It’s not each day that lap data are shattered whereas the wind tries its finest to comb all the things off the observe. However then once more, this isn’t simply any day – that is the 2024 Yokohama World Time Assault Problem.
After a protracted, frosty winter, a well-timed heat spell left Sydney Motorsport Park feeling as if it was on hearth over Friday and Saturday final week. Spring had arrived down below.
The nice and cozy, windy climate was nice for spectators, nevertheless it 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, protecting 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 might choose up with 80km/h gusts at any second and immediately disrupt groups’ finest laid plans.
Recent Faces
Whereas many crowd favourites made a return to WTAC this yr, a recent wave of recent worldwide groups and faces introduced an added layer of pleasure.
Luke Fink, Jay Duca, and the complete 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 stored everybody on edge.
Mad Mike made WTAC historical past as the primary to enter each disciplines in the identical automobile – 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 yr was the primary electrical automobile. Should you thought the Nürburgring was the one playground for EVs, assume once more. Misha Charoudin swapped the Inexperienced Hell for Sydney, debuting an electrical time assault machine that turned heads.
Group Hyundai N, WTAC regulars, entered the Clubsprint class in a flippantly 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 dwelling equipment right into a bonafide race automobile, permitting Misha to offer Sydney Motorsport Park a silent however scorching go.
We are able to’t overlook Yashio Manufacturing facility’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 Group Scoot Mazda RX-7. Ando’s FD3S was a crowd favorite, showcasing the relentless pursuit of pace and innovation that defines time assault racing.
Daigo Saito returned for the Worldwide Drifting Cup, however luck wasn’t on his facet this yr.
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 at all times, the World Time Assault Problem delivered its share of drama, and Feras Qartoumy’s journey supplied lots.
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 all the things is stacked towards you, it’s value 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 count on from Scandinavia.
Collectively, these entrants added a wealthy layer of range and competitors to WTAC 2024, making it a very worldwide occasion.
One other main drawcard for this competition are the uncommon and someday obscure racing equipment reducing demo laps alongside the worldwide friends. 2024 was no let down.
Rodin Automobiles from New Zealand demonstrated an open-wheeler – assume circa 2010 F1 automobile…
… and ran their Sintura S99 within the Professional class towards 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 artistic endeavors.
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 last ‘Superlap Shootout’ session. Within the Emtron Professional class, Barton Mawer didn’t simply dominate – he obliterated.
His last Shootout time of 1:17.444 not solely set a brand new WTAC file but additionally strengthened why RP968 is the group to beat.
Their Porsche 968-based creation might have regarded like final yr’s entry, nevertheless it’s developed significantly over the previous 12 months. Numerous hours spent remodeling, 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’ group 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 Venture Nissan Silvia S15 clinched victory in a nail-biting last session.
His 1:25.543 edged out Tim Slade, who, regardless of a heroic effort within the Xtreme GT-R, needed to abort his last lap, leaving his 1:25.9350 finest to face. The group 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 yr was the Turbosmart Flying 500.
Beforehand a single-car v-max pace problem, this yr it developed into head-to-head avenue automobile roll races, which I can solely describe as epic.
The power to roll on the beginning line shifted the principles 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 most important straight turned a picturesque battleground. The sky was ablaze with golden hues, intermixed with mud, gasoline 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 Closing Phrase
As a World Time Assault Problem common, the 2024 occasion proved the method of enjoyable and pace nonetheless works. That mentioned, the small adjustments carried out this yr 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 last word stage for two days of automotive brilliance. Data have been shattered, legends have been born, and as soon as once more WTAC proved why it’s the best time assault occasion on this planet.
Matthew Everingham
Instagram: matthew_everingham
matt@mattheweveringham.com
WTAC By My Lens
