Dusting Off The Cobwebs In Hokkaido

Jordan expressed it better than I could when he said how easy it is to overlook the impact car culture has on our lives.

Japan has been rather fortunate with its COVID-19 response thus far. The country has really come together as a whole and worked hard to keep the infection numbers low. Face masks have become the social norm; virtually all stores and shops have shields and alcohol stations; and the majority of events – both small and large – have been postponed or cancelled.

This of course includes car events, something that I’ve really come to take for granted since living in Japan – because there’s always something happening.

I’ve really missed the local events, as I have those in Southeast Asia where car culture is young but booming.

Speedhunters_Ron_Celestine_Wako_Endurance_Suzuki_Cappuchino
Speedhunters_Ron_Celestine_Wako_Endurance_Suzuki_KeiTruck
Speedhunters_Ron_Celestine_Wako_Endurance_Turn5

That old saying ‘you don’t know what you have until it’s gone’ has never rung truer for many of us in 2020, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I had been praying for the day I could point my camera at something other than Project Rough in my driveway.

Recently, that day came.

Speedhunters_Ron_Celestine_Wako_Endurance_Crocoart_Driver

While helping out at a design studio called Croco Art Factory, I spotted a collection of Idlers 12-Hour endurance race trophies out the back of the offices. My interest was immediately piqued, so I wasted no time striking up a conversation with Croco’s CEO, Tokuda Yoshiyasu.

Speedhunters_Ron_Celestine_Wako_Endurance_Tokachi
Speedhunters_Ron_Celestine_Wako_Endurance_Suzuki_Kei
Speedhunters_Ron_Celestine_Wako_Endurance_KTuned_Civic

That conversation led to Tokuda asking me to join his two-man team in the Wako’s Cup 7-Hour Endurance Race at Tokachi International Speedway in Hokkaido. Tokuda’s four-wheeled weapon of a choice? A Suzuki Alto Works kei car.

Speedhunters_Ron_Celestine_Wako_Endurance_Turn8_Daihatsu
Speedhunters_Ron_Celestine_Wako_Endurance_RacingShoes

I’d never driven an Alto Works before. Hell, at the time I didn’t even know if I would fit in one, as I struggle to fit in many kei cars. This would also be my first time driving at the Tokachi circuit.

Speedhunters_Ron_Celestine_Wako_Endurance_Suzuki_Alto_Dragons

Of course I said yes. But little did I know at the time, that this was about to become a weekend I’ll never forget…

Stay tuned.

Ron Celestine
Instagram: celestinephotography

ADVERTISEMENT

Comments



Comments are closed.

5 comments

by Oldest
by Best by Newest by Oldest
1
Jesse Black Beetle

That shot of the Kei truck is sick!
!!

2

I still have a very strong desire, to own/import an Alto Works RS/R one day..

3

I just picked one up 2 weeks ago for a daily driver. Lots of fun to drive. Geared really low though. Gets real buzzy on the highway. 4200 rpm at 70mph. Definitely not made for American high ways.

4

I’ve got one in North Carolina. 88’ Works in white. It’s had a blown head gasket for a few years recently dropped the sub frame but haven’t finished it. If you are interested shoot me an email. Tim_blackman at yahoo.
(Not sure if they allow emails on here)

5

that black Honda City with the flares and pumped arches looks rad!

OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS