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

[Vihis]

I've been in talks with hyrev about tagging along and to take some pictures for you guys. I'll be buying a digital SLR, I think today, so will see what kind of pictures come out !

See you all on the 5th !

[Miguel - Newera]

Cool, the more the merrier. Recommendation learnt from the Pro (eater ) meister.. Get a polariser!

If you get a Nikon and promise to be careful with it, I can lend you my 18-200 VR lenz if it helps

[akasakaR33]

Participants,

Thanks to everyone who is making this possible. I have heard from Sunako's manager that there might be two others who are joining us, both former Sunako students - one is a nice lady who drives a WRX..STi...I think...

Here is a link to places to stay, shops, etc. in the area, just in case.
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http://www.vistapoint.jp/

To review:
Time - 0730 to 1600. Gates open at 0730, Sunako will begin lecturing at 0800, and further, I need to turn in the list of participants by 0800. We plan to get on the track at 0900. For those of you who have not yet paid, please pay me directly when you arrive.

Insurance (for track, presumably -website just says "damage") - provided.

Weather - last time I checked, cloudy. And high of 30 degrees! Bound to be humid, I think. Bring a change of clothes, bug repellant / sunscreen if you'd like.

Car prep -
1) people should bring vinyl tape, in order to tape up their lights as well as tape on the "zekken" numbers on the doors. I will bring some extra.

2) unloading the car - be prepared to spend time unloading unnecessary weight from the car like floor mats and spare tires (mats are actually dangerous, as they might get tangled on the pedals), air fresheners, etc. In other words, a few minutes spent at home unloading that bicycle/junk/toddler seat from the car might be a good idea. We will be able to use the covered pits to store our stuff.

3) mechanical - car prep means no oil leaks, a full tank of gas (fill up in town before heading up towards the track), a working seat belt (or harness) and 4 good tires. Those of us with some experience may have particular tire pressure settings for the track. Bring air gauges and pumps, if possible (I have a cigarette lighter plug-in one people can borrow, but it's slow). The schedule will allow us to refill during the day.

4) Everyone, by showing up, agrees to be responsible for their own car, and whatever damage that might occur. As common with tracks anywhere, if two cars get in an accident, each bears his own repair costs, no matter whose fault it is. Further, this is obvious, but everyone should have their own medical insurance too.

Person prep
1) Be rested, get a good night's sleep. Think about staying at one of the two hotels I listed above, if you are not a morning person. For those who have never done this, you will be surprised at how tired you are after you finish.

2) Afterwards, you may want to take a nap, before heading home. Plan ahead.

3) Gear - motorcycle helmet or better, gloves, long sleeve shirt and pants made of natural fibers (synthetics will melt onto your skin in a fire). Tennis shoes or better, if you want to practice heel/toe then thin soled shoes are best. You will sweat, bring a change of clothes.

4) if you get lost/problems, my cell is 080-3496-7535 (for those who are Softbank users, you can email me at the number as well - that address is, just in case - mrkansai@t.vodafone.ne.jp - long story). I will be staying with the organizers somewhere nearby (I myself don't know yet). If you know others on the board, might be a good idea to get their info too, just in case.

AM session is practice under instruction, at two different points along the track. Faster we get done, more lap time at full speed in the afternoon. In the PM, we will be split into 2 groups, for 15 minute sessions - one group on the track, the other off. You and your car will both need rest

Sunako has no problems with video taping him while he/you are driving. Photos ok too, of course.

Lunch. Bentos provided. For any spectators, I am sorry but the number of lunches ordered is supposedly limited to participants, might be wise to bring something for yourselves, just in case. Drinks, as this is Japan, I would be very surprised if there weren't at least two vending machines at the track.

I don't think there's anything else, but feel free to call/PM/email if you have any questions.

See everyone on Saturday, bright and early!!

Aki

[hyrev]

I will see about about bringing a cooler with ice and a few drinks, not as many to go around like we had at Nikko. So, if you bring hot drinks, you can keep them ice cold in my small cooler. Thanks again Aki for setting this up, perhaps Dino can show up in the car he is test driving . I just got a wide angle lense for my camcorder and will bring the mount that Miguel lent me to get some footage.

[jamesskyline153]

Hey Aki! is it too late to change what car im bringing?! I am bringing the JZX100 Chaser.. My new car

[Vihis]

Originally Posted by Miguel - Newera

Cool, the more the merrier. Recommendation learnt from the Pro (eater ) meister.. Get a polariser!

If you get a Nikon and promise to be careful with it, I can lend you my 18-200 VR lenz if it helps

Yum Yum, 200mm. Nice (What's a polariser)

I am about to buy a Canon 450D, aka Kiss X2 and to go with that a tamron 17-55 lens. I don't know how close to the track I can get so 55 might not be enough.. might get a cheap zoom lens for that.. MIGHT!

I am also facing trouble. As it turns out to be, I have no means of getting to the track.

Hence a cry of help. Is there a kind soul in Tokyo with space in their car ? I can travel to which ever station around Tokyo for a lift. I reside in Kichijoji.

Please PM me with your keitai meeru \ number if you would be able to help me in return of hopefully okay looking pictures..

edit:

if I do manage to get to the location, will I be paying something for the day ?

[akasakaR33]

Originally Posted by jamesskyline153

Hey Aki! is it too late to change what car im bringing?! I am bringing the JZX100 Chaser.. My new car

James - of course not! I look forward to checking out your new car!

Aki

[akasakaR33]

Originally Posted by Vihis

Yum Yum, 200mm. Nice (What's a polariser)

I am about to buy a Canon 450D, aka Kiss X2 and to go with that a tamron 17-55 lens. I don't know how close to the track I can get so 55 might not be enough.. might get a cheap zoom lens for that.. MIGHT!

I am also facing trouble. As it turns out to be, I have no means of getting to the track.

Hence a cry of help. Is there a kind soul in Tokyo with space in their car ? I can travel to which ever station around Tokyo for a lift. I reside in Kichijoji.

Please PM me with your keitai meeru \ number if you would be able to help me in return of hopefully okay looking pictures..

edit:

if I do manage to get to the location, will I be paying something for the day ?

Well - there should be someone... if you can catch a ride with someone who's going there only to check out the action, then you won't have to get up too early. Otherwise, most of us are probably leaving before 0530 in order to get there on time - which means I don't think many trains are running then? So you may need to cab it to meet someone...

Alternatively, you can take the JR Chuo Line - for example, from Shinjuku station to Nirasaki. I checked on the JR website, if you want to get on the Super Azusa No 1 at 0700, you will arrive at Nirasaki at 0837. Then you can take a taxi from the station - you'll be really close.

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Or you can try your friendly Midori no Madoguchi (ticket office) at any major JR station, they should be able to get you the ticket ahead of time. Remember it's Nirasaki station in Yamanashi prefecture, CHUO line.

And when you get there, no of course not, no charge at all. Hope to see you there!

Aki

[Kanzen]

I'm booked into the same hotel as Miguel.

I don't have a clue where it is, literally at the hands of the Satnav to get me there

I expect to leave Yokohama around 6pm tonight but the Chuo is a sod to get to from my place it's going to take me a while with the Friday traffic.

See you all there

[hyrev]

Vihis, I think what Aki mentioned is a great idea, as most of the action will not start till around that time. He is right that trains go not start till around 0500 and who is to say that your train will leave at 0500, so that should not be depended on. I really hope to see you there so we can get some photos but more importantly meet up. We can then discuss your stay here in Japan and what to do about that.

[Vihis]

Thanks for the ideas guys

I checked the time tables for the chuo line (Which I take to commute to Kichijoji). The first Chuo to Tokyo leaves at 4:34 from Kichijoji to Shinjuku and arrives before five.

The first train to Nirasaki respectively at 4:37 from Kitchijoji and arrives at 7:20.

I should be able to make it with the train and cab in case there's no one I am able to catch a ride from.

[akasakaR33]

Vihis,

Take the SuperAzusa limited express trains, not the local Chuo trains. They make limited stops, are much faster, and MUCH more comfortable. They may also be reserved seating, so you should try to book seats today, although I think getting a reserve seat early tomorrow morning should also not be an issue.

Aki

[jamesskyline153]

Hey Paul!! NG for the battery.. dad already packed/shipped the camera to Seattle, since he's leaving for SEA next thursday for TDY/Vacation.. so yeah.. NG.. Sorry!

[hyrev]

Thanks James, I am charging up my other battery and bringing the charger with me. See you bright and early.

[jamesskyline153]

No problem.. my bad.. yeah.. man, bright and early.. more like.. dark and early.. :P