Hello! Just a brief introduction to a 'new' Hillclimb Beetle in Victoria (are there ANY others in Vic?). Have been browsing the forum for a bit, and this section seems the best fit.
Brutus had his inaugural run yesterday at Morwell Hillclimb track, and got through with just a few minor 'bugs'. Getting home (2 hr) was a real concern, with Melb. reaching 38C. The oil temp just reached 110C (phew), and engine still happy at end of it all.
The engine is built by xx, and Brutus will run in class I, Sports Sedans (1600 - 2000cc) in the Victorian Hillclimb Series/Championship rounds this year - if all holds together...
The car is sponsored by QPL Lubricants (makers of ACE 30 & ACE 40 oil), and xxx. It is & will be exclusively running ACE 30 in the engine, & ACE 90 transaxle oil.
Engine is barely run-in yet, but seems to show some promise!

Lets see some pics of the beast!!!

Will try but no promises as not experineced attaching pics. If it works, will be from a year or so ago, beforte current engine... Maybe able to get some more recent pics in a while; will dust off the Box Brownie...! Haven't got times yet, but not too fussed as still running in! Will go to drags soon, we hope.

[ Edited on 13-3-2006 by BRUTUS ]

[ Edited on 13-3-2006 by BRUTUS ]

110 deg oil? No worries...

Very nice! yeah, 110 is alright, wouldn't want to go that much higher though!

Attached is a recent photo of the car as it is this year.

The next Vic. Hillclimb is this Sunday (21/5) at Mt. Leura, near Camperdown.
Went to the last State round at Morwell (no other VW's seen) but aborted after 2 runs due to suspected valve gear problems.
Seems to be SO MUCH interest in Hillclimbs, track/speed events, and drags in NSW - and Qld., BUT I can't see much in Vic. at present... Maybe a few drag cars & Vees around.
The local club has lost interest in Motorsport.
The motor is now run-in, and there's still a lot of detail stuff to sort out, lightening etc., but it's all looking good.

[ Edited on 18-5-2006 by BRUTUS ]

[ Edited on 22-5-2006 by BRUTUS ]

[ Edited on 16-6-2006 by BRUTUS ]

[ Edited on 16-6-2006 by BRUTUS ]

Looks good.

What motor are you running??

Good luck for Sunday

I ran at Camperdown, and Morwell, great tracks :thumb

Thanks Chasps, It's a 197x VW 1600cc beetle motor (of course?!... I realise that now that Subarus seem to be all the go - it used to be rotissaries some years ago). Warmed up in the 'usual' ways: balanced xxx, Engle x, 2 x xxxs, ... etc.
Was worried the engine would overheat as the extra cooler is up above the gearbox out of the airflow, but it actually runs cool! about 90C max. under load in cool conditions, and 110C cruising in 'heat-wave' as indicated above.
Had a strange problem with no apparent cause at last Hillclimb - lots of misfiring, backfiring & carry-on. Thought we'd bent a pushrod or done some damage due to maybe over-revving, as motor was still around 1000km then. All looks fine though, so it's all systems go for tomorrow. Looks like long idling to warm the motor caused the misfiring, but even so the plugs looked OK....
Have run at Morwell & Camperdown before, but mostly long ago. Not many VW's on these tracks now! Rob Roy is on calendar for later this year; have never run there...

[ Edited on 22-5-2006 by BRUTUS ]

I run standard vw pushrods and rev to 8000rpm, don't worry it won't be bent! Sounds more like blocked pilot jets, or ignition probs.

Got to Mt. Leura & back with no worries. Ran a lot better this time, getting used to the suspension/engine gearbox combination. Just a wet track caused severe problems at the start, with axle tramp holding back the getaway. Once the Brute got into 2nd gear it was great in the straights - a bit slippery through corners though... One mini rolled mid-first corner.

No other VWs in sight at this event. Not one. Not even a Vee (I think there were 2 at both the last two rounds). Got a time of 42.95 over the 800m. Best in class was 36.88 (Datsun) & slowest was 48.23. (There was a Porsche 911, who ran 39.71.)

There is a brand new website devoted to Hillclimbs with Aust-wide coverage: http://www.hillclimbracing.com.  Lots of photos & results & suppregs there...

Rob Roy this Sunday. Club event. Expect to be the only VW there. Might have to move to NSW! There seems to be So MUCH going on in Vw motorsport there (and in Qld). What has gone wrong here in Vic???

Is anyone going to drags in Melb (Calder) these days? Would like to give Brutus a run...

yeah get out there if you can. Stir up some V8 neanderthals

Nice wheels, I have a set of those floating around.

Good luck with your new weapon, seem to already be very competitive.

Matt

Thanks for above comments. As predicted, no other VW's. Where are they all? Ther was a FIAT 600 Arbath(?) (watercooled though) & one Porsche 911SC. 95 entries including a Robnell, BMW M3R, & SS Commodore. Lots of "offs", some damage, but not to people.

Rob Roy is great & could become my favorite track!!! Had never run there before. Got 32.61 (practice), then 31.45, then 30.00, then 28.31 for 3rd official run. Last run was a "blast" with the car's best Launch off the line yet. What a great day!! Only marred by strange misfiring problems again on run 1 & 2. Flames out the exhaust so I was told! Pushrods are fine, valve clearances fine, sparkplugs OK, so now suspect possible coil/electrics issues...

The wheels are OLD Cheviots. Came with this car many years ago. Was going to sell or use on another car as I liked the look of Bathursts for Brutus much better. But these went on as are reasonably light & have good offset. Wish they were 15x6, not 14x6! Spent 'way too much' though, so they're it for now.

[ Edited on 20-6-2006 by BRUTUS ]

[ Edited on 5-7-2006 by BRUTUS ]

[ Edited on 5-7-2006 by BRUTUS ]

What time did you do at Morwell? The best time my 1500 has done there is 42.79 (Sorry not 32.76 as I had that was Rob Roy). I plan to come out and play but need to do some work on the front end first. Are you just going to do the Hill climb series or do some sprints as well?

[ Edited on 20-6-2006 by wombatone ]

Great, I was hoping for a playmate for Brutus! (Must be a big 1500!!) Not good results so far at at Morwell - hope to correct that at next round of state championship/series on 6th August, in 7 weeks - is there anything before then?? Will go in club events - hillclimbs or sprints up to Winton-length track and would be more interested if other beetles are competing. Don't want to go much further than Winton or Mt. Leura from Melb., as have to drive car to track (can't trailer car). Let me know if you go to anything within that distance.
The plan is to go in all state hillclimbs, and selected speed events/sprints within the above limits.

Times so far (excuses etc. in brackets):-
1. Morwell, Club 12/3/06 Normal track: 41.91s on 1st run(Oil spewing issues/fanbelt broken - no spare!/'heatwave' conditions).
2. Morwell State Champ. Rd.2 9/4/06 short Rev. track: 44.93s (damp, cruised around due to suspected engine damage - backfiring)
3. Mt. Leura State Champ. Rd. 3 21/5/06: 42.948s (wet - severe traction problems, otherwise OK).
4. Rob Roy Club event (run by MG club) 18/6/06: 28.31s!!!... Just got results. 8th out of 18 in class (2 DNS). About half way thru field by the look. Beat a Totana XU1- 31.44s, Porsche 911SC- 31.13s. The Commo SS got 27.15s, and the Robnell 25.36s. Plenty of other quicker cars there, a Sub WRX got 23.49s. Great day. More VW's next time?!? MG club officials told me they would welcome more VW's at their speed events!

[ Edited on 19-6-2006 by BRUTUS ]

[ Edited on 20-6-2006 by BRUTUS ]

[ Edited on 20-6-2006 by BRUTUS ]

[ Edited on 5-7-2006 by BRUTUS ]

[ Edited on 5-7-2006 by BRUTUS ]

I have to say that it was not me driving at Morwell or Rob Roy when we ran there in the Ampol re-run. I let my old man drive. I needed the faster time to stay at the pointy end of the field at the time. Did a 32.76 at Rob Roy it was just 1st 2nd 3rd down the dip and hold it flat out to the line. I’ve got a MP4 of his run will try and post if I can. I’m planing to run some of the hill climbs and sprints in the in the under 1600 class as soon as I can get my upgrade done. Hope to see you around.

It seems that there is still Fri night drags at Calder. Does anyone with a VW-based car ever go? Brutus is getting restless... My mate with his "chipped" XR-6 turbo has not got around to it (was going to run against him) and I'd like to get a feel for Brutus's potential... Anyone in Melb ever go?

It's all on again. This coming Sunday at Morwell. The next State Champ. Hillclimb, round 4. Another lonely one-VW-only event no doubt. Fastest Beetle award goes to Brutus (again). 4th in a row!
Good old NSW with so many H/C cars & coverage in VWMA! Move to Vic. & wake things up here, some of you.
This may be last year for Morwell track to operate. It will be closing, not sure exactly when, due to being mined for the coal underneath. Get there & see it while it's still operating!!!

Do you know how the plans are coming along for the new track?

Just got mag from Gippsland car Club today, has an update monthly. the new site is chosen & costings/plans have been submitted (apparently). Is being considered by the relevant authorities... Hope the new track is going before the old one disapears! I doubt it will take long once it's underway. There will be info. on their website: http://www.gippsland.net.au/gcc/  under 'Ramblings from the Secretary.'

There was a rumour about the back (far side - uphill) of Phillip Is being used as a short "Hillclimb" next year. That sounds great.

That would make a quick hillclimb! It's a pitty I live so far from any hillclimbs, it takes me 4 or so hours to get to Morewell. Ararat (the Golden Mile) was closer, now that was a quick hillclimb.

Got to Morwell last Sunday for round 4 of State Hillclimb Championship, & Brutus was OK but the driver wasn't. Still getting over flu-virus so judgement was a bit off. Went "straight through" going into the the bottom loop, to have a close look at the grasses on the far side of track. Fastest time 40.81 (conventional track), a bit better than previous 41.91 but probably could have been quicker if not feeling so crook.

Coming 5th out of 8 in class for the year so far. Missed first round -- if hadn't could have been coming 3rd!
2 more rounds this year: Rob Roy on 24 Sept., Mt. Leura on 19 Nov. making only 6 for the year. There's a man in the Gippsland Car club who's beetle should be back together & running soon, later this year?, I think his name is Lindsay. It was a lightened 40hp model running in Sport sedans, think, has engine around 1900cc or so. Will get more details when see him again.

Hello Victorian VW-Hillclimb Afficionados! (ie. Hi Wombat1! ....... there MUST be more of us!!)

Second last round of Vic. H/C Champ's is on this Sunday at Rob Roy, serious stuff starting at 10am (supposedly). Practise day on Sat but think we'll SAVE IT UP for Sunday (& give scrutineers less oportunity to niggle). Out to beat last time's best run of 28.31s whcih I'm sure we can do IF its sunny (track was COLD last time).

Drags may be on again against my mates 'chipped' turbo XR6 . He's ready to race & we just have to set a date. Do they run every week or every 2nd week Fri night at Calder?

Oh - a serious question for the drag experts who may stray into this part of the forum: Should Brutus run small (590mm OD) (14x6 wheel), or bigger (& Heavier, 15x7 wheel) (606mm OD) tires for drags at Calder?? Brutus has low AND close ratio 2nd & 3rd, but a standard 4th with the standard diff ratio for the late single-side box (tall diff). This puts a big "hole" in the accelaration. I can't decide. Clearly the bigger OD will give more 'legs' at higher speed, but the smaller/lighter will give more accel at lower speeds.

So Rob Roy is on this Sunday 23th? it just so happens that I will be down that way and I might as well drop by and have a look.

Yes come one, come all... er, well... two. There should be quite a few cars & people going judging by the previous rounds. Don't expect many VWs, but we can hope!!

Yes it is Sunday 24th Sept. There is optional practice 1.30 to 5pm Sat., but we won't bother with that. I have a feeling it's going to be wet or cold or both. Given that the track conditions generally this year have been cold/wet, I'm wondering if I shouldn't have just got good road tyres instead of the Yoko A048s which seem to need warm/dry conditions.

The track is on Clinton's Road, Christmas Hills. Melway map 265, B9. Clinton's Rd is almost opposite entrance to Sugarloaf Dam. The MG club might charge a fee for spectators - the paperwork doesn't say, but they've done that previously, I think only a dollar or so. "NO PETS!"

Haver you seen the HillClimb website yet? http://www.hillclimbracing.com.au 

[ Edited on 22-9-2006 by BRUTUS ]

Just had a look at the web site ( http://www.hillclimbracing.com  "no .au") not a bad looking site.

1. The hillclimb today. After rain all night & a doom 'n gloom forecast, went with wet weather gear for expected hail, snow etc. Got sunburnt. That's Victoria for you. But at 12 noon the met. proved themselves right for once. BUT got 2 "dry" runs in. The first messy, tried staying in 2nd right through first corner, backed off when didn't need to etc. (29.4 s). The next /last run got low 27s!!!
CORRECTION- I was misinformed! It was only 27.95s, but definmitely would have gone quicker if there had been more runs...
I feel Brutus could run about a second quicker again when we get a really good set of runs. (The class record is 23.94s - don't see how we can get down to that.) And no misfiring now after changing the coil. It was a Bosch red GT40, not very old. Now have a cheap Brazilian Bosch one. Not convinced that was the problem, but it's gone for now. And apologies - it is $10 to spectate! This is the only Vic. hillclimb (& is run by MG car club) to charge a spectators' fee..

2. Thanks Dave, (but now I'm more confused!) The car will definetly be into 4th gear in a 1/4 mile as it runs out of revs in 3rd very quickly. The gearing is more like 1, lowish 2, 2-1/2, 4 (don't have the exact ratios). ie. the gap between 2nd & 3rd is not much. The bigger OD will also let it run out further in 1st. The bigger wheel & tyre is about the same weight as a standard VW 4.5x15 steel wheel & tyre. There is plenty of wheel spin available in 1st, though I've learnt to control it better now.

[ Edited on 24-9-2006 by BRUTUS ]

[ Edited on 17-11-2006 by BRUTUS ]