I've been busy today making last minute preparations for Tokyo Auto Salon, but I wanted to take a quick break from that to post up some more photos from the archive. Today's theme:  Track Tuned RX7's at Tsukuba Circuit. The FD3S is one of the most popular circuit cars in Japan, meaning I have an abundance of photos them and that I'm going to have break this up into a couple posts.

Walking around the paddock at your typical Tsukuba soukoukai or time attack event, you'll see so many FD's that you'll forget that the newest model is already seven years old. Nearly every one of them looks good and runs even better. There are plenty of tuner shops that have RX7 demo cars, but the majority of the ones at the track are private-owned. Some of these guys are so hardcore that I saw them at almost every track event I went too.

Anyways, let's get started with the photos-

Here's the Scorch FD. It's not as fast as some of the 7's out there, but was running respectably in the low one minute range last season.

Here's the Active FD rounding Tsukuba Circuit's final corner. You'll notice that every car in this post is sporting a bunch of aftemarket aero parts. In fact, I don't think I've seen more than a handful of stock-bodied FD's during all my trips to Tsukuba combined.

This FD3S is the Knight Sports demo car, seen here at an Amuse track day last February. Style-wise, this car isn't really my taste, but there's no denying Knight Sports' experience tuning rotary engines and Mazdas in general. This car appeared at Tokyo Auto Salon last year and should be there this year as well.

Another privateer-owned FD3S sporting RE Amemiya's popular bodywork and a color-matched set of TE37's. Yup, just your typical Tsukuba RX7….

This blue machine is the Sanai TiR FD3S. Consistently running in the 59 second range, it's one of the faster Tsukuba regulars.

Black on black on black… I'd be scared as hell if I saw this FD pop up in my rearview mirror. Note the rock chips on the front bumper, this car gets used.

The CAM Boost-up FD will lap Tsukuba in 58 seconds, and it looks damn fine while doing it. This is one of my personal favorites of the bunch.

This FEED-tuned FD is another regular at the BE Circuit time attack events. Lap times are around 59 seconds.

It's hard to believe that just few years ago, running a sub one minute lap at Tsukuba was a big thing even for large tuners. Now there are tons of private-owned FD's that can do it without breaking a sweat. I guess that shows just how popular the RX7 is among track junkies in Japan, and also attests to the near-limitless potential of the car.

I have more RX7 photos from Tsukuba to post, but right now I need to charge up the batteries and pack up my gear for Auto Salon. I'll continue this soon.

-Mike Garrett