Right now I am sitting in a nice, warm Internet cafe enjoying an ice cold melon flavored slushie. Does life get much better? Things are finally getting situated for me here in Japan. Next week we will be settling into our new apartment and we should have a full time net connection at the end of next week.
More importantly, yesterday I took a trip over to Tsukuba Circuit to check out the Time Attack SPL hosted by Power House Amuse. For fans of Japanese cars or players of Gran Turismo, Amuse needs no introduction. Though not nearly as big as the Super Battle held last month, this event had a nice, low key atmosphere of its own. There was a wide range of competitors from lowly privateers to full works teams with pro drivers.
As you know, the hottest thing going right now in Japan is the R35 GTR. Like all of the other major tuners in Japan, Power House Amuse has also been playing around with new GTR. Despite the fact that the GTR has only been on the streets here for about a month, Amuse has already outfitted the car with its well known R1 Titan exhaust system, and Recaro buckets, among other modifications. Tanabe san, the main man of Amuse, piloted the car to an impressive lap time of 1:01.332.
The sound of the car with Amuse exhaust is hard to describe. It strongly stood out among the field of tuned Rotaries and RB26`s. I guess it is something you have to hear for yourself. The exhaust note as the car made solo laps around in Tsukuba in the cool morning air is something I won't forget.
After seeing the Amuse R35 up close, I think white might be best color for the new GTR.
I have always admired philosophy used by Power House Amuse. While not having the extravagance of many other tuners, Amuse machines always have been built with the idea of total balance in mind. Off the showroom floor the R35 GTR is an amazing car. I cannot wait to see how Amuse will improve on this already phenomenal machine. If it as anything like their past machines, it will be something special.
Of course the GTR was not the only car Amuse brought out for the day. In fact I was just as impressed by this -
Although I did not see it on the track, this new E92 M3 was gorgeous. I am not exactly sure when this car went on sale in Japan but it was the first one I have personally seen anywhere. I did not get a ton of info on it, but Amuse brought it out on their double decker transport truck. I did not get a lot of info about it, but I have a feeling we will be seeing this one at TAS this weekend.
A wonderful sight if I do say so myself.
There was also an S2000 equipped with the Amuse GT1 aero kit.
Even though it is a few years old, the Amuse GT1 aero for the S2000 is as eye catching as ever. It is also damn functional as well.
Not to let the show be dominated by Amuse alone, Top Fuel was also present with their own super lap special turbo S2000.
With Nobu Taniguchi behind the wheel, the Top Fuel car had the day's fastest lap times, dipping into the 56 second range.
The rotary camp was well represented at Tsukuba yesterday. There was a large contingent of tuned FD's from CAM.
Keiyo had matching white GTR's, one R32 and one R34.
This is a fairly rare sight now a days, a fully tuned 70 chassis Supra. This one had single turbine 1JZ and carbon doors, among other things.
This ear drum-bursting (and pleasing) Ferrari was street driven to and from the track.
Less exotic, though no less impressive was this AE86 Levin from Mizukami Auto in Saitama.
I don't want to make this too long, but there were plenty of other awesome machines on the track. The full album with 220+ photos is here.
That wraps up the first big event coverage of the year. Look for plenty more to come. Now it's time to get ready for Tokyo Auto Salon this weekend. Look for updates throughout the weekend and the days following.
Awesome photos....PLEASE keep it up!
j!
Posted by: Yawnny Cash | January 09, 2008 at 08:33 AM
Check out my video of Brian Wilkerson 2007. http://www.stage6.com/user/kevtrinh/video/2029899/2007-Brian-Wikerson-Montage.
Your photos genuinely make me happy!
Posted by: Kevin Trinh | January 09, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Excellent photo's..
not sure if you are aware, but M3POST.com put their name on your pictures and cropped off your watermark.. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106439
just looking out..
Posted by: sumyungguy | January 10, 2008 at 04:01 AM
homie you better be at TAS 2008 TAKEN LIKE 10 PICX OF EVERYCAR THERE!!!!!
AWESOME POST MAN IM SOOO JEALOUS!
Posted by: EJ25RUN | January 10, 2008 at 06:51 AM
Hey I've been checking out your photos on flickr for a while yet this is the first time I've visited your site. Neat little set up you have going on here its nice to put a perspective to your photos.
Posted by: salvation design | January 10, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Outstanding! Gorgeous cars! Specially GTR!
BTW:I wrote to m3post :)
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1944790#post1944790
Posted by: Matt | January 11, 2008 at 01:19 AM
Hi,
I will be working in Japan for 10 days in mid May this year and would love to get to Tsukuba. I have been to their web site but it is in Japanese only. Is there some way I can get a schedule of their activities for May or an address where I can contact them in english.
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