The time attack bug keeps biting all over the world, and nowhere more so than in Japan where tuners and privateers continue to push the envelope. On Sunday, I headed along to the annual R’s Meeting at Fuji Speedway, and as ever it was a hunt to uncover the newest cars to hit the scene and find out what people are doing with their GT-Rs, regardless of the generation.
Well, I lie. I was obviously spending most of my time indulging in RB26 goodness, having spent the last week over at Do-Luck ‘supervising’ the turbo install on Project GT-R, while attempting to help out with the smaller, less critical jobs.
But anyway, more on that later… Today I want to show you this new circuit-spec BNR34 that the guys from Nakane Racing Design debuted at the event.
While they cater more towards GT-R sales and searching out specific cars for clients, the Nakane team do collaborate on builds from time to time. This demo car was built in conjunction with Auto Gallery Yokohama, and it represents the sort of machine that a customer commissioning a fully-tuned track car might get.
Execution is geared towards functionality and simplicity, with only the exterior additions being a more defined front lip spoiler, Nismo Z-tune replica fenders and a big wing out the back.
Under the bonnet it’s all Auto Gallery Yokohama, and the style is unmistakable. The ethos combines stripping the engine bay down to only the bare minimum stuff, welding in some additional reinforcement and building a sexy looking RB26.
What makes an Auto Gallery Yokohama engine look so special is the use of R31 Skyline RB20 cam covers treated to a red crinkle paint finish. These finned covers sit a tad lower than the stock ones and don’t cover the cam pulleys, so give a totally different look to the motor. There are more cool details too, like custom-painted Nismo GT plenum paint and a fuel rail that’s mounted below so the injectors spray gas before the six throttle bodies.
The Trust/GReddy T88 turbo dumps gasses into a big-bore front pipe and a smaller screamer pipe originating at the external wastegate, both of which exit out the side of the car.
The R34 sits on a set of black 18×11-inch RAYS Volk Racing TE37SLs wrapped in 295-section Yokohama A050 semis. Tucked in behind the front wheels are 6-pot AP Racing calipers with adequately sized rotors, while the rear end features a 4-pot setup.
The cabin is stripped down to the essentials; the stock dash and door cards remain and there’s the usual JDM-esque array of miscellaneous gadgets that could simply be replaced with an ECU and LCD display.
The nicest detail that you’ll find in here though is the custom welded-in rollcage, which gives a very purposeful feel to the car.
Needless to say, this is the sort of build we love seeing. Japan, more of this please!
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com