We don’t only feature fully modified vehicles in NZ Performance Car magazine — the mildly modified get a look in too! It doesn’t matter what it is, if you’re passionate about it, and drive it to work every day, we’ll showcase it.
Name: Alastair Wootten
Location: Auckland
Occupation: Owner of Formula Fit, Silverdale
Make/model: 1993 Toyota Supra RZ
Engine: Toyota 2JZ-GTE, HKS panel filter
Interior: TRD Nardi steering wheel, Bride carbon Kevlar Low Max Stradia seats, TRD Duracon gear knob, Sony double-din head unit with DB components
Exterior: Full gloss-black respray, carbon-fibre TRD spoiler, TRD front lip
Wheels/tyres: Work wheel nuts (F) 18×9.5-inch (+30) Work Emotion XD9s, 235/40R18 Nitto NT05 semi slicks (R) 18×10.5-inch (+38) Work Emotion XD9s, 265/35R18 Nitto NT05 semi slicks
Suspension: BC Gold BR series coilovers
NZ Performance Car: Hey Alastair, very tidy Supra you have there. What drove your decision to purchase an RZ Supra?
Alastair Wootten: I’ve always been a huge fan of the big coupés, and when it comes to large Japanese supercars you can’t really go past the 2J Supra. Also, growing up watching the notorious battles with the R32 GT-Rs taking on the Supras in the JGTC — I wanted to be a little different to all the RB drivers out there.
Although the Supra is still fairly stock, the body does appear to have had some freshening up. Can you tell us what you’ve had done to make it look this mint?
When I bought the car it was completely standard inside and out, and had patches caused by acid rain over the bonnet, roof, and boot. I wanted a car that wasn’t tampered with so I could put my own touch on it. Thanks to Mike and the team at Mike Butt Collision Repairs, we put a fresh coat of factory black on it and simply did bolt-ons. For me it was important to have something that would start every time I went to it, looked like a show car, and would still be quick enough to get your attention.
What with your racing background in the New Zealand Toyota Racing Series (TRS), along with experience in a wide variety of other fast race cars, how do you think the legendary 2JZ-GTE engine compares, and have you done any modifications to give it some more boogie?
I have driven some pretty cool cars over the years, and the Supra would have to be the coolest road-registered one, in my eyes. It’s pretty hard to make a car that weighs nearly two tonnes exciting — but they got it right with these things. It’s sad to see that technology and safety have made the modern car somewhat boring to drive. The motor, as most know, is really strong. I have been acknowledged by the enthusiasts — and hated on — because the car has no engine mods, but as any racer will tell you, you can never have too much power, so let’s leave it at that.
What has the Supra been built for, and how is it best enjoyed?
I built the car so I had something fast and track-worthy to drive on the weekends. I wanted a tough look and handling with the semi slicks, and a low stance for the pleasure of rubbing speed bumps. As a fan of the World Time Attack scene I wanted something that looked staunch with plenty of power, aero, and tyre.
Do you have plans to progress the build further, and if so, which areas will you address?
If so, I will probably start with bolt-ons — exhaust, intercooler, intake, and boost controller. For now I just want to enjoy having the car back on the road.
Thanks for your time Alastair, we hope to see the Supra gracing the pages of NZ Performance Car again in the future.
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