World Time Attack Challenge 2013

This weekend Sydney Motorsport Park will play host to the fourth running of the Yokohama World Time Attack Challenge (WTAC), where racers from around the globe will converge and focus on one thing, and one thing only... the fastest possible lap time.

The weapons used to carve out ridiculously quick lap times are insane. Just check out a few of the photos - it's all about big wings and big turbo boost.

But let's start at the beginning, what is Time Attack?

The idea originated in Japan in the early 1980s as a basic proving ground for cars built by respected car tuning companies to benchmark their highly modified sports cars. Before long the 'tuner shops' began building dedicated race cars to compete at organised events and from here it began to spread around the world, seeing countries hosting their own national events to race the most insane, overpowered, aerodynamically dramatic sports cars you're likely to see.

The WTAC has expanded its global reach in the past few years, with an influx of international competitors at the Australian event this year, plus trade stands, Show n Shine areas, Flying 500 and much more, making it a dream for petrol heads.

Defending 2012 champion (and V8Supercar endurance driver) Warren Luff set a time of 1:25.02 around what used to be called Eastern Creek, in a highly modified Mitsubishi Evo, and will looking to defend his title against entries from Japan, America, New Zealand and Australia with a huge variety of machines participating.

Tricked-up, fire-belching, tyre-frying cars like the Honda NSX, Mazda RX-7, Nissan GT-R, Nissan 200SX, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Mitsubishi Evo and much more will be vying for the fastest lap time in the premier class.

Luff will be once again behind the wheel of the Auger Torque NEMO race car, and its owners have announced their plans to field the potent machine abroad, in Japan and the USA at various time attack events and eventually at the infamous Pikes Peak Hillclimb.

As well as getting to see the blistering speed of the Time Attack cars there is an International Drift event with some of the world's best powersliders from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and even as far away as Norway. These Drift machines will be tearing up the circuit under lights on both Friday and Saturday nights too.

'Turbo Legends' will also be on track both Friday and Saturday, seeing some classic touring cars such as the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R, Ford Sierra Group A, Nissan Bluebird Group C and even a Ferrari F40 letting rip.

There's also a new Flying 500 event will also see some of the country's most powerful street cars battle it out over 500 metres down the main straight. It will feature cars built by local workshops, tuning houses and individuals, and these aren’t dedicated drag cars either – these are real-life, 1000 plus horsepower street monsters.

The World Time Attack Challenge runs October 18 to 19 and expected to draw massive crowds, so get in early. For more details check out WorldTimeAttack.com.