It’s a bit unfair to call the Supra nothing more than an overweight GT car. Yes, it’s heavy, but in reality it’s quite a capable machine when set up right. Some people have a sentimental connection to their car – namely Andreas Vaa, a man whose obsession with The Fast and the Furious pushed him to build a replica of Paul Walker’s iconic orange Supra. Years later, he’s built an even wilder machine, with bags of grip and downforce, as well as a responsive turbo engine. Can it much be wilder than the quintessential “ten second, not a ten minute” car?

If any road course monster is going to be successful, it’s going to have to be nimble. Thankfully, carbon doors, hood, trunk and roof all trim some of the heft that made the Supra more grand tourer than sporty phenom from the factory, and it shows. The change of direction, aided by the wide slicks in the rear, is something one doesn’t often see with the ol’ JZA80. JRZ 3-way coilovers help keep the car planted, as do the massive diffuser and GT wing. It’s a well-rounded car that certainly keeps composed in the quicker stuff.

The motor is, predictably, built for the track and therefore lacks the sort of lightswitch power delivery that one would expect from a Supra like this. Coupled to a Sellholm sequential gearbox, the driver can fully exploit that torquey 2JZ engine.

The Supra truly doesn’t get enough respect as a corner-carver.

And he needs to, since the competition is fierce. The camera car has gained some attention recently, and its 580-horsepower powerplant has something to do with that. The Setra M3-R is a monstrous former-street car with aspirations for the big leagues, and uses an ESS VT2-550 supercharger to bring the power output of the S54 engine up to par with some of the outrageous machinery at the Gatebil race.

That grunt comes on so smoothly, it almost appears it doesn’t have as much as it does; simply applying power wherever it goes and revving effortlessly. However, that abundance of traction and predictability has plenty to do with the footwork, which consists of Moton coilovers as well as a steering system from PeeBee Motorsport. This kit uses special tie rods, control arms and spindle spacers to improve steering feel and reduce camber change.

Understated compared to the Supra, this M3 is all business.

The two seem evenly matched throughout the course of this duel, though it’s apparent that the Supra’s torque helps in on Rudskogen’s longer, straighter sections. Nevertheless, the masterly driving of Inge Hansesaetre is enough to keep the M3-R in contention, and it shows in the faster sections where a little more finesse and a smoother power delivery allow the BMW to claw back a little. It’s a small victory, however, because whenever the blazing green Toyota gets a chance to stretch its legs, it soars away with a ferocity the Beemer can’t quite muster.

Nonetheless, these two show that aging machinery with the right modifications and smooth driving is enough to keep them relevant. It’s doubtful a Radical owner has ever had such a difficult time getting around a Toyota ever – and that is enough to make the most stoic Supra fan teary-eyed.