My Japan trip to Ebisu Circuit!!

[pt_y2k]

Been wanting to do this with a long time and being in Australia already sure feck it I was half way there... Got cheap flights one day and went from there...It was a purely track time trip and not much sightseeing,thats for next time

After picking up flights i set about with the huge help of Powervehicles who are based at Ebisu getting a car. As much as i would of loved an 86 over there ,there just too expensive and rare to get nowadays so picked myself up a decent spec 180sx.



Time wasnt long going and I was on a plane to Tokyo!



Stayed in Shinjuku in Tokyo my first night in a capsule hotel,for those of you that done know what they are,well a little capsule with a bed...:P and struck off for Fukishima the next day...













Finally got to Nihomatsu,they town where Ebisu is located close to,absolulty blind to where i was a finally came across another couple of Aussies heading to the track so stuffed a taxi and set on our way!



The infamous front gate to Ebisu Circuit and Safari Park...



Finally got to meet Andy and Em from powervehicles and there garages,some damage still around from the quake....:/







Headed down to the "Graveyard" as its known and picked up the Missile...

[pt_y2k]

After getting a few bits started I got on track straight away! Had big overheating issues the first day so the following morning i ripped out the thermostat and standard single core rad and put in a 50mm and bar few boost pipes and self inflicting damage car never missed a beat after...



Wall tapping is fun but destructive...:P

















Got a few days practice in with the car and on Friday the 4th i entered G1GP, the Gaijin (foreigner) drift championship held at Ebisu 3 times a year on Matsuri weekends... It was my first comp in over 2 years and absolutly loved it! Conditions changed every hour with practice on Thursday being absolutly soaking wet,to Fridays practice drying up,Qualifying bone dry and Battles pissing again... They do a 10minute roulette qualifying session of a bout 30 cars,really good way of doing it than single runs as its a bit more relaxed... Was happy with my runs and a place in novice class i would of being delighted with only to see this result at the drivers briefing after qualifying....16th in pro class!!! Couldnt belive it,on Minami possibly the most famous drift track and being judged by no other than Suenaga and Kumakubo of Team Orange...







Battles begun and i was put against 1st qualfier Josh Hayward,between nerves,lack of battle expereince and everything in between i fluffed and spun on my chase run...so was the first out..





With G1GP over the 36hour Matsuri begun Saturday morning!

Kids Heart ER34...

[pt_y2k]

School Course wall started getting the better of me....:P

Close enough?? Wall tapping ftmfw!











Stayed going till bout 3am until sleep got the better of me..



So that was it time in Ebisu was nearly done...





And back to the graveyard to love another Matsuri...



And some Vids... These do need editing so my apologies...

Ebisu - YouTube

Ebisu 2 - YouTube

Ebisu 3 - YouTube

Ebisu 4 - YouTube

Ebisu 5 - YouTube

[supernova]

What an experience! I'm very jealous!

[juice]

WOW, amazing, so what was the cost of all this????

[Stevo]

EPIC!!! must have only booked recently seen that 180 for sale 3-4 weeks ago, good job done on it

[pt_y2k]

Cheers dude! Aww too much...first time is expensive but once youve a car set up there its just flights and spending money.. The car cost bout 4k euro ish...still making money there unfortunatly,you could pickup cheaper but buying through powervehicles you get the car waiting at the track for you,use of there garage faciltys and tyre machines and access to parts etc... Depending on what you do each day,a full day on all 5 courses in Ebisu is about 200 euro? Very reasonable considering track costs in Ireland...

[sandstorm]

I hate you....

great write up dude... looks like a feckin blast...

[pinny]

unreal ! love seeing stuff like this ! id hope to do this early next year .
was the car rented or something ? what was the rough overall cost ?

[subzero]

class place, andy and emily are sound out too so it helps .

hotel in nihomitsu is alot nicer than that capsual i bet

looks like you had fun . would love to head for the matsuri .