World Time Attack Challenge 2022

The Yokohama World Time Attack Challenge team made up for their 2-year hiatus by raising the bar once again with a new format and night racing under lights. 

Record rainfalls and widespread flooding did not bode well for WTAC and the weather forecast looked rather gloomy with only 24 hours to go. 

Miraculously, the rain clouds parted and even allowed a bit of sunshine on Saturday with not a single drop of rain falling on the Sydney Motorsport Park during the event.

The Haltech display was at the centre of attention, with people flocking to see the Zacaria supercar up close. 

Our project R31 Skyline made an appearance at the Stylized show’n’shine much to the delight of the build series followers.

The quantity and quality of automotive eye candy on display at Stylized was incredible with all modifying tastes catered for.

Racing on Day 1 was now untimed, with the teams taking advantage of the long days to get in as many laps as possible at each session.

The extra-long day allowed for racing to go well into the night as the Sydney Motorsport Park lit up like a small city. 

The sun came out in the morning of Day 2 as did all the local big guns.

Even though the outright WTAC lap record has not been broken this year, both the winner and the runner-up in the Royal Purple Pro Class laid down 1:20 laps with just 0.8 sec separating the two.

The lap records did get broken however, with the most impressive lap time going to Jamal “Jimmy” Assaad who took the win in the Haltech Clubsprint Class.

The reigning class champion set a blistering lap time of 1.33.7 cutting 5 seconds off his previous best and setting a new benchmark for the class.

Sharing the podium with Assaad were Idin Ahangar in the GotItRex STi GD Impreza and Trent Grubel in the DC Jap Automotive Subaru.

A new lap record was also set in the GCG Open Class with Nathan Morcom stopping the clock at 1.27.247 in the Insight Motorsports, Mitsubishi Evo VIII. 

Congratulations to all those who fought their way onto the WTAC 2022 podiums:

Royal Purple Pro Class
1st: RP968 Porsche 968 – Barton Mawer –  1.20.1
2nd: Tilton Mitsubishi Evo IX – Brad Shiels – 1.20.9
3rd: GotItRex Subaru WRX STi – Nathan Antunes – 1.28.68

Plazmaman Pro Am Class
1st: Tilton Mitsubishi Evo IX – Konstinken Phorukov – 1.26.102
2nd: Gingerbread Racing – Subaru WRX STi – Jay Davidson – 1.33.59
3rd: 991 Racing – Ginetta G50 – Richard Perini – 1.33.65

GCG Open Class
1st: Insight Motorsport – Mitsubishi Evo VIII – Nathan Morcom –  1.27.247
2nd: Xtreme GTR – Nissan R32 GTR – Tim Slade – 1.27.379
3rd: BYP – Honda Integra – Benny Tran – 1.30.320

Haltech Clubsprint Class
1st: Team ERS – Mitsubishi Evo VI – Jamal Assaad – 1.33.70 
2nd: GotItRex – Subaru WRX STi – Idin Ahangar – 1.35.22
3rd: DC Jap Automotive – Subaru WRX STi – 1.36.08

Haltech Highlights

Our “Standout Performer” award has to go to Rahul Victor and the 7dere team. 

Competing the Haltech Clubsprint Class, Rahul reset his PB twice during the event, shaving over 3 seconds off his previous PB.

“We came out of the doors blazing, setting PB after PB with each lap but we had issues making boost and were only hitting around 18psi (last WTAC we were at 24psi)”

After the crew resolved the boost problems Rahul set his sights on getting into the Superlap Shootout and went into full attack mode in the last session.

“We could now wind it all the way up to full power! It was the last session so I sent it a bit too hard and tried to take Turn 1 without braking at a higher speed.”

Unfortunately the notorious Turn 1 claimed another victim with Rahul losing control mid-corner at about 220kph, barely avoiding the wall. While both the driver and the car escaped unharmed the incident did cost Rahul a spot in the shootout.

“I know every team says this every year, but my car has plenty more in it and we have some unfinished business at Sydney Motorsport Park!”

Rahul’s Mazda RX7FD uses Haltech’s Elite 1500 ECU to control the bridge-ported 13B turbo.

SX Developments debuted their SR20 powered and Haltech-controlled Nissan 180SX. Driven by Andrew Handmer the car laid down a 1:35.81 lap time, good enough for a 5th spot in the Plazmaman Pro Am class.

“I’m super happy with how the car ran, and it has a ridiculous amount of potential. The weakest link now is the driver, but it should be a lot of fun improving that problem!”

Only 0.3sec behind was Brian Bugh in his “Winefuelled” Nissan R35 GTR. It was great to finally see the beast stretching its legs around a fast circuit.

Check out our build/wiring vlog on this car here: https://youtu.be/OjBsaF34Ts4

Motive DVD’s S14 Silvia drew plenty of attention with its new engine setup. In the capable hands of John Boston the car recorded its fastest lap of 1:33.79. The car is still running Haltech’s venerable Platinum Sport ECU.

Paul Koveceski campaigned his Porsche 944 in the Haltech Clubsprint Class. It was Paul’s first outing since a major overhaul of the car’s engine setup. Paul battled mechanical gremlins all throughout Day 1 but when the car finally went out it performed well.

“It was great to get it out on the track, I’m looking forward to more seat time to bring the times down!”

Mark Collingwood’s naturally aspirated MX-5 was one of the best-sounding cars in the Clubsprint Class.

Artemis Kazangas from One Stop Racing Solutions narrowly escaped damage after an off-road excursion in the morning session. We were glad to see his beautifully presented RX7 back racing soon after, unscathed.

Close Enough Racing MR2 Spyder is a menacing sight. One of only two MR2s competing at WTAC, it certainly stands out on the track! Despite appearing unchanged on the outside, the car underwent a major overhaul since the last WTAC.

The driver, Justin Gaujenieks says: “This was possibly the hardest event for myself as a driver I’ve ever competed in. I was struggling to gain confidence in the almost completely new car but having an amazing partner and group of friends/team kept the drive going to improve and push on.”

Australasian Drift Titles

The 2022 Australasian Drift Titles Presented By Garrett Advancing Motion started with a 34-car field and, after the dust settled, Brad Tuohy emerged a winner in his Zestino Tyres Toyota 86.

Brad battled through a star-studded field defeating Matt Harvey and Pat Barlee on his way to the crown.

Jason Ferron’s absolutely mental, Barra-powered, Haltech-controlled Nissan R31 wagon. So much WIN right there!

Anthony Bilic’s freshly re-done S13 Silvia. One of the best-presented cars in the drift comp. Anthony battled his way through to the Top 8 where he succumbed to the eventual winner Brad Tuohy.

In a sea of Nissans and Toyotas, this car stands out like the proverbial… Anthony Probert’s Barra-powered and Haltech-controlled XD Falcon is a good-looking and capable beast.

Matt Hill’s brand new S15 Silvia looks a treat and goes hard too. Powered by Toyota’s 2JZ and controlled by a Haltech ECU, we expect to see more of this car soon.

The Pullen Spec Engines boys brought their LS-powered Hilux ute down from Queensland. It was hands down the most angry-sounding drift car at the event!