2013 World Time Attack Challenge. And my favourite is....

The 2013 'World Time Attack Challenge' has once again come and gone, and while this event isn't held in Japan, because of the fact that the entries in all categories are almost entirely Japanese makes, I felt it is worthy of a post.

The annual event held at Sydney Motorsport Park in Australia is rapidly growing and has captured the attention of many Motorsports fans across Australia with many locals now building and entering cars in what has to be one of the World's premier Time Attack events.

There is also an ever increasing number of International Teams making the journey to Sydney every year with some absolutely stunning cars, especially those coming from Japan.

My own interest in the event is not in the million Dollar plus professional teams, but the true 'backyard' warriors and small Tuning Shops, some of whom have produced stunning cars that have the performance to match their looks and are an absolute credit to the builders. I have seen the progress of some of these builds on various Internet Forums over the last couple of years, and they keep with the true 'Time Attack' spirit.

One such entry this year, and by far my favourite, is George Whenn's Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution II.

George bought the car in October 2006 as a totally standard Evo II GSR in pretty good condition with the intention of just stripping it out and fitting coilovers, an aftermarket ecu and a Roll cage.

Well that idea did not last too long...

DMS 50mm coilovers, a Carbon Fibre roof,  a 2.3 stroker engine, and a list of parts from such names as Brembo, JUN, SARD, and RaceFab are nice. But the thing that makes this car stand out is the fact that George has built practically the whole thing himself, modifying and improving many factory parts along the way or having parts custom made, instead of simply buying off the shelf components.

The first incarnation and completed car. Very beautifully done indeed.  　最初の出来上がり。

A blown engine at a track day testing the new car meant it was back to the garage, and as often happens, this is where George went 'mad', deciding to put the car on a massive weight saving diet, and a custom wide body conversion.

The result was this:

Hard to believe that this was not built by a professional Workshop.　　　　プロのチューニングショップではなく、個人で作ったと思えないぐらい良く出来ている車です。

Close to completion, beautiful workmanship where ever you look.　　　　　どこを見ても、とても綺麗で丁寧に作られています。

Fast forward to October 2013 and the Pro Am class of the World Time Attack Challenge, and George was finally able to show the World what he'd built.
Teething problems including a Radiator that decided to keep splitting meant that he wasn't able to fully explore the capabilities of the car, so he made the hard decision to retire from the event early. However a very respectable time of 1:35.470 shows the potential of the car. Considering the very limited amount of testing able to be done before the event, this was a great result.

In the pit bay at Sydney Motorsport Park.　　　　今年シドニーであったワールドタイムアタックでデビュー。

Photo courtesy of ON THE REDLINE

Photo courtesy of ON THE REDLINE

George has plenty of reasons to be smiling!

Here's a look at what it goes like around Sydney Motorsport Park,  lots of potential once it is fined tuned, and I for one cannot wait to see George on the Podium next year :-)

 LINK-->     WTAC Incar Video link