Origins of Time Attack: The Japanese Beginnings
Time Attack, one of the most exhilarating forms of motorsport, traces its roots back to Japan’s tuning scene in the 1980s and 1990s. Originally developed as a way for performance shops and tuners to showcase their fastest lap times, Time Attack quickly became a competitive motorsport where drivers pushed their machines to the limit in a battle against the clock.
The concept was simple: unlike traditional wheel-to-wheel racing, Time Attack focuses purely on lap times—whoever completes the fastest single lap wins. This format allowed for extreme tuning experimentation, as teams sought to extract the maximum potential from their vehicles without the need for race endurance or overtaking strategies.
The movement became famous at Japan’s Tsukuba Circuit, where the legendary Option Magazine and Rev Speed organized events that saw some of the world’s most advanced tuned cars set record-breaking lap times. This led to the creation of Super Lap Battles, where professional drivers and top tuning houses like HKS, JUN Auto, and MINE’S competed in heavily modified machines.
The Arrival of Time Attack in the UK
Time Attack officially arrived in the UK in 2006 with the launch of the Time Attack Championship. Inspired by the Japanese format, the UK series was designed to bring grassroots enthusiasts and professional tuners together in a highly competitive environment.
Key Moments in UK Time Attack History
2006 – The First UK Time Attack Championship
The UK’s inaugural Time Attack Series debuted with events at famous circuits like Brands Hatch, Donington Park, and Silverstone. It attracted a mix of privateers, tuners, and professional drivers, all eager to set the fastest laps on UK soil.
2007-2010 – Rapid Growth & International Attention
The championship saw increasing participation from UK-based tuning houses such as Litchfield, Roger Clark Motorsport (RCM), and Zen Performance. These teams developed extreme builds, such as the RCM “Gobstopper” Subaru Impreza, which became a dominant force in Time Attack competition.
2010s – Expansion & Special Events
UK Time Attack evolved into a multi-class structure, allowing competitors to enter anything from lightly modified road cars to fully built race machines. The series also introduced night-time sessions and reverse-grid formats, adding excitement to the traditional format.
2018-Present – UK’s Global Recognition
The UK Time Attack Championship gained international recognition, with drivers and teams from across Europe participating.
