Bathurst - Road Trip and Vehicle Preparations

[asagaai]

Going to Bathurst for the first time this weekend for the Supercar race. Going a country route that involves some insane looking roads off the beaten track - route chose by my mate, goes through a mini range, some low lying valleys, lots of corners, not much in the way of towns or people -very remote roads with some scary looking drop off ravines .......

We are going to do most of the drive day before race and stop off at a country pub overnight- 4 guys altogether, 1 does not drink, by my calculations 3 rounds of a nice ale x 2 or 3 each -should be a good night to calm the nerves after the drive.

Then raceday.......

But the real adrenalin rush will be the drive before raceday- so in preparation, here is what I am doing to my FGX XR8 in preparation for the drive:

1. Installation of Streetfighter stage 2 intercooler.

2. Engine oil change.

3. Gearbox oil change.

4. Diff oil change.

5. Complete brake fluid replacement with racing brake fluid.

Anybody else got a special road trip and preparations planned for the last Supercar V8 Bathurst raceday?

[Carrion]

Sounds like your living the dream buddy.

Mine

1. Friends coming to my place
2. Freezer full of dude food
3. Extra bottle of gas for BBQ
4. Fridge full of beers & extras
5 Everybody having Monday off (most of us are bus drivers)

Wish Bathurst was still on the long weekend.

Really miss that

[dead_man00124]

Registering for interest. im going to the 12 hour in Feb so this will come in handy

also please supply route map on google maps :P

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by dead_man00124

Registering for interest. im going to the 12 hour in Feb so this will come in handy

also please supply route map on google maps :P

I do not want to advertise the route for obvious reasons. However, I have google mapped the route at street view level at various cross cuts at the ridges and in the low lying valleys and I am very excited....

It is the sort of road that I may go back to with an SLR camera attached to the roof in movie HD mode with external microphones x2, 1 in engine bay and 1 mounted at rear of the car....this trip will be a good recce for that-when I will go back solo and light.....

[Beastie]

Not sure what road you are taking, but I've driven Bells Line of Road a few times and it's lots of fun....although would probably be heavily policed around Bathurst time.

[Gambit]

Sounds like bylong valley- sofala way. Fun drive that one

[66GT]

I've just returned from a few days skying in Falls Creek Vic a little under 4000kms. 2 days travel each way from Gold Coast Qld along the Newell Hwy both ways. Minimal road works all good. 2003 Escape only issue was the bonnet release allowed the bonnet to pop at high speed when several trucks passed. Second/safety ensured in went no further (yes was properly shut prior).
I would recommend you also check coolant levels & all 5 tyre pressures. enjoy it.

[TheInterceptor]

Sounds like you have it down pat OP. Enjoy!!!

I do suggest the route is kept quiet, surley coppers/contractors are hunting for spirited enthusiasts...

[MotherNatureVer2]

All roads into ol' Bathurst town are highly patrolled from now on!! Enjoy the scenery

Cant wait for the weekend, will be our 8th year up top

[b0son]

Originally Posted by asagaai

I do not want to advertise the route for obvious reasons.

Then why start this thread if you've no intention of sharing the most significant part??

[Neale]

message me if you want a heads up on some good pubs or roads around Bathurst.

Definitely sounds like the Bylong Valley Way, worth doing before it becomes a big hole in the ground.

A couple things to be aware of.

Try not to travel at dawn or dusk, always lots of wildlife, and during race week the police numbers are boosted in the area & surrounding towns up to 100kms away to make sure people are playing by the rules on the backroads on the way to Bathurst.

The Globe in Rylstone is also a good place to drop in for a feed & few drinks as well

[ebxr8240]

Keep off the road on Tuesday.. Lol.. Have 4 sites up there.. We meet every year..We'll be taking all our stuff in motorhome to Read pk ..
Going through Bells line Rd .. Come up and say high ..we're in the Winebago Explorer..
I check tyre pressures, coolant, belts ,fluid levels power steering etc, oil level ( it is a Chev) air bag pressures, suspension.. Battery water level, check battery connections on house batteries, check generator, fridge and LPG tanks filled.. Oh and fuel...

[Gothefalcon]

Originally Posted by asagaai

Anybody else got a special road trip and preparations planned for the last Supercar V8 Bathurst raceday?

Not the "last" V8 Supercar Bathurst this year.... that will be next year

Gen 2 Supercars don't come in until 2017.

We'll be coming over from Adelaide on the Thursday.... no exciting roads across the Hay Plains unfortunately !

Dhru

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Gothefalcon

no exciting roads across the Hay Plains unfortunately !

True... we mix it up a little, sometimes we go south along the Murray, or alternatively, head north from Hay to West Wyalong/Forbes/Parkes or Grenfell/Cowra, a few more things to see along that route. Once, we went Mildura/Mungo, and while there's some interesting scenery (sea shells in the middle of the desert), its over 600km of unsealed road and feels like it takes forever.....

[ebxr8240]

We went Bathurst Mt Gambier .. Went west from Bathurst then sought ,, nice trip.. Although we free camp like gypsies ...

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by MotherNature

All roads into ol' Bathurst town are highly patrolled from now on!! Enjoy the scenery

Cant wait for the weekend, will be our 8th year up top

Strewth! Where have you been hiding?

Haven't seen you on for ages!

[blackf6]

Originally Posted by Carrion

Sounds like your living the dream buddy.

Mine

1. Friends coming to my place
2. Freezer full of dude food
3. Extra bottle of gas for BBQ
4. Fridge full of beers & extras
5 Everybody having Monday off (most of us are bus drivers)

Wish Bathurst was still on the long weekend.

Really miss that

Ha, great minds think alike. Taking Monday off too.

Originally Posted by Efxr6turbo

Nice color mate, any plans for the look of it ? Lowered, tint and some nice rims and she'll be mint.

[TheSneakiness]

Be watching it with the youngin.

I said to him during Sandown go for the blue cars and he said OK, but then added "Daddy, I like the blue cars but I like the Xbox car better, that's my favourite"

I said to him that's very good news son, you go for the Xbox car.

[Gothefalcon]

Originally Posted by b0son

True... we mix it up a little, sometimes we go south along the Murray, or alternatively, head north from Hay to West Wyalong/Forbes/Parkes or Grenfell/Cowra, a few more things to see along that route. Once, we went Mildura/Mungo, and while there's some interesting scenery (sea shells in the middle of the desert), its over 600km of unsealed road and feels like it takes forever.....

As does both parts of the Hay plains !

We go "Adelaide" to just past Tailem Bend... turn left to Balranald... turn right to (& through) Hay.... on through West Wyalong.... turn right to Grenfell - Cowra - Blayney.... Turn right at Mt Panorama !

This will be my 24th Visit to the Great Race since my 1st in 82 ! Have taken the same route there and back each time (only coz it's the quickest way to drive there).

have explored the areas between on other occasions.... and there are some pretty good roads/dirt roads to find !

Dhru

[b0son]

Ever gone via Broken Hill?

[sprintman1]

Half brick under the accelerator!

[Gothefalcon]

Originally Posted by b0son

Ever gone via Broken Hill?

Not to Bathurst.... but on other trips, Yes

D

[MotherNatureVer2]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Strewth! Where have you been hiding?

Haven't seen you on for ages!

Hiding in MBFNW still!! Have been flat out with work & being a farmers wife

Loving life, still have the Sprint (albeit the fact she's shed bound is somewhat disturbing) Playing with other horsepower at the moment.... miniature horsepower lol

[XG_Falcon]

I've been planning to drive to the race for years but something always interferes. I really should have made a road trip to the mountain last year when the main race was on my birthday but work got in the way... next year I'll be driving all the way from SA no matter what!

Have fun on the drive, I'm sure you'll have a blast! Watch out for the boys in blue though.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by XG_Falcon

I've been planning to drive to the race for years but something always interferes. I really should have made a road trip to the mountain last year when the main race was on my birthday but work got in the way... next year I'll be driving all the way from SA no matter what!

Have fun on the drive, I'm sure you'll have a blast! Watch out for the boys in blue though.

Yeah-I have never been on this road so it will be a blast- but as I am driving 3 other guys I will not be going stupid as I owe them a duty of care. If the road is real nice I will go back solo and light with that slr roof mounted for an- uhm - "spirited" run.

Still- something nice about a 6 speed and smooth operation and trailing throttle with 4 windows open and a v8 bellowing off cliffs-even if it is withinish (is that a word) the acceptable upper norms.

[XG_Falcon]

Originally Posted by asagaai

Yeah-I have never been on this road so it will be a blast- but as I am driving 3 other guys I will not be going stupid as I owe them a duty of care. If the road is real nice I will go back solo and light with that slr roof mounted for an- uhm - "spirited" run.

Still- something nice about a 6 speed and smooth operation and trailing throttle with 4 windows open and a v8 bellowing off cliffs-even if it is withinish (is that a word) the acceptable upper norms.

I'm sure you guys will have a great time. Enjoy the drive and the experience, there must be some great sights on the way!

[b0son]

So asagaai, how was the trip, and can you finally reveal the route?

[GT450]

Maybe he's still not back....................

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by b0son

So asagaai, how was the trip, and can you finally reveal the route?

Yea- still alive- did the Bylong Valley Way -amazingly beautiful road, and the drive, one of the best 2 rides I have ever done, actually, the other involved driving an AGM C63 with sports pack Melbourne to Newcastle on a quiet public holiday where my brother and I abused that AMG C63 every way it could be had, and third driving a Porsche Boxter S round a country circuit sober on Christmas day with by brother in law who was ****ed and owned the car. Sat that whole Christmas lunch not drinking 1 drop of alcohol, dribbling at the mouth like a dog with the anticipation of flogging his Porsche...which I did......

The standout of the Bylong (aside from a hovercraft heart in gut moment) was going up the tight stacked hairpin bends up the Bylong range in wet, rear end skating side to side like an Alsatian dog crapping razor blades from the rear end....

Here is the link with photos- anybody wanting an amazing country drive with fantastic scenery and minimal traffic, commend the Bylong way

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...r8+intercooler

[GT450]

Did you enjoy the race??