I'm sure everyone has been noticing our extensive Japan-focused drifting posts over the past days. In fact, we just got back from spending some time with another drifting legend who I'm sure you guys will be VERY happy to see here. For this post though, I am keeping with the Japan theme but stepping away from the drifting for a moment.  When we were at the MSC event this weekend, there was a nicely-built S13 Silvia running the course, and Rod made an interesting comment to me. He said that although in comparison to other MSC cars at the event this S13 was fairly unremarkable, if he were to see the same car driving down the street back in Vancouver, he would break his neck trying to get a look at it. That's what brings me to the photo of this RX7 circuit car.

When Rod was talking about the S13 at MSC, he was not trying to put down the car, but was speaking more on just how amazing it can be to experience Japanese car culture first hand. As I thought about this, I couldn't help but thinking about all the incredible cars I have seen at Tsukuba Circuit. Take a look at the FD in the photo. If this car was found anywhere but Japan, it would be a super well known car. One that would could probably be found on the cover of a tuning magazine or in an ad for car parts. At Tsukuba however, it is just another car. In fact I know of at least a handful of FD's that look very similar to this car and can be found at Tsukuba on any given track day.

Again, I am not saying that this FD is not cool or impressive, but more speaking on just how awesome visiting Japan can be for someone with an interest in cars. I guess at times I can forget how lucky I am to be able to take in this sort of thing in on a regular basis. Like Rod mentioned in one of his earlier posts, anyone who is an enthusiast of Japanese car culture should do whatever they can to make the trip out here to experience it first hand at least once. Start saving for those plane tickets and just be warned that you might not want to leave when it comes time to go home.

-Mike Garrett