Message from the CEO

Firstly, let me just say: What a weekend!
I want to thank everyone that made the journey down here to Sydney to be a part of the World Time Attack Challenge and I know we had people here from all over the globe. I am sure that anyone who walked through the gates of Eastern Creek on Friday or Saturday, with the beautiful Sydney winter sun shining down was treated to a very special experience.

I also need to thank all those whose help made this event possible and whose (often superhuman) effort ensured it runs smoothly and without any major disruptions. All the people in the race control, all the marshalls, track officials and volunteers, all our sponsors, especially Yokohama Australia and Tectaloy, media, and of course my dedicated WTAC team – without their help organsing, promoting and running this event would not be possible.

I am fairly sure the Australian motorsport community would be abuzz with the lap times set down by both the Cyber Evo and the Sierra Sierra cars as the winning time of 1.28.85 is now a full second quicker than the Sports Sedan record held by James Sera in a tube frame, mid-mount, 6-litre Chev Saab Aero on big, fat slick tyres. This record lap time is even more incredible when you take into account that these time attack cars run road legal tyres!

One of the most noticeable things this year was the caliber of Australian time attack cars throughout all classes. There is no doubt in my mind that Australia has responded to the challenge set by last year’s WTAC with many of the top Australian Pro teams ready to chase down the podium in coming years. Tilton Interiors is one team that comes to mind with a sensational fourth place this year for Garth Walden. Mark Berry is another very strong contender in the Advan/ Hi Octane Racing R34 GTR. The two R35s of Mercury Motorsports and GT Autogarage also showed very serious promise, keeping in mind both are very new cars with limited test time. The crazy MCA S13 is another to keep an eye on, again another new car with no test time that managed to run some very stout numbers.

Also evident at this year’s event, was just how many cars in the Open Class closely resembled Pro Cars and with the lap times tumbling it was clear how much effort these teams have put in over the past 12 months. To give you an idea, in 2010 a time of 1.40 would have won you the second place trophy but this year there were 15 cars running under the 1 minute 40 mark! The winner of the Open Class was Nik Kalis who won the Clubsprint Class in 2010 so one can only wonder where this guy is heading!

The theme continued in the Clubsprint Class with the top 8 cars running under a minute forty five which would have seen second place in 2010. Marek Tomaszewski claimed the title this year in his R35 GTR with Miles Tauber in the second R35 claiming runner up and showing that the R35 is the car to beat in this class.

Anyone that did not make it up on the hill to see the Tectaloy International Drift Challenge under lights missed out on what is undoubtedly one of the best drift shows our country has ever seen with many video clips from the event going viral within hours of hitting youtube.

Seeing Mad Mike light up the sky in the fire breathing RX7 is something many fans will remember for a long long time and by the end of Saturday night the Kiwi contingent certainly showed the Aussies that they have had a lot more practice in recent years with Curt Whittaker taking the win in the 2JZ powered Skyline from fellow Kiwi Daynom Templeman and Beau Yates the highest placed Aussie in third place. There is certain to be a showdown next year with the Kiwis already making their plans for 2012 clear.

The Meguiar’s Show’n'Shine also stepped it up several notches on Saturday with the skidpan filled to the bream with everything from show cars to exotic Italian thoroughbreds giving fans a feast of non-stop eye candy. For the fans of motorsport history the “Legends of the Turbo Era” proved a big drawcard with all the cars doing a demo lap around the track at lunch.

And lastly how could you not have enjoyed walking through the pit area with almost every single performance tuner brand represented. The effort that the companies are putting into their trade stands is extraordinary and this is what makes our event so special. You can see everything in one place and talk first hand to the tech guys from each company. It’s a unique opportunity that does not come around very often. One quote that sticks in my mind from one of the traders was “this is probably the closest thing Australia has to the American SEMA trade show for tuner parts!”

I guess you could say we have come a fair way in four short years. From the day I was sitting on that freezing pit wall at Tsukuba trying to figure out how I could make this concept work back in Australia, to standing in the pits at Eastern Creek talking to Ken Anderson from Cosworth USA and have him tell me “with the exception of Nascar and maybe Road Atlanta this event is bigger than any road racing event in North America and this is time attack! Unbelievable!”

And the reason it works is because of the support we have had. And I mean that from the top down. The support from the sponsors, the support from the industry, the support from the fans, and the support from the teams that have put all the effort in to build these cars. And the support from YOU! The fact that you are sitting there reading this, is showing support for what we are doing and for that we are eternally grateful.

So where to from here? Well, I can tell you World Time Attack Challenge is here to stay and we will be back, bigger and better in 2012! As the Cyber team said to me as we closed the door on the last shipping container bound for Japan “DOMO ARIGATO” – Thank you very much!

Ian Baker
CEO Superlap Australia