The Time Attack Series in the UK has developed into one of the most respected and closely fought Time Attack series on the planet. With each season that passes, everybody raises their game. With a host of MSV circuits which includes Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Cadwell Park the drivers have a variety in venues that most other countries could only dream of. During the lunch hour break at the third round last weekend, I took a few minutes to pass through the pits and grab a few simple snaps.
With Brands being such a fast track, I'm surprised this competitor was alone as far as I could see in removing his rear wing for that extra straightline speed.
The temperature at Brands reached an incredible 35 degrees Celcius (around 95 Fahrenheit) according to the thermometer on my van. It was imperative to keep the cars in the shade as much as possible when not in use. I can't even begin to imagine how hot it was inside the cars for the drivers !
The TR Racing R34 GT-R gets a once over by the team before it's qualifying session after lunch.
The Voltex aero on the Norris Designs Evo IX adds greatly to it's menacing look. I remember the first time I seen the car was back in 2006 at a D1GP exhibition in Silverstone. The car was impressive then but it's simply awesome now.
Another Evo, another Voltex aero package. This time it's the more traditional four door Cyber Evo of Robin Duxbury.
The two CPT Evo's of James Nicholls and Gareth Lloyd have proven to be two very capable machiens.
The rather magnificent engine bay of Mark Pollards MG Metro 6R4. It's not too hard to imagine it's the same engine that found it's way into the Jaguar XJ220 supercar.
The Garage Whiftbitz Supra(s) are hilariously fast on the straights, packing a considerable 650BHP in this, the lesser powered car.
Paul Hughes had the honour of being the fastest Honda at the event, finishing ninth in his class.
The flat black Audi S3 was an unusual choice but when I think about it, it does make a great alternative to the usual Japanese four wheel drive machines.
Although there is a reason a lot of competitors have chosen the Evo / Impreza platform. It's a well proven platform.
Ten years ago Subaru and Mitsubishi battled for supremacy on the World Rally stage. Back then their main competitors were Ford, Peugeot, Seat, Skoda and Hyundai. Today they do battle on the race track where the Ford rivals remain but they now face the challenge of Lotus, Nissan and Porsche to name but a few.
I wonder what another ten years will bring us ?
Paddy
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
i was sitting down by Paddock Hill bend for most of this and it was seriously hot, massive credit to the drivers that they stayed focused in the heat.
good to see an Audi. Safe to say without the sport quattro's of the 80's, Japanese blueprint of the 4WD Mitsubishi & Subarus would have been different.
Awwww a closer look for this silver GF Wagon Impreza PLEASE!
alright, the last paragraph put me into a vision, but yea i guess it is a rivalry, but i also see it as being a bigger battle than that somehow, good picture taking as always and great coverage
Intersting that no one has really noticed that only one Japanese marque won a class at Brands Hatch TA yet the pics are top heavy on Jap cars!!!
1. Pro: Lotus
2. Club Pro: Imprezza
3. Club 4WD: Escort Coswroth
4. Club FWD: Astra VXR
5. Club RWD: Lotus
6. Club N/A: Metro 6R4
Great pics again by the way
I really do love this series... Its Inspiring !
Great reading all of your TA UK stuff, seeing as the UK series is now possibly the best in the world, I seriously need to get myself to an event.
Oh and you mispelt machines
And NONE of these cars had the balls to show up at the World Time Attack!
another 10 years and we might see a proton savvy entry
you gotta love the the look of theose Evo's, especially from the front - mean!!
Actually EJ257 not one of them actually wanted to go to the 'World Time Attack' as the focus is running in the toughest championship (not single event) over here, although it would be good to see the top Jap cars run here in the UK as I can guarantee they would not walk it as they do everywhere else, have been to nearly all the TA tracks in the world and the perfect TA track must be Brands Hatch for not only viewing but the awesomeness of what the track layout actually offers to the drivers and cars themselves, when (and if) anyone actually plucks up enough courage to come and face us here they will have there work cut out for sure, we dont need to travel anywhere now as the drivers already out pace every other motorsport here that runs on treaded tyres so if a World Champ needs to be found the World's best need to come here to try and beat us, will they ever come - we'll see !!!! By the way I'm not being big headed just factual as have been running the UK Series for 5 years now and have travelled extensively over the years with regards to TA so have good indepth knowledge of the scene
i just love the fact that i was part of the original norris design swb evo all the bodywork was originally preped by simpson motorsport the only thing that was made by norris designs was the 850bhp engine but working on the original body was one hell of an experience that i will never forget! and has inspired me to study automotive design at coventry university, (now in my 3rd year).
every time i see this car it reminds me of why i am studying so hard!
i just love the fact that i was part of the original norris design swb evo all the bodywork was originally preped by simpson motorsport the only thing that was made by norris designs was the 850bhp engine but working on the original body was one hell of an experience that i will never forget! and has inspired me to study automotive design at coventry university, (now in my 3rd year).
every time i see this car it reminds me of why i am studying so hard!