The GST Motorsports Time Attack Racing Team found themselves on the podium once again at Willow Springs Raceway in California. Last weekend at the inaugural Global Time Attack USA event, the team claimed the overall win with the fastest time of the weekend. They reeled off a 1:19.397, smashing the AWD record set by Sierra Sierra Enterprises in 2009.
Lower, leaner and meaner – GST Motorsports’ Impreza has received some major upgrades during the off season!
The GST Impreza “L” arrived at Willow Springs looking much lower, leaner and meaner than ever. It was obvious they had big expectations and were gunning for the overall track record. Since it last raced, the boys at GST have had a very busy off season indeed.
The vehicle’s received new aero, a chopped top and a cockpit redesign – few stones were left unturned. “We’ve taken everything we’ve learned from racing time attack over the past few years and applied it to this complete redesign,” said GST team principle Mike Warfield.
Note how low the GST Impreza is in comparison to a standard-body WRX.
The race event wasn’t all smooth sailing as Saturday’s early sessions revealed some major issues with the breather circuit. Quick thinking and some impressive ingenuity before the first session on Sunday allowed Jeff Westphal to attack “Big Willow” and lay down a scorching time of 1:19:915 on his first complete lap. But they weren’t done yet. The afternoon session gave them another shot at the overall track record. With Westphal behind the wheel GST obliterated their PB with a time of 1:19.397, just shy of Billy Johnson and FXMD’s NSX outright record set in 2008
“We actually only got two full hot laps in. Like any new build there will always be issues to sort out and this was no exception,” said Mike Warfield. “To be honest we were really using this event as a shakedown for World Time Attack and the car certainly shows all the promise we were expecting. This time was set on our lowest boost setting and we were without the optimum sway bars for that track. We sure can’t wait to get to Australia where we will be turning it right up!”
“In Australia we’ll be turning the boost right up!” promises Mike Warfield.
Superlap Australia CEO Ian Baker certainly agrees; “We already know how fast Sierra Sierra was last year and by all accounts they appear to have moved ahead in leaps and bounds since they were last here. The team at GST is certainly the perfect partner to fly the American flag, but I can tell you the friendly rivalry will end once these cars are at Eastern Creek. GST is dead keen for the win at WTAC in August. By all accounts it may well look like they have the weapon to do it with as both cars will be running Hankook Ventus TD Z221 tyres.”
Read more:
GST Motorsport Impreza Spec Sheet
Global Time Attack
GST Motorsport
These guys are awesome. Go Team USA!
Very Nice!