We’re back at Gunsai Touge for another year of pure AE86 bliss.
This time, Garage Infinity expanded their scope to include all 4A-GE-powered cars in their annual matsuri, though the turnout remained overwhelmingly Hachiroku-centric.
My day began at the Gunsai’s closest convenience store, where there’s always a revolving door of cool cars en route to the famous driving spot.
For those who are tapped into my AE86 adventures in Japan, you’ll know I got my car from Garage Infinity. So it was only right to attend their annual event and soak in the atmosphere.
As some of you know, I’ve also delved into drifting with my AE86 – stay tuned for a story on that – and the temptation to experience the Gunsai Touge from the driver’s seat was strong. However, after several visits, I knew better than to risk a tow truck ride home.
As ever, the event attracted a diverse range of Hachirokus. I’ve always preached that AE86s are one of a few chassis that vary so much from build to build, and this event was a testament to that.
One standout for me was this cream-over-silver Trueno hatchback.
Once again, the Team Mouse cars came up from Kansai. These are always my ‘how to notchback’ examples, whenever I need inspiration. In my mind, there are two main styles for an AE86: 15-inch wheels with a body kit, or 13/14-inch wheels with stock Toyota aero. Team Mouse cars nail the former perfectly.
One of the best parts of shooting at Gunsai is how close you can get to the action. As terrifying and dangerous as it might be, nothing beats standing behind weak guard rails outside of a fast corner, closing your eyes to avoid being hit by rocks, and holding the shutter on continuous fire hoping for that perfect shot.
I also caught up with Naoki-san and grabbed some shots of his stunning 4A-GE 20V ‘Blacktop’-swapped Levin. After years of dialling, there’s almost nothing left for him to modify, adjust or improve.
I even mounted my GoPro in Naoki-san’s 86 for some in-car footage. Check it out above!
Hiroshi ‘Kaicho’ Takahashi was also there with his iconic red Running Free Trueno. This car is always evolving, and this time, Kaicho came out to play with a full carbon roof swap, which was pretty impressive.
Towards the end of the day, I hopped into the passenger seat of a car to see if I could capture some Hail Mary action shots out the window. As seen in the video, Gunsai is fast. Sitting in a stock unbolstered seat, dangling my camera out of the window, I was quite lucky to grab the shots I did, and the risk was well worth it.
The Gunsai Touge will forever hold a place in my heart as the true mecca of drifting in Japan, and events like Garage Infinity’s 4A-GE-only matsuri just make it all the more special.
Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco
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Excellent event coverage and style of photography. The video was very well done and I like that there was no voice over. It almost seemed like one of those old 60s films because of the music. I don't even like drifting, but looked at all the photos and watched the whole video because of how well it was done. Really different format of event coverage.
I looked up Alec's articles and I like how he brings people into the stories as well as the cars. Keep up the good work Alecs!
Thank you very much! Stoked you're enjoying
You crushed it man awesome coverage and like I said I dont even like drifting. These shots are so good. Very early 2000s feel to them. Perfect sir. Perfect.
Nice
I learned to drive in one of these cars, I was in high school and drifting wasn’t even a thing yet, I had fun filling up the tank and taking it to the parking lot at the mall when it snowed and spinning it in circles.
That’s pretty awesome tbh. My first car was a 4 door Volvo which became very notorious in the Malibu area for street racing. Funny how we look back on stuff. I used to want another car but now I’d kill to have that Volvo back with an LS swap haha. Nostalgia. Can’t beat it. Now you’d be hard pressed to find an 86 in good shape for under 10 grand!
I think at that age we would have raced anything we could get our hands on, lol.
The local police knew us well, lol
Haha damn that’s true. I forgot how when you’re young it’s whatever you can get your hands on. Amazing how we can become so refined in preferences and experience over time. You kind of blew my mind with that comment. Damn!
My interest has changed too, I got into older cars (60”s-70”s) and restoration for many years, never had an interest in a hot hatch, never knew what a Nissan gtr was. The cost of them has changed, skyrocketed and then there’s maintenance, repair costs, ugh. So, when I see articles like this it reminds me of being out there, working on them, driving them. I wasn’t as present as I am now, I was in the moment and I’m grateful for both.
Always love your content Alec, and I am lucky it is on one of my favorite cars.
My 86 has been in our family for over 35 years now, and I agree that every 86 seems to be a little different or have their own little quirk. You absolutely captured that charm and more.
Keep up the great work.
Thank you, appreciate that!