most of the other leading teams. y lap 4,B the $T%! (as +ack up to 6
th
place on the
road. It (as +ack in the lead +y lap 58 thanks to some of the leading cars pitting.
Three hours into the raceB the $T%! (as still runningB and still in the lead. Skaife +ought the
car into the pits on lap 3# for a scheduled stop for +rake padsB fuelB @imB and something that
(as pumped into the cooling system. The stop took #m ## seconds < another long stop. The
car reJoined the race in &
th
position.
6n lap &5B the Aissan came in (ith a diff pro+lem that sidelined the car for #5 minutes. It
reJoinedB +ut 1" laps later returned (ith a misfire < an electrode had Efallen offE one of the
sparkplugs. 7fter the stopB 5ark Skaife set a ne( lap record of #m 15.46 seconds. The car
continued to the end of the race (ith no further pro+lemsB finishing 18
th
B 15 laps +ehind the
(inning Percy ; $rice -ommodore.
Page 54
5o.e!"er 1226
The $roup 7 circus mo:es to 7delaide to support the $P. Skaife rolls one of the $T%!Gs and
suffers +ruising. ZIGm missing details on this e:ent[
The Eastern -reek race(ay opens (ith the Aissan 5,, endurance race for $roup 7 cars. 5ost
of the athurst teams enter. Nualifying (as interesting as the track surface (as EgreenE and
some of the dri:ers found it difficult to master the ne( track.
The $T%! Dualified on pole (ith a 1m "5.#6 second lap. Skaife is scheduled to share the dri:e
(ith !ichards % +ut due to SkaifeGs +ruised conditionB Aeil -rompton is pencilled in as a
potential relief dri:er. The team e0perimented (ith spring and s(ay +ar changes to get the
+est from the hard ESE compound ?okohama tyres.
In the race !ichards sprinted a(ay and had a 5, meter lead +y turn t(o. The car lead strongly
until lap #1 (hen it lost the left hand front (heel. @im +ought it into the pitsB (here another
(heel (as fitted. The car reJoined in 11
th
position. Lap 51 sa( the $T%! +ack in the pits for a
dri:er change to Skaife. The $T%! had lost all itGs coolant due to a split +ore or +lo(n head
gasket. *espite the teams attempts the engine (ouldnGt restart and the car (as put a(ay.
The maJor teams made the trip o:er to Ae( Healand for the Aissan 5o+il 5,, series at
)ellington and Pukekohe.
)ellington Z5issing details[ (on +y a European 5) 5"
Pukekohe got off to a slo( start after )ellington < the track (as still undergoing (ork +eing
+ought up to international standardsB pushing the /riday practice session to Saturday morning.
6:ernight rain sa( the conditions as (et =(e +ogged the /airmont doing donuts in the car
park>. Skaife did the morning sessionB (ith the team mucking around (ith the suspension. 5y
main memory of his session (as the $T%! doing a huge +ackfire % lea:ing a smoking patch on
the track.
/irst Dualifying session
Skaife 6#.#8B 61.3,
!ichards 6#.#8
Second Dualifying session
Skaife 61."5B 61.55
!ace.
61.34B 61.56
5ark Skaife and @im !ichards Dualified third on the grid +ehind *ick @ohnson =(ho lost t(o
engines on Saturday> and rockB +oth in Sierra !S5,,Gs. In the race it took Skaife t(o laps to
get past the Sierras. The Aissan game%plan called for the car to pull a ", second leadB and then
settle into a more rela0ed pace. y lap #"B the $T%!Gs lead (as out to #, seconds o:er rock.
Page 55
)e (ere entertained (ith the *@! !S5,, +lo(ing intercooler hoses off multiple timesB and
another Sierra smacking into a ker+.
The $T%! kept leading until lap "# (hen Skaife reported a loss of po(er < one of the tur+os
had +lo(n. The car (as retired. The European 5) 5"Gs also e0pired (ithin a couple of
lapsB one (ith a +lo(n engineB and the other (ith accident damage. The rock Sierra cruised
to the finish and took the flag.
There (as a good inter:ie( (ith /red $i+son pu+lished in 7uto 7ction (hich gi:es some
interesting insights. In @apanB the top $T%! teams are reported to ha:e reached the 6,,hp
mark in competitionB up from 53,hp that most of them ha:e +een running (ith. The main
pro+lem (ith the 7ustralian de:eloped $T%!Gs (ere +rakesB the cylinder +ore or +lock
cracking and the tur+os. /or 1&&1 the rules (ere rela0ed on +rakesB so that pro+lem could +e
more easily (orked through. The +locks had +een cracking due to a harmonic in the engine <
up until Pukekohe the team had +een using a +lock e:ery race. Ae( engine mounts (ere used
to cure this. The tur+o failures (ere +lamed on Duality control at $arret < the $i+son team
in:ested in their o(n +alancing machine so they could assem+le their o(n tur+os instead of
+uying complete units from $arret in @apan.
4anuar) 1221
7 +it of +ackground is needed here as the 1&&" rule change (as essentially influenced +y
these e:ents and conditions.
The -75S motorsport +ody (as in trou+le. It (as running out of moneyB and needed
restructuring. To compound the issueB there (as a general do(nturn in the economy. -75S
responded +y charging large registration fees of 71W6B,,, per car for the 7T-B and tracks
(ere charged 71W1,B,,, to host a round. In additionB +ecause the $roup 7 format (as
administered +y /IS7 in EuropeB the regulations (ere hard to (ork (ith. This had caused
delays in getting the ne( 'A $roup 7 -ommodore homologated for competition.
The rules (ere re:ised for the 1&&1 season aiming to keep the fields e:en. The SierraGs had
85kg remo:ed from their minimum (eightB +ringing them do(n to 1B1,,kg. They also got a
si0 speed gear+o0. The -ommodores also lost some (eight < 35kg do(n to 1#5,kgB and a
host of freedoms including the entire inlet systemB the :al:es and ports (ere freeB and the
inner (heel guards could +e modified to fit (ider tyres. The 5) 5" (as allo(ed to run
similar freedoms as the -ommodoresB at a feather(eight &6,kg. The $T%! had itGs minimum
(eight increased to 1"6,kg. Zthe reporting of (eights is not consistent < the homologation
(eight of the $T%! (as 1#6,kgB yet the press report an increase of "5kg from 1"#5kg. $o
figure[
In 7prilB the minimum (eights are further re:ised (ith an across the +oard increase of #.5R
in all cars. This (as done so the pri:ate teams didnGt ha:e to resort to e0pensi:e e0otic
materials to reach the same (eights as the factory teams.
The season looked like +eing a difficult one < the entries (ere (ell do(nB (ith a core group
of 1# cars contesting all roundsB and :ery small fields. E:en at this stage there (as talk of
making a full grid at athurst +y allo(ing the standard $roup E production cars to Join the
$roup 7 race.
Page 56
#e"ruar) 1221
The first round of the 7T- at Sando(n. @im !ichards Dualified on poleB (ith 5ark Skaife
,.,4 seconds +ehind. Skaife (as complaining of some pro+lems. ehind them it (as (all to
(all SierraGsB no( a little faster (ith their ne( 6 speed gear+o0es and lighter minimum
(eight. The field (as smallB only 1& cars on the grid.
The race itself (as o:er (ith a minute of it starting. @im and 5ark +lasted off the start line
and had a #, meter lead o:er the ne0t car on the track. 6n lap #B @im laid do(n a ne( lap
record < 1m 15.3, seconds < Duicker than the fastest of the SierraGs +y 1."1 seconds. 6uch.
6ne interesting moment occurred at the three Duarter mark in the race < the ne( 5) 5" of
Tony Longhurst demonstrated itGs future potential +y out +raking Skaife going into a corner
(hile Skaife (as attempting to lap the slo(er 5". The $T%!Gs crossed the finish line for a 1%#
resultB !ichards leading Skaife.
/arch 1221
The second round of the 7T- at Symmons Plains. Nualifying made for an interesting race <
@im Dualified on pole +y a huge margin of more than # secondsB helped +y damp conditions.
5ark had damaged his $T%! in practice and (as at the +ack of the grid in 1"
th
. The economy
and stiff registration fees (ere ha:ing their impact on the siLe of the field < the pri:ateers
could no longer afford to compete in the 7T-. )in Percy put his -ommodore alongside the
$T%! on the front ro(B the first time in 5 years that a -ommodore has made the front ro( of a
7T- grid.
y this timeB there (as a fairly unified plea from the other dri:ers to -75S to slo( the
Skylines do(n < the results so far (ere crushing to say the least. -75S sat on their hands for
the moment. Some of the teams resorted to using non%homologated add%ons to their cars. huge
+rake cooling ductsB fins on (heels etc. The touring car entrants association mo:ed to ha:e a
cleanup of the cars < the ducts disappeared from some of the SierraGs and the AissanGs had to
raise the height of some coolers that protruded +elo( the front spoiler.
The start of the race (as cautions (ith a +it of pushing and +arging at the front. @im (as a+le
to esta+lish a 4 second gap +ack to @ohnson +y lap 8. Skaife meantime (as (orking his (ay
through the fieldB and +y lap #4 (as +ehind !ichardsB making another Aissan 1%# formation
finish.
*pril 1221
The third round of the 7T- at )anneroo 7pril 14. The touring car circus made itGs (ay o:er
to )estern 7ustralia. 6nly 11 cars fronted for the race. E0pecting to +e hum+led +y the $T%
!Gs again most teams had spent the time +et(een Symmons Plains and )anneroo testing and
reducing (eight in their cars.
*ick @ohnson managed to Dualify his Sierra on poleB (ith )in PercyGs -ommodore
alongside. @im !ichards (as one ro( +ack in thirdB suffering from understeerB (hich also
afflicted 5ark Skaife +ack in 6
th
position on the grid. 1.48 seconds separated the first and last
cars on the grid after DualifyingB e:en though the field (as small % it (as close. Some of the
other teams assumed the $i+son team (ere sand+agging < to hide the potential of the cars.
@im e0plained EThere are lots of high speed changes in direction here and (ith a full load of
Page 53
fuel the car has inherent understeer characteristicsE. *uring DualifyingB +oth cars had spins off
into the sandB and (ere a+le to simply dri:e out thanks to their 4)*.
7t the startB *ick launched his Sierra perfectlyB Percy (as slo(er and Jumped in +ehind the
fast starting Sierra < this +locked @im inB lea:ing Skaife (ith an open track ahead. Skaife
+asted through and took up second position on the road. @ohnson pulled out a # second lead
+ack to SkaifeB Percy and !ichards. Skaife gra++ed the lead (hen @ohnsonGs Sierra lost (ater
and po(er. 6n lap 1,B !ichards slipped past Percy to make another $T%! 1%#. y lap ", they
(ere 6 seconds clear of the cars +ehind them. 5ark lead @im across the line.
75S-7! at 7merooB 7pril #1. The 75S-7! series is made up of short sprint races of 1,
laps eachB :ery different to the 5, minute 7T- touring car rounds. The $i+son 5otorsport
team entered one $T%! for 5ark Skaife. In DualifyingB the $T%! struggled (ith understeerB
+ut still claimed pole position % and still faster than any other $roup 7 car had e:er lapped
7meroo Park.
7t the startB Skaife +lasted a(ay and set a +listering pace. y lap t(o he (as # seconds clear
of the second placed carB and claimed a ne( lap record of 51.16s. Skaife took the flag (ith a
16." second gap +ack to Tony Longhurst in the 5".
The second race start (as a car+on copy of the first. Skaife got a(ay to a good start < +ut (as
una+le to e0tend his lead further than 1.3 seconds o:er Longhurst. Skaife lead until lap 5
(hen a +ad misfire de:eloped < Skaife said EI could ha:e got out and run alongsideB it (as
going so slo(E. The car made it +ack to the pits and retired.
Lakeside 7pril #8 !ound 4 of the 7T-. The Lakeside track in Nueensland is home track to
se:eral teams so it (as anticipated there (ould +e +etter competition for the Skylines. In
Dualifying @im planted his $T%! on pole in front of Tony Longhurst. Skaife (as +ack in ro(
t(o in "
rd
position.
7t the start of the race !ichards lead B and Skaife (as up to second +y the end of the first lap
=yet another 1%#>. !ichard had lapped the entire field up to 5
th
positionB +ehind him Skaife held
a & second gap +ack to the third placed 5) 5" of Longhurst. This (as the (ay they
finished.
The name $odLilla is used in race reports < starting the (idespread acceptance and use of the
term.
/a) 1221
!ound 5 at )inton in rural 'ictoria. Nualifying (as a repeat of earlier rounds (ith @im
putting the $T%! on pole. 8e re:ealed his secret EItGs simple. ?ou Just go as fast as you can
(ithout slipping off the trackE. Skaife listened and ran off the track into the dirt many times in
an effort to go faster. 8e ended up in 5
th
position on the grid.
Page 58
7t the start of the race @im assumed the lead off the start line. Skaife decided to use the grass
+eside the track as an alternate route and pushed his (ay to "
rd
gi:ing PercyGs -ommodore a
hit on the (ay. Some of the field (ere smothered in dust from SkaifeGs launch (hich caused
them to hesitate and +unch up. Skaife made his (ay into second position on lap 1#. The
Aissan 1%# continued to the flagB !ichards leading Skaife o:er the line.
4une 1221
!ound 6 7maroo Park @une #. y no( things (ere looking a +it glum for the 7T- < The $T%
!Gs had dominated the first 5 rounds and finishing in 1%# formation at each. 5ore (ork (as
needed to match the pace of the $T%!Gs.
*ick @ohnson had some trick @apanese *unlop tyres to try < the head of de:elopment from
*unlop @apan had flo(n in to (atch. The tyres (orked % *ick @ohnson and @ohn o(e made
the first all Sierra front ro( in a (hile. Skaife made "
rd
on the grid trying harder tyres to
counter the $T%!Gs tendency to understeer in and o:ersteer out of corners. In contrastB @im
:entilated his $T%!Gs +lock (hen a conrod +olt failedB forcing him to start from last position
on the grid. EIt (ill +e funE he commented.
7t the startB +oth SierraGs got a(ay to a good start side +y side < pre:enting Skaife from
getting past them. 6n the first lapB !ichards passed 8 cars to mo:e from ##
nd
to 14
th
on the
road. 5ean(hile o(e (as +locking Skaife (hile team +oss @ohnson pulled out a handy #
second lead after 4 laps. 7fter a (hileB Skaife (as a+le to use his superior traction to get past
o(eGs Sierra coming out of a sharp corner. y lap si0 the lead (as cut to a secondB t(o laps
later !ichards (as up to 8
th
and car:ing through the field fast. 6n lap 1, Skaife (as a+le to
o:ertake @ohnson and take the lead. @ohnson (as Duickly taken as (ell +y Tony Longhurst in
the rapid 5".
Longhurst applied lots of pressure to Skaife from lap 15 to #8 (hen Tony (as a+le to di:e up
the inside of the $T%! and take the lead. y lap "6 !ichards (as up to 4
th
on the roadB loosing
a little time (ith a huge po(erslide. @im (as a+le to make it up to "
rd
after o:ertaking o(e
(hose tyres had e0pired. Skaife repeated the same po(erslide mistake a couple of laps later %
allo(ing @im to slip into #
nd
place. @im set out (ith 5 laps remaining to catch the 5).
!ichards got to (ithin 1.6 seconds of the 5" < +ut Longhurst took the flag making the first
car other than a $T%! to (in a round of the 7T-. Tony later confessed EThe last 1, laps (ent
on fore:er and (hen I realised it (as @im and not 5ark in my mirrorsB I shit myselfE
Page 5&
!ound 3 5allala @une #" +ought some interesting de:elopments. The $i+son 5otorsport
team (as still short of sponsorshipB and at that stage they may ha:e had to cut +ack to one car
in 1&&#. @im !ichards (as reportedly in discussion (ith T)! and )in Percy a+out a possi+le
mo:e to 8olden at the end of the year. In responseB /red $i+son s(apped @imGs faster car (ith
5arkGs < the official team line (as that it (as for testing and set%up purposes for the
endurance races later in the year. Political darts.
Skaife Dualified on poleB (ith !ichards alongside. In the raceB they +oth got clean starts and
took off in typical $T%! style. y the fifth lapB the $T%!Gs (ere lapping one second Duicker
than any other car in the field. y lap #, the gap (as the full length of the +ack straight
+et(een !ichards and the pursuing $len Seton Sierra. The finish (asnGt a formation < Skaife
crossed the line #, seconds ahead of !ichardsB and a further " seconds +ack to Longhurst.
Early @une sa( a series of options from the -75S motor racing commission to ho++le the
$T%! for 1&&#. 7mong the recommendations (ere ideas such as forcing the cars to run in
rear (heel dri:e onlyB to put restrictors in front of the tur+os like the )!- carsB to reduce the
tyre (idth =so the $T%! had the same amount of dri:en ru++er on the road as a rear dri:e <
making 5 ME tyres all roundC>. Aot surprisinglyB $i+son 5otorsport and Aissan threatened
legal action. -75S then asked $i+son to produce a counter proposal to +ring the $T%!Gs
performance +ack to the rest of the field.
7ccording to reports at the timeB $i+son had +een testing the :arious options < at )anneroo
the air restrictors (ere in place for the DualifyingB +ut not the race. They also tested the car in
rear (heel dri:e mode (ith the front dri:e shafts remo:ed. Lap times at )inton (ere #
seconds slo(er (ith the #)*. /red $i+son points out the cars (ere +uilt to meet the rules
and should not +e penalised for doing a good Jo+.
4ul) 1221
!ound 8 Lakeside @uly 14. This (as Duite a rare e:ent < a circuit hosting t(o rounds of the
7T-. The de:elopment (ork done to the cars (as graphically illustrated +y 5ark Skaife
claiming pole going 1 second faster than the lap record he set +ack in 7pril. The team
e0perimented (ith different compound ?okohamas as (ell as hard and soft suspension
settings. The cars (ere Duicker (ith a hard suspension despite LakesideGs +umpy surface.
There (as some contro:ersy (hen Skaife spun off the track +listering the soft tyres fitted.
$i+son got the go%ahead from officials to replace the tyres (ith a ne( setB making some ri:als
unhappy ZShell series rules at that time (ere to Dualify and race on one set of marked tyres[
@im Dualified third on the grid after a minor off during his hot lap.
*uring the race (arm upB the $T%!Gs ran Duite a fe( laps at race pace < and people (ere
(ondering a+out the dura+ility of the soft compound tyres the team had chosen to use. 7t the
race start the $T%!Gs used their pro:en 3B8,, rpm clutch dumps to rocket off the lineB @im
getting past rock for second +efore the first corner. y the 4
th
lap Skaife and !ichard (ere
#."6 seconds clear of rock +ack in "
rd
. The Sierra couldnGt maintain the pace and +egan to
drop +ack (ith a +listering rear tyre. y lap 1#B the $T%!Gs (ere 3 seconds clear of
LonghurstGs 5) 5" (ho had Just o:ertaken rock. The 5) pushed hard and e:entually
got the gap to the leading $T%!Gs do(n to ".81 seconds < making the AissanGs dri:e harder
than intended. Skaife pulled into the pits for fresh ru++erB reJoining in 6
th
. 6ne lap laterB
Page 6,
Longhurst dro:e around the outside of @imGs $T%! into a corner to take the lead. !ichards
pulled into the pits for ne( tyresB reJoining in 5
th
< Skaife (as no( 4
th
on the track. oth
Skaife and !ichards (ere a+le to pass $len SetonGs Sierra to make it into "
rd
and 4
th
. Skaife
claimed a ne( lap record 5".16B +ut soon +egan to slo( (ith a misfire attri+uted to a fouled
plug % !ichards o:ertaking Skaife on lap 45. Longhurst and 7lan @ones =+oth 5) 5"Gs>
crossed the line ahead of !ichards and Skaife.
)ith a "
rd
placeB @im had claimed the title in the slo(er of the t(o $T%!Gs. If Skaife had
crossed the line in front < the title fight (ould ha:e gone onto the ne0t round. The rumours of
@im !ichards lea:ing for 8olden (ere put to rest (hen he signed (ith $i+son 5otorsport for
another t(o years pending sponsorship.
Thursday #5 @uly 1&&1 < The o+ /or+es o(ned $I6 team take deli:ery of the first pri:ateer
$T%!. The car had +een +uild +y $i+son 5otorsport as a customer car. 6ne maJor issue that
impacted the $I6 $T%! (as tyres. They (ere una+le to get the ?okohamas that the factory
$T%!Gs usedB so (ere limited to using @apanese *unlops. In @apanB there (as a maJor tyre
E(arE going on (ith stiff competition in the @apanese $roup 7 scene. 7s a result *unlop
@apan (ouldnGt supply their +est tyres to the $I6 team for fear that the $I6 teamGs close ties
to $i+sonGs team (ould see +itter ri:al ?okohama get their hands on the trick *unlopsC
The team (ere a+le to get a+out 5, laps of shakedo(n testing done +efore the final 75S-7!
round at 7marooB 5ark Skaife helping to set the ne( car up. $i++s commented that the
Aissan people claimed it had no lagB +ut compared to his pre:ious $roup 7 'A -ommodoreB
he could feel lag.
Longhurst gra++ed poleB (ith $i++s +ack in "
rd
spotB still getting to grips (ith the ne( car.
The first race start (as interesting. $i++s making a demon start EI could not +elie:e itB it Just
shot off the line. I (as past Tony +efore he had e:en mo:edE. 8e had +een told to stand on the
gas for ma0imum re:s and dump the clutch. EI donGt like (orking the engine like thatB +ut
thatGs (hat they told meB and thatGs (hat I did.E y the first corner he (as one second clear of
the Longhurst 5". 5ark $i++s managed to hold the lead for the first lapB +it on the second
(as taken +y Longhurst in an out+raking manoeu:re. $i++s +lasted past for the lead once
moreB +ut (as again taken +y Tony on lap 4. 6:er the ne0t si0 laps the pair raced side +y sideB
s(apping the lead t(ice (ith Longhurst managing to take the flag +y ,.# of a second from
$i++s.
!ace t(o sa( a similar start for $i++sB another launch from the second ro( and he (as in the
lead +y the first corner. $i++s kept the lead on lap t(oB (ith Longhurst nearly alongside. 6n
lap " the 5) gra++ed the lead for a fe( +rief seconds +efore the $i++s $T%! muscled past.
Longhurst managed to get past on lap 3B and kept the lead up to the flag < (inning +y ,."6 of
a second from $i++s.
6:erseas in EuropeB the Aissan $T%!Gs dominate the Spa #4 hour classic. The $roup 7 entry
of 7nders 6lofsson ; *a:id ra+ham ; Aaoki 8attori Dualified on pole and lead the race from
start to finish. The $T%! had a one minute lead +efore the end of the first hour. y the early
morning % the $T%! (as clear +y three lapsB e:entually (inning +y a crushing #1 laps from
the Porsche -arerra # in second. In the $roup A class for standard production carsB the Aissan
$T%!Gs finished 1%#. 7ll three of the $T%!Gs crossed the finish line in formation.
Page 61
*ugust 1221
The final 7T- !oundB 6ran Park 7ugust 11. Skaife claimed pole < he (as simply faster than
any other car in all the practice and Dualifying sessions. The car (as +adly affected (ith a
Epig%routingE e0it to one of the off cam+er cornersB the shock a+sor+er re+ound getting the
+lame. Team manager /red planned to return here to e0periment (ith suspension in the near
future. @im (as a little slo(er in "
rd
spot on the grid after similar handling pro+lems to Skaife
< at one stage the car scraped a (all after it Jumped side(ays. &
th
on the grid (as the $I6 $T%
!B $i++s commenting he needed more time in the car. *uring practice he (as a+le to lo(er
his lap times +y #.5 seconds as he got used to the $T%!.
Skaife demonstrated the $T%!Gs launching capa+ility once againB leading off the line. @im
ho(e:er (as a little slo(er off the mark and kept his "
rd
position. $i++s (as sDueeLed +ack to
11
th
on the track in the opening corner scrap. 7t the end of the first lap < Skaife (as nearly
three seconds clear of the second placed Sierra of o(e. There (as a huge +attle +et(een
o(eB !ichards and rock for the second positionB rock managing to get past !ichards. The
-ommodore (as doing Duite (ell (ith some special ridgestone tyres and a fresh race motor
=it (as the fastest car do(n the front straight all (eekend>.
/urther +ack $i++s (as +aulked (hen he (as faced (ith a !S5,, hatch falling from the sky <
@ohnson had clashed (ith PercyGs -ommodore and the complete rear hatch had +een torn off
and hurled sky(ards. @im (as a+le to make it +ack to "
rd
after o(eGs car started to de:elop a
misfireB +oth rock and !ichards got past the slo(ing Sierra. @im o:ertook rock for second
placeB +ut shortly after(ards the $T%!Gs engine e0pired lea:ing oil e:ery(here. @im later
e0plained that the engine had done #B,,, kmB and the failure may ha:e +een caused +y a cam
follo(er or :al:e +reaking.
y lap 15 Skaife (as 8.46 seconds clear of Longhurst and @ones (ho had got past rock.
$i++s (as up to 6
th
. 7t the end of the raceB Skaife took the flag +y #" seconds +ack to the
Longhurst and @ones 5"GsB 5ark $i++s +ringing the $I6 $T%! in for 5
th
place.
The entry list for athurst is released < there is a full field of 53 entries (ithout resorting to
padding out the entry list (ith the $roup E production cars. There is a media and test day at
athurst < some of the leading teams appear including the $i+son team. @im cleans up the test
day (ith the fastest lap =#.14.&5s> and reaching #&&kph on -onrod Straight. )in Percy almost
matches (ith #&3kph in his -ommodore.
Page 6#
Septe!"er 1221
The 1 Septem+er Sando(n 5,,B again sa( some of the maJor teams missing < the $i+son $T%
!Gs and the *ick @ohnson team didnGt enter.
The $I6 team +ought their ne( $T%! out to play at Sando(n. )ith a small field of 15
starters and a high attrition rate the $T%! dri:en +y 5ark $i++s and !ohan 6nslo( (on the
race +y 6 laps. It (asnGt Duite as easy as it sounds < $len Seton had chased them :ery hard
until his Sierra e0piredB and the $T%! (as ha:ing some difficulties (ith the +rakes. The
Sando(n 5,, did demonstrate that the $T%! could last the distance in an endurance race. !oll
on athurstC
The $i+son team re:eal the dri:ers of the second $T%! < *re( Price and $arry )aldon.
Bathurst 0cto"er 1221
The first day of practice opened on )ednesday. The much fancied Shell 13 and 18 Sierras
started off (ell (ith a split +oreB and a detonated engine (ithin the first couple of laps < the
start of a disastrous athurst for the @ohnson team. The $i+son team started +edding in +rake
pads on the U# car. They felt it (as a +it faster then the U1 carB so the team changed the lead
carGs specification to match the U# entry. The ducts that had +een remo:ed earlier in the year
sho(ed up again on the $T%!Gs < the $i+son team figuring that athurst (as :ery separate
from the regular 7T- rounds.
The $I6 team $T%! (as running (ell in the first practice sessionsB they (ere pulling #m 18
second laps (ithout pushing hard. 5ark $i++s commenting he (as more confident in the car
(ith more time under his +elt.
6n the Thursday practice sessions Skaife turned in a lap of #m 1#.84 secondsB good enough
for pro:isional pole. !ichards (as a+le to get (ithin a second of that lap time on a full load of
fuel. The team spent most of the practice sessions (orking (ith the +rakes < last year had
sho(n that the $T%!Gs (ere :ery hard on their +rakes. *ifferent com+inations of pads (ere
tried as (ell as different noLLles on the +rake (ater spray.
The second $T%! (as a little slo(erB +oth dri:ers spending time in the car getting used to it.
*ra( Price managed a +est lap of #m #,s. The $I6 $T%! (as also taking things Duiet. The
team thought their *unlops may gi:e them a little trou+le < they had a smaller rolling
diameter than the $i+son teamsG ?okohamas. If anything the smaller *unlops ga:e the $I6 a
fair +it of speed. 4 kph faster up 5ountain straight than the Skaife car. $i++s put in a +est lap
of #m 15.45 seconds. The 5)Gs that had +een close to the $T%!Gs during the 7T- managed
a +est lap of #m 13 seconds < thanks to a special screamer engine that (as +uilt (ith only one
piston ring on each piston and a higher re: limit of &B3,, !P5. Aot +ad for a naturally
aspirated #.5 litre engineC
6n the Thursday practice sessions < the $I6 $T%! had some computer pro+lems that caused
it to run roughly. The $i+son motorsport team plugged in their laptop and sol:ed the pro+lem.
$T%!Gs no( held firstB secondB and third fasted Dualifying times. $i+son claimed the cars (ere
in full race trim. 8e also announced the team could change the +rake pads Duicker than
dumping in a full load of fuel.
Page 6"
The /riday practice session allo(ed the $T%! +ased teams to (ork on their race setups (hile
the other teams (ere still (orking at putting in a Duick Dualifying time. The $I6 team
practised changing the +rake padsB as (ell as the disc rotors.
SaturdayGs top ten shootout sa( the fastest 1, cars in the field ha:e a single lap on a clear
track to try and get the pole position. *re( Price cut a #m 16.", second lap for his run in the
second $i+son $T%!. 5ark $i++s pulled a :ery clean and Duick lap of #m 1".88s. 5ark
Skaife dro:e a a(esome lap and recorded a #m 1#.84s. Skaife later said EIt (as a pretty good
lapB I got +it untidy in a couple of spotsB +ut that is a+out as good as (e could do.E
The starting positions (ere settled. Skaife on pole =!ichards (ould actually start the race>B
$i++s in secondB and *re( Price in 4
th
+ehind the $len Seton Sierra. The top ten (as made up
of three $T%!GsB four !S5,, SierraGsB and three 'A -ommodoreGs.
The Saturday afternoon (as spent (ith a little more practice changing the +rake pads. The
$i+son team (ere a+le to change the pads in a+out "5 secondsB the $I6 team a+out &,
seconds. The reason for the difference in times (as the $i+son cars (ere using 4 spot
Aismo;7lcon calipersB (hile the $I6 team had 6 spot calipers that took a +it longer to change
the pads (ith.
!aceday < 6cto+er 6 1&&1
The $I6 team scored a priLe +efore that start of the race < +est presented race car. The race
start (as a different story < the $T%!Gs (ere e0pected to make their normal Duick geta(ayB
+ut @im muffed the start and allo(ed the $i++s car to lead into the first corner. y the end of
the first lap $i++s had a #.35 second lead o:er @ohn o(eGs Sierra. @im !ichards (as a+le to
out +rake o(e to claim second during lap #. y the third lap @im (as in the lead.
The second $T%! of *re( Price had +riefly scrapped for 5
th
place (ith a group of
-ommodoresB +ut +egan to drop +ack (ith a :ery soft +rake pedal. Price had to pump the
+rakes +efore each +ig corner.
@im (as lapping in the #m 18s timesB and +y lap 6 had a se:en second gap +ack to the $I6
$T%!. o(e (as a+le to o:ertake the $i++s $T%! shortly after(ardsB claiming the fastest
time do(n -onrod of #8" kph. Lap 1, had @im leading o(e +y 11 seconds (ith $len Seton
+ack a further # seconds.
y lap #, the lead (as out to 1" seconds o:er o(eB (ith $i++s sitting in 5
th
place. o(e
pitted early allo(ing e:eryone to shuffle up one spot. 6n lap #& the second $i+son team $T%
! pitted for a #3 second pitstop < a fresh set of tyres and a load of fuel. The +rake pads (erenGt
changed as *re( Price had got used to the soggy +rakes. The $I6 team pitted on lap "# for a
front +rake pad change < (hich (as done in 1 minute. !ohan 6nslo( took o:er the dri:ing
and resumed in 8
th
place. The team e0amined the old pads to monitor the (earB they (ere only
half (orn +ut the team decided to change the pads at e:ery stop any(ay.
The second $i+son $T%! +egan to ha:e trou+les around this time. The first pro+lem (as a
+ad :i+ration and handling from the fresh tyres. Price +ought the $T%! into the pits for fresh
ru++er and a check o:er. The :i+ration (as gone. 7 couple of laps later a tur+o hose +le( off.
Page 64
*uring the pitstop to rectify that pro+lemB the team changed the +rake pads. 7ll these dramas
sa( the car drop to "#
nd
placeB 15 minutes +ehind the leading !ichards ; Skaife $T%!.
@im pulled the $T%! into the pits on lap "6 for tyresB fuel and Skaife. The stop (as completed
in #5 secondsB and dropped the car into second. Skaife pulled a +listering #m 16s lapB more
than 4 seconds faster then *ick @ohnson (ho (as currently leading. *ick pittedB handing the
lead +ack to Skaife.
7t lap 4, Skaife led the Seton Sierra +y "3 seconds. The $I6 $T%! (as +ack in &
th
positionB
(ith the Price ; )aldon $T%! (ay +ack in ",
th
. The pace of the leading $T%! (as such that it
(as lapping other cars in the top ten +y the second hour.
The Price ; )aldon $T%! pitted again on lap 45 for a Duick diagnostic to (ork out (hy the
car (as off song. 7n intercooler hose (as replacedB and $arry )aldon left the pits to find the
car +ack at full health.
Skaife pulled into the pits (ith a lead of #m 5 seconds o:er @ohn o(e. The stop took 5,
seconds for a full load of fuelB tyresB a +rake pad change and @im !ichards to take o:er
dri:ing. The $T%! resumed still in the lead. 6n lap 6& the $I6 $T%! (ith !ohan 6nslo(
pitted for a pad changeB he resumed in 3
th
place after a 5# second stop. The $i+son team
started planning a rear +rake pad change < they had initially planned to change only the front
padsB +ut got the pads ready for the ne0t stop. The rear pads took much longer to change than
the fronts. 6ut in frontB !ichards (as in cruise mode. The gap +ack to $len Seton (as around
the t(o minute mark. Seton (as pushing his Sierra :ery hardB +ut @im (as a+le to respond
easily matching the #m 1&Gs that Seton (as pulling. @im potentially could go # seconds a lap
Duicker if needed.
The $I6 $T%! had a minor incident < it nudged a -ommodoreB +reaking the left front
headlight. @im +ought the leading $T%! into the pits on lap &5. The stop (ent to planB the
team changing +rake pads on all four (heelsB (ith Skaife +ack out in 55 seconds < still in the
lead.
y lap 1##B Skaife held a lead of "m ## seconds +ack to the Percy ; $rice -ommodore. Lap
1#" and another pit stop for the $T%!. This time there (as no pad changeB and @im !ichards
(as +ack out (ith a fresh set of tyres and a full load of fuelB and still in the lead. Skaife put his
helmet +ack on fi:e minutes later and Jumped into the second $T%! of Price ; )aldon to try
and +ring it up into the top ten from 1"
th
position. Skaife a+solutely (rung the neck of the $T%
!B recording the fastest lap of the race =#m 14.5,s>. 8e had set fastest lap in the lead car
earlier =#m 16.6,s> and (as under that lap time for 15 of the 13 laps he did +efore the $T%!
+roke a rear half shaft and retired.
The $I6 $T%! (as up to third on the road +y no(B the leading /ords of @ohnson and Seton
had either e0pired or (ere close to e0piring. The car came into the pits for itGs final stopB no
+rake pad change this timeB $i++s staying in the car to the finish. The car reJoined in "
rd
position. 14 laps +efore the endB @im pitted the lead $T%! for the last timeB taking tyres and
fuel only. The pit cre( cheered as he left the pitsB starting the :ictory cele+rations early.
Page 65
6n lap 156 the $I6 $T%! de:eloped a misfire < causing it to +ackfire up mountain straight.
They still had a 1 minute lead o:er the 4
th
placed car +ehind them. The misfire got (orse < the
$I6 team (ere in the pit ne0t to the $i+son team < one pit (as starting to cele+rateB and the
other (ere (illing their ailing car on. 5offat ga:e his 4
th
placed car the instruction to attempt
to o:ertake the $I6 car. $i++s (as a+le to lap in the #m #8s regionB Just enough to maintain
his lead o:er the 5offat Sierra to the end of the race.
@im took the flag < making the first outright :ictory for a @apanese car at athurst. $rice
crossed the finish line # minutes ", seconds laterB in his speech on the podium he said EThe
*atsun (as too good for usCE 5ark $i++s +ought the misfiring $I6 $T%! in for third place
(ith the 5offat team Sierra in 4
th
=(hich (as e0cluded after post race scrutinising>
In the +ackground during the athurst race (eekB there (ere mo:es +eing made a+out the
rules for 1&&". ecause of the economic situation and the e:er increasing costs of running a
$roup 7 carB -75S had mo:ed to de:elop a ne( formula for 7ustraliaGs leading category.
The aim of the category (as to pro:ide close racing (ith a su+stantially lo(er cost than the
current $roup 7 scheme.
It (as e:entually decided that the ne( formula (ould re:ol:e around the 8olden -ommodore
and the /ord /alcon. 7t the time 7ustralia lacked the technology to de:elop # litre engines
like those used in the ritish Touring -ar -hampionshipB and it (as decided that tur+os (ere
too costly for many teams to run. oth the Sierra !S5,, and Skyline $T%! (ere costing
around 71W5,,B,,, for a competiti:e car. That kind of cost (as (ell +eyond most of the
pri:ateer teams. The :8 (as the cheapest option to de:elop and race in 7ustralia.
8olden and /ord took the unprecedented step of releasing a Joint letter to -75S during
athurst < telling them to get their act together and set the rules for 1&&"B or 8olden and /ord
(ould consider other forms of racing =A7S-7! ; 71S-7!>.
Wellington 5issan /o"il ece!"er 1 12217
The $roup 7 scene in AH traditionally came to life e:ery summer (ith an influ0 of the
European and 7ustralian teams. )ellington (as a street raceB (ith the road +eing closed on
/riday (ith stands and +arriers +eing installed frantically.
The first session (as /riday lunchtimeB an un%timed practice session. Skaife (as seen to +e
dri:ing Duite hard < sometimes launching the $T%! into the air o:er +umps in -a+le St.
)ellington (as al(ays a place (hich made the little 5) 5"s shine < they al(ays put on a
strong performanceB and Longhurst (as there (ith his. Longhurst (as unofficially timed at
1m #8.3sB (ith Skaife at 1m #&.,3B 1m #&."4 for Pirro =SchnitLer European 5"> and Peter
rock pulling a 1m ",.3s out of his -ommodore. The (ord around the pits after the practice
session (as that the track (as :ery +umpy especially on -a+le StB (ith 5ark Skaife claiming
he had to +ack off the throttle half (ay do(n the straight % ]7ll four (heels are coming off the
ground. ItGs un+elie:a+ly +ad for the car to +e in the air so long.^ Longhurst used the (ord
]e0citing^ to descri+e the +umpy ride. The ne( chicane (as singled out for some negati:e
comment as it allo(ed no room for error.
Page 66
The ne0t practice session (as /riday night. The organisers modified the chicane +y mo:ing
some of the tyre +arriers further outB making a +it more room to pass though.
The 5" of Pirro :entilated itGs +lock only t(o laps into the session +efore it could lay do(n
some Duick laps. The modified chicane slo(ed the track do(nB (ith the $T%! recording a
+est time of 1m ",.""
Nualifying Saturday
The European 5" (as +ack out on the track (ith a fresh engine and a need to do some Duick
times. Pirro laid do(n a 1m #&.,1s lap compared to the $T%!Gs 1m #&.6&s. rock e:en
clim+ed the time sheets (ith a 1m #8."5s lap. Tony Longhurst had damaged his 5" (hen
something +roke in the suspension sending him into a minor collusion (ith a (all. 7s the
session progressedB the times got faster. @im !ichards predicted a 1m #6s or 1m #3s lap from
the $T%! (ith Skaife dri:ing on sticky tyres. Skaife cranked out a 1m #3.6#s lap follo(ed
(ith a 1m #3.6,s. Pirro (rung his 5" and produced a 1m #6.3s lapB sho(ing the speed of the
little 5" around the )ellington streets.
The $i+son team reckoned they (ould ha:e no pro+lem knocking off the 5" in the afternoon
practice sessionB despite the full field +eing out on the track =the morning session (as limited
to the $roup 7 cars a+o:e 16,,cc> The afternoon session (as cut short +y an incident
in:ol:ing a -orollaB a -ommodore and a Porsche +ouncing off the (alls and each other. The
Aissan team only had one lap (ith their sticky tyres (ith @im dri:ing achie:ing a 1m #8.8s lap
(hich disappointed the team as they (ere faster on normal race tyres. Longhurst produced his
spare 5" and ran a fast 1m #3.&&s lap (hich (as good enough for "
rd
of the grid.
Sunday !ace *ay
6:ernight the SchnitLer team had slotted in their race engine. 1nfortunately it had a +ad
misfire in the race (arm%upB slo(ing the car +y as much as #,s a lap. The team (orked hard
to fi0 a faulty sensor for the race start.
The lights (ent green and the race had dramas (ith the first 1, seconds. 7 AH 5" spun and
caused the #, cars +ehind to +aulk. 7 -orolla ended up in the (allB ending their race pretty
Duickly.
7t the start of the second lap Skaife had pulled out a handy "s lead o:er PirroB LonghurstB and
rock. 7 -orolla +urst into flame on the front straightB (hich +ought out the pace car for the
ne0t 15 minutes. 7fter the de+ris had +een cleared the race resumed at full pace once more.
Skaife (as a+le to hold a " second lead o:er Pirro for three lapsB the Italian dri:ing the nuts
off the 5". Skaife claimed a ne( lap record of 1m #8."&sB +ut (asnGt a+le to pull a(ay much.
Skaife reported +ack to the pits that the $T%! had a handling pro+lemB perhaps a puncture.
The $T%! pulled into the pits for ne( tyres and resumed in 5
th
place. The $T%! returned to
the pits t(ice more o:er the follo(ing 15 minutes +efore the team diagnosed a +roken front
differential < and con:erted the car to # (heel dri:e for the remainder of the race.
Page 63
/red $i+son laid the +lame sDuarely on the +umps in -a+le St. ])hat it +oils do(n to is (ith
out car +eing so hea:yB itGs +ouncing and crashing do(n again and it has +roken the diff.
)hen (eGre going so fast do(n thereB in e0cess of #,,km;h and your leaping off the ground
like that somethings gonna +reak.^
Skaife managed to lightly side s(iped PirroGs leading 5) (hen he e0ited pit laneB there (as
no maJor damageB Just some paint s(apping. *ick @ohnson also had pro+lems (ith the -a+le
St +umps % ]I (as only running do(n there (ith half throttle so (e could keep the (heels on
the ground (ithout (heel spinning < +ut e:en that o+:iously didnGt (ork.^ he said as his car
(as +eing fi0ed.
rock made it up to second place (hen Longhurst pitted (ith a flat spotted tyre. 7t the
half(ay point Pirro had +uilt up a 1 minute +uffer +ack to #
nd
placeB (ith nearly another
minute +ack to "
rd
. Skaife had managed to get the $T%! up to 3
th
place despite only ha:ing
half the normal traction. Longhurst made it through to the lead (hen Pirro pitted for a dri:er
change and fuel. 8e lead for one lap until he (as caught out (ith a slo(er car on the track.
Longhurst collided (ith the slo(er car sending them +oth into the (all. T' footage sho(ed
TonyGs head coming out the (ido( and his helmet hitting the (allB smashing the chin guard. If
he had +een (earing his open faced helmet as he normally doesB he (ould ha:e +een killed for
sure.
Light rain started to fall on the track (hich made it :ery slippery. 5ost of the maJor teams
opted to remain out on slicks until the rain made it difficult to continueB the leading Pirro 5"
ducked into the pits for (ets along (ith rock (ho (as ha:ing difficulty seeing out a +adly
fogged (indscreen. y this stage @im !ichards (as dri:ing the $T%! and making people
remem+er (hy he (as kno(n as the G!ain 5asterG. 8e held the $T%! (heel spinning most of
the (ay do(n the straight and clocked in a 1m ",.45s lap.
The race finished at the 4 hour mark (ith Pirro and )inkelhock taking the flag in the
SchnitLer 5"B follo(ed +y the rock and Perkins -ommodore # laps do(nB and then the $T%
! of Skaife and !ichards another # laps +ack. 6n(ards to Pukekohe ne0t (eek.
Page 68
+u%e%ohe 5issan /o"il ece!"er 3 1221
Pukekohe had first seen the $T%! the pre:ious yearB this time the car (as sorted and fast. The
track had also seen some maJor track (ork (ith a resurface and the run onto the front straight
cleaned up.
Pukekohe is some(hat of a home track for @im !ichardsB he de:eloped his race craft in a
series of rapid 7ngliasB EscortsB and later his infamous Sidchrome oss 5ustang +efore he
shifted to 7ustralia to race full time.
/riday Testing
7ll the maJor teams had made it up to Pukekohe after the )ellington race. 6nly some of the
smaller 16,,cc -orollas failed to sho(. Tony Longhurst (as +ackB his race car ha:ing +een
repaired =the car he crashed in practice at )ellington rather than the car that (as destroyed
during the race> he reported that he (as 6F apart from a sore ri+%cage and neck.
Pukekohe is a much faster and open track compared to the )ellington streetsB and the
-ommodreGs and SierraGs (ere a+le to stretch their legs on the straights. The Aissan (as fastB
5ark Skaife clocking an unofficial 5&.54s lapB a+out # seconds Duicker than pole position last
year. @im (as a+out another second slo(erB (ith the team calculating that (ith a light fuel
load and sticky tyres they may +e a+le to pull a 58 or 53 second lap. The team had :irtually
re+uilt the car since the )ellington race due to the e0tended period it had run in t(o (heel
dri:e. The (inning SchnitLer 5" from )ellington turned in a 61 second lapB (ith Longhurst
1 second slo(er =he admitted to feeling a little off colour at this stage>
Saturday Nualifying
Skaife reported the track to +e more slippery than the pre:ious day. 7s a result the times (ere
not as good as anticipated. 7 couple of ]+alls out^ attempts sa( the $T%! pull some fairly
Duick laps_ 58.86sB 5&.1&sB 5&.1,sB then the +est of 58.6&s. In contrast the Pirro 5" (as a+le
to pull a screamer lap of 5&.&1s. rock managed a 61.13 lap to claim "
rd
on the starting grid.
Sunday !ace 8 *ecem+er 1&&1.
@im !ichards started the race in the $T%!. It (as a fairly slo( start +y $T%! standards and it
(as a+out t(o laps +efore he (as a+le to open out a # second lead o:er the second placed
rock (ho (as +eing hounded +y the SchnitLer 5" dri:en +y Pirro. rock soon had to pit
(ith a flat resulting from a damaged tyre :al:e (hich allo(ed the 5) through to second.
y lap #,B @im !ichards held a handy #, second lead o:er PirroB (ith #" seconds +ack to
Fe:in )aldockGs SierraB closely follo(ed +y 7lan @ones =5"> and *ick @ohnson =Sierra>.
@ohnson (as soon out (ith a +roken rear suspensionB *ick Duipping ]7 four (heel%steer
Sierra (asnGt easy to dri:e.^
Page 6&
!ichards continued to e0tend his lead o:er Pirro for the ne0t #, minutesB at the rate of 1s a
lap. ThenB the $T%! (as forced to pit (ith a punctureB (hich came +ack out onto the track in
second place. )hat follo(ed (as a ripper of a dri:e from @im !ichards as he hunted do(n the
5" ahead of him. 6n lap 55 he claimed a ne( lap record of 5&.84sB +ettering the pre:ious
years $T%! lap record +y 1.5s. The Duick laps continuedB !ichards threading the $T%!
+et(een slo(er carsB pulling laps consistently Duicker than the old lap record. Pirro (as
lapping in the 61 second regionB attempting to nurse the 5)Gs +rakes and tyres. Pirro
e:entually pitted to change o:er to )inkelhockB (hich allo(ed the $T%! to retain the leadB
(ith 65 seconds o:er the second placed rockB and Longhurst +ack in third.
5ark Skaife took o:er the leading $T%! and resumed #1 seconds ahead of )inkelhockB (ith
Larry Perkins o:er a minute +ehindB (ith Longhurst 18 seconds further +ack. The race (as
into the last hour (hen a -orolla +urst into flame on the front straightB (hich +ought out the
pace car.
7fter the pace car left the trackB the restart (as predicta+leB (ith Skaife motoring off into the
distanceB lea:ing )inkelhock under pressure from Longhurst. It didnGt help that the SchnitLer
5" (as the latest model and LonghurstGs (as last years. In turn Larry Perkins came under
pressure from the t(o 5"sB )inkelhock slipping past (hen the -ommodore slid at the
hairpin.
Skaife took the flag Just under a minute ahead of the )inkelhock 5"B (ith the rock ;
Perkins -ommodore +ack in "
rd
B and the Longhurst ; @ones 5" in 4
th
.
Post race Skaife (as modest_ ]@immy did most of the (ork and I Just finished it off^.
4anuar) 1222
!othmans announce they (ill +e sponsoring the Aissan $T%! team under the )infield
colours for the ne0t year. It (as part of a )infield GsuperteamG concept (hich sa( )infield
colours on the Aissan $T%!sB the Tatnell SprintcarsB @im !eadGs Top fuel drag carB and 5,,cc
Super+ikes. W5 million (as committed for the entire super team.
The ne( year also +ought in some changes to the $roup 7 formula in 7ustralia. -75S
modified the format of the 7T- series_ instead of a single 5, minute raceB each round (as
made up of t(o heatsB and three lap Dualifying sprint for the fastest Dualifiers to determine the
grid positions for the first heat < the grid for the three lap dash (as dra(n out of a hat. The
second heatGs grid (as +ased on the finishing order of the first. 7 comple0 points system
com+ined the days results o:er the heats < it (as +iased in that it re(arded consistency rather
than outright placing.
The Aissan $T%! had a ne( minimum (eight of 1B4,, kgB a +oost restriction to 1." +ar (hich
(as calculated to cut the po(er to ""6k( do(n from 433k(B along (ith a limit on
compression to &.5.1. The -ommodores and Sierras (ere gi:en an e0tra 5,kg an an electronic
re: limit of 3B5,, rpm. This (as designed to cut costs as the top tier -ommodore teams (ere
using 8B5,, rpm in an effort to keep up (ith the Sierras (hich resulted in many +roken
engines. In contrastB the 5) 5"s copped an e0tra 6,kg. 7 -75S performance re:ie(
panel (as formed to make running changes to the regulations during the series.
Page 3,
Winfield Triple &hallenge8 Eastern &ree% 4anuar) 1222
/riday Practice
This (as the first outing of the $roup 7 cars in their 1&&# specificationB e0cept for the re:
limiters (hich (ere not ready in time. $len Seton in his Sierra (as the Duickest in the damp
practice sessionB clocking in a 1m "&.,5s lapB (ith Larry Perkins in an old 'L -ommodore
slightly +ehind. Pri:ateer -ommodores filled out the rest of the time sheetsB (ith names like
o+ PearsonB and Terry /innigan ahead of the Shells Sierras of *ick @ohnson and @ohn o(e.
Nualifying
@im !ichards commented on the change in the $T%! compared to the 1&&1 specification_
]efore it used to +e a case of slo(ing for the corners and +ooting the car outB no( (ithout
the po(erB (e ha:e to corner faster and go in Duickly to get the pace onto the straights.^
@ohn o(e claimed fastest lap (ith a 1m "6s lapB ahead of $len SetonGs +estB ,.38s slo(er.
The t(o Aissan $T%!s (ere Just +ehind. In the second Dualifying session sa( *ick @ohnson
and $len Seton trading fast lapsB *ick achie:ing a 1m "5.8"sB and $len 1m "5.44s. o(e
managed a 1m "5.&& and Larry Perkins (ringing out the 'L for a 1m "6.5"s lap. The $T%!s
(ere close together in their times and Dualified 5
th
and 6
th
on the gridB @im going Duicker (ith
a 1m "6.34s (ith 5arkGs +est +eing a 1m 1m "3."&s.
!ace 1
The first race (as a 15 lap e:entB (hich (as started (ithout a (arm up lap prior. There (as
some confusion on the grid (hen $len Seton noticed that *ick @ohnson (as in full race modeB
and hurriedly put his car into first gear Just as the flag dropped. o(eB Perkins and Seton (ere
left sDua++ling for the same piece of road. Skaife managed to pass o(e at the first hairpinB
(hile @im (as under pressure from the pri:ateer Pro%*uct -ommodore. *ick @ohnson in the
meantime had pulled out a 1.6 second lead o:er Perkins and Seton +y the end of the first lap.
Skaife (as Just ahead of o(e. Second lap sa( 5ark sDueeLe past SetonB only to ha:e the
faster Sierra pass on the straightB o(e also passed in the same mo:e. Seton (as then a+le to
catch up (ith Larry Perkins and engage in a high speed +attle for second. They s(apped
position se:eral times +efore Larry got side(ays e0iting a turn and allo(ed $len through.
Larry lost oil pressure and dropped outB letting o(e into "
rd
(ith the t(o $T%!s close
+ehind. $len Seton (as a+le to haul in the leading *ick @ohnson Sierra after it +egan to +lister
the right rear tyre. Lap 1, sa( Seton take the leadB (ith *ick starting to drop +ack. o(e spun
his car allo(ing the t(o $T%!s though (hich then +egan to stalk the @ohnson Sierra ahead.
@ohnson managed to hold off the t(o $T%!s until the last lapB (here they +oth attacked. @im
!ichards (as a+le to get secondB and 5ark third.
Page 31
!ace #
This race had a (arm up lap unlike the first. Some of the teams had made changes +et(een
the races < *ick @ohnson had changed to a softer spring in the rear to try to help the tyre
+listering pro+lemB (hile the Aissans opted for a slightly softer tyre on the rears.
)ith the rule changesB the Aissans could no longer +last off the start line like they had in
1&&1. @im managed to stay le:el (ith $len Seton until the first turn (hen the Sierra pulled
ahead (hile Skaife (as attached +y the t(o Shell Sierras of @ohnson and o(e.
y lap #B Seton leadB follo(ed +y @ohnson (ho had got past !ichardsG $T%!B o(e getting
past the $T%! ne0t lap. The top 5 cars remained in the same order for the rest of the raceB
lapping (ithin 5 seconds. Seton took the (in 1.1 seconds ahead of @ohnsonB 1.# seconds
further +ack to o(e and similar gap +ack to the t(o Aissans.
Post race sa( some de:elopments < fe( of the teams (ere happy (ith the regulations for
1&&#. Larry Perkins (ithdre( from the seriesB claiming the 8oldens (ere penalised in
comparison to the Sierras and the $T%!s. 8e also claimed that the changes made to the $T%!s
didnGt add up. ]E:eryone is saying that the Aissan only has 45, horsepo(er +ut they could
keep up (ith me do(n the straight at Eastern -reek and I ha:e 54, horsepo(erC^ The $I6
$T%! team threatened to (ithdra( from the series as (ell. The 5) 5" team (rung their
hands and cried foul o:er their additional 6,kg.
/red $i+son had some comments. ])e did some testing last year (ith the pop%off :al:e at all
different limits of +oostB and (e got 45, horsepo(er at 1." +ar. The engine (e had at Eastern
-reek had that and you can see from the (ay the Sierras (ent +y in the straight itGs lost a fair
+it of po(er.^ 8e (ent on to say that in 1&&1 the compression ratio (as :aried according to
the track. This year they may +e a+le to find a lo(er optimum ratio. ]7t the $rand Pri0 (e
(ere pro+a+ly running 8.5.1B +ut (e (ere running heaps of +oost there. It depends on (hat
spec engine (e are running.^
/e+ruary 1&&#
The first round of the 1&&# 7T- (as held at 7maroo. Ao( e:eryone had the GofficialG 1&&#
spec cars < the re: limiters (ere fitted to the -ommodores and SierrasB along (ith the
additional (eight e:eryone (as carrying at Eastern -reek.
The change in the $T%!s (as Duite dramatic < the lo(er po(er meant the cars had to +e
dri:en harderB (hich resulted in e0cessi:e under steer. 5ark $i++s in the $I6 team claimed
his $T%! had enough under steer for the (hole field.
The Saturday Dualifying sa( some interesting happenings. Skaife clocked in a :ery fastB lo(
51 second lap (hich $i+son claimed (as incorrect. 6ther teams then claimed to ha:e timed
him to that speed as (ell. 7maroo (as fairly uniDue at that time in that there (ere noise
restrictions that caused some cars to struggle to get under the limit. *ick @ohnsonGs Sierras
(ere pinged for +eing too loudB as (as the Longhurst teams 5) 5"s.
Page 3#
7t the end of the DualifyingB @ohn o(e had poleB (ith 5ark Skaife slightly slo(er (ith a
51."#s lapB follo(ed +y @im !ichards =51.44s lap>. The critics (ere already starting to point at
the $T%! team. The $I6 $T%! had a maJor pro+lem (hen a fuel pump fault filled the
cylinders and the intercooler (ith fuel < e:erything had to +e checked out +efore the 6F (as
gi:enB lucky there (as no fire.
In the three lap G*ash for -ashGB o(e started +adlyB and lost out to @im !ichards and Peter
rock :ery Duickly. !ichards and rock cross the line first and second to claim the front ro(
for the first heat.
8eat 1
@im !ichards started slo(ly allo(ing rock to +oom into the lead. The $T%! (as Duickly
shuffled +ack into third place. y lap threeB rock (as (ell out in frontB follo(ed +y )ayne
Park =Peter @ackson Sierra>B $len Seton =Peter @ackson Sierra>B and Tre:or 7sh+y in his
pri:ateer -ommodore. /urther do(n the order the $T%!s (ere a+le to pick off the Shell
Sierras as the tyres started to (ear on the rapid /ordsB e:entually mo:ing into "
rd
and 4
th
%
!ichards o:ertaking @ohnson like he (as standing still. rock finished first follo(ed +y $len
Seton only 1 second +ehind. Skaife and !ichards crossed ne0tB they had +een gaining on the
first t(o cars +ut (ould ha:e needed another 6 laps or so to ha:e +een in a position to take the
lead. The $I6 $T%! dri:en +y 5ark $i++s came in 8
th
.
8eat #
The rules this year meant that the teams (ere only a+le to change one tyre on a car +et(een
heatsB other(ise their grid position (as lost and a 1, second penalty imposedB so there (as
some intense inspection of the tyres +et(een the heats. Some rain fell and caused another
Duandary < run (ith full (et tyres or slicks9 It also ga:e the $T%! dri:ers opportunity to use
their four (heel dri:e to full effect.
The start of the race (as graphic. rock and Seton sat on the grid (ith (heel spinB (hile the
)infield Aissans took off. 5ark $i++s made it up to "
rd
from his starting position of 8
th
on the
grid +efore the first corner such (as his traction ad:antage. The three $T%!s simply took off
lea:ing the rest of the field slipping and sliding around. y lap 18 the circuit had started to dry
out and Duite a fe( of the cars (ere suffering from o:erheating tyres. Longhurst (as a+le to
catch up (ith the $I6 $T%! and +riefly take "
rd
place until $i++s (as a+le to retake "
rd
(hen
Longhurst (as +lack flagged for e0cessi:e noise. Skaife finished firstB follo(ed +y !ichards
and $i++s making a $T%! 1%#%".
Page 3"
/arch 1222
Sando(n in 'ictoria hosted the second round of the 7T-. The 1&&# regulations continued to
cause ructions among the teams. 5any thought the )infield $T%!s had their true form
hiddenB and (ere running higher horsepo(er than -75S had calculated. Skaife said ]The car
is surprisingly fastB itGs fantastic the (ay the car stops. ItGs not easy to dri:e this car and do the
times.^
Nualifying
@ohn o(e (as fastB running some sticky *unlops for a 1m 1".&1s eDual to the $T%! the
pre:ious year. Skaife and !ichards (ere ne0tB follo(ed +y $len Seton and *ick @ohnson.
5ark $i++s the the $I6 $T%! (as +ack in 3
th
B struggling (ith the +oost restricted
performance. $i++s claimed he had almost no throttle response.
The G*ash for cashG three lap e:ent (as nota+le for 5ark Skaife Jumping the rolling start and
running a(ay to a lead. 8e incurred a stop%go penalty and a W#B,,, fine for his trou+le. o(e
+le( his engine (hich meant he (ould start from 6
th
for the race. @ohnson claimed pole (ith
$len Seton and )ayne Park claimed the follo(ing t(o spots on the gridB (ith !ichards and
Skaife +ehind.
8eat 1
!ichards +lasted a(ay from the second ro( to take the lead immediatelyB Skaife one ro(
further +ack managed to make second place ahead of the slo(er starting rear (heel dri:e cars.
*ick @ohnson (as in third and (as a+le to pass Skaife after the first cornerB the Sierra ha:ing
a superior speed ad:antage. o(e follo(ed and o:ertook +oth Skaife and @ohnson to +e #
nd
+y
the start of the second lap. o(e o:ertook @im !ichardsG $T%! to take the lead +y the third
lap. !ichards fell +ack to @ohnson (ho (as a+le to o:ertake the $T%! on the straight. o(e
finished the race a+out & seconds in front of @ohnsonB (ith Skaife and !ichards follo(ing.
5ark $i++s finished 8
th
in the $I6 $T%! (ho had gear+o0 trou+les during the race. The team
slotted in a ne( gear+o0 in time for heat #.
8eat #
7t the start of the second heatB Skaife made a +ad startB +ut @im !ichards (as a+le to take the
lead ahead of o(e. 7s in the first raceB o(e (as a+le to cruise past !ichardsG $T%! on the
straightB as did @ohnson. 7t the end of the first lap it (as o(e from @ohnsonB !ichardsB
Skaife and $i++s (ho ha:e made a :ery good start. y the 3
th
lap @ohnson (as ha:ing
difficulty keeping the t(o $T%!s +ehind him as the SierraGs tyres (ere starting to go off. @im
!ichards made an attempt on lap 1,B +ut the faster Sierra (as a+le to accelerate a(ay.
-rossing the start ; finish line he made another attemptB this time @ohnson tried to close
!ichards out (hich resulted in the Sierra +eing nudged into a spin. o(e finished in the leadB
t(o seconds ahead of Skaife (ho had passed !ichards on the last lap. $i++s finished 4
th
B a fair
(ay +ack +ut still 1, seconds ahead of the 5
th
and 6
th
placed -ommodores of rock and
-rompton.
Page 34
Symmons Plains in Tasmania hosted round " of the 7T-. 5ean(hile the -75S performance
re:ie( panel had seen fit to trim #,kg from the 5) 5"B +ut nothing to slo( do(n the rapid
Sierras. The /riday practice session sho(ed that there (ere no( three fast Sierra teamsB (ith
-olin ond setting the fastest time (ith a 56.,8s lapB Duicker than o(eB @ohnsonB and +oth
of the )infield $T%!s =Skaife and !ichards set the same time>.
Nualifying
ond lost an engine (hich slo(ed him up a +it in the time stakes. o(e continued his strong
Dualifying performance and claimed pro:isional pole (ith a 55.6&s lapB ondGs (as a little
slo(er (ith a 55.35s lapB (hich (as eDualled +y $len Seton. @ohnson (as 4
th
fastestB follo(ed
+y 5ark $i++s in the $I6 $T%!. The )infield team (ere struggling. Skaife (as 1.# seconds
slo(er than pole (hich (as good enough only for 8
th
of the grid. @im (as +ack in 11
th
. 8e
conceded his lap of 53."4s ](as a+out as good as a Aissan (ill do around here.^
8eat 1
Seton (on the start from @ohnsonB (ho (as shuffled +ack +y the fast starting $I6 $T%! < it
didnGt last for long as @ohnson and o(e Duickly o:ertook the $T%! on the ne0t straight.
rock and Skaife mo:ed closer the the $I6 $T%!. Shortly rock (as a+le to take the $I6
$T%! for 4
th
place on the straightB +ut started ha:ing +rake pro+lems (hen a +rake +leed
nipple leaked ro++ing him of +rake pressure. o(e managed to o:ertake @ohnson for #
nd
placeB (hile Seton kept a consistent lead o:er them +oth. Skaife (as a+le to o:ertake the
rock -ommodoreB t(o laps later it slid off the road thanks to itGs +rake pro+lems.
o(e continued to chase Seton for the leadB until lap 18 (hen o(e spun in his o(n oil (hen
his engine let go. $len Seton (onB a+out 4 seconds clear to @ohnsonB (ith Skaife a further #
seconds +ack.
8eat #
*ick @ohnsonGs Sierra (asnGt in the +est of health after the first heatB it had terminal engine
pro+lems and had a ne( donk transplanted in +efore heat #. 7s a result of a lack of time and
spare enginesB o(eGs car (as (ithdra(n. 7t the startB Seton and @ohnson managed to contain
Skaife < they +o0ed him in (hich slo(ed him do(n a fair +it. Longhurst (as right up thereB
looking for room around the outside of the @ohnson Sierra. Longhurst (as le:el (ith the
Aissan do(n the +ack straight +ut Skaife used his position on the track to keep his inside line.
Aeil -rompton in the second of the rock -ommodores slipped +y Longhurst. Longhurst then
had another go do(n the outside only to find that $i++s in the $I6 $T%! had forced his (ay
throughB and left Longhurst le:el (ith )ayne Park in the second Seton Sierra.
6n the second lap Seton had a good lead o:er @ohnson and Skaife. @ohnsonGs ne( engine
(asnGt producing the po(er he (as used to so +y lap 4 Skaife (as a+le to pass the Sierra.
@ohnson then fell +ack and came under pressure from -romptonGs -ommodore. -olin ond
had stormed though the field from the rear of the grid < remem+er he didnGt start heat 1so he
had fresh tyres and a fresh engine. 6n lap 6 ond passed +oth -rompton and @ohnson in one
mo:e and set out after the second placed Skaife.
Page 35
ond e:entually caught up (ith Skaife and out +raked him to take second place. Seton
finished (ith a # second +reak +ack to ondB (ith Skaife another " seconds +ehind for "
rd
.
)ayne Park finished ahead of !ichards (ho managed 5
th
. 5ark $i++s in the $I6 $T%!
ended up in &
th
position.
7pril 1&&#
!ound 4 of the 7T- mo:ed to )inton. Skaife led the points ta+le follo(ed +y @im =remem+er
that the points re(arded consistency rather than outright placings>. Still the critics (ere
hounding the $i+son $T%! team. rock thought they (ere do(nplaying their potential at
Symmons Plains and they should (in an acting a(ard. /ingers (ere pointing at /red $i+son
saying he (as hiding the performance of the cars. $i+son countered +y saying that his dri:ers
(ere ha:ing to dri:e harderB and their placings =and 5ark and @imGs 7T- points> (ere as a
result of other cars failing.
/riday Practice
Skaife clocked up the Duickest timeB Just ahead of o(e. SkaifeGs time (as 1m ,1.1,s (hich
(as half a second Duicker than the pole time last year (hich (as set +y !ichards in the $T%!.
Nualifying
!ichards had some sticky ?ohohama ru++er help him to a 1m ,,.3,s lap. Skaife managed a
1m ,1.,, lap to stitch up the pro:isional front ro( for the $T%!s. @ust a little slo(er (as
Larry Perkins (ho had (ithdra(n from the full series Just to contest the local rounds. 8e
e0plained his -ommodore (as (ell +alanced (hich helped him to +e a mere ,.," seconds
slo(er then Skaife. $i++s Dualified his $T%! 1,
th
B (ith +ad under steering issues.
The dash for cash run (as a Skaife +enefit. 8e ran a(ay from the start and kept the lead.
!ichards finished "
rd
B Just +ehind Seton.
8eat 1
7t the start it (as another demonstration of the $T%!s launching a+ility. They took off
lea:ing Seton on the grid (heel spinning and going no(here fast. y the end of the first lapB
Skaife led !ichards +y #." seconds (ith Seton on the rear +umper of @imGs $T%!. There (as a
freight train +ehind SetonB all the (ay +ack to position 15. y lap 5 the $I6 $T%! made it up
to 3
th
place and then applied pressure to @ohnson. 1p front !ichards had pulled out a gap
+et(een himself and SetonB and had closed up a +it on Skaife.
The $I6 $T%! spun on lap 1,B the under steer pro+lem spitting him off. The infield team $T%
!s s(apped the lead +et(een themsel:es +efore slo(ing do(n for the last fe( laps and letting
Skaife take the flag. Seton (as fi:e seconds +ehind themB follo(ed +y a reasona+ly happy
Larry Perkins.
Page 36
8eat #
7s the starting positions for heat # are decided +y the finishing positions of heat 1B the
)infield $T%!s had the front ro( of the grid to themsel:es. Predicta+ly they lead a(ay from
the startB and finished the race in a 1%# formation (ith Skaife crossing for ma0imum points.
ehind them (as a trail of +ent cars and damaged egos. @ohnson had +een pushed into a spin
and had to pit for fresh tyresB o(e and 7lan @ones clashed lea:ing @ones (ith a +ent steering
armB Longhurst +roke his grill pounding the +ack of o(eGs Sierra. Seton clashed (ith 7lan
@ones as (ellB pushing him off the track to claim his place on the road. Longhurst ga:e o(e
a real shunt and pushed him off the track causing o(e to spin. $i++s claimed 8
th
.
Longhurst (as fined W5B,,, for Ga most unfair practiceG and +reach of -ode of *i:ing
-onductB +ut he said it (as (orth e:ery cent.
/a) 1222
!ound fi:e of the 7T- (as at Lakeside in Nueensland. The -75S Performance re:ie( panel
had +een (orking hard since the pre:ious round. They loaded the Sierras (ith an additional
5,kg and punished the Skylines (ith 1,,kg of additional (eight to carry around. The ne(
(eight penalty for the $T%!s causing much (ailing and gnashing of teeth. 5ark Skaife
claimed that the $T%! (as no( the hea:iest touring car in the (orldB and that in endurance
race trim =full load of fuelB (ater +rakes etc.> the $T%! (ould (eigh in at 1B3,,kg. /red
$i+son threatened to (ithdra( the cars from athurstB claiming the e0tra (eight (as making
(heels crack. The $I6 team (ent as far as to (ithdra( their $T%! and +ring last years
-ommodore out from the chicken shedB as they (ere cracking (heels (ith their hea:y $T%!
and had to (ait for some ne( stronger (heels to +e made.
Nualifying
The Shell Sierras (ere running at their home trck so naturally they topped the time sheets.
*ick @ohnson recorded the +est lapB 5#.&,sB Just a fe( hundredths of a second faster then team
mate o(e. Longhurst (as Duick in the 5"B he had lost #,kg from his cars (eightB and the
other cars had +een penalised +y comparison. 8e claimed third fastest (ith a 5".#&s lap. Larry
Perkins (as also Duick =the -ommodores remaining status%Duo in the (eight> (ith a 4
th
fastest
5"."3s. The +est of the $T%!s (as SkaifeB 1,
th
fastestB 5".85s. The e0tra (eight forcing the
team to use a harder tyre.
There (as some heated de+ate in the post Dualifying press conferenceB Larry Perkins laying it
on thick that the )infield team (ere Gsand+aggingG... ]It (as the greatest sham of all time...I
donGt think the (eight makes any difference. The Aissan is a superior carB +ut lets not think itGs
uncompetiti:e.^ Skaife +it and responded ]?ou come and dri:e the car in the morning
Superstar and see for yourselfC^. @im !ichards also responded. ]People may think (e are
fudgingB +ut thatGs as fast as the car (ill go. )eG:e still got a good carB +ut itGs a lot tougher for
us no(.^ /red $i+son sho(ed a print out of SkaifeGs gear change points as proof that they
(ere slo(er than +efore.
Page 33
8eat 1
o(e lead a(ay from the startB there (as a fair amount of sDueeLing in the mid field (ith the
$I6 -ommodore spinning and presenting mo+ile o+stacle for the follo(ing cars. Perkins
took it up to o(eB (ith Longhurst in the rapid 5" right +ehind. @ohnson dropped out (ith a
+roken half%shaft. 6n lap three Perkins snatched the lead from o(e. =hmm itGs 1&&# and
Larry is dri:ing a 'L -ommodore < a fi:e year old designB the Sierra !S5,, (as one year
older than that>. Skaife had made it up to 5
th
on the roadB and (as starting to catch up to $len
Seton ahead of him.
Longhurst e:entually got past o(eB and Duickly gained on the leading -ommodore of
Perkins (ho (as starting to suffer (ith his tyres going off. Larry (as una+le to hold +ack
Longhurst. /urther +ack Skaife had taken Seton for 4
th
B and (as closing on o(e rapidly.
o(e had am+itions on the ailing PerkinsB and attempted to sDueeLe pastB +ut Perkins mo:ed
+ack and o(e had to +ack off or +e hitB it (as enough for Skaife to get past them +oth.
Longhurst took the flag follo(ed +y Skaife a+out 4 second +ehind.
8eat #
)ith the one tyre ruleB many of the top cars from heat 1 had damaged tyresB so they started
from the read of the grid. This group included Skaife and PerkinsB (ho had +listered their
tyres +adly. This left some space on the grid and @im !ichards (as on the second ro( so (as
in a :ery good position gi:en the $T%!s launching a+ility.
!ichardsG $T%! took off and lead for the first three laps (ith a small gap +ack to o(e and
Longhurst. 6n the fourth lap Skaife had mo:ed up to 11
th
from the +ack of the grid. 7fter 1,
laps !ichards (as a+le to e0tend his lead o:er o(eB (ho (as +eing hassled +y Longhurst.
The 5" dri:er (as +eing o:er cautious after the W5B,,, sting from his actions last round o
took his time to get past o(e. E:entually he managed to do so (hen o(e (as +o0ed in +y
a lapped Supra. Longhurst set out to catch !ichards up ahead. 1nfortunately the e0tra (eight
in the $T%! caused @im to make a small mistake at a s(eeping corner and ran (ide into the
dirtB it (as enough to let Longhurst through. o(e once again got into a scrap (ith the 7lan
@ones 5" and (as nudged into a spin. Longhurst claimed the flagB follo(ed +y !ichardsB and
then the @ones and 5orris 5) 5"sB o(eB @ohnson and Skaife. Lakeside (as :ery much a
5" +enefit. ut in the championship points ta+leB Skaife led follo(ed +y !ichardsB and a :ery
distant Seton.
Page 38
!ound 6 mo:ed to the Eastern creek track. The /riday practice session (as (et and didnGt
really lend itself to +eing a form guide < 5ark Skaife (as fastestB +ut many of the other top
dri:ers didnGt e:en get out on the track.
Nualifying
o(e (as fastestB follo(ing the Dualifying trend he had set this yearB 1m "5.#1s. The 8!T
team had made a rare appearance (hich (asnGt re(arded (hen Tomas 5eLera (rote off the
-ommodore after sliding off the track into a (all. The good ne(s (as that Skaife (as second
Duickest < 1m "5.#4sB Just ,.,"s slo(er then o(e. The e0tra (eight they (ere running
ena+led the team to +alance the $T%! (ith more corner (eights. Perkins (as right +ehind
him (ith a 1m "5.41s. @ohnson and Longhurst follo(ed in the speed stakes. The Shell team
had some interesting radar figures < @ohnson (as pulling #5"km;hB Seton #5#km;hB Perkins
#58km;hB rock #5"km;h. Longhurst (as faster than the $T%!sB #44km;h compared to
SkaifeGs #41km;h =the 5" (as a #.5 naturally aspirated engineB compared to the $T%!s #.6
litre t(in tur+o>
The $I6 $T%! (as +ackB and Duicker than the (orks cars on the front straight < (hich (as
noted +y the critics. $i++s (as Duoted as saying ]IGm ne:er going to complain a+out this car
again^ after dri:ing the pre:ious years -ommodore at the Lakeside round. 8e (as &
th
fastest
(ith a 1m "3.,3s lap. @im !ichards (as +ack in 1#
th
< he had a ne( $T%! (ith an engine that
(as slightly do(n on po(er. The older car he had +een using all year had +een sold to a 7sian
team.
8eat 1
Skaife used the open front straight to lead < lea:ing o(e and @ohnson +ehind. /urther +ack
(ere PerkinsB $i++s and Longhurst. In lap " o(e slipped past Skaife. @ohnson and Perkins
tangled in a passing mo:e (hen Perkins got side(ays and punched the Sierra in the doorB
putting them +oth off into the dirt. T(o laps later Longhurst out%+raked the Skaife $T%! to
take second place and set out chasing do(n o(e ".5 seconds ahead. The leaders finished in
the same orderB o(eB LonghurstB Skaife < further +ack +y 1, secondsB follo(ed +y !ichards
and $i++s.
8eat #
Skaife +lasted off the line to lead a(ay from the startB o(e close +ehindB follo(ed +y
!ichards and $i++sB (ho then slipped past !ichards on the second turn. @ohnson (as once
again hit and spun off the trackB taking one of the faster Sierras out of the eDuation. Seton
pounced on !ichards and used his Duicker acceleration to pass the $T%!. o(e also tried to
do the same thing to Skaife +ut didnGt complete the pass. Ae0t lap Seton took the $I6 $T%!.
Longhurst follo(edB pushing $i++s and !ichards one more place do(n. 6n lap 5 o(e (as
a+le to pass Skaife for the lead (hen he ran (ide onto the straight. The race finished (ith
o(e loading Skaife +y 1 secondB trailed +y LonghurstB SetonB @ones and !ichards.
Thanks to SetonGs poor runB Skaife clim+er higher on the points ta+le.
Page 3&
The con:erted airfield 5allala (as the :enue for round 3. It (as something of a special track
for the )infield teamB the d\+ut of the $T%! had +een here # years agoB and had (on in
con:incing style last year.
In practiceB o(e once again claimed top lap timeB the $T%!s slightly slo(er suffering (ith
under steer pro+lems.
Nualifying
@im !ichards set the hot time (ith a 1m ,8.8,s lap that (as Duicker than last years $T%! pole
=remem+er last year they (ere 1,,kg lighter and had no +oost restrictions.> Skaife (as second
fastest (ith o(e Just a +it slo(er. InterestinglyB o(e (as Duicker than he (as last yearB
despite the e0tra (eight and the 3B5,, rpm limit. 5ark $i++s Dualified a strong fourthB despite
ha:ing a sick engine. o(e managed to claim pole in the dash for cash raceB +ut had $T%!s
+eside and immediately +ehind him on the grid.
8eat 1
7s predicted the $T%!s launched hard and Skaife lead into the first corner follo(ed +y
!ichardsB o(e and $i++s. 7t the hairpin $i++s attempted the inside line and pushed o(e
off the trackB also managing to get past !ichards +efore the end of the first lap. It (as a $T%!
1%#%". Skaife (orded a(ay and (as a+le to de:elop a +uffer +et(een himself and the t(o car
sand(ich of $i++s and !ichards. Longhurst (as (orking hard and got past SetonGs Sierra to
take up 4
th
place.
6n lap & !ichards $T%! (as losing coolant and he retired (ith a +lo(n head gasket. This
ga:e Longhurst a free spot and he mo:ed up to attack the $I6 car. Longhurst passed $i++s
(ith t(o laps left +ut (as una+le to make a su+stantial dent in SkaifeGs lead. Skaife crossed
three seconds ahead of Longhurst. $i++s and Perkins follo(ed. o(e had +een (orking hard
to get past Perkins in the late stages of the race +ut it had come to nothing (hen an attempted
shunt +ackfired and he lost # places.
8eat #
The $i+son )infield team (orked hard +et(een heats to replace @imGs engine (ith a fresh
unit < the Jo+ normally took four hours +ut the cre( managed to do it in t(o. 8e (ould start
from the rear of the 15 car grid. Skaife made a nice startB leading the Longhurst 5" into the
first corner. $i++s po(ered though and pushed Longhurst +ack to thirdB it (as another three
laps +efore Longhurst (as a+le to pass $i++s to regain his second spot on the road.
y lap 1, !ichard had managed to reach 5
th
place +ehind o(e and slotted past to take 4
th
and
set out to chase do(n the $i++s $I6 $T%! ahead. !ichards got +y $i++sB and the race
finished in that order_ SkaifeB LonghurstB !ichardsB $i++sB and o(e.
Page 8,
4une 1222
)aneroo in )estern 7ustralia (as the destination for the 8
th
round of the 7T-. Seton (as the
fastest Sierra in practiceB heading o(eB @ohnson and ond.
Nualifying
o(e once again topped the time sheets (ith a Duick 53.38sB o(e saying it (as a+out as
close as a perfect lap could +e. @ohnson (as slightly slo(er than his team mateB clocking in
(ith a 58."&s lap. Seton (as third fasted follo(ing an engine e0piring in the morning. 8is
team mate )ayne Park (as 4
th
fastestB Just enough to +e ahead of Perkins. The )infield
Aissans (ere ha:ing a pretty +ad timeB Skaife had a dose of the flu and (as su+stantially
slo(er than o(eB and sneeLed his (ay to a 5&."3s. !ichards (as ha:ing handling issues (ith
his $T%!B they (ere s(apping springs and changing the torDue split front to read in an effort
to dial out the e0cessi:e under steer he (as finding in the $T%!. $i++s had e0actly the same
issues and (as 1#
th
fastest.
8eat 1
The Sierras at the head of the field made a good startB though !ichards (as a+le to +last his
(ay into 4
th
. $i++s run up the rear of -olin ondGs SierraB causing a hea:ily crunched front
end +ut it (as only cosmetic damage. The Shell team took off into the distanceB follo(ed +y
ParkB !ichardsB SetonB Skaife and Longhurst. !ichards (as a+le to get past ParkGs Sierra and
make up one place on the roadB +ut Seton mo:ed up to attack !ichards. Seton (as una+le to
get past !ichardsB the +etter traction of the $T%! helping it out of the corners +etter than the
t(o (heel dri:e /ord. o(e finishedB follo(ed +y @ohnsonB !ichardsB SetonB and Longhurst.
Skaife finished 3
th
B (hile $i++s (as (ell do(n thanks to a snapped tyre :al:e.
8eat #
There (as a +it of repair (ork needed to the $I6 car +et(een the heatsB the +onnet had to +e
flattened +ack do(n and the front end +ent +ack into shape. !ichards had some softer springs
put into his $T%! in an effort to help it handle +etter. 7t the start o(e lead a(ayB +ut
@ohnson (as s(amped +y the rapidly starting !ichardsB (ith SkaifeB Seton and Longhurst
follo(ing. Skaife (as a+le to Lip past @ohnson on the third lapB (hich meant the order (as
o(eB !ichardsB Skaife and @ohnson. ehind @ohnson there (as a pack of cars struggling for
positionB Longhurst and Seton ru++ing guards. Longhurst and @ones slipped past the Sierra
e:entually (ho then (ent onto take on the slo(ing *ick @ohnson. Seton managed to displace
@ohnson as (ell (ith a mo:e that ended (ith the Shell Sierra spinning.
!ichards (as gaining on o(eB and Skaife (as still in third. ut Just a fe( laps from the end
he +roke third gear (hich caused him to spinB it took painfully long time for him to get +ack
on the track (here he finished in 11
th
place. !ichards continued to challenge o(e for the
leadB making a couple of attempts do(n the inside of corners once pushing o(eGs car
side(aysB +ut @im +acked off to a:oid ploughing into him and he trailed o(e +y ,.#3
seconds at the finish. LonghurstB @onesB Perkins and Seton follo(ed.
The points ta+le left Just Skaife and !ichards (ith the championshipB either of them could (in
it at the ne0t round < there (as no+ody (ithin range to challenge them.
Page 81
6ran Park (as the :enue of the final round of the 7T- for 1&&#. The series had +een
compressed to allo( for the all important -hannel 3 co:erage of the arcelona 6lympics to
go (ithout interruption.
@im !ichards (ent into the final round as the defending Touring -ar champion from last year.
To (in he needed Skaife to fail. Skaife Just needed to finish to (in the championship.
/riday practice sho(ed Skaife (as fastestB follo(ed +y o(eB and Longhurst. 5ark $i++s
+roke a diff in his $T%! (hich slo(ed him do(n a fair +it in the practice session.
Nualifying
o(e again pulled a Duick lap out of the +agB it (as a scorching 1m ,&.&3s. Skaife and
!ichards (ere fractionally slo(er (ith LonghurstB $i++s and Perkins ne0t. $i++s had some
strange electrical pro+lems (ith his $T%!B at one stage it stopped and the team (as una+le to
(ork out (hat (as causing it.
*ash for -ash
Longhurst (on the dra( and had Perkins alongside him on the grid. $i++s (as right +ehind
him and +arged his (ay alongside Longhurst as the lights (ent green. They contacted a couple
of times (hich pushed them +oth off into a spin and allo(ed o(eB Skaife and !ichards to
finish ahead of $i++s.
8eat 1
Skaife lead a(ay !ichardsB $i++sB SetonB Perkins and o(e (ho had made a terri+le start off
pole. y lap t(o Skaife had a # second +uffer o:er !ichards and $i++s (ho (ere scrapping
o:er second place. SetonB Perkins and o(e follo(edB though o(e shortly smacked into a
(all (hich remo:ed him from the mi0. $i++s made it past !ichardsB +ut there (as no( a
three second gap ahead to the leading Skaife $T%!. They continued on until lap & (hen
!ichards (as a+le to get past $i++s on a corner. ehind them Longhurst (as mo:ing upB he
had managed to get past Perkins (ho had his tyres starting to go off the +oil. The race finished
(ith a $T%! 1%#%" (ith SkaifeB !ichards and $i++s taking the honours.
8eat #
The finishing positions of heat 1 determine the grid for the heat #B so there (as an all $T%!
front ro(. 7t the start the three $T%!s had a clear gap of 5, meters o:er the other cars in the
field. SkaifeB !ichards and $i++s leadB (ith SetonB Perkins and @ones follo(ing. 6n lap se:enB
!ichards had a handy fi:e second gap +ack to $i++s (ho (as coming under some pressure
from @ones and Seton. Perkins ha:ing dropped +ackB not a+le to continue his initial race pace.
@ones forced his (ay past $i++s on lap 1"B sending $i++s spinning off the trackB it (as Just a
racing incident though rather than anything malicious from @ones. Skaife finished firstB
follo(ed +y !ichards making a nice $T%! 1%#. @ones in his 5" (as nearly #, seconds further
+ack follo(ed +y Longhurst. o(e and $i++s (ere ne0t.
It (as Duite a good day for 5ark SkaifeB he had (on the 7T- =+ecoming the youngest (inner
Page 8#
of the 7T- to date> and also (on the single seater 7ustralian *ri:ers -hampionship at the
same meetingB and +ecome the youngest (inner of the 7T- to date.
It (as a :ery interesting seriesB I guess it (ill ne:er +e kno(n if the $i+son team (ere in fact
sand+agging mid%series. -ertainly their performance impro:ement in the later half of the
series could +e e0plained +y luckB suspension de:elopment and hard dri:ing. There still
remains the (ild%card Duestion of the $I6 $T%! (hich (as faster at timesB faster than the
(orks cars. 7ny(ayB de+ate is futile as the team had cleaned up the championship and had the
points to pro:e it.
/red $i+son then set a+out (ork to try and le:el the playing field for the athurst e:ent. 8e
made a su+mission to -75S to ha:e the (eight and +oost penalties remo:edB arguing that the
cars (ould +e highly stressed (ith the additional (eight they (ere forced to carry. -75S
turned do(n his su+mission forcing /red had to play tougher. 8e threatened legal action
against -75S under the trade Practices 7ct unless they re:ie(ed the (eight penaltiesB and
also suggested the team not turn up to athurst =(hich (as unlikely as it is the +iggest e:ent
of the year.> o+ /or+esB the o(ner of the $I6 team stood +y $i+son in solidarity < he (ould
also pull the teamGs $T%! from athurst if $i+son pulled his team out. -75S called their
+luff and no legal action occurred. The $T%!s (ould race at athurst (ith their 1B5,,kg
minimum (eight and the 1." +ar pop%off :al:e limiting +oost.
4ul) 1222
The athurst entry list is to +e e0panded (ith a ne( class for the 1&&" specification /alcon
and -ommodore. Seton and @ohnson ha:e /alcons +eing +uiltB and a num+er of 8olden teams
are intending to enterB a 1&&" car including 8!T and rock.
*ugust 1222
7ugust had a media Gtest dayG at athurstB (ith many of the leading teams +ringing their cars
along. /red $i+son (as asked (hat specification his $T%!s (ere runningB he replied. ]Ao
comment.^ Skaife cryptically admitted ])e are not do(n at the 6ran Park (eightB +ut (eGre
not do(n at last yearGs (eight.^ It (as o+ser:ed they (ere not running (ith the 1." +ar pop%off
installed.
1nofficial times (ere.
Skaife =$T%!> #m 1".63s
o(e =Sierra> #m 1".31s
!ichards =$T%!> #m 14.88s
@ohnson =E /alcon> #m 16.&5s
Percy ='P -ommodore> #m 13.#,s
$i++s =$T%!> #m 13.85s
Page 8"
7fter the athurst test dayB there (as the final 75S-7! round ZIGm missing details of the
first t(o 75S-7! rounds in 1&&#[ . Aissan had (on the 75S-7! title last year and (ere
intending to do the same this year.
Nualifying
$i+son reported he had the $T%!s +ack to their normal specification after the media day =so
(e can conclude that they (ere lighter than the -75S (eights during the test.> Skaife (as
fastest and got pole (ith a 5,.88s lapB faster than the pole time +ack in the first round of the
7T- < (hich (as 51."#s. !ichards (as second fastest (ith a 51.,#s follo(ed +y Longhurst
(ho had done an unofficial 5,.6,s in testing. 5ark $i++s Dualified 6
th
fastestB and had a fresh
engine after the athurst test day.
8eat 1
Skaife had a +ad start (hen the e0perimental clutch he (as using slipped at the start. !ichards
and $i++s lead ond into the first corner. 6n the second lap Skaife (as a+le to make 5
th
as he
sDueeLed past the 5" of Paul 5orris. Longhurst mean(hile had slipped past ond and (as
making progress on the $I6 $%! of $i++s. Longhurst made it past $i++s and set out after
!ichardsB +ut Skaife +y no( had made it up through the field after his poor start (as right
+ehind him. Skaife took #
nd
place from Longhurst on lap 6 and then the 5" (as pushed +ack
another spot (hen the $I6 $T%! got past. That (as the finishing order of the first heat.
8eat #
The start (as similar to the firstB (ith !ichards taking the lead (hile Skaife +attled his
slipping clutch. $i++s and Longhurst (ere +usy contesting "
rd
placeB $i++s had lots of o:er
steer and they contacted. Longhurst (as pushed off the track for his trou+le. $i++s had
damaged an oil cooler in the incident and had oil on his tyres (hich further enhanced his poor
handling $T%!. !ichards lead Skaife and 5orris o:er the line at the finish < there (as :ery
little +et(een them. @im !ichards claimed the 75S-7! title for 1&&#.
Septe!"er 1222
The Sando(n 5,, has traditionally +een a part of the athurst +uild upB +ut recent years has
seen the e:ent fade (ith some of the teams opting to gi:e it a miss. Aone of the $T%!s
sho(edB +ut there (ere some of the ne( 1&&" specification cars out for the first time. Larry
Perkins (on in his 'L -ommodore =no( t(o generation out of date> ahead of the ne(er -he:
po(ered 'P -ommodores. SetonGs /alcon (as in trou+le < +reaking a tail shaft and ha:ing
maJor +rake pro+lems.
Page 84
)heels 5agaLine got @im !ichards to do a +ack to +ack test of his race $T%! and a stock
road going $T%!. The results (ere Duite interesting. The road car (as measured (ith a 5.4
second ,%1,,km;hB and 1".3 4,, meter sprint. ItGs ,%6,km;h time of #.# second (as +etter
than any $roup 7 race car )heels had tested =(hich included @ohnsonGs Sierra and PerkinsG
-ommodore.>
@imGs race $T%! turned in a ,%1,,km;h time of Just ".# seconds and ran the 4,, meters in 1,.&
seconds. They used 8B,,, rpm launches in the road carB and 8B#,, rpm in the race car. The
road car (as a+le to pull cornering $Gs of 1.13B (hile the race car (ith itGs +etter tyres and
suspension could pull 1.46$. The magaLine then (ent on to mention that of the 1,, $T%!s
imported into 7ustralia +y Aissan for the domestic marketB "3 of them remained unsold after a
year.
0cto"er 1222 Bathurst
7nd so it all +egan. The (eekend +efore athurst arri:es along (ith the first of the keen
campers and the teams trickling into to(n. E:eryone (aits for the first session on the
)ednesday to see (ho is going to +e fastestB and (ho is going to last.
)ednesday practice sho(ed the Aissans (ere the Duick ones.
Nualifying
The official Dualifying started on ThursdayB the Skaife ; !ichards entry (as under the #m 15s
mark. @ohnson ; o(eB 5eLeraB and Longhurst (ere also fast in the morning session. In the
afternoon o(e (as DuickestB still fractionally slo(er than the $T%! had +een during the
morning.
The +est times (ere.
Skaife ; !ichards =$T%!> #m 1".8#s
Perkins ; 8arrington =-ommodore 'L> #m 14.,8s
@ohnson ; o(e =Sierra> #m 14.56s
AiedL(iedL ; 8ansford =Sierra> #m 14.&8s
Longhurst ; -ecotto =5"> #m 15.#6s
Seton ; @ones =E /alcon> #m 15.5"s
5eLera ; @ones ='P -ommodore> #m 15.34s
$i++s ; 6nslo( =$T%!> #m 15.35s
rock ; !euter ='P -ommodore> #m 15.&8s
Percy ; $rice ='P -ommodore> #m 16.1"s
6lofsson ; -rompton =$T%!> #m 16.13s < this (as the second $i+son car.
Saturday Nualifying
The top ten run off on Saturday represented the last opportunity to impro:e the top dri:ers
grid position. *ick @ohnson gra++ed pole (ith an a(esomely Duick lap of #m 1#.8&"s < the
Duickest a Sierra has e:ery lapped the mountainB and only Just fractionally slo(er than SkaifeGs
pole time last year.
Page 85
The $T%!s (ere ha:ing a hard time (ith the e0tra (eight they (ere carryingB and the +oost
restriction. The teams spent time carefully preparing the cars for the race on Sunday.
Sunday !ace *ay
7 +it of rain (as falling as the field took to the track for some (arm%up laps. It (ent +ottom
up for Longhurst (hen his co%dri:er smacked into a (all and damaged the 5" < it (as
repaired in time for the race though (ith no lasting damage. rock +roke a tail shaft in his
ne( -ommodoreB 1nfortunately the team didnGt ha:e a spare 'P shaftB +ut could make one up
out of t(o 'A shafts in time for the race.
7t the start of the raceB the field took offB e0cept for rock (ho had snapped his ne( tail
shaft. @ohnson managed to hold +ack Larry Perkins in the fast starting -ommodore. Perkins
then lost a heap of places (hen he gra++ed 5
th
gear instead of "
rd
. 7t the end of the first lapB
@ohnson lead SkaifeB $i++sB 5eLeraB AiedL(ietLB and Perkins.
Skaife took @ohnson at the end of lap # on the pit straight. AiedL(ietL (as a+le to make up a
couple of places and took the $i++s $T%! on lap 5. $i++s started slo(ing and slid do(n the
order until he (as in 11
th
place. The pro+lem (as the $T%!s (indscreen (as co:ered in oilB
(hich the pit cre( tried to get rid of +y thro(ing +uckets of soapy (ater at as it dro:e past the
pitsB the officials stopped them from that after a (hile.
7fter 1, laps Skaife had a handy lead of 5.# seconds +et(een the $T%! and the *ick @ohnson
Sierra. 7nother 1, seconds +ehind @ohnson (as AiedL(ietL in another Sierra. y lap #, the
lead (as out to 1& secondsB (ith Percy in the 8!T 'P -ommodore no( up into "
rd
place.
7t 11am the clouds got dark and the rain started. Aearly e:eryone di:ed into the pits for full
(et (eather tyresB e0cept for the Aissan $T%!s (hich remained out on the trackB Duite safe
(ith the four (heel dri:e. This +ought the 6lofsson ; -rompton $T%! up to second place.
The @ohnson ; o(e car (as no( more than 1 minute +ehind Skaife.
5uch of the field (ere ha:ing difficulty (ith +adly fogged (indscreens =these days all the
(indscreens ha:e heater elements in them>B one team e:en smashing out their +ack (indo( in
an effort to clear the mist off the (indo(s.
The lead Aissan pitted on scheduleB and resumed (ith !ichards dri:ingB lapping four seconds
a lap faster then the @ohnson ; o(e car (as a+le to. Aot long after the ""
rd
lapB *enny 8ulme
passed a(ay as his 5" drifted off the track and ran along the (all on -onrod straight. This
+ought out the pace car. 1p until then !ichards had almost managed to lap the @ohnson ;
o(e SierraB +ut it all (as lost (hen the pace car +unched the field.
)hen the pace car left the trackB !ichards lead o(e +y 6 secondsB one lap later it (as #3
seconds. The leading $T%! managed a lap 15 seconds faster than o(e. -rompton in the
second $T%! (as also lapping Duickly in the rain. The rest of the field (as 1 lap do(n.
In the early afternoon $i++s picked up a large dent in the side of the $T%! (hen a Sierra had
emerged from the spray on the track and (as una+le to a:oid hitting $i++sB the damage (as
only cosmetic.
Page 86
7t the 5"
rd
lap pointB the t(o )infield Aissans (ere still leadingB (ith LonghurstB o(e and
the $I6 $T%! follo(ing. The pace car came +ack out on the track after -olin ondGs co%
dri:er had clipped the +ack of a -ommodore on -onrodB sending the 8olden into the (all.
!ichards (as Just a+out to put o(e a lap do(n (hen the pace car Joined.
!ichards used the pace car to pit for a load of fuel and a +rake pad change. The rain (as
actually helping the $T%! conser:e itGs +rakes. Skaife resumed the dri:ing duties. The second
car came in shortly after(ards for +rake pads as (ell and a dri:er change (ith 6lofsson
returning to the (heel. Longhurst and @ohnson (here out there going for "
rd
placeB Longhurst
had pro+lems (ith his gear kno+ that had come off and (as sta++ing his hand (ith e:ery gear
change. $len Seton ga:e an interesting account of the conditions. ]?ouGre Just guessing do(n
the straightB as soon as you get +ehind someone the heat from the car causes the (indscreen to
instantly fog. 7ll you can do is to stick your head out the (indo( and (atch the (hite lines on
the side of the track < thatGs ho( +ad it is.^
y lap 31B Skaife still lead -rompton +y #, secondsB (ith a gap of fi:e seconds +ack to
@ohnson. The rain (as no( +lo(ing in side(ays in a strong (indB the pace car came out again
only #5 minutes after it had last +een out < a -ommodore had crashed at /orrest El+o(. There
(as a little de+ate (eather to red flag the race at this point < the flag marshals couldnGt see
each otherB +ut a report from a near+y to(n said the rain (as going to +ack off.
6nslo( in the $I6 $T%! ran into the side of another car and damaged an oil cooler in the
accidentB he (as a+le to get round into the pits to ha:e it +ypassed. Nuite a fe( of the teams
pitted to change from the (et tyres to slicks in the impro:ing conditions. Skaife and
-rompton continued leadingB +oth of them on (ets (hich (ere starting to o:er heat in the
drying conditions. Skaife di:ed in for a tyre change and resumed still in the lead. -rompton
did the same shortly after(ards.
7s the laps clim+ed into the &,GsB the track dried out and o(e (as a+le to make some ground
on the AissansB this (as the +est opportunity as he couldnGt match them in the (etB +ut the dry
(as a distinct ad:antage to the Sierra. 6n lap &" he di:ed past the 6lofsson $T%! for second
place. Skaife pulled out a fe( faster laps to maintain a +uffer of a+out ", seconds +et(een the
$T%! and the Sierra of o(e.
7t the 11" lap mark the 6lofsson $T%! pitted for +rake padsB fuelB and a dri:er change. The
pads (ere inspected and found to +e only half (orn so there (as no need to do a full pad
change in the lead car. -rompton resumedB and shortly after(ards Skaife pitted for a dri:er
change to !ichards and fuel < no need for pads. o(e (as +riefly in the lead.
@im !ichards had some dramas though < ]I had a rag (hich I (as using to keep the screen
cleanB only it got hooked up in the e0tinguisher and set it offC I (ould do(n the (indo(s and
got rid of the stuff.^
o(e pitted on lap 113B for @ohnsonB padsB fuelB and a top up of oil. y 4pm @ohnson (as o:er
a minute +ehind !ichardsB (ith the second $T%! a+out 5, seconds +ehind @ohnson. 7 report
came though of torrential rain and hail approaching.
Page 83
6n lap 144 Skaife (as heard to e0claim ]ItGs rainingC $ood stuffC^ in the pits as he (atched
T'. !ichards (as out on slicks and it (as hosing do(n. 6:er the top of the hill !ichards had
encountered a (all of (aterB the $T%! (as uncontrolla+le and slid into the (all. The left front
suspension (as +roken.
The track (as in chaos < there (as a large incident on top of the hill (ith three -ommodores
and a -orolla going into the (alls. There (as another -ommodore in the (all near /orrest
El+o(. 7fter another t(o -ommodores slid into the stricken car near /orrest El+o(B the $T%
! limped onto the scene and aDuaplaned into the mess. 7t that point the race (as red%flagged.
The rules are Duite clear < (hen a race is red%flagged and cannot +e restartedB the results are
taken from one lap pre:ious. That meant that the lead )infield $T%! had (on. !ichards said
]I (as going a+out half a mile an hour in lo( gearB then it accelerated off the track. I had no
idea (e had (on. I e0pected a punch in the mouth (hen I got +ack +ut instead (e (on the
raceC^ The second $T%! claimed "
rd
place +ehind the @ohnson ; o(e Sierra.
There (as a :ery hostile reception on the podium that afternoon. The cro(d (as uglyB and
@ohnson (ound them up in his second place acceptance speech. @im (as :ery upset (hen he
took the podium ]IGm Just really stunned for (ords. I canGt +elie:e the reception. I thought
7ustralian race fans had a lot more going than this. This is a +loody discrace.This is going to
remain (ith me for a long timeB youGre a pack of arseholesC^ he told the +ooing cro(d. The
corks remained in the champagne.
7n upset Skaife later said in the post race press conference. ]I Just felt that (hat (e got out
there (asnGt (arranted. I feel sorry for *ick and @ohn < their car (as running at the end +ut
rules are rules. )inners are grinnersB and the rest can go to hell.^
7nd so closed a chapter in 7ustralian motor racing history. The $roup 7 formula had come to
an endB the ne0t year (ould +ring a ne( series of 8olden :s. /ord competition.

Page 88

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