For whatever reason, you’ll inevitably find a few pristine examples of S-chassis at the odd track day. Perhaps they won’t populate the pits like Miatas or GT3s will, but the avid Nissan fan knows the potential these lightweight FR cars possess.

However, few Americans go the necessary lengths to extract it. Australians, perhaps due to their proximity to Japan, seem to relish the cornering performance these cars possess, and as such, have no problem figuring out what makes the S-chassis turn with poise and predictability.

Though all three generations of Silvia are popular with tuners, it’s the S14 which Topstage Composites chose. While the succeeding S15 might have a newer design, the older S14 boasts the widest track of any of the S-cars, and its longish wheelbase helps it remain stable in the faster corners, of which Sydney Motorsports Park has many. However, what is most striking about watching the onboard footage shot from the cabin of this aggressive-looking Silvia is just how well it hooks up on corner exit.

Even though the aero package is noticeable, it’s somewhat restricted compared to the cars in Pro class.

Even with the factory suspension geometry, as required in Open Class, there’s none of the expected wheelspin when the big turbocharger hits. Instead, owner/driver Freddy Soegijno hooks up with seemingly little effort at the corner exit.

It also seems to have friendly manners in the faster corners, though the rules of the Open Class aren’t necessarily supporting that. Open Class, in which this car holds the S-chassis record, limits aero mods, so much of the cornering prowess comes from the mechanical grip and the mandated Yokohama A050 semi-slicks.

A boxed front end and compact engine packaging helps keep the front end darty.

Thankfully, the Open Class allows sequential gearboxes, weight reduction – either a 15% reduction over the stock figure or a minimum weight of 2780 pounds – and professional drivers, and as such, the class is varied, exciting, and the largest at WTAC.

This car, which was once Soegijno’s car at university, managed this with an amateur driver, an H-pattern gearbox, and some performance still left in the bag. With some fine tuning and a professional behind the wheel, it would be interesting to see what it’s capable of.