Mobara Twin Circuit Race Track Japan - JDM

The carnage is pervasive and expensive. Tattered body kits touching more pavement than car, twisted fenders, and cratered rocker panels suggest the eastern course of the Mobara Twin Circuit is lined with sledgehammers.

Prematurely worn tires, big horsepower, and wide grins otherwise permeate the pits where an impressive collection of machinery is gathered in the cold Japanese countryside. No lap times on these cars are collected, only cheers and jeers from the onlookers and the supreme satisfaction that comes with going really sideways and not crashing.

Rather than head to the dragstrip, autocross course or road course, every weekend a healthy population of drift enthusiasts frequent the numerous tight racetracks around Japan.

All the cars at the track today have either weld-in or bolt-in cages, suspension modifications for predictable, at-the-limit handling and engine modifications geared more toward reliable, tractable power than big dyno numbers. There is also an emphasis on greater cooling capacity. Tire choice is dictated by cost and availability for the less dedicated enthusiasts, and stick for the serious.

We show up with JIC Japan to check out its S15 D1 drift car and 350Z in action, and are pleasantly surprised by the hooliganism being perpetrated by so many. Run groups are broken up so both drift and grip drivers, competing for time and ultimately in a race, are given equal track time. The grip drivers went boringly fast and avoided sideways smokies, so we didn't pay them much attention.

Several classes based on driver experience and car preparation divided the 50 or so drift cars into those who make it look easy, including several D1 cars and drivers who compete professionally, and those who try really hard.

Enjoy the action.