Published on June 29th, 2012 | by mrgrumpyninja

Team NZ Test day at Taupo

Let’s not beat around the bush, it was fkng cold at Taupo yesterday as we watched 3 of our cars shake down for OZ. Temp gauge might have said 11, but with the wind whistling in…the only comfortable people were those in race suits and helmets out on track torching tires.

Initially planned as a full test day for all 6 of the cars, last minute prep took Mad Mike and the Redbull RX-8 out, while Fanga Dan’s Castrol Edge/Juice Commodore was still on the dyno at GDS Motorsport, emerging with a fresh 382kw and 1000rpm more of usable power band. Steve Sole had been working hard to get the JZX chaser across from the Naki, but gearbox gremlins would mean he stayed home to get things 100%. Cole Armstrong will pilot the Hi-tec r33, which he won’t get a look at until Thursday before the event.

The day took on a real ‘test’ feeling, with all 3 cars looking naked sans any graphics. Why you might ask, well these guys are getting ready to appear on a big stage, with 2 x D1GP Japanese champions and the very best of Australian talent, so each car had undergone just about a full rebuild, and as part of that will appear looking inch perfect and in some cases sporting new graphic schemes. World Time Attack is one event that has true global coverage, so appearance is not neglected by any team.

Gaz Whiter has been busy up in Dargaville, or at least Tony Whiter has. The Tectaloy S14 now has a full new kit, a whole swagger of new suspension parts and believe it or not less power than before. Interestingly all that adds up to a car that is now faster that it has ever been, with Gaz showing the kind of confidence that existed in previous seasons with less stressed gear.

Curt Whittaker may have turned up 4 hours late after having his trailer fail on the way down, but once on track he was straight down to business. The defending champ will go into the event full of confidence having taken the NZ Title, and knowing that he had the goods when the sun went down at Eastern Creek. More power, a whole host of new arms and bushes via Dodson Performance and importantly the confidence of a champion will make Whittaker hard to beat….oh and did we mention that this year he’s going onto semi slicks?

Jason Sellers is one of my favourites to watch when he’s having a good day, although regardless of what’s happening the smile never really leaves the Waiuku locals face…..or was that Matt (his twin)… I don’t know. What I do know however is that with a fresh tune, a full overhaul and a run of late season form, Sellers will hold his own amongst the field assembled and be keen to stamp his mark on the event. Jase was also testing the Achilles 123s tire, and to quote him ” went in wide open in 4th and just mashed it knowing it would hold” .

Pictures tell a better story so here are a few more images, and a video (sorry about the editing, I was too lazy to send it to SBP) .Images here also

Having seen these cars, and knowing what the other 3 drivers are working on, I am now starting to get really excited about the Tectaloy International drift challenge. Reports out of Aussie have strong form being shown by quite a few, and Team Orange will be a real treat to see down this part of the world.All this and We haven’t even touched on the class of the time attack field assembled.

check it out here - www.worldtimeattack.com

Here’s the video….Enjoy.

Thanks to DJ ViDDY for the music