New Rubbers: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric II

I've been neglecting the tyres of the ER34 real bad. Until one day it just gave in. While traveling on the expressway going at 140km/h just cruising behind a McLaren MP4-12C, the drivers side front tyres gave out a loud snap and decided to end its life there and then. No, I wasn't blasting down the expressway, I was just cruising and admiring the fine lines of the MP4-12C.

Anyway, I found a safe spot to park the car and inspect the damage and it turns out pretty bad as the pictures below would illustrate.

Deciding on replacement tyres aren't a problem as I've already knew my next tyres will be the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric II. I have nothing but praises on the previous set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric, so why not continue with the improved Asymmetric II.

Here is what tirerack have got to say about them:-

"The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 is Goodyear's Max Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of high performance sports cars, coupes and sedans. In addition to being designed to deliver improved handling and steering response, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 features Goodyear ActiveBraking Technology to enhance stopping performance on dry and wet roads. However, like all summer tires, it is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.

The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2's tread compound combines Goodyear race traction resins for dry grip, high surface silica for wet traction and high molecular weight polymers to optimize tread stiffness. This compound is molded into an asymmetric tread design with a wide, solid outboard shoulder to increase cornering traction and continuous notched inboard ribs to improve high speed stability. Goodyear's ActiveBraking Technology 3-dimensional tread element designs increase surface contact with the road to reduce stopping distances during heavy braking, while its wide circumferential grooves disperse water from the tire footprint.

The internal structure of the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 includes twin steel belts reinforced with spirally wrapped polyamide cord to enhance tread stability and high-speed capability. Goodyear's lightweight, racing-derived construction lowers unsprung mass to increase performance while their crossed plies casing improves steering precision, handling and stopping power."

And the ratings from Tyre Reviews in the UK.

And finally, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric II fitted onto the ER34. :)

Cusco Rear Brace

Pic 1: Cusco Rear Brace

Just got the Cusco Rear Brace fitted to the ER34. It's supposed to tie in the rear and provide that extra bit of rigidity. It's plug and play thus no holes needs to be drilled but being the fitting position is in the boot/trunk of the car, some carpet would need to be trimmed to make way for the bar.

Nothing major, just need to make some slits for the bar to pass through behind the trimmings. One disadvantage about this bar is that the parcel shelf in the trunk would not be accessible anymore as the bar is smack in the middle blocking access to it. I guess some trade-off needs to be made.

Below are pictures of the install to give a clearer understanding.

Pic 2: Cusco Rear Brace

Pic 3: Cusco Rear Brace

Pic 4: Mounting point

Pic 5: One side with carpet trim and another without

Pic 6: Carpet trim back on

Pic 7: This is how it looks like when finally fitted

2013 Super GT Round 3 at Sepang International Circuit

Come June every year, it's an exciting time for motorsports fan in Malaysia. That's right, it's the round 3 of the Super GT that is held in Sepang International Circuit. This is the only round of the series out of Japan.

Last weekend was the race day and boy did it deliver with massive off track activities and on track excitement. There were a wide collection of classic/vintage and custom street cars on display at the mall area amongst the display of new cars by local car distributors. 

Before the race, the fans were treated to the sights and noise of 1,300 high-powered motorcycles on the main straight of the Sepang International Circuit. There were also a gathering of hundreds of Honda CR-Z for the fans to admire.

It is estimated that 100,000 spectators were at the circuit over the two days race weekend. That surpasses the previous turnouts by a fair bit. Looks like Super GT is now strongly engraved onto the motorsports calender of more Malaysians.

The GT500 class race was won by the CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R driven by Tsugio Matsuda and Joao Paulo de Oliveira and the GT300 class race by the ARTA CR-Z GT driven by Shinichi Takagi and Takashi Kobayashi.

In the GT500, pole-starting No. 12 CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R was leading the way admist strong challengers from ZENT CERUMO SC430, and then KeePer TOM'S SC430 followed by Weider Modulo HSV-010. On lap four the ZENT CERUMO SC430 hit the rear of the CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R but no major damages as both vehicles continues the race without stopping at the pits.

In the GT300, the start of the race immediately turned into a fierce battle between the two CR-Z machines starting from the front row. The pole-starting ARTA CR-Z GT and MUGEN CR-Z GT battle it out bumper to bumper for the the 5 laps until the ARTA CR-Z GT was able to pull through and open up a few seconds of gap.
 

Below are the comments from the race winners:-

GT500 class

No.12 CALSONICI MPUL GT-R

Tsugio Matsuda
“Having won pole position in yesterday’s qualifying, I wanted to begin today’s race by making a good start. I thought that would be the first step. I managed to get through that step successfully, but thinking about maintaining the tires’ life prevented me from increasing the pace, and I was also bothered by an over-steering tendency during braking. But the speed of car No. 18 (Weider Modulo HSV-010) was something else, so all I could do was simply try to stay with it as best I could. Thanks to the difference in pit work, we were able to get the lead again and JP (Joao Paulo de Oliveira) managed to keep the lead and give us the win, even though we were not as fast as them. So, now we have to work again to improve our speed.”

Joao Paulo de Oliveira
“In the first stint, Tsugi [Matsuda] kept up a good pace and the team did a great job in the pit work during the routine stop that put me on the track in the lead. So, this victory was really the result of the whole team’s efforts. Also our plan to make an earlier pit stop than our rival put me into the race with a clear track for several laps. This also brought good results. However, the machine is still not in the best condition, so I think we need to work more on the machine’s speed.”

GT300 class

No.55 ARTA CR-Z GT

Shinichi Takagi
“We got disappointing results in the last two races, so I have to admit that I felt pressure coming into this race at Sepang. But from the very start of the official qualifying things went well and we were able to win pole position. M-TEC prepared the car very well for us and the team set it up well. Also, Bridgestone prepared some good tires for us. It worried me that our biggest rival (MUGEN CR-Z GT) had the same machine and the same tires as us., but I knew that without the weight handicap they were carrying, I knew we had at least that much of an advantage. I wanted to get a win for the CR-Z as soon as possible CR-Z, so it feels great that we were able to do that.”

Takashi Kobayashi
“We were in 2nd position when I got out on the track for my stint, but I was gradually able to narrow the gap on the leader. I was told that once I caught up with No. 16 (MUGEN CR-Z GT) I should hold back and spare my tires until five laps remained, and then make my move. But, to tell the truth, I didn’t have the reserves or the confidence to do that, so I just charged on, thinking that if I caught it I would try to pass it then and there. My driving is still rough and lacking in that level of polish, so the fact that we were able to win with my level of driving is because of the great car M-TEC and the team prepared and the winning tires that Bridgestone prepared for us, so I am really grateful to all of them.”

Below are some pics of the event. For more pics in higher resolutions, click here: MORE PICS. 
Enjoy!!

      

  

    

 

    

   
     

BNR34 Multi Function Display (MFD) into the ER34

Pic 1: The Multi Function Display (MFD) set

Been wanting to get the Multi Function Display (MFD) off the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R (BNR34) into my ER34 for the longest time. Finally I got it done and boy does it totally transform the interior of the car. Those triple meters are removed and in goes the MFD which fits perfectly on the dashboard. 

There would be a bit of wiring to be done but nothing too major as wiring diagrams are available off the internet. And in my case, my set already come with the proper wirings all done and labelled by the Japanese chap I got it off from. So fitment wise was a bit easier.

With those trick MFD displays, the ER34 now looks a tad more modern and the most important thing is that I don't need those external gauges as it displays:-

Boost pressure

Throttle position

Injector duty

Oil temperature

Water temperature

Exhaust temperature

Intake temperature

Well, for now I only have the first five parameters displayed as I do not have sensors for the exhaust temperature and intake temperature. Perhaps one day I'll hook those up to complete up the display.

My MFD is off a late model R34 GT-R, hence it uses the Toshiba LCD screen instead of the earlier model Sharp LCD screens. Should be much more robust as the Sharp LCD screen tend to develop display problems due to age. 

Below are some pictures that were taken during the install.  

 

Pic 2: The Multi Function Display (MFD) set 

 
Pic 3: The Multi Function Display (MFD) unit

 
Pic 4: The Multi Function Display (MFD) cover

 
Pic 5: The Multi Function Display (MFD) wirings and sockets

 
Pic 6: Triple meter and AC vents are removed

 
Pic 7: Wiring it into the ER34 wiring harness

 
Pic 8: Wiring it into the ER34 wiring harness

 
Pic 9: Wiring work

 

Review: Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013 (12th-14th April 2013)

Last weekend (12th-14th April 2013) was the Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013. Many automotive folks around the region were very excited at the prospect that the Tokyo Auto Salon is coming to Singapore. Being in Singapore and not in Japan would mean better accessibility as it is nearer and cheaper than to travel to Japan especially for those in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Why does it bears the name Tokyo Auto Salon while it's not happening in Japan? The organizers, MediaCorp and Muse Group aims to bring the select best of Tokyo Auto Salon to Singapore and capture the essence of the actual show in a smaller scale; this is the very first time in its illustrious 30 years history of the Tokyo Auto Salon! On top of that, the group, AKB48 will be performing at the show - at no extra charge!

To me that was properly communicated by the organizers. It is also announced that 20 cars from the Tokyo Auto Salon will be making a presence while the rest would not be. As such I am quite bewildered as I've been hearing a lot of bad comments and/or reviews from visitors to the show. 

 
It ranges from:-

1) Just a handful of cars were from Tokyo Auto Salon
2) Poor selection of cars
3) Most cars were from Singapore and Malaysia
4) A waste of time
5) A waste of money
6) The group, AKB48 was on the B list of acts from Japan

I would have to disagree whole heartedly with those comments. I took a flight down to Singapore from Malaysia in the wee hours of the morning to catch the show and to fly out of Singapore back home in the evening. Was it worth the effort? I would say definitly yes.

If one were to understand what would be at the show, one would not be disappointed. If you were expecting a full fledged Tokyo Auto Salon, then by golly, you'll go home feeling shortchanged.

Actually, there were 19 cars and not 20 as announced. While not all of the 19 selected Tokyo Auto Salon cars were the top of the show back home in Japan, most of them were not bad in my opinion. The cars that made it were as below:-

1) Saitama Institute of Automotive Technology SIAT500 (Nissan March Cabriolet)
2) Top Secret Super 86 (Toyota GT-86)
3) Amuse S2000 GT1 (Honda S2000)
4) Scuderia Ciociaro Corse Giappone 500 Maxi (Fiat 500)
5) Spoon Sports NSX-R GT Racing (Honda NSX)
6) Zesty Racing FD3S (Mazda RX-7)
7) Varis GT-R (Nissan GT-R)
8) Mugen RR Advanced Concept (Honda Civic Type-R)
9) Abflug Aloof 01-R Ver. 2 (Nissan GT-R)
10) RE Amemiya NA Super-7 (Mazda RX-7)
11) Veilside 4509 GTR (Toyota Supra)
12) Damd LFT-86 (Toyota GT-86)
13) Tommy Kaira LS-F Premium Sports (Lexus LS460)
14) Top Fuel S2000 Type RR (Honda S2000)
15) Kazuki-kun Open Aristo (Toyota Aristo)
16) Car Sense Patrol-kun Moe-Moe Version (Toyota Crown)
17) Job Design Jdred Lexus (Lexus LS460L)
18) RK Design Laguna Niguel ZR1 (Chevrolet Corvette ZR1)
19) KRX RX-7 Hirameki (Mazda RX-7)

 
I spent 7 hours at the show basically just looking at the cars; chatting with like minded automotive enthusiasts, local Singapore booth owners and also the Japanese chaps that were around representing their respective vehicle on display. 

In those hours there, I also witness how crazed Singaporean youths are towards AKB48. They literally went crazy at the sight of AKB48. - shouting, chanting, singing and dancing to their tunes.

I've to admit I've not heard of AKB48 till of late but damn those fans surely and definitely are super thrilled that AKB48 are here. I would only imagine that they think the entrance fee of just SGD 25 (About USD 20) is really value for money!

 
Besides the vehicles from Tokyo Auto Salon, they were also a few supercars from Italy and Germany and loads of modified JDM rides from Singapore and Malaysia. There were a notable few that were done very well.  

In my opinion, Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013 is a great start and a good first step in bringing Tokyo Auto Salon out of Japan. I can only hope and wish that the organizers see fit to do this again in the future.  

For more pictures from the show, go to this photo album in JDM Auto Link Facebook page. There are 171 worth of pictures in there. Enjoy!