2004 TEIN Japan Tour - 9 1/2 Days

2pm: Who Says Women Can't Drive?
The final run of the day belonged to Hitomi Masako in the Crackshot Racing Team sponsored GDB WRX Impreza. For all you male chauvinists who still believe women don't belong in the world of automotive racing, Hitomi-san will leave you eating your own words. Hitomi-san is the reigning queen of the All Japan Dirt Trial Championships from 2000-2002 in the all-female division class. In 2003 she decidedly moved up in the ranks to enter the Class N-4 division as the only female competitor among a dominant male class. With a soft spoken, "Are you ready?" in Japanese, she proceeded to tear down the gravel track as I attempted to document the action and keep the camera from bouncing back and forth. Sliding through the corners, the car was pitched and I found myself looking out the passenger window to prepare for the next turn. The whole time the ten-foot embankment stared me dead in the face in the front windshield.

3:30pm: Mr. Suntory Whiskey
As the day came to an end, we boarded the short bus to make our way to our new hotel located in Nihonmatsu, Fukushima [countryside] entitled Yui-no-sato, Aduma -Kan. Phew! Long-ass names! Setup as a traditional hotel with sleeping quarters fashioned after old samurai movies-think Kill Bill-the hotel was complete with bamboo floors and makeshift blankets. In closing out the day, dinner was served in a traditional Japanese hall and we sat on the floors facing one another. With plenty of beer, sake and my friend, Mr. Suntory Whiskey, at hand, the solemn group became rambunctious, screaming and yelling at one another to down their cups of rice water. I for one, faintly recall repeatedly drinking Mr. Whiskey out of a large rice bowl just before stumbling back to the room for some rest. Day Five was a memorable one; I'm hoping day Six is just as good.

Day 6
6:30am: Rude Awakening
"Someone answer the door!" the man yelled. He hoped one of the five editors crammed inside the room would respond. Turning toward the alarm clock, I read 6:30am, during which time "El Sea Basso" kept furiously pounding on the door. "Dammit Sea Bass! We need some sleep here! Go away!" I yelled. I hoped he would realize there were six hungover men in the room and we were in no mood to be awake. Then as clear as night I hear the man in the wife beater yell back, "Get your asses up! We're leaving in 30 minutes for the Ebisu Circuit for some drifting!" Ebisu? Oh shit! As if my ass were on fire, I quickly leaped off the floor while scrambling to pack my bags. The Ebisu Circuit is known for its uniqueness with its inclines and declines, using the natural mountain surface to shape the course. For the TEIN tour, drivers and participants were to campaign the west end of the course. Ebisu is also known as the track where the season finale in D1 Grand Prix competition is held every year.