[Razy]

Hi!

I thought it would be interesting for the i30 owners to know that I will be driving an i30 CRDi SX at the Quit Targa West 2008 tarmac rally. The entry is fully backed by Hyundai Australia and the i30 is the first diesel car ever to compete in Targa West!

So if any i30 owners happen to be in Perth between Sep 4th-7th I could definitely do with a bit of support! Come around to the service park if you would like to see your daily run-around turned into a rally beast!!

Raz

[eye30]

Woulld like to come and watch but unfortunately too far to travel!!!!!

So can please post pictures of the car in all its glory etc etc etc.

[Dazzler]

Hi Razy,

Welcome to the club... That's the most exciting news we've had for a while. How much has she been modded and like eye, I can't wait to see some pix..

Hope you go well (Safe driving   )

Cheers,

Dazz

P.S. A bit far for me to come over too... sorry.

[EymaTeapot]

Hi Razy,

Good luck in the rally. Would love to watch but Canberra is about as far from perth as you can get and still be in the same country.

Look forward to sme pics

[LuciferDarklord]

I'll be there for sure.  There is a stage run only a kilometer or so from my house (Bindoon stage)  You doing any mods to the car for performance - like exhaust?

[Dazzler]

Hi Again Razy,

Not long now... How's it all going?

(Guess they'll keep her pretty standard - more advertising punch that way)

Here's a link to their official website for those who are interested will be a good way of monitoring progress while Razy is busy driving

http://www.targawest.com.au/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

Assume you've rallied other vehicles (we would be interested to know a bit of background...

[davet]

Also some info on Hyundai site

http://www.hyundai.com.au/Hyundais-W-A-Dealers-get-behind-the-i30-CRDi-QUIT-Targa-West-entry/default.aspx

[Waja]

woah! go razy! just checked up the other entries in your group...

Code: [Select]

http://www.targawest.com.au/Portals/0/docs/QTW08/Entries%20RECEIVED_15%20August%2008.pdfsounds like you hav got some serious competition going on! but good luck! not that you wil need it! prove them all wrong bout the i30! interesting though how they are doing no modifications other than brakes, tyres and safety...wish i could make it..cept its  on the opposite side of aust >< too far!
but goodluck once again! waiting for the good news

[Dazzler]

Also some info on Hyundai site

http://www.hyundai.com.au/Hyundais-W-A-Dealers-get-behind-the-i30-CRDi-QUIT-Targa-West-entry/default.aspx

Interesting link thanks davet...

[LuciferDarklord]

so you gunna run the semi-slicks on the stocky steel rims or update to something a little bigger?

[Razy]

Hi Guys,

Sorry I didn't have time to update the forum, but we've been pretty busy with recce and testing. There are nearly 220km of competitive distance and about 800km of transport sections - definitely the longest rally we've done so far!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/18560068@N02/

Here are some photos of the car taken last weekend, the only difference will be the wheels (Hyundai supplied a set of 15" alloys and we will be using Silverstone FTZ type-R semi-slicks) and a rear spoiler (the one that comes standard on the top of the range i30). I also managed to get the brake pads this week and what a difference did they make!!! They are Ferodo DS3000 compound, but I had to get them custom cut because nobody had any (thanks again to Hyundai who managed to get a set of original pads to the guys who cut ours in Canberra so they can get the right size)!

We went for slightly smaller wheels that the originals to help with acceleration. We are limited to 130kph, so it's all about how quickly we can get there and how much can we keep it up for! If you have a look at the other entries - we are probably less that half in terms or power/weight ration from the next car, and nearly 4 times less than the Aston Martin!!! We will have to drive really well to beat anybody, but even if we don't there will still be a lot of fun in trying

I am going to do another test session today with the race tyres and brake pads - hopefully it will be a short one, just to get the feeling!

I've been racing an Opel Vectra GT on tarmac in Europe (it is similar to the Holden Calibra, but I haven't seen many in Australia) and then a Mazda 323 turbo 4x4 and a Daihatsu Charade GTti on gravel in Western Australia. So I do have some experience, but I still have a lot to learn!

For those in WA - there will be an article about us in the West Australian on Wednesday!

Regards,

Razvan

[Dazzler]

Hi Razy...

Thanks for the update...

Is that you going around Barbagallo raceway on You Tube...

There is a link under Videos...

[Razy]

Hi Razy...

Thanks for the update...

Is that you going around Barbagallo raceway on You Tube...

There is a link under Videos...

Yes, that is me all right! Unfortunately I did not have the racing tyres at that time, so it is all done on the Hankooks that you buy with the i30 Still pretty quick, but the tyres won't last long!

[Dazzler]

Hi Again Razy...

If it all goes well see if they'll fund you to run in Targa Tasmania... The wife and I follow that Rally and would be keen to be part of your support team...

[Razy]

Hi Again Razy...

If it all goes well see if they'll fund you to run in Targa Tasmania... The wife and I follow that Rally and would be keen to be part of your support team...

Well, it's getting close now and if it goes well I will definitely try to get the same deal for Tassie. They guys at Hyundai are a really nice bunch, they are very enthusiastic and have been a great help!

So far all is good, there was quite a bit of coverage in the media and it was really good value for money for Hyundai. We are possibly driving the cheapest new car in the rally, with the lowest power/weight ratio and definitely the most frugal, but we were featured in nearly all the WA newspapers!

As for myself and my navigator .... we were a bit worried that driving a diesel would be like going out for a Sunday drive, but after driving the i30 on the track we are sure that it will be just as much fun as driving a Porsche, but without the scary moments! Hyundai's claim of an "Australian tuned suspension" is not just a marketing tool, I actually tried really hard to upset the i30 on the track but on dry tarmac this is almost impossible, even with the factory tyres (and our car does not have ESP)! For the average driver who comes up against a hairy situation once or twice during his life the i30 must be the ideal car!

[Dazzler]

Thanks Razy for keeping us posted.. hope all goes well.

I'm sure everyone on the site is right behind you (hopefully some of the competitors will be also   )

[LuciferDarklord]

Looks like they are doing very well!  Currently 5th in Challenge Modern here is the leaderboard;

Porsche 997 Turbo
Nissan Skyline R34 GTR
Aston Martin Vantage
Porsche 911 GT2
hyundai i30 SX CRDi turbo
Holden VU Ute
Ford F6 Typhoon
Ford Falcon BA GT
Holden HDT VC Retro
Porsche 911 Targa
Holden Clubsport
Proton Satria GTi

Thats some decent metal that they are beating there!  F6 Typhoon is not a slow car!, none of them are slow cars!

I seen the Satria was involved in a rollover at the zigzags.  That road is insane.  Hopefully there is not a repeat of the Brocky crash.

Anyway - good luck to the i30!

On a side note the car i'm really barracking for is the Datsun 240Z - is currently 2nd behind a Porsche driven by Allistair McRae.  Cant wait to check it out tomorrow might have some pics to post (although i'm the self-proclaimed worlds worst photographer)

[Dazzler]

Thanks for the update... Hope Razy can hang in at that level..Awesome  

[LuciferDarklord]

1   15   Porsche 997 Turbo   Kym Illman   1:18:43.0   0
2   16   Ford F6 Typhoon   Simon Gunson   1:20:05.0   +1:22.0
3   48   Nissan Skyline R34 GTR   Bruce Hawley   1:19:10.0   +2:27.0
4   58   Aston Martin Vantage   Robert Darrington   1:21:15.0   +2:32.0
5   34   Holden VU Ute   Keith Hawley   1:21:56.0   +3:13.0
6   39   Ford Falcon BA GT   Stephen Brown   1:22:15.0   +3:32.0
7   29   Holden HDT VC Retro   Paul Davies   1:21:32.0   +4:34.0
8   20   hyundai i30 SX CRDi turbo Diesel   Razvan Vlad   1:24:44.0   +6:01.0
9   24   Porsche 911 Targa   James Allen   1:27:19.0   +10:36.0
10   21   Holden Clubsport   Paul Thompson   1:26:33.0   +11:05.0

Still doing well.  Car looked good under brakes, Razvan was really standing on it.  Just lacked the forward surge of the other cars - understandably! Look at the engine capacity of the rest of them..

Some fast MkI and MKII Escorts there for the poms.  I think Alistair McRae should have driven an Escort  

The new Nissan GT-R has overtaken the Lamborghini for outright.  Some very fast Porsche turbos in there too

[Razy]

Just a short update after day 2: we are still leading group C by about 4 minutes ahead of a Porsche 911. There were a lot of chicanes and restricted speed points today, so we had to push really hard to keep our lead (we actually had the brakes on fire at the end of one stage). Unfortunately I was caught out by some gravel on the braking line in the last stage, went off and hit a small tree but still managed to finish the day with a healthy lead. On the good side the damage is not significant and we managed to fix it in service so we will continue tomorrow without any penalties. There is still a long day ahead and we need to keep the pressure up on the Porsche to make sure that we have enough time to get us through anything that may happen.

Thanks for the photos, maybe we can catch up tomorrow in the service park!

[eye30]

Looks brill with the decals on etc etc.

[EymaTeapot]

Your doing us proud Razy,
Keep up the good work

[Thumper]

Razy, excellent progress! I'm impressed. (This is coming from a person with many years of tarmac rally under his belt, also driving a Daihatsu GTti, rally spec Hyundai's and Mini Coopers.)

8 20 hyundai i30 SX CRDi turbo Diesel Razvan Vlad 1:24:44.0 +6:01.0
9 24 Porsche 911 Targa James Allen 1:27:19.0 +10:36.0
10 21 Holden Clubsport Paul Thompson 1:26:33.0 +11:05.0

A stock standard 1.6lt diesel 4 cyl against the likes of Porsches and in front of Holden V8 Clubsports, love it!  8-)

[LuciferDarklord]

G'Day Razy - keep up the good work....  Went to the service park today but you had already left.  Seems the Bindoon stage was cancelled for you guys - a local resident needed to be taken out by ambulance.  Then a WRX rolled at the finish!  Eventful day.  Hows the damage from the tree everything still ok I hope?

[Dazzler]

Thanks for Pix Lucifer...

Great effort Razy.. hang in there m8

As someone else said "you're doing us proud  

Rgds,

Dazz

[LuciferDarklord]

Good work Razy, i'm pretty sure this is the final results just thru...

Pos   No.   Car   Driver   Time   Diff Fastest
1   15   Porsche 997 Turbo   Kym Illman   1:59:28.0   0
2   16   Ford F6 Typhoon   Simon Gunson   1:59:59.0   +6.0
3   29   Holden HDT VC Retro   Paul Davies   2:01:47.0   +2:04.0
4   48   Nissan Skyline R34 GTR   Bruce Hawley   2:00:13.0   +2:20.0
5   34   Holden VU Ute   Keith Hawley   2:04:03.0   +5:10.0
6   58   Aston Martin Vantage   Robert Darrington   2:02:48.0   +5:15.0
7   20   hyundai i30 SX CRDi turbo Diesel   Razvan Vlad   2:09:11.0   +9:18.0
8   24   Porsche 911 Targa   James Allen   2:11:54.0   +14:01.0


And the 240Z held second in the Classic Competition category..

Pos   No.   Car   Driver   Time   Diff Fastest
1   89   Porsche 911 RS 3.0 IROC   Alister McRae   1:45:44.0   0
2   11   Datsun 240Z   David Moir   1:53:11.0   +7:27.0
3   83   Holden VH SS Commodore   Michael Miller   1:55:11.0   +9:27.0
4   45   Holden Torana A9X   Mark O'Kane   1:54:16.0   +10:12.0
5   65   Ford Mustang GT350   Kim Stewart   1:55:28.0   +10:16.0
6   54   Porsche 911 Carrera RS   Hans De Corti   1:56:28.0   +10:44.0
7   77   Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS   Chris Wilson   1:58:07.0   +12:23.0
8   67   Ford Escort   Lea Welch   2:01:07.0   +15:23.0
9   80   Triumph TR7   Mark Dobson   2:03:12.0   +19:33.0
10   86   Ford Escort Mk1 RS2000   Josh Hogan   2:16:08.0   +30:24.0
11   93   Audi Quattro   Davyd Hooper   2:33:06.0   +47:22.0
12   60   Ford XY Falcon   Paul Pernechele   2:12:00.0   +26:16.0
13   28   Holden Torana GTR XUI   Graham Romyn   2:14:30.0   +28:46.0


There is a pics page on the official website if anyone wants a look;
http://www.targawest.com.au/GALLERY/2008EventImages/tabid/93/Default.aspx
Awesome event, cant wait until next year!

[TheBunyip]

See how proud we are.  8-)  

[EymaTeapot]

Well done Razy.
I will shake up a bottle of champayne tills it froths up and pour it all over myself in celebration of your tremendous performance.

[Dazzler]

Yeah GR8 work Razy... If I get some Champers I wont be spilling any  

[Razy]

Hi!

We finished Targa West and what an exciting weekend it has been!! We started really well on Friday by overtaking the car in front of us on the very first stage and we even matched the Aston Martin's time on one of the stages. Unfortunately one of the cars in our class crashed, so we were left with only one task: beat the Porsche 911 and get the class trophy! Our tyres were not holding up so well, so we decided to turn them on the rims and it proved a wise choice!

The second day started well, we were beating the Porsche on the morning stages but I knew that the afternoon ones would be more difficult because they had a lot of slow corners and the Porsche could make up a lot of time by just accelerating a lot quicker that we could. I pushed the car harder to make up for this lost time, but a mistake with one of my notes saw us hitting a tree on the last stage of the day. Fortunately the damage was only superficial and we were able to get back to service without any penalties. The team did an excellent job fixing the car and we were back on the road for the last day, leading the Porsche by nearly 4 minutes.

The final day was just a matter of keeping the car on the road, saving what was left of our tyres and conserving our lead. We manage to do just that and finished first in our class and 7th overall. We are both very pleased with the results, it is a lot more that what we hoped for and and excellent outcome for Hyundai in the competition debut of the Diesel i30!

Some photos/videos (more to come when I get them):







http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m150 ... CP5957.jpg

Thank you very much for your support and I hope you will sit higher in your i30 knowing that it can be faster that that red V8 that pulls over at the traffic lights!

Razvan