Cyber Evo Wins Super Lap World Time Attack Challenge 2010
By Joey Leh, Photography by Duane Uyeda
The sun has set, the dust has settled and the track has finally gone cold here in Australia. The World Time Attack Challenge is finally over and the times set by the top-level Pro Class were of an incredible pace.
After sitting out the first day completely with mechanical issues due to a snapped camshaft, the 700hp Cyber Evo put on a new cylinder head and hit the track hard. Setting a time of 1:30.899, the longtime time attack competitor re-asserted its place at the top of the sport.
To put that time into perspective, the V8 Supercars lap record at Eastern Creek Raceway is a 1:31.730, the Formula 2 record a 1:29.350 and the Porsche GT3 Cup Car record a 1:36.418.
All of those previously mentioned cars run on full racing slicks. As per World Time Attack Challenge rules, all of the entrants were limited to semi-slick treaded racing tires.
In second place were the American heavy hitters of Sierra Sierra Enterprises, who had led most of the first day of competition. Their Pro Class Evo 8 and driver David Empringham tried to answer back to Yamada but were unable to go faster than they did during the cool first morning session.
Their time of 1:31.884 put their Evo 8 in second place overall, ahead of the Tomei/Cusco Subaru Impreza WRX STI at 1:31.899.
Built by Tomei and Cusco primarily as a showcase for their off-the-shelf parts offerings, the Tomei/Cusco Subaru Impreza WRX STI was also driven by Tarzan Yamada but was forced to settle for third place. The lightweight Subaru (we hear under 2,400lbs) was near the Cyber Evo in terms of curb weight but did not have enough power to challenge the two leading Evos.
The World Time Attack Challenge also featured an expansive vendor area, car show and drifting demonstration. The final run sessions of the day for the time attack teams were preceded by the smoke and noise of the drift cars, which ran nose-to-tail and filled the air with smoke.
By the time the final sessions were beginning, it was obvious who the heavy hitters of the World Time Attack Challenge were. The Japanese and Americans came into Australia and went about a grudge match that strangely did not really involve any domestic teams.
Despite early hopes from the Hi-Octane Racing R32 & R34 Nissan Skyline GT-Rs, Mel Rose’s V8 Supercar and a few very quick Lotus Exiges and other GT-Rs, the top of the time attack leader board was always the international teams. But, by next year, it’ll be anybody’s game.
More pics of the cyber evo please!
The Cyber Evo looks like a great machine. What type of safety equipment does it have?
More pics please!