Front tow hook (Monaro)

[Mezzell]

Hi folks,

Haven’t been on here for a while, hope everyone is well.
I have a track day booked for next week and realised that I have no towing eye (cv8).
Was wondering how people have overcome this and if anyone had any pics?
I’ve bought a couple of different towing straps and am looking to tackle this at the weekend but if someone has some previous experience it would be good to hear some thoughts.

Cheers.

[Mezzell]

This doesn’t sound like a bad idea to be fair.

[Mezzell]

I’ve bought two. One is similar to the one in the link you posted and the other is longer with a cable attached between the threaded part and the strap. I’ll get the car up in the air this weekend and see what I can do.
No AP’s yet. Just have the VXR brakes with ceramic pads.......

[Mezzell]

My rear pads and discs are brand new. My front pads are new but I’m taking a 2nd set with me!!
I get what you’re saying but hope it’s not bloody raining!!!

[Mezzell]

Definitely sorting the tow hook then. I’ve just had mine powder coated!!

[Mezzell]

Janosh said:

Worst case scenario, could you tow / winch a car around the A pillars?

What, after smashing the windscreen out of it?!!

[Mezzell]

SturdyHSV said:

I assume he meant roll both windows down and wrap a strap around both A pillars

Ahhh, yes. That would make more sense!!

[Mezzell]

SturdyHSV said:

It's funny my first thought with track day was what brakes you had

Even with the VXR brakes, I would imagine you'll find you get one decent stop from high speed, then the second one is a bit sketchy, and after that you'll have nothing at all

Be interesting to hear how you get on anyway, I haven't tracked my Monaro yet as it's still on VXR brakes

So, quick update.......
The VXR brakes held up really well. I don’t know what pads are in the front because they were in it when I bought it but I was genuinely surprised.
About 12 laps was the limit before coming in to cool down but we weren’t hanging around, doing 1min laps when the traffic permitted.
The car was absolutely faultless all day and I got some really nice comments about the noise and the huge flames that she was producing all day!

[Mezzell]

vxr2010 said:

Good to hear it all went well , i assumed it stayed dry ? so that’s two people on track with no issues with the vxr brakes , i assume with the flames yours is super charged then ?

Nope. Mines n/a.
I was shocked about the flames too!!

[Mezzell]

monkfish1 said:

If the VXR brakes survived, id respectfully suggest, you were not working them that hard! Which is fine if that suits you.

I disagree. To be doing 1 minute laps in a heavy, rear drive car with road tyres on isn’t that shabby. Remember this is not a track car. It’s my pride and joy.
We were hitting 135mph down the back straight on the limiter in 4th gear.
Admittedly, if I had AP’s or similar, I could have probably been quicker but after all the horror stories I heard I thought the VXR brakes with decent pads and decent fluid held up really well proving, in my eyes, that they are perfectly adequate for even the craziest fast road use.

[Mezzell]

Just to add to that, yes, if was tracking it all the time I’d definitely upgrade the brakes. But for a one off track day they held up really well.

[Mezzell]

Brands Hatch indy

[Mezzell]

SturdyHSV said:

Jeez assuming some braking for Paddock Hill I'd have expected you to be parked in the wall at Druids on the standard brakes

We were out breaking and out accelerating pretty much everything else out there!
I have probably done, getting on for 1000 laps of Brands in my lifetime so after the first couple I did feel right at home!!

[Mezzell]

Aitch H said:

Good to see you’re still enjoying it Matt
Glad the brakes held out! I never felt the VXR brakes were that bad, they’re not as good as the AP’s I had on my first Monaro but they weren’t as bad as people made them out to be. How does the car look now you’ve had the wheels powder coated?

Hello mate. I still love it. Can’t see me selling it. First car I’ve felt like that about.
Not much changed since you last saw it apart from window tints, wheels and ceramic coat.......and the tune.
Having the front bumper and bonnet resprayed soon too.

[Mezzell]

Won’t let me upload images on here for some reason.