PULSAR MAGIC

THE MRF TYRES AUSTRALIAN PULSAR RACING ASSOCIATION PUT ON A GREAT SHOW AT THE 2022 HI-TEC OILS BATHURST 6 HOUR, AND THE ONE-MAKE NISSAN PULSARS ARE BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR.

The Easter event presents a unique opportunity for what is effectively a club and state-based series in New South Wales and Victoria to race on the big stage, that is Mt Panorama. The competitors reciprocated with almost 40 entries off the back of Covid-10 last year and turned on close and very competitive racing.

It was a local from Bathurst in Harry Inwood who qualified fastest and won two of the three races to take the laurels ahead of three-time and current state champion (in both NSW and Victoria) Josh Craig, 2021 NSW champion Tim Colombrita, Daniel Smith and Josh’s brother Jamie. Despite the many mountain rookies there was just one safety car across the weekend.

Even though he did not take part in the first round of the NSW series, Josh Craig is entered and ranks as the favourite to be the overall winner. But Will Foot and Smith who duked out for the win at the first round will be strong challengers.

Others that look to vie for the top spots include two-time Masters’ winner Shane Tate, Greg Dufficy, Andre Cotes, Chris Manning and Kerry Avramidis. Scott Tidyman has experience in Formula Fords as well as on the mountain.

Simon Kendrick showed good pace at the Sydney Motorsport Park opener and has garnered recent Bathurst knowledge when he raced his Perking Engineering Castrol replica Holden Commodore in the Combined Sedans support races at the Bathurst 12 Hour.

While the Victorian season start is still a couple of weeks away, Matthew Butters has been a leading contender in the past state events.

The category caters for front wheel drive Australian delivered Nissan Pulsar N14 (1991-1995) and N15 (1995-2000) models in either four-door sedan or five-door hatchback variants.

Ascetically the models are very similar. The major difference is the rear underpinnings as the N14 has an independent rear end while the later vehicle has a solid beam rear axle which can be modified for camber and toe alignment only. The latter is slightly wider and lower which affectively negates any advantage to the N14.

The cars run the Nissan SR20 engine out of the SSS, the five-speed (with specific ratios) gearbox and a minimum racing weight of 1100 kilograms including the driver and apparel. Differentials can be locked or limited slip.

Wheels are restricted to 15 inch in diametre and from 6-7 inches in width and shod only a tyre listed on the APRA Tyre List (APRA branded MRF 195/50/15). Normally just four tyres are allowed for the entire meeting but in the case of Bathurst that has been increased to six.