It’s not daily that lap data are shattered whereas the wind tries its greatest to brush every little thing off the observe. However then once more, this isn’t simply any day – that is the 2024 Yokohama World Time Assault Problem.
After an extended, frosty winter, a well-timed heat spell left Sydney Motorsport Park feeling as if it was on fireplace over Friday and Saturday final week. Spring had arrived down below.
The nice and cozy, windy climate was nice for spectators, but it surely threw an additional spanner within the works for all of the groups – particularly these on the pointy finish of this circuit-based competitors.
Observe temperatures fluctuated wildly, conserving everybody guessing and adjusting their setups. It’s all par for the course on the world’s greatest time assault occasion.
The unpredictable August climate meant the wind may choose up with 80km/h gusts at any second and immediately disrupt groups’ greatest laid plans.
Contemporary Faces
Whereas many crowd favourites made a return to WTAC this 12 months, a recent wave of latest worldwide groups and faces introduced an added layer of pleasure.
Luke Fink, Jay Duca, and all the Wrecking Crew unleashed Australia’s angriest drift machines for full-track exhibition laps. After which there was Mad Mike Whiddett.
Competing in each time assault and the nighttime Garrett Worldwide Drifting Cup, the loopy Kiwi saved everybody on edge.
Mad Mike made WTAC historical past as the primary to enter each disciplines in the identical automotive – Bullet, a 1,400hp turbo four-rotor and rear-wheel-drive-converted Mazda3 initially constructed for the Pikes Peak Worldwide Hill Climb. The TCP-Magic mechanics should’ve been fueled by adrenaline and Purple Bull as they always switched between grip and drift setups.
A debut entry this 12 months was the primary electrical car. For those who thought the Nürburgring was the one playground for EVs, suppose once more. Misha Charoudin swapped the Inexperienced Hell for Sydney, debuting an electrical time assault machine that turned heads.
Staff Hyundai N, WTAC regulars, entered the Clubsprint class in a frivolously modified IONIQ 5 N. With some customized Alpha Vulcan aero, a full roll cage and extra, the EV hatchback was remodeled from a high-performance house equipment right into a bonafide race automotive, permitting Misha to present Sydney Motorsport Park a silent however scorching go.
We are able to’t overlook Yashio Manufacturing unit’s Nissan Silvia S15, piloted by the person himself, Kazuyoshi ‘Oka-chan’ Okamura.
The neon pink Professional-Am class contender and its animated driver added a recent burst of color to the occasion.
Ando Yasuhiro, one other Japanese time assault legend, returned together with his formidable Staff Scoot Mazda RX-7. Ando’s FD3S was a crowd favorite, showcasing the relentless pursuit of velocity and innovation that defines time assault racing.
Daigo Saito returned for the Worldwide Drifting Cup, however luck wasn’t on his facet this 12 months.
Alongside these Japanese heavyweights was Miji Kang from South Korea, showcasing her driving expertise from behind the wheel of a borrowed K24-powered Honda Civic EG hatchback.
As all the time, the World Time Assault Problem delivered its share of drama, and Feras Qartoumy’s journey supplied loads.
After a frantic engine rebuild at Warspeed Industries, the American’s twin-turbo V8 Corvette arrived simply in time for Saturday’s motion.
Was it flawless? No. However Feras pushed his Corvette to the restrict, proving that even when every little thing is stacked in opposition to you, it’s price giving it your all.
In the meantime, the mad Finn Sami Sivonen arrived with a quicker, fiercer Audi R8 1:1 ‘Fats Cat,’ bringing all of the power and enjoyable you’d anticipate from Scandinavia.
Collectively, these entrants added a wealthy layer of variety and competitors to WTAC 2024, making it a very worldwide occasion.
One other main drawcard for this pageant are the uncommon and someday obscure racing equipment chopping demo laps alongside the worldwide visitors. 2024 was no let down.
Rodin Vehicles from New Zealand demonstrated an open-wheeler – suppose circa 2010 F1 automotive…
… and ran their Sintura S99 within the Professional class in opposition to RP968. The bespoke GT1-inspired machine pumps out 650hp and 530Nm of torque from its screaming 4-litre V10 engine.
Up shut, each vehicles are absolute artworks.
My recommendation, by no means skip a chance to see and listen to a Rodin up shut.
Off The File
All through the classes, competitors was fierce and very often determined within the ultimate ‘Superlap Shootout’ session. Within the Emtron Professional class, Barton Mawer didn’t simply dominate – he obliterated.
His ultimate Shootout time of 1:17.444 not solely set a brand new WTAC file but in addition strengthened why RP968 is the workforce to beat.
Their Porsche 968-based creation could have appeared like final 12 months’s entry, but it surely’s advanced enormously over the previous 12 months. Numerous hours spent transforming, changing, and tweaking have made it sharper and quicker than ever.
Within the Plazmaman Professional-Am class, Sivonen’s R8 confirmed that Europe wasn’t right here to play. The ‘Skilled Amateurs’ workforce proved unbeatable upon their return to WTAC.
Regardless of Feras and his freshly rebuilt Corvette giving it their all, Sami’s Finnish precision secured the highest spot.
Feras, nevertheless, wasn’t far off the tempo, reaching a private better of 1:25.4580 within the Superlap Shootout.
The GCG Open class was a rollercoaster. Rob Nguyen’s Dream Mission Nissan Silvia S15 clinched victory in a nail-biting ultimate session.
His 1:25.543 edged out Tim Slade, who, regardless of a heroic effort within the Xtreme GT-R, needed to abort his ultimate lap, leaving his 1:25.9350 greatest to face. The gang was on edge, feeling the strain as the ultimate seconds ticked away.
Within the Haltech Clubsprint class, Trent Grubel was a person on a mission. After an in a single day engine swap, he didn’t simply meet expectations, he shattered them, setting a brand new file with a 1:32.234 lap.
A brand new twist this 12 months was the Turbosmart Flying 500.
Beforehand a single-car v-max velocity problem, this 12 months it advanced into head-to-head road automotive roll races, which I can solely describe as epic.
The power to roll on the beginning line shifted the foundations of engagement, opening up the competitors to all kinds of rear and all-wheel drive vehicles.
Because the solar set on the Flying 500, Sydney Motorsport Park’s essential straight turned a picturesque battleground. The sky was ablaze with golden hues, intermixed with mud, gas vapour, and tyre smoke – merely unforgettable. I hope this format returns in 2025, maybe with a tempting prize pot to draw Australia’s quickest street-registered machines.
The Ultimate Phrase
As a World Time Assault Problem common, the 2024 occasion proved the formulation of enjoyable and velocity nonetheless works. That stated, the small adjustments applied this 12 months present there’s nonetheless potential for it to evolve, refine, and enhance.
From intense on-track battles to vibrant shows within the paddock, Sydney Motorsport Park was the final word stage for two days of automotive brilliance. Information have been shattered, legends have been born, and as soon as once more WTAC proved why it’s the best time assault occasion on the planet.
Matthew Everingham
Instagram: matthew_everingham
[email protected]
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