Tag: R32

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Encounter: Hatsukura BNR32 At Fuji

I came across this R32 GTR at Fuji a few weeks ago.  It struck me as an almost ideal build; one that looks amazingly well, performs on track, and retains enough comfort to drive to and from the track.  The dated body matched with Volk’s updated take on the TE37 works surprisingly well together.  Hankook Ventus Z214 S-type tires ensure that the driver is able to utilize the full potential of the GTR.  The time sheets indicated that the driver was able to snag a 2’02.xxx around Fuji Speedway.  I never had an opportunity to talk to the owner and get more information, so photos will have to suffice. Enjoy.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight
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Feature: Takanori Seyama – A Restrained Potential

From the time I began to take an interest in Japanese Time Attack, I’ve had the chance to see Takanori Seyama’s R32 evolve year after year, slowly transforming into one of the countries fastest GTR’s.  With that one fact being known, you’d think that the car would be a household name for fans of the sport.  However, Takanori keeps such a low profile that the exposure of his build doesn’t quite hit the reach that others do.  It’s a testament to his humble character that, despite knocking on the door of 53’s, he’s a frontrunner that tends to stay in the shadows.

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Close Up: The Forgotten Samurai – Autech’s Flagship GTR

It’s been 3 years since I had the privilege of seeing ATTKD’s GTR  take on the titans of Japanese time attack at Fuji Speedway.  Witnessing the somewhat lesser known car back then clock times within seconds of the fastest at the time was something that really impressed me.  I know it’s not intentional, but when cars like the Top Secret S2000RR and HKS R35 GT1000 take center stage, their opponents seem to get put on the back burner.  When the ATTKD GTR32 hits the track though, it’s performance alone will demand the attention back from everyone in attendance.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight
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Feature: Masumoto Shoichiro – The Shorin GTR32

If you had the opportunity to meet Masumoto just once, then it would go without saying that he is the definition of someone who lives for circuit racing.  The energy that he resonates around the track is that of true happiness and excitement to be doing what he does.  Over the past few years he has helped the Attack series grow into something much more than just a private, invite only track event.  The fact that Attack is now a recognized championship series throughout Japan is thanks in part to Masumoto-san’s hard work and dedication.  His personal GTR build has paralleled his work with Attack, and provides him the outlet he needs to channel his energy.

Continue reading Feature: Masumoto Shoichiro – The Shorin GTR32
Automotive by Narita Dogfight
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Encounter: The Height of Challenge – ATTKD GTR32

I’ve always held ATTKD in high regard.   Not only because of their rich history in parts development and tuning, but more so because of their ability to put pressure on the frontrunners of time attack. The surprisingly large shop based out of Nagano is responsible for a handful of notable Nissan builds; namely their flagship 32 you see here.  Working closely with their long time test driver, Mitsuhiro Kinoshita, they were able to get under 2 seconds shy of the Top Fuel S2000; which has quickly become the benchmark for time attack at Fuji.  In an almost ‘behind the scenes’ fashion, Mitsuhiro Kinoshita piloted the Skyline around Fuji Circuit in a remarkable 1’40.925.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight
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Close-Up: Evome Profile – SEYAMAX // ADMIX GTR

 

Like the majority of people competing in time attack events in Japan, Takanori Seyama is the owner of a shop that deals with car sales and procurement.  Located on a quiet street in the heart of Ryugasaki, Ibaraki, his shop, Seyamax, not only houses his inventory of cars for sale, but is also headquarters for what Takanori really loves to do; and that is to race.  Over the past couple years he has built, and perfected his car of choice to become as fast as possible.  His R32, dubbed ‘Real Of The World’, is no slouch on TC2000.  His 2015 target time is set at 57.5 seconds around Tsukuba, and with a personal best of 57.970 to back it, it seems a very reasonable goal to accomplish.

 

Continue reading Close-Up: Evome Profile – SEYAMAX // ADMIX GTR
Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close-Up: Auto Gallery Yokohama – GT-R R32 Heart Attack!

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A few years ago, if you were to have asked someone stateside if they knew what Auto Gallery Yokohama was, you’d probably get a blank stare.  Or perhaps someone would say that it’s an automotive museum in Yokohama; which, per se, wouldn’t be a bad guess.  Bottom line is that no one would know who they were or what they did.  Actually, around 3 years ago, even I wouldn’t have known much about them.  My first exposure to their now iconic battle-spec R32 was in an Option magazine a few years back.  It was a panning shot of the Skyline blazing down the straight of Fuji Speedway.  Since then, the just about every part of the car has gone through a massive amount of changes.  The bottom line remains the same though; to be the fastest.  And in many ways AG-Y has succeeded in doing so.  The car constantly breaks records at Fuji and holds respectable times around Tsukuba.  For a private company, there is no doubt it holds it’s own in a fight against the big dogs (see what I did there? – NDF!).  I recently stopped by Auto Gallery Yokohama’s garage to see for myself the car that I’ve been dreaming about for years and get an up close and personal look at it’s heart.  Click past the break for more.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Encounter: Omori Factory Spec R32

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I got such a good response from the Omori Factory built R34, that I thought I wouldn’t waste any time in posting up their S-Tune R32 build as well.  The concept of the S-Tune R32 is to remain a street car.  As a result, the body style has remained relatively unchanged.  To obtain maximum street-able performance that does not exceed the chassis’s strength is an important key in Japanese motor sports.  Thanks to our partner site JDM Clips for snagging these shots at Nismo Festival.  JDM Clips is one of the most watched channels Japanese motor sports on YouTube with loads of awesome content.  Be sure to click the link on the sidebar to check it out.  Click past the break to see more.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Event: R’s Meeting 2011 – Fuji Speedway v.2

Welcome back to the second part of the R’s Meeting coverage from Fuji.  I’m considering this a remote post because I’m actually not at home right now.  If you’re a regular follower you’ll have seen my post about my computer crashing; so I flew to Oakland to get some software from my friend in Hayward.  While I’m here I thought I may as well post up the second part of the Skyline madness.  Remember we have a facebook page now – be sure to friend up on the side bar.  Cheers!

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Event: R’s Meeting 2011 – Fuji Speedway v.1

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Have you ever had one of those months that seems to last only a few days?  Between work and my unnatural, incessant need to constantly be inside of an airplane, it feels as if I haven’t been home for more than a few hours each week.  It shows in the site traffic too; so here to remedy this is the first installment of the GT-R Magazine R’s Meeting 2011 at Fuji Speedway.  I gave you a preview of JDM Clips’ coverage when I posted the Encounter with Auto Gallery Yokohama’s R32, but past the break is the first round of event coverage.  Enjoy.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Encounter: Auto Gallery Yokohama R32

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This past weekend at Fuji Speedway, GT-R Magazine held ‘R’s Meeting 2011’, a giant gathering of Skyline owners and their cars.  This event seems to be extremely similar to the Skyline Festival; which was sponsored by Nissan.   Exhibitions and ride-alongs were given throughout the day from the various tuners that attended.  One car that I will always be happy to see, and will eventually get to photograph one day, is the Auto Gallery Yokohama R32.  This has always been my favorite Skyline build and I’m excited to share some photos with you – compliments of JDM Clips.  Click past the break for a few quick snaps.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Event: ノスタルジックカー Skyline Festival 2011 @ Fuji Speedway v.3

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Alright, now that I’m back in the US and have access to a computer again, I can finally post up the last of the Skyline Festival pics.  In addition to the meet that was held in the parking lot of Fuji, attendees were given the chance to race their cars on the actual Speedway.  Among these were a few real race cars, as well as a handful of perfectly matched replicas.  The R32’s were a hit in the road racing scene, and there was no shortage of them at the track during the Skyline Festival.  Let’s take a look at some of the machines that were lapping Fuji.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Event: ノスタルジックカー Skyline Festival 2011 @ Fuji Speedway v.2

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Before I continue the coverage of the Skyline Festival, I figured I’d post up a walk around of the visitor’s lot, so you can get an idea of the caliber of the cars that weren’t in the actual show area.  As usual, you can find some pretty cool stuff in these lots, as most enthusiasts pour their hearts into their own personal cars.  You’ll see too, that even people who don’t own a Nissan can still appreciate the Skyline and what it has brought to the motorsports scene across the world.  Click past the break for more.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Event: ノスタルジックカー Skyline Festival 2011 @ Fuji Speedway v.1

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Throughout the year, ノスタルジックカーショー (Nostalgic Car Show), hosts a series of events for classic makes of cars – included in this series is the beloved Nissan Skyline.  Every year hundreds of Skyline owners and tuners gather to share each others passion for the Skyline.  These one make car shows are great for getting an in-depth look at the history of the model, as well as capturing the individual creativity of each owner.  Fuji Speedway was host to the event this year, and as usual, the owners had the opportunity to take their cars out on track.  Click past the break for coverage.

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Action by Narita Dogfight

RC Lounge: The R32’s Test Drive

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With a fully charged battery and a tastefully decorated G-Works body, it was time to finally take my R32 for a test drive.  I went downstairs with my Nikon and let it rip.  I gotta say – this thing is great fun.  It’s fast and my new SkyFly transmitter is responsive, but I think I’ll spring for the GT Tuned motor soon.  We could always use a little more speed.  With the help of my co-driver, Anny, I snapped a few pics.  Check um’ out past the break.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Event: Tokyo Auto Salon 2011 – RH9

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Describing RH9 in one word would be easy; Power.  The Record Holder 9 club is exclusive to those cars capable of running 9’s in the quarter mile, the 1320, 0-400m; whatever you wanna call it, these things can do it fast.  Once confined only to GT-R’s, it seems like they’ve expanded to other platforms as well; like the almighty Garage G Force X above.  When you think of Japanese tuning, you’ll probably think of a few companies that take part in this club; and you’ll see some of their creations here.  It’s not uncommon to see RH9 badged parts created by these companies as well.  When I picked through these, I realized a lot were on the CF card that had failed on me.  As a result I’m missing some (unhappy face).  There are a few other sites though that have coverage of the RH9 too, so all is well.  Enjoy.

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