Kwinana, 25 March 2006.

First 5 second paired pass of both the Bailey cars! Unfortunately came at a cost of unplanned fire, a skid just before the sand and some rather large holes in both blocks.

A replacement block in Chemical Warfare allowed another pass 4 hours later.

With many new pieces planned to go on the Camaro next season, we look to pushing into the 4 second range in pre-season testing. The carnage however has left a hole in our funds to upgrade a few things that would have been nice.

With our recent appearance at the Motorplex we were looking to cure recurring problems, but found new ones. Increased valve seat pressure resolved the blower backfiring on the Tectaloy car, but new wrist pins fitted the morning of the race proved to be not up to the job, resulting in two rods breaking after shutdown. A solid 3.69 sec to half track would have seen the car back into the 5.4 sec range, but Ricky had to back off after half track to get the car back into the groove. He stabbed the pedal once more across the line, still producing a 5.71 at 242 mph.

The Camaro was set to produce a 5.20 or something close with a 3.51 sec to half track only to have an exhaust rocker adjuster come loose and pop out the push rod, resulting in rod failure at 3.9 sec. That the car still managed to coast to 5.60 left us with mixed feelings.

With a block borrowed from Al Greene, we tried to redeem the show and lay down something to cheer about. With the air now at sea level and a different piston deck height to our regular combination, the car struck slight tyre shake off the line. As it got worse, Ash pedalled the car with the shake not taking up. With the borrowed motor at the back of his mind he opted out of another stab and coasted through.

Willowbank, 4 Feb 2006.

No rain today! Stinking hot and humid, but finally getting rid of the Camaro's tyre shake.

And thanks very much to Ash McKean for helping us today and over the past few weeks.

Testing, Willowbank, 21 Jan 2006.

On Jan 21 we had some "hired help" in the form of U.S. nitro funny car racer Grant Downing's crew chief, Ashley McKean. During a 3 day period we put engine and tune-up changes in place, but as the rain came down it became obvious that we wouldn't be turning a tyre today. Ashley plans on joining us in 2 weeks time at Willowbank before returning to the U.S. after his break in Australia.

Kwinana,Perth,

26 Dec 2005.

A run of bad luck puts paid to the best laid intentions. The Tectaloy car, suffering a very rich idle, consequently ran out of fuel before half track, causing the blower to lift and other engine damage. The incremental times were solid, indicating a 5.4 second pass. Chasing supercharger problems for the remaining passes kept the team frustrated.

The Camaro is still suffering severe tyre shake with little option other than clicking it off early. The team is currently seeking outside consultation to rectify the problem, to put the team back to a level of consistency enjoyed with the old car.

Willowbank, 5 Nov 2005.

Preview for Feb 2006.

On the first pass, Ashley went into a lean tyre shake, followed by a wheelstand, followed by a departing blower belt. Ricky had a good pass until a lifter collapsed, causing the supercharger to lift.

The second pass for Ricky was good until the blower belt departed before half track, while Ashley had another fuel system problem and lean tyre shake, resulting in a broken conrod.

Sydney, 29 Oct 2005.

First paired pass.

Ashley starts strong before heading towards the line and having to back off. Ricky has a cautious start, but builds speed to 204mph at half track, before a fuel line breaks causing a massive fire and back off before the finish line.

The second and final pass happened after rain delays and awaiting the return of Ricky from observation in hospital with a burnt hand from the earlier flame out.
Chemical Warfare also suffered an air leak.

Eventually both cars made it out and once again Ashley produced a stout 60-footer before smoking the tyres while Ricky's car tossed a blower belt.

Willowbank, 15 Oct 2005. Third outing.

Just getting a little ridiculous now! After a beautiful launch, the fuel pressure dropped due to the shut-off lever closing. The good news was great early incrementals and excellent RPM, which bodes well for Sydney.

Willowbank, 9 Oct 2005. Second outing.

Again a little thing brings us unstuck. A loose nut on the throttle cable led to butterfly valve being held open and clutch damage. Third time lucky...