We’re back at Tsukuba Circuit for the 11th annual Attack meet – the biggest yet. Jumping up from 2023’s record numbers, this year saw a staggering 190 entrants sign up to compete.
Some drivers were competing for the Tsukuba record, others just a personal best. That’s the beauty of time attack – everyone is welcome.
Cramming 190 competing cars into this small venue is no easy feat. Spread across all of Tsukuba’s paddocks, the atmosphere was buzzing from early on, with many people arriving to set up hours before the first session.
With so many entrants, the variety of cars was at an all-time high too. However, it was quite obvious which chassis is most popular for Japanese time attack.
Aoki-san, Attack’s organiser, still managed to squeeze a handful of laps in amongst the chaos. He’s perfected the pit-to-circuit routine, warming his brakes and tyres, then rolling straight out into a hot lap.
We’ll kick things off from the pit lane, where that chassis of choice is in no shortage. FD3S Mazda RX-7s are everywhere at Attack, but aside from their rotary hearts, all cars are completely different from one another.
There were plenty of familiar cars and faces, including the Aslan EG6 Honda Civic, which broke the NA Class record with a staggering 55.037-second lap the day prior to Attack. That time was achieved with 295/35R18 front tyres – serious rubber for a little Civic.
What do you do when you can’t decide between your Honda S2000 and your Porsche 996 Cup car? You bring both, of course. Not a bad pair to juggle between sessions.
If there’s one thing I love about Attack, it’s the innovation you see. Check out the DIY aluminium foil brake warmers and this ingenious wheel nut storage basket.
The RE Amemiya and Team Kizuna Goudabankin rotary-powered Mazda Chantez was a left-of-field entry and easily the crowd favourite.
Last year’s Attack coverage sparked a conversation about the lack of EV entrants. Well, this year a Tesla Plaid made a real statement with its 59.598 lap. Love it or hate it, this will be the first of many EVs we’ll see competing in the years to come.
It wouldn’t be a good year at Attack without an abundance of Porsches. Many of these cars are no strangers to the event, but one in particular piqued my interest.
This LS-swapped T-tec 993GT was another stand-out Porsche. The team battled issues throughout the day, but still managed a 58.035-second lap.
The time-attacking Suzuki Jimnys returned once again. An unusual but welcome sight out on track, I have nothing but admiration for how far these cars have come from their over-landing roots.
As Attack Tsukuba continues to grow in size, the diversity follows. This is why Attack is always a calendar highlight for me, and by far one of the best events to check out here in Japan if you’re planning a visit.
For now though, stay tuned for a closer look at four of my favourite cars from the day.
Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
Looking over a meticulously restored car up close you get to see the many hours of work put in to bring it to its pristine condition and when I used to go to car shows I looked forward to this. I hadn’t really looked much at race cars and their scrapes and scars, I was too young to even care. Now when I look at them I appreciate them so much more.
Pristine cars at shows are great, but you can't beat the character of a well-used, purpose build car.
Nice mix of cars. I've never understood the appeal of Tsukuba as a track. Seems a bit "rinky dink" in terms of the low speed and smaller track width. Seems like it would be a lot more fun in a formula car or something really tiny, but boring in a bigger car like a GT-R. There aren't any ballsy fast corners there either.
295mm isn't that crazy on a Civic. That's exactly what you want on a track like this as is backed by the time. I once raced a Miata with 335mm tires and people thought that was crazy. I won my class 1st time out in the build by 0.9 seconds on a 9/10ths mile course (super rinky dink track).
quick note on the 911 with the LS swap: a few years back was talking to someone who did an aluminum LS swap into an 80s 911. The guy told me the result was the car dropping 250lbs and going 5 seconds faster than it ever did at their local test circuit. The reason they swapped the engine was the original race engine blew and the builder wanted $100,000 to redo it.
911 enthusiasts get fisted when they go to the track. Better have deep pockets if you track one!
I think the appeal is the location, simplicity, and the short track length. Nice mix of left and rights with the back straight being a little more than 1/4 mile leading into the final last corner. Cant ask for much more on a small track. Also the amount of competition is good, and a sub minute effort tells you exactly where you stand. Theres lots of appeal to this
The fun I suppose comes from the competition at a track like this. That's understandable. Compared to something like the Nurburgring or Willow Springs it is a very simple track. No elevation change. No real camber challenges. A good place to test for sure.
These Tsukuba posts are always the pleasure for many of us who are not as fortunate to see it in real life.
Cool informative post chimmy choo.
Hey Tim,
If that wasn't sarcasm thank you haha. I have been racing a long time now and have learned a lot from some of the top people in the business. Have about 60 hours of archived interviews from F1 guys and sports car designers that I'm debating on releasing, but not sure if the community even cares about this stuff anymore.
My friends have raced against Piquet, Villeneuve family, etc etc and won. And guys I've raced with designed grand prix cars for Prost etc. I like seeing posts like this because it's fun to see how speed in the sports car world is progressing. A lot of these builds look great, but you learn as you track stuff looks don't equal performance. Neither does horsepower. That Civic is badass and the amount of RX7 platforms is a big tell.
You can learn a lot from watching what people track in terms of availability of parts, track time support, etc. This was a cool post and is what SH should be about imo!
I'm more of a canyon guy, but I guess FWD cars need a "stomping ground" too. Funny comment about the 295 being a serious tire?
Are most of these drivers pretty casual, or are there any guys really into the lifestyle? Serious drivers need to put in gravity-boot sessions at least 3 or 4 times a week to help cope with the G-load generated by true "tuner cars". I doubt many of the drivers pictured here are at the level of most canyon runners, but I could be wrong.
Amazing photo work as always Larry
>tires being a full 100+mm wider than factory and are semi-slicks
>not serious
Are you for real or just incredibly dumb?
Frank "IM BURNING MY GUNS YOU DON'T WANT TO MEET ME IN THE CANYONS JACK. I GOT F15S. ARE ANY OF THESE TSUKUBA GUYS REAL SERIOUS CANYON DRIVERS JACK" Profera.
I BET MOST OF THE CANYON DRIVERS I KNOW ARE MORE TALENTED THAN THESE JOKER "NOBs" YOURE TALKING ABOUT JACK.
ONLY NOB I KNOW IS MY DOORKNOB JACK. HAHA. RS211. NO ONE IS FASTER THAN ME JACK.
Franks wife: That's right honey. Whatever you say. Now put on your bib and finish your peas. You're the fastest in the canyons. Ur a big boy Frankie.
Gravity Boots 4 times a week. We got F15s jack.
Frank, every time you open your mouth I don't think you can convince me your IQ is lower, yet every time you open it I am certain it's plummeting. This is one of the dumbest comments I have ever read in my life.
You actually think "most canyon runners" are faster than people who regularly track and tune their cars against a stop watch. This is so moronic I really can't. Hahahahah Jfc you're low IQ.
Thanks! Attack is a pretty vast mix from more 'casual' drivers all the way up to career drivers, like Nob and a few others who get contracted to drive some of the more serious, or demo cars.
I respect you for responding to the elderly in such a kind way. He really doesn't know and it's not his fault. Frank's "cruising pace" is "faster than most people's racing pace" if you didn't know. He could have cruised the RS211 to a 55 second lap. What a God.
lmao.
Always love Tsukuba content. Especially the time attack stuff.
Think I just seen my first Hyundai on a Speedhunters coverage of a Japanese event. Don't even see them on youtubers channels, well the one that I watch anyway. Are Hyundais/Kias popular in Japan?
Hyundai is making a big push in the circuit world with their new N cars. Only just starting to see Hyundais on the streets in Japan this year.
I bet any amount of money this would run in the top 5% of all times ever recorded at this track and would do it for about $30,000.
You simply have to laugh at "tuner culture." It's a waste of money designed to get a bunch of a people rich who dont actually race.
Cute little banana-mobile. Looks like my grandson's (marque:Fisher-Price). Enjoy driving that thing back home, oh wait, it's not plated. Good luck driving that in any canyons, Highway Patrol will have a field day. The net cost of that little toy is less than a successful person's business lunch
For the record that kart makes 100hp and weighs 340-360lbs with a driver in it. Class rules stipulate race weight of 400lbs.
They lap similar times around many circuits to Formula 3000 cars. For reference a Formula Nippon which is slower than a F3000 car will run 44 seconds flat around Tsukuba.
It is very reasonable to suggest a 250 Class 1 super kart as shown above would likely lap this track in the 39-40 second range conservatively.
To call that a child’s toy shows how uneducated you really are about performance machines. Who cares if it doesn’t have a number plate. Neither do F1 cars. Or IMSA cars. Or can am cars.
As stated you are 100% one of the dumbest people and a reflection of the stupidity of “canyon only” drivers.
You’d crash a superkart and kill your self. Waaaay beyond your skill level!
"250 Superkarts have been likened to miniature Formula1 cars, racing on the same famous long circuit tracks around the world that F/1 and IndyCars do, at speeds in excess of 160mph and are, without doubt, the F/1 of the kart racing world. Being fitted with 6-speed 250cc GP motorcycle engines, 4-wheel disc brakes, full bodywork with rear wing, these karts have come a long way from Art Ingels' first "go-kart" and hold outright lap records at many tracks around the world.
As with Formula1 or IndyCars, this is not a beginner's class. Most drivers have started out in Sprint karts, moving to 125 Shifters and then to the 250 Superkart class; or have gained their experience racing bikes or cars and switch to Superkarts. Minimum age for drivers is 18 with at least two years of prior shifter kart or comprable experience."
Shut your mouth you old ignorant phuck. You couldn't drive one of these if someone put a gun to your head lmao. You're such a loser.
I'm sure they're wonderful toys. Pushing the limits of Gs on a canyon road isn't for the faint hearted. I would never fault someone for being too afraid to break Newton's laws in a street-plated machine. In fact, I commend your thrift and rationality.
But some of us like to enjoy life
Check out the RS211 by the way if you haven't heard of me. Or maybe a little car called the 911 Turbo might ring a bell Doubt you'll answer back and enlighten us with what you drive. Ball is in your court buster
Very familiar with your dumb build and your dumb ass comments / insights into motorsport that are founded in...fantasy land jack f*** all theory of "the canyons."
You're legitimately retarded.
Lmao. You’re a legitimate moron Frank.
-Hiding with an anonymous name
-Babbling about budget toy carts..... on a car websight
-4 consecutive replies and still haven't told us what you drive
The millenial generation reaches new lows!
I get paid to race and fly all over the country. Haven't had to pay for a ride in 12 years cup cake.
Curious - do you know how the new Cayman gt4 Porsches did? would love to own one someday - was wondering how they faired with that competition out there
@chimmy, no sarcasm here. Thankful that grassroots Japanese and circuit racing is still appreciated by real knowledgeable folks in the present tense.
Japanese car culture has always had a tendency to be diluted by the inexperienced and unknowledgeable.
It's gotten so much of a bad rep since its exposure to the world that many times many real car heads can't take it seriously despite all the high horsepower, ingenuity, and engineering that goes into these machines people still don't quite get them.
Thanks for hangin' out with us bud!