May's Feature Car: Brett Whinnen's MY00


27 Apr : 13:27
 None    Misc

Brett has been an active member of the WRX Club of Queensland since 2003 and we are happy to present his MY00 "the last of the classics" as May's first feature car!

Car:September 1999 built Subaru Impreza WRX.

Mods:





- Windows tinted to T35
- A'PEXi RS exhaust with dual pipe dump (dump pipe in shed)
- Hyperflow FMIC with silicon pipework and K&N pod filter
- Autometer Phantom Boost guage
- Turbosmart MBC set to 16PSI (gave away)
- PossumLink V5 ECU + Link KnockLink
- OE 3 port boost solenoid + retune
- MSR open mouth dump pipe & new 3" cat + retune
- MRT brake booster brace
- Whiteline ALK
- Whiteline Super Low Springs (sold)
- Front badge painted dark green (stolen)
- Full engine bay earthing kit
- Alpine MP3 head unit, Focal speakers front and rear
- Skirts and spats colour coded to body
- Finish exhaust to full 3" spec + retune
- AVO silicone inlet pipe + retune
- Fire extinguisher mounted in front of passenger seat
- Exedy organic clutch, higher clamp
- IHI VF29 turbo + Walbro 500HP pump + returne
- Injectors to 700cc + retune
- Front Version 6 STi pink badge
- Complete '02 STi drive train, 6MT box, R180 rear diff, hubs, driveshafts.
- DBA 4000S front rotors, RB74 pads, DBA 356S rear rotors, RB74 spec pads
- MY01 wheels
- MY03 wheels
- APS dual port BOV
- CnJ Large Aluminium radiator
- CnJ Oil/Air separator
- Water injection kit (Aquamist 1S)
- Tein Flex coil overs
- Windows re-tinted to T20
- Rear WRX sticker replaced with WRX badge from '06
- No name strut brace (thanks Shem)
- Link G4 ecu, Innovate LC-1 wide band, Link KnockBlock + retune
- Water Injection changed to Water/Meth injection + retune
- '05 STi steering wheel
- Full HID conversion
- Version 6 STi front lip



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.Brett purchased the car in November 1999 to replace a HSV enhanced VS Series I Ute. Within two days of purchasing (with 40km on the ODO) the car was run in with over 1,500km. Interestingly enough Brett did not start the modifications until 50,000km was reached.

Living in the NT at the time meant the legs could be stretched legally, and they were on more than one occasion, with Brett having fond recollections of fast commutes from Darwin to Katherine several times a week. Also on the list was well over 150km of dirt and gravel driving each week and the immense fun that was.

Brett has tried many different oils including brands and weights in the cars life and settled with Castrol 10w60 full synthetic at the recommendation of fellow club member Mick Jones. Coupled with that are Motul fluids in the gearbox, diff, cooling system, brakes and clutch.

Brett chose a IHI VF29 as the replacement turbo for the street-ability of it and retuned the car, only to find out a new fuel pump and injectors were needed, much to the annoyance of Vicki his wife. Unfortunately the extra torque coupled with the higher clamping rate on the clutch were the end of the gearbox, specifically 3rd gear, where both input and output teeth were stripped. Luck had it that a friend in Sydney was importing two MY02 STi drivetrains, one was secured and subsequently installed.

With the idea of competing in motorsport events Brett started replacing parts to that end, with new suspension, better braking, larger radiator, water injection and finally a decent aftermarket ECU package.

Brett originally set the car up for fun, but the thought of punishing her at motorsport pointed Brett back in the direction of a great street car - an all-rounder that goes to the shops, making the school pick up run or a spirited drive through the twisty bits.

As a true show of Brett's hard work and Subaru build quality she now reads 180,000km on the clock. Despite the need for a little TLC in the form of some fresh paint and some suspension bushes the car is in great condition as can be seen.

Note: Wedding shot taken by Nu Image Photography (http://nuimage.com.au/)


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Club Meeting @ City Subaru Newstead - 10th May 2011


19 Apr : 15:23
 None    

John McIntosh from City Subaru will be hosting our monthly meeting for May at their Newstead showroom.

This invitation is extended to all current WRX Club of Queensland members. Please contract the membership secretary if you need to renew. email

Mick McMillan will lead the WRX Club Meeting and then John and the other staff will have some vehicles on display and will discuss current and future Subarus at the meeting.

There will be some nibblies on hand and of course the sort of hospitality that you would expect from a large dealer.

Meeting on the 10th May 2011 at 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start.

Venue - City Subaru cnr Breakfast Creek Rd and Evelyn St Newstead

These guys have supported us in the past and are keen to come back to the fold

Please log into the forum and advise if you are able to make it

IWMAC Autocross wrapped up by a WRX Club member


18 Apr : 13:23
 None    Misc

It was a slippery track which favoured the AWD cars, but it was not all plain sailing for WRX Club Qld member Mick McMillan. Having some handling issues throughout the day Mick’s Evo has some uncharacteristic understeer, which caused him to collect the occasional cone or two adding 5 second penalties each time.

Mick finally managed to come away with the class and outright win but was pushed all the way by John McMillan a member of IWMAC .

Class A and B were also hotly contested with the class lead swapping right the way down to run 6 for the day.

WRX Club's Steve Allmark push Ric Baggarley from IWMAC all the way to the end to tie up a very respectable 2nd in class B by only 0.4 seconds. This was also good enough to place Steve 6th outright! It does not get any closer for a great day of racing! Adding to Steve's trophy cabinet for the weekend, he took home best presented car!

Well done to both Steve and Mick!

Full results can be found here

April's Feature Car


14 Apr : 10:10
 None    Misc

Mods:
  • CES TBE
  • K&N panel air filter
  • Customer reflash
  • Motec diff controller
  • Cusco plated rear diff
  • RaceTech RT4009 fixed back race seats
  • Bond 6 point bolt in cage
  • Project Mu pads
  • MCA coil overs
  • Fully street legal and ADR compliant



Mick picked up his Evo second hand out of Sydney as a street driven car back in 2008. It has come a long way since then with the project beginning around safety. Mick took a trip to Racer Industries on the gold coast and threw seats, rails, boots, suit and helmet in the shopping trolley. At the same time the guys at Bond Roll Cages in Sydney were working hard on making the roll cage.


Feeling comfortable with the car, Mick became a frequent visitor of Queensland Raceway, Ipswich Park and many TRE’s around south east Queensland. Coming from a world of RWD cars (including a beautiful ’67 Mustang) Mick fell in love with the dirt where the car became the car to catch with mick taking first outright in nearly every event he attended.


In order to get better performance, Mick picked up a set of MCA coil overs and diff controller. The car moved from strength to strength and was a sheer pleasure to drive. Tuned so well that it was almost effortless to drive.


These days the car only really sees the dirt due to Mick’s work and life commitments, but it is still the car that everyone tries to catch




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Thinking of becoming a member???


14 Apr : 09:29
 None    Misc

To join the WRX Club of QLD you can own any sort of car, or bike, or boat or even a nice pair of runners.

We currently have predominately Subaru’s, but they are not all WRX’s. We are proud to have many Liberty’s, Legacy’s and Forester’s and we even have a 1983 Leone! Getting away from the Subaru's, we have heaps of Evo’s around, including the current Club President with a nice example of an Evo IX. Just to show that all makes and models are welcome, our current Club Secretary cruises around in a 100 Series Landcruiser. Getting away from the AWDs, we have a couple of Mazda’s and even an expensive Camry (aka Lexus).

Our cars stretch from pristine showroom spec vehicles through to full race cars. So don’t think that it’s all about motorsport, there is always something on for everyone!

Remember, you get access to a private forum which is a wealth of knowledge with some of Brisbane’s most reputable tuners, mechanics and exhaust specialists always around to give advice.

Normally our membership including CAMS affiliation is $65 for 12 months but we are currently running a Membership Special where you get 2 Years membership for $100!

How to Join

Please click here to go to our online membership form. Once you submit the form one of our committee members will soon be in contact with you to welcome you to the club and to arrange payment and organise access to the Forum

ChipTorque Dyno Day & Concours D'Elegance - Sat 7th May 2011


13 Apr : 19:55
 None    

Chip Torque have again kindly agreed to host these two great events at their premises in Nerang. Both events will run concurrently on the Saturday morning and participants can enter in both events.

When - Saturday 7th May from 8am to lunch time
Location – Chip Torque 3/3/10 Lawrence Drive Gold Coast QLD 4211 (07) 5596 4204
Catering - Food will be provided to all members and drinks will be available for purchase ($1) on the day and limited seating will be provided (bring your soft chairs)

Targa 2011 - Wrapped up by a Queenslander


11 Apr : 16:46
 None    Motorsport

Congratulations to WRX Club of Qld member Rodney Blank for successfully completing Targa 2011. Rod is a regular at Targa, but this year achieved his best result with a 23rd outright. Rod proudly flies the Subaru banner with his 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi C-Spec which runs in the Modern class, with 946 on the doors.

It was a great week for Subaru with 10 out of the top 25 cars being a Subaru.

Queenslander Tony Quinn has claimed his second modern Targa Tasmania title in three years with an emphatic display across five days and 500 kilometres of intense competition around the island state.

The 2009 winner was the dominant force in the event in his Nissan GT-R. He and co-driver, Naomi Tillet, took the lead on Targa stage four on the opening day, and were never headed, crossing the finish line at Hobart’s Wrest Point three minutes and 39 seconds ahead of second placegetter, Dean Herridge, in a Subaru WRX STI. Matthew Sims was third, a further one minute 58 seconds in arrears.


Full results here

Gympie Roadcraft - Skidpan Day - POSTPONED


10 Apr : 19:42
 None    Motorsport

We have been able to secure the UPDATED date of 5th June 2011 with Roadcraft at Gympie for the club skidpan day Click Here

Running of the day - 8:30am Start at the venue, running through to 4:00pm. Lunch will be provided by the club

Numbers will be limited to 24 cars. Conditions of Track Hire are located within the user forum

Cost $100 - Note $40 WRX Club Credit can be used towards this event

You can pay the $100 into the club bank account and then email the Treasurer on email to let them know. Make sure your deposit includes your Name and the Event (Skidpan). You can also pay by cash, credit card or cheque at any Club Meeting.