Drifting with Davies Craig & Australian Jake “Driftsquid” Jones

09/12/2019 12:00AM

Drifting is a form of motorsport that has a driver take a specially built car to the edge of losing control and keeping it on that edge. It’s a magic art and the more practiced drivers can bring their car to within millimeters of another and keep it precisely at that distance as they circle, pirouette, and slide around a track.

Australian Jake “Driftsquid” Jones is one of those and showcases his immense talent regularly around the country. Jones recognises the strain that the engine and cooling system is put under during a full power drift session and he’s called upon Davies Craig to be the main cooling suppliers for his RB26 powered RBM3.

 

Strengthened internally, the engine has a massive redline, and can spin to 10,000rpm. Jones says that the engine is constantly near that number during a session and naturally needs a solid source of cooling. In this case, he’s specified a Davies Craig EWP®150. Capable of flowing 150 litres of fluid per minute, this is the highest flow EWP® we have in the range and is intended for use in high stress environments, just like that which Jones works in.

Jones points out that the engine still looks like the factory fitted water pump is still on the engine but clarifies that it has actually been disassembled, and , the pulley that attached to the pump remains  as part of the belt system that spins the car’s alternator. It also means, he says, that because it’s the standard belt he can be assured of availability almost anywhere and not rely on a custom set.

Jones then points out that the thermostat is removed due to the fact the EWP®’s own sensor system takes over temperature monitoring duties. The radiator for the engine in the RBM3 is located not up front near the engine, but at the back of the car, inside the boot.

It’s here that Jones showcases the clever design of the radiator’s air intake, with the roofline funneling air down where a section of the rear window has been removed and replaced with a custom design channel that directs air into the finned alloy radiator. On the underside of the radiator is a pair of electric fans complete with shroud to maximize air flow. On the driver’s side and housed neatly in the rear quarter is the EWP®150.

Jones mentions the design specification of the EWP®, in that the bottom hose of the radiator plugs into the front centre section of the EWP® and the outlet runs back to the engine. He’s used high strength alloy connector and braided hose for strength and durability. He mentions the accessories that are included in the EWP®’s kit allow easy fitment of the hoses and connectors.

Being a drift car driver means he’s all too aware of heat soak. Jones points out that the electronics of the system allow him to manually engage the cooling flow, but also allows programming of the EWP® to continue flowing for up to three minutes after the engine’s been shutdown, or when the fluid reaches a preset temperature. The benefit, says Jones, is that it really minimises potential engine damage.

Jones unboxes an EWP®150 kit, part number 8970, and takes delight in pointing out that the kit includes everything that should be required to install the EWP®. That includes the digital controller, wiring loom, temperature sensor for the top radiator hose, and a comprehensive set of instructions for the kit.

Jones wraps his excellent presentation with a surprise gift for his viewers.

Davies Craig are offering a discount of 35% for viewers with a special discount code of ‘JakeChristmas2019’ via the daviescraig.com.au which is available until December 22nd, 2019.