Despite what anime fans, a character on Heroes and many baseball stars might lead you to believe, Japan is still a land where work takes precedence over family and leisure. That's probably an over-simplification, but it's not easy to entertain yourself in a country where movie tickets cost an average of $27, eating out can easily cost $60 for two, and co-workers give you a cold stare when you leave earlier than six. So it's a relief to find some Japanese willing to cut loose. Such is the story of the Kei-car Off Road Club (KCOC).
The kei-car class came into being during the mid-80s. Japan has a population of 127.4 million-roughly half that of the US-all living in an area about the size of California. So small cars are a necessity, not a desire. The kei's wheelbase is limited to 134 inches, its width to 58 inches, and the engine is pegged at 660cc. Many kei-cars have solid discs up front and drum brakes in the back, as well as MacPherson and multi-link suspension lay-outs. Noted by their yellow plates, kei-cars enjoy cheaper insurance and road toll costs. Weighing an average of 1400 pounds, sport versions from the this class soon had the youth market ditching their Type-Rs, Vitzes, Fits, Zs and Supras for these nimble giant-killers.
Team AGOBAC, or Aoyama Gakkuin Old Boys Automotive Club, is a bunch of Aoyama University alumni known for their spoiled upper-crust backgrounds. The most interesting trait of this group is that Takai is 62, Kabaya is 62, Kasama is 61, Iguchi is 56, Aida is 45 and Numata is 38 years old. The number 56 designation was derived by their median age.
Sportsland Shinshu is in southeastern Nagano city, three hours north of Tokyo. Though not as famous as its tarmac counterparts Fuji Speedway, Suzuka or Twin Ring Motegi, a quick look at the schedule sees it playing host to 'gravel days' run by HKS and Endless gravel days. Today's configuration is about one mile, with two major straights, three hairpins and several sweeping turns.
The stretch of Highway 35 (sanjyugo-go-sen) that meanders up towards Sportsland Shinshu is battle-scarred. After about 20 minutes, we reach the summit of Takatou-yama, where a dilapidated Dunlop arch marks the entrance. Gate staff gawk at us as we turn up without entry passes. They radio in, and I hear the voice of our host, Ms. Machida, call out (jokingly): "Make them pay 100 dollars each."
Once inside, we see preparation is well underway. Team names are often a cause for amusement. One team goes by the name Mitero Kachan, loosely translated as 'Look, Ma'. Badges declare models such as Vivio, Carol, Alto, Cervo and Mira.
Speed is a relative term in motor sport. KCOC rules keep things simple, if not affordable. The base model has to be outfitted with a six-point bolt-in roll cage, Yokohama Advan A-O31 gravel tires, mudflaps and, if the car has EFI, needs to be changed over to carburetors. Gut everything in the interior, except for the dash, and install a racing bucket seat. Suspension can be changed for coilovers, but most teams opt to cut OE springs and get off-the-shelf sport shocks. The number of drivers per car is limited to 10,again an appeal to hobbyists. The average car-plus-parts budget is about $2000 to $3000. Split that between 10 people and you've got yourself a cheap racer.