Help a car lounger experience Tsukuba Circuit

[kenstoy]

My advice it to not overstay your visa 90 day visa or you will be in major trouble. Overstaying your visa wil result in jail time/strip search and being banned from Japan for 5 years.

Also make sure you have international medical insurance. And to ensure that it covers road racing. Medical evacuation can easily be $30,000-$120,000.

This
I was worry same thing. Unless you have proper visa to stay in Japan.
If you have proper Visa you must register local town hall for 外国人登録証(Gaikoku-Jin Touroku Shyo)
http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/index.html
This must file with in 90days from entry date to Japan
Also you must apply Japanese driver license if your stay more than 3 month.
If Japanese Police find out your driving with international driver license more than 3 month. They might revoke international license.

Those you must carefully about that

[Jordan 191]

Blaine, MN

Yuck.

[alleghenyman]

You're either the adventurous friend everybody wishes they still had from college, or you're Bill Murray and this is the greatest troll in the history of The Car Lounge.

[diflow]

this is a pretty ****ty thread.

these kind of stories are cool when everything works out for the person...
your situation just sounds pretty ****ty.


this thread needs more people saying "CSB" instead of acting like they want to suck the ops wang.

accounting major?

[dumkopf]

OP, I can help you with Japanese (somewhat). I took a class and know some basics. This would help the both of us a bunch. haha

[GodSquadMandrake]

OP, I can help you with Japanese (somewhat). I took a class and know some basics. This would help the both of us a bunch. haha

Do you know how to read Japanese? Can you read the Tsukuba Circuit official website?
http://www.jasc.or.jp/

You register online for races here. But I've been having trouble determining exactly what the heck they are asking for. Like I can't figure out if they require a HANS and fire suit, or just a helmet.

Again I'm not here illegally. That would be extremely stupid. I researched that kind of stuff on the Internet before I came. I'm not a total idiot. It's just that you can't google up "How to start racing at Tsukuba Circuit". So that part of stuff I just can't plan out or research.

[windi]

Again I'm not here illegally. That would be extremely stupid. I researched that kind of stuff on the Internet before I came.

Then what kind of visa are you in Japan under? Japan isn't exactly known for their easy immigration/residence laws, especially if you have neither job nor money.

[GodSquadMandrake]

Please can we leave my personal details out of it and not get off topic? If you really want to know you can PM me and I will gladly answer.

[HwAoRrDk]

Japanese banks are confusing as hell. I tried up down and sideways to get them to take my money. I really don't understand it. It has to be in some official honorable method with an ink stamp in a custom created thing called an Inkan you buy at a department store. I really don't get it.

As far as I understand, the Japanese don't really use the whole concept of a hand-written signature. Instead, they use personalised seals/stamps. So, think Inkan = signature. Much more info on Wikipedia.

[PSU]

I think you have bigger problems to deal with other than trying to experience the track...

I LOL'd.

[mozcar78]

bump for some japanese hooker stories......

[GodSquadMandrake]

How about Tokyo Auto Salon instead?



This is from the RE Amemiya booth with all the rotary stuff.

Tomorrow I'm moving the car to it's new home at Tsukuba. This has been a LONG wait, but it'll be worth it to finally grip the steering wheel again. Riding trains just doesn't cut it, especially when someone jumps in front of the train like yesterday and splats.

[NoLongerLow]

I seriously admire your drunken dedication. Its impressive.

I hope you get to race on the Circuit in your black FD. Live the dream.

[compy222]

great thread. hope it's going well for you. you are really on the bleeding edge for some of us TCL'ers. I think that we all admire your dedication and want to experience something like this.

[GodSquadMandrake]

YESSSSS!!!!
I finally did it!

The RX7 is in the garage at Tsukuba circuit waiting for me! That is like a dream come true. I've been planning this day since 2009.
Got lost driving there and it ended up being night before I pulled in, so no pictures of the garage. But I did get some other day time shots I'll upload (with some STI type RA action too).
The garage is tiny and the RX7 has to share a stall with a tiny EK Civic, Mecca Racing's race car. To get the car in and out it takes 3 people and they have to remove the support beam for the roof But hey this is Japan, I don't question their ways. As long as they have staff there to remove pieces of the walls and building to get my car out, it's ok by me.

You guys would probably crap your pants if you saw all the stuff Mecca Racing has. Think "The Fast and the Furious" but replace all the girls in mini-skirts with Japanese guys in green jump suits laying carbon fiber, tuning carbeurated turbo engines, etc etc. And yes the rumor is true, they do apparently live there. It's a vast complex like a beehive and it was creepy how everyone had this smile of satisfaction on their faces.

Well too much to explain and I have to get to bed... also found receipts that say "Cusco LSD" on them so the LSD mystery is solved. Alright really now I'm going to bed...

[swagger rob]

awesome man

I'll be making my annual trip back to tokyo this december to see my future wife's family again...always uncomfortable since my japanese is pretty terrible with my honky accent. meh, it'd be cool if I swung out there and saw you driving around the track

[GodSquadMandrake]

If your coming to Japan you should totally take a trip to Tsukuba, even if you don't know anyone there. I'm far off from actually racing though. The tires are old and cracked, and I haven't even figured out the requirements for racing

[Benjamin.]

[autotragik b3attlewagen]

I'm an alcoholic and the only time I'm sober is when I plan to get in the car. So I've just been sitting in my little room drinking and playing facebook games for the last month. Not going out at all to save my money for racing. Really. I'm going to need tires and a good suspension setup so no frivolous spending. Even though I came here without a plan it doesn't mean I'm not dedicated and serious to what I'm doing.....

Can't really answer questions about the visa, just know I am here legally. I'm not making any money at all yet. .

Then what kind of visa are you in Japan under? Japan isn't exactly known for their easy immigration/residence laws, especially if you have neither job nor money.

Please can we leave my personal details out of it and not get off topic? If you really want to know you can PM me and I will gladly answer.

Looks like you have provided way more personal info, why such a fuss about people asking what type of visa you are on? Seems trivial in comparison

op, you sir are a complete dumbass, or a savant genius.

[bc]

If your coming to Japan you should totally take a trip to Tsukuba, even if you don't know anyone there. I'm far off from actually racing though. The tires are old and cracked, and I haven't even figured out the requirements for racing

Thats awesome you got the car and garage! Congrats!

Tsukuba requires you to have a "Tsukuba license" for the full track (2000) unless you hook up with an organization that runs an independent track day (where they rent out the entire track) like these guys:
http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~circuit/

Getting the license involves sitting through a lecture and filling out some forms. There is probably a video too. (I haven't gotten my Tsukuba license since I've moved to Tokyo, but this is based from similar experience in Aichi)

I think Mecca runs thier own track days, so they can probably help set you up with the proper credentials.

Expect to pay around 20,000 yen for an hour of track time. Kinda pricey compared to other places, but what can ya do?

[GodSquadMandrake]

I just don't want to be judged man. So far people have been really helpful though. I might need some more soon though figuring out the regulations. I saw a book today in Japanese that was like a rainbow of colors and kanji describing different kinds of licenses and requirements for the races. I have a feeling this might be very specific to Japanese racing. But they have foreign guest drivers here all the time so there must be a way.

[GodSquadMandrake]

Thats awesome you got the car and garage! Congrats!

Tsukuba requires you to have a "Tsukuba license" for the full track (2000) unless you hook up with an organization that runs an independent track day (where they rent out the entire track) like these guys:
http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~circuit/

Getting the license involves sitting through a lecture and filling out some forms. There is probably a video too. (I haven't gotten my Tsukuba license since I've moved to Tokyo, but this is based from similar experience in Aichi)

I think Mecca runs thier own track days, so they can probably help set you up with the proper credentials.

Expect to pay around 20,000 yen for an hour of track time. Kinda pricey compared to other places, but what can ya do?

Nice info. That kind of sucks about the cost. Someone was telling me it was only like 1,000 yen for a ten minute lap session there on the open lap days.

[bc]

I just don't want to be judged man. So far people have been really helpful though. I might need some more soon though figuring out the regulations. I saw a book today in Japanese that was like a rainbow of colors and kanji describing different kinds of licenses and requirements for the races. I have a feeling this might be very specific to Japanese racing. But they have foreign guest drivers here all the time so there must be a way.

There is an absolute flurry of racing licenses available here. Some are specific to a racetrack (Fuji, Tsukuba, Suzuka, etc) and some are specific to a competition series (JAF/FIA A/B/Intl).

For Tsukuba, you only would need a Tsukuba license to participate in the "practice day" sessions, which is what I would recommend you start out on. They sometimes have no-license-required "family days" where you can share the track with Minivans and Kei-cars loaded with dachshunds, but that might not be the best way to experience this track.

Don't worry about getting the JAF/FIA Competition License. I spent a buncha time and money getting mine and now I only use it for a 15% discount on Domino's Pizza.

When it's time for you to compete in FIA-sanctioned motorsports events, then you need it. But only then.

For now, Tsukuba license and tires!

[swagger rob]

Don't worry about getting the JAF/FIA Competition License. I spent a buncha time and money getting mine and now I only use it for a 15% discount on Domino's Pizza.

[bubuski]

Bump for following your dreams.

[08-Jetta]

I'm confused. So you rented some garage space for the car and it's permanently (as you pay rent) your spot? It's a garage on the track? or what. If so that's f**king amazing. Do you have tools or access to tools?
This is so cooool. If I were single I would be planning a move somewhere cool like you did.
Ignore my pm, it's a bit outdated now. Did I mention this is so cool?

[GodSquadMandrake]

Yeah the garage is rented from Mecca Racing. They are right across the street from Tsukuba, but I think they are a private company No tools yet, I really need to figure something out for that. Hopefully Mecca will help me out with something.

[1SICKLEX]

Came in thinking son I am disappoint but this has been one interesting read and thread.

Share any Lexus pics

[2.0_Mazda]

damm you got balls
i wish i could do so but unfortunately i'm even less prepared then you are
good luck thought!

[GodSquadMandrake]

Spent 5 hours in here with the dealership salesman to get it to Tsukuba. The car isn't registered for the road, the tow truck was broken, and he was the only authorized driver for the dealer plates. So he just drove it to Tsukuba with me hehe

[Chris.K]

You've got to try and meet the Best Motoring crew and get your picture with them. How's the FD feel compared to the FC? Looks like a bargain compared to what you'd get here.

[GodSquadMandrake]

The FD feels like what the FC always should've been but it keeps all the same little sounds and familiar feeling.

[GodSquadMandrake]

You can't see it, but they have a R35 GTR there with 10,000 miles on it for the same price as what I spent on my MKV GTI. I mean initial buy + mods. Same price. But an R35 with 10,000 miles...

[Jordan 191]

Your car looks good!

[Mr Miyagi]

Too bad you couldnt of gotten something with more of a track setup, but it will be fun!