AMS INC. MEMORIES OF JAPAN – EPIC NISSAN TOUR 2011 (ZCRAZIES)!
MOST of the pics are available on our corporate site and FACEBOOK site:
http://www.amsmotorsports.com/shop/ind/more/events.html
We literally had the trip of a lifetime this past November. We were invited by Mad-Mike Taylor (ZCCA LIASON to JAPAN) to attend his hand picked group to visit Japan. This tour has been a yearly endeavour since the mid-90’s. Words really cannot describe all that was experienced both from a automotive enthusiasts perspective and that of a cultural nature. The hospitality and society is one that has to be experienced first hand to really appreciate it.
OK now with what transpired on this trip! We had an action packed 11 days. The trip began with a ZFest Car Show (Japanese Z Sports Car Club) event at Nissan’s Grandrive Facility. Grandrive is where Nissan will bring media to showcase their vehicles. In addition to the invite only car show the Nissan brass allowed access to the track facility. We were given the opportunity to test drive one of two brand new 370Zs in LHD configuration on the track. In addition we had the chance to test drive a new G37 Coupe (Skyline in Japan) on the wet skidpad to see how Nissan’s traction control unit operates. We were also fortunate to have Mr. K drop in to address the crowd.
We also had visited NISMO HQ’s in Tokyo and were given a VIP a tour of their garage. Another highlight was a trip to Autech and their facility (they are responsible for the Nismo 350 and 370Z assembly and design). Here, we were also given a tour of the specialized plant along with a sneak peak at the new Nismo Z and specialty INFINITI (IPL) yet to debut. Touring Nissan’s Tochigi assembly plant was awesome as well. We saw GTR’s being assembled alongside G37’s and 370Zs. We then had a test drive on part of Tochigi’s track in a new 2012 GTR being piloted by one of Nissan’s Test Drivers.
Another highlight was visiting Toyota’s Car Museum which is just phenomenal. We had the chance to tour their private garage as well which is not part of the regular museum. We met with one of the chief designers of the LFA as well. Our day ended there with an impromptu test drive by this chief engineer in the parking lot in a stunning red LFA!
Not to be outdone by the Toyota Museum we were allowed access to Nissan’s famed DNA GARAGE (better known as ZAMA). Here we saw some amazing vehicles like the R390, MID-4 Concept, R32’s, R33’s, R34’s, old Skylines and nearly every type of Nissan Race spec vehicle you can name! Simply amazing!
The tour also included a trip to Fuji Speedway for NISMO’s annual festival attracting thousands of spectators. Here the various race cars and drivers were available for viewing, signing and of course some racing.
As mentioned at the get-go the car aspect is too hard to summarize. With regards to, the Japanese people, culture and society as a whole, it cannot be put in words. You really need to experience it. The hospitality we received from the host ZClub would be reserved for family anywhere else. We visited a traditional hot-springs, toured Tokyo, rode the bullet-train, and stayed at some very nice hotels. The cuisine is superb in terms of variety, flavour and fresh-ness. As a society Japanese are extraordinarily clean and well disciplined. They truly value their personal space and creature comforts. One of the many highlights would have to be having lunch with Mr.K and then having some additional intimate time during our signing opportunity in his private office. He is a very witty and humorous individual :
PICS WITH MR. K (Father of the Z Car and 102 yrs old!)
SOME RANDOM PICS FROM GRANDRIVE:
SKIDPAD TEST with a New G37 Coupe (SKYLINE in JAPAN):
SHOTS FROM our 370Z we test drove on the track:
MR. K addressing the crowd:
Some of the Z’s in attendance at Grandrive:
SOME RANDOM SHOTS OF THE TRIP:
These are but a fraction of our pictures.
Please feel free to visit our corporate site and/or FACEBOOK Page for additional pics.
http://www.amsmotorsports.com/shop/ind/more/events.html
Hope you enjoyed them!
