Hot Version Battle, Sendai Highland – Part 1

Our newest Japan based contributor, Adam Zillin, made his way to Sendai Highland Raceway to cover the latest Hot Version Battle and has put together a great story and gallery of photos of the invite-only event.

Most of us are familiar with the very popular Hot Version DVD’s released by Best Motoring, here in Japan. Keiichi Tsuchiya always features prominently, as do his on track cohorts, Manabu Orido and Nob Taniguchi. There’s also even a little eye candy amongst all the aluminum, carbon fiber and testosterone. The Hot Version DVD series is now more than 100 volumes old and has always showcased battles between the best of the best in performance engineering here in Japan. To the victor, the spoils truly do go and there is a lot of honor and dignity on the line for all those chosen to participate from the countless many who apply.

Considering this is an airtight, invite only event, you can imagine my surprise when I received an unexpected call from a personal friend of mine, who for the sake of anonymity, would like me to refer to him simply as “Y”. Y has a very interesting hobby in that he develops bespoke performance parts for his very own gloss black 2008 Nissan R35 GT-R. Going back a few months, Y showed me the blueprints for a special set of performance dampers that were one off creations being crafted especially for him by a workshop in Nagoya. Fast forward a few months and Y has been selected to compete in the battle and asks me to attend the shoot on his behalf.  Before it even has time to register, he hits me with the zinger, “…and I’ll need you to drive the car back from Sendai to Tokyo.” The thought of not only being invited to attend the shooting for one of the most exclusive automotive battles in Japan but also have the chance to spend a few hundred intimate kilometers with one of my favorite cars on the way back was too much to resist.

I hightailed it all the way to the Crescent hotel in Sendai, half an hour from the Sendai Highlands raceway. As the taxi rolled up at the hotel, I noticed a few familiar cars and trailers parked in the driveway. Our black R35 GT-R was of course instantly recognizable. Garage MCR had turned up with their track spec R35 GT-R, as had Garage FEED; Fujita-san electing to represent rotor town with their equally formidable taikyu FD RX-7. Over on the right was another trailer sporting a stack of new Advan boots and a black on silver GRB STi WRX brought in by garage C-SER. Parked a little further away was a vermillion red S15 that had all the hallmarks of an Auto Produce Silvia with its distinctive bewinged drift stance slammed down hard on big shiny rims. It was here I met Hideki Nakayama, president of Deck Mechanical located in Nagoya and the man who was handling all of Y’s work on the GT-R. Nakayama-san produces almost exclusively, hand made parts for a variety of Japanese cars, most notably the Lancer Evolution series. Looking much like a modern day katana forging blacksmith, Hideki went on to say that although he is an expert with 3 dimensional computer graphics and metal crafting, his experience with the GT-R was limited. Trust me, you would never have known it by looking at the work that has gone into setting up this particular GT-R from scratch. More on that later.

Hideki and I sat around the bar until around midnight chatting about various things, not least of those being the fact that this was also his first time attending a Hot Version battle. He mentioned it was very important for him to make a strong impression on the judges and that this event was crucial in either weakening or strengthening his company’s position in the industry and among his peers. I can report, the samurai spirit is indeed alive and well at these events! Wednesday arrived with a perfect suit of weather to match and no sooner had breakfast finished, the convoy of trailers and cars were making their way to the circuit. I had never been to Sendai before but know how popular it is with drivers. There is no doubt the track could use some upgrades but as long as there is action, people keep coming back. While the teams busied themselves preparing the cars, I took the opportunity to take a closer look at the assembled field. Some of the biggest names in the game were here. The MCR GT-R looked menacing and purposeful; its one-piece 6 pot forged aluminum mono-block calipers, housed within 20” Enkei rims, dominating the wheel arches. A formidable braking set up usually reserved for but not exclusive to Super GT cars. Next to the MCR car, the Monster Sport Evolution X looked decidedly less threatening with its standard set of front and rear Brembos but was set up with overall balance being of more importance than outright speed. I gave FEED’s taikyu FD RX-7 a good looking over; this was a car that was built razor sharp and ready for a rumble. Well know in tuning circles and packing more than 450hp in a sub 1200kg body, this FD was built with no expenses spared; details constantly catching the eye everywhere you look.

Whether it be the copious lashings of carbon fiber throughout, the V mounted intercooler complete with custom FEED piping chilling the super heated air from the massive snail or the little things, like the “push-to-pass” button on the Nardi wheel giving Fujita an extra 30hp via a computer controlled boost spike, this car has it all. Not to be outshone, Powerhouse Amuse had also come to the party with what is a seminal vehicle for any Honda enthusiast worth their VTEC. This S2000GT-1, created by tuning legend Hideki Tanabe is instantly recognizable, having been immortalized in the driving epic for the PS3, Gran Turismo 4. In commemoration to the fallen Tanabe, Power House Amuse showcased the GT1 as a demonstration car; the highly strung S2000 performing in a fitting tribute for a special feature in the DVD with driving insights from Keiichi Tsuchiya. Personally, this car is reason alone to purchase volume 101. From any angle this S2000 is aggressive; the pumped and flared bodywork indicating serious intent; carbon fiber wings and canards offering up kilo upon kilo of down force. I really admire the way modern angular shapes have been made to look more organic on this chassis – a truly wonderful car to behold.

Further down the lane, the black GRB from C-SER looked decidedly resolute, an obvious challenger to the eternal Evolution enemy. Right at the end, the vermilion Auto Produce S15, surprisingly sporting stock brakes, looked appropriate in one of the most beautiful kits that can be fitted to a Silvia. When it comes to the way these cars need to look design cues need to go no further.

Stay tuned for part 2 where I report on the business end of proceedings!

Words/Images: Adam Zillin

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