Time Attack format is not unlike a qualifying lap in traditional motorsport with competitors racing against the clock with the fastest single lap collecting the prize. While there is no door-to-door racing as such, teams are actively competing against each other and there are plenty of strategies, decisions and tricks of the trade to squeeze every one-hundredth of a second on that final lap.
The most exciting thing about this type of racing is the fact that the rules are limited almost purely to the safety aspects meaning the vehicles can have almost unlimited modifications making for some seriously spectacular on track action.
The official practice takes place on Thursday, or Day 0 of the event. It is a closed day with no spectators and the laps are not timed. Historically the practice day is a good indication of the car’s true potential as the teams are keen to set a good benchmark time for the event.
All cars have to pass scrutineering prior to the event. Scrutineers check for all the required safety components and whether the car complies with its class rules.
Competitors are divided into four classes; Clubsprint, Open, Pro Am and Pro. The fastest 5 cars in each class at the end of the last session on Day 2 get a bonus round called Superlap Shootout.
Superlap Shootout gives another opportunity to the top five cars in each class to improve their time. With the track at optimum temperature and no traffic to negotiate, you are likely to see the fastest times of the event during the Superlap Shootout.
The team with the fastest overall lap (over the 2 days) in his/her class claims the Class Trophy. The team with the fastest Pro Class lap is declared the WTAC Winner.
This exciting section of the event is the pinnacle of drifting in Australia and the southern hemisphere, with local competitors traveling from all corners of the land to take on the rest of the world. Being a standalone event, it gives our drift operations team almost limitless flexibility in event format to ensure these gladiators of drifting are on maximum attack and on show as often as possible.
“Year on year we put an enormous amount of thought and effort into making sure the format would provide the most exciting non-stop action possible for the fans and competitors alike,” says Drift Operations Manager, Dan Mackie.
“This event is a real think outside the box approach with the goal to ensure fan entertainment. The reality is everyone loves to see the top Aussie drifters take on some of the best in the world and we have enjoyed being able do this with traditional battle tree formats and world cup pool style formats also. What will this year’s format look like? I’m not sure we even know until mid-March!”
The event brings the absolute best in the business from around the world, including officials, operations team, commentators and of course drivers to wrap the whole show up into 2 nights of incredible tyre frying, limiter bashing, door banging action that you simply do not want to miss!