World Time Attack Challenge 2024

World Time Attack Challenge 2024 felt like a whole new beast. There was just something in the air that made this year feel special from the moment you walked through the gates. This year I tried to spend more time enjoying the event for myself rather than constantly taking photos. It can be difficult to find the right balance between being present and living in the moment, and also chasing the best possible photos. Witnessing such an event with my own eyes as opposed to through a lens was a welcomed change however. I don’t attend with any media credentials or representing anyone. I do this just out of passion for WTAC and I love every moment.

2024 brought the heat when it came to on track action. We once again saw the overall record fall, thanks to RP968 and Barton Mawer. The team managing to beat their own record not once, but twice, finishing the event with a 1:17.444. However the most exciting class to watch for me was definitely the open class. The super lap shootout on Saturday night seeing the number 1 spot change hands 4 times in 5 minutes, with teams pushing to the absolute limit chasing the one perfect lap. The open class record now sitting at 1:25.543 set by Rob Nguyen in the Dream Project S15. 
The Clubsprint class record was also reset by DC Jap Automotive and Trent Grubel, beating out their previous record now at 1:32.234. 
The only record still standing from previous years is the Pro-Am record set by the Tilton Evo at 1:24.630 but the R8 1:1 piloted by Sami Sivonen was hot on it’s heels with a 1:24.832. 

There’s never a shortage of incredible builds at WTAC and walking through the trade and exhibition stands proves that to be true. From Mad Mike and Red Bull’s twin turbo 4 rotor Mazda 3 BULLET, to the previous record holding TRP 350z drag car and all the Flying 500 competitors spread out in between, there is certainly no shortage of horsepower to admire.

The show and shine this year was hosted by Donut Garage. With this being their first year hosting they brought a fresh change to the atmosphere. On the Friday where the show and shine area is usually empty, they still managed to put a decent amount of vehicles on display without any major spoilers for the main event on Saturday. Once Saturday rolled around as always some of the best builds from not just the city or the state but Australia wide were on show. I only captured a fraction of what was on offer and as you can see there’s a nice variety with something for everyone to enjoy.

My only hopes to make 2025 even better would be to bring back my favourite car. Mr Baker if you read this, we need Fire Ando in the Team Escort Evo back ASAP!