Hazelwood tames World Time Attack

Todd Hazelwood won the 2025 Yokohama World Time Attack Challenge on debut by a massive margin.

The reigning Bathurst 1000 winner added the World Time Attack at Sydney Motorsport Park to his growing resume.

Hazelwood was rapid in the Tanuki Racing Nissan Silvia S13 and won the Emtron Pro Class and Shootout with a scorching 1:18.1690s time under lights.

Amazingly, he was more than four and a half seconds clear of nearest class rival Alex Rullo in the IntelliSpatial Fleetcare Racing Lamborghini Gallardo R-EX.

But the event was all about Hazelwood, and he was blown away by the speed of his Nissan.

“What an absolute joy to drive this rocketship here behind me,” said Hazelwood.

“It’s been one hell of a journey joining the team.

“We had our gremlins, we had our challenges, and to get a taste of a (one minute) 18 time is just an incredible feeling around this circuit.

“I only drove the car for the first time Friday last week!

“I cannot thank the whole team here behind me enough. Big thank you to Wayne (Lee) from Tanuki Racing for the opportunity.

“We pushed everything to the limits and this thing has been scaring me all week.

“She was a spirited lap. I had a proper crack then.

“I went through Turn 1 and the steering got really heavy and I had a big understeer, more than what I’ve experienced all weekend.

“It was a lap that I was pretty proud of. 

“I was probably overcommitted a little bit into the second-to-last sector but I think I got away with it.

“I just can’t wipe the smile off my face. What an awesome day!”

The former driver of the Nissan, Tim Slade, still enjoyed success, being third in the Emtron Pro Class with a 1:25.392.

He ended up being second best in the MoTeC Pro Open class with Rob Nguyen throwing down a 1:22.216 in his 200kW nitrous kit.

Darren Bishop’s Mitsubishi Evo has dominated the GCG Open Class at the 2025 Yokohama WTAC, running a 1:26.819 and taking a resounding win by more than a second.

Plazmaman Pro Am has been dominated by Feras Qartoumy’s Corvette, setting a new lap record with a 1:23.269.

The previous best effort was set by the Tilton Evo (1:24.6300) way back in 2018.

The Haltech Clubsprint class also saw a record set by Alex Michalsky with a scintillating 1:30.718.

Although the event has been hailed as a success by organisers, not everything went to plan.

Yuuki Kamakura was disqualified after performing donuts in the pits.

The WTAC organisers released the following statement on the incident.

World Time Attack Challenge (WTAC) wishes to address the unacceptable and extremely dangerous conduct of competitor Yuuki Kamakura (Japan) during the 2025 WTAC event.

WTAC are deeply disappointed by Mr. Kamakura’s actions in the pit lane. His deliberate decision to perform “donuts” in a restricted area was not only a serious breach of our fundamental safety policies, but it also placed lives at risk — including officials, team members, fellow competitors, and spectators.

Safety is non-negotiable. WTAC has zero tolerance for reckless behaviour that compromises the integrity of the event and the wellbeing of everyone on site.

Given the gravity of this incident, WTAC has have taken immediate and decisive action:

• Yuuki Kamakura has been disqualified from the 2025 World Time Attack Challenge.
• All recorded lap times have been nullified.

WTAC will not allow any competitor to endanger others, disrespect event protocols, or undermine the standards of professionalism we expect at this level of motorsport.

We remain unwavering in our commitment to the highest standards of safety, discipline, and sportsmanship. Incidents like this serve as a stark reminder that such conduct has no place at WTAC — now or ever.

There is now a plan in place for international competitor conduct in Australia. All international competitors will be given this form to ensure they understand all Australian motorsport regulations.

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