3rd Annual Yokohama ADVAN World Time Attack Challenge

2012 Yokohama Advan World Time Attack Challenge Lancer Evolution IX

Nemo Racing Evo’s owner, Chris Eaton, recruited the services of Australian V8 Supercar driver Warren Luff to extract the maximum potential out of his wild time attack Lancer Evolution IX. A staggering 1:25.020 lap time—and new WTAC record—was the result.

2012 Yokohama Advan World Time Attack Challenge No One Better

No One Better (left) in the house, er, at the circuit!

Before a single fuel system had been primed and a spark system ignited, the third annual Yokohama ADVAN World Time Attack Challenge (better known to time attack fans worldwide as WTAC) had shaped up into something special. Not only was the two times and reigning WTAC champion—Cyber EVO—making a return to Sydney, Australia to defend its crown, but one of the most talked about pro-level time attack machines ever built was geared up to make its competition debut. A few weeks prior to the August event, the Nemo Racing Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX's 950whp 4G63 engine had been captured on video exploding in spectacular fashion during a test session. Many questioned whether it would even make WTAC event, and if so, whether or not it could hold together in the heat of time attack competition. It did both and set a new—and unfathomably fast—lap record in the process.

2012 Yokohama Advan World Time Attack Challenge Just Car Insurance Girls

On the flipside, the new-look Cyber EVO (the by-product of a new partnership with C-West) failed to complete a full timed lap on the slightly modified Sydney Motorsport Park circuit (around 1.5 seconds faster than previous) after a spate of mechanical issues that saw it completely miss the first day of the event, and then suffer an engine failure (with fire) on the last. Elsewhere in the Pro class ranks, the Tilton Interiors Evo IX claimed second and MCA Suspension's aptly named 'Hammerhead' Nissan Silvia S13 took third—but only after running quicker than 'Under' Suzuki's Nissan Silvia S15 in the very last moments of the event's final session. The bar has definitely been raised for 2013.

2012 Yokohama Advan WTAC Top 10 Final Results

1.	1:25.0200	Nemo Racing (AUS)	W. Luff	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2.	1:27.1820	Tilton Interiors (AUS)	G. Walden	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
3.	1:27.8080	MCA Suspension (AUS)	E. Bamber	Nissan Silvia S13
4.	1:28.3290	Scorch Racing (JPN)	U. Suzuki	Nissan Silvia S15
5.	1:29.0520	Top Fuel with Voltex (JPN)	N. Taniguchi	Honda S2000
6.	1:29.8020	RE Amemiya (JPN)	N. Taniguchi	Mazda RX-7
7.	1:30.7260	Dominator Evo (AUS)	S. Glenney	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI
8.	1:30.7732	Advan/Hi Octane Racing (AUS)	M. Berry	Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R
9.	1:30.8640	Pulse Racing (AUS)	S. Glenney	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
10.	1:32.4470	Notaras Motorsport (AUS)	R. Bates	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX

2012 Yokohama Advan World Time Attack Challenge Honda S2000

Arguably the coolest Honda S2000 on the face of the planet, Honda tuning legend Top Fuel teamed up with aero specialist Voltex to launch its assault on WTAC 2012. Although Nob Taniguchi had trouble with handling the 700hp 2.2L turbo weapon, a few quick laps netted a 1:29.0520 best, good enough for fifth outright.

Pulled out of semi-retirement just six months prior to the event, and rebuilt around a new C-West developed aero package, Masimichi Takizawa’s legendary Cyber EVO was always going to be up against it. Hopefully, WTAC 2013 wasn’t the last time the world sees the iconic time attack machine in action.

Pulled out of semi-retirement just six months prior to the event, and rebuilt around a new
‘Under’ Suzuki’s Scorch Racing Silvia S15 made a return WTAC hoping to better its 2011 time. Suzuki-san threw down some very fast laps, and although he just missed out on a podium step, was the quickest of all the Japanese competitors.

‘Under’ Suzuki’s Scorch Racing Silvia S15 made a return WTAC hoping to better its 2011 tim
Looking as stunning standing still as it does in motion, RE Amemiya’s ‘Hurricane’ RX-7 whipped up a storm on the Sydney-side circuit. With a T88-equipped 20B engine up front and Nobuteru Taniguchi behind the wheel, Tokyo Auto Salon’s 2011 top tuning car winner finished sixth overall on its very first competition outing.

Looking as stunning standing still as it does in motion, RE Amemiya’s ‘Hurricane’ RX-7 whi