The Journey Towards Wtac 2012 Begins

It’s been a tough last couple of weeks for the Japanese teams that will be participating at this year’s World Time Attack Challenge (WTAC) down in Australia. With everyone after a win, or at least a podium finish, there has been a ton of fine tuning, testing and developing that needed to be done and after seeing continuous updates being posted on Facebook I thought I’d go and check the cars out for myself this morning.

Today is the day that the five Japanese cars will be loaded into their respective containers and shipped off down under, and it all began early this morning at the Daikoku docks in Yokohama. I was told to rendezvous with the various teams at one of the many warehouses on the wharf, where some of the cars had already been dropped off. After arriving and wandering around for a bit…

…I happened to stumble upon the RE-Amemiya Hurricane 7, the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon GT300-bodied FD3S that Ama-san built for time attack duty. The car never actually competed in any event in Japan since being put together, so the guys at RE-Amemiya have been working extra hard trying to set it up during a few outings at Fuji.

The racecar-looking FD was hidden away in between some wooden crates and big industrial equipment. It almost looked lonely sitting there all by itself. Aside from the additional M7 graphics and the new Enkei RS05RR concave wheels it looked pretty much the same as when we all saw it last year at TAS, most of the changes done to the suspension set-up and ECU settings.

Not too far away was this pallet with a set of semi-slick Yokohama A050s marked with the RE-Amemiya logos.

Meanwhile outside, Under Suzuki and the Scorch Racing crew had arrived and immediately began to unload the S15.

After revising the front end of the Silvia for this year’s time attack season, it seems the rear end needed some attention. If you recall back in February they discovered there was just not enough rear downforce to balance out the front…

…so Under Suzuki, seen here tailing to Daniel from GCG Turbos…

…designed and created all-new bolt on rear overfenders to help push the rear end to the ground.

You really have to take a look at it from the rear to get the idea of how much wider the S15 is now. When I asked Suzuki-san if he was able to feel any difference after his test sessions at Tsukuba and Fuji, he said that there have been so many small changes to the car it’s hard to pinpoint where the extra stability comes from. He also plans to make a full underbody cover/diffuser for the car next year; there was just not enough time this time round.

Another change is the extended carbon trunk lid, which now sports an integrated lip spoiler.

As the team started to push the lightweight Silvia towards the warehouse it was then that I noticed just how long the rear extractors are! Good thing they wrapped them up as they extend well over the trunkline.

The car was pushed to another side of the warehouse where…

…surprise surprise a couple of other cars were waiting. This year Pan Speed has ditched the FD3S and decided to participate with their completely rebuilt RX-8 time attack car. Since we last saw this crazy machine back at the Roadster and Rotary Meeting in Sendai Hi-Land last fall it has gained another 150HP thanks to a naturally aspirated 3-rotor engine. Pan Speed were concerned the heavier engine (+30 kg over the NA 13B that powered it before) would upset the car’s balance, so shaved 30 kg of weight off thanks to an even more stripped out interior featuring tons of dry carbon.

Top Fuel, in collaboration with Voltex (who have stopped working on the Cyber Evo), had driven all the way up from Osaka to deliver their new and improved S2000 which has been totally reworked with even wilder aero…

…developed in the wind tunnel to deliver the highest amount of downforce possible. The front and rear spoilers had been removed, as well as its suspension raised up, in order to facilitate loading and unloading into and out of the container.

Nobuteru Taniguchi will be the man driving the S2000 at Eastern Creek, the first time he participates at the event.

A little detail of the front headlight intake that helps feed fresh air to the big HKS turbo. Yes that is snake-skin-like vinyl on both the headlights and roof!

Here is a proper rear view of the Scorch S15. It was already the wildest time-attack Silvia in the world, now it’s even more extreme!

Save a few body panels Suzuki-san’s car is almost all dry carbon. Here is a close up shot of the T&E Vertex dry carbon roof the car was fitted with last year.

GCG are partners of Pan Speed so even if the RX-8 has no turbos, it still proudly wares the GCG logos on each side of the carbon hood. Here is Daniel carefully placing the stickers in place.

Outside there was tons of other stuff that teams needed to unload from their trucks. Everything you see above is what Scorch Racing and Under Suzuki are shipping off along with the car. There are lots of spare wheels and tires as well as parts and all the tools they could possibly need. After lots of unexpected problems prematurely ending their outing last year, they aren’t taking any chances this time round!

And in case you are wondering where the all-new, bright orange, Cyber Evo was…well it never showed up.  Garage HRS and Tarzan Yamada had a short test session at Fuji this past Sunday where Tarzan realized that some last minute fixes of the new C-West designed body were needed. The car was taken back down to Osaka, the fixes taken care of and then transported back to Garage HRS in Yokohama last night. They were still busy finishing things up this morning, but I am told it arrived safe and sound at the docks later in the afternoon. So I guess we will just have to wait and see it in all its newfound orangey glory down in Sydney!

WTAC 2012 is shaping up to be one hell of an event!

WTAC 2012 official website

-Dino Dalle Carbonare

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1
ScottMitchellVideo

Good to see some up to date shots, are you attending WTAC dino?

2
speedhunters_dino

 @ScottMitchellVideo Thanks Scott.  Not this year I'm afraid

3

I thought that the Cyber Evo is going to retire, only to be replaced by some Cyber GTR?
Anyhow, the new c-west kit is so sick! Looking forward to how that monster is going to perform! 

4
Brandon Motteram

The RE Amemiya FD looks amazing!

5

Silvia all the way <3

6

 @speedhunters_dino WHAT?! NOOOOOO!!! DX

7

 @speedhunters_dino Seems just Brad Lord from NZ is going from SH. Rather downsized crew compared to last year with 3 guys with You, Matt, Casey.
Well should be a great event, I've got media for it too.

8
ScottMitchellVideo

 @Crossmember  @speedhunters_dino As if the event isn't big enough to go on the SH radar..

9

This is madness. And the Silvia is even more mad!

10

And it's good to see rival cars parked side by side. Are they going to Australia as a team?

11

 @ScottMitchellVideo Don't worry we still plan to have in depth coverage of the event.

12
DurianMilkshake

@Maximumyin HURRICANE 7. Also no Cyber Evo?

13

@DurianMilkshake Cyber Evo is coming. Also possibly Cyber GTR...

14

"Pan Speed were concerned the heavier engine (+30 kg over the NA 13B that powered it before) would upset the car’s balance, so shaved 30 kg of weight off thanks to an even more stripped out interior featuring tons of dry carbon."
 
Taking weight off the front end is still the most crucial to the balance of a race car, and taking weight out the interior only helps lighten the rear of the car. Racing Beat makes aluminum side housings, while Rohan@Xtreme Rotaries makes a 20B aluminum center housing, which would put an all aluminum 20B short block at the same or even less than the weight of a stock 13B. Too bad the majority of JDM's are too narrow-sighted to look at the big global tuning picture....FOR SHAME

15

"Pan Speed were concerned the heavier engine (+30 kg over the NA 13B that powered it before) would upset the car’s balance, so shaved 30 kg of weight off thanks to an even more stripped out interior featuring tons of dry carbon."
 
Taking weight off the front end is still the most crucial to the balance of a race car, and taking weight out the interior only helps lighten the rear of the car. Racing Beat makes aluminum side housings, while Xtreme Rotaries makes a 20B aluminum center housing, which would put an all aluminum 20B short block at the same or even less than the weight of a stock 13B. Too bad the majority of JDM's are too narrow-sighted to look at the big global tuning picture....FOR SHAME

16
DurianMilkshake

@Maximumyin Cyber GTR?! WRAHHH #godzilla

17

the scorch silvia just keeps getting crazier and crazier.  i love it!

18

That S2k is cold blooded!! (WAKA-WAKA!!) hahah

19

This year will be a chance for the other countries.
 
So Japan will not be champion this year.

20
ScottMitchellVideo

 @RodChong Was beginning to think you were going to forget us down south.
Thanks

21

yo dino pass my comment along to pan speed bout the aluminum housings since u r the #1 jdm fanboi

22
speedhunters_dino

 @yanes33537 No, each will be fighting for the fastest lap, no teams

23
speedhunters_dino

They are still building the GTR so the Evo will keep racing until that is released.  Maybe this will be its last outing...who knows?

24
speedhunters_dino

 @rawasfuk And what comment about the aluminum housings would that be Mr. rawasfuck?

25

Man i wish i could see cars like this...    then again i probably couldn't contain my excitement

26

 @yanes33537  This is not madness, this is WTAC!

27

 @rawasfuk funny how the japanese havent been beaten wtac then?

28

 @rawasfuk Yeah i've heard "rawasfuk" tuning company makes waay better cars then Pan Speed. Look foward to seeing you run at WTAC this year

29

A beautiful feature Dino! I am not complaining about anything this time. Well done!

30
speedhunters_dino

 @jonas maurstad Haha, no complaints, must be a first!

31
speedhunters_dino

 @jonas maurstad Haha, no complaints, must be a first!

32
speedhunters_dino

 @jonas maurstad Haha, no complaints, must be a first!

33
speedhunters_dino

 @jonas maurstad Haha, no complaints, must be a first!

34
speedhunters_dino

 @jonas maurstad Haha, no complaints, must be a first!

35

TopFuel Voltex S2k = Vrai peau de serpent  vrai peau de serpent vrai vrai vrai peau de serpent !

36

TopFuel Voltex S2k = Vrai peau de serpent  vrai peau de serpent vrai vrai vrai peau de serpent !

37

TopFuel Voltex S2k = Vrai peau de serpent  vrai peau de serpent vrai vrai vrai peau de serpent !

38

TopFuel Voltex S2k = Vrai peau de serpent  vrai peau de serpent vrai vrai vrai peau de serpent !

39

TopFuel Voltex S2k = Vrai peau de serpent  vrai peau de serpent vrai vrai vrai peau de serpent !

40

great preview, Dino. Suzuki and Scorch are most definitely one, if not THE, most inspiring privateer drivers/cars out there. i think it's time for him to actually get a properly designed livery now!

41

great preview, Dino. Suzuki and Scorch are most definitely one, if not THE, most inspiring privateer drivers/cars out there. i think it's time for him to actually get a properly designed livery now!

42

great preview, Dino. Suzuki and Scorch are most definitely one, if not THE, most inspiring privateer drivers/cars out there. i think it's time for him to actually get a properly designed livery now!

43

great preview, Dino. Suzuki and Scorch are most definitely one, if not THE, most inspiring privateer drivers/cars out there. i think it's time for him to actually get a properly designed livery now!

44

great preview, Dino. Suzuki and Scorch are most definitely one, if not THE, most inspiring privateer drivers/cars out there. i think it's time for him to actually get a properly designed livery now!

45
speedhunters_dino

 @K1 I agree. I have tons of respect for the guy and what he has been able to achieve. Maybe a big sponsor will notice the sheer passion and attention he brings to the sport. It will be interesting to see what he will be able to achieve this year.

46

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