Getting a 3700lb (1675kg) Nissan Skyline GT-R down the strip in eight and a half seconds flat on its very first outing since an intensive, yet short lead build, is not any way, shape or form an easy proposition. But behind the wheel of MGAWOT II, New Zealand-based but internationally-renowned Nissan RB-series engine builder Robbie [...]
While Project GT-R may be looking identical to when we saw it last, there has been quite a lot happening behind the scenes. It’s almost all falling into place now, and there are only a few minor details I need to address before I can begin the biggest series of upgrades the Skyline has seen [...]
As “Project GT-R” continues its slow but steady evolution, I spent most of the last few weeks organizing the next round of modifications. A few cool upgrades are on their way but apart from that nothing was really installed or changed since fitting the new Takata Harnesses in February. So for my monthly update I thought [...]
I have always wanted proper racing harnesses. In the few instances that I’ve taken my GT-R out on track one of the things that I was always concerned about, obvious safety aside, was sliding all over the seat through corners and under hard braking. And this isn’t even only on track; ever since fitting Bridgestone [...]
Seeing this past Sunday was the final Battle Evome of the year that I will be covering, this will pretty much wrap up the first-half of the JDM time attack season coverage, at least at this sort of level. However, there will always be plenty more grip event at tracks like Tsukuba, Honjo and Sodegaura [...]
Moving swiftly along with the Battle Evome coverage from Sunday, I’ve put together a quick spotlight-o-rama of five vehicles that really stood out in the paddock. Now I know there are a lot of other cars you probably wanted to see, but I guess I will have to keep those for future events. To get [...]
It was yet another perfect day for time attacking at Tsukuba circuit yesterday and as ever the paddock at the Battle Evome series had a tantalizing mix of impressive amateur-owned cars. No matter how many of these events I attend, it’s always like it’s my first one. The excitement of seeing the same cars get [...]
14 years. That’s a pretty long time to hold on to a car. Every time I jump in my R34 however there is always that feel of excitement, just like when I drove it for the first time back in 1999. Every time I park it I still can’t resist a quick glance as I [...]
For my last post on the Premium Day, I will be concentrating on some more tuner cars I came across on the paddock as well as checking out some of the entrants that participated in the Option Magazine organized Super Lap time attack session. I’m going to kick things off with this Yashio Factory candy green [...]
It may be off season for the motorsport world, but the cold winter months in Japan certainly don’t mean there is a shortage of interesting events to head to. In fact you guys are actually quite lucky because Mike is still here in Japan and spent his day at the JCCA New Year meeting in [...]
Everything is so fast paced at a Battle Evome meet, there is literally no time to waste. With only two hours of shooting time available, you will just about manage to hit every major trackside spot, provided you keep moving. So with a few more moments available before the drivers went out on track for [...]
It was a tough choice, but seeing Sean, Mike and I had already spent two full days walking the halls of the Makuhari Messe, we decided to spread out the other Sunday and hit some other events to maximize our JDM coverage. So while Mike headed off to Yokohama to cover the Mania Cruise, Sean [...]
It’s time to dedicate a bit of time to the true tuner cars that were dotted around the vastness that was the Tokyo Auto Salon this year. Performance is the name of the game here and if there is a bit of style thrown in for good measure you can rest assured it’s all driven [...]
It’s right back at Daikoku PA now for a final look at the other day’s supercar gathering. During the few hours that I was there I literally never stopped walking around, because as cars left, more kept coming in. By around lunch time the lot was so full that a many were forced to park [...]
And so my quest to modernize the R34 continues. In the last decade it’s obvious technology has advanced in a lot of areas and aside from the obvious interesting mechanical products that continue to come out for the RB26 and the GT-R in general, it’s the electronic side of things that I have been concentrating [...]
