How To Break A Record: Version 2.0
The next morning, most other tuners and their teams are scurrying to get their cars off trailers and inspected by NASA officials; CT230R rests quietly and HKS gets there in time to send Taniguchi off by the first session. Here's where the party gets really exciting: with the Unlimited class under way, it seems as if Taniguchi really just racing against the clock; as if CT230R was the only car on the track. Things start off shaky when he goes slightly off course, but nobody faults him; it was time for the master to get to work. During this session, Taniguchi came through big time, beating Sun Auto's long standing Super Lap Battle record of 1:48.906 by four seconds with a 1:44.668, which was also good enough to take down JIC's unofficial track record of 1:48.766, which was set earlier in the year. With each session after, Taniguchi broke the record again; in session two, it was a 1:44.610 and in the final, the big one happened: 1:43.523. The other record breakers broke their time in a single attempt; Taniguchi did it three times over in one day (four if you count the practice session). Needless to say, it was smiles all around for HKS.
After the race was over, we had to ask the obvious questions: Did NOB know in his mind that he would break the record by such a big margin with such little seat time on the Buttonwillow course? Taniguchi says, "I'm happy; I hit my expectations and more. It was really hard to hit the 1:44-second mark, but I pushed the car my hardest in the final session, used the more aggressive line and used my secret techniques to run a faster time than expected. Racing on this track is almost like being on a rally-type tarmac while Japan's surfaces are much smoother; I thought Magic Mountain [Lost Hill on configuration 13] was scary and dangerous. During the morning session the track was very dusty, making it difficult to keep traction, so I wasn't able to run at a 100-percent. Also, because the track was a lot bumpier compared to circuits in Japan, I wasn't sure how hard I could push without risking the car. I knew the faster line was there, but I was avoiding it because of the bumps to protect the car. As I ran more on the course, I gained confidence and really started to enjoy the track! Because of my time attack racing experience with HKS and Yokohama Tires in Japan, I was confident I could break the [Buttonwillow] record, but I had no idea it would be such an awesome time. I'm sure if the track were a lot smoother, I could have gone faster, sure."
But there's one great personal story to add on top of the record breaking achievement. The week before the Super Lap Battle finals in Japan, Taniguchi competed in and won the GT300 class in the Super GT series. He noticed, after breaking the Super Lap record, the car number on the side of CT230R; it was the same number as the car he had won the GT300 race in: number 26. Coincidence? Maybe. A good omen-who knows? He smiles and says in very simple English, "Very happy."