1999 Tommykaira ZZ

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

• Track car created from a Tommykaira ZZ, in full racing specification

• Vanishingly rare - one of only about 200 ever made

• Recently recommissioned by Pie Performance Porsche

• Adjustable aero, suspension and brake bias

• Spare engine, gearbox and other spares

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

There are a number of things that Prince, that purveyor of purple perfection, was right about. Cuban heels are a strong look, Batman needed a funky soundtrack and you should definitely party like it’s 1999. And when it comes to rocking up at said party, it’s hard to beat a Tommykaira ZZ.

Why is it such a rock star of a machine? Well, while the vast majority of us will know it mostly from hooning around Grand Valley Speedway in Gran Turismo 2, the ZZ is actually a very, very special bit of kit. It’s the product of the company founded by Yoshikazu Tomita and Kikuo Kaira (hence ‘Tommykaira’) in the 80s and, while it may initially look like Japan’s answer to the Elise, it’s so much more than that.

First of all, it’s neck-snappingly fast, with the kind or responses usually reserved for a fly that’s been at the Red Bull– perfect for a race car. The ingredients for this delightful recipe are a sub-700Kg kerbweight, manual transmission and a mid-mounted, naturally aspirated 2-litre Nissan SR20DE driving the rear wheels.

Power claims vary, but the general consensus is “around 180hp”. In a sub-700Kg car. And that’s in factory specification; this particular example is even madder. Stripped, race-prepped and recently professionally recommissioned, it’s ready to demolish any ribbon of tarmac you care to point it at. We get the feeling this will quite easily embarrass some big-name machinery.

Then, of course, there’s the rarity value. You have twice as much chance of seeing a Bugatti Veyron than one of these. Only about 200 were built, so you have to admire the chutzpah of anyone wiling to put one on a racetrack and drive it as intended. And this one is definitely designed to be raced. This is no trailer queen, no pit-lane diva. It’s a car, not for those that live their lives chasing tenths, but for those who chase hundredths and can clip an apex within a gnat’s nadger of perfection.

It is, to put it bluntly, a wonderfully mad machine, one we adore. Buy it, race it, be a hero. Make the Prince of Paisley proud and show everyone that 1999 really is where it’s at.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

• 1999 model year car

• Current owner for 10 years

• We’re told that the car was fully recommissioned by Pie Performance Porsche race team at the end of 2023

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

• New OMP RS-E racing bucket seat, with new TRS racing harness - perfect for keeping you firmly in place as you ratchet down the lap times

• A deliciously red Momo Corse quick-release steering wheel has been fitted, offering a fabulous pop of colour to an otherwise very focused driving environment

• One of the cabin highlights has to be the polished aluminium gear selector: short and sturdy, it falls perfectly to hand and feels wonderfully mechanical as you snick through the gears

• Fitted with a Kartronix LT32 lap timer, so you can see precisely how far in the lead you are

• A bank of gauges sits before the driver, the speedo and rev counter naturally front and centre, egging the driver on with their racy red styling

• There is a Safety Devices roll cage fitted

𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

• GFRP shell over an aluminium tub with tubular steel front and rear subframes

• Quick release front clamshell and rear engine cover

• Silver over navy two-tone, with various track day stickers and massive ‘47D’ roundels, overall in decent condition for a race car

• There are a few scuffs, scratches and chips in the GFRP shell, as should be expected with a race car

• There is some very light damage to the rear off-side quarter and a couple of small cracks in the nose, due to an unexpected competitor interface

• Deep side intakes to gulp in lots of lovely, dense, cold air

• Adjustable (and huge) rear wing and deep front splitter

• Cut-offs installed on the off-side front wing, in line with race regulations

• Stylish five-spoke, 17-inch Antera alloy wheels, wrapped in 205-section full racing slicks; we are advised by the vendor that the tyres will need to be replaced

• Centrally mounted exhaust system, offering a wide variety of truly excellent noises, particularly on the overrun, making the numerous “Noise Test Passed” stickers all the more amusing

• Centre-rear warning light for track use in foggy or wet conditions

𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹

• Nissan SR20DE, a classic inline-four, 2-litre, naturally aspirated, 16-valve, twin-cam with individual throttle bodies, mid-mounted and driving the rear wheels

• 5-speed manual gearbox

• Wilwood performance brakes front and rear, perfect for hauling you to a full stop in very short order

• Emerald M3dK engine management system

• Spare engine, head, gearbox and a few other bits and pieces

• We’re told that the current engine has zero track hours on it since its recent recommissioning

• Fully adjustable suspension

• Brake bias adjustment

• Overall, it’s ready for shakedown

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆

This little Japanese fighter looks like it’s just dropped in after a long session at Spa and is still ticking on the cooldown. Relentlessly fast, effortlessly cool and supremely rare, this track star offers the unique opportunity to own and enjoy a true legend of the late 90s motorsport scene.

With a set of fresh tyres, you’ll be ready to set heads turning at even the most exclusive of track days. And leave some very exotic machinery languishing in your wake. All you need to do is put it on your track day trailer and embrace the braaaap.