Blog
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Attack: The Parking Lot
Though the action was thick and fast across the “two” days of Attack 2024, I made a mental note to set aside time to explore the spectator (and competitor) parking lots surrounding the Tsukuba Circuit. From what I’ve seen and experienced throughout the years, there are many a hidden gem to be found there. I liken it to the street style scene outside of fashion week shows that draws…
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Attack: The Day Of
Day 2 at Tsukuba Circuit couldn’t come quick enough, and I was still processing the teaser which was Day 1. Even so, I wasn’t ready for the sensory overload I was about to experience. Many years of attending World Time Attack Challenge had crescendoed to this point. I was lucky to have paddock access in the early morning before pitlane opened, which gave a good opportunity to scope all…
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Attack: The Day Before
Continuing on my high from this petroleum-filled trip was probably what I was most excited for: Tsukuba Circuit. I headed out to visit for the practice day that was held the Friday before Attack 2024, one of the main reasons for coming to Japan this time around. Part of my character is that I like to be prepared for things as much as possible, so I thought I’d use…
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T is for Toyota
As an avid automotive (and history) enthusiast, Toyota MegaWeb and History Garage in Tokyo had long been on my bucket list to check off. But alas, it was not meant to be, with its closure a few years ago after a fruitful run of over 20 years. I don’t think anything truly replaced those two attractions, but during my research for this trip I came across Toyota’s trio of…
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A Late Night in Osaka
I had just walked through the door of my hotel room after my visit to Osaka Auto Messe, when I received a message from a friend asking if I was interested in catching a car meet that night. “Hell yes I am”, I thought to myself. Prior to this I wasn’t aware that we would be in Osaka at the same time, but it turned out they were also going…
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Let Me Just Pinch Myself
I haven’t been back to Japan for over 15 years. I knew it would always be my next destination after touring the United States and sampling its automotive culture back in 2018, but that one pesky global incident got in the way. Funnily enough, this time I once again managed to create a plan that fit everything I wanted to tick off almost (too) perfectly. Three weeks of car culture…
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A Very Honda Weekend
It’d been a little while since I’d had a Honda-centric day, my last being Honda Nationals in 2022, so late last year I thought I’d satiate that need with a full weekend of them. First up was World Time Attack Challenge. I’ve been attending for most years since 2011, and seeing the international competitors is what tends to draw my attention. This time was no different as I was…
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Better Late Than Never
All of our lives are busy. And among our busy lives we prioritise the things that matter the most to us, and all of priorities are different. Throughout 2023, I came to the realisation that time is finite, and that my priorities were changing. I don’t love using the pandemic as a mark point for my life, but thinking about it, I can definitely say there’s a distinct difference…
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Miata Mornings
Sometimes I can’t help but pinch myself when I realise how lucky I am that one of the greatest racetracks in the world – and my personal holy grail – is on my proverbial doorstep. And that for almost every day in the year it is drivable as a public road. Last year was definitely the most fun way I’ve ever travelled to Mount Panorama; in a Mazda MX-5…
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Just to Be Different
It’s not news that the Supercars Championship has had a rocky past few years, particularly surrounding that one profanity in motorsport: parity. But what is the cost of trying to be a unique racing category in today’s age? From my perspective it’s a big one, and not simply monetary. I’m not going to be shy, and say that my interest in the category has waned. Having been an avid…
