If you thought that the earlier land speed record of 325.5 kmph was too hard to cross, you got it wrong. Road & Track’s international editor Sam Mitani drove the Suzuki Kizashi into the record books. The modified 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Bonneville Special driven at this year’s Bonneville Speed Week ran at 327.8 kmph. The Suzuki motorcycle riders have done it past; they have broken plenty of records. However, this happens to be the first official crack at the Bonneville Salt Flats by Suzuki’s automotive arm. Kudos to Sam Mitani and the Kizashi!
Richard Holdener, Tom Habrzyk and Scott Bailey from Advanced Product Engineering were happy as everything went on as expected. The conditions weren’t favourable though. Mercury levels were as high as 100 degrees and the Kizashi was working its way at a density altitude on the flats of 6,303 feet. The modified 2010 Kizashi, however, proved to be the perfect vehicle for qualifying with the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), the sanctioning club for all Bonneville records. The average of the two-way pass was calculated as 327.8 kmph.
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The Kizashi had to be heavily modified to be race ready and also winner ready. The interior safety features had to be modified along with instrument modifications. Once this work reached completion, the team installed the SCTA-approved roll cage, racing seat, seat harnesses, window net and an aluminium bulkhead in the rear. Under the hood, they disassembled the engine to confirm stock measurements, while the cylinder head was flowed and ported. The record breaking Kizashi was strapped with a 2.4 litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine that threw 513 bhp at 7,700 rpm.
A new intake manifold, a tuned ‘long tube’ header and forged rods and pistons for high rpm endurance in the Kizashi Bonneville helped the racer. The car’s increased power also demanded air-to-water inter-cooling, snow water/methanol injection and a new ACT clutch and pressure plate. A scatter shield was added and the team welded the oil pan for a new drain fitting. An all-new 8.9 cm exhaust was fabricated behind of the turbocharger. Thanks to the full synthetic 5W-20 racing oil, the Kizashi got the required additional protection for the high-boost.
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The changes were finally over and the Kizashi platform with seam welded steel wheels, new coilovers and speed-specific 15×7-inch Goodyear Front Runner rubber seemed perfect at the Salt Lake Flats in Bonneville, Utah. Every minute detail was given taken care of. An air dam ensured the Kizashi’s nose stood in place, while the window straps and hood pins made sure the hood and glass stood intact. A parachute could bring the high speed show to a controlled and shortened stop.
The Kizashi was ready, but was Mitani? A dual fire system offered him that extra assurance. How we wish Suzuki’s new warrior races to India soon!
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