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Nissan GT-R takes on Formula One car in rolling drag race

Formula One meets Godzilla


You might have read about the roll-race lined up between a 1300hp Toyota 86 (WTF86) street car and 1994 Footwork Arrows F-1.

The showdown was meant to take place at the 2017 Adelaide Motorsport Festival, but technical difficulties threw a spanner in the works. Rather than throwing in the towel, we made do with the tools at our disposal.

Unfortunately, the 86 destroyed a CV joint while competing in the afternoon time attack session. With just minutes before the showdown, we scrambled to find another vehicle to run against the Footworks Arrows F1 car.

F1 vs WTF86 was supposed to be one of the main events for Saturday afternoon at the AMF. Photo by Matthew Everingham, Speednation.

A quick scan of the time-attack garages drew us to Matt Longhurst's 1000hp (746kW) R34 GT-R, the lap record holder for tin-tops around the shortened Adelaide Motorsport Festival circuit. Although the R34 has less power and torque than the 86, we hoped the additional traction afforded by all-wheel drive would balance the equation.

Matt Longhurst's R34 GT-R was one of the fastest cars at the track, only seconds behind the F1 cars around the circuit.

A few minutes later, Todd Hazelwood – 2017 Super 2 Dunlop series champion – was strapped into the driver's seat of the time attack GT-R.

Todd Hazelwood strapped into the driver's seat of the 1000hp R34 GT-R

The rolling drag race wasn't Formula One and street car, but the fans weren't disappointed with the iconic Godzilla as a last-minute substitute for the Toyota.

 

Statistics at a glance

1994 Footwork “FA15” F1

Engine: Ford Cosworth DFR 3.5L V8. 620 hp (462 kW at the engine) at 10,750 rpm

Weight: ~515kg (dry, without driver)

1999 Nissan R34 GTR

Engine: Billet block RB26 stroked to 2.8L. 1000hp (at the crank)

Weight: ~1300kg (wet, without driver)

Special thanks to Josh Kean, Todd Hazelwood and Matt Longhurst.

Drone footage thanks to Pixels With Attitude.

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