So yesterday afternoon a friend of mine was taking his Airtrek on the track to test it out.
It was a regular open track day and we had perfect weather for racing! Dry, slightly overcast and nice and warm, really good weather for banging those corners.
We met up in the afternoon and grabbed some lunch then headed onto the track about 2.30pm. The trek heading out for it’s first lap.
This is no normal trek though, it’s got 18″ rims to accommodate the 8-pot K-sport brakes with 355mm rotors! Why does it need so much stopping power? Because it has a tuned Evo-9 engine inside, Garrett turbo and a manual gearbox.
This is what we call a monster trek! Also fitted with XYZ fully adjustable suspension with K-Sport pillow mount and set with custom camber and toe for track use.
There were a variety of cars on the track that day, as usual the largest contingent being Honda models (Integra & Civic mostly) followed by Subaru and Evo and then an assortment of other cars from BMW, Golf R32, Mini Cooper S all the way to a handful of fellas driving a Myvi!
The monster trek kicked some ass on the straight especially when he boosted it up to 1.7bar.
I moved down to turn 1/2/3 as taking pics on the straight is quite difficult and rather boring, plus the section has some nice backdrops like the ‘Sepang’ worded seats.
And of course just after the corners is the iconic Malaysian flag backdrop.
There was even one R35, but he didn’t seem to be pushing it. Perhaps just testing out a new car.
As with any open track day, there was a lot of red flags when someone had spun and the track had to be cleared.
But it was better than most, there were few stoppages and everyone on the track was aware of racing etiquette and how to overtake safely – there were only 1-2 who were a bit clueless.
Then it was my turn to go out, the driver was Anthony an old skool track kaki all the way back from Batu Tiga days. It was his first time driving a trek…but damn was he good.
He managed to clock a 2.49second lap only boosting at 1.5bar and he said the suspension was a little to soft still, he couldn’t give it full max round the corners. Plus need some lower profile tyres (40mm would be good).
He’s a crazy good driver though, I’ll give him that! He could race (and overtake) a new Honda Integra Type-R, now that is a fast AND nimble car.
This is me coming back in from some crazy laps.
This was one of the maddest cars of the day, a Volvo 240/244 with some kinda of apeshit engine inside, either a Supra Twin Turbo engine or we suspect a Skyline RB26DETT engine. Whatever it had under the bonnet it was bloody fast.
And well that was the end of that! A fun day out at the track, then back home for some dinner.
Can’t wait to get my car all fixed up and on the track. The next Project Airtrek post will be coming soon, most the minor problems are fixed just a few more mods to make (lower temp thermostat, fan relay, service intake, set cams properly etc.).
Great cars and pics! Do one have to pay to do testing on the circuit?
Btw, I think I saw you in Tropicana City Mall watching 2012 last Friday. Haha.
Awesome stuff! Damn I want to go for a track day as well. What are the requirements especially if you just have a stock car?
love it love it love it!! cant wait for more airtrek post~
JD: Yah for Sepang it’s about RM180-200 for a track session. Yah I was there to watch 2012 🙂
Mark Leo: No requirements on your car, just make sure no oil leak, brakes are good and all signal lights are working. As for you, helmet and sports shoes are required.
ah loon: More coming soon!
omgz i miss open days, but lets do go-kart!
@KY call me next time!
Wahh the 240/4 is like a Tofu car. Did you get to drive this monster?
The Volvo even looks like a monster. Have you tried driving your own car on Open Track Day?
KY: Yah too long no rubber burning ady.
Tan Yee Hou: Nah don’t know those fella who it belonged to.
bem69: Yah it was ridiculous, my current car? No, my previous car yes. I’ll take it on the track one day when it’s all fixed up with strut bars, wider tyres and a BBK.
Bro. Nice airtrek your friends have. When the next race? Me also want to join laa..
mdharman: Hehe thanks bro, there was one yesterday actually. The last one for this year will be next Sunday Dec 20th.
Man that looked like a blast! I love the photos you took, especially the ones where the car is digging in the corner, and you can see the suspension working 😀
Joey Logano Fan: Yah track racing is one of the most exciting things, highly skillful too!
Hey, i have a noob question .. if you have a track car.. how r you gonna bring the car home.. since its not legal on the road, is it ok if you just ‘drive’ home the car..? or shall you tow the car home..? hope any guys could reply.. thx..
Zaim: Take it there and back on a flat bed towtruck, it’s not legal to drive on the road 🙂