The Time-Attacking Suzuki Jimnys – Speedhunters

The second I noticed a prepare of Suzuki Jimnys blasting by way of Tsukuba Circuit’s turns throughout the latest tenth anniversary Assault meet, I knew I needed to put a separate publish collectively on the curious track-spec kei-class off-roaders.

This was by far the most important shock on the occasion for me. As a result of it’s not day-after-day – or ever – you see Jimnys of varied generations lowered and operating circuit-spec rubber, not to mention entered in a time assault competitors. However this Japan, so I shouldn’t have actually been stunned in any respect…

Most modified Jimnys I see right here in Japan are lifted with knobbly rubber underneath the fenders and geared up with off-road-specific equipment. What I used to be seeing right here although, have been turbo upgrades, huge intercoolers and roll cages.

To not point out, lifted inside entrance wheels on the tighter corners. How cool is that?!

That is all attainable because of Rainbow Auto, a Jimny specialist positioned simply down the highway from RWB in Chiba. The Rainbow group will take your pocket-sized Suzuki off-roader and remodel it right into a track-ready time assault weapon.

I had a brief chat to the proprietor of the store, who instructed me that he actually needs individuals know simply how a lot enjoyable Suzuki Jimnys could be if you construct them this fashion.

Rainbow introduced alongside a few demo automotive examples of the latest era Jimny. It is a mannequin that was in such excessive demand for some time that they have been coming onto the used automotive market with huge premiums.

This crimson Jimny was dropped on RAYS A●LAP-J cast wheels fitted with Yokohama Advan Neova tires. I observed that the entrance wheels on all these Jimnys have been protruding way over the rears, one thing achieved to enhance entrance grip and switch in.

Engine-wise, evidently the preliminary sequence of modifications that Rainbow Auto provides consists of changing all of the manufacturing facility silicone consumption pipes with an aluminum arduous piping package, swapping the air field for a cone filter, boosting ignition energy with beefier coils, and enhancing cooling with a larger-core radiator.

Together with the dealing with modifications – coilovers at a minimal – it was no shock to see brake upgrades starting from easy slotted rotors and high-friction pads, by way of to a preferred GC8 Impreza 4-pot caliper retrofit, and eventually a full compact Brembo package, as fitted to the crimson Rainbow Auto demo automotive.

Try the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon vibes on this new-gen Jimny.

This JA11 Jimny was the oldest of the bunch at Assault Tsukuba, however presumably probably the most modified.

Right here’s its little longitudinally-mounted 3-cylinder engine. Curiously, this setup retains the turbo positioning low, not like a number of the others I noticed.

Contained in the heavily-stripped cabin you’ll discover a roll cage, Recaro Professional Racer RMS seat with a Willans harness, a Momo steering wheel and never so much else.

That entrance wheel monitor enhance I discussed a second in the past seems to be prefer it’s achieved with some severe hub extenders.

It solely makes the wheelies look much more impactful.

Hanging out in the little nook of the Tsukuba paddock that Rainbow Auto and all of the Jimny homeowners had taken over, it was apparent that regardless of these guys doing what they do for enjoyable, they nonetheless take issues severely in the case of arrange and prep.

Some have been even protecting their rubber cosy with correct tire-warming techniques.

This older Jimny pick-up with overfenders and BNR32 Skyline GT-R wheels ran the quickest lap of the group.

Regardless of being setup for grip, Jimnys are, unsurprisingly, not the quickest issues on the market. All issues thought-about although, the 1’12″056 that this crimson JA11 managed is definitely not dangerous.

As I discussed in my essential Assault Tsukuba publish, it’s not what you time assault in that’s necessary.

It’s all about private objectives and satisfaction.

The one different Jimny not a part of the Rainbow Auto group was this JB23 from Stealth.

The group got here all the way in which from Akita Prefecture within the very north of the nation and posted a 1’12″357 lap.

It sported one of many wildest-looking engine bays of the ten Jimnys on the occasion, primarily attributable to its top-mounted turbo and the grille-mounted intercooler. I additionally noticed a Bosch electrical throttle physique.

Now that you just’ve seen a few totally different Jimnys all arrange for monitor work, do you suppose this low, purposeful look would swimsuit a Jimny avenue automotive?

In the event you’re not sure, check out this.

I noticed this Rainbow Auto-built Jimny within the Tsukuba automotive park and thought it seemed fairly sick.

In case you’re questioning, the rationale why this one isn’t on yellow kei license plates is as a result of it’s a Sierra model, which not solely comes with plastic overfenders that push its dimensions outdoors kei automotive rules, however can also be powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder engine, versus the kei-spec 660cc turbo three within the base mannequin.

It’s at all times enjoyable if you come throughout a automotive that makes you query what’s proper and what’s mistaken. However on this case, it was an entire bunch of them! Large because of Rainbow Auto for chatting with me; I feel I could have to pay them a go to and discover this grip Jimny development a little bit extra. What do you suppose?

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
[email protected]