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14.11.06 

 

Team GTC DUKE RACING Smash Long Standing FIA European 4WD Drag Record @ Santa Pop Race Way!


PRESS RELEASE

The weekend of 7th October 2006 saw Team GTC joined forces with their Japanese partners Duke Racing to help break the European record for a 4WD car. The Santa Pod pro class event was certainly a weekend to remember. With over 15,000 spectators and 100’s of racers coming together to witness a weekend of amazing engine throbbing drag strip action. The queues to Santa Pod were steady throughout the morning and afternoon, packed with lots of eager faces ready to enjoy the best show of its kind, and the last major show of the year.

Team GTC DUKE RACING Smash Long Standing FIA European 4WD Drag Record @ Santa Pop Race Way!

The weekend was a real treat for everyone who attended, as we saw GTC driver Tim Webster break the European quarter mile record for a four wheel drive car no fewer than 4 times in his GTC-Duke Racing Skyline. Saturday saw the record expectedly knocked down to 9.159 seconds, and then 9.0 later on in the day with Japanese driver Nomura San of GTC Duke Racing at the wheel.

Everybody was rooting for the Skyline R33 GTR to finally break the 8 second barrier. The previous fastest time achieved over a year ago at FIA approved Santa Pod by RK Tuning’s GTR 9.4.

Team GTC DUKE RACING Smash Long Standing FIA European 4WD Drag Record @ Santa Pop Race Way!

Powered by a high power short burst HKS method of Hi-deck engine RB 2.8, an incredibly strong engine, built for extreme power and torque. A HKS air shifter box allowed for super fast super smooth gear changes. Running super grippy Mickey Thompson tires (distributed by Cooper Tires), the always superb working Castrol Edge oil, brake fluid and gear box oils.

On Sunday it was time for the big Pro Shootout event, with 22 of the finest examples of race machinery going head to head in a fast and furious battle to see who would be crowned the Pro Shootout Champion for both the 4WD/RWD and FWD pro classes. Some of these machines are worth in access of £150,000 in build which is more than some BTCC cars. The competition ran strong throughout the day, with some upsets and lots of hard work from the teams to prepare the cars for the track. After a couple of runs the record was broken once again by Webster, this time with a shocking 8.890 second pass. The final of the 4WD/RWD class saw the giant Tim Webster and the underdog Steve Whittaker head to head on the strip. Whittaker had the faster reaction time in his DJ Craig sponsored Supra, but Webster’s beastly Skyline had already taken the lead by the 60ft mark, and then the gap just increased and the win was easily taken by Webster, who also racked up his fourth new European record of the weekend with an absolutely amazing 8.808 second pass.

Team GTC DUKE RACING Smash Long Standing FIA European 4WD Drag Record @ Santa Pop Race Way!

Ben Linney said ‘We are pleased with a good result, but we also know the machine is capable of so much more, I would have been happier to have seen a lower 8. The key was good set up and reliability. We could easily have lost out to a much slower car had something broken, putting down so much power on the line. However, she remained consistent and reliable throughout, she didn’t miss a beat. After set up and trouble shooting on the Saturday she was untouchable on the Sunday main day. The experience and knowledge from Koichi San and Nomura san of Duke and also Katsu Hibio of HKS USA research and development was price-less.

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