We’re again at Tsukuba Circuit for the eleventh annual Assault meet – the largest but. Leaping up from 2023’s report numbers, this 12 months noticed a staggering 190 entrants signal as much as compete.
Some drivers have been competing for the Tsukuba report, others only a private finest. That’s the fantastic thing about time assault – everyone seems to be welcome.
Cramming 190 competing automobiles into this small venue is not any simple feat. Unfold throughout all of Tsukuba’s paddocks, the environment was buzzing from early on, with many individuals arriving to arrange hours earlier than the primary session.
With so many entrants, the number of automobiles was at an all-time excessive too. Nonetheless, it was fairly apparent which chassis is most standard for Japanese time assault.
Aoki-san, Assault’s organiser, nonetheless managed to squeeze a handful of laps in amongst the chaos. He’s perfected the pit-to-circuit routine, warming his brakes and tyres, then rolling straight out right into a sizzling lap.
We’ll kick issues off from the pit lane, the place that chassis of selection is in no scarcity. FD3S Mazda RX-7s are in every single place at Assault, however except for their rotary hearts, all automobiles are utterly totally different from each other.
There have been loads of acquainted automobiles and faces, together with the Aslan EG6 Honda Civic, which broke the NA Class report with a staggering 55.037-second lap the day previous to Assault. That point was achieved with 295/35R18 entrance tyres – critical rubber for just a little Civic.
What do you do when you possibly can’t resolve between your Honda S2000 and your Porsche 996 Cup automobile? You carry each, after all. Not a nasty pair to juggle between periods.
If there’s one factor I like about Assault, it’s the innovation you see. Try the DIY aluminium foil brake heaters and this ingenious wheel nut storage basket.
The RE Amemiya and Crew Kizuna Goudabankin rotary-powered Mazda Chante was a left-of-field entry and simply the gang favorite.
Final 12 months’s Assault protection sparked a dialog in regards to the lack of EV entrants. Effectively, this 12 months a Tesla Plaid made an actual assertion with its 59.598 lap. Like it or hate it, this would be the first of many EVs we’ll see competing within the years to return.
It wouldn’t be 12 months at Assault with out an abundance of Porsches. Many of those automobiles are not any strangers to the occasion, however one specifically piqued my curiosity.
This LS-swapped T-tec 993GT was one other stand-out Porsche. The group battled points all through the day, however nonetheless managed a 58.035-second lap.
The time-attacking Suzuki Jimnys returned as soon as once more. An uncommon however welcome sight out on observe, I’ve nothing however admiration for a way far these automobiles have come from their over-landing roots.
As Assault Tsukuba continues to develop in dimension, the range follows. For this reason Assault is all the time a calendar spotlight for me, and by far the most effective occasions to take a look at right here in Japan if you happen to’re planning a go to.
For now although, keep tuned for a more in-depth take a look at 4 of my favorite automobiles from the day.
Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco
