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View Full Version : The Top 10 Time Attack Drivers in the World.



matespace
16-03-2012, 03:34 PM
Ok, here is another story that is BOUND to start some controversy. We have decided to put together a list of who we thought were the top ten time attack drivers in the world today – based upon the data we had at hand.

Now this is not, by any stretch of the imagination, who we believe to be the world’s best drivers because to find those you would need to look to Formula 1. What we have compiled is a list of time attack drivers based upon actual results in pro level time attack events around the world in recent years. Again, we are working from data that we have access to and while everyone may not agree, here is what we came up with.

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10. Kouta Sasaki. Japan.

The Japanese Super GT driver has consistently peddled the Panspeed car to podium finishes at many events time attack events throughout Japan in recent years. In 2010 he finished in 5th position at WTAC and 2nd at Revspeed event in December at Tsukuba 2011. We hear rumours of a new car for Panspeed in 2012 but can’t confirm anything at this time. A very seasoned driver, who drives for the Subaru team in Japanese Super GT as his “real” job.

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9. Christian Rado. USA. (photo: Speedhunters)

Chris Rado is certainly a larger than life character that has dominated the front wheel drive class in the US series for many years. He has reset record upon record around American tracks and continues to push boundaries despite his nearest competitor being many seconds behind. He did appear for a short time in what appeared to be a state of the art all wheel drive Scion but it is not known what came of this because he is now back in another front wheel version dubbed 2.0 that is currently campaigning in the US based Global Time Attack series.

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8. Mark Berry. Australia. (photo: Speedhunters)

Since competing at Tsukuba circuit in 2007 in the Hi Octane Racing R32 GTR, Mark Berry has been a driving force behind time attack racing in Australia. Now competing in the formidable Advan/Hi Octane R34 he finished in a credible 6th place at WTAC 2011 thanks to some slick new aero. He finished on the podium at every Australian Superlap event prior to WTAC and is one of only two “non professional” drivers in our top ten.

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7. “Under” Suzuki. Japan.

This is the guy that just continues to amaze and we would not be surprised to see him move up several places up this list in 2012. The second of our “non professional” drivers has recorded lap times that put many professionals to shame. He has been around Tsukuba in 54.1 seconds, and dominated the Evome time attack series in Japan. He also came 5th outright at WTAC 2011! We’re expecting big things from “Under” this year!

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6. Tyler MacQuarrie. USA. (photo: Wrecked Magazine)

Now this may come as a surprise to many outside America, but we reckon if you hold the current Buttonwillow Superlap record in the USA you deserve to be on our Top 10 List. The former Formula D superstar has in recent years been driving the FX Motorsports NSX and breaking records around the US. This is not the first time attack record Tyler has set either. Many years ago he also held the Buttonwillow time attack record in the JIC S15. He currently drives in American Le Mans Series and has starred as a stunt driver in reality TV shows and movies. We have also heard some rumours that there is a chance Tyler may make it to WTAC 2012, although it is unlikely to be in the NSX.

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5. Garth Walden. Australia.

After winning the last Australian Superlap in 2009, Walden struggled through World Time Attack 2010 with mechanical issues but returned in 2011 to almost put the first ever Australian car on the podium. Finishing mere 3 tenths behind the Japanese Revolution RX7 in what he described as “not a perfect lap” Garth will be looking to improve this year. The word on the street is that the Tilton Interiors car will be “much faster” this year so only time will tell if he can move up the ladder. He is currently the number one time attack driver in Australia and by day runs Radical Race Cars Australia which, being based at Eastern Creek, means he has probably done more laps there than any man on earth.

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4. Mitsuhiro Kinoshita. Japan.

After finishing the 2010 WTAC event in 6th place behind the wheels of the R magic RX7, Kinoshita returned in 2011 to put the Garage Revolution RX7 on the podium in 3rd position behind Cyber and SSE. The Japanese pro driver has many years of Super GT experience under his belt and is now employed by Hankook as a development driver. He is extremely well respected as a driver in Japan and his small stature is also seen as an advantage in events like time attack racing where there is “no minimum weight”. Expect to see him back in 2012 for WTAC, possibly driving more than one vehicle.

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3. Nobeteru Tanaguchi. Japan.

Now this guy really needs no introduction. The pilot of the legendary HKS CT230R. This car still holds the time attack record at Tsukuba with a time of 53.6 seconds set many years ago before the car’s retirement. Many believe that NOB stands for “No One Better” and if his 2011 race results are anything to go by, this may hold some water. He won everything he entered, including the GT300 series. He has also been the driver for RE Amimeya in Super GT which leads us to believe he would be their “favoured choice” to drive at WTAC 2012. He was also the driver for Top Fuel so the odds of him making the trip down under look better than ever!

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2. David Empringham. Canada.

If there ever was a driver that desperately wanted his name in the number one spot it is David Empringham. He tried so damn hard with the Sierra Sierra team for two years at WTAC but it just wasn’t to be, with the Cyber just pipping them both times. The former Indy Lights champion is currently now out of a drive as the Sierra Sierra team has now formally retired, although we have heard some rumours that he has been in communication with some top Australian time attack teams. For the time being David is firmly in the second position on our list.

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1. Eiji “Tarzan” Yamada. Japan.

What can we say about Tarzan? Undefeated, Twice World Time Attack Champion. With the Cyber Evo taking the crown back to Japan for two consecutive years it will be interesting to see what evolves in 2012 as for the past two years this car has been officially “retired” only to come out of retirement just for this event. Tarzan has driven in many forms of motorsport including JGTC and D1 drift. There is no question in the world of time attack – He is the man to beat!


While we have listed what we consider our top ten, there are many others that are also worth mentioning. These include factory Mazda rally star Steve Glenney who dominated with the Pulse Racing Evo in Open Class at WTAC 2010 and finished in the top ten in the GT AutoGarage R35 on its maiden outing in 2011. V8 Supercar star Warren Luff is another name that comes to mind with two top ten finishes at WTAC in the Prep’d Motorsport Lotus. John Boston is another Aussie that continues to appear year upon year at WTAC and is always impressive. Also worth mentioning is Nik Kalis who has been on the top step of the podium two years running, first in Clubsprint Class in 2010 and then Open Class in 2011.

In Japan a worthy mention goes to Yasushi Kikuchi who drove the Revolution RX7 to the time of 53.6 at Tsukuba in 2010. Also the two Kiwi drivers Jono Lester and Earl Bamber who hit the international time attack stage in 2011 at WTAC. And what about the English? We are still unsure as to who will be driving the Redbrick Evo at Eastern Creek in August but there is one thing all of our staff agrees on and that is whoever it is, he will probably be on this list after World Time Attack 2012!

Agree or disagree, simply let us know over at the World Time Attack Website here : http://worldtimeattack.com/ (http://clixtrac.com/goto/?43520)