So i get an email from a friend in Japan who had 6 cars on display at a featured classic car show as part of the 50th Anniversary of Suzuka raceway on 1st/2nd September 2012

For those of you who don't know, Suzuka was originally built as a test track for Honda and is still owned by one of Honda's subsidiary companies. Accordingly, Honda & Suzuka Raceway celebrated their 50th Anniversary with many featured races (motorbikes, classic cars, GP cars etc). My friend sent me a heap of photos of his cars (the #41 Prince GT replica race car is one of them in the photos) and a few links for my viewing pleaseure which i thought i would share here.



Don't worry there were Bellett's there as well!!!!!! check the first couple of Youtube clips below

There were many famous race drivers and race riders there including Kenny Roberts Eddie Lawson and our own Wayne Gardner. As well as a huge variety of demo runs including nostalgic formula cars, 6o's sports cars etc etc etc....

My friend who is extremely well regarded in the Classic Car & motorbike movement and has a collection of around 80 classic cars & dozens of classic bikes to die for (majority Nissan/Prince & Kawasaki) which regularly feature in all of the classic car/bike magazines in Japan was luck enough to have walked away with a helmet personally digned by Kenny Roberts.



Also out on the track was the Isuzu R6 Spider:



Anyway, if it is of interest to anyone here are some links for your perusal. I, myself have been to Suzuka several times, and the circuit is amazing. The whole area has developed over many years to include museums, theme parks and everything else necessary to make the area and its surroundings a carnival type destination. Simply stunning!

Throw the links into a translator so that they can be read...

History of Suzuka Timeline:

http://www.suzukacircuit.jp/50th/gallery/index.html

http://www.suzukacircuit.jp/50anniversary/

Some pictures:

http://www.suzukacircuit.jp/50anniversary/event/

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&s ... iQfcgoHIDA

http://hondaf1.blog48.fc2.com/blog-entry-6134.html



Some celebratory messages (movies) from famous drivers/riders:

http://www.suzukacircuit.jp/50th/movie/index.html

Some youtube clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbLaCA0T5oo (Bellett can be spotted at about 2:30)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22V4-pLM3YE (Keep your eyes open at about 1:20 mark)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo0wVftQvZ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdoi0lLmMy4

You get the drill.....

If you want to search specifically for Suzuka 50th Anniversary links throw 鈴鹿サーキット50 into google (Japanese for Suzuka 50 Circuit) or 鈴鹿サーキット50 記念日 (Japanese for Suzuka 50th Anniversary)

To specifically search for Suzuka 60's car feature info throw this into google: 60 鈴鹿サーキット50

Or throw the above Japanese phrases into YouTube...

I would highly recommend adding Japanese tribute festivals (classic car festivals) to your bucket list You ain't seen nothing in the way of weekend nostalgic car shows/displays/swap meets/racing until you have been to one of these.

The Time Machine Festival that i attended in 2007 (apart from the woeful weather) was the best one i've been to - hundreds and hundreds of classic Japanese cars on display and in the car parks!!!

I'm organising a trip to Japan for a few of us in the Prince GT Register in 2014 to celebrate 50th anniversary of the Prince GT.

If anyone ever chooses to go to Japan, let me know, and i can send you in the right direction!!