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The second I noticed a prepare of Suzuki Jimnys blasting via Tsukuba Circuit’s turns through the recent 10th anniversary Attack 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 largest shock on the occasion for me. As a result of it’s not each day – or ever – you see Jimnys of varied generations lowered and working 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 below the fenders and geared up with off-road-specific equipment. What I used to be seeing right here although, have been turbo upgrades, massive intercoolers and roll cages.
To not point out, lifted inside entrance wheels on the tighter corners. How cool is that?!
That is all potential because of Rainbow Auto, a Jimny specialist situated simply down the highway from RWB in Chiba. The Rainbow workforce 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 folks know simply how a lot enjoyable Suzuki Jimnys could be if you construct them this manner.
Rainbow introduced alongside a few demo automobile examples of the most recent technology Jimny. It is a mannequin that was in such excessive demand for some time that they have been coming onto the used automobile market with large premiums.
This crimson Jimny was dropped on RAYS A●LAP-J cast wheels fitted with Yokohama Advan Neova tires. I seen that the entrance wheels on all these Jimnys have been protruding excess of the rears, one thing accomplished to enhance entrance grip and switch in.
Engine-wise, it appears that evidently the preliminary collection of modifications that Rainbow Auto gives consists of changing all of the manufacturing unit silicone consumption pipes with an aluminum laborious piping equipment, 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, via to a preferred GC8 Impreza 4-pot caliper retrofit, and eventually a full compact Brembo equipment, as fitted to the crimson Rainbow Auto demo automobile.
Take a look at 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, in contrast to loads 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 quite a bit else.
That entrance wheel observe enhance I discussed a second in the past seems 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 house owners had taken over, it was apparent that regardless of these guys doing what they do for enjoyable, they nonetheless take issues significantly in relation to arrange and prep.
Some have been even conserving 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 of although, the 1’12″056 that this crimson JA11 managed is definitely not dangerous.
As I discussed in my important 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 workforce 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 resulting from its top-mounted turbo and the grille-mounted intercooler. I additionally noticed a Bosch electrical throttle physique.
Now that you simply’ve seen a few completely different Jimnys all arrange for observe work, do you assume this low, purposeful look would swimsuit a Jimny avenue automobile?
In case you’re uncertain, check out this.
I noticed this Rainbow Auto-built Jimny within the Tsukuba automobile park and thought it regarded fairly sick.
In case you’re questioning, the explanation 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 automobile rules, however can be powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder engine, versus the kei-spec 660cc turbo three within the base mannequin.
It’s all the time enjoyable if you come throughout a automobile that makes you query what’s proper and what’s unsuitable. However on this case, it was an entire bunch of them! Large because of Rainbow Auto for chatting with me; I believe I’ll must pay them a go to and discover this grip Jimny pattern a little bit extra. What do you assume?
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
[email protected]
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