Kota Sasaki and PANSPEED RX-7 take second in Fuji Time Attack

On a crisp and clear January 31st, Fuji Speedway hosted the HKS PREMIUM DAY in FSW 2011. The main event was the Time Attack and speed trial, the Option Fuji Speed Max, which saw some 22 machines tuned by famous Japanese tuners gathered. The first Time Attack event of 2011, it drew about 5,000 fans.

Though the supercharged RX-7 that was expected to participate from RE Amemiya Motors experienced engine trouble in a test just before the race and unfortunately had to bow out, of 22 rotary-powered cars there six boasted the highest power. At the previous year's event, a much-hyped rotary-powered machine, the Pan Speed FD3S-Attack V, set a record of 1'43.7. Set to take back that top speed record were two even more powerful R Magic Pink ver. 4 entries. The time attack and speed trial sessions took 45 minutes each, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, but there was only one time attack session for each pair of cars in the morning. All the power was directed toward the afternoon time attacks. The afternoon time attack session, which began at 2:45, turned into a tumultuous battle, with the top spot changing over and over, and near the end, Kota Sasaki drove his Pan Speed to a 1'43.983 finish to secure the record for fastest rotary time. Though in the second half of the attacks the R Magic machine had a puncture and was unable to pull off an upset, it still finished with a second-place time of 1'44.138.

Comments from Pan Speed's Tetsuhiro Sato
"We set the engine to be very responsive. Because of that, and because of the wind, it fell below top speed on the main straight. However, in the last time attack we took the top speed for a rotary engine, which was great. We're adjusting so that we can participate in the global time attacks that are going to take place in Australia this year. Of course, we're going to be participating in domestic events aggressively too."

2011.3.2
Page Top