World Time Attack Challenge - 2017
World Time Attack Challenge, the event of the year! With it literally being awarded "event of the year" for NSW in 2016, I had big expectations for 2017 and it was above and beyond what I could have imagined. As a spectator that’s been attending for the last 4 years I’ve seen the rapid growth of WTAC each year, from the amount of spectators and teams involved, the dedication the competitors put into prepping their cars in order to get that one perfect lap, the show and shine bringing on more and more quality cars ranging from local builds to interstate stance heroes, investor and sponsor stands, the drifting and international guest stars that attend and also the livestream reaching close to half a million viewers around the world!
Now if you’ve been living under a rock for awhile, you might not know about the monster that is the Mazda 767B or you may just know its older brother the 787B, but either way, Mazda created a naturally aspirated 4 rotor capable of around 450Kw/600HP and dropped it in the back of a car that weighs approximately 800kg/1750lb and is extremely aerodynamic and raced it at the Le Mans 24 Hour in the late 80’s and early 90’s. However it wasn’t the only 4-rotor car that was in competition at WTAC, the Mazda had a friend in the turbocharged 4-rotor drift car known as Fatboy and the Japanese crew of the 767B couldn’t help but check it out and snap some photos for inspiration!
This year once again, the lap records were smashed with the Pro Class driver Tim Slade managing a 1 minute 20.971 seconds, which is over a second faster than last year's fastest lap in the same car, the MCA Hammerhead (Nissan S13). The tyres being used cop a massive beating, lasting only a couple of flying laps before being rendered useless from the amount of stress they’re put under with the crazy grip and downforce these cars produce.
Some personal favourites from the event would have to be the Lancia 037 in the Martini Racing livery that was on display. It pulled a heartstring to see such an awesome replica of what would have been hammering through forests in Group B rally stages many years ago. It is a rear-wheel drive, supercharged beast that rightfully earned its spot in the Rally Legends display. Another car being the RE-Amemiya FD RX7 from the JGTC, most recognisable to me for its role in Gran Turismo 2, in such a bright colour, awesome body work and aero, with an angry rotary engine that can be heard from afar, it too has earned its legendary status in my eyes. Both these cars are so special and it truly was amazing to see them up close and in person.
World Time Attack Challenge 2017 was again, the biggest year to date with thousands of people coming through the gates to enjoy a passion that somehow still isn’t completely accepted in the wider community, but I feel is getting there. The growth of the car community as a whole has events like this to thank. I look forward to what 2018 will have to offer and I know that I won’t be disappointed.
