Once again the biggest event on SAU's calendar comes around - The Import Monster SAU Nationals has arrived for 2012!

This is also doubling as SAU's 10th B'Day celebration, so rest assured there are a few special surprises included for the event to mark this occasion.

People drove upto 7,000kms (from Cairns) just to make last years event. This years event promises to totally eclipse last years event and take things to a whole new level of awesome with more events, more prizes and MORE trophies on offer.


For regular updates ensure you check/subscribe to the dedicated forum: Click ME!!
Or check the website: http://www.saunationals.com.au




There will also be trade stands and a few other quite unique things included which can't be announced just yet.


If you are still wondering if the above is awesome enough, checkout what went down in the promo for the 2011 event.




There will also be coverage across various publications both print and online... Here are some shots from Kory Leung















Don't forget to head over the to Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/SAUNats


See you all there come November!

March is a great time of year. AFL is back, and so too that of the F1 Season.

2012 is an interesting season for F1 for a number of reasons. More rounds and with it more restrictions around engine and gearbox life. Break an engine it could potentially ruin your season. With this reason the technical partnership between Shell & Ferrari is being forged ever stronger


Before reading on, if you remember past write ups I have done then sweet – if not then check them out as once again.

CLICK for 2009  
CLICK for 2010
CLICK for 2011


F1 moves to 20 Rounds for 2012

20 round for 2012 - WOW. A record number for F1. Throw in the engine development freeze until 2014 and so the challenge has been set of not only sticking with what you have, ensuring it does not fail being more important than ever. Cara Tredget, Shell’s Formula One Technology Manager said ‘I’d say that our challenge is all the harder as we have less parameters in which to work and that make any performance advantage we can give Ferrari all the more rewarding."

Here is some further commentary from Shell on the work and development

Within the car, much work has been done on the new engine. Amongst other elements, the Maranello engine specialists have been working on performance drop off, with the aim of maintaining the highest possible performance level throughout each engine’s cycle of use, which has now reached an average life of three races.

Sums it up perfectly really. F1 Race engines lasting an average of 3 races, potentially more.






So Shell provide the fuel, engine, gearbox and other oils... Something I didn't know is that Shell also provide Ferrari with a bespoke fluid used in keeping the KERS battery system in running order. Perhaps not as cool a s cucumber however temperature is important to help prevent electrical charge escaping.


Time for some fast facts once again:

Fast Facts
• A Formula One car has a minimum weight of 640 kg, including fuel and driver.
• A Formula One car can go from 0 to 100 mph in 1.5 seconds.
• Over a race weekend, a driver will change gear about 8,000 times.
• Formula One drivers experience forces up to 5g when taking sharp corners
• The average cockpit temperature is about 50 ºC, rising even further at the hotter races.

And slightly more technical...
• Every year, Shell blends more than 200,000 litres of fuel for the Ferrari Formula One race and test teams – enough to last a road car for 50 years.
• Shell’s Formula One V-Power racing fuel contains up to 200 different components.
• Pistons can exceed temperatures of 300 °C


The Pit Tour

This year was a little different. Due to extra teams and Ferrari's season last year the pit area the team had to work in was about 1/3 smaller. McLaren were close by next door with staff from both camps essentially rubbing shoulders when leaving the pit area's. Certainly hard to keep any secrets in this environment.

There is limited pictures this year as we were not allowed to take our own pictures. A bit of a change compared to previous years however there are a few none the less.





Shell Corp Tent & Ferrari Drive Day

After the pit tour there was a opportunity to go on a Ferrari drive day... Unfortunately not being 30 meant I couldn't attend and had to send a proxy in my place. This will be the only time I wish I was older.

So I asked if I would like to stick around in the Shell Corp Hospitality area down on turn 1... After twisting my arm so severely it resembled a Chinese burn, I succumbed and agreed  

On a more serious note this was a great opportunity to find out a bit more about the inner workings of Shell as a company, the people behind it. Who knows what else might occur as well.

My host for the afternoon was Paul Zenarro, Shell Senior Media Advisor. After some rather great food, Dick Johnson dropped in for a quick Q&A in-front of the guests present. His Fav car - The old Sierra Cossie (that one was for you Brisby!).

Later on in the day whilst talking about all things Shell, Paul advised it was a possibility organise tour(s) of the Shell refinery down in Geelong. Both on foot and via mini-bus. As SAU users are generally quite technically minded I thought this to be a great offer to look into further. I'll continue to work on that so keep a keen eye on the Victorian section over the next month if this is something that tickles your interest.


Enjoy Part 2

Cheers
Ash
SAU Admin

As you may or may not be aware, the Shitbox Rally is coming up shortly. The purpose behind it is to raise funds for Cancer Council, a very worthy cause indeed.

Aaron from Import Monster is taking part in this awesome event. Aaron has been a long time SAU Sponsor & Community Supporter... So what better than to help them out with some funding?

Aaron is teaming up with Kristian from Iron Chef Imports. Together they form Team Monster-Chef  

How do they do it? By people driving a $1000 (or less) Shitbox from Melbourne to Cairns over 6 days. Somehow not killing each other in the process.


SAU is going to kick start this by throwing in $200 to help get them on their way. They need at least another $1500 to get there - The SAU Community should be able to help them out.  


To donate see here:
http://everydayhero.com.au/monster_chef


For more details, the main website:
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/shitbox_rally_2012



We'll keep a record of who's donated - Lets get them over the line! There will also be a bit of an interview with them if we can wangle it, and some running updates (meaning I'll harass him daily) over the 6 days to keep everyone updated


Donor / Amount

SAU - $200
PurpleR32- $100
Bec - $30
acsplit - $30
Snowman - $100
xALmoN - $20
Nightcrawler - $30
R31Nismoid - $100
Jap_Star - $50
Mavric - $50
willzgtst - $25
Sinista32 - $50
Halle - $50
SAU-Vic - $200


Total: $1035




Cheers
-Ash