Walking into Sydney Motorsport Park and being greeted by the official Zen Garage Time Attack R32 GTR was a pretty good sign that I was starting 2016 the right way. For those who don’t remember, my first ever Zen Garage contribution was documenting this iconic car (before its striking livery and aero) trying to break the 10 second quarter mile at Sydney Dragway (you can scope that article here). For that reason, this machine will always have a special spot reserved on my SD card.
Nulon Nationals is a multi-event series that runs throughout the year giving amateurs and veterans alike a chance to compete in various styles of motorsport (such as hillclimb and motorkhana) in a low pressure environment. For the first event of the year, Nulon teams up with Tuned International to combine the wet-pan Motorkhana with a Show and Shine competition at SMSP.
The Show and Shine attracted an impressive collection of Japanese domestic, Euro, American classics and Aussie muscle. The first cars that caught my attention were (of course) some of the oldest bits of chrome and leather in attendance.
I don’t think the VSport Datsun 510 Wagon was officially part of the Show and Shine, but it definitely should have been. It’s the little details around the vehicle that work together so nicely, such as the tinted headlights, colour matched venetian blinds in all 3 rear windows, and the red on red interior contrasting to the silky grey body coat. Those who saw this car at WTAC would also know that the attention to detail is carried over to the engine bay, and every other nook within this classic the Datsun.
Sometimes purists get mad, and this is probably one of those times. Part of the impressive Corvette display, was this awesome soft-top, with a 5.7 litre surprise under the hood. The projector headlamps suggest a few more contemporary modifications are hiding away under the rolling golden-era curves.
I am so happy that the bathtub shaped BMW 2002 is starting to gain traction in the Sydney scene (I’m starting to see a lot more on the road, at meets, and up for sale). This example was sitting pretty, with a neat front lip and wide BBS rims.
Typical “summer in Sydney” weather meant a 5 minute downpour every hour. However, the owners and enthusiasts were not defeated. This battle of attrition continued throughout the day, and after every shower, dry microfibre cloths wielded by the proud entrants cast every drop of moisture away from their sparkling 4 wheel passion.
I think cars look better wet (in photographs anyway), so I rushed around while the rain was still spitting, and captured shots of these cars in their rain-soaked glory.
You can expect to see Chase’s R32 on Zen Garage soon!!
I don’t know if anyone even noticed the rain over at the wetpan. I don’t think anything could really stop the entrants of Nulon Nationals from enjoying themselves. The event ran in a very organised, yet relaxed manner. Multiple courses, heaps of staff putting the cones right way up and directing cars, and spectators cheering on their friends kept the day fun and fresh.
Some entrants went around a cone the wrong way, or finished their run in the “start” bay rather than the “end” bay, but no-one took it too seriously, and everybody behind the wheel of a car had a smile on their face.
I’m not sure about the times from the day, but the best looking car on the pan would have to go to Alex’s S2000 “SUZUKA”. This red beast oozed performance and style.
Both the Tuned Show and Shine and the Nulon Nationals have really motivated me to get back in the garage with my car and do something fun. Using my almost 50 year old “project” car as a daily for the past 4 years has meant that the time and money meant for “restoring and modifying” has gone into “keeping it running”. With a new daily on the horizon, I can make my project car fun again, and maybe I will enter Nulon Nationals or the Tuned Show and Shine this time next year. Now I just need to learn how to weld!!
As always thanks for reading, and for a full album from these events with more photos check out my personal photography page here. Make sure to tag yours and your friends cars and hit follow the page for more updates.
Zen Garage mate Sam Law (300c-po) snapped some sweet shots of the trophy winners at the Tuned Show and Shine.
“Best Club Display” – Club HSV
“Best Engine Bay”
“Best Paint and Body” (Nice one Ved!!)
“Best Fitment”
“Best Euro”
“People’s Choice”
“Best JDM”
“Judges Choice”
Thanks heaps Sam! Check out more stuff from 300c-po right here!
Big thanks to event organisers, Nulon, Tuned International, Sydney Motorsport Park, and all participants and spectators.