Update

I missed the last trackday because of uni exams, which was a bit of a bummer. Let's hope it was worth it, results should be out soon.

I got Ferodo DS2500 front pads from Competition Friction. The product ID is FCP406H, for those who want to know, and I paid $260 for them. I suppose shopping around might have gotten a better price, but I didn't have the time or nerve for it.

Fitting them was a bit trickier than initially expected. I don't know whether it is because they're designed for the 182 rather than the 172, or some other reason, but they didn't quite fit the stock calipers. We had to grind some off on the sides to make them fit, and then some more to make sure it actually was in contact with the discs. Turns out those are quite worn as well and will be due for a change when I get it to servicing next. I'm not sure yet whether it will be worth getting some nicer ones, I'll have to do more research.

Either way, you can tell that the new pads are a bit more motorsport-orientated. It actually says on the box "for motorsport use only", but Ferodo actually has even more hardcore ones. Anyways, they're bedding in nicely now and all you can tell is that they need a few decent applications to get up to temperature. A bit of sensible driving, leaving space and using engine braking makes that problem a bit of a non-issue though. I had a few attempts stopping from 100 down to standstill and they certainly work when they're warm. It'll be good to see what they'll be like on the track. Still, I suspect most time gains are in my lines and just going at it a bit harder, braking later and cornering faster.

I bought a helmet as well. Brisbane Motorcycles had a SNELL-approved Rjays full-faced model (I wanted a full-faced one for when I go karting) for $180, which I thought is quite reasonable. It looks pretty good too - the flames are quite nice, but the big skulls might be a bit much. :p At least it's big enough so I can be as comfortable as possible.

So now the only thing left for the moment, apart from the service which may be coming up in a few weeks, is a K&N Appollo airfilter. I bought it a while ago from spaleta_9 at OzRS, because he upgraded to a BMC. Now it's been sitting here, as only a few days after I bought it I heard that some people actually lost power after putting them in. The stock airbox of the RSC is just about the best on the market and improving upon it is apparently quite tricky and therefore generally expensive.

So right now I'm thinking to simply get some better hosing but retain the standard 'box until I can afford getting a BMC or something like that. But I've been spending a lot of money on other stuff the past few weeks, so I don't think it will be anything immediate. I'd rather spend my money on getting a CAMS license, so I can have a go at the Mt. Cotton hillclimb. Apparently it's all quite cheap and easy and good fun.