152: Building a Lamborghini Gallardo into a WTAC Weapon

There’s no arguing the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 is no slouch. But the World Time Attack Challenge is a whole different league, and in standard form this factory race car is basically like bringing a knife to a gunfight. To run with the world’s best, it needed serious development—and that’s exactly what Josh and his team at Specialised Racing Solutions delivered, bagging P2 in Pro class on the car’s debut outing.

👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip

In this episode of Tuned In, Josh Gardner breaks down his path from car-mad kid to professional mechanic and business owner. He gets into the hard parts of starting a workshop, and why custom builds are never as simple as they look from the outside.

Josh also reflects on the lessons learned from running a business, His work on the Nissan GTR platform and his return to the sharp end of the automotive world with the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 build—including what it really takes to compete at the highest level at WTAC.

We dive into the nuts and bolts of performance development: turbo selection, installation, and the cooling challenges that come with high-output builds. The conversation also explores advanced engine management systems like MoTeC, the realities of CAN bus integration, and where technology is headed with the use of CAD, 3D scanning and 3D printing in modern performance builds.

Josh is packed with knowledge, and his story—from backyard tuning as a teenager on the family PC to building time attack cars capable of taking on the world’s best—makes for a seriously compelling listen.

👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip

Follow Josh here:

Instagram: specialisedracingsolutions

WWW: srs.racing

Timestamps:

0:00 Building a Lamborghini Gallardo into a WTAC Weapon
3:33 How did you develop a passion for cars?
9:34 How did you develop your tuning skills at such a young age?
13:44 How hard was it starting your own shop?
16:17 How did you develop your skills on the GTR platform?
18:02 What skills did you have when you started the business?
30:50 How did you get back into the hands on automotive scene?
32:06 Overview of the current business
38:29 What was the drive to attend World Time Attack?
39:55 Why did you choose the Lamborghini Gallardo? 
42:46 How much of an advantage has it been starting with a GT3 car?
43:59 What are the Pro Class rule limitations at WTAC?
50:59 What is the engine package on the Lamborghini?
55:16 What are you doing for the intercooler/intake setup?
57:11 How are the turbos set up on the car?
1:03:42 What suspension modifications have you done to deal with the increase in downforce?
1:06:04 What is the electronics package you’re using?
1:14:31 What changes are you going to make for next year's WTAC?
1:17:00 Nissan GTR GT3 car
1:18:47 If we compare the Nissan and the Lamborghini what are the differences?
1:20:06 Are you using any technology to develop these cars? CAD, 3D scanning, 3D printing?
1:26:48 How much improvement will you get from moving the GTR engine back and down?
1:28:52 Is the GTR almost ready for WTAC?
1:29:46 What do we need to leverage 3D scanning and 3D printing technology?
1:35:02 Final 3 questions