It’s not day-after-day that lap records are shattered while the wind tries its best to brush every thing off the track. But nonetheless, this isn’t just any day – that is the 2024 Yokohama World Time Attack Challenge.
After an extended, frosty winter, a well-timed warm spell left Sydney Motorsport Park feeling as if it was on fire over Friday and Saturday last week. Spring had arrived down under.
The nice and cozy, windy weather was nice for spectators, however it threw an additional spanner within the works for all of the teams – especially those at the sharp end of this circuit-based competition.
Track temperatures fluctuated wildly, keeping everyone guessing and adjusting their setups. It’s all par for the course on the world’s biggest time attack event.
The unpredictable August weather meant the wind could pick up with 80km/h gusts at any second and immediately disrupt teams’ best laid plans.
Fresh Faces
While many crowd favourites made a return to WTAC this 12 months, a fresh wave of recent international teams and faces brought an added layer of pleasure.
Luke Fink, Jay Duca, and the whole Wrecking Crew unleashed Australia’s angriest drift machines for full-track exhibition laps. After which there was Mad Mike Whiddett.
Competing in each time attack and the nighttime Garrett International Drifting Cup, the crazy Kiwi kept everyone on edge.
Mad Mike made WTAC history as the primary to enter each disciplines in the identical automobile – Bullet, a 1,400hp turbo four-rotor and rear-wheel-drive-converted Mazda3 originally built for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The TCP-Magic mechanics must’ve been fueled by adrenaline and Red Bull as they consistently switched between grip and drift setups.
A debut entry this 12 months was the primary electric vehicle. For those who thought the Nürburgring was the one playground for EVs, reconsider. Misha Charoudin swapped the Green Hell for Sydney, debuting an electrical time attack machine that turned heads.
Team Hyundai N, WTAC regulars, entered the Clubsprint class in a calmly modified IONIQ 5 N. With some custom Alpha Vulcan aero, a full roll cage and more, the EV hatchback was transformed from a high-performance home appliance right into a bonafide race automobile, allowing Misha to provide Sydney Motorsport Park a silent but scorching go.
We are able to’t overlook Yashio Factory’s Nissan Silvia S15, piloted by the person himself, Kazuyoshi ‘Oka-chan’ Okamura.
The neon pink Pro-Am class contender and its animated driver added a fresh burst of color to the event.
Ando Yasuhiro, one other Japanese time attack legend, returned along with his formidable Team Scoot Mazda RX-7. Ando’s FD3S was a crowd favourite, showcasing the relentless pursuit of speed and innovation that defines time attack racing.
Daigo Saito returned for the International Drifting Cup, but luck wasn’t on his side this 12 months.
Alongside these Japanese heavyweights was Miji Kang from South Korea, showcasing her driving talent from behind the wheel of a borrowed K24-powered Honda Civic EG hatchback.
As at all times, the World Time Attack Challenge delivered its share of drama, and Feras Qartoumy’s journey provided plenty.
After a frantic engine rebuild at Warspeed Industries, the American’s twin-turbo V8 Corvette arrived just in time for Saturday’s motion.
Was it flawless? No. But Feras pushed his Corvette to the limit, proving that even when every thing is stacked against you, it’s value giving it your all.
Meanwhile, the mad Finn Sami Sivonen arrived with a faster, fiercer Audi R8 1:1 ‘Fat Cat,’ bringing all of the energy and fun you’d expect from Scandinavia.
Together, these entrants added a wealthy layer of diversity and competition to WTAC 2024, making it a very international event.
One other major drawcard for this festival are the rare and sometime obscure racing machinery cutting demo laps alongside the international guests. 2024 was no let down.
Rodin Cars from Latest Zealand demonstrated an open-wheeler – think circa 2010 F1 automobile…
… and ran their Sintura S99 within the Pro class against RP968. The bespoke GT1-inspired machine pumps out 650hp and 530Nm of torque from its screaming 4-litre V10 engine.
Up close, each cars are absolute artworks.
My advice, never skip a chance to see and listen to a Rodin up close.
Off The Record
Throughout the categories, competition was fierce and very often decided in the ultimate ‘Superlap Shootout’ session. Within the Emtron Pro class, Barton Mawer didn’t just dominate – he obliterated.
His final Shootout time of 1:17.444 not only set a brand new WTAC record but in addition reinforced why RP968 is the team to beat.
Their Porsche 968-based creation can have looked like last 12 months’s entry, however it’s evolved greatly over the past 12 months. Countless hours spent reworking, replacing, and tweaking have made it sharper and faster than ever.
Within the Plazmaman Pro-Am class, Sivonen’s R8 showed that Europe wasn’t here to play. The ‘Skilled Amateurs’ team proved unbeatable upon their return to WTAC.
Despite Feras and his freshly rebuilt Corvette giving it their all, Sami’s Finnish precision secured the highest spot.
Feras, nonetheless, wasn’t far off the pace, achieving a private better of 1:25.4580 within the Superlap Shootout.
The GCG Open class was a rollercoaster. Rob Nguyen’s Dream Project Nissan Silvia S15 clinched victory in a nail-biting final session.
His 1:25.543 edged out Tim Slade, who, despite a heroic effort within the Xtreme GT-R, needed to abort his final lap, leaving his 1:25.9350 best 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 overnight engine swap, he didn’t just meet expectations, he shattered them, setting a brand new record with a 1:32.234 lap.
A brand new twist this 12 months was the Turbosmart Flying 500.
Previously a single-car v-max speed challenge, this 12 months it evolved into head-to-head street automobile roll races, which I can only describe as epic.
The power to roll on the starting line shifted the foundations of engagement, opening up the competition to a wide selection of rear and all-wheel drive cars.
Because the sun set on the Flying 500, Sydney Motorsport Park’s principal straight became a picturesque battleground. The sky was ablaze with golden hues, intermixed with dust, fuel vapour, and tyre smoke – simply unforgettable. I hope this format returns in 2025, perhaps with a tempting prize pot to draw Australia’s fastest street-registered machines.
The Final Word
As a World Time Attack Challenge regular, the 2024 event proved the formula of fun and speed still works. That said, the small changes implemented this 12 months show there’s still potential for it to evolve, refine, and improve.
From intense on-track battles to vibrant displays within the paddock, Sydney Motorsport Park was the final word stage for two days of automotive brilliance. Records were shattered, legends were born, and once more WTAC proved why it’s the best time attack event on this planet.
Matthew Everingham
Instagram: matthew_everingham
matt@mattheweveringham.com
WTAC Through My Lens
This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
