Inside Sydney's Fastest Garage

While many dream of mega-horsepower exotics or dedicated weekend track toys, few car fans can actually lay claim to owning a genuine 1000hp street car, let alone a race-only machine as well. But in the quiet south-western suburbs of Sydney, one motor head has got the best of both worlds and one hell of a Performance Garage.

Bob Kocoski likes to go fast and while his street registered 1000-plus horsepower Ford GT40 is driven regularly, Bob knows that the street is the last place he'd want to use this turbocharged V8 monster to its full potential. With Wakefield and Eastern Creek a short tow in either direction from his home and through a combination of contacts and some good old fashioned 'right place/right time' luck, Bob came across a Lexus that was destined for the show scene and decided to turn it into a time attack weapon of mass destruction.

Once the 17 TV screens and other assorted stereo gear had been removed, Bob was left with a fairly standard car. It was about this time that he came across an ex-BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) race team that was in the process of upgrading from an IS200 to the new IS250. Bob bought everything bar the car and soon his circuit racer adventure had begun.

With best of the best suspension, steering and braking components sorted, Bob needed something to power the Lexus and while he says that he's not an old-school guy, it was a V8 that found its way between the front struts - albeit a quad-cam, EFI Toyota V8. At this stage the 1UZ-FE pictured benefits only from the trumpet intake, upgraded fuel system and a solid tune from Adam at Just Engine Management in the Haltech PS2000 ECU but plans are already underway for the 14.5:1 1UZ race motor. Bob hopes that the new engine will push around 500hp to the tyres, around double what the current stock unit produces.

The aero package, a must for any serious time attack contender, was being constructed at the time of the shoot. When finished it will consist of a full under-tray, front splitter and a rear diffuser. A large rear wing is already in place but may change depending on how the Lexus responds to the aero modifications to come.

When we asked Bob what it was like to drive a huge smile appeared on his face and he simply said that it's like the car is glued to the road. The 295 Hankook race rubber on each corner certainly helps with the traction side of things and with just 10 laps on the car and some power steering dramas, Bob reeled off a 1:07 at Wakefield. Remember that this is with the standard engine and no aero!

Bob told us that the two cars are vastly different to drive. "The GT40 is just a weapon down the straight. It's got a near 1:1 power to weight ratio." A dry weight of 1080kg and an engine dyno'd 1080hp makes for an exciting time, especially when all 19psi of boost is wound in.

On the unusual colour of the Lexus, Bob says that, again, the advice of some good people set him on the right track and helped his race car with its unique look. "[I was] talking to Steve Gosby from SEM paints and he said, 'Mate, I've got the perfect paint for you.' I met up with him and once he showed me the paint I freaked out. No one's seen this paint before and it's the first car to be painted in this colour."

The two cars aren't just Bob's passion though with his son, Jet, jumping in for a ride with Dad whenever the opportunity presents. Bob told us that Jet's favourite car is the Panspeed RX-7 (Japanese time attack car and previous visitor to Australia) and that he prefers it to the GT40!

With only a few months to go until the World Time Attack Challenge at Eastern Creek, Bob will be burning the midnight oil to get the race motor and aero package finished and some testing in before the two big days of racing. Check out the video to get a behind-the-scenes look at Sydney's Fastest Garage.

UPDATE: Bob's mate and original owner of the Lexus, Alex, got in touch with us and sent us these pics of how it looked before Bob decided to change its destiny.

The standard-width body was prepped and the engine bay smoothed in readiness for a wild custom paintjob - a far cry from the SEM 'Smoke' that the racer now wears.

The rear doors had been suicided to better show off the incredible custom stereo install. Not only are the front doors now dry carbon from the BTCC donor car, the back doors aren't there at all!

More TV's and speakers in the doors! Do you think Bob did the right thing turning the show-machine into a circuit race car? Leave your comments and thoughts below.