1. More overseas entries and more countries represented than ever before
This year we see five of the absolute fastest time attack cars from Japan, one from USA, two from Cyprus and one from New Caledonia in the Open Class. The Drift Challenge will once again see the top D1NZ cars go head to head with the Aussies in what has become something of an annual “Trans-Tasman showdown” along with two Japanese D1 cars including current Formula D champ and the guy many refer to as the “best drifter in the world” Daigo Saito.



2. Bigger schedule than ever before
Part of our strategic move to October was to enable us to take advantage of not only the longer days but also the daylight saving time which has allowed us to run a longer time attack schedule with more cars and more “cool events” thrown in at lunchtime on the main straight and around the track.
As well as this our pit area is a sell out with all the best automotive produce in the country all displaying their wares and many offering fans a chance to “grab a bargain” or simply meet with tech staff to discuss any projects they may have on the go throughout the day. Click here to see the full event schedule.



3. Loads of new and exciting events
Never before have we introduced so many exciting things to the World Time Attack Challenge in one hit. Firstly the Turbosmart Flying 500 will see 15 of Australia’s fastest street cars go head to head up the main straight to see who really has the most powerful car from a rolling start. 1200 horsepower GTRs take on twin turbo V8s and a whole bunch of other insanity.
As well as this you can see Australia’s top Freestyle BMX riders get some serious air in the Royal Purple Freestyle BMX Show. Along with this we are expecting a “sell out” at the Motographics Show and Shine on the skid pan.
Click on the map below to see where and when all the attractions will take place.



4. Warmer climate in October
While the weather is one thing we have absolutely no control over, anyone that experienced the almost arctic August winds last year will appreciate that fact the weather in October is much milder, yet still cool enough to allow cars to set records.

Certainly as the sun went down last year the weather went from bitterly cold to almost unbearable and we are all looking forward to the nice spring evenings that Sydney traditionally has to offer once the drift gets underway under lights.



5. Faster cars than ever before.
While it is impossible to know for sure, it is a fair assumption that many of the cars will be faster than ever previously seen before. In 2011 there were only two cars that ran a sub 1.30 lap time, in 2012 there was six and in 2013 we expect that figure to at least double as so many teams have “stepped up to the plate”.

Serious developments in aero along with more powerful engines with “new age” turbochargers have all helped in seeing lap times tumble. To bring it into context, the two fastest time attack cars in Japan (according to lap times) are both now rear wheel drive in a domain that was previously dominated by AWD vehicles.

Under Suzuki in his S15 holds the record at Tsukuba with a time of 52.6 seconds and Top Fuel just smashed the Fuji Speedway record previously held by Cyber Evo with a time of 1.40.9 with Nob Taniguchi behind the wheel.



6. Much better Drift circuit and pit area.
There is no question that the new South Circuit is a far more appropriate drift track than the previous section of the GP circuit. With a series of reasonably tight corners all highly visible from the spectator area and a standalone Pit area, many that have driven it now describe it as "the best drift track in the country".

Expect first class facilities on the spectator hill with a range of fine foods available along with a fully licensed “Can Bar” that will serve alcoholic beverages into the evening.



7. Much fairer rule book for all competitors.
For the past 12 months we have worked extremely hard to put together a rulebook to create a much fairer, more sustainable platform, for all classes and budgets without taking away the “true spirit of time attack racing”.

Despite the new rules, we expect all classes to be faster than ever before.



Secondly, by going to a Yokohama control tyre we now have everyone on a level playing field and have removed the ability for teams to source “special non production” super soft tyres that give an extreme advantage over the competition.

Once again all classes are sold out as is just about every other facet of World Time Attack.



Links:
www.yokohama.com.au
www.worldtimeattack.com