Two Methods To Go Drag Racing In Japan

We’re all responsible of it. Nicely, I do know I actually am, anyway.

I keep in mind the primary time my automotive got here again from a dyno tune after being modified with an even bigger turbo, intercooler and 3-inch exhaust. I couldn’t imagine how highly effective the automotive had change into, and the way I had in flip someway magically absorbed just a few additional horsepower too. I wanted to inform the world. I known as my grandma to provide her the information; I known as old-fashioned pals I hadn’t spoken to in over 10 years. “Hey, I hit 340PS, I’m principally unstoppable now.” I used to be drunk on energy.

I’m certain I’m not alone. Hitting larger energy in a tuner automotive is a very rewarding achievement, and it’s simple to get carried away with the numbers, nevertheless large or small. However earlier than you maintain a celebratory dinner on your subsequent 40PS achieve, check out what these drag machines are doing with their energy…

After witnessing the mind-numbing speeds that most of the vehicles competing in Central Circuit’s Drag Competition final month had been attaining on the quarter mile, I see energy figures very in a different way. In fact, I’ve at all times recognized that the most effective methods to enhance a automotive’s efficiency is to higher its power-to-weight ratio, and on the planet of circuit racing this goes hand-in-hand with dialling within the excellent suspension and dealing with geometry, too.

However once you solely have to go quick in a single course, large horsepower and light-weight takes on an entire new which means.

Now, clearly it’s a bit merciless of me to match these machines to the standard road vehicles we see right here on Speedhunters, however I really feel the comparability is inevitable and intensely sobering. Particularly within the case of the KJM Racing Nissan RPS13 180SX, which makes use of an SR20DET powertrain for 8.26-second zeroyon sprints.

That makes it the quickest automotive within the ‘RWD Beneath 2.5L & Rotary Engine’ class of the 2022 Drag Competition Japan collection. 180SX homeowners, is that this the brand new benchmark?

In my books, a tuner-car-turned-drag-car just like the KJM Racing 180SX is the final word in cool, however should you actually need to look misplaced in Japan you want a standard dragster. Fortunately, there have been two operating at Central Circuit, each of which had been constructed up in Japan utilizing kits from the USA, the motherland of drag racing.

The naked aluminium dragster from Sakuzou Racing is piloted by Mr. Hiroyuki Akimoto. It makes use of a supercharger from The Blower Store to drive air right into a 540ci Chevy large block V8, leading to a staggering 1,300hp.

As you’ll be able to see from the group photograph above, the lads are fairly happy with their achievements.

The Really feel Type dragster is utilizing a 400ci small block Chevy, however there’s no supercharger right here, only a whopping nice dose of nitrous oxide.

I’ll be trustworthy with you, when they took off from the beginning line I discovered it tough to focus on taking photographs. As a first-timer at a drag racing occasion, I had no ear safety and was not ready to have my insides pulped from the vibrations. As I now know, it’s all a part of the expertise.

Over the approaching days, I’ve acquired just a few extra spotlights from this occasion headed your approach. Stayed tuned for a 4-rotor FC3S Mazda RX-7, Japan’s quickest Corvette, and a really well-known Toyota Supra from the early ’00s.

Toby Thyer
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