We’re back at Gunsai Touge for another year of AE86 bliss.
This time Garage Infinity has expanded its reach to include all cars with a 4A-GE engine in its annual range matsuri, although the turnout remained overwhelming Hachiroku-centric.
My day started at the nearest supermarket to Gunsai, where there is always a revolving door full of cool cars heading to the famous driving spot.
For those of you who are up to date on my AE86 adventures in Japan, you will know that I bought my car from Garage Infinity, so it was a good thing I visited their annual event and soaked up the atmosphere.
As some of you know, I’ve also been drifting with my AE86 – stay tuned for a story on that – and the temptation to experience the Gunsai Touge from the driver’s seat was strong. After a few visits, however, I knew better than to risk driving home in a tow truck.
As always, the event attracted a wide variety of Hachirokus. I’ve always said that AE86’s are one of the few chassis that vary so much from build to build, and this event was proof of that.
What caught my eye the most was this cream-on-silver Trueno hatchback.
Once again the Team Mouse cars came from Kansai. These are always my ‘how to make a notchback’ examples, when I need inspiration. In my mind, there are two main styles for an AE86: 15-inch wheels with a bodykit, or 13/14-inch wheels with stock Toyota aero. Team Mouse cars nail the former perfectly.
One of the best things about shooting Gunsai is how close you can get to the action. As scary and dangerous as it is, nothing beats standing behind flimsy guardrails outside a fast corner, closing your eyes to avoid getting hit by rocks, and constantly keeping the shutter on in the hope of that perfect shot.
I also met Naoki-san and took some pictures of his stunning 4A-GE 20V ‘Blacktop’ swapped Levin. After years of tinkering, there is almost nothing left for him to tweak, adjust or improve.
I even mounted my GoPro in Naoki-san’s 86 for some in-car footage. Check it out above!
Hiroshi ‘Kaicho’ Takahashi was also there with his iconic red Running Free Trueno. This car is always evolving and this time Kaicho came up with a full carbon roof change which was pretty impressive.
Towards the end of the day I jumped into the passenger seat of a car to see if I could get some photos. Hail Mary action shots out the window. As you can see in the video, Gunsai is fast. Sitting in a standard chair with no bolstering, with my camera dangling out the window, I had a lot of luck getting the shots I did, and the risk was well worth it.
The Gunsai Touge will always have a place in my heart as the true Mecca of drifting in Japan, and events like Garage Infinity’s 4A-GE-only matsuri Just make it even more special.
Alec Pender
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