The 2016 Yokohama World Time Attack Challenge (WTAC) quickly became something pretty special for anyone who is not a fan of four-wheel drives. In a sport that is typically dominated by Evos, this was the first year (out of seven), that the top spot of the podium was a rear-wheel drive car — in fact the entire pro-class podium was made up of rear-wheel drive machines.
The MCA Suspension S13, nicknamed the ‘Hammerhead’ thanks to its front aero design, was in a class of its own in 2016. As owner/builder Murray Coote explains in the interview below, the car had only received minor design tweaks and changes since their second placing in 2015, but those changes clearly made a massive difference. The team also had a new wheelman for 2016 — V8 Supercar driver Tim Slade, who took to the big-power aero machine like a true professional. After only seven laps behind the wheel he was able to smash the Tilton Evo record with a 1:23.76, and then turned around and bettered it with a 1:22.192 on Saturday. To put this in perspective, last year the car managed a best of 1:25.3710 to earn second place.
Running a billet-block SR20 with a near-factory VE head with Kelford cams, Hypertune manifolds, and a Garrett turbo, the package now churns out close to 900 ponies. Backed by a Holinger sequential, the package might be basic, but it’s certainly now proving reliable at boost pressures in the mid 30s.
The entire body of the car is carbon in an attempt to shed as much weight as possible, and new aero additions in 2016 include the small gurney flap on the boot lid. What we like most about this build is the fact that the car is built on a budget and it runs a set of shocks anyone can buy for under $3K from MCA — how cool is that!?
For full WTAC coverage, grab your copy of NZ Performance Car Issue No. 240, which is in stores from Monday, October 24 — or grab your copy from our online store below!
