Redline Time Attack – Spring Mt.
Redline Time Attack – Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch – Pahrump, Nevada
Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump, Nevada played host to the latest round of the Redline Time Attack series. For those of you who haven’t seen our previous coverage of the series, educate yourself. The Redline Time Attack series is, in essence, a playground for high-powered modified machinery that have a hard time fitting into any NASA or SCCA series. The races are run in a time trial format with all competitors racing against each other using lap times instead of slamming doors.
With engine swaps, suspension modifications, aerodynamics and nearly unrestricted horsepower being legal, time attack cars are monstrously quick. Even the cars in the lower Street Class are capable of setting the fastest time of the day at any “normal” open track day. Numerous classes exist for the various machines that show up. The Stock Class is for vehicles that possess the lowest amount of modifications, driven by the car’s registered owner. The Street Class plays host to more heavily modified cars, some of which are barely street legal and are used as dedicated time attack racecars. The Modified Class finally sees the use of r-compound racing tires and gutted interiors. The Unlimited Class is as the name suggests, a playground for 700hp+ monsters that can outpace World Challenge racecars. At this event there was even a Drift Class for professional drift racecars to come see what they could do when they aren’t spinning their tires.
Showing the incredible explosion of time attack, both in terms of interest and development, was the current crop of lap times. When Redline Time Attack first visited Spring Mountain in 2005, Eiji “Tarzan” Yamada took the overall record with a time of 2:32 in a Nissan Skyline GT-R. Flash forward to 2009 and the fastest Street Class cars are running in the 2:34 range. The top three cars in the Modified Class even managed to break through the old overall record.
Numerous Unlimited Class teams have stepped up their efforts and big rig transports, tool chests and professional support are the result
Privateers and smaller teams still have a place in time attack, just like our effort with Project Evo IX
Ryan Gates would take the Modified AWD Class win in his AMS Performance/Nitto Tires Lancer Evo X, just edging out JC Meynet’s Haman Motive Subaru WRX STI. Meynet’s STI showed some serious horsepower and acceleration up the Spring Mountain front straight but had a tough weekend, breaking its windshield during practice. Russ Warr, our resident backcracker, did double duty with Project Evo IX and the LIC Motorsports Subaru WRX STI, taking third place in Modified with the LIC car.
The Unlimited Class saw almost all the heavy hitters emerge, except for the highly anticipated Sierra Sierra Enterprises Lancer Evo 8. Entering would be the naturally aspirated Fontana Nissan 350Z, AMS Performance Lancer Evo X, FX Motorsports Development Acura NSX, Crawford Performance WRX STI, World Racing Scion tC and GST Motorsports Impreza.
Unfortunately for many of these highly-strung machines, Pahrump, NV blasted entrants with 105-degree+ heat. The orange Crawford STI lost its engine early in the day and the AMS Evo X battled teething issues with a few upgrades that had been freshly added for this event. In the end, the Las Vegas, NV based FX Motorsports Development team used their home court advantage to the fullest, taking the overall and Unlimited Class wins. The turbocharged NSX and driver Billy Johnson seemed to have little trouble getting around the track, which just goes to show how much practice, testing and setup have gone into the car.
From here, only one event is left on the Redline Time Attack schedule, Auto Club Speedway (formerly California Speedway) in Fontana, CA. Just a stone’s throw in our own backyard, you can be sure to check back with us for the latest updates on the season’s close. Who will be champion? Stay tuned here at The Octane Report to find out.
Rhys Millen showed up with his Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which has also competed in drifting and at the Pikes Peak Hillclimb
One of just a few domestic entries, this V8 Fox body Ford Mustang racecar roared
Double Down Motorsports showcased the new Nissan 370Z, one of two 370Z entries
Porsches are synonymous with the racetrack and a few showed up for the weekend at Spring Mountain
FX Motorsports Development’s Acura NSX would easily glide home with a 2:13.447 to take the overall and Unlimited Class wins
The Street Class featured many privateer entries and numerous cars that are still registered and driven normally
On-track action got close and intense at Spring Mountain’s tight turns and 3.1-mile configuration
This Lotus Exige featured many custom modifications and was favored to take the Modified RWD win
Driver Russ Warr did the best he could but Project Evo IX’s nearly stock engine setup and ailing catalytic converter weren’t up to the task
As can be seen by this oil cleanup, the intense Nevada heat did a number on many of the highly-strung time attack machines
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