The World Time Attack Challenge is on this weekend, at Eastern Creek Speedway, Sydney, Australia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vPn0kwzTdM
Teaser Video

Info and coverage:
MotoIQ
Speedhunters
World Time Attack Challenge website

The cars that have entered are just insane, and all the teams seem to have stepped up their game in a big way. Most of these cars sport 600 to 700+ hp, but this year, the focus seems to be on aerodynamics.














Pan Speed RX-7



Cyber Evo



And it's full Voltex underbody



The sole American entry, the Sierra Sierra Enterprises Evo takes things one step futher...



... by grafting on full underbody tunnels from a Swift-016 Formula Atlantic race car. On that open wheel car, the tunnels make up to 2000 lbs of downforce...



... and although SSE doesn't think they'll get quite that much, reports from initial testing show that the car has already beaten the Cyber Evo's record setting lap from last year - on low boost. More SSE Evo info here



However, the car that may have the most advanced aero is the Garage Revolution FD RX-7



Little more than a tube frame racecar wrapped in a carbon FD shell, the car sports a concept borrowed right from Formula 1: an exhaust blown diffuser. If you look closely, you can see the exhaust pipes exiting at an angle into the upper portion of the diffuser. This exhaust gas flow helps suck more air along from inside the diffuser itself, increasing downforce when the driver is on the throttle.



Other great builds include the GT Auto Garage R35 GTR



The full carbon fibre Hankook Subaru WRX



Mercury Motorsport full carbon R35



The privateer built and driven Scorch Racing S15 of Tsukuba Fame (Youtube it)



The Fernandez Motorsport Ford Falcon Ute, (Aussie for El Camino style pickup-car)






And the Prep'd Motorsport Lotus Exige GT3, a full spec endurance race car... turbocharged and upgraded




Along with the Time Attack challengers, there will be a Drift event held at Eastern Creek. Among the local drifters is Mad Mike Whiddett, former Formula Drift driver, in his Bad Bull 4 rotor RX-7.



However, the Bad Bull ate its own differential during an exhibition run, resulting in a little afterburner magic


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1_fi0V8s_0
Listen to the world's best sounding drift car make the worst noise you can hear when driving . At least Mad Mike sounds confident the team can have it fixed for the event.


Anyway, stay tuned for updates once the Time Attack Competition itself starts. Go SSE!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLlDQtwWoDA
As a bonus, here's some footage of the SSE Evo at last year's event. SSE is actually a highly successful professional race team that has run cars in the Formula Atlantic, Star Mazda, and Ferrari Challenge championships, and has turned to "Unlimited" Time Attack to keep the team sharp.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy6jwqXUpS8
More video! SSE Evo last year

v.s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGE9R545Azw
Cyber Evo last year

 

Wow cool stuff

 

sweet, i can't get enough of the panspeed fd

 

Alright, looks like the Official Practice results are in!

Cyber Evo: 1:30.3690
Garage Evolution FD: 1:30.6160
SSE Evo: 1:30.7490

Now, this is just practice, and we'll see what happens when everyone turns up the boost tomorrow, but having the times so close together bodes well for this year's competition.

Full Official Practice results here

Live Timing here



Also, it looks like there was a big crash in the Drift Challenge practice. Someone left a ton of oil on the track, and the next two cars binned it. Story here

 

Here ya go Vince

 

There's also an S2000 repping in the Open class: the Insight Motorsports S2000.



Crazy build





More info here

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHaQAM3AbJU

 

Yaa, that's the awesome Scorch Racing video. Car has 700+ hp, built by one guy in his garage
From Worldtimeattack.com:

Day One WOWs and WOEs
• Pulse Racing Evo, extremely fast in practice (rumoured to run a 1:31 in testing) had to retire due to engine failure.

• Prep’d Motorsport Lotus also suffered serious engine damage and had to be relegated to display duties at the Yokohama tent.



• GT AutoGarage/HKS R35 GTR caught fire which, luckily, was put out quickly minimising the damage. We’re hoping to see the car competing again tomorrow.

• Team RevolutionNZ Evo, driven by Jono Lester is in a 10th position with a 1:34.8240. Our New Zealand insider tells us the car should be able to shave a couple of seconds of their current lap time. When the competition’s this close, a couple of seconds can mean a difference between 10th or 5th spot.

• The fastest Open Class car was Morpowa Racing’s 180SX, driven by Simon Podelewski. It’s worth pointing out here just how much faster the Open Class is this year; in 2010 the fastest time was 1:36, second fastest 1:39 and third 1:40. At the end of Day 1 this year we have four cars in the 1:35 second bracket, three in 1:37 and five in 1:38s. This is a massive improvement. Even visually, walking through the pits, it’s often difficult to tell the Open and Pro Class cars apart.

• The most surprising performer of the day would have to be MCA Suspension’s S13. Yes, that’s right, S13. With a very impressive lap time of 1:33.9720 it is currently placed 8th outright, just in front of Mercury Motorsport’s R35 GTR, driven by Tarzan Yamada.