So I can't even fathom how to tackle the amount of information and experiences we brought home with us. That being said, this is a primarily automotive themed site so that's as good a place as any to start.
The first big event we made it to was the Hyper Meeting at Tsukuba Circuit. We arrived the night before and after talking to some super nice security we were allowed to park and sleep on the premises. Saturday, April 12 started very early for us as people and cars started arriving at about 4:45am. Car started seriously rolling in around 6:30 and the day was on.
We checked out the amateur guys prepping their cars in the parking lot and talked to a group of Subaru Legacy wagon drivers.
[caption id="attachment_145" align="alignleft" width="600" caption="Super sexy Legacy."][/caption]
While wandering around there was no problem in finding Alexi from noriyaro.com, not the most inconspicuous person in Japan. He ended up being a gracious and friendly guide, we wouldn't have found the amazing madness that followed Tsukuba without him. More on that later.
The car culture in Japan is intense and like nothing North America has ever seen.
[caption id="attachment_148" align="alignleft" width="600" caption="Mazora\'s Evo"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_150" align="alignleft" width="600" caption="JUN\'s Evo"][/caption]
It was a Hyper Meeting which showcases AWD cars. Obviously Subaru and Mitsubishi dominated the day. The real excitement to me was the Team Orange drift demos put on a couple of times during the day. Just after entering the event Quinn made a beeline up to Kumakubo to drop off a Speed Hero decal. The cars were amazing and the drifting was over the top.
[caption id="attachment_153" align="alignleft" width="600" caption="2/3 of Team Orange"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_154" align="alignleft" width="600" caption="Dorifuto!"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_157" align="alignleft" width="600" caption="Drift threesome"][/caption]
This is going to have to be a many parted thing, so there is much more to come.
Kampai!
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