The first Aussie-delivered R35 Skyline GT-R has undergone private testing at Sydney's Oran Park Raceway today. The white R35 has been purchased by Donut King Racing motor racer Tony Alford, CEO of Retail Food Group Limited, through importers
Just Jap.com - Tomei - HKS - Trust - Apexi - JUN - CP - JJR - Sard - OS Giken - Cooling-Pro - G4 Racing - Nismo - Garrett. The car had a mere 28 kilometres on its odometer before Tony took the wheel for the first time. It's factory plastic protective wrapping can still be seen on seats and door trims.
It will be sprayed in Donut King Racing pink before its racing debut at the 2008 Targa Tasmania over April 15-20. "As long as we do better than the 32's 9th Outright at Targa then we'll be happy," Alford told an onsite representative of Express Publications' Express Media Group (EMG), Greg Conway, in relation to his existing R32 GT-R race car. Conway, Editor of Zoom Magazine , had reportedly been up in the Oran Park tower before the 35 had arrived onsite via tow truck. It was spotted while being driven slowly around the Oran Park complex. With Alford at today's first-ever test drive was Just Jap's Darron Corrigan. Corrigan, Alford and fellow racer Peter Leemhuis are pictured trying to fathom all of the onboard electronics.
Also there to test was former V8 Supercar privateer and Donut King Racing team member Mal Rose. Rose, Leemhuis and Alford were former Team Mirage Australia teammates, racing Mistubishi Mirages in events like the Bathurst 24Hour at Mt. Panorama.
"I'd rather be racing that than this," Rose quipped, pointing to his 08 season V8, also white in colour. "But gee he's adapted to it pretty quickly," he added of Alford's laps.
"It was a bit jumpy over the ripples so it'll need a bit of setting up in the front end," Alford told Corrigan. Corrigan's boss, justjap owner Steve Thatcher, is reportedly the man who "made it all happen".
"My R32 Skyline is prepared by justjap," Alford confirmed. "This one was brought in a week before Christmas. Straight away I can say it is less laggy than the 32."
Corrigan told EMG that it will be "a couple of months" before the car is all sorted for Targa. Possible suspension and exhaust mods will precede its tarmac rally debut.
