| BATHURST PREPARATION
With the calendar now so compact, Bathurst is almost treated like any other event. It carried the same points as any other round and therefore has the same importance.
The main difference for Bathurst preparation is the endurance component as the race itself is twice as long as Phillip Island and four times as long as our longest sprint race at Adelaide. As a result, more effort is placed on component management with distance completed used as the major tracking technique. Each component has a maximum number of kilometres that it will complete before servicing and / or removal from use.
Component mileage will dictate what will be fitted to the car before and during the event. Throughout the actual weekend, components will be changed to make sure the best equipment is on the car for the 1000km race. Examples of this include engine, gear box, diff gear and rear suspension.
Regulations dictate that each car must complete at least one front brake pad change during the race. To ensure adequate preparation for the pit stop crew, the team members will start practicing two months in advance. Front rotor changes are also included in case this form of servicing is also required during the race.
The requirement to make a front brake pad change means that there is more detailed brake management. To minimise problems during the pad change, each pad set to be used is bedded to remove some material so that they are easier to fit.
With two endurance races held in a row, much of the major servicing is actually completed before the Phillip Island event and is expected to carry over the two events. This includes such items as air jacks and fuel cell maintenance.
REACTING TO CHASSIS DAMAGE IN BETWEEN EVENTS
The VE race car has made chassis repairs much easier compared to previous models. Most of the panels are pop-riveted onto the main structure and as a result, it is easier access to the structural components of the car.
To ensure accuracy of repair, the chassis will be fitted back onto the chassis jig that is used to construct the car at the fabrication department.
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The most time consuming part of the re-build is actually removing and re-fitting the bolt on components. Chassis repairs are usually quite quick, with damage simply cut out of the chassis and replacements parts welded back in.
There is sufficient stock of components held by the fabrication department so that there are no delays in repair. The team also carries sufficient stock of some components to make repairs at the circuit, typically those that are pop-riveted to the car.
TOOLS REQUIRED FOR AN EFFICIENT PIT STOP
Rattle guns - only two can be used at any one time during a sprint race. Four guns, one per wheel, can be used during the endurance races.
Air spike, to raise the car on all four jacks.
Nitrogen bottles, to drive the rattle guns, air jacks and pneumatic tools.
Fuel rig and hoses, to supply fuel to the car. There is a minimum hose length allowed in the regulations and a Siamese delivery system is used whereby the supply and vent dry breaks are all in the one unit and controlled by a single re-fueller. The fuel rig itself is a control system designed and distributed by V8 Supercars.
Pit boom, to hold the rattle gun hoses that are on the outside of the car.
Spare wheel nuts in case of cross threading during the stop.
Damage repair tools - these include such items as hammers, speed braces, allan keys, pliers and air drills. Spark emitting devices are not allowed due to the risk of fire with the fuel vapours, so any mechanical tools must be compressed nitrogen driven.
Pit stop board to help the driver line the car up in the pit box and stop on the marks.
Front pad change pliers are required at Bathurst. These push the brake pads back so that there is no force holding them against the rotor and they can therefore be removed.
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