So far as first dates go, this one went off with pops and bangs.
The final weekend of Could marked the primary ever Clear Tradition occasion to be held in Japan. Co-hosted by Jun and the Hardcore Tokyo crew, the occasion was designed to mimic a typical Clear Tradition occasion within the US, full with American MCs and meals vans catering burgers, tacos and all the pieces in between.
Clear Tradition have been holding occasions throughout the States since 2014, usually filling stadiums however all the time preserving a neighborhood automotive meet vibe. So seeing them break into the Japanese occasions calendar is fairly cool.
For this monumental event, they weren’t simply going to search out any outdated carpark to show the 80-odd automobiles that have been signed up to participate.
Attending to this magical oasis of slammed tuner automobiles meant embarking on a voyage throughout Tokyo Bay. It’s the primary time I’ve made the journey since I’ve lived right here, though I’ve seen different pilgrims just like the kaido racers above traversing many occasions, on YouTube.
Midway throughout the bay, rising from 9.6km of tunnel, you’ll discover Umihoteru (translation: sea firefly) Parking Space. Consider it as Daikoku PA on a man-made island in the midst of a harbour, stuffed with amusement decks and formed like a ship. It’s fairly spectacular, and so it needs to be contemplating it took 25 years of planning and 9 years of development to finish.
After the ultimate driving leg, I made it to the occasion venue. Longwood Station is smack bang in the midst of the Chiba Peninsula, and is definitely considered one of Tokyo’s largest movie units. I assumed it was an deserted mall advanced, however apparently it’s the place to return to if you’d like synthetic rain or have to set off a number of explosions. It’s additionally the place an occasion referred to as Speedhunters Dwell went down in 2019.
It supplied the right backdrop for American-inspired, Japanese-built stance automobiles. With all of the cross pollination between modified automotive tribes, I’m not even certain that is smart, or if the automobiles actually even want a label.
Ten or 20 years in the past, maybe there was a larger distinction between Japanese and American modified automobiles, however each powerhouses are influenced by one another a lot that these days the traces are blurred.
Certain, there are nonetheless modifications which can be distinctly Japanese, like hanging an oil cooler on the exterior of your drift automotive. However two-tone sweet paint and a giant blower? Thanks ‘Merica.
We’re all pals now and labels don’t actually matter. Persons are simply constructing what they need, which is nice. There have been a number of race automobiles current (together with a drag-prepped Chevy Nova), plus some American muscle, VIP and naturally loads of stance.
One of many highlights of the day was the Exhaust Competitors, which noticed the built-by-Souki-san Hakosuka take the trophy for finest noise. The blown radiator hose was positively price it.
Like most occasions I attend, I noticed loads of acquainted automobiles and acquainted faces to meet up with, however plenty of new builds on show too. We’ll be bringing you options on a few of the freshest within the coming weeks and months.
Inside one of many filming areas, 25 RWB automobiles have been on show. Though I’ve seen numerous examples earlier than, it was a pleasant deal with to have so many in a single place.
There was additionally a vendor space with loads of tuning components on show. However what actually obtained me excited was the RC space.
As a result of subsequent to the whiny little RC automobiles was the model spanking new Hardcore x Pandem System D Japan drift machine, quickly to be pushed by Mr. Tsubasa Nagaswa. The automotive seems superb and I can’t wait to see it in motion. It’s fairly cool to see an R32 coming into the pack.
I’ll go away you right here, with a full gallery of automobiles under that caught my eye on the day. Get pleasure from Clear Tradition’s first date with Japan vicariously by me. Slightly voyeurism by no means harm anybody.
Toby Thyer
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