HKS Racing Performer GR86 Circuit Challenge

We have getting work on the machine build, right after the launch of car.
The first step was to install the HIPERMAX coil-overs, intake and exhaust system.

In addition to that, we conducted weight reduction of the unnecessary parts for Time Attacking,
but we chose to keep the stock 2.4L NA power unit in order to find out the potential of the GR86 itself.

In the late November, 2021, we conducted shakedown test of the machine.
Although, we could not test the machine on the course 2000 due to the track condition, we got the valuable data that helps 1st Challenge.

---

2 November. The 1st Challenge was the first run on Tsukuba Course 2000,
and it was a public attack at the "Tsukuba Super Battle" hosted by RevSpeed magazine.
Using the results from the test and the records of other GR86 and the new BRZ recorded up to that day as a reference,
the team headed out for the first run with the goal of setting a time in the faster than 1'03 range, or even better, in the 1'02 range.

　

For the first run, we chose worn S tires (ADVAN A050) to check each part of the car.
However, the lap time was 1’02.805,
surprising every HKS crews.
For the second and third runs, the team was planning to attack with fresh tires,
so we had high expectations for further faster lap record.

• 
• 
• 
• 

For the second run, we made some slight adjustments based on the results of the first run, and attacked with fresh tires (ADVAN A08B).
Even though it was just before noon, the temperature and track surface matched the characteristics of the tires to record a hot lap of 1’01.872.
Our machine broke into the 1 minute and 1 second mark, which no one had expected.

• 
• 
• 
• 

The third run was at just after 2pm.
The temperature and track surface temperature were the highest of the day,
which was quite disadvantageous in terms of time attacking.
However, with further fine adjustments and fresh S tires (ADVAN A050),
and Taniguchi's heartfelt drive, he recorded the best lap of the day at 1’01.855.

Our crews were amazed at the high potential of the GR86,
which was able to break into the 1’01 range with just a basic mods such as HIPERMAX coil-overs,
intake and exhaust, weight reduction, and high-grip tires. Our expectations for the next round of challenges were raised even higher.

---

SPEC― 1st challenge ―

TOYOTA GR 86
ENGINE	STOCK
TRANSMISSION	STOCK 6 SPEED
EXHAUST	HKS Hi-Power SPEC-L II
COIL-OVER	HIPERMAX MAXIV SP SPL
LSD	AFTERMARKET
TIRE	ADVAN A050 235/40-18 (F&R)
WHEEL	ADVAN RACING RS III
SEAT	BRIDE
BRAKE	ENDLESS
OTHERS	WEIGHT REDUCTION

※Please note that specifications are subject to change without notice.

---

In the 1st Challenge where we recorded a fast lap record,
the exterior remained stock. In the 2nd Challenge, the team decided to install body kits in order to improve stability during cornering.
Since the installation of body kit changes the way downforce is generated and greatly affects the suspension settings, a pre-test was conducted.

The body kit installed on the car is the "HKS Body Kit Type-S," which is planned to be released commercially as street-use parts, but compared to the stock body,
the front and rear posture during driving has been improved, and stability has been improved by reducing wobble under full braking.

• 
• 

On December 28th, the day of the 2nd Challenge finally arrived.
For more grip, 295 wide tires were installed. The body kit was changed to a wider version “Body Kit Type-R” in order to fit it inside the body.

This time, the course was occupied, so a clear lap was ensured and the car was equipped with body kit and wider tires, which gave us an advantage.
On the other hand, the power unit was not changed from the last Challenge, and the attack was started at 15:00, so the temperature assumed to be high.
Due to limited time, it was anticipated that there would be only one actual attack.
There were concerns about the potential for break the record.

• 
• 

The attacking started at 15:00.
First, we conducted test run with worn tires in order to checked each part of the car and made few adjustments.
Then switched to the fresh ADVAN A050 tires for the time attack.
After the in-lap, the car passed the control line and started attacking.
With Taniguchi's accurate driving, he passed through each section smoothly and marked 1'01.286.
He broke the Tsukuba Course 2000 best lap of GR86/BRZ tuning car by about 0.6 seconds. (28 December 2021)

• 
• 

As with the 1st Challenge, we have been able to confirm the high quality of the GR86 by marking this record with a stock engine and light modifications such as intake and exhaust.
However, there is still a lot of room for improvement, such as the suspension setting to more efficiently take advantage of the downforce from the body kit and the grip of the wide tires.
In addition, there are various options for the power unit which is mostly untouched,
and we would like to upgrade each parts of the unit and try to update the record next time.

• 
• 
• 
• 

---

SPEC―　2nd challenge　―

TOYOTA GR 86
ENGINE	STOCK
TRANSMISSION	STOCK 6 SPEED
EXHAUST	HKS Hi-Power SPEC-L II
COIL-OVER	HIPERMAX MAXIV SP SPL
LSD	AFTERMARKET
TIRE	ADVAN A050 295/35-18 (F&R)
WHEEL	ADVAN RACING GT BEYOND
SEAT	BRIDE
BRAKE	ENDLESS
BODY KIT	HKS BODY KIT TYPE-R
OTHERS	WEIGHT REDUCTION

※Please note that specifications are subject to change without notice.

---

Following the time attack on December 28,
the car was turbocharged to obtain more power. At the beginning of the year,
the car was showcased at the Tokyo Auto Salon with updated specs. After that, we continued to work on the set-up.

While HKS was spending time on machine build,
the modification level surrounding the GR86/BRZ was also progressing,
and the best lap of GR86 on Tsukuba 2000 was already in the 59-second range.

Although the car had been turbocharged,
it was still in the process of exploring settings and durability of various parts.
While it was not yet possible to expect a significant increase in power output,
it was easy to imagine that it would be an extremely high bar to set a new record,
which would require a shaving of 1.5 seconds or more off the previous record.

• 
• 
　　
• 
• 

On February 25, we had the opportunity to test drive the Turbocharged GR86 with Taniguchi at the "Unparalleled Running Event".
Even though it was a test run, we wanted to break the current record...and our desire to do so was growing.

The first session of the day was the tuning house demo car attack class slot early in the morning.
This would be the only opportunity to break the record as the temperatures were moderately cool and clear laps could be obtained.
HKS crews and Taniguchi shared the same thoughts.

---

After a check run, the brand-new tires were mounted and the attack begun. He drove through each section,
fully maximizing the performance of the GR86 Racing Performer.
Came out of the last corner and passing through the control line.
The lap monitor, which caught the attention of the al HKS crews,
showed a time of 59.631....
Our hopes of breaking the record were shattered by a 0.03-second gap.

Although we were able to collect a large amount of data as a driving test and the purpose of the test was fulfilled,
we still wanted to break the record. With a bunch of disadvantageous factors such as temperature,
track surface temperature, tires, and machine conditions compared to the morning,
the only positive factor was to fine-tune the vehicle setup based on the data accumulated from the previous runs,
so the team challenged the re-attack in the afternoon session.

• 
• 

The Racing Performer GR86, which had been entrusted to Taniguchi,
left the pitlane and after a warm-up run,
finally began its attack. Taniguchi's blazing drive to shave off the time at each corner,
and to force the machine from flowing outward at the final corner,
marked a time of 59.585, 0.01 seconds faster than the previous record.

While all of us were relieved to see the new record time,
we also saw various challenges that we will have to overcome in order to further improve our record time in the future.

• 
• 

SPEC―　3rd challenge　―

TOYOTA GR 86
ENGINE	STOCK
TRANSMISSION	STOCK 6 SPEED
TURBOCHARGER	GTIII-RS BOLT ON TURBO
ENGINE CONTROL	F-CON iS+EVC7
EXHAUST	HKS Hi-Power SPEC-L II
COIL-OVER	HIPERMAX MAXIV SP SPL
LSD	AFTERMARKET
TIRE	ADVAN A050 295/35-18 (F&R)
WHEEL	ADVAN RACING GT BEYOND
SEAT	BRIDE
BRAKE	ENDLESS
BODY KIT	HKS BODY KIT TYPE-R
OTHERS	WEIGHT REDUCTION

※Please note that specifications are subject to change without notice.

---

March 15 was set as the last time-attack day of this spring,
however in order to achieve to update the fastest lap time,
it is necessary to get more power and a balance between downforce and drag caused by the body kit,
so a pre-test was conducted to confirm these factors.

Since the GR86 Racing Performer is a development vehicle for street-use products,
fuel and ignition timing are controlled by the F-CON iS piggyback-computer,
but we were able to confirm that even if the turbo boost pressure was increased to improve power output,
the control could be performed properly.

Also, a modified shape body kit was attempted to improve balance in the front and rear sections of the car,
but due to a problem that occurred during the test,
an improved version of the previous attack was used for the next time attack.

• 
• 

Then March 15, the day of the time attack arrived.
The HKS crews had high expectations for how fast they could achieve,
but as of 8:00 a.m., the scheduled time, the track surface was not dry due to the rain from that day before,
so the session was postponed until the afternoon.

The weather turned fine by noon and the track surface recovered to a completely dry condition. The time had finally come.

The team ran a few laps with check tires and then returned to the pit.
After changing to attacking tires, Racing Performer GR86 and Taniguchi left the pit.
After running one warm-up lap, the car got on the attack lap. He marked 58.329,
his best time with the GR86 and the GR86 record on Tsukuba.

• 
• 

Although it would have been fine to end the session there,
the team had saved new tires, so they changed to them and fine-tuned the angle of the rear wing, and then attacked again.
We tried to break the record further, but the time displayed on the board was 58.332,
3/1000 of a second behind the best lap.... The angle of the wings seemed slightly out of correct position.
Although it was disappointing that the best lap time could not be further updated with the use of new tires,
it was also a sign that the current time was approaching the upper limit of what could be achieved with the current specifications.

NEW tires had already been put on and the temperature was well over 20 degrees Celsius,
a harsh condition reminiscent of summer.
Although it is expected to be difficult to beat the time even if the team tries again,
there are still a few factors that could lead to a better lap time,
The front spoiler has been adjusted to increase front downforce
and improve handling performance and the turbo boost pressure has been increased to further improve power and torque.
We put our hopes on them.

Since this would probably be the last attack this spring,
we want to have no regrets about the results - carrying such thoughts,
the Racing Performer GR86 and Taniguchi ran through the Tsukuba Course 2000 in the orange sunset glow.
The conditions were overwhelmingly unsuitable for a time attack, but the desire to achieve results prevailed,
and the team marked a time of 58.311, which broke the GR86 record set on the same day again.

• 
• 

Through time attacks with the Racing Performer GR86,
which began last fall, various data is collected and feedback will be provided for the development of street-use parts.
We also plan to make further updates for the next fall/winter time attack,
so please stay tuned for updates in the future.

SPEC―　4th challenge　―

TOYOTA GR 86
ENGINE	STOCK
TRANSMISSION	STOCK 6 SPEED
TURBOCHARGER	GTIII-RS BOLT ON TURBO
ENGINE CONTROL	F-CON iS+EVC7
EXHAUST	SPL
COIL-OVER	HIPERMAX MAXIV SP SPL
LSD	AFTERMARKET
TIRE	ADVAN A050 295/35-18 (F&R)
WHEEL	ADVAN RACING GT BEYOND
SEAT	BRIDE
BRAKE	ENDLESS
BODY KIT	HKS BODY KIT TYPE-R
OTHERS	WEIGHT REDUCTION

※Please note that specifications are subject to change without notice.

---

The "HKS Racing Performer GR86" achieved a time in the 58-second range during the March time attack at the Tsukuba circuit,
where it had held the position of the fastest GR86 as a development car for tuning parts,
and continued testing during the off-season.

For the second attack season,
the aim was to explore the limits of the engine and transmission in response to increasing power.
Firstly, with the stock engine and transmission, the setup was refined by replacing larger injectors and increasing the boost,
resulting in an output of about 450 horsepower.
In response to the additional 50 horsepower, minor upgrades were made, such as changing the tire aspect ratio,
adding a front splitter, and a swan-neck rear wing.

• 
• 

During the "Unparalleled track day,"
the HKS motor sports team recorded a significant time improvement with 57.890 seconds using the modified specifications.
In the subsequent "Tsukuba Super Battle by Rev Speed," we marked a great record of 57.102 seconds,
surpassing the previous season's record by more than a second.

• 
• 

---

---

The third attack was "Attack Tsukuba 2023,"
another time attack event where tuning cars gathered.
As the stock transmission had reached its limit during previous attacks and testing,
the HKS team replaced it with the HKS Special Sequential Transmission,
aiming for strength and improved driver usability.

• 
• 

On the day of the "Attack," the weather was good but cold.
The HKS team aimed for the super lap in the morning with brand new tires and sent Nobuteru Taniguchi out of the pit to attack.

• 
• 

The GR86 attacked with many spectators watching.
In response to their expectations, the team broke into the 56-second range with a single lap,
recording "56.761 seconds" - finally achieving the elusive 56-second mark that they had missed at the end of the previous year.
They also marked the fastest time for the GR86 at Tsukuba.

• 
• 

The "Racing Performer GR86 Circuit Challenge" is not just about time attacks,
but also aims to use the knowledge gained for the development of tuning parts.
Please look forward to the evolution of the GR86 as a "running laboratory" and HKS's GR86/BRZ tuning in the future.

• 

SPEC―　7th challenge　―

TOYOTA GR 86
ENGINE	STOCK
TRANSMISSION	HKS SEQUENTIAL
TURBOCHARGER	GTIII-RS BOLT ON TURBO
ENGINE CONTROL	F-CON iS+EVC7
EXHAUST	SPL
COIL-OVER	HIPERMAX MAXIV SP SPL
LSD	AFTERMARKET
TIRE	ADVAN A050 295/30-18 (F&R)
WHEEL	ADVAN RACING GT BEYOND
SEAT	BRIDE
BRAKE	ENDLESS
BODY KIT	HKS BODY KIT TYPE-R
OTHERS	WEIGHT REDUCTION