Some words to describe Aidan’s Autech S15; simple, deliberate, purposeful and the old adage of function > form rings true. The parts list isn’t tremendously extensive, there are no negative offsets or massive widebody conversions, granted it does have a huge wing; however the wing, along with the front splitter and fog light covers, are removed most of the time. This is his only car after all.
The reasoning for all of the above is because Aidan has chosen to pursue and dedicate his efforts to time attack and competitive circuit racing. It’s an avenue of motoring seemingly far less followed by young drivers (P-platers especially) and understandably so. As a P-plater myself, the track has long been seen as quite inaccessible. It’s perceived as expensive and then there’s those rumours about N/A cars not being fast enough. Aidan has shown me that circuit racing isn’t nearly as expensive as you may think and the pace and power output of your car is all but irrelevant. Aidan has shown that with a few choice parts, the willingness to learn and listen to others, and impressively, a factory SR20 (bar exhaust), you can make more than respectable lap times and improve towards becoming best driver you can possibly be along the way.
As mentioned, the SR20 is largely untouched. Aidan was lucky enough to snag himself an Autech tuned S15, which receives a slight power bump through way of increased compression, different camshafts, Fujitsubo headers and sodium valves. Apart from work from Autech and the custom exhaust, all focus has been shifted elsewhere on the car for the time being.
For suspension, Aidan has gone for HKS Hipermax IV SP coilovers. The car also has solid subframe bushings, camber, toe and traction arms for the rear, and front castor arms. As well as a brake master cylinder stopper and strut braces for the front and rear.
On the outside, there is a custom front splitter and a Carbon Plus Type 5 GT wing. Both of which are easily installed the morning or afternoon before a track day, and just as quickly removed thereafter. The car is sitting on Volk RE30s (17×8.5 +30) and wrapped in Advan AD08Rs (235/45/27). Peeking out from behind the front wheels, sits an Alcon big brake kit with 335mm rotors. Behind the rear wheels sits a pair of brakes from an R33 GTST.
Inside the cabin, the rear seats have been completely stripped out, awaiting a CAMS certified cage to be fabricated and installed in the near future. An Apexi RSM, an RPM 330mm flat bottom steering wheel and BOSS Hub, as well as a Velo Podium II driver’s seat and Velo Clubman 4-point harness all come together to complete a simple, focused, no-fuss interior.
Aidan’s car is an ever-evolving project. Of course the culmination of all of these parts did not happen overnight, but note that minimal parts are needed in order to get out on the track and start having fun. Circuit racing is also unique in its ability to truly improve yourself as a driver. If anyone is at all interested in getting on track (as I am), the best way is to join a CAMS affiliated club, and subsequently get your CAMS licence.
But be warned. The circuit bug apparently bites quick, and hard. Hope to see some of you out there!
