Clear Tradition x Japan: The Begin Of One thing Large

So far as first dates go, this one went off with pops and bangs.

The final weekend of Could marked the primary ever Clear Tradition occasion to be held in Japan. Co-hosted by Jun and the Hardcore Tokyo crew, the occasion was designed to mimic a typical Clear Tradition occasion within the US, full with American MCs and meals vehicles catering burgers, tacos and all the pieces in between.

Clear Tradition have been holding occasions throughout the States since 2014, usually filling stadiums however all the time holding a neighborhood automotive meet vibe. So seeing them break into the Japanese occasions calendar is fairly cool.

For this monumental event, they weren’t simply going to search out any outdated carpark to show the 80-odd vehicles that have been signed up to participate.

Attending to this magical oasis of slammed tuner vehicles meant embarking on a voyage throughout Tokyo Bay. It’s the primary time I’ve made the journey since I’ve lived right here, though I’ve seen different pilgrims just like the kaido racers above traversing many instances, on YouTube.

Midway throughout the bay, rising from 9.6km of tunnel, you’ll discover Umihoteru (translation: sea firefly) Parking Space. Consider it as Daikoku PA on a man-made island in the midst of a harbour, stuffed with amusement decks and formed like a ship. It’s fairly spectacular, and so it ought to be contemplating it took 25 years of planning and 9 years of building to finish.

After the ultimate driving leg, I made it to the occasion venue. Longwood Station is smack bang in the midst of the Chiba Peninsula, and is definitely one among Tokyo’s largest movie units. I believed it was an deserted mall advanced, however apparently it’s the place to return to if you’d like synthetic rain or must set off a couple of explosions. It’s additionally the place an occasion known as Speedhunters Reside went down in 2019.

It supplied the proper backdrop for American-inspired, Japanese-built stance vehicles. With all of the cross pollination between modified automotive tribes, I’m not even certain that is smart, or if the vehicles actually even want a label.

Ten or 20 years in the past, maybe there was a higher distinction between Japanese and American modified vehicles, however each powerhouses are influenced by one another a lot that these days the strains are blurred.

Certain, there are nonetheless modifications which can be distinctly Japanese, like hanging an oil cooler on the exterior of your drift automotive. However two-tone sweet paint and an enormous blower? Thanks ‘Merica.

We’re all buddies now and labels don’t actually matter. Persons are simply constructing what they need, which is nice. There have been a couple of race vehicles current (together with a drag-prepped Chevy Nova), plus some American muscle, VIP and naturally loads of stance.

One of many highlights of the day was the Exhaust Competitors, which noticed the built-by-Souki-san Hakosuka take the trophy for greatest noise. The blown radiator hose was undoubtedly price it.

Like most occasions I attend, I noticed loads of acquainted vehicles and acquainted faces to meet up with, however a lot of new builds on show too. We’ll be bringing you options on a few of the freshest within the coming weeks and months.

Inside one of many filming areas, 25 RWB vehicles have been on show. Though I’ve seen numerous examples earlier than, it was a pleasant deal with to have so many in a single place.

There was additionally a vendor space with loads of tuning components on show. However what actually received me excited was the RC space.

As a result of subsequent to the whiny little RC vehicles was the model spanking new Hardcore x Pandem Method D Japan drift machine, quickly to be pushed by Mr. Tsubasa Nagaswa. The automotive appears superb and I can’t wait to see it in motion. It’s fairly cool to see an R32 getting into the pack.

I’ll depart you right here, with a full gallery of vehicles beneath that caught my eye on the day. Take pleasure in Clear Tradition’s first date with Japan vicariously by way of me. Somewhat voyeurism by no means harm anybody.

Toby Thyer
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