Attacking Tsukuba
The Best Japan Has To Offer

The stopwatches came out at Tsukuba Circuit this past weekend as some of the fastest time attack cars in all of Japan battled it out against the clock.

This is where my true love of the Japanese performance tuning scene lies, that unrelenting pursuit of evolution as tuners and amateurs combine forces to chisel away at Tsukuba lap records.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_22

It was beautifully refreshing stepping into the paddock and being surrounded by cars of every type as they were prepared and warmed up for the first outing of the morning. With rain spoiling the Super Battle event back in December, it’s been a while since we’ve indulged in some proper JDM grip racing here at Speedhunters, and I was beginning to develop withdrawal symptoms.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_01

But thankfully the Attack crew had things very well organized for their Tsukuba round. I really like how they’ve managed to create a well structured series of events at some of the most popular tracks in Japan, yet still maintain a family feel and atmosphere about it all.

The variety is great and of course ever-evolving, cars we’ve become familiar with at events like Battle Evome continuously improved upon resulting in faster lap times.

Before the track sessions got underway, I did a quick walk up pit lane to check out the entrants from the Turbo class that would be going out first.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_03

The day prior I had flown back to Tokyo from Dubai where I had just assisted the first ever RAUH-Welt Begriff triple car build, so I had to smile when one of the first cars I came across was this very serious looking RWB 964. It’s always cool to see one wearing proper functional aero additions, and it was a perfect reminder that Nakai has always built his cars to be used aggressively on track.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_05

In the pit behind the 911 was one of two very quick AE86s at the event. I always love seeing Hachirokus built for grip, especially when they’re sporting a more modern take on aero rather than the traditional TRD N2 look.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_24

If you take time attack seriously, then tire warmers are a must. A few years back it was just those with bigger budgets that would be seen using these, but now they’re a far more common sight in the paddock. However, I still prefer Under Suzuki’s ghetto heat box he made using a kerosene heater and an air pump.

As a side note, Suzuki-san did not enter this event. Many people were expecting him to turn up with his iconic Scorch Racing S15 Silvia, but I’ve heard he might be saving the car for record attempt at a private session later this month…

Walking The Paddock
attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_06

Garage Work continues to push its cars further and further, so it was cool to see the EK4 I featured two years back parked up next to Mr. Orange’s DC2, a build we’ve also seen in more detail before. I’ve got a spotlight on another crazy Civic from Osaka that was entered in the event coming up, so if you’re into Hondas make sure you don’t miss it.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_25

The bright pink Outer Plus Lotus Exige next to a 2JZ-powered FD3S Mazda RX-7 – I couldn’t give you a more vivid image of variety in a single frame.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_07

In the time since I spotlighted it last year at Battle Evome, the Total Car Service USUI Roadster has changed quite a lot, with more aero, more technical refinements and a new paint job. But it’s still on Weber carbs!

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_26

It’s not every day you see a BB4 Honda Prelude stripped out and prepped for time attack, and this particular example certainly wasn’t messing around. On top of the fender flares and the carbon front wing and canards, it was the Impreza hood scoop that stood out. Although I didn’t get to see what motor it was running, I’m assuming that the intake did a good job of keeping it fed with cool air. The best lap it managed on the day was a 1:03.953.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_09

Last year the M’s Cayman ended up losing a wheel around Tsukuba’s final corner, but this time around they were all properly secured and the GT3-engined baby Porsche managed a 59.287 lap.

It’s crazy how FD3Ss have seemingly taken over the time attack scene. When I first started covering these events at Tsukuba it was all about GT-Rs, Evos and Imprezas, and mechanical grip dictated how fast you could go. But these days with the aero revolution taking over things, the simple, lighter, more compact RX-7s are the cars with the most potential. The Car Shop Dream FD is a great example, sporting a pretty wild aerodynamic package, and it smashed out a 55.932 lap, making it the 8th fastest on the day.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_28

I absolutely love the wheel and tire fitment on this NA8C. We often forget how important a tire’s sidewall can be in the set-up and articulation of suspension, but the owner of this little Roadster has done it well, choosing a taller profile to allow the tire to absorb and flex in combination with the dampers.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_12

If I had to describe this AP1 Honda S2000 in a few words, I’d say it was focused, to the point and brutally efficient. Forget wide-body kits and flares, with just a few aesthetic touches and the right aero bits and pieces, this thing managed a 57.503 lap. That’s what the Mine’s R34 GT-R used to run 15 years ago. Insane!

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_13

If we’re talking about the big guns of Attack, the day was pretty much a direct – yet very friendly – battle between the Escort and G-Force CT9As. We first saw the Escort car last year, and after some refinement and development in collaboration with MoTeC Japan, it’s been evolved into a real weapon. The driver/owner, Ando-san, recorded a best of 53.716, the second fastest time of the day.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_29

Taniguchi and the G-Force team took top place with a 52.617 with this car, the latest iteration of their time attack project, which we first saw in January at the HKS Premium Day.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_30

It’s the same car I featured a couple of years back in front of the G-Force shop in Yokohama, except now they’ve gone full-out with it in an attempt to catch up to Under Suzuki. They’re still two seconds off the pace, which is a lot at this level, so it will be interesting to see how it all unfolds now that HKS is back in the game.

The Times Just Keep Dropping
attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_14

For me, the biggest surprise of the day was this new-gen Lotus Exige built by TiRacing which lapped in a best of 56.940. Crazy stuff considering its somewhat conservative aero package.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_16

It was cool seeing the Oyaji (old man) Power Evo IX from the Battle Evome soukoukai; you might remember it for its countless winglets and louvers around its front and rear fenders. It’s still a sub-1-minute Tsukuba car though, so the upgrades are very effective.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_17

The RWB Master Piece 930 is one we’ve seen countless times here on Speedhunters, its owner a keen racer who always puts the Nakai creation to work. He managed and nice and respectable 1 minute flat.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_18

Every time I set eyes on the Auto Bahn Soarer I can’t believe how much it’s changed since that first time I shot it eight or so years ago. Much like Suzuki’s S15, this thing bears little resemblance to the car it once was. The full dry carbon JZZ30 was third quickest with a 54.458 lap, but it had to retire with engine failure after its first outing. There is a ton of potential left in this car so I’m always curious how it does when a new time attack season comes around.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_08

The Soarer was joined by another customer car built by Auto Bahn, this candy red HCR32 Skyline Type-M, which managed a 1:01.455 lap.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_19

Upon seeing the Kyushu Danji BNR34, I instantly had a smile from ear to ear. I just love seeing old school GT-Rs ripping up Tsukuba.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_21

Its driver manage to hustle a 55.021 lap out of the Skyline too, just a smidgeon off the M-Speed R34’s 54-second pace. You guys remember that one, right?

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_23

I was saddened to learn that the Admix BNR32 had suffered an engine problem during the previous day’s practice as it’s changed quite a bit since we last laid eyes on it.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_15

It’s engine is now out, so hopefully the Admix guys can get it all fixed up for at least another outing at Tsukuba before the cold season ends.

attack_tsukuba_dino_dalle_carbonare_27

As always, at an event like this it’s very easy to get lost in the details, be amazed by things people and shops do, and witness the envelope being pushed year after year.

I’ll stop here for now, but you can expect a few spotlights on some of the interesting builds I found during the day.

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Comments



Comments are closed.

37 comments

by Oldest
by Best by Newest by Oldest
1

Nice article! Both of the Evos seem to be running the same aero. Who is it from?

Author2
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Voltex for the most part, some custom touches here and there. So they are evenly matched on that department

3

That orange S2000 seems to be the old Powerhouse Amuse "Touge Monster" of Best MOTORing/Hot Version fame, which was often used as a camera car during the Touge battles.

4

Nope.

Tomiyoshi-san's Fura S2000 IS NOT the imola orange Amuse Touge Monster. IIRC, last year he made a statement on his minkara page stating they are two different cars.

5

Thanks for clearing that up Lloyd. @Dino Perhaps a feature might be in order then :). That car is awesome.

Author6
Dino Dalle Carbonare

What Lloyd said! I'm in love with this car BTW

7

I've found Speedhunters too be a bit dull lately then BAM! Tsukuba time attack racing. Love this stuff

Author8
Dino Dalle Carbonare

I wish it could always be Time Attack season!

9

That & Kyusha too. So into my old Japanese stuff

10

We need a feature on that tiracing exige. Seems it has a different rear clamshell or something. Which hopefully fixes the ugly rear taillights.

Author11
Dino Dalle Carbonare

A visit has been looooong overdue!

12

Anyone have info of the 2JZ Hatsune Miku FD?

13

Its owned by one of the members of the famous Sexy Knights drift team, and yes it does drift aswell. Noriyaro wrote a short article about it a couple years ago

14

I propose that we only ever cover what happens at Tsukuba from here on out and change the name of the site to tsukubaislife.com.

Who's with me?

15

If it was all original content and updated every other day, or twice a week minimum... I'd pay for that. And I'm honestly CRAZY amounts of "Thrifty" and tend to pay as little as I possibly can "within legal boundries"for ANYTHING.

16

I'm in!

Author17
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Down with that. I'll set up an office there shall I! lol

18

Life is complete.

19

Love this

20

These are my favourite articles. For me there's not much out there that inspires better than seeing old chassis' being constantly refined and re-engineered in a way that requires systemic thinking. Nice one Dino!

Author21
Dino Dalle Carbonare

And they are the best sort of stories to put together for me. This is all I've ever cared for in Japan. I love it

22

Your photos make me want another R32! That M’s Cayman, though. Lord above!

Author23
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Get one before prices go silly. Good investment. Won't to epic burnouts though ...

24

VIDEO VIDEO VIDEO VIDEO VIDEO VIDEO VIDEO VIDEO VIDEO
please. even an iPhone video is better than no video.
excellent aritcle.
excellent photos.
video, plz.

Author25
Dino Dalle Carbonare
26

There are so many awesome builds! This article gets me excited for the time attack season here in the good 'ol USA. I hope my wee little 1.6 can keep up with the Global Time Attack field!

decom_273e9e21c11013931e815a7c9862773d_58b8c60e5ae9d.jpgdecom_273e9e21c11013931e815a7c9862773d_58b8c60e5ae9d.jpg
27

Sir Dino, why not make an article about Toyota 14R-60 that car is awesome also built by TRD.

Author28
Dino Dalle Carbonare

That would be a good one to drive for sure! TRD...throw me the keys please!

29

Time to get on to Gran Turismo and try to compare times.

30

I really must drive here one day. Heaven

Author31
Dino Dalle Carbonare

It's a special place!

32

I love seeing the new crazy aero additions each year!!!

Author33
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Keen to see how it continues to evolve. Andrew Brilliant has raised the bar now with the HKS GTS800, I'm sure it will get others like Voltex "inspiration" to change things up a bit. Funny how they just all copy what Andrew does all the time lol

34

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that a civic from Garage Work marked an impressive 56.980 at tsukuba, some weeks ago

Author35
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Yeah I heard about that too after the event. Not sure if it was at Battle Evome or not. It's pretty nuts!

36

54.458 Third quickest? Then who is fastest? The Japanese is back at it again with their tuning prowess. Other than that, nice writeup and photos Dino!

Author37
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Thanks! Answer in the text ;) "Taniguchi and the G-Force team took top place with a 52.617"

OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS