Its the FFA road trip thread

I like road trips, actually I love road trips and I am about to embrace my biggest challenge to date.
The details go something like this.
10000ks in 6 days.
The car is my cherished 1998 AU XR8 Falcon with 223000 kms on the clock.
We will be taking in visits to ford the race centre, the Clipsal 500 and the Melbourne GP as well as travelling the Nullarbor .

It’s going to be epic so I hope to update this thread as much as possible during the trip and then add picture and final review on my return.
Photos will be on facebook and twitter for those that can’t wait , perhaps Nat or Tim might share so exclusive content to our forum FB page.
There is a bit of theme to this trip as I will be commenting on the age fuel economy and driving enjoyment of what started out as a bit of a project car.

Preparation.

Its been suggested to me the choice in the Au was along the lines of being the sacrificial lamb and there is an element of truth in that. Its had a hardish life this car. Very very firm in the suspension has taken its toll as our government fail to maintain the smoothness of the roads i frequent.

It is however not the only reason. It’s still 14.5 years on the most engaging drive I own. Old school sound but a great feel for the road and road trips are all about the road.
To say it hasn’t been touched isn’t exactly right. It did break down on the side of the road with a miss a few years back now. Ended up replacing coil pack and HI tension leads and the problem went away although it’s probably not running as well as it once did. Neither is its owner mind.
The first thing I did was get a compression check down which suggest wear and condition was in fact exceptional for its millage. I then replaced coolant, trans oil, and diff oils nearly 8 weeks ahead of departure to make sure there was no issues.
The battery that was 5 years old and still working was replaced with a brand new one and on reflection the alternator which I thought had been overhauled had in fact not been touched so a replacement spare has been sourced just in case.
Spare fan belt 15 litres of water, 7 litres of oil, two jacks, boards, spare wheel puncture kit and compressor make up the contingency. Not to Shane standards but getting there.
The last thing fluid change was the engine oil and surprisingly the fresh oil raised a lifter issue.
Its since calmed down so I have decided to leave it alone but am taking enough oil for a change on the side of the road if need be.
The so called incidentals in clued the tom tom, waeco fooler lap top and camera and phone.
Day one will basically be spent around Melbourne till mid morning then head straight to Adelaide. I don’t have to be there till the Wednesday but its not impossible to be there on day early.
Feelings about Clipsal this year are mixed. Last year I was confident that we would be competitive but this year not so. I think there was a genuine lack of pace uncovered yesterday at the test and frosty has said the team are focusing on reliability. Its just a little bit disappointing considering FPR were always said to be in the lead development wise.
Its early day i know but I am down trodden already and the expectation is now low. I love Clipsal. Greta feeling being the first race and everyone being on zero points. I have gone back to T8 this year so the first thing to do is check out the view and see where we stand for photos and so on.

I will be easy to spot in the grandstand. I will be the one leading the anti Stoner t8 chant, or the one the police are escorting away :)

Looking forward to this Ian!!!

x2 sounds like a great road trip, don't forget the AIMS in Melbourne this year in June so maybe do a few laps of the state in the XR8 whilst you wait. Actually that would be a great FFA get together at this years motor show but that's another topic for another time.

Well actually there is a thread where we are looking at doing the motorshow as a group for the release of the falcon. We, I was assuming that would be in Sydney in 2014 but perhaps we might look at Melbourne. Do you think we could convince Ford to have our own private showing? LOL

Testing posting pic from lap top.

Here is the test subject

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...48733517_o.jpg

Pity i couldnt have taken the co drivers seat
but then again the XR's glove box couldnt take the punishment

Sounds like a fun road trip to be on, good luck and god speed..lol.

I'm jealous of the time you have being able to take on these road trips Ian - enjoy and safe journey in the beloved most engaging drive in the AU that might I add looks great with those wheels.
Look forward to the updates.

Talk of a roster change Ian, I may be able to have a beer with you yet!!! :cool:

Looking forward to the updates Ian. I would have loved to go on another road trip, maybe the next one.