Gta Button Willow 2012>><br/>hot Time Attack Action

Last weekend I headed to Central California to check out the 1st round of the 2012 season of Global Time Attack (GTA) at Buttonwillow Raceway Park.

Global Time Attack is a series designed with one goal in mind; to break track records. They cater to anyone with a NASA membership who wants to take a shot at breaking a track record for a variety of classes.

They used the famous the number 13 clockwise configuration which is 3.1 miles in length with 12 turns.

It was a super hot 97 degrees f so none of the 35 cars that attended were running at record pace.

All eyes were on Billy Johnson as he went for a hot lap in the FX Motorsports Acura NSX. Unfortunately, Billy was only able to run one hot lap because the NSX had some fuel system issues.

This is one of my favorite Time Attack cars. I just love how mean it looks. Jeff Westphal took the fastest lap of the weekend in the GST Motorsports Subaru Impreza L.

Doesn’t Jeff look like David Beckham? Maybe he is David and plays football on the weekdays and then hits the track on the weekends!

Tarzan Yamada, one of the world’s most famous Time Attack drivers, came all the way from Japan to drive this event.

He was piloting the Platte Forme a.g. BMW E46 M3.

I think the car looked great. It certainly was low enough.

It is pretty interesting to see Tarzan drive a left hand drive car. I guess he’s comfortable with both driving positions.

It seems like they never really got the car dialed in because his best time of the weekend was a 1:54.737. This was almost two seconds behind 1st place in the limited RWD class.

It’s never a dull moment with Christian Rado and his World Racing Scion tC2.

During practice on Friday, the driver side spindle decided to break into six pieces.

It caused a minor fire as the rotor wore through the brake caliper and ignited the brake fluid.

After staying up all night, the crew put the F-wing 2.0 back together in time for the Saturday morning sessions.

This was just a little note to remind Chris to remember to ease in on the new brakes and not go all out. There is no telling what this mad man is capable of.

Once everything was in place it was go time. It surprised me that Chris did not wear a cool suit. I had a hard enough time just standing outside in the shade from the sweltering heat. Comfort is the least of the worries for these drivers.

After a few laps, the tires were warm and he was ready to go for the overall front wheel drive track record.  A record which he held in the F-wing 1.0.

It looked as if he had a good shot at hitting that perfect lap, but traffic slowed him down significantly.

Michael Chang moved out of the way, but it was too late. The next lap Chris would suffer a catastrophic engine failure.

As he came around the corner I noticed he was going much slower than usual. According to World Racing, one of the main cam sensors failed which caused the motor to blow. Once the oil leaked out it caught on fire immediately.

Chris escaped without a singe, but the block and the wiring harness were done for.

The crew gathered in the trailer to watch a replay of the incident.

It’s a good thing Chris had a handy fire extinguisher or they might have lost more than just the motor.

Once you go Time Attack you never go back. One of the pioneers of North American Time Attack is non other than Mike Bonanni.

Mike parted ways with Berk Racing this year, but he is still going to drive Time Attack under Chris Rado’s program. He will be competing in the FWD Street class with Chris’ daily driver.

It seems like the heat was everyone’s enemy as the car had turbo issues all weekend. I know the car will be fast once they get all the minor issues sorted out.

It was just a harsh day in general for the cars and the crew out at Buttonwillow. The air was dense with a thick layer of smog so the sky was a neutral grey color all weekend. I could feel it in my throat after walking around all day.

This Honda Civic does not have a giant wing bolted to the front, but it’s still very fast. Ken Suen piloted this red rocket to 1st place in FWD Street class with a 2:01.872.

I know exactly why this guy was smiling. I would also be grinning ear to ear if I won two classes with the same car.

Carl Rydquist set the Street and Limited RWD records with just a change of a tire compound. The team ran 140 tread wear tires for Street class and switched to 80 tread wear tires for Limited class.

Wouldn’t it be fun to flog around your mom’s Honda Accord on the race track?

These guys seemed very proud of bringing a grocery getter to time attack.

I’ve never seen an open wheel Honda S2000 until now.

This Plymouth Prowler inspired look was actually pretty cool looking.

This Honda CRX may have a giant shower door wing and hood pins, but it was definitely not for show. These are always seriously fun to drive and it was decently quick too.

Global Time Attack round 2 is right around the corner and this time they will be running at Road Atlanta the same weekend as Formula Drift. So if you Speedhunters happen to be out there, make sure you go early to catch some hot lapping action.

Larry

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1

That red civic looks so sick!

2
NineLivesJohnny

props to chris's sideburns.....

3

what's the difference between time attack cars and regular circuit racers? apart from the crazy aero?

4

 @toastehmonstah They are way crazier in terms of engine settings, suspension settings, and aero.  Anything that could be used to extract the last millisecond over the course of one hot lap.  Rather than for endurance where some compromises need to be made to ensure the car lasts and that the driver doesn't fatigue to the point where it affects his consistency and speed

5

 @toastehmonstahNot much really. They're both designed to go fast around a circuit. The only difference might be that time attack cars aren't bound by as many rules and regulations and only need to last for a few laps, whereas most racing cars need to be built to last an entire race. The result is that time attack cars are generally crazier, faster, and more aggressive. Their sole purpose is to clock in the fastet lap possible.

6

 @SamuelJih @TougeSpirit so basically TA is anything goes whereas circuit is more regulated?

7

 @toastehmonstah  @SamuelJih Yes, not only by regulation, but also by how long you can make a car last.  Time attack cars only need to run one hot or two hot laps.  So they can turn the boost all the way up, don't have to worry about running out of fuel, or making the tires last, etc etc.  

8

Is Rado aware of the existence of something called the "Racing line" ?? I have never seen a supposed professional driver so far off the correct line in one lap.  Interesting car though..

9

FWD cars run different lines, typically.  Then when you consider it has about 1200 hp.  Slightly understandable.  

10

 @TougeSpirit rado's car is AWD....

11

 @toastehmonstah  @SamuelJih  @TougeSpirit TA also has regulations, most cars have to retain the original chassis depending on class and various other things (like tire compounds).  Most are broken into street, limited, unlimited and further divided into AWD, FWD, RWD, or in unlimited case (in japan) all.  Circuit racing is more of a homogeneous type of rules.

12

Conditions sound like here in AZ, just 20 dgrs cooler lol.

13

Conditions sound like here in AZ, just 20 dgrs cooler lol.

14

That FD2 looks great, which shop built it?
 
Rado's car is a complete joke in my opinion. Nothing about that car makes any sense what so ever. Seeing a TRD sticker on that monstrousity makes me depressed. No class whatsoever. No shame. That has to me the absolute least fun car to drive that has ever been built. They really need to stop separating the classes by drivetrain layout with cars like this. Make that thing compete in Unlimited No Class.
 
Sorry about that rant, but I couldn't possibly hate that car and people that promote cars like that any more than I do...

15

That FD2 looks great, which shop built it?
 
Rado's car is a complete joke in my opinion. Nothing about that car makes any sense what so ever. Seeing a TRD sticker on that monstrousity makes me depressed. No class whatsoever. No shame. That has to me the absolute least fun car to drive that has ever been built. They really need to stop separating the classes by drivetrain layout with cars like this. Make that thing compete in Unlimited No Class.
 
Sorry about that rant, but I couldn't possibly hate that car and people that promote cars like that any more than I do...

16

Awesome! I was hoping you guys would cover this. Have you guys thought about covering the Lap Battle series at MMP also?

17

Awesome! I was hoping you guys would cover this. Have you guys thought about covering the Lap Battle series at MMP also?

18

 @lotusfd3s No it isn't.  Not this one...  Go check the 2012 Buttonwillow Global Time Attack Unlimited FWD winner 
http://www.globaltimeattack.com/2012-rd-1-buttonwillow-raceway-park-apr-21-22-2012/
 
They abandoned the AWD car.  

19

 @lotusfd3s No it isn't.  Not this one...  Go check the 2012 Buttonwillow Global Time Attack Unlimited FWD winner 
http://www.globaltimeattack.com/2012-rd-1-buttonwillow-raceway-park-apr-21-22-2012/
 
They abandoned the AWD car.  

20

 @andrewhake 
 
It does compete in unlimited class.  It's fast, there's nothing to be ashamed about.     Everything on that car is fully functional. 

21

 @andrewhake 
 
It does compete in unlimited class.  It's fast, there's nothing to be ashamed about.     Everything on that car is fully functional. 

22

Time Attack racing is one of the most interesting racing there is.  It's still grassroots.  Anyone can do it.  You don't need big sponsorships or big money like most other race leagues.   You just need some balls, a well setup car and some money for an entry fee.  However it's not as popular in America as it is in other foreign countries.   We're hoping to contribute in regaining that fan base for Time Attack in America.    Often times, it's not about how much horsepower you got.  It really boils down to how your car is setup.  Especially at a track like Buttonwillow CW13.    At a track like BW CW13, its all about allignment, aero, and balls.   Come check it out sometime when GTA is in your town.  I'm sure you will like.

23

Time Attack racing is one of the most interesting racing there is.  It's still grassroots.  Anyone can do it.  You don't need big sponsorships or big money like most other race leagues.   You just need some balls, a well setup car and some money for an entry fee.  However it's not as popular in America as it is in other foreign countries.   We're hoping to contribute in regaining that fan base for Time Attack in America.    Often times, it's not about how much horsepower you got.  It really boils down to how your car is setup.  Especially at a track like Buttonwillow CW13.    At a track like BW CW13, its all about allignment, aero, and balls.   Come check it out sometime when GTA is in your town.  I'm sure you will like.

24

 @TougeSpirit  @lotusfd3s We didn't "abandon" the AWD car. Scion wanted something more authentic so we took the AWD car apart and built the Fwing 2.0
 
We really wanted to develop the AWD car much further than we were able to, but Scion didn't want it racing. You win some you lose some...
 

25

 @TougeSpirit  @lotusfd3s We didn't "abandon" the AWD car. Scion wanted something more authentic so we took the AWD car apart and built the Fwing 2.0
 
We really wanted to develop the AWD car much further than we were able to, but Scion didn't want it racing. You win some you lose some...
 

26

 @lotusfd3s  @TougeSpirit nope. not this one..

27

 @lotusfd3s  @TougeSpirit nope. not this one..

28

Hey Fred, thanks for the comment. Out of curiosity, have you ever driven a FWD car that makes 1,000 ft lbs of torque around a road course? It's not exactly easy and typically you have to rotate the car into the corner opposed to following a typical "racing line". Regardless of his line the Fwing holds 26 records in North America and with that said I think the line is working just fine. 
 
Have a good one :)
 

29

Hey Fred, thanks for the comment. Out of curiosity, have you ever driven a FWD car that makes 1,000 ft lbs of torque around a road course? It's not exactly easy and typically you have to rotate the car into the corner opposed to following a typical "racing line". Regardless of his line the Fwing holds 26 records in North America and with that said I think the line is working just fine. 
 
Have a good one :)
 

30

Easy to criticize when you're watching from the sidelines, much harder to actually go out there any do it.  Nothing but much love and respect to Rado and the rest of the guys actually competing.  

31

Easy to criticize when you're watching from the sidelines, much harder to actually go out there any do it.  Nothing but much love and respect to Rado and the rest of the guys actually competing.  

32

 @andrewhake Lol. Thanks goodness it's only your opinion ;) Come by for a ride sometime and I guarantee you it will be the most fun you have had in your life, but bring a spare set of underwear...you will need them. 
 
We build these cars to go fast. Not to take to car shows, not to pick up chicks, not to do anything other than GO FAST. Our team puts their blood, sweat and tears into everything they touch and it's disappointing to hear that you can't appreciate it. Sorry to let you down.. 
 
P.S - TRD likes the sticker, and the like the 26 track records even more. 
 

33

 @andrewhake Lol. Thanks goodness it's only your opinion ;) Come by for a ride sometime and I guarantee you it will be the most fun you have had in your life, but bring a spare set of underwear...you will need them. 
 
We build these cars to go fast. Not to take to car shows, not to pick up chicks, not to do anything other than GO FAST. Our team puts their blood, sweat and tears into everything they touch and it's disappointing to hear that you can't appreciate it. Sorry to let you down.. 
 
P.S - TRD likes the sticker, and the like the 26 track records even more. 
 

34

 @WORLDRacing I forgot to mention that you guys had the fastest lap from the entire weekend at NASA time trials!

35

 @WORLDRacing I forgot to mention that you guys had the fastest lap from the entire weekend at NASA time trials!

36

 @WORLDRacing I have yet to check that one off my list, understandable that it would understeer and be a handful, I was mainly commenting on that last bit before the motor blew where you had where too tight on that long right hander and had to straighten out for a sec.  That would not be poor car setup but poor line choice that would cause you to have to do that, regardless congrats on the record now go rebuild it and beat it!  I have been racing for over ten years and I must say you are more man than I for trying to drive a 1000hp FWD car.  

37

 @WORLDRacing I have yet to check that one off my list, understandable that it would understeer and be a handful, I was mainly commenting on that last bit before the motor blew where you had where too tight on that long right hander and had to straighten out for a sec.  That would not be poor car setup but poor line choice that would cause you to have to do that, regardless congrats on the record now go rebuild it and beat it!  I have been racing for over ten years and I must say you are more man than I for trying to drive a 1000hp FWD car.  

38

Classic SH:
 
- lack of technical data (hardly any times posted for a TIME ATTACK event)
- commenting mostly on looks
- Focus on Tarzan even though the M3 was mid-pack
 
At least the pictures are pretty. I'll go re-read the MotoIQ coverage.

39

Classic SH:
 
- lack of technical data (hardly any times posted for a TIME ATTACK event)
- commenting mostly on looks
- Focus on Tarzan even though the M3 was mid-pack
 
At least the pictures are pretty. I'll go re-read the MotoIQ coverage.

40

 @JohnnyDoe Thanks for the tip! I will head there right now!

41

 @JohnnyDoe Thanks for the tip! I will head there right now!

42

 @WORLDRacing  Err, maybe not abandon it willingly because of any performance deficit, but  you were essentially forced to abandon it aka not run that car anymore/develop it by Corporate.  Happens all the time.  Especially with projects in the Government.  It's not like the people developing stuff want to abandon their lifelong projects, but budget cuts make that happen all the time.  Abandon has multiple definitions, some of which refer to discontinuing or withdrawing from something.  
 
Now that the semantics are done with, I love your FWD Scion, F the haters, that front wing works.  I have a Bachelor of Science level aerodynamics degree, which while not really all that advanced, suggests some concepts of things that would be cool to implement onto your car.  Active aero canards mounted by the front fender, for one ;)

43

 @WORLDRacing  Err, maybe not abandon it willingly because of any performance deficit, but  you were essentially forced to abandon it aka not run that car anymore/develop it by Corporate.  Happens all the time.  Especially with projects in the Government.  It's not like the people developing stuff want to abandon their lifelong projects, but budget cuts make that happen all the time.  Abandon has multiple definitions, some of which refer to discontinuing or withdrawing from something.  
 
Now that the semantics are done with, I love your FWD Scion, F the haters, that front wing works.  I have a Bachelor of Science level aerodynamics degree, which while not really all that advanced, suggests some concepts of things that would be cool to implement onto your car.  Active aero canards mounted by the front fender, for one ;)

44

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I know twas hot, but what's the point of all those crazy aero...then have your windows open? Doesn't it ruin the whole package?

45

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I know twas hot, but what's the point of all those crazy aero...then have your windows open? Doesn't it ruin the whole package?

46

 @Larry Chen  @JohnnyDoe 
@ Larry: JohnyDoe is right. You can say all you want but you guys lack QUALITY, and hard facts.
All you guys concentrate on is look and personal opinion, and I, like JohnnyDoe, no longer check out SH as much because your smarta$$ comment "I will head there right now"
The kids that check SH will eventually grow to understand these things, then what? Are you gonna "adjust" your post to appeal to the mass? Then it would be too late. 
Head over to MotoIQ and learn some!

47

 @Larry Chen  @JohnnyDoe 
@ Larry: JohnyDoe is right. You can say all you want but you guys lack QUALITY, and hard facts.
All you guys concentrate on is look and personal opinion, and I, like JohnnyDoe, no longer check out SH as much because your smarta$$ comment "I will head there right now"
The kids that check SH will eventually grow to understand these things, then what? Are you gonna "adjust" your post to appeal to the mass? Then it would be too late. 
Head over to MotoIQ and learn some!

48

 @Kiet So you are telling me that racing on other circuits/ tracks, the car doesn't need a proper alignment, aero, and balls?

49

 @Kiet So you are telling me that racing on other circuits/ tracks, the car doesn't need a proper alignment, aero, and balls?

50

 @WORLDRacing  
Chris, it's so hard to break record on a 1200hp. I mean, REALLY hard!.....lol

51

 @WORLDRacing  
Chris, it's so hard to break record on a 1200hp. I mean, REALLY hard!.....lol

52

 @WORLDRacing  @andrewhake 
Yeah, it's VERY hard to break records in a 1200hp car. I mean, REALLY hard! lol

53

 @WORLDRacing  @andrewhake 
Yeah, it's VERY hard to break records in a 1200hp car. I mean, REALLY hard! lol

54

 @WORLDRacing  @TougeSpirit Ah my bad, thought it was still a AWD platform. How do you prevent torque steer on 1200hp FWD btw? do you just deal with it? 

55

 @WORLDRacing  @TougeSpirit Ah my bad, thought it was still a AWD platform. How do you prevent torque steer on 1200hp FWD btw? do you just deal with it? 

56

Windows open is a safety regulation for most series in the US, presumably this was sanctioned by NASA who I know for a fact requires door glass DOWN while on track. Regardless of something you can't do anything about, the rest of the aero is mostly functional.

57

Windows open is a safety regulation for most series in the US, presumably this was sanctioned by NASA who I know for a fact requires door glass DOWN while on track. Regardless of something you can't do anything about, the rest of the aero is mostly functional.

58

 @JDMized  @WORLDRacing  @andrewhake So have a crack at it and build one! or keep on spouting bullshit from a million miles away while driving your mum's Civic!

59

 @JDMized  @WORLDRacing  @andrewhake So have a crack at it and build one! or keep on spouting bullshit from a million miles away while driving your mum's Civic!

60

 @JDMized  @WORLDRacing  @andrewhake So have a crack at it and build one! or keep on spouting bullshit from a million miles away while driving your mum's Civic!

61

 @WORLDRacing Something your have to concider Fred is the track was probably as bad as I have ever seen it, The line in a nutball FWD car to me anyway has to be way off from what I would expect from our car. Based on Chris has managed to get around that track in a 1:46.xxx prior I have to hand it to him (And hate to do so) that he might know where to put his car on the track for the best!

62

 @WORLDRacing Something your have to concider Fred is the track was probably as bad as I have ever seen it, The line in a nutball FWD car to me anyway has to be way off from what I would expect from our car. Based on Chris has managed to get around that track in a 1:46.xxx prior I have to hand it to him (And hate to do so) that he might know where to put his car on the track for the best!

63

I wish there were more shots of the open wheel S2k.

64

 @JDMized  @JohnnyDoe Thanks for reading!

65

New Speedhunters comment section is Hilarious! Great article and even better pictures but that is to be expected. 

66

I think that some of the Speedhunters readers are completely off topic: maybe they should find other interests, like knitting.A FWD 1000+ hp custom built time attack Scion TC is a joke, uh?A joke that requires someone who detects engine issues and designs special engine parts to solve them, someone that thinks, designs, tests and develops a fully functional aerokit that is completely adjustable from ciruit to circuit, someone that designs a chassis in order to keep every corner of the car in one piece and then a dude that has enough balls to seat in this massive amount of computer data and brings it to the real world of tarmac, speed, corners, sweat, blood, heat, smoke, fire and death.Now when you are able to complete successfully even 10% of one of this tasks call me: I'll fly from Italy to give you high five.

67

No, i'm not saying that.  Some tracks require very minimal aero, some require alot of top speed with a liess aggressive allignment..  Every track differentiates just a bit.  Have you been on Buttonwillow Configuration 13?  If not, go there and try to break 2 minutes.

68

 @JohnnyDoe Head over to the platteforme AG facebook page or website...  They had an engine issue and where shortshifting the car all day.  They shifted a 6.5k rpm, I think that engine currently can rev up to 8,500 with the current forced induction.  Considering a base s54b32 does not make power under 4k rpm, they still got second place and where only 2 seconds off.  Pretty impressive....

69

 @lotusfd3s  You just deal with it, and put a ton of downforce over the front and rear wheels

70

haha, Carlos and Kevins CRX!! Gotta love budget racing.

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