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 vehicles catering burgers, tacos and every thing in between.
Clear Tradition have been holding occasions throughout the States since 2014, usually filling stadiums however at all times protecting 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For this monumental event, they weren’t simply going to seek out any outdated carpark to show the 80-odd vehicles that had been signed up to participate.
Attending to this magical oasis of slammed tuner vehicles 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 course of a harbour, crammed with amusement decks and formed like a ship. It’s fairly spectacular, and so it ought 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 course of the Chiba Peninsula, and is definitely considered one of Tokyo’s greatest movie units. I believed it was an deserted mall complicated, however apparently it’s the place to come back to if you need synthetic rain or have to set off a number of explosions. It’s additionally the place an occasion known as Speedhunters Reside went down in 2019.
It supplied the right backdrop for American-inspired, Japanese-built stance vehicles. With all of the cross pollination between modified automotive tribes, I’m not even certain that is smart, or if the vehicles actually even want a label.
Ten or 20 years in the past, maybe there was a higher distinction between Japanese and American modified vehicles, however each powerhouses are influenced by one another a lot that these days the traces are blurred.
Positive, there are nonetheless modifications which are distinctly Japanese, like hanging an oil cooler on the outdoors of your drift automotive. However two-tone sweet paint and an enormous blower? Thanks ‘Merica.
We’re all mates now and labels don’t actually matter. Individuals are simply constructing what they need, which is nice. There have been a number of race vehicles 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 greatest noise. The blown radiator hose was undoubtedly value it.
Like most occasions I attend, I noticed loads of acquainted vehicles and acquainted faces to meet up with, however numerous new builds on show too. We’ll be bringing you options on among the freshest within the coming weeks and months.
Inside one of many filming areas, 25 RWB vehicles had 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 vehicles was the model spanking new Hardcore x Pandem Components D Japan drift machine, quickly to be pushed by Mr. Tsubasa Nagaswa. The automotive appears to be like superb and I can’t wait to see it in motion. It’s fairly cool to see an R32 getting into the pack.
I’ll depart you right here, with a full gallery of vehicles beneath that caught my eye on the day. Take pleasure in Clear Tradition’s first date with Japan vicariously by way of me. A little bit voyeurism by no means harm anybody.
Toby Thyer
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