Last week, I introduced four Australians who had shipped their cars to Japan to go drifting. During the group’s Japanese adventures, they conquered several circuits, including Ebisu, Nikko, Fuji, and Mobara.
For this follow-up post, I joined them at Sportsland Yamanashi.
SLY is a small circuit that boasts breathtaking views and an intimate setting between the track, spectators, and pits. I’ve covered a few events here before, but the inclusion of four Australian-registered drift cars was certainly a first for the venue.
To accompany my images, I thought I’d give you a quick insight into all four cars that made the cross-continent journey, kicking things off with Ben’s JZZ30 Toyota Soarer.
At first glance, the Soarer presents itself as a simple street car, but the real magic sits beneath the bonnet, where the reasoning for sending such a car to Japan becomes much more apparent.
If it’s not already obvious, Ben is a fabricator by trade, spending his day-to-day piecing together some of the nicest cars and custom parts in Australia. That expertise is quite obviously executed throughout the engine bay, from the water necks to the manifolds, piping, and wheel well tubbing.
The metalwork continues to the rear guards, which have been slightly widened to accommodate the Work VSXX wheels.
Chris’s S13 Silvia is one of two S13s that made the trip over. This model was never sold new in Australia, meaning Chris’s car would have lived a previous life here in Japan before being exported in early 2000s.
The car has an intense history in Australia, from being almost written off at a drift event to then being completely overhauled and restored to its former glory, all in Chris’s home garage.
Chris has a habit of detaching bumpers, and made no exceptions just because he was in Japan.
Next up is Jake’s trusty old Toyota Corolla KE70. Once again, it’s a tidy street car, but this time with a different heart. Removing the factory carburetted paper weight, the KE now hosts an Autech Nissan SR20, the higher compression, higher revving naturally aspirated brother to Chris’ SR20DET.
Of all four of the cars, the KE70 received the most head scratches – people couldn’t understand why Jake had sent such a car to Japan. But that’s what makes it my favourite. Besides my Corolla-leaning bias, it captures the whole ethos of the trip: ‘why not?’.
Finally, we have Jake’s S13 Silvia. Even with camera magic, there’s no hiding that it plays the drift car part the most. Much like Chris’ S13 – and most S13s for that matter – it too has a history of carnage. After purchasing the Silvia as a rolling shell, Jake built it up into an extremely well-presenting street car. That was until a Ford Falcon missile drift car decided otherwise, sending the S13 into an almost year-long hibernation with a few bent panels to show for it.
Jake decided that time wasn’t up just yet for his beloved Silvia, and within two months had it back up and drifting, ready for a “hero’s death” in Japan, as he so poetically put it.
As for the track day itself, it went without even the slightest of hiccups. Another successful bucket list moment ticked off for all four drivers.
You may be wondering where these cars are now and what they’re up to. Well, Jake’s KE70, Chris’s S13, and Ben’s JZZ30 are all safely back on Australian shores. For Jake and his S13 however, the Japan trip continues, and I hope to touch more on that soon.
Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco
