Seen today at Castle Combe Test. Another Celica GT joins the Nippon Challenge. This one is driven by a friend of Karun Chandok the Indian F1 driver. There are another two due to join battle at the next round due to be held at Castle Combe on Bank Holiday Monday 30 May.

Apologies for the poor quality

_________________
Don
GT4DC Chairman
1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205WRC JDM 269bhp @ 0.9bar
1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four Special GT 590bhp @ 1.8bar
1989 Van Diemen RF88/89 Formula Ford 1600
2008 Nissan Patrol GU 3.0L ZD30DDTi 154bhp

so what are the rules etc of the nippon series with regards to what cars can enter etc?

its fantastic to see some celica racing though, there should be more!

I was just thinking this - are gt-fours permitted or does it put them in an uncompetitive category?

_________________
GT4DC Events Co-ordinator
1996 ST205 UK

me too... i very muc want to race a gtfour.. i have always planned on doing so but never known where to race one cheap, they are a superb car so would prove very good on alot of tracks.

at snetterton on the new 300 track the gtfours out performed no end of the cars... well 99% of them so should be very competitive with little to barely any modification

By popular request here are the Nippon Challenge 2011 Technical Regulations.

Nippon Challenge 2011
Technical Regulations

Introduction
The following technical regs are as set out in accordance with the MSA format and it should be clearly understood that unless it says clearly that you can do it, you should work on the principle you cannot. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate it is the driver's responsibility to ensure their car meets MSA Blue Book regulations in all matters, particularly on safety.

Note: In all instances where the series regulations state options are 'free', all variations and modifications must be done in accordance with the MSA Blue Book.

Description
Japanese cars and other Asian brands may be permitted subject to the organiser's approval. Whilst we want to attract the widest variety of cars and specifications to the series, the promoters reserve the right to not accept cars it does not think are within the spirit of the challenge.

Safety
Drivers should ensure that both they and their cars conform in every way with the MSA Blue Book, with specific regard to safety matters. You are particularly drawn to, though not exclusively, the installation of roll cages, race seats, fire extinguisher, cut of switches, LED rain light and your race clothing.

Chassis
Must be based on production model and recognizable as such, but can be stiffened with cage, strut braces etc. Poly bushing is allowed. No space frames allowed.

Car

Exterior
Must retain as near as possible to its original silhouette and be recognizable as the model entered, though it can be modified with additions such as aftermarket bodywork modifications, wings etc as long as they conform with Blue Book regulations. Panels may be replaced with alternative materials e.g. carbon or glass fibre subject to Blue Book regulations.

Interior
Drivers seat should be replaced with an approved race seat but passenger seats plus all interior trim can be removed, though we recommend retaining heating/demisting equipment. Glass sunroofs must be removed and replaced with a suitable materia in accordance with Blue Book regulations as may door cards. All cars must be fitted with a minimum of an MSA approved roll cage.

Ground Clearance
It is permitted to alter the ride height but the car must be no less than the minimum prescribed for saloon car racing from the ground to body work including any added aero in race trim with driver, stationary or moving.

Engine
Must be based on production unit from manufacturer of model to be raced, otherwise free. E.g. engines from an alternative model but same manufacturer may be used. Note Blue Book requirements for catalytic converter on later models.

Suspension
Must be of original design, alternative dampers/springs allowed, rates free, alternative wishbones links allowed, rose joints allowed, bushes material free, hubs/uprights original design, mounting points must be original. Super GT free.

Transmission
Must be based on production unit from manufacturer of model to be raced, otherwise free. No conversion from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive or front wheel drive to rear wheel drive or similar allowed. Driver aids such as traction control/launch control etc only permissible if original fitment in production car. No sequential boxes (Super GT free).

Lighting
Must conform to minimum Blue Book regulations, otherwise free.

Brakes
Brakes free.

Wheel Rims and Steering
Wheel rims and steering free.

Tyres
Allowed tyres are any Blue Book listed Silverstone or Federal brands and must be purchased from Service and Sport (01942 218 498). Cars in the Super GT class can use any list A/B treaded tyre. Slicks strictly prohibited for all classes. Wet tyres free.

Racing Weights
The minimum weight a car, driver and residual fuel weighs at end of race or practice.

Class__________BHP_____ Weight (Kg)
Class A__GT300_300 ______1060
Class B__GT250_250_______1010
Class C__GT200_200________960
Class D__GT150_150________910


Class E - Super GT (invitation) - Subject to promoters discretion any car not complying with the above regulations can run within the Nippon that is felt to enhance the series.

Class F - Subaru Cup (view supplementary regulations).

Fuel Tank and Fuel
Tank type and location free as long as it conforms to MSA Blue Book regulations. Fuel only in occordance with MSA Blue Book regulations. Pump fuel no additives allowed.

Silencing
All cars to comply with current MSA regulations.

_________________
Don
GT4DC Chairman
1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205WRC JDM 269bhp @ 0.9bar
1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four Special GT 590bhp @ 1.8bar
1989 Van Diemen RF88/89 Formula Ford 1600
2008 Nissan Patrol GU 3.0L ZD30DDTi 154bhp

The GT500 class for four wheel drive turbo cars is not being run this year as they couldn't get sufficient interest. I think you can still run in the Super GT class with a turbo restrictor to limit boost and hence limit horsepower to the maximum allowable Super GT limit of 400bhp. The AAA Saloon Series which ran Imprezas and Evos last year has suffered the same fate. Castle Combe are looking at maybe running three races this year for the former AAA Saloon Series 4WD turbo cars so they get somewhere to run this year. The only other series which runs 4WD turbo cars is the Rod Birley run BARC Dunlop Motorsport News Championship whch is predominantly based in the South East around Brands Hatch.

There is no getting away from the fact that the 4WD turbo cars are expensive to run compared to a 180bhp 3S-GE engine Celica GT. The Stoner Racing Celica GT's are still about 50kg off the minimum weight limit and about 0.5 to 0.9 secs off the pace of the class leading Honda Civics. Given that this is the first year they have been run progress has been good and the team seem confident they can improve with furtehr development of the car. The Celica GT testing at Castle Combe set a best time of 1:22 compared to my 1:19 in the Formula Ford so it wasn't hanging around!

The Stoner operation is offering race ready Celica GT's for £5k. Seems great value to me compared to the megabucks I'm spending on the Four!

The next Nippon Challenge round is at Castle Combe on Bank Holiday Monday 30 May where there should be four Celicas running (three Stoner run Celicas and Gary Chappels Celica) Full report to follow after the meeting

For those interested in finding out more the following links have more info:
http://www.reddragonraceandtrackclub.co ... erview.php

http://nipponchallenge.14.forumer.com/v ... e11ddbeca8

http://www.stonerracing.co.uk/rfpdb/sto ... eCars.html

_________________
Don
GT4DC Chairman
1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205WRC JDM 269bhp @ 0.9bar
1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four Special GT 590bhp @ 1.8bar
1989 Van Diemen RF88/89 Formula Ford 1600
2008 Nissan Patrol GU 3.0L ZD30DDTi 154bhp