Event: 2011 Mugen Circuit Challenge v.1

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Anything doing is worth doing right – and Mugen does track events right.  Open to anybody with a Honda, enter into the Circuit Challenge and you are graced with four 15 minute runs on Tsukuba 1000 circuit, professional instruction on and off track, ride alongs with current professional racing drivers, the opportunity to drive one of three Mugen built machines, and the option of trying out Mugen products during your track time for free.  This year there were 86 drivers in attendance, including JDM Clips own Taka.  Check out the action below.

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The bouquet of Mugen built cars to choose from.  This year they were offering the European Type-R (FN2) as well!  The CR-Z actually looks fairly similar to the FN chassis.  This is the first time I’ve seen them side by side.  I’ll have more on that later.

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There was a sample of almost everything Honda offers in attendance; including this tasty BB6.  Mugen has divided the event into three classes, all with different regulations…

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Beginner, Intermediate, and Time Attack class.  The Time Attack class is divided further by chassis, including an “under 2200cc” class for smaller engine cars like the CR-Z, and the Fit.

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The most popular class is Intermediate – with a total of 41 participants.

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I can tell this would be one of those events where I’d be bouncing back and forth from the track to the lots.  Check out that EK9 in the foreground (#31).  I would love to shoot that car!  Actually, most of these would make good features.  I love street tuned machines.

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Events like this are perfect for companies to test out new materials, and tunes, and for amateur drivers to get much needed experience behind the wheel.  The Tsukuba 1000 course is quite technical.

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Even cars that look like they belong in company catalogs were getting in on the action.  Check out this Amuse kitted S2000!  It looks flawless.

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Drivers participating in the Time Attack class are held accountable to certain regulations; such as all convertible cars need a roll cage.  Which is good, because generally Japanese track safety regulation is a little bit more relaxed than in other places.

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In the picture I posted for the preview post, this car was out on track.  Here you can get a better look at the overall car.  Someone was asking about the type of wheels.  Looks aggressive!

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I’m not a huge fan of whatever bumper this is, but the rest of the car looks pretty good.  You can’t go wrong with a set of CE28’s on the AP chassis.  It’s also funny to notice where the transponder is on the cars.  In US events it’s usually tied to the rear tow hook.

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The Mugen FD2 lifting rear around a hard left-hander.  This thing would be a blast to drive!  I still have much to post on this event, including a few features, so stay tuned.  Thanks for the coverage JDM Clips!

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