- 26,911
- Houston, Texas, USA
- JMarine25
Hi again, GT Planet.
Before I begin, I forgot to give a certain congratulations to. I'd like to congratulate (and this is VERY late news) the University of Houston's Lady Cougars for beating TCU (Texas Christian) for sole possession of the Conference USA title. Go LADY Coogs! And go male Coogs as well...
With over 300 posts and change as of 3/5/2004, I've been highly thankful to moderate as best as I can. I'm still playing Tokyo Xtreme Racer 3. What I thought would be slow paced (based on my progress), is actually being more enjoyable. Forget the "2 out of 5" X-Play gave it, I'm enjoying it.
So I decided to come up with a new topic in the "Drifting and Other Motorsports" category. This time, I wanted to highlight on the motorsports aspect of the world's biggest automobile manufacturer, Japan (if my facts are wrong, correct me). You are welcome to highlight on Japanese racers, Japanese manufacturers, Japanese racing action, anything Japan, let's do it.
When you think about Japan in racing, most people would tell you that the JGTC is one of the greatest series in the world (and they are right). There are Japanese racers that I can recall. For example, there are ex-F1 racers Ukyo Katayama and Aguri Suzuki. Of course in Japan, your last name is said first. So my name would be M. John, and likewise, they would be Katayama Ukyo and Suzuki Aguri. Not to mention that Takuma Sato is a Japanese racer, seen him in F1 in recent years. Do you remember Nobihiro "Monster" Tajima? He raced the WILD Suzuki Escudo at Pikes Peak. I remember Rod Millen vs. Tajima. Even though the "Monster" lost, it was still cool to see him race the curcuit. Tora Takagi (Toh-ra Tah-kah-gee) is a good IRL racer and almost won his first race last season. Kosuke Matsuura (Kos-kay Maht-soo-rah) is a newcomer to the racing scene in the IRL Indycar Series. Hayanari Shimoda did Le Mans and FIA Sportscar last year, I think. These are only a few of the Japanese racers you can mention. Of course, you can add new names.
When you think about Japan in racing, as a manufacturer hotbed, American oval racing fans have their small sampling as Toyota is stepping to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. "Oh, Toyota won't win. Chevy, Ford, and Dodge are going to dominate this Japanese make." Even I watch NASCAR sometimes. What place did the leading Toyota finish? 2nd. To me, for it's first race, that's pretty damn good, don't you think? If any company is committed to motorsports, look no further than Honda. Honda was a company that specialized in 2-wheel action before stepping up to 2 more wheels. Over the course of their history, they have made cars/trucks, motorcycles, generators, lawnmowers, outboard motors, even their sensational humanoid robot ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative MObility). A Japanese company I'd want to call the Ferrari of rally racing would be Subaru. With Subaru, you may not expect to see them build a 600hp, mid-engine/rear-drive LMP race car, but you will see $500,000 rally cars challenge Monte Carlo, Argentina, Finland, Australia, Sweden, and their home-country's new rally stage later this year. I can recall the days of Colin McRae. Championship after championship with Subaru. McRae is still one of the best rally racers in the WRC, but Subaru still remains as one of the best in rally. Mitsubishi. Who wouldn't want a Lancer? It's a proven rally car, a powerful street car, and can be driven to the edge... and it won't break. Mitsubishi raced JGTC with their FTO (available in Gran Turismo 2 for 500,000 Cr). I'll admit. I haven't been a real Nissan fan. However, their Skyline is very capable. The R34 is the best in Japan until the next GT-R comes out in a few years from now. All of a sudden, I'm starting to like some of the newer Nissans, and their Titan is stepping up against the American haulers.
Simple as pie (except for this long reply), right? Japanese racers, manufacturers, action... if it relates to racing, come on down. Oh, and one more thing about Japan. I sure hope they can do exceptional on the international stage. I'm talking about the bigtime endurances (especially Le Mans, but including Petit Le Mans, Sebring, maybe Daytona as well).
Before I begin, I forgot to give a certain congratulations to. I'd like to congratulate (and this is VERY late news) the University of Houston's Lady Cougars for beating TCU (Texas Christian) for sole possession of the Conference USA title. Go LADY Coogs! And go male Coogs as well...
With over 300 posts and change as of 3/5/2004, I've been highly thankful to moderate as best as I can. I'm still playing Tokyo Xtreme Racer 3. What I thought would be slow paced (based on my progress), is actually being more enjoyable. Forget the "2 out of 5" X-Play gave it, I'm enjoying it.
So I decided to come up with a new topic in the "Drifting and Other Motorsports" category. This time, I wanted to highlight on the motorsports aspect of the world's biggest automobile manufacturer, Japan (if my facts are wrong, correct me). You are welcome to highlight on Japanese racers, Japanese manufacturers, Japanese racing action, anything Japan, let's do it.
When you think about Japan in racing, most people would tell you that the JGTC is one of the greatest series in the world (and they are right). There are Japanese racers that I can recall. For example, there are ex-F1 racers Ukyo Katayama and Aguri Suzuki. Of course in Japan, your last name is said first. So my name would be M. John, and likewise, they would be Katayama Ukyo and Suzuki Aguri. Not to mention that Takuma Sato is a Japanese racer, seen him in F1 in recent years. Do you remember Nobihiro "Monster" Tajima? He raced the WILD Suzuki Escudo at Pikes Peak. I remember Rod Millen vs. Tajima. Even though the "Monster" lost, it was still cool to see him race the curcuit. Tora Takagi (Toh-ra Tah-kah-gee) is a good IRL racer and almost won his first race last season. Kosuke Matsuura (Kos-kay Maht-soo-rah) is a newcomer to the racing scene in the IRL Indycar Series. Hayanari Shimoda did Le Mans and FIA Sportscar last year, I think. These are only a few of the Japanese racers you can mention. Of course, you can add new names.
When you think about Japan in racing, as a manufacturer hotbed, American oval racing fans have their small sampling as Toyota is stepping to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. "Oh, Toyota won't win. Chevy, Ford, and Dodge are going to dominate this Japanese make." Even I watch NASCAR sometimes. What place did the leading Toyota finish? 2nd. To me, for it's first race, that's pretty damn good, don't you think? If any company is committed to motorsports, look no further than Honda. Honda was a company that specialized in 2-wheel action before stepping up to 2 more wheels. Over the course of their history, they have made cars/trucks, motorcycles, generators, lawnmowers, outboard motors, even their sensational humanoid robot ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative MObility). A Japanese company I'd want to call the Ferrari of rally racing would be Subaru. With Subaru, you may not expect to see them build a 600hp, mid-engine/rear-drive LMP race car, but you will see $500,000 rally cars challenge Monte Carlo, Argentina, Finland, Australia, Sweden, and their home-country's new rally stage later this year. I can recall the days of Colin McRae. Championship after championship with Subaru. McRae is still one of the best rally racers in the WRC, but Subaru still remains as one of the best in rally. Mitsubishi. Who wouldn't want a Lancer? It's a proven rally car, a powerful street car, and can be driven to the edge... and it won't break. Mitsubishi raced JGTC with their FTO (available in Gran Turismo 2 for 500,000 Cr). I'll admit. I haven't been a real Nissan fan. However, their Skyline is very capable. The R34 is the best in Japan until the next GT-R comes out in a few years from now. All of a sudden, I'm starting to like some of the newer Nissans, and their Titan is stepping up against the American haulers.
Simple as pie (except for this long reply), right? Japanese racers, manufacturers, action... if it relates to racing, come on down. Oh, and one more thing about Japan. I sure hope they can do exceptional on the international stage. I'm talking about the bigtime endurances (especially Le Mans, but including Petit Le Mans, Sebring, maybe Daytona as well).
