The 2012 World Time Attack Challenge is a wrap. As I write this, the pit garages at Eastern Creek’s Sydney Motorsport Park are emptying out as the teams pack up their cars and make-shift workshops and embark their journey’s home. For the victors, the hard work is done and now it’s time to celebrate. Chances are the Australian Nemo Racing team won’t be getting much sleep tonite. Many doubted their ability to perform at WTAC – especially after a catastrophic engine blow a couple of weeks of ago – but Nemo didn’t just beat the competition – it destroyed it.
With V8 Supercar driver Warren Luff back behind the wheel this morning, the devastatingly-quick Evo went even faster than it had on Friday, blasting a 1:25.0200 lap to well-and-truly secure the overall WTAC win and set a new performance benchmark.
Garth Walden improved on his Friday best too, shaving more than a second off the time with a 1:27.1820 lap in the Tilton Interiors Evo to hold on to second overall.
Going into the final Pro class session of the weekend the MCA Suspension Silvia S13 trailed the Scorch Racing Nissan Silvia S15, but an epic 1:27.8080 lap by New Zealand driver Earl Bamber sealed third overall…
…And set up an all-Australian team podium. From left to right: Garth Walden (Tilton Interiors Evo), Chris Eaton (Nemo Racing Evo owner), Earl Bamber (MCA Suspension Silvia).
Right now I definitely need to get some sleep, but we’ve got lots more from WTAC 2012 coming up on Speedhunters this week. We’ll check out the Tectaloy International Drift Challenge where Australia’s best took on a D1NZ team from New Zealand and two well-known D1 drivers from Japan…
…take a brief look at the Motographics Show ‘n Shine…
…and relive the awesome Motul ‘Legends of the Turbo Era’ demonstration. GT-R fans will know exactly what this car is!
Of course, there’s lots of action from the main WTAC event coming too. Stay tuned!
– Brad
Yokohama ADVAN 2012 World Time Attack Challenge Top 10 Overall
1. Nemo Racing (AUS), W. Luff, Mitsubishi Evo IX (1:25.0200)
2. Tilton Interiors (AUS), G. Walden, Mitsubishi Evo IX (1:27.1820)
3. MCA Suspension (AUS), E. Bamber, Nissan S13 (1:27.8080)
4. Scorch Racing (JPN), U. Suzuki, Nissan S15 (1:28.3290)
5. Team Top Fuel/Voltex (JPN), N. Taniguchi, Honda S2000 (1:29.0520)
6. RE-Amemiya (JPN), N. Taniguchi, Mazda RX-7 (1:29.8020)
7. Advan Hi Octane Racing (AUS), M. Berry, Nissan R34 GT-R (1:30.7732)
8. Pulse Racing (AUS) S. Glenney Mitsubishi Evo IX, (1:30.8640)
9. Dominator Evo (AUS), S. Glenney, Mitsubishi Evo VI (1:30.7260)
10. Notaras Motorsport (AUS), R. Bates, Mitsubishi Evo IX (1:32.4470)
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
Gibson car would have been worth the visit alone! Was Skaife driving? Glad to see proper development pay off with Nemo. Bar has been raised (despite almost likely a larger budget than any private shop could afford) so we will see some more creations from others.
Although I was very sad to see the Cyber Evo not run. It looked like they had some very good improvements, including a proper engine computer for a change.
And even more sad to see the Ark R32 get shipped to china by mistake. Can't imagine the disappointment of both teams, mainly Team America after the amount of time invested in such a short span.
@bill_dentsportI'd be so angry if my car got accidentally shipped to china, how does that even happen?
3+ second improvement over last year....holy....crap. One expects 2-3 tenths...but seconds?! Thats a MASSIVE improvement. How much faster can the cars get?!
@bill_dentsport I was wondering what happened to Eric's car. My god that's a shame. And the Cyber Evo not running, that blows.
Apparently the new track configuration could account for up to 2 seconds...
@TylerS13 I've done container shipping for years with China. To "lose" one takes almost criminal negligence. What a shame.
Hope the Japanese come back next year, I know none of them were happy to get shut out by the locals
@sean klingelhoefer
0.3-0.5 sec quicker with the change to T7. But not two seconds.
Not really diggin g the NEmo car... it has a waze of Group B history around it... in negative sense. Untill now TA cars could be identified with normal cars at the dealership which anyone could buy. This car takes it to group B level. Custom build cars (what's next year? Full tub silhouet cars?)
It's that step to far why also Rally has lost it's popularity. When Celica GT Fours and Ford Escort Cosworths ruled spectators and enthousiasts could actually go to a delaer and buy their favorit car. Now, Citroen, Peogeot? Ford race with cars that no-one can buy or drive.
Somethimes you just need to know where to stop... this is just that step to far for spectators as well as teams a more privateers will stop developping as they will never be able to meet the budget these companies invest.
That nemo thing is so ugly its hard to look at. How can they even call that thing an evo anymore?
I think the Nemo evo was supposed to be at Pikes Peak...Just sayin.
Well said!
Now we know what the stig doo on his holidays, look at the 8th photo!!!!!
@TylerS13 Bunch of retarded Yanks doing the loading in the states thats how.
@sean klingelhoefer That was a BS rumor started by cyber to try and downplay just how dominated they are. If the track is 2 secs quicker there is a LONG list of competitors that must have been SLOWER this year. Its like half a second looking at spec series cars running the new and old config!
Cyber was ANNIHILATED. 3.8 seconds from their best. You ever seen two cars that are 3.8 seconds apart on track together? You get passed on the outside so fast you barely see anything but a blur.
This was the eventual reality of no rules, you can love it or hate it but this is a very special moment for true motorsport fans. To see a car like this being built. Everyone looks back at group C cars and how awesome they were. If time attack could be that cool, that would be AMAZING!. Nemo could start something special.
One more thing: AUSTRALIA!!!!!!!!! 1 2 3!
Because it has an evo chassis under all that crazy skin. They started allowing tube chassis when they let the Revolution car run last year. I dont think they cared about looks at all... this car had a head for domination, these guys dont sell body kits like Voltex.
@A man de ferro I was thinking the exact same thing when I was looking at that photo!
@sean klingelhoefer V8 Supercar and Nemo Racing driving suggested around one seconds difference, so some difference, but not enough to skew the results.
@bill_dentsport Apparently the car was coming to Australia via China, but through a shipping error never quite made it. I really wanted to see that car run, too!
Another victim of sponsorship $'s in the offing. Maybe a grassroots breakaway of this might stir up some healthy competition eh?
is it me or did the time attack side of WTAC finish really quickly?!
+1
Motographics Show ‘n Shine… That what I want to see.
well agreed if this keeps going like this it will resemble group B & C cars of the old days
i dont get it - there is a clubsprint class for street cars or is it the issue of wanting big shops/teams to build "ultimate" street cars rather than a time attack machine ?
@sean klingelhoefer Here is the article Sean:
http://www.worldtimeattack.com/index.php/new-track-is-faster-but-by-how-much/
Let's make a clear and distinct point here. The bar has been raised (by NEMO Racing) because LOTS of money was involved.
(The bigger the budget a team has, the better the chances of success), there isn't really any other way around.
NEMO sports a full dry carbon fiber "bodykit". The chassis has been completely stripped and gutted and re-caged.
They've got few engines built (built using primarily Cosworth parts) arguably the best in the business. MoTec ECU (M800), one-off MCA coilovers, AP Racing brakes, MakTrack sequential transmission, the list goes on and on. Those parts ARE NOT cheap.
http://www.advanwheels.com.au/racing/car.aspx?id=55
On top of that Chris Eaton gathered a bunch of engineers that know what they're doing. But without the funds, NEMO would have never succeeded.
With that said, I'm not taking anything away from them. They deserve the victory. I'm just saying that in order to beat NEMO, the next team should evaluate the budget.
How come the Fernandez ute didnt make it?
How come the Fernandez ute didnt make it?
@JDMized
now while i do agree with you on the main point to a certain degree that money makes a fast car, nothing beats actual track time and development, but whilst nemo has a lot of money spent on it, to say that it is the only car to have big money in it is in my opinion a bit off, really all of the cars have lots of money in them, with the possible exception of the MCA silvia, but to me nemo racing have spent they're money in a different way than the rest of the teams and that is what sets them apart
"tonite"....really? REALLY? PROOF READ.
So now they're claiming Earl Bamber too........cool
@bill_dentsport i thought they were aiming 1.24..
@777 I totally understand your point of view. However, track time = more money. Do you know how much it cost to rent a track, or sign up for a track day? It isn't cheap, and NEMO Racing Team obviously know that the only way to win is fine tuning the engine/ chassis to the max....and that cost big money. I stop counting how many times I saw NEMO Racing testing the EVO prior to the event. I would say nearly every day.
R&D like you mentioned, costs A LOT of money, ask anyone, and you'll hear the same answer over and over. Developing a car, a particular part for the car cost time and lots of money.
Yes, all the cars have lots of money in them. NEMO Racing has THE MOST invested.
You think NEMO Racing spent the money in a different way? How so? Care to elaborate?
it's too bad the nemo couldn't leave the dry carbon bare. that thing looked wicked unpainted.
@JDMized I don't get your point. Is it a bad thing that the NEMO racing team stepped up their game by spending a lot of money or R&D and track time? Is it bad that they put a lot of money into achieving the best result
Spending money on R&D, track time, merchandise, paying for crew to be there, paying entry for their car, does not guarantee the result they managed to achieve. I'm pretty sure NEMO racing team worked stupendously hard to acheive their result as there was a lot more than MONEY invested into this car.
I'm not writing this up to ride Nemo Racing Team's d*ck, but I just don't understand why you're having a go at them spending money. I'm sure they don't have bottomless pits of it, and i'm sure when they went to their sponsors with open hands and pockets turned out that they had a good business case as to why they should invest with them and what their ROI would be. For these sponsors/workshops to invest their money in CARS is a huge gamble, but if they made a good case, then I fail to see what the issue is?
There's guys out their giving this a go for the love, the thrill the chase. I'm pretty sure no one walked away from this event with huge profits. I'm pretty sure most readers understand that to play this game takes money.
I know you said you're not taking anything away from their victory, but I just don't understand why you think budget is the only point of concern for anyone wanting to play a part in this TA game?
@JDMized
I get where you're coming from, but money doesn't always guarantee success. Look at Chris Rado's AWD Scion, that thing went nowhere. Nemo isn't the only car to have been built with a big budget. I don't think the Cyber Evo, Revolution RX7, HKS CT230R, HKS Altezza, Sierra Evo and the like were exactly cheap.Besides, if Nemo invested the most money and R&D, why shouldn't they win? That's like saying they don't deserve the win because they put the most effort in. At the end of the day, "grassroots" Time Attack is still there. Competitors like Under Suzuki, the MCA Silvia, the Exceed Moat S14 and so on are still out there with the big boys on a shoestring budget. Nemo is just a different class.Though, I will admit. I'd maybe like to see a new "Prototype" style class introduced. Let cars like Nemo, the World Racing tC and newcomers battle it out with full slicks, redone suspension and so on. That way the current "Unlimited" class could be scaled back a bit, with still street-ish style cars like Cyber and Sierra representing the peak of that class.
@JDMized Apologies, I tried to cut that into paragraphs but it came out as a wall of text. -.-"
Why is the owner of Nemo on the podium and not the driver?
@Hotcakes @JDMized
Just so you know the owner of the car is extremely well off, most of the team are ex-Carrera cup mechanics. And a little birdy (or big if you know who he is) mentioned in conversation over the event that the tune of $600,000+ had been used to build and develop nemo... Now in my opinion that's far to much, to develop a car in a year and to be able to blow that much cash is not what The time attack spirit is about. Just so you know 600,000 leaves the old top teams 400,000 short!
Nobody and I repeat nobody will have outspent Sierra Sierra or HKS! If you want to cry about costs, go back in time to 2007 first!
Warren Luff had left by the time the announcement were on from what i heard so that why Chris was on the podium
@Jezza k @Hotcakes @JDMized Umm that number is les than Tilton Interiors and way less than Sierra Sierra. Do you know what a Le Mans Prototype costs to build? I read in Race Car Engineering was USD15 million!
Blergh... Unfortunately WTAC has gone the same way as the original DTM and GT-1... If I want to watch prototype sportscars I'll watch Le Mans or GT500
STIG spotted racing in WTAC. ! haha
STIG spotted racing in WTAC. ! haha
@William @Hotcakes @JDMized
William I have no idea what misinformation you have been told. But Sierra Sierra may have had a lot of money put in but that was over years... Not one year in a huge lump sum. And tilton really they are budget compared to even cyber...
Also an lmp car has nothing to do with time attack... And your figures for such a car are well wide of the mark.
@Mark Reyes There is absolutely nothing wrong with what they did with money. Like I said, they deserve the victory because they worked harder than anyone else, BUT! Money helped greatly.
I wrote it already above. If anyone (any given team) wants to top off NEMO Racing, they better evaluate their budget, because it would cost them more $$$ than what NEMO Racing invested. (the sponsors that NEMO gathered were/are minimal).
Where did I mentioned profit? I said, Chris Eaton dumped an enormous amount of money into this project. Cars like NEMO are far from being cheap.
An example: while most of us can barely afford to have one fully-built engine, NEMO Racing built quite a few (using the best of the best).....if that's not money, I don't know what it is.
I did not say that budget is the only point. I said that Chris Eaton gathered very good mechanics and engineers, and they managed to create something amazing.
@Hotcakes Chris Rado's Scion tC AWD had to cease because Scion told Chris not to use it anymore (as Scion never produced an AWD tC, they didn't want to lead enthusiasts to think they make an AWD tC).
Among the TA cars you mentioned above, the Cyber EVO was VERY VERY cheap....you would be surprise how much it cost to Takizawa to build and develop.
The HKS CT230R was rumored to have cost more than half a million dollar (with all the R&D and data gathered from the TRB-02), and 5 years ago or so it was untouchable.
The HKS Altezza was banned from Tsukuba because overly engineered and too-far head of the competition.
The Revolution RX7 uses a GT300 RE-Amemiya dry carbon body kit.....so very expensive.
While the SSE was definitely much cheaper than any cars mentioned above (with the exception of the Cyber EVO), ask Eric Hsu if you don't believe me.
What I am saying is, if X team wants to beat the NEMO, they have to bring a lot of money (and a good plan) to the table.
I'm not taking anyone's side, and I certainly don't have anything against NEMO Racing Team.
I just said that without LOTS of money this project would have never won.
I am with you about the Under Suzuki, the MCA Silvia and the Exceed Moat S14, those guys keep it real with VERY limited budget (grassroots motorsport at its best).
While NEMO destroyed the last year record by over 3 seconds, I have to say I am not very surprised.
@Jezza k I completely agree. It's like bringing a tank to a knife fight.
SSE EVO cost FAR less than what you would think. Just ask Eric Hsu.
@JDMized Just curious. Their engine program was a joint effort with Cosworth, no way Cosworth would had swallowed all the costs i think?
@JDMized Fair point about the Scion, but it wasn't exactly smashing records when it was running either. Re: Cyber, I'll have to bow to your better knowledge, but I'm sure all that specially developed Voltex aero wasn't cheap. The whole 2011 tyre debacle doesn't really help them in my eyes, but I digress.I'm not denying that a LOT of money was spent on Nemo. Clearly it was. I just don't think that should take away from their achievement. But it seems that wasn't what you intended anyway, so my bad. I have to admit I am a little concerned about the future of Time Attack, I sincerely hope it doesn't go the way of Formula D. But it will definitely be interesting to see what the competition brings next year!The grassroots competitors are getting better and better though. For Scorch and Exceed Moat to be getting so close to the Tsukuba lap record with what are basically backyard jobs is nothing short of amazing.Anyway, this has been fun! It's a nice change to be able to have a reasoned discussion with someone online without it turning into a slinging match, haha.
@JDMized Fair point about the Scion, but it wasn't exactly smashing records when it was running either. Re: Cyber, I'll have to bow to your better knowledge, but I'm sure all that specially developed Voltex aero wasn't cheap. The whole 2011 tyre debacle doesn't really help them in my eyes, but I digress.I'm not denying that a LOT of money was spent on Nemo. Clearly it was. I just don't think that should take away from their achievement. But it seems that wasn't what you intended anyway, so my bad. I have to admit I am a little concerned about the future of Time Attack, I sincerely hope it doesn't go the way of Formula D. But it will definitely be interesting to see what the competition brings next year!The grassroots competitors are getting better and better though. For Scorch and Exceed Moat to be getting so close to the Tsukuba lap record with what are basically backyard jobs is nothing short of amazing.Anyway, this has been fun! It's a nice change to be able to have a reasoned discussion with someone online without it turning into a slinging match, haha.
@JDMized Fair point about the Scion, but it wasn't exactly smashing records when it was running either. Re: Cyber, I'll have to bow to your better knowledge, but I'm sure all that specially developed Voltex aero wasn't cheap. The whole 2011 tyre debacle doesn't really help them in my eyes, but I digress.I'm not denying that a LOT of money was spent on Nemo. Clearly it was. I just don't think that should take away from their achievement. But it seems that wasn't what you intended anyway, so my bad. I have to admit I am a little concerned about the future of Time Attack, I sincerely hope it doesn't go the way of Formula D. But it will definitely be interesting to see what the competition brings next year!The grassroots competitors are getting better and better though. For Scorch and Exceed Moat to be getting so close to the Tsukuba lap record with what are basically backyard jobs is nothing short of amazing.Anyway, this has been fun! It's a nice change to be able to have a reasoned discussion with someone online without it turning into a slinging match, haha.
@JDMized Fair point about the Scion, but it wasn't exactly smashing records when it was running either. Re: Cyber, I'll have to bow to your better knowledge, but I'm sure all that specially developed Voltex aero wasn't cheap. The whole 2011 tyre debacle doesn't really help them in my eyes, but I digress.I'm not denying that a LOT of money was spent on Nemo. Clearly it was. I just don't think that should take away from their achievement. But it seems that wasn't what you intended anyway, so my bad. I have to admit I am a little concerned about the future of Time Attack, I sincerely hope it doesn't go the way of Formula D. But it will definitely be interesting to see what the competition brings next year!The grassroots competitors are getting better and better though. For Scorch and Exceed Moat to be getting so close to the Tsukuba lap record with what are basically backyard jobs is nothing short of amazing.Anyway, this has been fun! It's a nice change to be able to have a reasoned discussion with someone online without it turning into a slinging match, haha.
What this guy said. All that ridiculous aero for 2 seconds advantage over a standard Evo with normal cannards, they must be so disappointed with that.
What this guy said. All that ridiculous aero for 2 seconds advantage over a standard Evo with normal cannards, they must be so disappointed with that.
What this guy said. All that ridiculous aero for 2 seconds advantage over a standard Evo with normal cannards, they must be so disappointed with that.
What this guy said. All that ridiculous aero for 2 seconds advantage over a standard Evo with normal cannards, they must be so disappointed with that.
@Bradders Really ... do you know how long 2 seconds is in racing terms? That's a huge gap..
@JDMism try gettin pit access and getting up close to the drivers etc at those events. you be paying top dollar for that. the cars drive through the exhibitors area which is not often seen these days in motorsports events. if you were there, you would have a different opinion my friend. anyways i was glad to meeet the drivers in person. taniguchi, hattori, tarzan which was awesome.
@JDMism I agree, the event itself looks great. I mean that the cars have become too modified/expensive which will kill the category (I think). Hopefully I am wrong
I agree, the event itself looks great and driver access is wonderful. What I mean is that the cars have become too modified/expensive which will kill the category (I think). Hopefully I am wrong
@manekineko That is correct. I believe Cosworth helped them out, but like you said, they didn't give freebies to NEMO Racing.
@Hotcakes I think that the Scion AWD that Chris Rado built with the Weismann sequential transmission could have LOTS of potential if further developed, unfortunately the project got "abandoned".
The Voltex kit (dry carbon fiber-one-off) like you said was not cheap, but much cheaper than the competition's crazy aero.
Mr. Nakajima from Voltex has a good relationship with the folks from Mie University (they use the wind tunnel facility ALL THE TIME, that helps greatly too, money wise).
I do agree about the heated debate last year of the Advan A050 (295 width?) that had SUPER soft compound, many people were, "WTF'?
I'm not taking anything away from the NEMO Racing Team, they've done an outstanding job.....someone here mentioned that the whole car/ program cost about $600,000! I don't know if this # is correct, but soon people will start wondering how much a car like NEMO ran (money wise).....
The way I see TA here in the US. it could benefit if Nicholas (from Redline Time Attack) would join Naderi (from Global Time Attack), get together and organize a series with about 7-10 events (trying to expand the sport a bit more).
I can't say what is the future of TA here in the US, and abroad, I'm happy that there are filthy-rich people like Chris Eaton that dump so much money into cars like NEMO, AND I'm also very happy that there are still people like "Under Suzuki" (who is a pharmacist during the day), and Masahiro Takemura (who owns Scorch Racing) that keep it real (the Exceed Moat is also taken care by Mr. Takemura).
We have people from all spectrum.....but it would be cooler if more classes would open up, so that the big dogs with lots of money could go crazy, and privateers would benefit from their own class (with restricted budget).
@JDMized I know the owner of Nemo and have been involved in the build for the last 2 years. The owner worked on the car himself night and day with 2 guys that are his mates. He worked with a single fabricator to build it, with a single carbon guy and did the carbon work with him and he also worked with the mechanic whom bolted it together.
I went down the Gold Coast where it was built every week or so and the owner was there building it with his hands each day, sometimes from 6.00 in the morning till 8.00 at night.
Your amounts it cost are widely off the make. Almost double the actual cost. I am fairly sure if someone wanted to front up and give him a figure like you mentioned he would probably jump at it, that is if his son would be happy to let her go.
Interestingly the body kit he built (excluding the diffuser) cost less than a voltex race kit, thus why the developed it themselves.
The thing you are missing, which I think is the major reason this car is as good as it is, is a privateer had a vision and passion to build something, something most people said he couldnt do. Also something most people laughed at along the way.
My personal thought, for what is is worth, is that this is what TA is all about. You get a guy whom wants to do something different and the rules allow it.
@Brisevo Thanks for sharing your story.I don't think I ever mentioned that I don't like NEMO Racing. I think they've done an outstanding job.
Regardless of how much Chris Eaton poured into this EVO (time he worked on, and money he spent), it wasn't cheap.
As a matter of fact, I am willing to bet he spent the more of money than ANY given TA car present at Eastern Creek.
@JDMized I never said you didn't like it.
Your comments about them amount spent is just incorrect.
Let's look at some competitors. It's commonly reported in the uk press that Red Brick Racing cost around £300k so in Aussie $ around $450k. That seems to make sense, they are running $30k dtm carbon ceramics, $15k carbon rims, went through 2.5 $10k voltex racing nose cones and diffusers/splitters. They also came over with enough spares to rebuilt the car, their words from lancerregister not mine.
Also one of my mates is very close friends with the owner of tilton, according to him the current car didnt provide much change from $500k. Again makes sense, they had 2 $30k holinger boxes, 3 cosworth long blocks. And remember this is his second Evo car.
I also know the owner of the winner of the open class car. His comments as to what his car has cost is not far behind either tilton or red brick. For an open class car.
I also believe from a couple of my Japanese mates that the top fuel and RE cars are up there in $$ spent as well.
What this shows is that it does cost $$$ to compete at this level and be competitive on the international scene.
It also shows, like I commented above, that the owner of Nemo just took a different approach and with his own effort and time did it cost effectively. Maybe not as cheap as the MCA car for example, which is a credit to Murray, but in the middle of what many of the cars cost.
@Mark Reyes Incorrect lol. 2 seconds is a big gain for one team, I agree. There was a 5.2 second difference between first and last in F1 qualifying at the Hungaroring and that's in one of the strictest formulae in motorsport. 2 seconds gain for all that aero seems very, very disappointing over what looks to be pretty basic, tried and tested aero on the Tilton Interiors Evo.
@Bradders It's all relative. You're finding 5.2 seconds between 1st and last in formula 1. In Pro class alone there was 23 seconds between first and last (1:25 for Nemo and 1:48 Xspec Motorsport). The Tilton car came second. In formula 1, the average between first and second in qualifying was just over half a second. Now i'm sure there's a lot more to the aero/tech of the formula 1 cars than there is to the WTAC cars ... so I'm not too sure what you're getting at. 2 seconds is a large time and i'm sure if you asked any of the WTAC cars on the day just to go out and find another 2 seconds, they'd be miffed!
@JDMized You stopped counting the times you say NEMO Racing testing? Surely you've seen the spectacular blow up on youtube? They all worked their butts off to get the car even going after that in time for WTAC. Prior to that blow up they went to the track on 3 or 4 different days - all with numerous problems so they only did a total of about 10 laps total with the old engine. With the new engine they only just got it ready in time to do a couple of laps (3 as i recall) at Norwell test track before Morris kicking them off because it was too loud. Then they loaded it into the truck and went to Sydney. Sorry i dont know where you got the impression it had LOTS of testing but it has been well documented that it had a distinct LACK of testing before arriving in Sydney. No one even knew if it was going to last one practise day at Sydney.