Troy Marinelli’s S14 might not be far removed from a stock Silvia, especially considering some of the freakish, Silvia-based creations seen down in his part of the globe. However, seeing as he’s racing in Queensland’s Improved Production Racing Association (IPRA), he might not pass tech if he showed up with a carbon splitter wider than his car. Besides, racing wheel-to-wheel with a bunch of hard-charging Aussies would probably only shatter that splitter to shards.

Even while taking a bath, Marinelli’s S14 looks menacing.

Marinelli’s S14 is lightened, stiffened, and bumped up in boost pressure, but it’s not a dedicated time attack weapon. A concise list of regulations keep him from turning his road car into a one-lap special, and those regulations ensure close racing amidst a field of RX-7s, M3s, and Ford Falcons.

Yet, looking at the opposition, it’s clear he simply has superior car control, and that’s how he scythes his way through the pack. With the bevy of RX-7s and BMWs sliding wildly in front of him, Marinelli waits and pounces when the time is right.

He also closes the gap on braking, and isn’t fazed in the slightest by the rear wheels spinning. Going for gaps that are hardly there, and occasionally dropping tires in the dirt to make it around, this man puts his considerable talent and bravery on display, and shows the naysayers that the Silvia, with a few modifications and the right sort of madman behind the wheel, can be quite capable on the track.

The S14’s long wheelbase and wide track give it the stability needed in a front-engined, rear-wheel drive car with a turbo waiting to light up the rear tires.