ALIEN90 Supra Global Time Attack Finals 2024 Recap | 1:56.22 | 9th Place Street Class
Global Time Attack Finals 2024 1:56.22 | 9th Place Street Class
My first Global Time Attack (GTA) Finals at Buttonwillow is in the books! I faced a few challenges with coilovers, brakes, and tires, but overall, it was a resounding success. The reason? Driving my Supra to and from the track (a 3.5-hour journey each way) – no trailer needed! And a PB of 1:56, besting my previous best by over 2 seconds.
Friday I left work early and packed the Supra to the brim. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I could fit. Aside from spare tires, I managed to pack tools, jackstands, racing gear, and even toiletries.
Arriving at Buttonwillow around 4 PM, I caught the end of practice and picked up some awesome merchandise from Boss Boss Racing x SoCalDrivers Club. Thanks to Mike (Boss Boss) and Charles (SDC) for letting me share their garage and escape the heat.
Lesson learned: Next year, I'll either rent a garage or bring an EZ-UP. lol.
On Saturday morning, it was my first time on a track with a front splitter and wing, so I took it easy. I was the first car out of group 4, responsible for setting the pace for the out lap for the rest of the group.
First Session, I managed a 1:58.xx. I essentially matched my personal best, gaining 7 tenths. The coilovers felt a bit off, and definitely needed some tweaking to the compression and rebound as the car was uneasy on certain curbs, but matching my PB on a shakedown lap was promising.
I knew the morning sessions were the fastest. As the day wore on, the temperatures picked up, which seemed to reduce my maximum speed on the straights. I suspect the MST V2 intake, while cool-sounding, isn't ideal for hot track days.
In the third session, I only managed two laps before my brake pedal went mushy. I felt the ABS was kicking in way early than expected, extending braking distances.
Thankfully, Mike (Boss Boss Racing) helped me learn how to bleed the Supra's brakes. After the last session ended, I jacked up the car to bleed the brakes in the little sunlight that was left. His girlfriend (Hanna) also provided some bomb food throughout the event.
A well known fact in time attack weekends is that Sunday mornings are the fastest. After a full day of shaking down the car, it was time to push for a PB. Supras love cold weather, and the turbocharger benefited from denser air.
I was moved up to Group 3, which gave me the opportunity to follow faster cars. I always seem to do better when surrounded by faster drivers.
In the very first session, I achieved a time of 1:56.22. I shaved 2 seconds off my PB, even while lifting off in a few corners due to worn brakes + fluid. The aero helped keep the car flat through the Buttonwillow esses, increasing my top speed from 116 mph to over 120 mph. The car felt more planted, and I could get on the throttle earlier out of corners.
While the brake bleed didn't fully solve my issues, I was happy with my performance. The most important thing is that I learned a lot about competing at this level and what it takes, up close, to be successful. Congratulations to Boss Boss Racing for winning street class. He worked all of 2024 to achieve that goal and I couldn't be happier for him.
The ALIEN90 Supra definitely has the potential for sub-55 lap times as is, but for now, enjoy the YouTube video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRzeJOLMyHE&t=6s
Thanks for reading! See you all at the next one.