Timelines
2005 – GT Battle, first UK event to feature Time Attack, Drifting and car show
2006 – Formation of Time Attack as a championship of events
2006 – Formation of the D1 Great Britain Championship – professional drifting events
2006 – Creation of GT Battle Evolution car shows – featuring Time Attack, Drift and public tracktime sessions
2007- Creation of the EDC – European Drift Championship & support formation of British Drift Championship and continuation of Drift UK events
2007 – Support of the creation of RWYB drifting at Santa Pod – grassroots drifting
2007 – UK Time Attack cars shipped to Japan to compete at Tsukuba circuit
2010 – Formation of Club Time Attack, the MSA official club to run events under MSA permits (now known as Motorsport UK)
2010 – Inclusion of Time Attack as new sport into the MSA Blue Book
2012 – EDC ceases and drifting becomes demonstrations only
2014 – Rob & Andy take control of Time Attack, Glen departs
2015 – Shows and sports completely revised and new era of promotion begins
2020 – Creation of new Motorsport UK Drift Pro Championship & Blue Book regulations
2021 – Introduction of TCR UK and Civic Cup racing alongside existing sports
2023 – Creation of Racing Hondas Championship
2025 – GT Battle reintroduced as celebration show, JDM JAM introduced
2025 – Creation of Ultimate Racing Championship for touring cars
Our History: Pioneering Motorsport and Tuning Culture
In the early 2000s, the UK’s automotive scene was transformed by the influx of Japanese performance cars, bringing with them the unique culture, lifestyle, and motorsport disciplines of Japan. As tuning shops showcased their innovations, the demand for high-performance, purpose-built machines skyrocketed.
At the heart of this movement were Time Attack founders Rob and Andy Barnes, visionaries behind the legendary Sumo Power. Their expertise in creating awe-inspiring cars and performance parts defined the PlayStation era of tuning. Frequent visits to Japan introduced them to two emerging disciplines – Time Attack and Drifting – prompting them to expand their focus beyond drag racing at Santa Pod. Recognising an opportunity to elevate these sports in the UK, they began researching how to develop competitive cars and create events that would unite like-minded tuners.
Unbeknownst to them, Glen Horncastle was already working on a similar vision. He was orchestrating an event that would, for the first time in the UK, combine Drifting, Time Attack, and a 0-60 challenge. That event GT Battle, debuted at Rockingham in 2005, marking a pivotal moment in the history of UK motorsport. Both Rob and Andy competed, and soon after, they joined forces with Glen to take these disciplines to new heights as a dedicated business and provide the tuning world with its own dedicated events.
In 2005 and 2006, we cemented our place in motorsport history by launching the UK’s first professional drift events and hosting D1GP at Silverstone, where the biggest stars of Japan’s D1 Series competed on British soil. Alongside this, we established the Time Attack Championship, introducing a brand-new competitive motorsport format and uniting the nation’s top tuners under one thrilling competition which continues to lead the world in the sport of Time Attack.
In 2007, we took our ambitions to the next level by arranging for UK Time Attack cars to be shipped to Japan. Four teams flew out to meet their machines and compete in a special one-off event at Tsukuba Circuit, the globally recognised home of Time Attack. This milestone cemented our presence on the international stage and reinforced the UK’s role in the evolution of this motorsport discipline outside of Japan.
A Platform for Innovation in the Tuning Industry
Throughout our journey, we have been the shop window for the UK tuning industry, connecting the latest trends, parts, and engineering styles while providing tuning shops and parts manufacturers with an unrivalled platform to test, tune, and prove their latest products and services. This unique combination of motorsport and events sets us apart from all other motorsport series or car shows in the UK. We remain the ultimate proving ground for tuning companies and manufacturers to showcase cutting-edge engineering in front of their target audience – the enthusiasts and professionals that shape the tuning world.
Over the past 20 years, we have continued to evolve. We founded Club Time Attack, an official Motorsport UK associated club, serving as the driving force behind our on-track activities. Our diverse portfolio of show brands—including Tunerfest, Modified Live, Go Japan, GT Battle, and JDM JAM—has expanded our reach to some of the UK’s most prestigious circuits with worldwide recognition.
While motorsport for the aftermarket tuning community has always been at our core, 2023 marked a significant milestone as we launched our first racing championship, the Racing Hondas Championship. This addition, inspired by the excitement of door-to-door racing when we hosted TCR racing, has proven to be a perfect complement to our existing disciplines. Hondas have long been a staple of the tuning world and our customers, and the championship has already become a resounding success.
Today, all our activities come together under one unifying identity—Time Attack Organisation.
We are a team of seasoned motorsport professionals, event organisers, and industry experts, committed to delivering some of the UK’s most exhilarating motorsport events and car shows. With an unrelenting passion for performance and an unwavering drive to innovate, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in motorsport and car culture.
Time Attack Organisation: Shaping the future of motorsport and tuning, one event at a time.