WTAC has become an event that many attend for different reasons. As there’s numerous attractions and side shows that occur throughout the two day festival, attendees would be forgiven if they honestly didn’t know what was unfolding out on track or who was leading which class. Watching motor sport at home on television often provides for the most comfortable viewing. Your butt is seated on a comfortable couch, the room is climate controlled and you have front row seats to the action – all with live metrics on screen. However, they say that when you watch motor sport in person, you don’t just watch it – you feel it; and that was one of the reasons I decided to attend WTAC 2016 in person (my last visit was in 2013). Another unfavourable while watching events such as WTAC at home is that you don’t get to soak up the electric vibes and take in the sights of all the side attractions that occur; hence another justification for my flight from Adelaide to Sydney.

The bombshell announcement from Ian Baker earlier in the year was that the god father of drifting and famed Best Motoring and Hot Version presenter – Keiichi "Drift King" Tscuhiya would be making an appearance down under. He wouldn’t just be standing around looking pretty as well because Tsuchiya-san would be carrying out some drifting demonstrations in none other than an AE86 (the car he is most famous for driving and advocating). This wouldn’t be just any old Hachi Rocku but that of OG Aussie drifter; Beau Yates. With the assistance from Hypertune and Toyota, Beau’s AE86 had a ground-up rebuild and was presented in the best condition it had ever been. It was a privilege to watch in person, Tsuchiya-san drifting Beau’s Hachi throughout the entire Eastern Creek circuit.

Beau’s AE86 wouldn’t be the only car the Drift King would be steering. Ian Baker somehow convinced some people up at Pagani in Italy to ship over one of their automotive art pieces; the $3 million dollar Huayra BC. Tsuchiya-san provided much satisfaction to the crowd, smashing the gas at every possible opportunity and strumming a screaming yet elegant symphony through the Huayra BC’s 552 kilowatt twin-turbo V12 engine.

Ian Baker knows a thing or two about event planning. One of the golden rules is if you don’t have the technical skills, experience or network to pull something off – partner up with those who do and include them on your team. When it comes to modified cars in Australia, Sydney’s scene is unquestionably the greatest. Punters here just simply know how to build and modify the right cars with the right parts. The-Lowdown have been heavily involved in Sydney’s modified car scene for some time, having held their own automotive show in the form of "Showcase". For WTAC’s show and shine, The-Lowdown were recruited to take care of this duty and disappoint they did not.

Mid-section breaks when there wasn’t any official racing taking place out on track was the perfect opportunity for the drifters to delight those watching from the grandstand. It’s difficult to think of words that could describe the soundtrack played by Daigo Saito and his Monster Energy Lamborghini Murcielago. Euphoric could be one of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Daigo’s Murcielago wasn’t going sideways around Eastern Creek, it was chilling with the other drift cars at the show and shine paddock.

Another Murcielago that was also parked near by was Nico Tjen’s car; otherwise known as "DAMMNN".

Over the years, I’ve seen many online photos of car from the Sydney scene so it was delightful to finally see some of them in person. The-Lowdown hand picked every show and shine car to ensure that Sydney’s modified car scene was well represented with only quality examples on display.

Cameron Bell’s freshly restored NSX was one my favourite cars on display.

Modified super cars are beginning to gain traction in Australia with Sydney leading this front.

Another perk of attending WTAC in person is that your general admission ticket grants you access to the pit garages. So long as you didn’t get in the way of the teams – most were opened for the public to get up close and personal with their favourite time attack machines.

The driver’s signing session was another highlight. I got my ClubITR shirt signed by all the drivers which was tame compared with what others brought – such as an AE86 dashboard and a Bride bucket seat. Yes, someone was lugging around a Bride bucket seat on their back!

And there you have it; the sights of WTAC 2016 through Skibeemo’s eyes. WTAC is definitely Australia’s benchmark event for modified car enthusiasts, and no doubt – the benchmark for the world when it comes to time attack racing. But as you’ve read, the racing is only one aspect. The attractions and sideshows are often appealing enough to get fans through the gate, whether they are actually interested in the motor sport aspect or not. Luckily for me, I’m a fan of both.