GT Auto Garage is building a full-house R35 GTR race car to be driven by Targa Tasmania star Steve Glenney at the World Time Attack Challenge at Eastern Creek on August 5 and 6.
The GTR's 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 has been heavily modified using parts supplied in an Australian-first arrangement with legendary Japanese tuning house HKS.
In final tune the engine is expected to produce in excess of 680kW, compared with 390kW for the standard car.
The GTR has undergone an extremely strict weight reduction program, thanks to the replacement of the entire body with carbon fibre.
The bodywork has been shaped by renowned American Indy Car and Le Mans series aerodynamicist Andrew Brilliant, who travelled to Australia from his Tokyo base to design the car using Computational Fluid Dynamics software.
GT Auto Garage engine builder David Lenthall believes the car will be a strong contender once fully sorted.
"We have a lot of work ahead of us, but the aero by Andrew Brilliant and engine parts and data from HKS have given us a big start," Lenthall said.
Like all the cars in the event, the R35 is required to put its power down through street-legal semi-slick tyres.
"We've chosen Hankook Ventus TDs - which are fast becoming the tyres of choice in the time attack scene," he says.
"They get up to temperature very quickly which makes them great over a single timed lap."
The bodywork is being made by Andrew and Caroline Vitols at Custom Carbon Components in Sydney.
"The Vitols are making the body with vacuum-formed, resin-infused, dry-laid carbon because its strength and lightness is ideal in a form of motorsport where weight reduction is all-important," says GT Auto Garage head of chassis, David Johnson.
Further weight has been saved by the fabrication of an elaborate chrome moly roll cage for driver protection.
"Future plans for the car also potentially include sports sedan racing, so we've paid particular attention to safety," said Johnson.
Johnson and Lenthall are particularly excited about securing Steve Glenney's services behind the wheel.
"With Steve driving, we have one of the best development drivers in the country on board, allowing us to quickly tune the chassis and hopefully put us right where we want to be from the outset," says Lenthall.
"He is one of the most talented drivers I've come across, and his ability to relay data to our engineers is uncanny."
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