ZACH GREEN WC34

“If Fanga can drift a Commy, I can surely drift a wagon”

Station wagons are certainly not the first body shape that springs to mind when you think competition race machinery (old BTCC Volvos excluded), but that’s not to say they don’t make for one hell of a drift weapon when built right. Pro-Sport rookie — another to debut at round two — Zach Green had actually purchased the wagon for towing duties for a ex-D1NZ car he planned to buy. But a month into the ownership it was re-tuned, had a hydro handbrake and a lock diff, and could be found sliding around Hampton Downs. An altercation with a wall more or less wrote the wagon off from road duties, and it took up residence as Zach’s dedicated track car.

Drifting a Stagea is not without its unique set of challenges. First up, the wheelbase is long — about 60mm longer than a Cefiro — then there is the front GT-R suspension layout, aka 4WD. To combat a serious lack of lock, Zach runs a set of chopped knuckles to add about 10 per cent extra lock. Weight-wise the wagon is surprisingly light, coming in at under 1300kg.

The engine under the bonnet is an RB ‘big block’ — an RB30DET with R33 RB25DE head, stock internals, ACL bearings and an N1 oil pump. The Garrett GT35 delivers 340kW at a very conservative 6000rpm, and following his first competition round Zach will drop in a new set of cams to help with mid-range torque.

The car features a very mild-looking exterior, but what lies beneath the skin is firmly race oriented, with light-impact repair and safety a major factor for Zach after that crash at Hampton. The tube fram front built in his shed is easily unbolted and replaced, while parts like the fuel cell, oil cooler, and radiator have all been positioned well out of harm’s way.

You can expect to see Zach swangin’ off the G-Tech wheel for the remainder of the season as the team works at perfecting the set up, but he is confident — “If Fanga can drift a Commy, I can surely drift a wagon.”

Having a wagon as a track car is not without its benefits. The rather large rear compartment comes in handy during transit, as it can hold plenty of tools and tyres.