2020 Has been something else, among everything else going on I want to take a break for 5 minutes and focus on Rs Meeting. Another event that had to radically change for 2020, it was essentially a closed event with no spectators and only 400 cars being eligible for the traditional photo shoot. Obviously travelling to Japan was out of the question for me as well. So with that in mind let’s go on a virtual trip to Fuji Speedway…
I make no apologies for showing you more 2019 images that I haven’t released yet as I think they are worth sharing! (if you never saw them, here are some posts I did last year for the original event: Rs Meeting Part 1 and Rs Meeting Part 2)
This is my virtual take on how the day would have gone for 2020 had we all been there:
First of all you need to get to Fuji Speedway so head out on the expressway and get going!You know you are close when you start seeing teems of other GT-Rs!Once you see the iconic gates you know you are here, nothing like a line up with 1000s of GT-Rs.There is plenty to see, of course with Japanese efficiency it doesn’t take long to get through the gates.Once you are in, the next order of business is getting a park! There is definitely a theme in these car parks…Once you get out of your car it starts and we are still in the carpark at this stage… the first car you see just happens to be a white M Spec with BBS wheels and an S2 engine… with recent auction results can you imagine how much this car would go for!Look the other way and you find a MNP 34 with Nismo Aero – including Z tune fenders, BBS wheels and a heightened spoiler.You start walking towards the track and pits but there are still more cars rolling in to the parking as you are walking. In this case of drool worthy cars; we see another 34, this time a Z Tune front bumper hides the ARC intercooler. The list goes on with the bonnet, wheels, spoiler raiser, Bride seats, etc.You finally get to the track after hearing a howling set of carbs, just a Hakosuka heading down one of the longest race track straights in the world.Not long after an RB equipped 33 heads past, anyway time to move on!The first thing you see as you head into the display area just happens to be the R33 GT-R LM – yes the one and only that existed to homologate the 1995 Le Mans efforts. Moving onto something a bit more tangible but just as desirable, Omori Factory are showing off some very nice builds. They will often use Rs Meeting or Nismo Festival later in the year to publicly reveal new parts. The R33 carbon air inlet you see here being one such piece for this year.It would be rude not to check out the revamped interior!To round things out best check out the rear end too!Of course, the other NISMO CRS cars are there too… something for everyone!I personally find the VR38 engine in the 35 the most ‘bland’ of the recent GT-Rs but what they lack in visual appeal they more than make up for in performance.The 35 interior goes with the more modern them of the entire car.The CRS for me is undoubtedly the R34 so we take a bit of time and have a look at it in detail since we are here!The R2 engine bay is a work of art… imagine if they initially came this highly optimised from the factory.There is no stone unturned for the interior either – close your eyes and imagine the new car smell…Now, of course it is not just NISMO cars on display but the who’s who of the Japanese GT-R world so let’s keep walking.Whilst it was predominantly GT-Rs on display there was the odd interloper, in this case a thoroughly developed R34 4 door. Back to the GT-Rs and not sure what is bigger on this R32, the turbo or front diffuser?We keep walking – your going to meet your daily step target today trust me! This R33 has big 90s Wangan vibes, Mid Nite Club anyone?This R35 might be the 2020 equivalent… In fact, Auto Select had a few nice R35 GT-Rs on display.Speaking of Wangan, here is a classic Bayside Blue (so named because of the colour of the iconic water along the Wangan) set off by another classic, some bronze TE37s.Further down the row and you stop in your tracks, is that? Yes, not one but two of the most legendary GT-Rs of them all. The Z-Tune and the 400R on display at the world renowned Global Auto.You see the Garage Yoshida R32 on the other side of the display section – definitely one you will have to look at in closer detail when you have finished this side (of course you run out of time and don’t get a decent change – all the regrets).More 90s style goodness, this time Panasports on a MNP R33.At the end of the display you notice a view over one of the car parks. Yes, one of many and this is just one of the smaller ones too…. Only in Japan.You can also see down to the track itself, more old school goodness, in this case some genuine legendary Group A goodness – pinch yourself.This R35 rounds it up pretty quickly though…Speaking of R35s here are a few more of your favourite examples. Now look at the size of those brakes!The Kansai Service R35 is looking fast just standing still.Another Auto Select R35.For some reason you think to yourself, Japan does R35s ‘better’ than any where else – rose tinted glasses or truth?!Anyway, that is enough R35s for the moment – you notice a crowd gathering, special presenters are talking – how is your Japanese? Also time for a group photo which will appear in GT-R Magazine, say cheese.There are a few more cars hidden in the pits and service areas but as the day winds up it is time to start heading back to the car…This means going through the car park which is arguably as good as the show itself!Got wing?!Children and houses the number one reasons for selling GT-Rs surely… not in this case though, good on the owner for starting them young!Wasn’t that car roaring down the main straight when you arrived? Yes, it was!And another…Not quite as old…Slash plates (temporary registration) mean it is likely this car came out for Rs only…I am sure I have since seen this MNP2 car be sold and move to America…Tri spokes are cool! Note the 10kg ballast sticker on the rear quarter window, for that real JGTC look!This looks like it should have been in the display area but was just hanging in the car park…Is Liberty Walk the Veilside of 2020?Yeah she is running a bit rich mate!A trio of white R32s – easy to see why they were so popular and remain to be!You have seen all the colours of GT-R the rainbow today… From new……To old…And everything in between!You are almost back to your (hire) car now, how good would it be to come in your own GT-R.Getting into your car and heading into the best traffic jam finishes up an amazing day! Only thing left to do now is head back to your hotel room in Tokyo… or is it? The Wangan and Daikoku, Tatsumi or even the Hakone are calling!
There we have it, one of the best days any GT-R enthusiast can hope to have, hopefully next year we can all be there in person! Fingers crossed, hopefully you enjoyed my virtual tour, as always more to come.
