Tsukuba Circuit is hallowed floor within the time assault world, however for many fans outdoors Japan, the dream of hitting this iconic observe in actual life stays simply that – a dream.
For Jacky Tse of JTune, a New Zealand-based tuner and die-hard time assault fan, nevertheless, that dream wasn’t one thing to simply watch from behind a display screen. It was one thing to be realised.
Jacky considers himself a “regular driver.” Whereas he’s an informal observe teacher, Jacky just isn’t an expert racer. His purpose was easy however bold: to show that anybody may present as much as Tsukuba for the primary time in a avenue automobile and go away with a lap time which may appear unachievable for a novice fanatic.
In fact, there was one essential piece to this puzzle – the automobile itself.
Transport a automobile from Japan to New Zealand is inexpensive, given the huge variety of used JDM autos exported every week. However sending a automobile in the wrong way? That’s a distinct story. I’ve lined an analogous story the place 4 Australians shipped their drift automobiles to Japan for a month of observe days, and I’ve stored tabs on their ongoing journey. From Australia or New Zealand to Japan, automobile transport prices are solely the tip of a really costly iceberg – and that’s earlier than you issue within the return journey.
For Jacky, sending a automobile from New Zealand didn’t make monetary sense. A a lot better concept got here throughout Tokyo Auto Salon 2024.
A 12 months in the past at Makuhari Messe, HKS unveiled a wide-body GR86 to showcase a contemporary initiative for the corporate: The HKS. Drawing from over 50 years of tuning expertise, this division has been set as much as create absolutely constructed avenue automobiles for purchasers – from delicate to wild. Realizing HKS already had a profitable time assault GR86 in its R&D fleet, Jacky requested if he may buy the automobile on show, with the intention of taking it to Tsukuba. The reply wasn’t utterly easy.
Initially, Jacky was informed he may purchase the prototype ‘The HKS’ GR86, however because it transpired, the automobile had already been offered – to a different Jacky, which can clarify among the confusion. It wasn’t all misplaced although. If he was keen to attend, HKS may construct one other automobile – ‘The HKS’ GR86 buyer chassis #1 – after which run it with him at a Tsukuba time assault occasion.
This selection turned out to be even higher. Jacky may spec the automobile precisely how he wished throughout the boundaries of what HKS outlined as a ‘avenue automobile,’ and have time to correctly put together for the driving problem. A couple of months later, a contract was signed, the deposit paid, and in June, ‘The HKS’ division started work on a brand new Toyota GR86 RZ in Crystal White Pearl.
By August, the core of the construct was completed. By December, it was absolutely accomplished – simply in time for the second and closing 2024 HKS Tsukuba Hiper Problem. That is after I joined Jacky and over 40 of his family and friends for the event.
Earlier than diving into how the day unfolded, let’s check out the automobile…
At a look, it’s clear that is no atypical GR86. Avenue authorized? Sure. Delicate? Not even shut. The automobile sports activities a full HKS Kind-R physique package, widening the entrance by 55mm and the rear by 65mm (per aspect). That is additional enhanced by HKS SPL CRFP (carbon fibre strengthened plastic) canards, vortex turbines, and an under-panel, together with a customized HKS SPL CRFP swan-neck GT wing –all of which had been CFD-tested to enhance high-speed stability.
The GR86 runs two units of 18×11-inch +30 Yokohama wheels – Advan GT Beyonds and Advan Racing TC4s, which had been wrapped in Yokohama Advan A050 295/30R18 semi-slicks for Tsukuba. HKS Hipermax R coilovers improve the automobile’s dealing with whereas Limitless 6-pot entrance and 4-pot rear brakes guarantee it could cease.
Inside, the full HKS catalogue has been unleashed.
There are HKS fiftieth (anniversary) Bride Zeta IV entrance seats, HKS fiftieth TRS 6-point harness belts, and an HKS fiftieth Nardi Sports activities 34S steering wheel. Not forgetting its avenue automobile credentials, HKS ground mats and a baggage mat within the trunk full the look. For its day on the observe, the passenger Bride seat and mats had been eliminated, however every thing else remained.
Lastly, the powerhouse and HKS’s bread and butter of the construct – the engine. From its unique 2.4L naturally aspirated specification, HKS stroked the GR86’s flat-four to 2.5L utilizing their Quick Block Step 2 package, which incorporates cast pistons, I-beam connecting rods, and a cast crankshaft with a crank key.
To carry the facility, an HKS GTIII-RS turbo package was added, full with the turbocharger, exhaust manifold, 113mm catted downpipe, intercooler, and a Tremendous Energy Move air filter. Supporting the upgrades are a wide range of HKS elements, together with a grommet-type head gasket, High quality Tune V-belt, Hello-Energy SPEC-L II exhaust system, and an S-Kind oil cooler package. Costume-up elements, just like the HKS dry carbon fibre engine cowl (eliminated in these photographs) and fuse field cowl, and the HKS oil filler cap, full the engine bay.
The GR86’s manufacturing unit ECU stays, but it surely now has an HKS F-CON sub-ECU, HKS EVC 7 enhance controller, HKS ATK A/F Knock Amp, and an HKS VAC II (velocity limiter removing) working alongside it. The facility output? With 0.7bar (10.3psi) of enhance dialled up, a conservative 350hp.
This was the complete HKS catalogue construct, with no lower corners. Nevertheless, Jacky had an additional request above and past the scope of the driveline improve, which initially simply added an HKS LA (Mild Motion) clutch: Becoming a race-spec limited-slip differential, and a Quaife 69G 6-speed sequential transmission from Momentum Motorsport in the UK, one in every of Jacky’s long-standing companions.
At first, HKS wasn’t absolutely on board with this deviation. However when Jacky confirmed up on the Fuji HQ mid-build with a Cusco RS 1.5-way LSD in his carry-on baggage and the information that the Quaife gearbox was en route, the group got here round. In any case, even HKS had encountered points with inventory GR86 transmissions failing beneath enhance on observe, and a damaged field was the very last thing Jacky wished to have prematurely lower quick his day at Tsukuba.
Initially, Jacky was purported to get some check laps earlier than the Hiper Problem, however as typically occurs with these tasks, the construct went right down to the wire. His first time behind the wheel could be on the occasion itself. And with solely three quick 15-minute periods to work with, laying down a decent lap time – Jacky’s purpose being sub-1-minute – was going to be something however simple.
The day began with excessive spirits, however issues took a fast flip. Jacky hadn’t even made it out of the pit lane when the engine stalled and couldn’t be restarted. After the automobile was pushed again to the HKS pit, the problem was traced to a free crank angle sensor. Session one: carried out.
To correctly resolve the sensor concern, the transmission would want to return out of the automobile to provide full entry to it. There was no time for that, so a side-of-the-road repair was employed, permitting Jacky to move out for session two.
Jacky had been making ready for this present day for six months, working tons of, if not 1000’s of laps on his simulator. However Tsukuba’s real-world elevation modifications, nook camber, and observe narrowness had been all issues he needed to rapidly adapt to. In the course of the second session, he was understandably cautious, realizing that crank angle sensor failure at velocity may finish in catastrophe. Moreover, the automobile was understeering, and the brakes weren’t performing as they need to, largely as a result of the pads hadn’t been bedded in and the suspension settings wanted tweaking. The large aero was hampering its straight-line velocity too. Nonetheless, Jacky lapped at 1:03, a strong begin.
After some tweaks and with confidence that the crank angle sensor concern wouldn’t resurface, Jacky equipped for the third and closing session. He had a technique: heat up on lap one, then push for a time on lap two, and lap three if crucial.
There was quick enchancment with a 1:01 first lap. However on lap two, the engine started to overheat, initially inflicting energy loss after which a misfire. Jacky returned to the pits for a settle down, however on his return to the observe the misfire persevered. Not eager to danger the engine, the session was known as.
Though the teething points didn’t enable Jacky to hit his lap time purpose, the GR86’s efficiency was spectacular for a primary shakedown.
Hit play above to trip together with Jacky for a couple of laps round Tsukuba.
On the finish of the day, Jacky famous, “This mission wasn’t nearly a construct or a lap time. It was about fulfilling a lifelong dream with my family and friends, and celebrating automobile tradition at Tsukuba, the world’s most iconic time assault observe.”
Whereas this was purported to be a one-hit Tsukuba deal, with HKS returning the GR86 to its HQ after the occasion and instantly prepping it for export to New Zealand, there’s an opportunity Jacky will get a second shot at that 59-second lap earlier than Japan’s 2024/2025 time assault season is over. HKS has mounted the crank angle sensor concern and is presently fine-tuning the setup, so we’ll see.
Within the meantime, you need to positively take a look at Jacky’s YouTube channel, Seat Time, the place his ‘Highway to Tsukuba’ has been documented intimately.
Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco
