Maze Test

After a grueling 2 weeks, we finally got the car done to go testing.  The Boss wanted to do some shake downs before we headed out to Ebisu.  From Nagano, its about 2 hours to Maze Circuit in Niigata.  The track is right next to the beach and the weather was quite warm. The only thing is that the road from the kosoku to the track is really bumpy and narrow. We met up with the GP Sports team, who were also testing their cars for the coming D1GP season.

After a few shake down runs, we got the suspension pretty dialed in.  Being that we are switching from the RE-01R to the RE-11, we didn’t know how the tire would pan out.  After Yoichi got a feel for how the tire is, we ran into a small problem with the turbo.  The studs between the exh manifold and the turbo pulled out.  With that being said, our day was over and the mechanics had a day to fix everything before we left for Ebisu.

Team Boss with Potenza and Team Toyo

DG-5, Imamura and Boss

Shaking down the new RE-11

Weekend Yakyu

Since I am staying with my boss, on the weekends I don’t have any where to go. I don’t have a car and I can’t really stay at the house by myself. So I wake up early and go to baseball tournaments with my boss’ family. Don’t get me wrong, I like baseball and I really like my boss’ kids. But its the getting up early part that blows. Being that they play 3 games in one day and the first game starts at 8:00am, I end up taking a nap in the car by the start of the second game.

But it is interesting how formal the games are.  Lots of bowing, lots lectures from the coaches.  It looks more like a Karate tournament then a baseball game.  You would expect to see lots of cheering and yelling, but its more of clapping and whispered conversations.  But its still fun to watch baseball on the weekends.

Drift project

Since I got to Japan, the garage staff has been work on getting the car ready.  We have been working until late in the night to stay on schedule.  MSR just finished the stickers today(in a really short time too).  We still have to install the headlights, shifter, seats, tune, fluids and tune before a test day next week.  Here is a sneak peak before its debut at Ebisu next week.

New coloring for 08′

New engine

Last chair

As soon as I got to the office, there was a pile of work for me to do.  When my friend at work asked me to go snowboarding, I jumped on the opportunity.  I was stoked that we were going to Hakuba as I have yet to go there.  When we got there, the sun was shining and it ended up being pretty slushy.  Even though, the base is so thick here, it was still super fun.  Everyone in our group was an experienced rider, so I had to push myself to keep up. 

Finishing up the day, I realized that my camera was acting up.  Turns out that it decided to break on me right before we left the parking lot.  Bummer because on the way back, we stopped at this outdoor onsen spot.  It looks like a bus stop with a patio cover.  You just take your shoes off and dunk your feet in the hot water.  Its so hot that the submerged part of you leg turns bright red.  A great way to cap off a day of riding. 

 We ended up at this spot called Round 1.  I heard about it but never got a chance to go there.  Its basically like a Dave and Busters, minus the food, plus a bowling alley.  Imagine a football field stacked 4 times.  The best discovery though, was how many girls were there.  I actually gave up hope on Nagano.  In actuality, I was looking in the wrong place.  Now I know and knowing is half the battle.

Hopefully I can get the camera sitation worked out soon and post up some more stuff.  Next stop, D1GP round 1 at Ebisu circuit.

Back in Japan

Its been a while since I have had to make regular trips back and forth to Japan. But with the way things are going, I will probably be back on this schedule.  The weather is not as bad as I thought it would be and luckily there is still a bit of snow left to go ride.  The only thing that sucked this time around was the 100lbs in luggage that I had to carry.  Oh and that I didn’t get served any food because I was sleeping.  I pressed the call button like 5 or 6 times and finally just got up and told them I wanted some food.  Fuckers.  I think this has had to be the worst service I have experienced from AA since I started flying with them.  Or maybe its because the food and service is really good on Korean air.  Who knows but I am stuck with them.  I will post up some picks as soon as I get a chance.

Hello Japan

I tried to go business class, but it was booked.  Going back I think its going to be a necessity.

You try carrying this thing through customs and see what they say.

Update…

Being that I haven’t been working a steady job, been preparing to go back to Japan and that magazine work pays really crappy(that is when they feel like sending you a check), I haven’t really had anything to write about.  I was talking to Jimmy and we realized that its been weeks since we even had a drink.  Its funny, even though I don’t go to a regular job, seems like I have something to do all the time.  This keeps my mind occupied, but my wallet really unoccupied.

 Hopefully with this next trip to Japan, things will change for the better.

Found a random cherry blossom tree and figure I would fob it out.

Saw this panda and it reminded me of Japan.