8:30am: Slide or die
Entering trackside, I noticed in the distance six cars perfectly lined up on the gravel as if awaiting our presence. Among the vehicles are two Impreza STi's (GDB), an EVO 8 (CT9A), an Integra Type-R (DC5)-yes boys and girls! FWD vehicles can also slide and drive-an EVO 6 (CP9A) and an Integra Type-R (DC2). After a quick briefing and driver introductions, we jump back into the bus and begin circling the course to familiarize ourselves with the track layout. Little did we know the bus driver Keiji Sato was also an ex-rally driver who now makes ends meet working for TEIN Japan. Sato-san decides to test the buses handling by barreling through the turns, losing traction in the process. We were wide eyed and our jaws dropped to the ground. All of the grown men proceeded to scream like little sissy boys as Sato-san smiled and continued to pick up the pace. Bastard!
11:30am: WRX STi Emotions
With test rides beginning in 10 minutes, I was struggling to wedge my big-ass head into the helmet when out from the dirt course appeared Kamada Takuma in a bright blue GDB Subaru STi. The GDB is first on the list for my ride alongs. Takuma, one of the youngest drivers in TEIN's group, had finished a career best 4th place in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship/ Rally Hokkaido in 2003. Driving under the Tokyo Subaru Rally Team (TSRT) Takuma began campaigning in the rally circuit immediately after he obtained his drivers license.
As the flag dropped to signal our start, Takuma dumped the clutch and quickly shifted through the gears as we made our way down the straight aways, quickly approaching the first S-turn. Yanking on the steering wheel while feathering the throttle, the Impreza gracefully pitched sideways straight toward a ten-foot high embankment. Oh shit, I thought to myself. I continued smiling, not to let on I had pissed my pants. I had a Kung Fu grip on the sides of the seat and the WRX lurched and jumped over the rough terrain and gravel without a hitch. "This is sick!" I shouted, and every turn seemed like our last as we continually brushed the front and rear bumpers on the sides of the embankment.
1:20pm: Never Underestimate A Honda
Next up was the DC-5 Type-R Integra [RSX in the U.S.], driven by Ishii "The Professor" Jun. Ishii-san, driving for Team ALEX/Yamato (Honda Tochigi R&D Center), has proven that among a field of turbocharged and AWD vehicles, the DC5 Honda has not only kept up with the competition but dominated its class in the 2003 season. Dubbed the fastest driver in an FWD vehicle, Ishii took over the points lead in 2003 and never looked back as he took home the N-3 Season championship in his class. Equipped with a set of TEIN HG Dampers, and special Bridgestone RE470R dry tires in the front and RE370R wet specs in the rear, Ishii displayed kakudo [angle] that can only be produced by drivers such as Ueo Kazuhiro (D1 driver) in the Yukes/Revolver Hachiroku. Keeping consistent throughout the course, Ishii, with lightening speed, spun the steering wheel from side to side as he continually yanked on the E-brake in the tight turns. He never lost speed or momentum. Stumbling out the vehicle, I attempted to retain the lunch I had eaten just minutes before the run with some heavy breathing exercises. I couldn't believe an FWD vehicle was capable of Rally X driving.
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