Tag: FD3S

Automotive by Narita DogfightMar 3, 202219:20

Feature: Advancing The Next Generation – U29 Champion Shoya Okumura

With time attack in Japan being dominated mostly by an older generation, modern government regulations, and a waning interest in automotive culture in Japan’s urban centers, it often leaves us questioning if the allure of motor sports is bright enough to draw in new participants. There are arguments that can be made on both sides, however, we tend to agree that it is as bright as ever, and conversing with individuals like Shoya Okumura only helps to solidify our feelings on the subject; and we’re not alone.

Automotive by Narita DogfightFeb 15, 202223:46

Feature: RGN Tuning – Maximizing Efficiency In Time Attack

There is a good chance that if you’re browsing this website, you’re familiar with Aoki-san of Ready GO Next. Not only does he have a successful shop catering to RX7 tuning, but he is among the masterminds associated with the creation of Attack; Japan’s most renowned time attack event.

Automotive by Narita DogfightAug 31, 202118:20

Feature: Saitama’s Crown – Top Fuel Racing FD

Kiyotaka Eishima had two requirements for the car he would choose to campaign in time attack; it had to be fast, and it had to look cool. So, after purchasing the FD in 2006, every decision he’s made has come back to those two obligations – and it is clear that he has never strayed from that path.

Automotive by Narita DogfightOct 30, 202017:06

Feature: A Diamond Among Stones – The Zesty Racing FD3S

It’s always a pleasure seeing the regulars at Attack events around Japan season after season. Those drivers and shops that form the foundation of our community, that attend not just to drive, but to uphold the responsibility they’ve given themselves to push the sport forward.

Automotive by Narita DogfightAug 8, 202023:29

Encounter: Kazuki Sato’s FD3S – A One’s Tribute

Since we last spoke in person back in February, Sato has been keeping me filled in on the progress of his FD build over the past few months. Determined to have the car ready for Attack next season, the progression has been rapid to say the least.

Automotive by Narita DogfightApr 1, 202000:39

Encounter: A Lesson In Minimalism – Wacky Mate RX7

It’s always exciting to see new builds get unveiled each year. It shows progression of the sport; both in the growth of drivers and the need to increase the performance of their cars. In the case of Kengo ‘Lock’ Suzuki, it was an interesting combination of both that led to what you see here.

Automotive by Narita DogfightAug 14, 201921:11

Gallery: Yoshiaki Itagaki – The Arios F16 SPL FD3S

There are a select few cars that, despite my frequency in traveling to Japan, always seem to elude me. Most of the time it’s due to a geographical hardship, as I’m often in the same parts of the country time and time again.

Automotive by Narita DogfightJul 26, 201919:37

Encounter: Tooru Nozaki – Autopolis Driven FD3S

Seeing as he lives all the way down in Kyushu, I consider myself lucky to have caught Nozaki and his FD at Fuji during Seven’s Day. I didn’t get the opportunity to see him at Autopolis Super Lap and was excited to see the build up close.

Automotive by Narita DogfightJul 24, 201919:38

Event: Seven’s Day Fuji – Rotary Spirit 2019 V.2

As the day wore on, and my duties track-side came to a close, I was afforded more time to spend wandering around the sea of RX-7’s on the other side of the grandstands.

Automotive by Narita DogfightJul 19, 201921:20

Event: Seven’s Day Fuji – Rotary Spirit 2019 V.1

Rotary Spirit was created in 2018 in an attempt to host the most comprehensive Seven’s Day meeting throughout all of Japan. This year marked the second annual event, and I happened to be at Fuji Speedway when the festivities were going down.

Automotive by Narita DogfightJul 16, 201921:14

Feature: The Temple of Buddha – Golden Bathurst R-3 FD3S

This 1995 Mazda RX-7, owned by someone choosing only to be referred to as ‘The Temple of Buddha’ (or something like that I don’t actually know), is so far off the grid that I normally operate on that when I saw it at Fuji the other week, I had to take a closer look.

Automotive by Narita DogfightJul 15, 201915:29

Video: Rotary Spirit Seven’s Day Meeting – Fuji Speedway

While I was photographing a race at Fuji Speedway, I took some time to record a walk-through of the Seven’s Day event that was going on in the event paddock.

Automotive by Narita DogfightJul 10, 201917:08

Close-Up: Yukimitsu Hara FD3S – CSG FD3S Attack Build

It’s been quite some time now since Hara-san of Car Shop Glow has been behind the wheel of his own car, but it looks like the years of not competing have finally begun to take their toll.

Automotive by Narita DogfightMar 22, 201919:28

Encounter: Young Blood – The Boost Up FD3S

Every once in awhile a car comes around that emanates a youthful disposition throughout the paddock. A somewhat adolescent, not yet fully refined look alludes to the driver being in more of an exploratory phase of driving; a stark contrast to those that have been driving for decades.

Automotive by Narita DogfightMar 3, 201920:27

Editorial: Celebrating Community – A Tribute to Kazuyuki Takahashi

Having always been a very task-oriented person, I often times find myself gravitating more towards the desire of completing a project or event as opposed to the act of simply participating in it. It wasn’t until the past few years in my life that I was taught to be mindful of the present, or, ‘enjoy the ride’ so they say. While the wording of that saying may come off as childish and a bit pedestrian, there is merit to being able to live in the moment. I’ve learned that checking in with yourself existentially every once in awhile can be beneficial.

Automotive by Narita DogfightApr 20, 201806:04

Feature: In Good Company – Masaki Kitajo’s FD3S

It seems to be about every 2 years or so I have the opportunity to check in with Masaki-san. A staple of the Attack community, Masaki’s FD has served as his test bed and company demo car for nearly a decade, and continues to evolve year after year. I remember seeing it for the first time back in 2012 at Tsukuba during Advan’s ‘Fastest Amateur Tournament’. Back then the car had a full FEED Afflux kit and was comparatively very mild looking. Oh how far we’ve come…

Automotive by Narita DogfightJun 3, 201717:13

Feature: Hiroki Sakamoto – A Conservative Success

Hiroki Sakamoto may have possibly built, not only one of the fastest, but also the cleanest RX-7 in Japan to date. With a best time of 55.801 around Tsukuba, and a 2’14.399 around Suzuka it can definitely hold it’s own among the frontrunners of Japanese time attack.

Automotive by Narita DogfightNov 3, 201617:18

Locale: Tomisato, Chiba – ＲＥ雨宮

The amount of influence that Amemiya-san has in the field of tuning Mazdas, specifically the RX-7, is arguably untouchable. The popularity of his designs and the overall originality of his creations are known not just throughout Japan, but the entire world. Walking through the showroom of Isami’s flagship shop in Tomisato, Chiba, you’re given proof of how much weight the name carries. Trophies from race events, car shows, and manufactuer recognition are plastered from one wall to the other. Momentos of achievement past and present line the glass cases along the walls of the showroom, surrounding the beautiful blue, Super GReddy clad demo car sitting front and center.

Automotive by Narita DogfightJul 31, 201619:34

Encounter: Auto Garage TBK – REsonance FD3S

It goes without saying, that 9 times out of 10, wheel choice defines the way a car looks. Coming from a background predominantly in Hondas, I’ve always viewed the Desmond Regamaster as the wheel to end all wheels. It’s a choice that looks good on nearly every car; quite similar to the TE37. Up until I started to frequent Japan some time ago, I didn’t realize just how utilized the wheel was on other platforms as well.

Automotive by Narita DogfightJul 21, 201615:27

Encounter: ぽりぽり Dream Works FD3S

Dream Works is no stranger to building cars that inhabit the race track. In fact, some of their customer cars are more well-known than their own demo cars. Super Battle Evome class competitor ‘Pori Pori’ (which I think is the sound effect in Japanese used to describe the sound of scratching something) is one such customer. This Super Battle Evome competitor drives to Tsukuba, lays down a sub-minute lap, and drives home in time for dinner; that’s reliability that you can’t get just anywhere.

Automotive by Narita DogfightJul 11, 201605:50

Feature: The Pleasure of Drive – CCE FD3S

In the furthest Southeastern part of the Saitama prefecture lies the small commuter town of Misato City. The suburb that serves as home to many employees of Tokyo, also serves as the headquarters for CCE; a fairly new, by some standards, tuning shop that offers a one-stop option for a variety of cars. The president, Yoshihiro Nakamura, chose this FD3S to serve as the companies flagship build. It’s gone through minor changes each year for the past several years, but I think that it’s current state is one that strikes a good balance between street and track; a goal that many enthusiasts in Japan strive for.

Automotive by Narita DogfightApr 21, 201605:01

Encounter: ぽりぽり夢工房FD3S

Dream Workshop FD3S at Tsukuba Circuit. Fastest lap time 59.625

Automotive by Narita DogfightApr 1, 201605:47

Encounter: Car Shop Dream FD3S

Hailing from the cold North of Hokkaido, FD specialists Car Shop Dream can claim the rights to one of the most unique looking FD’s in Japanese time attack. As you would imagine, due to the distance, it’s not often that Kurokawa-san and his team get out to Tsukuba. As a result, they don’t get as much seat time at the track as some of the other locals. Despite this, Kurokawa has piloted his 600whp build to a personal best of 57.880. Ultimately, after achieving times more close to the 55 second range at Tsukuba, he’d really like to shoot for competing in WTAC. The car is an ongoing project, so who knows? Check out some pictures past the break.

Automotive by Narita DogfightFeb 5, 201601:08

Close-Up: Atsushi Shimaya’s Endless FD3S

Out of the thousands of cars at TAS, it’s always exciting to see, in person, a car you’ve followed online for years. Every once in awhile a build will snowball into something so involved that it makes you wonder if the end result was ever really envisioned. A perfect example of this is Atsushi Shimaya’s FD3S.

Automotive by Narita DogfightOct 27, 201500:18

Encounter: ワッキーメイトFD3S

Exciting Car Sports indeed, Wacky Mate. Expand to see more of the WM FD3S take on Fuji Speedway to the tune of 1’51.759.

Automotive by Narita DogfightAug 27, 201518:14

Encounter: アドバンステクニカル FD3S

As you know by now, Advance builds their shop cars specifically to take on Fuji Circuit. Their FD, which they’ve been developing for some time now, is hands down the shop’s fastest build. It’s able to lap Fuji Speedway in a very respectable 1’56; a lap time most street cars can’t touch.

Automotive by Narita DogfightJun 27, 201506:41

Close-Up: Mister ヮタヮタ’s Dogfight FD

I’d say that, after three years of attending Evome, the one thing I really get excited for is seeing everyone again, as well as meeting new friends. The privateer ‘Attack’ season in Japan is such a short lived experience each year that my time with the drivers is fairly brief. This is somewhat of a Catch 22 because while it does make each encounter much more special, I end up having to divide my time between talking to people and photographing the hour long event; and with just 3-4 Evome events a year, my time becomes very limited (especially not living in Japan).

Automotive by Narita DogfightApr 17, 201500:33

Feature: Tsukuba Revisited – Tomizawa’s Wild Heart

As I sit in front of my gate at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, with the hopes (although very little) of catching an earlier flight back to California, my mind can’t help but wander back towards days that I enjoy more than those of which I spend inside the depths of US airports; which I relate now more or less to that of a colony of bees. Filled to the brim with people going about their every which way, connecting to cities across the expanse of the Earth, each with a unique task to complete (varying in importance). The days on my mind? Those of which are spent in Japan, at the circuits which I’ve grown all too comfortable being at…

Automotive by Narita DogfightApr 10, 201517:26

Encounter: ERC FD3S – Iida TC2000 Running

59.051 seconds is what it took Iida-san to pilot his Elite Racing Company built FD around the 14 turns of Tsukuba’s TC2000. It’s no surprise though, knowing ERC’s knowledge of rotary tuning, that Iida had the capability of achieving such a time. The Saitama based shop, run by Ohya Masaatsu is not only one of the leading shops in rotary tuning, but they can also boast for having literally the most amount of random links on their website that I have ever seen. Click past the break for more shots.

Automotive by Narita DogfightMar 28, 201505:49

Feature: The Pan Speed FD – Reborn

The last time I saw this car was literally a year ago; and I can tell you, it looked nothing like this. Yes, this is the same FD chassis that PanSpeed commissioned last year at HKS Premium Day, except that this year the car has gone through quite a cosmetic transformation. Actually, you can see it’s previous reiteration here. Over the course of last year, the car was stripped of it’s exterior and fitted with an entirely new aero kit that PanSpeed has been developing. I know this is a bit late in the day, but I finally stopped fiddling with my new audio equipment that I got for the new Podcast long enough to get the article out.

Automotive by Narita DogfightFeb 5, 201505:24

Feature: ネギ Shooting In Gunma – テクニカルオートワンズ

Well, this post has been a long time coming! Hard to believe it was about 8 months I ago that I made the trek out to Gunma to shoot Takahashi’s FD for Super Street. Now that the magazine has been off the stands for awhile, I think it’s about time I post up some new and behind the scene shots that weren’t used in the magazine. To be honest I’ve been so caught up with other coverage and work in general that I forgot all about posting some shots. I ran into Takahashi at the last Battle Evome and it reminded me I had these shots just sitting around. He was at the event supporting the Wood Village S30, as he had just completed some work on it.

Automotive by Narita DogfightDec 10, 201403:06

One Shot: アイエスオートＦＤ３Ｓ

AS Auto is an outfit out of Saitama that sells highly modified sports cars; not unlike their demo car seen here at TC2000. Good style, fast speed.

Automotive by Narita DogfightDec 8, 201408:11

One Shot: 青木さんのFD3S – Tuning Fest

Most of my attention next week will be geared towards processing my recent shoot with Garage Mak and Baki’s NDF Link car, but I’ll do my best to get some coverage up from the […]

Automotive by Narita DogfightNov 13, 201414:22

Event: Private Testing At Ebisu With The CSG

Last week the CSG boys and a couple friends rented out the Nishi course at Ebisu for some testing. Mainly so Hara-san could test out the new HKS transmission […]

Automotive by Narita DogfightSep 21, 201403:48

Encounter: Tatsukuro-san’s TFR Blessed FD3S

No stranger to a variety of cars, S15, Altezza, JZX100, (even the FD, having owned one before this) just to name a few, Muraki Tatsuhiko has more experience than most when it comes to how different […]

Automotive by Narita DogfightJul 16, 201402:17

Event: 7’s Meeting Fuji Speedway

July 7th marks a day in Japan that RX7 owners and enthusiasts rejoice almost religiously. It’s a day of celebration of a lineage of car that has had an impact on this world […]

Automotive by Narita DogfightApr 9, 201405:58

Site News: Limited Canvas Print Additions

Happy to say that I finally got some time to print up a few more sample canvas prints to offer in the store. The Pan Speed FD was a great way to kick off […]

Automotive by Narita DogfightMar 8, 201402:30

Feature: Battle Evome’s Wild Heart – Tommy’s FD3S

There is a feeling that some have experienced that is as nerve racking as it is exhilarating. Some may crumble under it, feed off of it; becoming stronger, faster. A sort of pressure that brings […]

Automotive by Narita DogfightMar 4, 201404:15

Encounter: パン・スピードアタック! – The Pan Speed FD3S

Pan Speed. In the realm of rotary tuning, very few names come before it. They are top tier; specialists in their territory. Their flagship car, seen here, is iconic in both build and […]

Automotive by Narita DogfightFeb 27, 201401:57

Site News: Select Canvas Prints – Time Limited Release

I’m very excited to finally be able to release these after working to perfect them for the last month. When I offer something with the NDF name attached to it, I want to be […]