It’s All In The Mix: Interclub Series In Tsukuba

Talk about a breath of fresh air. There is noting more refreshing than taking a break from things that become routine, and believe it or not, at times covering the JDM-only side of Japanese car culture can become quite repetitive. So yesterday, with this in mind, I decided to head up to Tsukuba circuit to immerse myself in a different sort of car world, a place where there doesn’t seem to be a divide between vintage and modern cars, a place where everything revolves around the simple notion of having fun behind the wheel.

The InterClub series is one we haven’t visited in quite a while. It’s the place enthusiasts come to pitch their own cars against other similar minded people in a friendly and fun-oriented environment, and with this being Japan you can of course expect to find a paddock full of awesomeness.

The sheer variety of the cars that show up is quite incredible, I mean never would I have thought I’d see a Jaguar XJ turned into a race car and driven hard at Tsukuba.

If you are into your classic Alfas then you wouldn’t be disappointed at an InterClub event, which on top of lining up an assortment of circuit-tuned Giulias like this particular example from Milano Auto…

…at times has some rarer models entered too like this Giulietta Spider racer.

Form the British camp there are always a nice selection of Lotus Elans like this particular example undergoing last minute checks before going out on track…

…and of course plenty of MGs, rounded up courtesy of the MG club of Japan.

A first for me was seeing an impressive line up of pre-war cars, the Historic section of the InterClub giving a chance to the owners of these precious machines to race them against each other out on the safety of a track like Tsukuba. It’s not every day you get to see cars like a 1931 Bugatti Type 51 scream down the Tsukuba straight! Check out the positive camber on those front wheels…

…which if you look closely you will notice aren’t usual wire ones like you would expect from the era, but one piece cast items.

While lap times weren’t particularly impressive…

…it was nonetheless cool to see the drivers wrestle these sort of cars through the corners, in most cases leaning out of the cockpit in an attempt to brace themselves. No bucket seats around in those years!

As long as it’s a good track car you can probably expect to see it at an InterClub event and the German side of things was very well covered…

…with awesome rides like this 190E 23-16…

…and some more race oriented BMW machinery.

These cars all completed in the 2-hour endurance race that was held later in the afternoon.

The weather had a few surprises for the drivers with intermittent rain storms hampering the fun throughout the day. With quite a few running semi-slick tires it was at times pretty dangerous out there…

…especially if you were packing well over 600 HP under your hood!

I love how the Japanese make more modern front wheel drive Alfa Romeos look so damn hot. This particular 156 from Bialbero sported widened rear fenders and a very aggressive racing stance!

If you followed the various idlers event coverage that we have done in the past then this Garage Goto Giulia should be a familiar car. Goto-san does amazing things with these older Alfas, not scared of using new-age technology to extract more power and better performance. Unfortunately at the end of the day this car wasn’t looking as good as it does in this picture due to a bit of an unexpected accident.

While sitting down for a short break from the tropical-like humidity the constant rain showers kept bringing, I spied my Legacy sitting all alone behind a few fences. The custom Speedhunters sticker Russ from RE-Xtreme made for me last year is still looking great. Those DIY painted wheels have to go though…I crave dish and more aggressive offset!!

I love taking in all the details when surrounded by cars like this RSR replica…

…not to mention drooling over old technology. I hope this first round of pictures from InterClub has sufficiently whet your appetite! I’ll be back tomorrow with more.

Interclub Official Website

-Dino Dalle Carbonare

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1

Loved that british green Giulia on bronze watanabes! Became incredible on a different way

2

more shots of the 156 please

3

FORZA ITALIA !! Lol coming from a Italian who loves subaru's

4

Are there any more shots of that gorgeous Lotus 26r?

5
6

 @E Sutton Couldn't agree more, with the hard top and and those wheels its gorgeous! I can't remember the last time I saw one that wasn't two tone yellow tbh...

7

XJ race car? Well that was unexpected and those classic, Type 51 and Guilietta Spider, super rare to see that flying around Tsukuba!

8

So much Alfa love! Thanks Dino. :)

9

The XJ Jag was the most surprising one and certainly the first conversion of the kind  I've ever seen. Overall awesome selection.  Love all the Alfas's shows (then I am biased, i drive one ^  ^).  
One a side note, I'm a really big admirer of your car photography and I'm pretty sure there are plenty other out there who feel the same. Maybe you can throw the rest of us a bone sometimes and do a BTS on your shooting :)

10
speedhunters_dino

 @Sky R32 A Japanese take on Alfa tuning:)

11
speedhunters_dino

Ok let me dig some more out then...

12
speedhunters_dino

 @Nico Leone Haha

13
speedhunters_dino

 @Jonathan Moore Can ignore them that's for sure!  Are you an Alfista?

14
speedhunters_dino

 @Oti Thanks man!  I'll see what I can do ;)

15

 @speedhunters_dino I'm hoping you mean can't! ;) But yes, a 12-year relationship with Alfas. And STILL going strong. Crazy!

16

No wallpapers ?????

17

 @speedhunters_dino Cool. Although it also makes me feel sad to remember my poor one ;.(

18

 @speedhunters_dino Cool. Although it also makes me feel sad to remember my poor one ;.(

19

 @Jonathan Moore  @speedhunters_dino I guess you guys know that the 156 was intentionally styled to look like a rear wheel drive car. Makes me wonder if you know of anybody who's done the conversion...?

20

 @Jonathan Moore  @speedhunters_dino I guess you guys know that the 156 was intentionally styled to look like a rear wheel drive car. Makes me wonder if you know of anybody who's done the conversion...?

21
BiTurbo from oppo

Halleluja, something that's not a Hakosuka Skyline.
 
I kid, but it's great to see some of the cars I like the most featured. Any chance of wallpaper sizes?

22
BiTurbo from oppo

Halleluja, something that's not a Hakosuka Skyline.
 
I kid, but it's great to see some of the cars I like the most featured. Any chance of wallpaper sizes?

23
speedhunters_dino

 @BiTurbo from oppo Wallpapers coming up in the final post from the event:)

24
speedhunters_dino

 @BiTurbo from oppo Wallpapers coming up in the final post from the event:)

25
speedhunters_dino

 @Two40 They'll be coming....

26
speedhunters_dino

 @Two40 They'll be coming....

27
speedhunters_dino

 @tenpennyjimmy  @Jonathan Moore Haven't heard of anyone doing a conversion, but that of course doesn't mean nobody has ever done it.  The 75 was the last real Alfa...I learned to drive in that car...ah the memories 

28
speedhunters_dino

 @tenpennyjimmy  @Jonathan Moore Haven't heard of anyone doing a conversion, but that of course doesn't mean nobody has ever done it.  The 75 was the last real Alfa...I learned to drive in that car...ah the memories 

29

that red elan is just beautiful 

30

that red elan is just beautiful 

31

 @speedhunters_dino  @BiTurbo from oppo Any chance that elan will be one of the wallpapers.

32

 @speedhunters_dino  @BiTurbo from oppo Any chance that elan will be one of the wallpapers.

33

just like to add great photos

34

just like to add great photos

35

what's the blue car behind the jag?

36

what's the blue car behind the jag?

37

 @speedhunters_dino  @Jonathan Moore Wow what a cool classroom to learn in!
 
The 75... the last real Alfa and one of the most beautiful ugly cars (or vice versa, if you prefer) of the 80s. As well as replicas of the classic racecar configuration, there are some quite interesting modified examples on the internet as i've just discovered.
 
I hesitate to do anything that sounds like telling you gentlemen your business, but how is this for an idea: Speedhunters could run segments dedicated to some models and marques that are less well represented in these pages. Similar to what you do with S-chassis and AE86 etc, but with gear such as the Alfa 75?
 
Just my 10p worth again...

38

 @speedhunters_dino  @Jonathan Moore Wow what a cool classroom to learn in!
 
The 75... the last real Alfa and one of the most beautiful ugly cars (or vice versa, if you prefer) of the 80s. As well as replicas of the classic racecar configuration, there are some quite interesting modified examples on the internet as i've just discovered.
 
I hesitate to do anything that sounds like telling you gentlemen your business, but how is this for an idea: Speedhunters could run segments dedicated to some models and marques that are less well represented in these pages. Similar to what you do with S-chassis and AE86 etc, but with gear such as the Alfa 75?
 
Just my 10p worth again...

39

 @tenpennyjimmy  @speedhunters_dino It's a great idea... And something we'd like to do!

40

 @tenpennyjimmy  @speedhunters_dino It's a great idea... And something we'd like to do!

41

 @ComJive Looks abit like a cobra, or maybe even an older jag.

42

 @Jonathan Moore  @speedhunters_dino :)

43
BiTurbo from oppo

 @ComJive Pretty sure it's a Cobra Daytona Coupe (or a replica of one).

44
BiTurbo from oppo

 @speedhunters_dino Excellent. Love the shots, especially the Giulietta Spider. I've seen a couple of these in real life and they're so pretty they've stopped me in my tracks each time. This is one of the few pictures I've seen that gets close to showing how pretty they are.

45
BiTurbo from oppo

 @tenpennyjimmy  @Jonathan Moore  @speedhunters_dino I've been pondering that too. If my current mechanical trend continues I might give it a go on mine. Maybe swap a transaxle drivetrain from a rusted out 75.
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81749070@N07/7492487298/in/set-72157630446892844

46

 @BiTurbo from oppo not too sure about that, none of the shapes line up. the daytona coupe also probably wouldn't be lower (car height, not ride height) than the jag, and definitely not lower than the giulietta spider (it's next to the giulietta in the only pic of that giulietta spider)

47

 @ComJive Looks like a Lister replica. 

48

Love all those Alfas!
 
How many cars do you have, Dino?

49
speedhunters_dino

 @Fred4  @ComJive Yep it's a Lister

50
speedhunters_dino

 @jakehurtlocker  @BiTurbo from oppo Sure:)

51
speedhunters_dino

 @BiTurbo from oppo Yes they are very pretty and very tiny too!

52
speedhunters_dino

 @EvolveWRC Three at the moment 

53

So many great photos, but I think the red Lotus Elan is my pick of the bunch. What a great variety of non-Japanese cars!

54

desktops please! orange RSR replica and Garage Goto Giulia pretty please!

55
speedhunters_dino

 @guthriez Yessir!:)

56
speedhunters_dino

 @KiwiMotoring Damn I should have gotten more pix of it!  Although it took off early in the day

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