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Whoa, Jensen Button! Not often you can get the chance to stand next to a world champion! Which of the mortals in the picture is you?
I am the smug dude in the striped shirt.
Originally Posted by Cayman292
Button would be great to meet. Seems like a genuine nice guy. We got to meet a bunch of the Champ Car and CART drivers back in the day when we were working the track at Portland International Raceway. Had the only car we ever got to order new when we got a 924. It was a a fun car that we put 150K on, but not the same as the Cayman.
He is indeed a genuinely nice person.
Over breakfast, Jessica Michibata (his GF at the time) took my film camera from me and poked him in the ribs with it, and exclaimed, 'See! I TOLD you it was a cool camera!'
I was surprised and not sure how to react, but Button was really nice and we all had a good laugh and chat.
I too tracked my wife's 924, and while the balance beat my 911 through the corners, I think the word 'languid' best describes them on the track?
A friend of a friend ran a 924 Carrera GT at the same time, and that was a very different proposition.
He's was in jail for fraud of some sort, and his Porsche were for a time, owned by the Australian government I think.
Originally Posted by Cayman292
We first worked there as flat tow at the first Champ car race in 84 until building a new house in 94 took all our time. Always spectated on the “hill” at the Rose Cups before that. Was there when Monte Shelton blew the back of his 911 off on the main straight. It must have flown close to 100’ in the air. The wife’s best day was when she escorted Danny Sullivan into the pits the year he broke his wrist at Indy. Those were the days.
That's pretty neat!
There's a photograph of Mario Andretti on the pit wall at Surfers' - holding a koala - with me in the background somewhere too.
I think Sullivan would have been there at the time as well?
While I've met Hamilton and a few others too, more notable to me is pushing Jack Brabham in his BT19 (for a demo race, not in period, I am not that old).
The only person to win a F1 championship in a car bearing his own name I think?
I'll save my Jim (You're All a Pack of Arseholes) Richards story for another time.
But, leave this here for race fans:
You’ve inspired me to dig out our old Pentax that we used to use. This photo was from PIR a bunch of years back. That’s our butterscotch Jeep in the background. One of the moments was when after the day of practice for ChampCar my wife asked who that little kid was wandering in the pits. It was Al jr. Him and Michael looked so young then even though he was 22. The fastest we ever got our ‘77 924 was 119 down in the desert around Palm Springs. Front was very floaty at that speed.
You’ve inspired me to dig out our old Pentax that we used to use. This photo was from PIR a bunch of years back. That’s our butterscotch Jeep in the background. One of the moments was when after the day of practice for ChampCar my wife asked who that little kid was wandering in the pits. It was Al jr. Him and Michael looked so young then even though he was 22. The fastest we ever got our ‘77 924 was 119 down in the desert around Palm Springs. Front was very floaty at that speed.
That's pretty awesome on the Pentax.
Here in Japan, film is processed and scanned onto a CD in 45 mins (no prints), can you do the same?
I miss the racing scene, but life's other diversions make up for it - you cannot do it all.
That Jeep would be very popular these days in Japan!
Our friends' list of possible houses to inspect included this daimyo's (feudal lord) house from the 1600s.
Unfortunately, the thatch was damaged in the 2019 typhoon that went through the area, but the interiors were in good repair.
This is the public space entrance, not guests, which use a special entrance.
The interiors are huge, and for a while in the 1900s it was used as a museum.
Upstairs is the secret soldier's quarter, which would these days, make a great space for kids' bedroom.
Another place we looked at had a commercial grade ofuro (bath).
This place was nestled into a little valley, and unlike the daimyo house, more like our regular minka.
Local bus and taxi depot.
Other houses we looked at.
This place had been converted into a little cafe and restaurant, and we sat outside with fresh roasted coffee, and a vegetable croquette plate lunch.
Not for sale - that we are aware of - but, this minka with a huge gate looked fantastic.
This yard of expended drift missiles fitted the above description of slow decay and wabisabi.
Not sure though if they will ever run again.
Though with the price of Japanese classics rising, we might be looking at the equivalent of a yard of 1950s' racing Porsche?
I had better find something nice and new and shiny to shoot soon.
The following 6 users liked this post by Kuro Neko:
BWJones (10-14-2022),Cayman292 (10-15-2022),Dupla (11-06-2022),Muni (10-15-2022),Racer Boy (10-15-2022),TMc993 (10-15-2022) and 1 others liked this post. (Show less...)
For World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10), a group of like-minded friends participated in a walk across Tokyo to raise awareness.
We were rewarded with some rolls of expired film from a stash of over 2000 rolls, unfortunately from an acquaintance who had taken her life.
For a similar walk on Mental Health Day (October 10), I shot a roll of her Kodak Ektar 50 that expired in 1993.
Driving to meet some friends.
Idle shots.
The Renault 4 was sold both locally, and as a gray import, so there are a few about.
Notably as they were still on sale here into the 1990s, and with over 200 members in the Tokyo 4 club, they are kept on the road enthusiastically.
Neighbor's 964.
Though popular in period for racing, this Nissan Cherry is perhaps unlikely to see another track day.
We do not have bears in our area, not even fishing ones,
Perhaps, they have all been taken by tsunami, and hence this warning sign.
For some reason, the polished stainless finish on this fish transport has made a near perfect reflection of the harbor side facilities, giving a great illusion the truck is perhaps transparent.
Local fishing coop building in the background.
Original fishing cooperative building, perhaps dating from the Meiji-era.
Home in the late afternoon, for the last shot on the roll.
Same scene, taken on my mobile phone (with a great approximation of the 28mm focal length on my old Nikon 28Ti).
No wonder people have stopped using film, and now carry their memories in the pocket where ever they go...
Not much Cayman driving lately, but we're planning a tour, so some pics sure to follow...
Getting ready for a wash.
Running some errands, we thought a quick side explore was necessary, and this cat calmly watched us do a 20-point turn to get the Cayman out of this too-tight-to-turn corner.
If you're in the UK, and craving great classic car content, you can pick up a copy of Classic. Retro. Modern. magazine accordingly.
Along with some seriously experienced automotive journalists, they've graciously included some stuff from me here in Japan.
Also, available for international subscription too.
In the meantime, here's some filmy goodness from a recent track day.
I thought the tow hook on this 360 a little optimistic... Or, perhaps pessimistic?
This ex-USDM kombi has obviously seen better days, but with all that patina is likely worth more now in its long life, than ever before.
Subtle wing and re-badging?
Local hero, on original plates.
Still a glorious machine to look at, all these years later.
This mid-run example, without the needless wings and mess, looks nearly as tasteful as a periscopio?
Kyoto Honda S squadron had come up for the day, and set some great times, making their stupendous twin-cam Honda noise.
Racing Imps still popular.
Here, with a Toyota Publica, which were also raced in period.
Previously seen 2.0L S has seen some recent work, as well as inventive race tape.
The 26R Elan always delights...
This 356 was hiding a secret - a six from a donor 911, including rear suspension.
With those trailing arms up front and that greater mass out rear, you can perhaps understand why this wasn't a popular conversion.
While I would have enjoyed more power in my A, not sure I would have wanted its brakes and front suspension as a combination.
Big Jag!
Ambitious entry number one.
Ratty, but well loved Elan.
Ambitious entry number two!
Some great Alfa.
The boat tail was particularly nice...
Some pretty remarkable cars at that track day!
So, you are Skorj? Where does that name come from? And where does Kuro Neko come from?
Sodegaura always has a wide range of interesting machines, both on and off the track!
Yes, I am Skorj, and Kuroneko Photography is what it says on the invoice...
I lived in LA for many years, and never went to Disneyland.
We've had a house in the country similarly, and often leave the local areas just as place to transit on the way to somewhere else.
With Covid-19 restrictions nearly 100% relaxed, we've had a few friends come and visit, and recently a set stayed in the local area too.
They recommended a local ryokan accordingly.
With the nice weather, tourists too are starting to return.
Here, a bus load of oji-san are marveling at the view (as per first pic), and not sure they've noticed the Showa-era Med-style villa nestled into the hill behind them.
Though it was locked up, and looked like it had not been used in a number of years, it was in good condition.
A bit inland was a similar era gas-stand, needing some attention though.
Open roads.
Many rice fields (harvested here), have little shrines in them.
Entrance to the hotel.
The entrance area to the hotel has a great 1960s' feel.
Our bath overlooked the Yoro gorge and river.
The rooms have all been refitted, and still maintain most of their period feel.
Leaving the next day.
If you're ever in the area, Mochinoki is worth the stay...
10-12-2022, 05:48 AM
