In the beginning…
The beginnings of the World Time Attack Challenge can be traced back to a local event, held at Sydney’s now defunct Oran Park Raceway. In 2008 Ian Baker organised the first Superlap Australia event after going to Japan and competing with the Hi Octane Racing team at the famous Tsukuba Circuit.
Ian recalls: “I was so impressed with the quality of cars and the whole time attack scene in Japan that I thought – we need to introduce this sport to Australia!”
As the interest and participation in the format grew, Ian saw an opportunity to re-create the event on a scale previously unseen in the sport of time attack. The idea was to create a truly international event where the best of international time attack teams compete on the same track at the same event. In this format, the teams represent not just the tuning shops behind the car but also their country. All for the glory of being crowned the World Time Attack Champion.
The inaugural World Time Attack Challenge was held in 2010 at the Eastern Creek Raceway and proved to be a huge success. It was the first time Australian teams competed against the international time attack superpowers; Japan and the USA. With the likes of PanSpeed, CyberEvo, R-Magic and Sierra Sierra putting their best times on the line, the time attack fever had officially hit our shores.
The 2010 and 2011 events saw the Japanese CyberEvo team battle USA’s Sierra Sierra to a nail-biting finish.
Both times CyberEvo emerged victorious.
The response from the participants, sponsors, exhibitors, spectators and the media was phenomenal and surpassed our expectations. The icing on the cake was winning the Speedhunters’ Event Of The Year – a poll voted on by the Speedhunters readers.
[pullquote]Yokohama World Time Attack Challenge has cemented
its position as the premier time attack event in the world.[/pullquote]
World Time Attack Challenge grew rapidly setting new records for attendance and lap times each year. This rapid growth has been attributed firstly to the affordability of time attack racing in comparison to other forms of motorsport; whilst it may not be cheap to build a PRO level time attack car, it is considerably less expensive than running a race series in any other class. The lower time attack classes are still considered relatively affordable to the average wage earner giving everyone the possibility of competing in an international motorsport event beside international superstars.
World Time Attack Challenge – where the stars come out to play. 2010/12 WTAC Champion “Tarzan” Yamada poses for a group photo with his fans.
So much to see and do…
So what can you expect to see at the World Time Attack Challenge? Well, for starters you are going to witness the highest level of time attack competition in the world! There is simply no other event brings together the caliber of teams that you get to see at WTAC. But time attack racing is only part of our show, at lunch time Australia’s fastest tuner cars line up on the main straight for the Turbosmart Flying 500 – a rolling start 500m race with the car reaching the highest top speed crowned a winner.
Turbosmart Flying 500: 14 cars, 3 runs each, highest top speed wins.
We follow that with the Turbo Legends race where the heroes of yesteryear take to the track to showcase the technology that ruled the Australian motorsport in the 1980s and 90s. We end the lunch time entertainment with drifting demos and stunt driving.
Relive the excitement of the 1980s and 90s with the Turbo Legends. On display all day and on the track during lunch.
If you want to take a break from the on-track action there’s no shortage of attractions in the pit zone. The Trader Alley is bursting with exhibitors showing off their latest products as well as offering expert advise. From suspension, brakes, engine components and turbos to wheels, tyres and car care products there is something for any automotive enthusiast to see, touch and sample. If mechanical things are not your cup of tea, then you might head over to the centre stage for the Miss Time Attack contest.
From vintage JDM classics to highly modified race cars and performance exotica – you’ll find it all at the WTAC Show’n’Shine.
Head over to the skid pan and take in the largest outdoor car show in Australia. From vintage JDM classics through to modern performance cars and over-the-top custom builds that will leave you breathless. This is a judged show so make sure you cast your vote for the “most popular” trophies. A short walk from the Show’n’Shine is the WTAC helipad. If you want to experience the event from a totally different angle – this is the way to do it. Make sure you take your camera with you, the sights are simply spectacular!
Experience WTAC from a completely new angle – above.
So bring your friends, bring your family as there is something for everyone at the Yokohama World Time Attack Challenge.
Audience participation is a big part of the WTAC experience with each General Entry ticket providing access
to the Pit Zone, Pit Building Roof and the Grand Stand.
