Author: Alec Pender
One other yr of Tokyo Auto Salon means one other round of scouring the depths of the Makuhari Messe automotive parks – the unofficial TAS automotive meet. TAS reigns supreme as the top event of Japanese automotive culture, drawing over 200,000 visitors to the Chiba convention centre yearly. With that sort of foot traffic, it’s no surprise that the automotive parks hide some real gems. So, let’s take a have a look at what I discovered during my Friday visit to Tokyo Auto Salon 2025. Right near the doorway, I used to be greeted by this – guerrilla marketing at…
As 4:00pm sunsets settle in and celsius temperatures dip into the one digits, the time attack season across Japan begins. Earlier within the month, I made my method to Tsukuba Circuit for an event I wasn’t entirely conversant in. The HKS Hiper Challenge is under no circumstances recent, though. Dating back to the ’90s, it’s been a daily fixture, with events held at various circuits all across Japan. Being an HKS event, word is predominantly spread via the tuning giant’s domestic Performance Dealer network, which advertises the Hiper Challenges to its loyal customer base. That’s why you’ll find most cars…
BMW’s recent styling shift has sparked debate amongst enthusiasts loyal to the German automaker. While this recent design language is slowly winning over some, others remain firmly against it. But not Studie AG. The Japanese BMW specialist has wholeheartedly embraced the styling evolution. For those unfamiliar, Studie, a Yokohama-based tuning shop founded in 1995, initially gained recognition as a BMW parts specialist, specializing in the most recent models at any given time. Today, Studie’s operations extend across Japan, with branches in Sendai, Kobe, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Hokkaido, and Nagoya. Moreover, the corporate runs the official BMW racing team in Japan’s Super…
The Nismo Festival, probably the most iconic events on Japan’s automotive calendar, is a must-attend for any Nissan otaku. But, this yr, the event appeared to reflect a turning point – one where the industry’s growing give attention to EVs and modernity could have marked the start of the festival’s decline. For a lot of, the actual draw of the annual Nismo Festival isn’t testing the most recent hybrid and EV models already on display at your local dealership but witnessing a select few of Nissan’s incredible Heritage Collection cars hitting the track and making some noise. Last weekend’s event was…
Learning How To Drift At Ebisu It’s been a couple of months since I last updated you on my AE86 endeavours here in Japan, and what an eventful few months it’s been. We’ll kick things off with a fast trip to Ebisu Circuit. For years, I’ve been behind the camera, capturing drifting motion first in Australia and now in Japan. But getting behind the wheel? That was all the time a goal, just never a priority. Most of the time, I’d spend track day money on a brand new lens or camera accessory as an alternative. But when the possibility…
In the event you’ve seen recent automotive news media from Japan, chances are high it mentioned police crackdowns or the decline of the country’s automotive scene. While it is likely to be true of Tokyo to some extent, Osaka tells a special story. Through the one recent night I spent with some locals, I witnessed the colourful heart of Kansai automotive culture. Let’s start at CBC (Automobile Boys Club), a neighborhood garage run by Ikegami-san. CBC is a pure hobby enterprise, where Ikegami-san and his friends devote evenings and weekends to all things Honda. Parked outside the workshop was Ikegami-san’s…
In 2000, the seventh-gen Toyota Celica hit the road, showcasing a daring design for the time. For 14-year-old Alessio Arena in Italy, it sparked a permanent passion for cars, particularly this model. Upon turning 18, Alessio bought his first Celica. He began with the bottom 1ZZ-FE VVT-i (143hp) version but later upgraded to the 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i T Sport (192hp), which he still treasures today. Despite his love for the Celica, Alessio all the time felt a tiny bit letdown by its front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. He imagined how good it could possibly be if configured one other way. Fast-forward to 2015, when…
Tucked away within the picturesque hills of central Italy is Magione – Autodromo dell’Umbria. Once yearly, this small circuit transforms right into a vibrant hub for automobile enthusiasts through the Tarox Magione Super Battle (MSB). 2024 marked its third consecutive edition, with participation doubling and competitors and spectators travelling from across Italy, Portugal, and the UK. I had the honour of being invited by the Magione Super Battle’s organisers, Alessio C. and Alessio P., to witness the 2 days of festivities, from setup to the ultimate pack-down. To say it was sensible can be an understatement. As mentioned in previous…
Those accustomed to early-2000s Japanese drifting will undoubtedly know who Atsushi Kuroi is. For those who don’t, consider this a very important history lesson. It’s at all times difficult to summarise someone’s achievements without discounting their importance in history. Nonetheless, I’ll try to tell the story Kuroi-san deserves. Atsushi Kuroi was greater than just your average D1GP competitor – he’s also known as a pioneer of drifting. Possibly it’s a results of Kuroi-san’s outlandish driving, incredible automotive styling, unique engine decisions or the ever-present combination of the three. Running a tuning shop called River Side in Osaka, Kuroi-san became well-respected…
If you will have spent an prolonged time in Japan, you’ll appreciate a sunny spring day. This particular spring day was made even higher with a Hachiroku drift event at Mobara Circuit. Join me as I nerd out on 86-only mayhem. For the uninitiated, Mobara Circuit is a multi-purpose motorsports complex nestled just across Tokyo Bay in Mobara City, Chiba. While most know Mobara for its various drift and time attack competitions, the venue also hosts motorcycle and go-kart track days, most of which happen on the lesser-known short course track just off the side of the foremost circuit. Having attended my…
