In my final put up, I coated the trackside motion at Fuji Speedway – the guts of the annual Nismo Pageant. However what did the 28,500 spectators arrive on this 12 months? Let’s have a look.
Automotive parks at any automobile occasion in Japan are a assured treasure trove of cool equipment, and the Nismo Pageant is not any exception, with fans arriving from each nook of the nation to rejoice all issues Nissan.
As you’d count on, the theme in Fuji Speedway’s expansive spectator automobile parks was unmistakably Nissan, starting from humble kei vehicles to ultra-rare Silvia 270Rs. If there’s anywhere to catch a glimpse of Nissan’s heritage exterior of the automaker’s Heritage Assortment, that is it.
The second I began strolling in the direction of the primary automobile park, a bosozoku group of round 30 got here roaring down the street, making everybody properly conscious of their presence.
The most typical Nissan of the day by far was the R34 Skyline GT-R. There’s just one occasion the place an R34 GT-R can mix in as simply as a Toyota Camry, and the Nismo Pageant does that 12 months after 12 months.
There was one lone Toyota AE86 within the combine. Naturally, I needed to seize a shot.
Behind the automobile park, a Star Highway-built S30 Fairlady Z was quietly tucked away. It’s all the time a deal with to see these vehicles on the street, being pushed as they need to be. If solely we may’ve sneaked a peek beneath the hood…
This stunning C10 Hakosuka was exhausting to overlook. You may’t beat the basic mixture of RS Watanabe wheels on one in every of these JDM icons.
One other uncommon discover was this R33 Skyline GT-R Autech. This limited-edition sedan, one in every of solely 416 produced, featured the total R33 GT-R operating gear and wider fenders custom-designed by Autech for the four-door physique.
Loads of ‘2 Quantity’ vehicles have been additionally in attendance. For these unfamiliar, this refers back to the two digits on the highest of the licence plate. As these plates stopped being issued within the late ’90s, most of those vehicles are nonetheless single house owners.
Regardless of the flood of R34s, just one Midnight Purple GT-R confirmed up. It will be truthful to imagine {that a} good variety of these iconic vehicles have made their strategy to the USA by now.
It was cool to see this silver Silvia and R32 GT-R pairing. Two fashions from the identical period – one a flagship and the opposite an entry-level sports activities automobile – each now extremely wanted.
This S15 Silvia, that includes the uncommon Spec B orange inside, was one other spotlight.
Whereas GT-Rs have been undeniably the commonest vehicles within the automobile parks, Silvias weren’t far behind. Curiously, you don’t see many S13s round Tokyo today, so seeing this many in a single place was a uncommon deal with.
Of the 18 Skyline GT-R LMs ever made, two have been parked simply 100 meters aside – each standing out in their very own proper.
‘AH3 Pink’ is one in every of my favorite colors for the R32. There aren’t many of those on the street in Japan anymore.
This Sea Foam Inexperienced two-tone S13 was immaculate. Staying true to Nissan, it sits on R32 GT-R wheels.
Untouched S13 Silvias are virtually non-existent today, so stumbling upon this one nestled between an RPS13 180SX and an S14 was a spotlight of the automobile park.
Automotive park exploration wasn’t nearly me and my digicam. Many different spectators took just a few sizzling laps across the lot earlier than finding their very own vehicles.
One man even arrange camp for the day. Actually, I can’t consider a greater spot to observe the visitors go by.
Strolling again to the primary occasion, I used to be caught off guard by a 400R taxi cruising by. It’s secure to say it beats the same old Toyota Consolation!
And that wraps up protection of this 12 months’s Nismo Pageant. Should you ever get the prospect to attend a packed occasion at Fuji Speedway, don’t neglect to take a look at the spectator automobile parks – you gained’t be dissatisfied.
Alec Pender
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