Living The Wangan

This week I'm going to focus on some of my favorite builds that have been created for competition on the Wangan. For those who don't know, the Wangan is more or less the equivalent of a Japanese interstate loop with a toll. There are two different routes, an inner and outer loop, both of which can be run in either direction. Once your toll has been paid, you are free to run as much as you would like. As street racing in the U.S. drag sense is nearly nonexistent in Japan [thanks to the Yakuza] the Japanese have developed an affinity for high speed racing, or top speed racing, which takes place late at night when these interstates are void of traffic outside of shipping trucks. This past time is hugely influential on the style of Japanese vehicles, especially the commonly spotted GT-Wing, while looking a bit over the top, provides much needed stability at speeds reaching over 200 mph. Aero tuning in general is hugely important, as well as braking system, well dampened suspensions, and immense peaky power bands.

This particular car has been built by Top Speed, a company founded by "Smokey" Nagata, a man famous for his top speed exploits in Japan and Europe. Interestingly, the owner of this car wanted to keep it highly livable, so all creature comforts are present. Note that the fuel system, complete with swirl tank, is mounted to the diffuser allowing for an already small trunk to remain usable. The car sports the constant Skyline favorite, Volk TE-37 wheels, sized 19 inches to allow for those absurd Brembo 8-pots. Exterior mods are simple, a Top Secret bumper, bonnet, and diffuser as well as Ganador mirrors. The motor is stroked from 2.6 to 2.8 liters and uses twin HKS ball bearing units to produce over 800 hp. This setup produced a run of 314 kph, surely exciting.