08/09/2026
Gather round fam, I've finally caught up on some sleep so it's World Time Attack wrap up time and what an absolutely epic event it was 🤯
There's a bit to go through, so I'm going to split this into two parts to make it easier with the pics/length of post etc - Part 1 is focused on the team and how we went about sending the Red Rebel Racing BRZ to the MOON and Part 2 will be more the overarching event - let's go 🤝
**** Part 1 - Red Rebel Racing - PBs and Escapees ****
This was my first time competing in WTAC, normally I'm just spectating, and what an eye opener it has been to be involved in everything needed to campaign at this iconic event.
Adam and I rocked up later on Thursday (after inspecting a car for me, which was a no go), with the BRZ having already completed some testing and being invited out to participate in the media shoot - which was epic, I'll link the video in the comments. We met the other crew members, talked about what our plan will be tomorrow and then later watched as our driver, James, almost choked to death at dinner 🫣🤣
Friday morning rolls round and the car is sent out on some fresh Yokohama A052s to make the most of the cooler track temps - we instantly PB on low boost ✅
We give the car a quick once over, find a few things we don't like and make some adjustments, it's obvious there's a LOT more time in it 💪
We cut a few more laps Friday and finish the day in good spirits with a game plan to go MUCH faster. James disappears at some point and turns up with ANOTHER set of fresh Yoko's ready to absolutely send it Saturday 💸🫰 😅
It's now Saturday morning, everyone has survived dinner, and we check the car over and send it out. We've agreed that we'll warm up, do a push lap, circulate, then go for another push lap if the track/car are there.
First push lap, we PB again, taking off another 3 tenths for a 42.3 but now he's in a rhythm and the track is there for the taking. The car circulates as planned and then the next push lap begins, but this time it's on KILL 🫣
We're all up on the roof watching the car and natsoft, first sector ✅ and by a lot, let's go, second sector, more ✅ and we're all pacing nervously watching the car and praying for no traffic.
We see the BRZ round the final corner and come flying onto the straight, exit looks clean, she's cooking! Moments later, elation turns to disbelief as smoke begins pouring out of the car, followed soon after by fire from the exhaust 😱😭
James is out of the car almost as fast as it blew up, extinguisher in hand, which was a huge relief for everyone (onboards to come). We knew immediately that it was terminal and our WTAC 2026 campaign was over 😥
We all head down, meet the car over near the scrutineering shed, rinse of the extinguisher foam, take a look, and talk about the lap that could have been - better luck next time! After that, we pushed the car around to Pro Speed Racing and put it on display, complete with fire extinguisher 🤣
As for the motor, it's a total lose. Hole in the block, exhaust valve missing, turbo full of debris etc - I have just learned that Turbosmart will WARRANTY this turbo, talk about customer service 💪🤯
Full teardown is still to come, with more pics too, but the reality is that this is a stock FA20 that started life as a road car, did k's, got turned into a track car and did bulk laps NA, then got a big turbo strapped to and it and did more laps at like 300rwkw for over a year. Then, it got wound up even further at WTAC to something like 350 before it let go, I promise it was not me on the PGUP button 😅
I know I hang s**t on FAs but I am legit impressed at how long this thing has held on honestly ✅
What's next? Not sure, we've learned a lot this year and the plan is to return bigger and better in the future, but we'll discuss some options and determine the goals for the car before anything major progresses. For now, we can celebrate a PB and pour one out for the little FA that gave its all on the big stage 🫶
Big thanks to Red Rebel Racing for letting me be involved and also the Pro Speed Racing guys for the support over the weekend - it was truly epic and I cannot wait to come back again 🤝
