Repost - July 5 - Private Instructions with racer Sunako-san

[akasakaR33]

I sent around a message earlier about the prospect of those of us here in Japan having private instruction in our own cars by a professional race driver, with the students to be all of us gaijin.

To review:
Tomohiko Sunako (nickname is Sunako-juku-cho, as he runs his own racing clinic, the "juku") is a professional race driver with more than 20 years experience. He helped put the GT-Rs - 32, 33, and 34s on the map, in terms of their racing legacy. He's still currently active, driving for the ENDLESS racing team in their LancerEvo. He's also famous as the driver whose Porsche went up in flames after getting broadsided by a Ferrari 355 on a wet soggy day at Fuji in the late 90s. Anyone who's picked up this month's issue of GT-R magazine can read the article on him - he's retiring this year, so there was a section devoted to him. He's also quite close I hear to "Tarzan" Yamada, another Japanese racer. (for those of us who attended the Yamano course, Yamano-san knows him too).

Here he is in action, in my car, with our very own Kanzen giggling like a girl beside him: YouTube - FUJI SPEED WAY

Anyway - just got a call from Sunako's manager - he's been able get a preliminary reservation, for a full day, at the SportsLand Yamanashi circuit. The date is Saturday, July 5th.

Here is what the track looks like:
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As I explained earlier, the more people we have, the less the cost. I will be putting out feelers on other forums as well. Last time I did a head count, I had about 10 people who were interested in doing this. If we have 10 people, then the cost will be about 60,000 per person.

If we have more people, obviously the cost would go down, but at the expense of behind the wheel time with Sunako-san. Still, this is a bargain compared to the 20,000 yen I pay for 50 minutes at Fuji and 5 minutes with Sunako-san (at the GT-R club track days).

Why should this be an opportunity you should not miss?
1) You will have a professional driver who can show you, one-on-one, what your car can do.
2) Usually, Sunako-san always drives, but this time he is making an exception and will also sit next to us as we drive, and give us immediate feedback. In this regard, I think this course might be good for that (ie it's short, so he can give more feedback - with long courses, he can probably only highlight your biggest foibles).
3) Sunako-san is retiring from racing AND teaching this year. They are setting up this class as a favor to me, but I also think this is the last class he will be teaching. The event has been termed [Sunako-juku LAST LESSON]. Don't know if press will be there, historic nonetheless.
4) Sunako-san is cool with in-car video. I've known other drivers who are not (they don't want the video to be put up on YouTube, etc.)

I just heard further that:
5) Imoto-san, from Toyo Tires marketing will be there (you can ask him questions ad naseum about tires). [PS, he formerly worked for NISMO as well as Pirelli Tires]
6) Imoto-san will, if finances allow, be bringing along Sunako-san's race prepped Civic N1 race car. This car will be available for us to drive and have some fun with.
7) If Sunako-san thinks your driving is OK, then you will be invited to drive the Civic in a REAL 6-hour endurance race on Sunako-san's team on October 25th, at Ebisu circuit.

Ok, so who's interested?

I need a FIRM headcount by Saturday morning. Again, it will be on Saturday, July 5, all day (maybe we can find an onsen nearby)

Thanks, and sorry this was so long...

Aki

[Kanzen]

We've been talking about this for a few months now, and I'm still definitely in

Wonder if I can get one of his suits, would be cool to drive with your arms on fire, shows people you mean business

[Bajie]

Originally Posted by Kanzen

Wonder if I can get one of his suits, would be cool to drive with your arms on fire, shows people you mean business

You'd best get one with flaming shoulder pads mate ...

[akasakaR33]

Originally Posted by akasakaR33

I need a FIRM headcount by Saturday morning. Again, it will be on Saturday, July 5, all day (maybe we can find an onsen nearby)

Thanks, and sorry this was so long...

I meant to say, of course, THIS Saturday (June 14) morning, at the latest in the afternoon (the track reservation has to be either secured or cancelled on Sat evening).

Thanks guys.

[Kanzen]

Originally Posted by Bajie

You'd best get one with flaming shoulder pads mate ...

lol

[akasakaR33]

Originally Posted by akasakaR33

I meant to say, of course, THIS Saturday (June 14) morning, at the latest in the afternoon (the track reservation has to be either secured or cancelled on Sat evening).

Thanks guys.

Ok, reading the above, I now realize that my English skills have deteriorated quite badly having lived here in Japan for the last 5 years.

Let me try again.

The event will be on July 5, 2008 Saturday (unless we don't have enough members, of course).

I need to have a solid, committed headcount by this upcoming Saturday, June 14, 2008.

Whew!!

[hyrev]

1. Aki
2. Nick
3. Paul - will do final confirmation before deadline

[akasakaR33]

Paul - thanks for the head count, and for joining us! Just a note though I have some people I know who don't post here who are interested - so everyone don't worry about getting 10 people here!

Aki

[hyrev]

Would be nice to have a R35 or 2 show up, for some friendly competition.

[Miguel - Newera]

Thanks Aki, Count me in!!

I wanna drive the Civic and would love to be a part of the endurance race too - yeah!!!

We need to rope a few more people in.... I'll try to get Daniel, my Swedish buddy in for this. He'd love it...
Got another petrol head friend over on holiday arriving 25th June for 2 weeks, he may be interested too...

I've e-mailed them both and alerted of this thread

[Daniel Gardh]

Im in.

[Daniel Gardh]

I didn't read the date for the event properly. Have to check finances as well. Will let you know tomorrow the latest.

[akasakaR33]

Great, Miguel! And Daniel, looking forward to meeting you, whether you participate or not!

Aki

PS There is another endurance race, this one a 12 hour event, also at Ebisu - if there are enough qualified drivers, we may be switched to drive in this event - it's in August, I think.

[hyrev]

1. Aki
2. Nick
3. Paul - will do final confirmation before deadline
4. Miguel
5. Daniel

[Miguel - Newera]

1. Aki
2. Nick
3. Paul - will do final confirmation before deadline
4. Miguel
5. Daniel?
6. Dai Chan

Told Dai Chan when he came into the office today (AE86 driver) he's totally into this, so I'm signing him up.

Daniel, you're coming or I'll punish you - BAD!

Aki, do you know if will we also have use of the track whilst Sunako San's instructing others, or will it only be one car on the track at a time?